UPSC Mains_Judicial Manpower_Report 245 of Law Commission

Back ground on Pending cases :

Higher Judiciary :

From the Report 245 of Law Commission. As on 2012, there are approx . 20 lakhs cases in pendency with a annual institution ( cases registered) and disposed are equal to app. 13 lakh.

So Annual Back Log creation is just over +1 % ( Increasing trend from 2002)

District and Subordinate Courts :  As on 2012, there are approx . +1 Cr cases in pendency. With Annual inflow and disposal are almost equal to 80 Laks.

So, again here Annnual Back log creation is just +1% ( Decreasing trend )

Determining Judicial Strength : ( Four methods )

1. Population to Judges ration : The commission finds it irrelevant. The cases depends on society. Ex : Rural society may demand less and urban society may demand more. Rejected

2. Ideal Case Load Method : Means fixing number of cases to be handled by Judges.Variation between Cadres of diff states is huge. One case is different from other. One may take long time and other may not.

3. Time based method : Followed in US. We need a lot of Information to arrive at the figures which we dont have in India

4. Disposal rate method : Means taking the average Rate of disposal  of last 3 years. Calculating Break even Judges = Average Institution/ Average rate of disposal.
So we can calculate Additional Judges for break even

For Pendency , Judges needed to clear back Logs = (No. of Pending/ Average rate of disposal )/ No of years

Recommended method by Commission

Final Recommedation of the 245th report of Commission :

1. Rate of disposal method
2. Judges to be appointed on priority basis
3. Increasing the age of retirement of Subordinate Judges
4. Special courts for Police/Traffic chellan cases. Which constitutes 38.7 of institution and 37 of pending cases
5. Provision for staff and Infrastructure
6. Periodic assessment by High courts on Judges requirement
7. Alternate Dispure redressals
8. Key non binding performance indicators for Judges, non binding time frame for cases

UPSC Mains_Summary of Law Commission Report 230_Judicial reforms

Importance :

Quality of Judgements :

1. Uncle Judges concept is now prevalent some of the High Courts. Ie the Judges are some way related to the Lawyers and quality of Judgements are getting reduced.

Recommendation : The High court judges should be appointed in other states where they practiced or other measures to make sure the Justice is given at all times


2. Alternate Dispute resolution : Like Lok Adalat, Family Courts

3. Fast Court Courts :


4. Compuetrization of Lower courts


5. Using Technology for trials and Evidences. ERP can be used to monitor effectiveness of Judges

6. Reforms at Village levels

Final Recommendation

1. Full utilization of Working hours
2. Grouping of cases into one, so that one Judgement can clear 2-5 cases. This can achieved using technology. Identifing infructous cases which are no longer valid. These cases may not take much time
3. Judges must take reasonable amount of Time.
4. Considering staggering pendency, the Vacation should be reduced for Higher Judiciary by 10-15 days and working hours should be extended atleast by 30 Minutes every day
5. Judgements should be clear and should not have ambiguity
6. Lawyers should not get involved in strikes

UPSC_ Discuss about the present status of Pending cases in Indian Judiciary and its recommendation

Law Commission report : http://lawcommissionofindia.nic.in/reports/Report245.pdf

Article of No of Judges Issue : http://www.livemint.com/Politics/FZKTZdKUtZRaEcg2msir1J/Vacant-posts-remain-collegium-systems-biggest-challenge.html

UPSC Mains_Need for better Ground Water Policy

Introduction :

Background :

1. Water is state subject

2. Till date the Ground Water usage comes under Section 7(g)Easement Act states that every states that every owner of land has the right to collect and dispose within his own limits all water under the land and on its surface which does not pass in a defined channel. The legal consequence of this law is that the owner of the land can dig wells in his land and extract water based on availability and his discretion. Additionally, landowners are not legally liable for any damage caused to the water resources as a result of over extraction.

