 Hello and welcome to the Hindu News Analysis by Shankar IS Academy. The news articles along with the page numbers are displayed here for your convenience. The PDF link of the handwritten notes and timestamping of the discussed news articles are given in the description box and also in the comments section. Let's begin with the first news article analysis. This news article talks about the stand of the United States of America on India engaging in significant transactions with Russian government in the defense sector. So, in our analysis, we are going to discuss about Karsa. Then, can India get a waiver under Karsa and the need for Indian government to get a waiver from sanctions under Karsa? The syllabus relevant for the analysis of this news article is highlighted here for your reference. The news article reports that the opposition of the United States of America has not changed about possible sanctions to Indian government if India engages in significant transactions with Russian government in the defense sector. This news is shocking for Indian diplomatic circles as India is in desperate mode to counter China from intruding into Indian territory. Its security experts also say that China has a strong ground-based air defense network in Tibetan region as compared to Indian ground-based air defense network. Know that a Chinese ground-based air defense network mainly consists of S-300, S-400 missile systems. So, in this scenario, for two reasons, India signed a deal with the Russian government and this deal is for the supply of S-400 missiles. Know that S-400 missiles are long-range surface-to-air missile systems. The agreement on the supply of S-400 missiles was signed in the month of October 2016 and the contract in this regard was also concluded between the two nations in the month of October 2018. Know that one of the reasons to have this agreement is to achieve equal security in relation to China and then the other reason is in the context of the rising tensions from both Pakistan and Chinese governments. So this is the urgent need for Indian government to have this air defense system from the Russian government. Now, there is a question that why the deal did not materialize into purchasing the S-400 missile systems despite the conclusion of the contract. This is because of a law of United States of America known as CARSA. Here know that CARSA stands for Countering America's Adversaries through Sanctions Act. And this act came into enforcement in the year 2017. And this act mainly deals with countering three countries and these three countries includes Iran, Russian Federation and North Korea. The Premal of the Act states that the Act provides for Congressional review and to counter aggression by the governments of Iran, the Russian Federation and North Korea. So with respect to Russia, it mentions that sanctions will be imposed on a foreign entity that engages into significant transactions with the Russian defense or Russian intelligence sector. So in this context, know that it is up to the US government to decide whether a proposed transaction is a significant transaction or not. This is because the term significant transaction is not defined in the Act itself. So in relation to this, the United States of America has already expressed that if India purchases S-400 defense missile system, it would attract sanctions under the CARSA. So sanctions would affect India's status of major defense partner which is conferred by the United States of America in the year 2016. It will also hamper the defense and financial relations of India with the United States of America. Then it may also affect India's relations with the friendly nations of the United States of America. So the US will ask these countries not to have relations with a sanctioned nation. In this context, know that when China purchased the S-400 missile system from the Russian government, in the month of May 2018, sanctions were imposed on the Chinese military unit. So in the context of India's security needs, Indian diplomatic circles expected a waiver from the US president to purchase the A defense system. India thought that it would understand India's position given the ongoing tensions between India and China along the line of actual control. And we know that in the month of June 2020, a violent clash between India and China has caused death of about 20 Indian soldiers. But despite this, India has not received a waiver from the United States to proceed with the purchase of the A defense missile system from the Russian government. So this is the reason why the deal was not featured even in the recent announcement made with respect to purchase of MiG-29 aircrafts from the Russian government. And we know that under Kansa, the US president can issue a waiver, but it is subject to a submission for a written determination to appropriate the US Congressional Committees. If the written determination shall say that the purchase is in the vital national security interest of the United States of America, or the purchase will further strengthen the enforcement of Kansa. Here one more thing is that the US president has to satisfy to issue a waiver. That is, Russia has made significant efforts to reduce the number and intensity of cyber intrusions allegedly conducted by the Russian government on US establishments. So subject to these actions, a waiver may be issued to Indian government. With this, we have come to the end of analysis of this news article. Now let us move on to the next news article analysis. This news article mentions about the recent addition of UGC. Earlier, we know that UGC had recommended that the final term exams shall take place in the month of July 2020. But yesterday, that is on 7th July 2020, UGC said that the deadline of exams has been extended to the end of September month. UGC also said that the exams may be conducted either through offline mode or through online mode or a blend of online and offline modes. So in this context, the student representatives are demanding that UGC should recall its decision because there are significant challenges or issues involved in conducting the exams through the online mode. And these issues include lack of high speed internet inaccessibility to other resources that are required for conducting the exams in online mode. Therefore, the student representatives are saying that these challenges may create a digital divide. In this context, it is important to know about the role of the University Grants Commission for our realm's perspective. The syllabus relevant to the analysis of this news article is highlighted here for your reference. To start with the University Grants Commission, it