Prelims 2017

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Day 29

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 Geography www.iasscore.in

AFRICA
Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most-populous continent. At about 30.3 million km (11.7
million square miles) including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of Earth's total surface area and 20.4 % of its
total land area.
AFRICA FACTS FILE
Area: about 30 244 000 km2 (11 700 000 mi2) including its adjacent islands it covers about 20 percent of
Earth's total land area.
Population: 1.2 billion (2016).

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Highest Point: Mount Kilimanjaro - 5895 m (19340 ft) in Tanzania.

Longest river: Nile (6695 km.).

Largest Urban Area: Cairo, Egypt (15.6 million people)
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Largest Lake: Lake Victoria or Victoria Nyanza; (68 870 sq. km.)

Largest Watershed: Congo River (4 million square kilometers/1.55 million square miles)
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Most Renewable Electricity Produced: Lesotho (100%, hydropower)
Population Density: 87 people per square kilometer
Africa is located in all four hemispheres: Eastern, Northern, Western, and Southern.
Africa's absolute location affects its climate. The continent is in the tropical and sub-tropical zones.
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East Africa is located at the boundary between tectonic plates. This affects the development of the East
African topography
GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES
1. The Sahara Desert is the massive but largely empty region in North Africa that contains the world's
second largest desert (after Antarctica).
2. The Maghreb is a region of northwest Africa encompassing the coastlands and Atlas Mountains of
Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia.
3. The Sahel region covers a belt of grasslands south of the Sahara stretching from Senegal to Sudan.
4. The Sudan region lies just below the Sahel but is slightly more humid and arable.
5. The Horn of Africa is a peninsula in East Africa lies along the southern side of the Gulf of Aden. It
encompasses Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia and Djibouti.
6. Sub-Saharan Africa is the area of the African continent which lies south of the Sahara.
7. The Guinea region is distinguished from the neighboring Sudan region by its rainforests and runs along
the Atlantic coast from Guinea to Nigeria.
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8. The Congo is the rainforest region

9. Great Rift Valley.

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OR
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THE MOUNTAINS OF AFRICA

Atlas Mountains Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. The Atlas Mountains were formed by
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converging African and Eurasian tectonic

plates.

The mountains contain a wealth of minerals,

including phosphate rock, iron, zinc, copper,
and antimony.

Ruwenzori Mountains Between Uganda and the
Democratic Republic of the
Congo
Mount Cameroon Active volcano in western
Cameroon near the Gulf of
Guinea
Mount Kilimanjaro Volcano in East Africa.
Notes
Margherita Peak (5,109-m) summit of Mount
Stanley, is the highest point in the range and
the third highest peak in Africa.
Recognized as a biological diversity 'hotspot'
due to the variety of endemic plant species
and endangered fauna.
Kilimanjaro National Park is a World Heritage
Site, and together with Kilimanjaro Forest
Reserve, is renowned for its natural beauty
and biodiversity

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OTHER GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES OF AFRICA

Great Rift Valley
Great Rift Valley a geological fault system stretching about 6,400 km from the valley of the Jordan River
in south western Asia to the Zambezi River in Mozambique. It is the longest fault system in the world.
Elevations range from about 400 m below sea level in the Dead Sea to more than 1,800 m above sea
level in southern Kenya.
South of Ethiopia the Great Rift Valley divides into an eastern and a western branch. The eastern branch,
which runs through Kenya and Tanzania, has many volcanoes and several shallow lakes.
The western branch, which runs along the Democratic Republic of the Congo's eastern frontier, is marked
by a chain of large, deep lakes and has few volcanoes. The branches converge at Lake Nyasa, in southeastern
Africa, and continue south as one system to central Mozambique.
The deep rift valleys of the Eastern Highlands hold a great series of lakes. This equatorial lake system