Effect of this outdated policy : Overuse of ground water for Irrigation and Industrial Purposes. Contamination of ground water by Pollutants like Arsenic, Fluride, Nitrates, Fe,

Statistics for Ground Water exploitation :

In India Central Ground Water board coming under Ministry of Water resources is the agency.  http://www.cgwb.gov.in/index.html

1. Decreasing Water Levels :

Stage of Ground Water Developement in 2011 (%) for some states like Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab is more than 100%. Which means the use of ground water is more than the recharge.

Stage of Ground Water DEvelopment = Annual ground water Draft / Net ground water availability in Percentage

2. Ground Water contamination : There are many districts which are affected by Arsenic, Fluride, Fe and Nitrate contamintaion
Existing Frame work :

Central Gov has given a " Natioanl Framework Bill for States in 2013. 11 states have made legislations based on it.

Recent recommedations of Standing Committee in Dec, 2015

Recommendations of the Standing Committee on Water Resources The Standing Committee reviewed the ground water scenario and submitted its report in December 2015. The major recommendations of the Committee are summarised below:

1.  Database on natural and artificial recharge of water: Assessment of ground water resources in the country was last done in 2011. Assessment of ground water resources should be undertaken on a regular basis, preferably after every two years. Also, a single agency should be formed to maintain a database on (i) the amount of ground water being utilised by various stakeholders, and (ii) natural and artificial recharge to ground water. This will help augment the efforts towards conservation, development and management of the resource and in tackling issues such as its over-exploitation, depletion and pollution.

2.  Study of Dark Blocks: A study to assess land-use and proportion of agricultural land falling under dark blocks (over-exploited assessment units) should be initiated. This will help determine suitable cropping pattern in areas that are water stressed. Additionally, an impact study to determine losses caused to agriculture, economy, health and environment due to dark blocks should be carried out.

3. Ground water withdrawal for agriculture: In the states of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, ground water levels are fast depleting due to excessive exploitation for agriculture use. To improve the situation, measured suggested include, (i) on-farm water management techniques and adoption of improved irrigation methods, (ii) implementation of ‘Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Ground Water’, and (iii) revamping agricultural power pricing structure, as flat rate of electricity adversely affects the use of ground water. A well-defined policy on ground water extraction should also be framed to ensure long-term sustainability.

4.  Water under concurrent list of the Constitution: Bringing the subject of water under the concurrent listwill help evolve a comprehensive plan of action. Consensus between the centre and states will result in better conservation, development and management of water, including ground water.

5. Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Ground Water: The document ‘Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Ground Water’ was prepared by the Central Ground Water Board in 2013 and circulated to all states. It incorporated: (i) identification of suitable areas for artificial recharge, (ii) estimation of subsurface storage space availability, and (iii) quantification of local surplus annual run-off availability as source water for artificial recharge. No review regarding the implementation of the Plan has been done so far. A comprehensive review of the follow-up action taken by states/ union territories should be undertaken. A time-bound roadmap to achieve the objectives of the plan should be put in place.

6. Synergy between MGNREGS and ground water management: Steps should be initiated to achieve optimised returns on works related to ground water conservation taken under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. Coordination between the Ministries of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Rural Development through a special body will be helpful in this regard.

7. Census of water bodies and installation of water meets on tube wells: An inventory of water bodies (including ponds) in the country should be undertaken and completed in a definite time-frame. Special programs for the upkeep, maintenance and restoration of water bodies should be implemented with sufficient budgetary allocation. To regulate over-use of ground water for irrigation and drinking purposes, installation of water meters in all tube-wells should be made mandatory on the principle of ‘Beneficiary Pays’. This will also result in a reduction in subsidies for farmers.

8 Contamination of ground water by industries: Ministry of Water Resources in coordination with Central Pollution Control Board should devise an effective mechanism to identify critically polluted areas located in dark blocks. Steps to minimize and control the dumping of industrial waste into surface water and underground aquifers should also be taken.

9 Enforcement of NOCs by Central Ground Water Authority: A system of regular inspections should be instituted in respect of industries to whom No Objection Certificate (NOC) has been issued by Central Ground Water Authority. This will ensure compliance of conditions mentioned in the NOC. All State Pollution Control Boards should set up an appropriate and effective monitoring mechanism to verify the requirement with the actual withdrawal.

