Prelims 2017

in 100
Everything for Prelims
Days

Day 31

NOTE: To get All India Ranking (AIR)

of Free Test, Login at:

www.iasscore.in
 Geography www.iasscore.in

NORTH AMERICA
North America is the third largest continent in the world. It is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean in the east,
Gulf of Mexico in the south, the Pacific Ocean in the west and the Arctic Ocean in the north. To the north,
it is separated from the eastern most tip of Siberia by the Bering Strait.
SALIENT FACTS
Two of the worlds largest countries in area, i.e. the USA and Canada are present in this continent.
North America mainly includes three countries: the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Central America: Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama.

E
Its greatest extent, north to south 7400km and east to west 5700 Km.
It was discovered by Columbus in 1492.

OR
It is bounded by the Arctic, Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans in the north, east-and west respectively, while
in south, it connected With South America through the Isthmus of Panama.-
Culturally, it is divided into the Anglo America (Canada and U.S.A.) and Latin America (south of U.S.A.)
including Mexico and Central American Countries.
SC
North America can also be divided into four great regions:
1. Great Plains: stretching from the Gulf of Mexico to the Canadian Arctic;
2. The geologically young, mountainous west: including the Rocky Mountains, the Great Basin, California
and Alaska; the raised but relatively flat plateau of the Canadian Shield in the northeast;
GS

3. The varied eastern region: including the Appalachian Mountains, the coastal plain of the Atlantic Seaboard,
and the Florida peninsula.
4. Mexico and its long plateaus and cordilleras fall largely in the western region, although the eastern coastal
plain does extend south along the Gulf.
PHYSIOGRAPHIC DIVISION
The Western Cordilleras
The Western Cordilleras are young fold mountain ranges spread from Alaska to Mexico. It consist of the
Rocky Mountain range in the east, the Sierra Nevada range at the center of the continent, the Coastal range
in the west and the Alaskan range in the north. The highest peak of North America is Mount Mickinely.
The plateaus surrounded by mountain rangesare the Columbia plateau, the Colorado plateau and Mexican
plateau. The Great Basin also lies in the Western Cordilleras.
The plateau of Colorado lies to its south. There are many gorges in the Colorado plateau, and many of them
are almost 1,800 metres deep.Very deep gorges with wall-like sides are called canyons.The Canyon of Colorado
in the largest canyon in the world. This area consists of the Appalachian Mountains and their extension to
Labrador and New Foundland.
Notes

1
 www.iasscore.in

The Great Central Plains

The Great Central Plains are located between the Western Cordilleras and the Eastern Highlands, the Great
Central Plains show a variety of physical features.
The North American Great Central Plains also contain the hot and dry deserts of Arizona and Mexico towards
the south and also the famous Niagara falls.

The Crater Lake is a spectacular mountain lake located in the Cascade Mountains of the United States of
America. Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States and the seventh deepest in the world. It is known
to terrify visitors with its oppressive stillness.

These plains also host the five big lakes of North America- The Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huran,
Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. These provide the plains with an ample supply of fresh water. The Great Central
Plains contain the vast and flat Mississippi river basin in its central and southern parts.
The Eastern Highlands

E
The Eastern Highlands include the Appalachian ranges and the Labrador plateau. To east of the Appalachian
The Piedmont and the Atlantic coastal plains are located. The Appalachian ranges and the Labrador Plateau
OR
are separated by the St. Lawrence Valley.
CLIMATE OF NORTH AMERICA
The climate is divided as:
Tundra type of climate: This type of climate prevails in northern parts of Canda and Greeenland. Winters
SC

are long and very cold while summers are cool and short. Blizzards, severe cold winds blow during winter.
Cool Temperate Interior type of climate: This type of climate prevails to the south of Tundra region.
Where, tempearture is below freezing point in winter and summers are warm.The annual precipitation is
low with a maximum in summer.

Laurentian type of climate: Laurentian type of climate is around the valley of river St.Lawrence.Here
GS

winters are cold due to Cold Labrador current and summers are warm due to the Gulf stream current.

West European type of climate: This type of climate is along the north western coast. Due to the warm
pacific drift the sea and rivers are free from freezing
Continental interior type of climate: This type of climate is experienced by the central central parts of
USA. Here, winters cold Summers are quite hot. The rainfall is uncertain and often drought like conditions
prevail.
Warm Temperate East margin type of climate: This type of climate is found in Eastern USA. Summers
are hot and humid while winters are cool and relatively dry in this region.

The Mediterranean type of climate: This type of climate is found along the west coast of California.
Here, summers are hot and dry but winters are mild and wet.
The Hot Desert type of climate: This type of climate is found in southern California, Arizona and
northern parts of Mexico. Summers are very hot and dry. Days are quite hot but nights become very cold.
This is extreme type of climate.
Notes

2
 www.iasscore.in

The Mountainous type of climate: The Mountainous type of climate is found in the Rocky Mountains,
which is controlled by the altitude.