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includes Lakes Turkana, Albert, Tanganyika, and Nyasa (Malawi).
Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa and the third largest in the world, is, however, not part of this
system.
Victoria Falls OR
The waterfall is in southern Africa on the Zambezi River, on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe.
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The fall is higher and wider than Niagara Falls measuring 1,600 m across and drop about 107 m in some parts.
Cape of Good Hope
It is southern end of Cape Peninsula in southwestern Africa.
It is 48 km south of Cape Town (South Africa) and 160 km northwest of Cape Agulhas.
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The Cape of Good Hope for centuries was a landmark indicating to navigators that they were at the
meeting of the Atlantic and Indian oceans.
Cape Agulhas
It is in South Africa and is southernmost point of Africa.
It lies where the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet and is 160 km southeast of the Cape of Good Hope.
The name Agulhas (Portuguese for "needles") refers to the jagged reefs and sunken rocks around the cape,
on which many ships have been lost.
Sinai Peninsula
An area of Asia that forms a land bridge to Africa.
It is part of Egypt.
The Sahara Desert
Sahara, the vast desert of northern Africa, and the world's largest arid region. It occupies much of the
broad northern half of Africa and covers 9,000,000 km2.
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Northern boundaries of Sahara desert are the Atlas Mountains and the Mediterranean Sea and stretches
upto 17 north of the Equator for 1,900 km.
From the Red Sea on the east to the Atlantic Ocean on the west it stretches more than 5,600 km.
It is a low plateau with an uplifted center that has several mountainous areas. Elevations over much of
the Sahara average only 300 to 450 m above sea level.
Except for the Nile and the Niger, which flow along the desert margins, there are no permanent rivers.
Central Sahara is dominated by mountainous like Ahaggar (in Algeria), and Tibesti (in Chad). These
rugged and barren highlands of volcanic origin have been eroded by wind and water into many strangely
shaped peaks.
The extinct volcano of Emi Koussi, in the Tibesti, reaching 3,415 m, is the Sahara's highest point.
Kalahari Desert
It is an arid region in southern Africa comprising parts of Botswana, South Africa, and Namibia covering
an area of 310,000 km2.

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The northeastern part of the Kalahari receives the most rain up to 500 mm annually. Rainfall declines
toward the southeast, where some areas receive virtually no rain. Summer daytime temperatures often
reach more than 100 F (38 C.).
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Libyan Desert
It is a part of the Sahara covering 1,300,000 km2 in Libya, Egypt, and Sudan.
Elevations generally vary from 150- 900 m. In the northeast, in Egypt, the Qattara Depression drops to
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133 m below sea level-one of the lowest points in Africa.

The Libyan Desert is extremely dry; it often receives no rain for several years at a time.
Namib Desert
An arid coastal region in Namibia extending about 1,600 km from Angola in the north to South Africa
in the south.
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It is 130 km wide and lies between a high inland plateau and the Atlantic Ocean.
The weather is generally cool because of westerly winds moving inland from cold offshore water; morning
fog is common.
Annual rainfall is less than 1 inch (25 mm).
Two rivers, the Orange and the Kunene, cross the desert on its extreme northern and southern edges.
Diamonds are mined in the alluvial sands along the coast. Except for a few mining towns and ports, the
area is virtually uninhabited.
DRAINAGE IN AFRICA
River Originate Drains Flows through
Nile River Confluence of Blue Nile Mediterranean Sea Ethiopia, Sudan, Egypt,Uganda,
(originates at Lake T'ana Congo-Kinshasa, Kenya, Tanzania,
in Ethiopia) and White Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan,
Nile (originates at Lake Eritrea
Victoria)
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Congo River Atlantic Ocean Angola, Burundi, Cameroon,

Central African Republic,Congo-Kinshasa,
Gabon,Congo-Brazzaville,
Rwanda,Tanzania, Zambia
Niger River Guinea Highlands Atlantic Ocean Mali, Nigeria, Benin, Niger and
Guinea
Zambezi River Zambezi Source National Indian Ocean Zambia, Angola, Namibia,
Forest Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique
Orange River Maloti Mountains Alexander Bay, Lesotho, South Africa, Namibia
Atlantic Ocean
Limpopo River Marico and Crocodile Indian Ocean South Africa, Botswana,
Zimbabwe, Mozambique
DIVISION OF AFRICA

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1. North Africa lies north of the Sahara and runs along the Eastern coast.

OR
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Notes

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2. West Africa is the portion roughly west of 10 east longitude, excluding Northern Africa and the Maghreb.
3. East Africa stretches from the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa to Mozambique, including Madagascar but
excluding the southern and northern edges of the continent.

4. Central Africa is the large mass at the center of Africa, which either does not fall squarely into any other
region or only partially does so.