UPSC Mains_Causes of Raise of Magadha Kingdom

1. Use of Iron started throughout all Janapadas during 6th and 5th century BC, But Iron Ore mines situated near the Capital Rajgir helped Magadha to extensively use Iron to make weapons and Agriculture equipments gave them an advantage

2. Natural fortress for both Rajgir and Pataliputra against invasion. Rajgir was situated inbetween hills and Patna was situated inbetween 4 rivers.
It was always tough for the enemies to capture the capital of Magadha

3. Ambitious and able Kings like Bimbisara, Ajatasatru followed by MahaPadma Nanda,  used their opportunities successfully to get the better out of other Kingdoms like Anga, Kosala, Vrijji and finally Avanti.

4. Use of Elephants was also an important factor during the age of Mahajanapadas. We learn from Greek sources that Nandas had 6000 Elephants in their Army.

5. Metal Income which came through surplus agriculture also helped the economy to florish compared to the other Kingdoms.

6. Water ways used for both economical and military purposes. they could travel in east, west directions easily through river transport.

UPSC Mains_ Difference between Buddhism and Jainism

While there are many similarities between Buddhism and Jainism in terms of Origin, Doctrines they have dissimilarities mainly in the way how the two religions are practiced ie sacrifices to be made to practice the religion and how effectively the followers made it to reach the masses.

Similarities :

1. Both their Origin have a similar cause ie an alternate to ritualistic, Caste based Brahmanism.

2. Doctrines : While Jainism adopted a three fold path for attaining Liberation, Buddhism talked about eight fold path for attaining Nirvana.

Jainism insisted on avoiding 5 things( ex: Do not tell lie..etc) , Buddhism also insisting on avoiding 5 things. Just few changes in wording.

Dissimilarities :

1.Hardships in practicing : While Buddhism had rules through Sangha for the Monks, the ordinary followers are allowed to practice a less rigorous life style. But in contrast the Jainism insisted on rigorous self sacrifices to ordinary followers and Gurus. The followers are even asked to abandon agriculture since that would harm insects and other organisms. While Buddhist are free to take up any profession followers of Jainism could only take up trade and commerce.

This basic difference was one of the key factors for Jainism not able to spread through masses as easily as Buddhism.

2. Support of Rulers : While Jainism could get support only from Chandra Gupta Maurya during his old age. Buddhism got the patronage of many important rules like Magadha Kings, Asoka, Kanishka and other powerful rulers.

3. Spread to Other lands : Asoka took efforts to spread Buddhism to other parts of the world. ie Central Asia, South Asia, Sri Lanka there was no big supporters of Jainism to spread the idea. Buddhism is very much a practicing religion in CHina, South Asia and Sri Lanka till date.

4.Jainism still surviving in India : Jainism is still practised Religion in very few pockets in India but Buddhism almost have no presence in India. The materialistic approach of Buddhist MOnks ,adaptation of Hinduism to the set backs given by Buddhism ( from Cattle sacrifice to Cattle protector , naming Buddha as the incarnation of Vishnu), Anti Buddist rulers resulted in the wiping out the Buddism from India by 12th to 13th century

Economic Survery -Vol 1 - Chap 1

1.Indian Economy has done well despite 1. Global slowdown and 2. Sucessive poor rainfall.

2. While World economy is growing at less than 4% India continues to grow at less than 8%

To achieve the 8-10 % growth India push from 3 fronts

a. Making investment friendly climate and providing exit strategy for corporates ie new Bankruptcy law, rehabilitating stalled project, Guidelines for exit

b. Major Investment in People and health. Broadly delivery of essential services. Going as per 14th Finance commission recommendation. Center should focus more on improving policies, strengthening regulatory institutions, and facilitating cooperative and competitive federalism. At the same time States deliver schemes

c. Agriculture. Crop Insurance schemes. Competitive Federalism . States who had elected three times done well in agriculture.

