Daily Practice Sheet 17 May 2021

May 17, 2021
Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
Category: DPS

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Daily Practice Sheet

17 May 2021

Daily Prelims Topic

INSACOG
How does lightening kill animals?
Warming of Arabian ocean and new trends of cyclone
Organization of Islamic Cooperation
National Health Authority
Dark Side Group/Colonial Pipeline Cyberattack
Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme(IDSP)
SDRF and NDRF

Daily Mapping

Buxa tiger reserve
Chile

Daily Data

Agriculture exports/PDS off-take at all-time high

Exports in a pandemic year crossed 13 mn tonnes for rice, an all-time high, and 2 mn tonnes for wheat, the highest since 2014-15
The year ended March 31, 2021 – a record 92 million tonnes (mt) of rice and wheat was distributed from the central pool.

Corporate governance

The share of women directors increased nearly three-fold over six years to 17 per cent at the end of December 2020 from around 6 per cent in March 2014
The total number of female executive directors only 31 per cent were professional EDs, the remaining 69 per cent belonged to the promoter group or were representatives of the promoters.
AnIiAS study shows the number of women directorships as a percentage of total directorships has been on the rise; at the end of December 2020, of the Nifty 500 companies, 475 had at least one-woman director on the board.

Gender Pay Gap

The estimated earned income of women is only one-fifth of their male counterparts, according to this year’s Global Gender Gap report.
In its 14th edition, the report said India had dropped 28 places to take 140th among 156 countries. The only other South Asian country trailing India was Pakistan, at the 153rd spot. The same report highlighted how India was one of the countries with largest economic gender gap (32.6%), and that only 22.3% women are engaged in the labour market
As per Monster India survey in 2019: women earned 19% less than men. The median gross hourly salary was ₹242.49 for men and ₹196.3 for women in 2018. As per the survey, the gap was wider in IT services at 26%, followed by manufacturing where the gap was 24%.

Daily Mains Mantra

Mains 2021

Daily Mini Practice – 30 Mins

Topic: Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure

1. What do you understand by constitutionalism? How it is different from Constitution? Is constitutionalism in India a myth or a reality? [Reference: The Hindu]

Hint: It asks about difference in the concept of the Constitution and Constitutionalism and how far Indian democracy has been successful in achieving constitutionalism

Introduction (I): Introduce by defining Constitutionalism.

Body (B): 1) Compare and contrast Constitution and Constitutionalism with emphasizing on how later is more of an idea of the limited government, their objectives etc.

2) For last part of the question discuss two aspects (either in table or separately)- First showing how far constitutionalism (ex- checks and balances, constitutional dissent, protest etc) has been achieved all these years.

3) Lastly talk about the challenges of constitutionalism in India (Ex- Misuse of sedition law, curb on freedom of speech and expression, mob lynching etc.)

Conclusion (C): Conclude with showing how constitutionalism is much more than a document and how constitution acts as an enabler to achieve it.

2. Do you think the Government of India Act, 1935 provided for a true federation?

Hint: The 1935 Act is said to provide for a federation in India for the first time. But, you have to investigate the statement with its various features and arrive at the conclusion.

Introduction (I): Introduce with the GOI, Act in 1935 and how it dealt with the federation.

Body (B): 1) First bring out various features which point to a federation or federal feature (All India federation, Provincial autonomy, division of subjects, federal court etc).

2) Now bring out its non-federal feature (Conditional federation, huge discretion to the Viceroy, Residuary powers etc.).

Conclusion (C): Conclude that the Act contains federal element but that was mainly to hide colonial ambitions which was suppressed by the non-federal feature. However, it did provide a federal framework.

3. In ‘Kesavananda Bharati’ case, Supreme Court redefined the relationship between judiciary, executive and legislature. Discuss. [Reference: Indian Express]

Hint: The question is basically asking about the “Basic structure doctrine” and the supremacy of the Constitution (and not any wing of the state)

Introduction (I): Talk about the Basic structure doctrine which came out of the case and how it sought to ensure supremacy of the Constitution by putting check and balance in form of basic structure on the power of the Parliament, executive while it significantly strengthened judicial activism

Body (B): 1) Discuss good outcome of as a result of the judgement and how it strengthened judiciary and has been major factor in strengthening democracy, FR and the supremacy of the Constitution.

2) Also argue for how it has at times led to judicial over-reach, significantly weakened amendment power of Parliament etc., and all this on a divided judgement (By 7:6 majority).

Conclusion (C): Endon optimistic note how the case has been instrumental in redefining relationship between three wings of the state and caution needs to be exercised by the judiciary through subjecting itself to accountability or checks and balances as well.

Newspaper

GS1: Society

Discuss how the Pandemic has increased the gender gap and hence derailed women empowerment efforts and what possible actions are needed to arrest this increase. [Reference: Live Mint, The Hindu]

GS2: Polity

GS3: Economy

Discuss role of agriculture to sooth Indian woes during the pandemic. [Reference: Indian Express]