5. Southern Africa consists of the portion generally south of 10 latitude and the great rainforests of Congo.
NORTH-WEST AFRICA

Comprises of Morocco, N. Algeria and Tunisia Called Barbary States.

The relief and climate of this region make it unique.

The chain of mountains is Atlas Mountains.

The Chief agriculture product is vine followed by tobacco. Pastoral activity is also important.

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The Sahel is one of the most important regions in the world for the production of Olives.
NORTH EAST AFRICA
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Egypt
Nile river is the most important geographical feature.
The Western deserts, comprising of the total areas of Egypt. The eastern desert occupies the comparatively
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long and narrow region lying between the Nile valley and the Red sea.

Cotton is the most important agricultural product of Egypt. Maize sugarcane, vegetables and rice are
grown.

Cairo is the chief town and capital of Egypt, Alexandria the chief harbor and leading commercial center.
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Sudan
The largest country of Africa (in area)

Over 80% inhabitants derive their income from the farming.

Cotton is the most important agricultural product followed by peanuts, sesames seeds and gum
Khartoum is the capital, Omdurman is another town.

The Sahara Desert

Meaning "wilderness" extending 1600 km in north-south and 4800 east-west across the entire continent
from Atlantic Ocean to Red sea.
Djanet Oasis in Southern Algaria is considered as the most beautiful Oasis in the world.

A1 Aziziya is the hottest place in the world lying 40 km south of Tripoli (Libya).

Chad lake is highly functioning size varies between 1000 km2 to 25000km2.
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WEST AFRICA
Guinea Republic
It is very important in bauxite production: it is viewed that half of the world's bauxite is stored here. 60%
of the country exchequer comes from the export of bauxite.
Ivory Coast
It is one of the most prosperous countries in west Africa- Coffee, Cocoa, Banana and rubbers are main
agricultural Products.
Ghana
Formerly named Gold coast one of the leading exporters of manganese in the world
One of the leading producer of cocoa in the world.
Nigeria

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It is the largest country of Africa in population


Palm oil, peanuts and Cocoa are chief products.
Laos is the capital and chief sea port.
Sierra Leone
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Diamond is major export item.
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Freetown is the capital and most beautiful port of Africa.
EAST AFRICA
Comprises the countries of Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania along-with Rwanda and Burundi.
Uganda
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Lake Victoria is in this country.

Ruwenzori range which is the highest non-volcanic peak of Africa (5119m) the mountain is also called
"mountain of moon".
Kenya
Lies between 4 N and 4 S of equator.
It has been named after famous peak Mount Kenya.
Major export items are coffee tea, maize, wheat, sugar; sisal and cotton are chief products.
Tanzania
Africa's highest peak Mt. Kilimanjaro lies here.
It is largest producer of sisal in the world. Cotton, Coffee, tea tobacco are also gown.
Zanzibar and Pemba are known as islands of cloves. They are the largest producer of clove in the world.
Zanzibar is also and important port.
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CENTRAL AFRICA
It lies in the northeast of lake Tanganyika, Batusti (Tutsi) and Batula (Tutu) are two major ethnic groups.
Twa is the third major ethnic group.
Coffee is by far the most important export item, followed by cotton and tobacco.
Zambia
It is a land locked country and is one of the largest producer of copper.
The Zambezi and the Kafue are the chief river basins.
Malawi
Formerly known as Nyasa land,
It is a landlocked country.
Mozambique

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It has a long coastline facing the Indian ocean-crossed by Zambezi and the Limpopo river.
Limpopo river was once called "The valley that trembles" because of the herd of elephants in the region.
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Sugarcane, cotton, copra, sisal, and cashew nuts are the chief agricultural products.
HORN OF AFRICA
It the term denote that horn shaped part of Africa surrounded by Red Sea and Gulf of Aden in the East,
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Indian Ocean in South and Sudan in West

It consists of Ethiopia, Somalia, Eritrea and Djibouti.
Formed mostly of volcanic rocks and some portion are characterized by the fault scrap.
Ethiopian economy is agrarian 90% of the total area is cultivated. Coffee is the must important commercial
output
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SOUTHERN AFRICA
Comprises most the regions lying between latitude 17 as 35 S.
The Countries are South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland.
The Republic of South Africa
The cape region is the Mediterranean region with mild-moist winters and hot dry summers.
The Namib is the arid coastal strip between the plateau of South west Africa and the Atlantic. It is a true
desert.
Veldt is the tropical Savana region south of the equatorial rainforest in Africa- the region lies on the highest
ground in South Africa.
Kalahari desert lies in the western and north western part.
Kimberley is a noted famous diamond mining center lies in the northern part
Cope town is a port and center of country's legislature.
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Johannesburg is famous for gold.