India's Potential Growth

1. Through Past growth 

2. Projecting underlying drivers of growth

3rd method would be more suitable. " Correlation between Institutions and Growth " . India and China are outliers and they could convergence. 

Based on the convergence speed, the growth will be affected.

Railway Budget 2016_Prelims

1. Dr. Bibek Debroy Committee on Mobilization of Resources for Various Projects. Set up in 2014. and Dr, Anil Kakodkar commitee on Railway safety
2. Two challenges mentioned by Railway Minister
     a. Global slowdown and Indian Manufacturing sector slow down
     b. 7th Pay commission
3. Modal Share of Railways declined from 62% in 1980 to 36% in 2012.
4.Estimated revenue for next Year Rs. 1.8 lac Crore
5. Highest INvestments in History Rs. 1.2 lac Crore
6. Pink Book means - Works, Machinary and rolling stock Book
7. LIC agreed to fund Rs. 1.5 lac Crore in 5 years term
8. Changed Metric from Completion to Commission
9. Three dddicated freight Corridors , North - South , Delhi to Chennai. East to west Mumbai to Kharagpur, East coast Kharagpur to Vijayawada.
10. Divyang- Handicapped Passengers
11. National Academy of Railways - Vadodara
12. Antyodaya - Long distance fully unreserved train
13. Deen Dayulu coaches - More unreserved coaches in existing trains
14. Humsafer - Fully AC 3 tier
15. TEJAs - Best in class services
16. UDAY - Double decker trains in Busy routes
17. Vikalp - Accomodation in specific trains to wait listed Passenger
18. Revenue targets are not met.

Budget_Polity

Budget from a Polity Angle

Department of Economic affairs under Finance Ministry prepares Budget.

1. Word budget is mentioned in the constitution of India. Annual Financial statement is the term used for Budget

Budget contains

1. Estimate Revenue receipts
2. Estimate of Capital receipts ( meaning will be seen in economy part of Budget)
3. Ways and means to raise revenue
4. estimates Expenditure for revenue and capital receipts
5. Previous year actual receipts and expenditure.
6. Reasons for deficit or surplus in the previous year than estimates
7. Economic policy of Gov. Tax proposals, schems and initiatives

Types of Funds

1. Consolidated Fund of India
2. Public account of India
3. Contingency fund of India

Consolidated Fund of India

Incoming :

1. Consists of all revenues from Taxes + Loans + Repayment of loans

Outgoing :

1. Charged on CFI - Cannot be amended by Parliament. Only discussed
2. Made from CFI - Appropriations act

Public account of India :

1. Gov acts as a Banker to this account coming from Provident funds and small
2. operated by executive action - no need of parliament approval

Contingency fund  ;

1. lies with Finance secretary on behalf of President
2. opearted by executive action

Parliamentary processes in Budget

1. Presentation of Budget
2. General discussion
3. Scrutiny of Departmental committess
4. Voting on demands for Grants
5. Passing of Appropriation Bill or running Bill or Supply bill
6. Passing of finance Bill

I.Presentation of Budget :

1. Read by Finance minister in Lok Sabha
2. Laid in Rajya Sabha after Lok Sabha. RS has no power to vote on the demands for grants

II General Discussion :

1. Takes place in Both the houses of Parliament
2. No cut motion or no vote. FM can reply at the end

III Scrutiny by Departmental Committees :

1. 24 Departmental committees of Parliament examines the demand for grants
2. Submitted to both the houses for consideration

IV Voting on Demands for Grants

1. In the light of the Departmental Standing committee, Loksabha ( exclusive previlege of Loksabha) takes up voting of demands
2. Demands are presented ministry wise
3. A demand becomes a grant after it has been duly voted
4. Votable part of the Budget can only be voted. Expenditure charged on the consolidated fund of India is not voted
 5.

Mountain Ranges of India_ North East

North East :

Mizo hills + Naga Hills + Patkai Bum combined called Purvanchal.