was formally established in the year 1956 as a statutory body of the central government through an Act of Parliament. And this Act is known as the University Grants Commission Act of 1956. Know that UGC has the unique distinction of being the only grant-giving agency in our country. So in this context, it is important to note that it has been vested with two important responsibilities. And these responsibilities includes providing adequate funds to the higher education institutions than the other important responsibility is to ensure coordination, determination and maintenance of standards in institutions of higher education. So we can say that the mandate of UGC include promoting and coordinating university education, determining and maintaining standards of teaching, examination and research activities in our universities. The mandate of UGC also includes framing regulations on ensuring minimum standards of education, monitoring developments in the field of our college aid and university education, dispersing grants to the universities and colleges. Know that UGC also acts as a vital link between union and state governments and also with institutions of higher learning. So we can say that UGC also advice the central and state governments on the measures which are necessary for improvement of university education. So this is all about the University Grants Commission. Now we know that in our country there are various professional councils which are responsible for recognition of courses, promotion of professional institutions, then also for providing grants to undergraduate programs. So one such professional council is AICTE that is All India Council for Technical Education. Know that it was established as per AICTE Act of 1987. The council is authorized to take all necessary steps that are considered appropriate for ensuring coordinated and integrated development of technical education. It is also responsible for maintenance of minimum standards in technical education. Now we'll discuss the functions of AICTE. These functions include to coordinate the development of technical education at all levels, then to evolve suitable performance appraisal system for technical institutions and also universities imparting technical education such as engineering, management, architecture, then also incorporating norms and mechanisms for enforcing accountability. The council also laid down norms and standards for courses, physical and instructional facilities, staff pattern, staff qualifications, quality instruction, assessment and examinations. Know that AICTE also grant approval for starting new technical institutions and also for introduction of new courses or programs in consultation with the appropriate agencies. So we can say that AICTE is the apex body that focuses mainly on technical education whereas UCC is the apex body for other universities and colleges in our country. Therefore we can see that higher education in India is regulated by multiple authorities like University Grants Commission, AICTE and other such professional councils. So in this context try to know that there was a proposal in the year 2018 to replace multiple authorities with a higher education commission of India to have a single regulator. However, this decision was not materialized and we need to wait and watch further in this regard. So to summarize we have seen the recentation of University Grants Commission to extend the deadline for conducting final term exams and also certain objections raised against the duration of UCC. With this information let's move on to the next news article analysis. Now this article in the open section is written by a former diplomat and he's talking about China's growing aggression and expansive claims in South China Sea. In the news article the author also talks and how various nations bordering South China Sea have been responding to Chinese policy of aggression. The syllabus relevant to the analysis of this news article is highlighted here for your reference. Now we'll start with the geographical location of South China Sea which is located in the western Pacific Ocean and it is surrounded by countries like China, Taiwan, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. So we can say that these countries share border with South China Sea. Now let us understand the significance of South China Sea. Know that South China Sea is significant because large reserves of oil and natural gas have been discovered in this region and it also contains some of the world's most important shipping lanes. So we can say that South China Sea is a statistically important not only for bordering countries but also for other nations including India. Therefore because of these factors all the countries bordering South China Sea have competing claims in the region. So in this context know that growing Chinese aggression can be seen in the South China Sea in many forms. It includes increased patrolling and live fire exercising. It also includes ramming and sinking of fishing vessels of other countries and China is also building runways, bunkers and also habitations on the atolls which are environmentally fragile. Now we will discuss one of the important disputes in this South China Sea. Know that Philippines have a dispute with China regarding spotless island. So Philippines invoke the dispute settlement mechanism of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. In this context know that UN class is an international agreement and it demarcates the rights and usage limits of marine space to each literal nation. So Philippines approached the dispute settlement mechanism to test the legality of China's 9-dash line policy. And we know that China now claims the largest portion of South China Sea by its 9-dash line policy. And you can see the red dotted line in this map as 9-dashes. And know that these 9-dashes or 9-line segments encircling most of the South China Sea. And China claims indisputable sovereignty over the region within these 9-dashes. So the dispute with the Philippines was taken to the permanent court of arbitration under annex 7 of the convention. Here know that the permanent court of arbitration is an intergovernmental organization which was established by the 1899 Hague Convention on the Pacific settlement of international disputes. And this arbitration court is located at Hague in Netherlands. So as per the judgment of the permanent court of arbitration it said that the 9-dash line had no legal basis. The court also held that none of the futures of the spotless qualified them as islands. This is because as per the pros and so for uncle's islands are the ones that sustain habitation. And islands should