Pretoria is the capital of South Africa.
Krunger is a National Park, a large wild game preserve, is also located In the Transvaal.
Natal is located on the eastern; lies under the highest part of the Drakensburg Escarpment. Most of the
Indian population lives in this state.
Namibia
Capital city of Namibia is Windhoek.
The country is rich in diamond mineral. Copper, lead and Zinc are also mined.
Botswana
It is a land locked country. The country has a very rough topography.
Majority of the people work in South African mines.

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Swaziland
Gold, coal, asbestos and iron ore are mined.
Sugarcane and fruits are chief farm products.
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THE AFRICAN ISLANDS
The Azores
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Forms part of Portugal.
It lies in the Atlantic between 25- 30 W longitude and 36-39 N latitude
The island is of volcanic origin.
The Modiras
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It is between 33- 34 N latitude

It is volcanic in origin
It has Mediterranean type of climate.
The Canary Islands
Forms part of Spain.
It lies 50 miles away from the African coast, between 27-29 N latitude
The Islands comprise seven inhabited and six uninhabited islands
The Cape Verde Islands
Group of 10 inhabitated and 4 unihabited islands lies between 14-17 N
Harmattan is the prevailing wind.
Madagascar
It is the fifth longest islands of the world after green land, New Guinea, Bosnia and Baffin Islands.
It is separated from Mozambique by the Channel of the Dame.
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 Indian Polity www.iasscore.in

INSTITUTIONS RELATED TO SOCIAL WELFARE

A. National Commission for Scheduled Castes
The National Commission for Scheduled Castes, a Constitutional body monitors the safeguards provided
for Scheduled Castes and also reviews issues concerning their welfare.
Functions and duties of the commission are:
a) To investigate and monitor all matters relating to the safeguards provided for the Scheduled Castes under
this Constitution or under any other law for the time being in force or under any order of the Government
and to evaluate the working of such safeguar

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b) To inquire into specific complaints with respect to the deprivation of rights and safeguards of the
Scheduled Castes;
c)

d)
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To participate and advise on the planning process of socio-economic development of the Scheduled
Castes and to evaluate the progress of their development under the Union and any State;
To present to the President, annually and at such other times as the Commission may deem fit, reports
upon the working of those safeguards;
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e) To make in such reports recommendations as to the measures that should be taken by the Union or any
State for the effective implementation of those safeguards and other measures for the protection, welfare
and socio-economic development of the Scheduled Castes; and
f) To discharge such other functions in relation to the protection, welfare and development and advancement
of the Scheduled Castes as the President may, subject to the provisions of any law made by Parliament,
by rule specify.
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B. National Commission on Scheduled Tribes

The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes was first formed by the Government of India in 1978
as a Non-statutory Multi-Member Commission. Initially, the Commission was set up through a resolution
for both the Schedule Castes and Schedule Tribes. In the year 1987, the Government of India re-
structured the duties of the Commission by authorizing it to advice on the Broad Policy Issues and Levels
of Development of SCs and STs.
The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) was established by amending Article 338 and
inserting a new Article 338A in the Constitution through the Constitution (89th Amendment) Act, 2003.
By this amendment, the erstwhile National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes was
replaced by two separate Commissions namely- (i) the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC),
and (ii) the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) in 2004.
Functions of the Commission are:
a) To investigate and monitor all the matters relating to the safeguards provided for the SCs and STs under
the Constitution of India or under any other law and to evaluate the working of such scapegoats.
b) To enquire into specific complaints with respect to the deprivation of the rights and the safeguards of
the SCs and the STs.
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c) To participate and advise on the planning process of socio-economic development of the Scheduled
Castes and the Scheduled Tribes and to evaluate the progress of their development under the Union and
any State.
d) To present to the President, annually and at such other times as the Commission may deem fit, reports
upon the working of those safeguards;
e) To make in such reports or recommendations as to the measures that should be taken by the Union or
any State for the effective implementation of those the protection, welfare and socio-economic development
of the Schedule Castes and the Schedule Tribes as the President may by lured specify.
C. National Commission for Backward Classes
National Commission for Backward Classes came into effect on the 2nd April, 1993.
The Act provides that the Commission shall consist of five Members, comprising of a Chairperson who
is or has been a judge of the Supreme Court or of a High Court; a social scientist; two persons, who have
special knowledge in matters relating to backward classes; and a Member-Secretary, who is or has been
an officer of the Central Government in the rank of a Secretary to the Government of India