1. Meghalaya :

Meghalaya can be said as three hills. Garo, Khasi and Jaintia

1. In the west it is Garo Hills
2. The middle Khasi Hills. Cherrapunji - located in Khasi Hills
3. East it is Jaintia Hills.

Nokrek National Park :

1. Nokrek National Park is situated in Garo Hills
2. Nokrek National Park is also UNESCO recognised Biosphere reserve

Balpakram National Park :

1. Also situated in Garo Hills

Mizo Hills ( Lushai Hills)

1. Murlen National Park is equal to Amazon type forest. No sunrays reach Murlen National Park
2. Phawngpui or Blue Mountain National Park. Place for spirits and folk tales

Naga Hills :

1, Ntangki National Park

Manipur :

1.Keibul- lamjao floating national park on lake Loktak

Arunachal pradesh :

1. Nampadha National Park - 3rd Largest. One of most diverse species
2. Mouling National Park

Assam :

1. Kaziranga - One hones Rhinoceres and Tiger reserve
2. Manas - worrld heritage site
3. Nameri -known for fishes
4. Rajiv Gandhi Orang
5. Dibru Saikhowa National Park

River Ganga _ Prelims

Origin :

1. River Originates in India
2. Bhagirathi and Alaknanda are the sources of Ganga
3. Bhagirathi dont have many tributaries and originates from Gangotri Glacier
4.  Alaknanda have 4 tributaries and originates at Badrinath
5. Dauli Ganga joins Alaknanda at Vishnu Prayag
6. Nandakini joins Alaknanda at Nand prayag
7. Pindar joins Alaknanda ar Karna Prayag
8. Mandakini which originates at Kedarnath joins Alaknanda at Rudra Prayag
9. Bhagirathi and Alaknanda joins at Dev Prayag to form Ganga


River Course

Left Bank :

1. Ramganga is the 1st left bank tributary. ( Not mentioned in above map) Originates fromKumaun Ranges ( Dhoodthali Ranges). Corbett National Park is in the banks of Ramganga
2. Gomti runs in UP. Lucknow is in the banks of Gomti
3. Ghagra or Karnal : Highest volume tributary. Main river of Nepal. Sharda ( Kali Ganga) is a tributary of Ghagra
4. Kali Gandaki or Narayani : mainly in Nepal
5.Kosi - Sorrow of Bihar or Saptagoshi. Mainly in Tibet and Nepal

Right bank :

1. Yamuna : Origin ; Yamunotri Glacier. Delhi and Agra lies in the banks of Yamuna.
   a. Chambal : Originates in Vindhya range in Madhya Pradesh. Banas, Shipra, sindh are tributaries of Chambal
    b. Betwa : Origintaes in Vindhya ranga. Bhobal is situated on the banks of Betwa.

Yamuna joins Ganga at Triveni Sangamam in Allahabad where Kumbh mela is held 12 years once

2. Tamsa :Starts from Kaimur range
3. Son : Originates in Amargandak plataeu.

After Farakka in Bihar it enters Bangladesh.

Distributary :Hoogly

1. After Hoogly river the Ganga splits into Hoogly or Bhagirathi and Padma. Kolkata is situated in the banks of River Hoogly.

In Bangladesh :

1. Padma meets with Jamuna ( Bralmaputra) but retains the name Padma
2. Then Padma joins Meghna. Gets the name Meghna before joining Bay of Bengal

Barak River :

1. Originates in Manipur
2. Travel through Mizoram and South Assam
3. Divides into Surma and Kusiyara
4. Again Surma and Kusiyara joines to form Meghna






Cities in the Banks of Ganga system

1.Ganga :Kanpur, Farukkhabad, Allahabad, Varanasi, Kannauj, in UP, Haridwar in UK, Patna, Bhagalpur, Hajipur
2.Yamuna : Delhi, Agra, Mathura
3. Chambal - Gwalior in MP, Kota in Rajasthan
4. Gomiti : Lucknow

Other Facts about Ganga :

