#INTERNATIONAL_CURRENTAFFAIRS #INTERNATIONAL_RELATIONS

India-Japan Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue

Why in News-India and Japan recently held 13th India-Japan Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue in which inter-alia both countries agreed to sign a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) in the field of cybersecurity that will promote cooperation in key areas such as 5G network, Critical Information Infrastructure, Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence.

Other Recent Developments Between India and Japan
◆Recently, India and Japan signed a logistics agreement that will allow armed forces of both sides to coordinate closely in services and supplies. The agreement is known as the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA).
◆In 2019, India and Japan held the first-ever ministerial-level 2+2 dialogue. This dialogue involves the Defence and Foreign Ministers on both sides and is seen as an endorsement of the special strategic partnership between India and Japan.
◆Both countries are also part of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD).
◆Recently, it has been reported that the second Ministerial meeting of Quad countries will be held in Japan.
◆A “India-Japan Digital Partnership” (I-JDP) was launched during the visit of the Prime Minister of India to Japan in October 2018, furthering existing areas of cooperation as well as new initiatives within the scope of cooperation in S&T/ICT, focusing more on “Digital ICT Technologies”.
◆In 2014, India and Japan upgraded their relationship to 'Special Strategic and Global Partnership'.
◆The India-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) that came into force in August 2011 covers trade in goods, services, movement of natural persons, investments, Intellectual Property Rights, custom procedures and other trade related issues.
◆India and Japan defence forces organize a series of bilateral exercises namely, JIMEX, SHINYUU Maitri, and Dharma Guardian. Both countries also participate in Malabar exercise with the USA.

Way Forward
●India needs sophisticated technology from Japan, so more collaboration and cooperation can prove beneficial to both nations.
●There is a huge potential with respect to Make in India. Joint ventures could be created by merging Japanese digital technology with Indian raw materials and labour.
●Closer cooperation is the best measure to combat China’s growing role in Asia and Indo-Pacific, in physical as well as digital space.

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Indian Air Force Day

Why in News-The Indian Air Force (IAF) is celebrating 88th Air Force Day on 8th October.

8th October: On this day, the Air Force in India was officially raised in 1932 as the supporting force of the Royal Air Force of the United Kingdom.

History:

1933: First operational squadron.

1940s: After participation in World War II (1939-45), the Air Force in India came to be called the Royal Indian Air Force.

1950: It became the Indian Air Force after the republic came into being.

Facts:
●India Air Force is the fourth largest in the world after the USA, China and Russia.
●Headquarters: New Delhi
●Motto of the IAF is ‘Touch the Sky with Glory’ and it was taken from the eleventh chapter of the Bhagavad Gita.
●The President of India holds the rank of Supreme Commander of the air force.
●The Chief of Air Staff, an air chief marshal is responsible for the operational command of the air force.

Operations:
◆After independence, IAF took part in wars with Pakistan and the People's Republic of China.
◆Operation Meghdoot: It was on 13th April in 1984 when the Indian Army along with the Indian Air Force and paramilitary forces launched the 'Operation Meghdoot' to secure the control of the heights predominating the Siachen glacier.
◆IAF took part in relief operations during natural calamities such as Gujarat cyclone in 1998, the tsunami in 2004, etc.
◆IAF works with the United Nations’ peacekeeping missions.

Celebrations:
●The day is being marked by the main event comprising a parade and flypast at Hindon Air Force Base (Ghaziabad) along with events at IAF establishments across the country.
●This year, the Tejas LCA, Mig-29 and 21 and Sukhoi-30 along with newly inducted Rafale jets will be on show.
●It will also have helicopters like Chinook, Apache, etc.

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#Important_notes_ssb #Current_Affairs #GD_Material

Supreme Court on Right to Protest

Why in News-Recently, the Supreme Court (SC) has upheld the right to peaceful protest against the law but also cleared that public ways and public spaces cannot be occupied and that too indefinitely.

Issues with the Protest and its Location:
◆Protesters did not fully realise the ramifications of the Covid-19 pandemic and continued large gatherings in a small place and there was also a general unwillingness to relocate to another site.
◆The protest seemed typical of the many digitally-fuelled “leaderless” dissent seen in modern times.
◆The presence of various groups of protesters had resulted in many influencers, acting possibly at cross-purposes with each other.