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The Commission shall examine requests for inclusion of any class of citizens as a backward class in the
lists and hear complaints of over-inclusion or under-inclusion of any backward class in such lists and
OR
tender such advice to the Central Government as it deems appropriate.
The advice of the Commission shall ordinarily be binding upon the Central Government.
The Commission shall, while performing its functions have all the powers of a civil court trying
a suit and in particular, in respect of the following matters, namely:-
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a) Summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person from any part of India and examining him on
oath;
b) Requiring the discovery and production of any document;
c) Receiving evidence on affidavits;
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d) Requisitioning any public record or copy thereof from any court or office;
e) Issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses and documents; and
f) Any other matter which may be prescribed.
D. National Commission for Women
The National Commission for Women was set up as statutory body in January 1992 under the National
Commission for Women Act, 1990 to :
a) Review the Constitutional and Legal safeguards for women ;
b) Recommend remedial legislative measures ;
c) Facilitate redressal of grievances and
d) Advise the Government on all policy matters affecting women.
The objective of the NCW is to represent the rights of women in India and to provide a voice for their
issues and concerns. The subjects of their campaigns have included dowry, politics, religion, equal
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representation for women in jobs, and the exploitation of women for labour. They have also discussed
police abuses against women.
The commission regularly publishes a monthly newsletter, Rashtra Mahila in both Hindi and English.
E. National Commission for Protection of Child Rights
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) was set up in March 2007 under the
Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005, an Act of Parliament (December 2005).
The Commission's Mandate is to ensure that all Laws, Policies, Programmes, and Administrative
Mechanisms are in consonance with the Child Rights perspective as enshrined in the Constitution of India
and also the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The Child is defined as a person in the 0 to 18 years age group.
The Commission visualises a rights-based perspective flowing into National Policies and Programmes,
along with nuanced responses at the State, District and Block levels, taking care of specificities and

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strengths of each region.
In order to touch every child, it seeks a deeper penetration to communities and households and expects

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that the ground experiences gathered at the field are taken into consideration by all the authorities at the
higher level.
Thus the Commission sees an indispensable role for the State, sound institution-building processes, respect
for decentralization at the local bodies and community level and larger societal concern for children
and their well-being.
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F. National Commission for Safai Karamcharis
National Commission for Safai Karamcharis is an Indian statutory body was established through National
Commission for Safai Karamcharis Act, 1993.
The National Commission for Safai Karamcharis seeks to study, evaluate and monitor the implementation
of various schemes for Safai Karamcharis as an autonomous organisation and also to provide redressal of
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their grievances.
The Commission shall perform all or any of the following functions, namely:-
a) Recommend to the Central Government specific programmes of action towards elimination of inequalities
in status, facilities and opportunities for Safai Karamcharis under a time-bound action plan;
b) Study and evaluate the implementation of the programmes and schemes relating to the social and economic
rehabilitation of Safai Karamcharis and make recommendations to the Central Government and State
Governments for better co-ordination and implementation of such programmes and schemes;
c) Investigate specific grievances and take suo moto notice of matters relating to non-implementation of:
i. Programmes or schemes in respect of any group of Safai Karamcharis;
ii. Decisions, guidelines or instructions, aimed at mistigating the hardship of Safai Karamcharis;
iii. Measures for the social and economic upliftment of Safai Karamcharis;
iv. The provisions of any law in its application to Safai Karamcharis, and take up such matters with the
concerned authorities or with the Central or State Governments;
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d) Make periodical reports to the Central and State Governments on any matter concerning Safai Karamcharis,
taking into account any difficulties or disabilities being encountered by Safai Karamcharis
e) Any other matter which may be referred to it by the Central Government.
In the discharge of its functions under sub-section, the Commission shall have power to call for information
with respect to any matter specified in that sub-section from any Government or local or other authority.
G. Human Rights Commission
Section 2 (d) of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 defines human rights as rights relating to life,
liberty, equality and dignity of the individual, guaranteed by the Constitution, or embodied in the International
Covenants and enforceable by courts in India. Human Rights Commission according to the Act has been
established at the central as well as state level.
1. National Human Rights Commission
When established? On October 12, 1993 under Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
Headquarter - New Delhi