1. 2500 Km - Total length Including Bangladesh

Buddhism for Prelims

About Buddha :

Birth : Siddartha

1. Father : Suddodana - He is King of Sakya.
2. Actual Mother : Maya or Maya Devi
3. Mother's Dream : White elephant with Lotus before Buddha's Birth
4. Mother died within 7 days after Buddha's birth
5. Year : 563 BC
6. Born at : Lumbini near Kapilavastu, Capital of Sakya
7. Mother during Growth : Goutami

Moving away from Palace

1. Reasons : Sight of Old person, Sick person, dead man and a Sage.
2. Buddha's Charioteer : Chenna
3. Buddha's Horse name : Kanthaka
4. Great going Forth - Mahabhiniskramana

As Wanderer:

1. He started as Wanderer
2. He learned Meditation from Alara Kalama
3. Joined five ascetics who were practising rigorous Self -mortification
4. For 6 six years he practiced that and finally gave up

Enlightenment ;

1.Reached Gaya under King Bimbisara
2. Sujata offered him rice boiled in Milk
3. He decided he will not get up until riddle of suffering was solved
4. Mara - Buddhist devil tried to disturb
5. After 49 days he attained Nirvana
6. The old five ascetics were the first to get his Sermon @ Deer Park near Varanasi

Sangha and Death :

1. Disciplined body of Monks called Bhikkus
2. Averted war between Sakyas and Koliyas
3.. Buddhist Order is called Sangha
4. Near City of Vaisali, Buddha prepared for his death
5.  Dont search for new leader. Doctrines would lead them
6. At Pava he ate Pork and in Kusinagara he died

Growth of Buddhism :

Other Important Facts :

1st Council :
1. Upali      - Vinaya Pitaka - Rules of the Order
2. Ananda   - Sutta Pitaka - Collections of Buddha's Sermons
3. Abhidhamma Pitaka was on Psychology and Metaphysics

a.Vihara - Buddhist Temple or Monastry
b. Caitya - Sacred Spots

1. Vehicle of Thunderbolt - Vajrayana
2. Bodhisattva - previous birth of Buddha

Indian Meteorological Department

Indian Meteorological Department which comes under Ministry of Earth Sciences has the primary responsibility of providing weather forecast, meteorolgical and Seismology information and warning for the people of India.

1. Regional Meteorological Centers - 6 Places
2. Meteorological centers - 13 Places
3. Agriculture Meteorological center - Pune
4. Surface Instrument Division - Pune
5. Upper Air Instrument Division - New Delhi
6. Cyclone Warning System - Vishakapatnam
7. Positional Astronomy Center
8. Meteorological Training Institute, Pune

Apart from these 7 type of divisions, IMD is also having Regional Specialized Meteorological center for Tropical cyclones North Indian Ocean. RSMC


1. Regional Meteorological Centers :

These are located in North - Delhi, South - Chennai, West - Mumbai, East - Kolkata, Center - Nagpur, North East - Guwahati.

2. Other Meteorological Centers :

1. Hyderabad, 2. Trivandrum 3. Bangalore. 4. Ahmedabad. 5. Bhopal 6. Ahmedabad 7. Lucknow 8. Gangtok 9. Goa 10. Raipur 11. Shimla 12. Bhubaneshwar 13. Chandigarh

7. Positional Astronomy Center :

Authority to decide on religious festivals and National calender of India. It also releases Panjang in 14 different languages

8. RSMC : Its a intergovernmental agency having panel members from Bangladesh, Maldives, Pakisthan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Oman, Thailand.


Sample Questions from IMD

1. Which agency decides the date of Deepavali for 2018 ?

a. Home Ministry
b. World astronomical Center, Newyork
c. Positional Astronomy Center, Kolkata
d. Authorised Horoscope scholars of India

2. Which countries are part of Regional Specialized Meteorological center for Tropical Cyclones

1. Bangladesh
2. Nepal
3. Thailand
4. Pakisthan

a) 1,2   b) 1,3,4 c) 1,2,3 d) 1,2,3,4