SC’s Observations on Dissent:
●SC appreciated the existence of the right to peaceful protest against the legislation and held that “democracy and dissent go hand in hand, but then the demonstrations expressing dissent have to be in designated places alone”.
●The seeds of protest and dissent were sown deep during the Freedom struggle but dissent against the colonial rule cannot be equated with dissent in a self-ruled democracy.
●The Constitution guarantees the right to protest and express dissent, but with an obligation towards certain duties.
●Article 19 confers upon citizens the right to freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a) and right to assemble peacefully without arms under Article 19(1)(b).
●These rights, in cohesion, enable every citizen to assemble peacefully and protest against action or inaction of the State.
●In a democracy, the rights of free speech and peaceful protest are “treasured” and must be encouraged and respected.
●However, these rights are also subject to reasonable restrictions mentioned under Article 19(2), imposed in the interest of sovereignty, integrity and public order with the help of police regulations.
●Fundamental rights do not live in isolation. The right of the protester has to be balanced with the right of the commuter and has to co-exist in mutual respect.

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#TO_ALL_LADIES_GENTLEMAN

Cut off has been declared for TGC 132 Course
Prepare well those who are shortlisted.
✌️✌️

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#Important_notes_ssb_Lecturette #GD_Material

Poverty in India
●Poverty estimation in India is carried out by NITI Aayog’s task force through the calculation of poverty line based on the data captured by the National Sample Survey Office under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI).
●Poverty line estimation in India is based on the consumption expenditure and not on the income levels.

Global Multidimensional Poverty Index 2020:
◆India lifted as many as 270 million people out of multidimensional poverty between 2005-06 and 2015-16.
◆Impact of Covid-19: Covid-19 is having a profound impact on the development landscape.
◆The study finds that on average, poverty levels will be set back 3 to 10 years due to Covid-19.
◆Sustainable Development Goals: The index emphasises on measuring and monitoring progress under the goals to reach ‘zero poverty by 2030-Goal 1’ of the SDGs.

Recent Measures Taken:
●The government enhanced its social safety programs including direct benefit transfers such as cash transfers under PM Kisan scheme, more liberal financing under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 like advance disbursement, direct cash grants to construction workers and release of free and subsidized food grains under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana to about 800 million people to ensure food for all.
●The Government announced a special economic package of Rs 20 lakh crore (equivalent to 10% of India’s GDP) under Atma Nirbhar Bharat Scheme with the aim of making the country independent against the tough competition in the global supply chain and to help in empowering the poor, labourers, migrants who have been adversely affected by Covid.

Way Forward
●The challenge of poverty is enormous especially in the background of Covid-19. The need is to collaborate at both Global and Regional levels.
●Collaboration in the form of sharing information on disease and cure.
●Developmental and poverty eradication aid by the international financial organizations is of real meaning here.
●At national level, respective governments must ensure both short and long-run strategies proposed by the World Bank apart from existing efforts of national governments.

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Open Sky Agreement -

Why in News-Recently, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has expressed interest to have an Open Sky Agreement with India.

Significance of the Open Sky Agreement:

◆Open Sky Agreements are bilateral agreements that the two countries negotiate to provide rights for airlines to offer international passenger and cargo services. It expands international passenger and cargo flights.
◆India has Air Service Agreements (ASA) with 109 countries including UAE covering aspects relating to the number of flights, seats, landing points and code-share. But does not allow unlimited number of flights between two countries.
◆Open skies between India and UAE will allow unlimited number of flights to the selected cities of each other's countries.

India’s Open Sky Policy:
●The National Civil Aviation Policy (2016) allows the government to enter into an 'open sky' air services agreement on a reciprocal basis with South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) nations as well as countries beyond a 5,000 kilometre radius from New Delhi.
◆It implies that nations within 5,000 kilometer of distance need to enter into a bilateral agreement and mutually determine the number of flights that their airlines can operate between the two countries.
●India has open sky agreements with Greece, Jamaica, Guyana, Finland, USA, Japan, etc.

