UPSC 2020 Exam - NEWS Analysis 30th December

Updated on 15 February 2020

By UPSC & State PSC

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Updated on 15 February 2020

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Hemant Soren sworn in as Jharkhand CM

Hemant Soren, from the Jharkhand Janmukti Morcha (JMM) has been sworn in as the 11th Chief Minister for Jharkhand. Soren’s party has formed the government in an alliance with Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).

This is the second time, Congress has allied as a junior partner in a state government, to help keep BJP out of power. The first was with the Maharashtra government.

Context -

Hemant Soren has earlier been the Chief Minister for the state in July 2013.

The party has won 30 seats in the recently concluded state polls.

What you should know -

Jharkhand politics

JMM and Jharkhand

Congress allies in state-level politics

NPR data may not be used for NRC: Ravi Shankar Prasad

Law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has conceeded that some NPR (National Population Register) data may be used for National Register for Citizens (NRC) in an exclusive interview to the Indian Express. This statement stands in contrast with Home Minister Amit Shah’s interview to ANI, a few days ago, where he said that there was no link between the two.

Context -

In light of nation-wide protests against CAA and NRC, many states are cautiously treading over these issues. At least two states have paused the process to update NPR records because they may be linked to NRC.

What you should know -

National Population Register

National Register of Citizens

Citizenship Amendment Act

Indian Railways Management Services comes into existence

All 8 existing rail services will now be grouped under 1 central, Indian Railways Management Service (IRMS). This organisational restructuring will occur at all levels (Junior scale) to HAG+ and will help in strategic planning for Railways.

Context:

The organisational restructuring will impact future hirings - all future recruits would be through UPSC (Civil Services) exam alongside UPSC and DOPT.

It will not be involved in day-to-day functioning of the railways.

This would help streamline all promotions and employee benefits.

What you should know -

Railway reforms

Indian Railways Management Services

Current performance of Indian Railways

4 more navy personnel arrested for ‘spying’ for Pak

The Counter Intelligence Cell of Andhra Pradesh has arrested four Indian Navy sailors - 3 from Mumbai base and 1 from Karwar Naval base for passing sensitive information to a Pakistani handler.

Context:

On Dec 20, The Hindu reported that 7 Navy personnel were arrested for allegedly being involved in an espionage (spying) racket. This racket was allegedly a honey trap and the personnel received money for passing sensitive information through hawala transactions.

The racket was codenamed Dolphin’s Nose after the hill in Vishakhatapatnam which is the base for Navy’s residential headquarters.

What you should know -

Recent spy rackets against India

Honey traps and espionage

Operation Dolphin’s nose

Anti-CAA protests continue

Here are the latest updates from the anti-CAA protests -

Today’s youth prefer to follow the system, detest anarchy - PM Modi says, claiming that he liked how the youth chse to ‘courageously question’ CAA in the recent protests. He said this in the latest edition of the Mann ki Baat program
Kin of dead wait for justice in Firozabad, UP

Opposition party leaders continue statements against CAA and NRC -

- ‘No BJP person will decide if we’re citizens or not’: Akhilesh Yadav

- ‘NPR, NRC against the poor, minorities’: Akhilesh Yadav

- Mayawati suspends party MLA for supporting CAA

Women, lawyers held for Anti-CAA protests in Kolam
IIMB students, faculty begin a vigil against CAA
Shaheen Bagh protesters told to end stir
AASU (All Assam Student’s Union) will intensify anti-CAA protests, if PM inaugurates ‘Khelo India’ games

All The Best To All The UPSC 2020 Aspirants!

SSC Defence UPSC