also have capacity for non-extractive economic activity. Here know that non-extractive economic activities are activities which are not exclusively based on extracting resources or artificially developing it. So as per the judgment of a permanent court of arbitration spotless are considered as low tide elevations but not as islands. Furthermore the judgment also said that China violated the Philippines exclusive economic zone right. Now we'll discuss what was the response of China. China dismiss the judgment of a permanent court of arbitration as null and wide. Even China did not participate in the proceedings of the court. Then the author also talks about Philippines objecting to a Chinese bid to develop the Subic Bay and this bay is located near Philippines and this was objected on the grounds that the use of archipelagic waters was exclusively reserved for Philippines. So in this context it is important to note visiting forces agreement of Philippines with the United States of America for six months. Know that a visiting forces agreement is an agreement between a country and a foreign nation having military forces visiting in that country. And this agreement is considered as a strategic setback for China. Then the author also relates to the disputes of other ASEAN members with China. The author tells that even though it seems that ASEAN countries have good ties with China but in reality it is not so. This is because there is a growing discontent among ASEAN countries with respect to China but they are avoiding direct military confrontation with China due to lack of capabilities to compete with China. Now when it comes to India's perspective know that India is also victim of a Chinese bullying policy for many decades. That is right from 1962 Indochina war to the recent standoff along the line of actual control. So in this context it is also important to know that how China is trying to take control over the Indian ocean through its extensive projects by the policy of a string of pulse. So it is important for us to reduce the dangers caused by Chinese influence in this Indo-Pacific region. Therefore India must continue to actively pursue our defense diplomacy outreach in the Indo-Pacific region and this includes increasing military training. It also includes conducting military exercises and exchanges with the literal nations and improving patrolling in Malacca Strait with the help of other literal countries. This is because Malacca Strait is known as the lifeline of shipping as it connects the Indian ocean with Pacific Ocean. The author also says that we should also increase our humanitarian assistance and disaster relief activities to our Southeast Asian neighbors and this can gain their support with India and then we should also have comprehensive strategic partnerships with Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and also with other nations. So finally India should not neglect its assets like Annaman Nicobar islands in the Indian Ocean region. Therefore we must improve the military capacity of the tri-service Annaman Nicobar command. Only then we could counter the geopolitical challenges caused by Chinese influence. With this information let's move on to the next news article analysis. Now let's take up this question which is based on National Commission for Protection of Child Rights. We have framed this question because we have a relevant news article in today's newspaper. The newspaper reports that the National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights, that is the NCPC, has taken sub-Moto cognizance of the suspected murder of a 14-year-old girl near Tiruchy in the state of Tamil Nadu. So in this context we are going to discuss about National Commission for Protection of Child Rights. Then whether this body is statutory or non-statutory then we'll also discuss important mandate of the commission. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights that is NCPCR was set up in the month of March 2007 as per the Prozents of Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act of 2005. Know that this is an act of parliament. Therefore the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights is a statutory body. So in this context try to know that if any body or organization is constituted as per the laws of state legislature or as per the laws of parliament then those bodies or organizations are known as statutory bodies. Now when it comes to National Commission for Protection of Child Rights that is NCPCR is also a statutory body and works under the administrative control of the Ministry of Women and Child Development. Now we'll discuss an important mandate of the commission that is the commission's mandate is to ensure that all laws policies programs and administrative mechanisms are in consonance with the child rights perspective as instained in the constitution of India and also as per the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Now when it comes to the significance of National Commission for Protection of Child Rights the commission visualizes a rights-based perspective flowing into national policies and programs along with nuanced responses at the state level, district level and also at the block levels. So in order to touch every child it seeks a deeper penetration to communities and households and expects that the ground experiences gathered at the field level are taken into consideration by all the authorities at the higher levels. Therefore the commission plays an indispensable role for the states and also for respect for decentralization at the local levels and community levels for the well-being of children. Now with this information let's take up the given question. Here three statements are given with reference to National Commission for Production of Child Rights. You need to choose a correct statement or statements. Here first two statements are correct whereas the thought statement is incorrect because NCPCR comes under the administrative controller for Ministry of Women and Child Development but not under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Therefore the correct answer for this question is option A 1 and 2 only. Now let's take up this question. This question is framed based on this news article which talks about the external commercial borrowings that is ECB loan received from Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. The news says that L&T Infrastructure Finance Company has received the first portion of 50 million dollars of the total 100 million dollars from AIIB. So in this context we should focus on AIIB which is a multilateral development bank. Its headquarters is at Beijing in China. Its