◆◆The fifth freedom of air includes the right to fly between two foreign countries on a flight originating or ending in one's own country.

◆◆The sixth freedom of air includes the right to fly from a foreign country to another while stopping in one's own country for non-technical reasons.

Way Forward
◆Currently, about 1,068 flights a week are operated between India and the UAE under the bilateral Air Service Agreement (ASA). India and UAE need to have an open sky policy which in turn will help India to become a commercial hub in the future.

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#New_Series #WAT_SET

1.Round
2.Pun
3.Table
4.Stand
5.Figure
6.Shade
7.Paint
8.Steel
9.Series
10.Pool

This activity is for self analysis.
However Healthy and Constructive Reviews are welcome.

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#INTWERVIEW_QUESTION #Personal_Interview

🔸 Important for AFSB Interview 🔸

Q)Do the airfields in Ladakh restrict operations to only certain aircraft or can all aircraft be used?

A)All air fields in the Ladakh area can be used by the transport aircraft we have, although weather requirements will vary from one aircraft to the other. It depends on the navigational aids on board the aircraft, and the competence of the crew. That is why air crews are detailed depending on the mission.

Q)In a long haul, or in the eventuality of a kinetic war, the IAF will also have to transport back and forth mechanised weapons etc for repair, maintenance, etc. Can our aircraft profile cater to it?

A)Bringing back loads from the forward air fields is not a problem. However, that has to be prioritised vis-à-vis personnel, casualties, and vital equipment such as avionics.

Q)What kind of logistics support in terms of fuel, repair, etc does the IAF require for such an operation?

A)All the air fields have enough stock of fuel, oil, and lubricants (FOL) for which detailed planning is done around the clock. There is a well-oiled logistics chain that has been fine-tuned by the IAF in the last six-seven decades of operation. The Army Service Corps (ASC) also plays an important part in ground positioning of fuel in forward posts. It places aviation turbine fuel in barrels in advanced fields, while Leh and Thoise have got fuel bowsers.

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What is happening among the farmer fraternity across the country?
◆Farmer agitations against the three farm bills passed by Parliament continue in different parts of the country.
◆Their concern is large that the proposed Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020 (FPTC) will make the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) mandis irrelevant.
◆These concerns are valid, given the experience of states that have diluted or abolished APMC mandis.

Why there is concern over the of minimum support price (MSP)?
●The reduction in minimum support price (MSP) is a related concern, and the fear is among the farmers of the Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, although not visible in many other states of India.
●This has led demands by major political parties for the government to guarantee MSP procurements.

Are there any changes recommended in the new law?
◆The new law does not make any such mention, there are no changes in the government’s position on MSPs and the procurement of food grains by the Food Corporation of India (FCI).
◆The fear stems from the possibility of FCI procuring grain from traders who would have bought it cheaper from open markets, where there will be no levy of commission and taxes, unlike at APMC mandis.

So, how reasonable is the demand for MSP-based procurement?
●It has gained traction because it remains the only visible and accessible form of state support to agriculture, especially at a time when farm gate prices for most crops are declining.
●With the withdrawal of subsidies on diesel and complex fertilisers, MSP procurements have helped farmers realise better prices, at least for the crops that are procured by the government.
●These are mainly wheat and rice, even though MSPs are announced for 23 crops. There has been the occasional procurement of other crops as well, but these are insignificant and have been regionally restricted.
●The demand for guaranteed MSPs is only useful if there is also corresponding procurement. 

Way forward
◆MSP-based procurement is unlikely to offer a solution for the low-price realisation of most agricultural produce.
◆With government finances strained, the solution lies in improving access to private markets and making them more reliable and transparent.
◆Despite their flaws, APMC mandis do help farmers. What India needs is to enhance its storage and logistics infrastructure and regulate markets well, not weaken the existing system.

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#INTWERVIEW_QUESTION #Personal_Interview

Important for those who say Mathematics as their favourite subject

1.What is pi?

2.Why pi is always 22/7 ?

3.Explain Pythagoras Theorem .

4.Why do we do integration and derivation ?

5.What do u mean by the limit of a function ?

6.What are determinants ?

7.What is the significance of prime numbers ?