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Composition -
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a) A Chairperson
b) One Member who is, or has been, a Judge of the Supreme Court
c) One Member who is, or has been, the Chief Justice of a High Court
d) Two Members from among persons having knowledge of, or practical experience in, matters relating to
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human rights
e) In addition, the Chairpersons of four National Commissions of (Minorities, SC, ST, & Women) serve as
ex-officio members
f) The CEO of the Commission is the Secretary-General, an officer of the rank of Secretary to the
Government of India. The Secretariat of the Commission works under the general supervision of the
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Secretary-General.
There are six Divisions in the Commission namely administration; law; training; policy research, projects
& programmes; investigation; information & public relations.
Functions
a) Inquiring, suo motu, or on petitions, presented to it by victims, or any persons on their behalf, or on a
direction or order of any court, into complaints of violation of human rights or abetment thereof, or
negligence in the prevention of such violation, by a public servant.
b) Intervening in any proceeding involving any allegation of violation of human rights pending before a
Court, with the approval of such Courts.
c) Visiting any jail or other institution under the control of the State Government, where persons are
detained or lodged for purposes of treatment, reformation or protection, for the study of the living
conditions of the inmates thereof and making recommendations.
d) Reviewing the safeguards under the Constitution, or any law for the protection of human rights, and
recommending measures for their effective implementation.
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e) Reviewing the factors, including acts of terrorism, that inhibits the enjoyment of human rights, and
recommending appropriate remedial measures.
f) Studying treaties and other international instruments on human rights, and making recommendations for
their effective implementation.
g) Undertaking and promoting research in the field of human rights.
h) Spreading human rights literacy and promoting awareness of the safeguards available for the protection
of these rights, through publications, the media, seminars etc.
i) Encouraging the efforts of non-governmental organisations, and institutions working in the field of human
rights.
2. State Human Rights Commission
When established? State Governments may constitute State Human Rights Commission to exercise the
power conferred under the Human Rights Protection Act, 1993.

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Composition -
a)
b) OR
A chairperson should be a retired Chief Justice of a High Court
One member who is a serving or retired judge of a High Court or a District Judge in the state with a
minimum of seven years experience as District Judge and
c) One member who is a person having knowledge or practical experience with respect to human rights.
SC
Most of the powers & functions of the State Human Rights Commission are similar to that of its
counterpart at the national level.
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DISHA (DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE)

The District is the Principal Administrative unit below the state level responsible for implementation of
almost all the centre and state level schemes. It is a unit of administration covering most of the departments
of Government. In the words of the study team on district administration constituted by the Administrative
Reforms commission:
"The district is the most convenient geographical unit where the total apparatus of public administration can
be concentrated, and where it comes into direct contact with the people. Most departments of the state
Government out-side the secretariat, have external services which are located in the district. The sum totals
of the activities of these departments and some others, which may also be connected with the affairs of the

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Central Government, together constitute the administrative machinery in the district."
The Municipalities, Nagar Nigam, block and village level bodies are generally executive in nature, while the