mission is to improve social and economic outcomes in Asia. It began its operations in the month of January 2016 and at present it has about 102 approved members worldwide. So in this context it is to be noted that it also invests in sustainable infrastructure and other productive sectors not only in Asia but beyond Asia and we know that India was a founding member of AIIB. So to know more about AIIB we have covered Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank in our 18th June news analysis video. So you can refer this video to know more about AIIB. So with this information let's take up the given question. This question was asked in 2019 UPS surveillance examination with reference to Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank consider the following statements. AIIB has more than 80 member nations. India is the largest shareholder in AIIB. AIIB does not have any members from outside Asia. Here first statement is correct. Remaining statements are incorrect because India is not the largest shareholder but it is the China which is having the largest shareholding in AIIB. The third statement is incorrect because members outside Asia are also eligible to become the members of AIIB. Therefore the correct answer for this question is option A1 only. Now let's take up this question which is based on border roads organization. We have framed this question because we have a relevant news article in today's newspaper and the news article talks about the completion of strategic roads close to the India-China border. So in this context we have to focus about border roads organization and also about DSDBO road. So when it comes to DSDBO road that is Darbuk Shaikh Daulatbeg Wally road it is a 255 kilometers long all-weather strategic road and this road connects Darbuk Shaikh to the Daulatbeg Wally. The road meanders through the elevations ranging between 13,000 feet and 16,000 feet. Now that the road was constructed by the border roads organization its strategic importance is that it connects to the Karakoram Pass which separates China's Xinjiang Autonomous Region from Ladakh. Also notice that Karakoram Pass is just a few kilometers from Daulatbeg Wally. So in this context also notice that the ongoing tensions between India and China is reportedly due to a branch of this road which goes close to the Galwan Valley. Now we'll discuss the importance of Daulatbeg Wally which is known for one of the highest AIIBs in the world. This AIIB was reportedly built during the 1962 war. I know that it was revived recently by the Indian Air Force as one of its advanced landing grounds along line of action control and this AIIB is mainly used to provide supplies to the Indian forces along the line of action control. So with this information let's take up the given question. Here two statements are given and you need to choose correct statement or statements. Border roads organization was conceived and raised during the prime ministership of Jawaharlal Nehru. The Department of Border Management under Ministry of Home Affairs deals with border roads organization. The first statement is correct because border roads organization was conceived and raised in the year 1960 and we know that during that period Jawaharlal Nehru was the prime minister of India. Now the second statement is incorrect because Department of Border Management in the Ministry of Home Affairs is implementing the border area development program through the state governments. So at present Department of Defense under the Ministry of Defense deals with border roads organization. Therefore the second statement is incorrect and the first statement is correct. So the correct answer for this question is option A1 only. Let's start our practice question session. Consider the following statements about University Grants Commission. It is an apex regulatory body for technical education in India. It is a non statutory body. The regulatory architecture for the institutions of eminent scheme is provided by the University Grants Commission. Okay the first two statements are incorrect whereas thought statement is correct statement. So in the context of this question try to know that University Grants Commission was established in the year 1956 as per the provisions of University Grants Commission Act of 1956. And we know that in our country there are various professional councils which are actually responsible for recognition of courses, promotion of professional institutions and providing grants to undergraduate programs. So one such professional council is AICTE that is all India Council for Technical Education. It is also a statutory body and established as per the provisions of AICT Act of 1987. And this body is responsible for technical education in our country. So the fundamental difference between AICTE and UCC is that AICTE is the apex body that focuses mainly on technical education whereas UCC is the apex body for other universities and colleges in our country. Now the thought statement is correct statement because University Grants Commission provides regulatory architecture for the institutions of eminent scheme. And know that the institutions of eminent scheme has been launched in order to implement the commitment of the government to empower the higher educational institutions and help them to become world-class teaching and research institutions. So as per the scheme about 10 public and 10 private institutions are to be identified to emerge as world-class teaching and research institutions. And this will enhance affordable access to high quality education for ordinary Indians. So for this question you need to choose incorrect statement or statements. So the correct answer for this question is option B1 and 2 only. Now let's take up this question the US law called as a countering America's adversaries through sanctions act primarily provides for congressional review and to counter aggression by the governments of which of the following countries Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, North Korea, Iran. So in the context of this question try to remember that CARSA stands for countering America's adversaries through sanctions act and this act came into enforcement in the year 2017. This act deals with countering three countries which are Iran, Russian Federation and North Korea. The preamble of the act provides for congressional review and to counter aggression by the governments of Iran, Russian Federation and North Korea. Therefore the correct answer for this question is option C4 and 5 only. With this information we have come to the end of analysis of today's Indian newspaper. 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