8.Where is LCM used in practical life ?

9.Basic Questions on Speed, Distance,Time ,Unit conversion, Volume and area measurement of the surrounded things might be asked.

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#Defence_Exams_Notes

Nobel Prize for Literature 2020

Why in the news-The 2020 Nobel Prize for Literature has been awarded to American poet Louise Glück.

◆She is the fourth woman to win the Nobel Literature Prize in the past decade — after Olga Tokarczuk, Svetlana Alexievich and Alice Munro — and only the 16th since the Nobel prizes were first awarded in 1901.

Other Achievement
●She also won the Pulitzer Prize in 1993 for her collection The Wild Iris.
●She got National Book Award for her latest collection, Faithful and Virtuous Night, in 2014.

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#Current_Affairs #Defence_equipment

HAL IMRH – All Updates About HAL Indian Multi-Role Helicopter

◆The HAL Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH) is a planned large rotorcraft in the 10-15 ton class.
◆The company is currently seeking out foreign partners either from Russia or Europe’s Airbus Helicopters, with which the company has ambitions of developing the IMRH and for producing around 350 medium lift helicopters.
◆The three branches of Indian armed forces are envisioned to be major customers for the type. According to HAL, the MLH is to be in the same class as the Russian Mil Mi 17.
◆The preliminary design of 10 Ton IMRH has been taken up to meet the requirement of the Indian Defence Services.
◆Dedicated versions to meet the requirements of Airforce / Army as well as Navy are planned.
◆The helicopter will be powered by twin engines and will feature blade folding option for ship deck operations.
◆The intended roles of IMRH are to support air assault, air transport, combat logistics, combat search & rescue and casualty evacuation operations.
◆IMRH project cost estimation has been pegged at 10000 crores and HAL is keen to scout for an international partner for the development of a new engine and the tri-service will also have the option of two engines likely sourced from French and the USA.

HAL IMRH UPDATES

1) IMRH program is indeed alive

2) The wind tunnel model seems a variant of armed transport like armed Mi-17V5 (rather naval multi-role like MH-60R)

3) Check exhaust, upwards decreasing thermal sig. So the attack version definitely will have very low RCS structure

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DRDO successfully test-fires India’s first indigenous anti-radiation missile RUDRAM-1

◆Equipped with state of art radiation tracking and guidance system, the missile system has undergone preliminary tests in the past with the help of an operational fighter squadron of the Indian Air Force.The missile was launched from SU-30 MKI fighter aircraft. 
◆Conducting yet another test of a indigenously developed weapons system, the Defence Research and Development Organisation on 9th Oct conducted a successful test of the New Generation Anti Radiation Missile (NGRAM) also called the Rudram-1 at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Balasore.
◆The missile has been designed to be launched from various fighter aircraft currently in the inventory of the Indian Air Force.
◆The missile has been designed to further enhance the Suppression of Enemy Air Defence (SEAD) capability of the IAF.
◆Anti Radiation Missiles are primarily designed to track and neutralise the radar and communication assets of the adversary.
◆Officials said that the development of the anti radiation missiles of this type was started by the DRDO around eight years ago and has been a collaborative effort of various DRDO facilities in India.
◆This is yet another test of indigenously developed weapons systems in addition to the recent tests of Shaurya missile or Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV), which is an unmanned scramjet vehicle, or the test of flight test of a Supersonic Missile Assisted Release of Torpedo (SMART) system.

Source:
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1663083&s=09

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UPSC NDA & NA written examination(I) & (ii) 2020 results has been announced
On UPSC website.

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#INTWERVIEW_QUESTION #Personal_Interview

🔸Important for AFSB Interview🔸

Q) What are the topographical challenges of flying into Leh or other advanced landing grounds (ALGs) in Eastern Ladakh?

A)The biggest challenge is the altitude of the two airfields of Leh and Thoise, but since we have been flying there for decades, the air crew are well aware of the peculiarities of these fields.
●The landing grounds at high altitude have their own challenges, which result in reduction of load-bearing capacity of the planes/choppers. Additionally, the air crew have to call upon their skills to navigate the hills and land on the small, matchbox-like helipads — there is just no place on these hills to make bigger ones!

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