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district level body mostly has a co-ordinating and supervisory role.
As both centre and state governments are running various welfare schemes, these schemes are facing various
challenges in implementation at district level such as crunch of financial resources, lack of manpower, etc.
Thus the Union government has formed a District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee
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(DDCMC) in place of the District Vigilance and Monitoring Committee (DVMC) for effective implementation
of Central government schemes.
These Committees would monitor the implementation of 28 schemes and programmes of Ministry of Rural
Development and other Ministries to promote synergy and convergence for greater impact.
Objectives:
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The main purpose of this committee is to coordinate with Central and State and local Panchayat
Governments.
It has been created for effective coordination and development of Central Government's programme for
infrastructure development or Social and human resource development.
Efforts will be made to ensure the participation of people's representative at all levels in it and successful
implementation of flagship programme of central government.
The terms of references of the committee will include:
Ensure that all programmes are implemented in accordance with the Guidelines.
Look into complaints/alleged irregularities received in respect of the implementation of the programmes,
including complaints of wrong selection of beneficiaries, mis-appropriation / diversion of funds and
recommend follow-up action.
The Committee should have the authority to summon and inspect any record for this purpose. The
Committee may refer any matter for enquiry to the District Collector/CEO of the Zilla Panchayat/
Project Director of DRDA (or Poverty Alleviation Unit).
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Suggest suitable action to be taken in accordance with the rules which should be acted upon by him within
30 days.
Closely review the flow of funds including the funds allocated, funds released by both Centre and the
State, utilization and unspent balances under each Scheme.
The Member Secretary should ensure that meeting notice, agenda notes and proceedings of meetings are
uploaded on the website of the Ministry of Rural Development and also the website of the State.
Structure of the DISHA:
The Chairperson of the committee will be the senior most Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) elected
from the district, nominated by the Union Ministry of Rural Development.
The other Members of Parliament (Lok Sabha) representing the district will be designated as Co-
Chairpersons. One MP (Rajya Sabha) representing the State and exercising option to be associated with
the district level Committee of that district (on first come basis) will be designated as Co-Chairperson.
All Members of the State Legislative Assembly elected from the district, All Mayors / the Chairpersons

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of Municipalities, chairperson of the Zilla Panchayat, Five elected heads of Gram Panchayat including
two women, One representative each of SC, ST and Women to be nominated by the Chairperson will
be among other members of the committee.
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The Member Secretary of DISHA should be the District Collector / District Magistrate/ Deputy
Commissioner except in cases where specific exemption has been given by the Union Government
It will ensure the participation of people's representative at all levels and successful implementation of
flagship programme of central government which have clear time-bound deliverables like Swachh Bharat,
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Digital India besides looking at the programmes of rural development.

The meetings of the committee should be held once in every Quarter (Third Saturdays of April, July,
October and February) and this has been made mandatory.
The few programmes to be covered under are:
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS)
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Deen Dayal Antordaya Yojna - NRLM

Deen Dayal Upadhyay - Gramin Kaushalya Yojna (DDU-GKY)
Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)
Pradhan Mantri Gramin Awaas Yojna (PMAY-G)
Swachh Bharat Mission - Gramin (SBM- G)
Digital India Land Record Modernisation Programme (NLRMP)
Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Rurban Mission - National Rurban Mission (NRuM)
Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gram Jyoti Yojna (DDUGJY)
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Housing for All - Urban), etc.
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NATIONAL INSTITUTIONAL RANKING

FRAMEWORK
MHRD (Ministry of Human Resource Development) has released Ranking System Framework for Higher
Educational Institutions of India. This is the first time that a reliable, transparent and authentic ranking system
is being implemented in the country for Higher Education.
The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) has been launched to rank higher educational institutions
in the Country based on objective, verifiable criteria. The ranking system is expected to promote excellence
in education in a competitive environment.
India Rankings 2016 is the country's first exercise to rank the higher educational institutions in the country
based on objective, identifiable parameters. The ranking, which will be an annual exercise, was done by an

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independent and autonomous body National Board of Accreditation (NBA).

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These clusters have been assigned certain weightage and this weightage is a function of type of institution.
Ranking methods have been worked out for 6 categories of institutions viz. Engineering, Management,
Pharmacy, Architecture, Universities and Colleges There are separate rankings for different types of institutions
depending on their areas of operation.
Significance of the ranking:
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NIRF ranks the institutions broadly on Five clusters of parameters viz. these ranking has follows the Indian
approach Including:
1) Teaching-learning; Teaching, Learning & Resources (30%)
2) Research, Professional Practice & Collaborative Performance (30%)
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3) Graduation Outcome (15%)

4) Outreach and Inclusivity (15%)
5) Peer group Perception (10%)
The rankings are arrived at after detailed analysis and validation of the data submitted by more than 3,600
higher educational institutions in the country classified in 6 categories. Each of these has been further subdivided
into nearly 20 sub criteria to comprehensively assess an institution.
Importance of such rankings in India:
In the list is its timing. With the 'admissions season' round the corner, students looking to study in reputed
institutions will not have much time to make up their minds.They can make their choice of the institution
they wish to take admission into on the basis of the ranking of the institute.
Prior to this initiative, Indian students have had to rely on the Shanghai or the QS World Rankings which
do not take into account the peculiarities of our subcontinent.
In many countries, this exercise has been outsourced to third parties, so the move by the Indian government
is praiseworthy.
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The grounds of criticism:

There has been no cross-verification of data before announcing the ranking. The data used for evaluation
was submitted by the institutions themselves (Self-verification criteria) and the responsibility for accuracy
and authenticity of the data lies with the respective institutions.
The stated intent of the government was to prepare India-centric ranking parameters that were sensitive
to metrics such as access to higher education and social inclusion. Interestingly, the weightage given to
India-specific parameters is not pronounced.
The IITs have chosen to participate in the rankings under the "engineering" category. They should have
competed under the category of "universities". Institutions devoted to specific disciplines like Institute of
Chemical Technology is ranked along with multidisciplinary universities like JNU/BHU.
Some top institutions could not have figured in the ranking because they did not participate in the process
and submit the data for judging them over various parameters.
Disciplines like literature, commerce and social work appear to have been left out. The country is also
being well served by many autonomous institutions that have their own expertise and excellence. Have

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they been taken into consideration is a question mark.
Way forward:
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The self-verification criteria are advisable to be cross-checked with an independent agency. The methodology
needs to be improved.
Ways and means should also be found to reassure students about the authenticity of the data.
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The categories should include the arts and sciences.

The rankings should include 'IPs/ patents by the institute', 'student satisfaction', etc.
Outreach and inclusivity are useful data to help students get a feel of the composition and outlook of the
university.
The NIRF should be transparent about the criteria adopted by it to rank Indian universities.
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The rankings are a step towards bringing the Indian institutes on a global platform.
List of top 10 India Rankings 2016 is as follows:
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OFFICE OF PROFIT
The concept of office of profit has evolved in England to preserve the independence of the legislature by
keeping the members away from any temptations from the executive that can come in the way of independent
discharge of their duties. It also seeks to enforce the principle of separation of power between the legislative,
the judiciary and the executive - a basic feature of the Constitution.
Office of profit under Indian Constitution
The term office of profit has not been defined in the Constitution. But, articles 102 (1) and 191 (1) - which
give effect to the concept of office of profit -- prescribe restrictions at the central and state level on lawmakers
accepting government positions. Any violation attracts disqualification of MPs or MLAs, as the case may be.
According to Article 102 (1) (a), a person shall be disqualified as a member of Parliament for holding any

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office of profit under the government of India or the government of any state, "other than an office declared
by Parliament by law not to disqualify its holder". Article 191 (1) (a) has a similar provision for the members
OR
of state assemblies.
However, articles 102 and 191 clarify that "a person shall not be deemed to hold an office of profit under the
government of India or the government of any state by reason only that he is a minister".
Further, the last part of the two provisions protects a lawmaker holding a government position if the office
has been made immune to disqualification by law.
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Principles of declaring Office of Profit

Four broad principles have evolved for determining whether an office attracts the constitutional disqualification.
First, whether the government exercises control over appointment, removal and performance of the
functions of the office.
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Second, whether the office has any remuneration attached to it.

Third, whether the body in which the office is held has government powers (releasing money, allotment
of land, granting licences etc.).
Fourth, whether the office enables the holder to influence by way of patronage.
Office of profit under NCT Act, 1991
Section 15(1)(a) of the government of national capital territory of Delhi act, 1991, says "a person shall
be disqualified for being chosen as, and for being, a member of the legislative assembly if he holds any
office of profit" under the government of India, a state or a union territory" other than an office protected
by law.
Like articles 102 (1) and 191(1), Section 15(2) of the NCT act also protects ministers at the Centre, in
states or union territories from disqualification. Section 15(3) of the NCT act says in case of a dispute
over disqualification of an MLA, the matter would be referred to the President, whose decision would
be final.
But, before deciding on a petition seeking disqualification, the President, says the NCT act, has to get
the opinion of the election commission which is binding on him.
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