IMPORTANT RIVERS OF NORTH AMERICA

River Originate Drains Flows through

Colorado River La Poudre Pass, rocky Gulf of California United States, Mexico
Mountains

Missouri River Rocky Mountains of Mississippi River United States

western Montana

Mississippi River Emerging from Lake Gulf of Mexico United States

Itasca in Minnesota

E
Ohio River Emerging from Mississippi River United States
Pennsylvania

Mackenzie River

Columbia River

Hudson River
Great Slave Lake

Columbia Lake

Adirondack Mountains
OR
Arctic Ocean

Pacific Ocean
Canada

United States, Canada

United States
SC
Saint Lawrence River Lake Ontario Gulf of St. Canada, United States
Lawrence/ Atlantic
Ocean

GREAT LAKES

The Great Lakes Superior, Huron, Michigan, Ontario and Erie make up the largest body of fresh
GS

water on Earth, accounting for one-fifth of the freshwater surface on the planet

The lakes are on the U.S.-Canadian border, touching Ontario in Canada and Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota,
Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York in the United States.

Lake Superior has the largest volume of all the Great Lakes. It is the coldest and deepest and because
it has a cooler climate and poor soil conditions it is the least polluted.

Lake Michigan is the second largest of the Great Lakes. It is located completely within the United States.
It is the only one of the Great Lakes to be completely within one country.

Lake Huron, by volume, is the third largest of the Great Lakes. Lake Huron also includes Georgian Bay.
Lake Huron is popular with cottagers because it has shallow sandy beaches and rocky beaches suitable for
swimming, boating, fishing, and other water activities.

Lake Erie is the smallest Great Lake in terms of volume, but the fourth largest in area.

The largest salt mine in the world is the Goderich Mine which runs partially under Lake Huron.
Notes

3
 www.iasscore.in

IMPORTANT SEAS, BAYS AND GULFS

Name Location and Related Information Part of Ocean
Beaufort Sea North of Canada Arctic Ocean
Gulf of Boothia Between Boothia Peninsula and Baffin Island, Arctic Ocean
North of Canada
Baffin Bay Between Greenland and Baffin Island Atlantic Ocean
Hudson Bay North of Canada Atlantic Ocean
James Bay North of Canada Atlantic Ocean
Labrador sea East of Labrador, Canada Atlantic Ocean
Gulf of St. Lawrence Northeast of USA Atlantic Ocean
St. Lawrence River drains
Bay of Fundy Between Halifax and Boston

E Atlantic Ocean
OR
Site of highest tidal range.
Chesapeake Bay. North of Cape Hatteras (Longest offshore bar Atlantic Ocean
in the world)
Gulf of Mexico East of Central America Atlantic Ocean
SC

Mississippi River drains.

Gulf of Campeche East of Mexico Gulf of Mexico,
Atlantic Ocean
Gulf of Darien Between Panama City and South America Caribbean Sea,
Atlantic Ocean
GS

Caribbean Sea East of Central America. Atlantic Ocean

Gulf of Panama West of Costa Rica Pacific Ocean
Coronado Bay Pacific Ocean
Gulf of California Between Lower California and western Mexico Pacific Ocean
Colorado river drains.
Gulf of Alaska Southwest of Alaska, Pacific Ocean
Bering Sea West of Alaska Pacific Ocean
Notes

4
 www.iasscore.in

IMPORTANT ISLANDS
Name Location and Related Information Part of Ocean
Ellesmere Island, Queen North of Canada Arctic Ocean
Elizabeth islands, Parry Islands,
Banks Island, Victoria Island
(Third largest island of the
Arctic Ocean), Prince of
Wales Island
Baffin Island (Second largest Representative example of ice cap, a type of Arctic Ocean
island of the Arctic Ocean) continental glacier, may serrated granitic ridges.
Southampton Island, North to South in Hudson Bay
Coats Island, Mancel Island,
Ottawa Island, Belcher Island

E
Anticostal Island Gulf St. Lawrence. Atlantic Ocean
Cape Breton Island

Florida Keys
Novascotia
OR
Region known for coal fields.
Many small islands of coral origin, situated to the
south of Miami between Cuba and Miami
Atlantic Ocean

Atlantic Ocean
SC
Region of sponges harvesting which support a
thriving sponge industry.
Bahama Island Coral Island, SE of Florida Atlantic Ocean
Calcos Island (U.K.) SE of Bahama Island
Vancouver Island West of Canada, Pacific Ocean
GS

Queen Charlotte Island N. of Vancouver Island Pacific Ocean

Alexander Archipelago West of Canada Pacific Ocean
(A group of island that lie in
close proximity.)
Kodiak Island Gulf of Alaska Pacific Ocean
St. Lawrence Island, Nonvak Bering Sea. Pacific Ocean
Island
Aleutian Island Extend south-southwest for 1800 km from Pacific Ocean
Alaska Peninsula
Hawaiian Island Lie in the northern limits of the tropics in the
North Pacific Ocean.
Consist of 8 main, 15 small-uninhabited island.
Island's Capital Honolulu is known as
"The cross roads of the Pacific."
Notes

5
 Indian Polity www.iasscore.in

INSTITUTIONS FOR
MAINTAINING TRANSPARENCY
Information Commission
In order to promote transparency and accountability in administration, the Indian Parliament enacted the
Right to Information Act which came into force on 12 October 2005. It empowers citizens to seek
information from a Public Authority, thus making the Government and its functionaries more accountable
and responsible.
The act sets up a practical regime for citizens to access information available with public authorities, in
order to promote transparency and accountability in their working.
Central Information Commission

E
When established? On 12-10-2005 under the Right to Information Act, 2005.


Headquarter New Delhi

OR
Composition - 1 Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) and not more than 10 Information Commissioners
(IC) who are appointed by the President.
Powers and Functions -
SC
a) Receive and inquire into complaints from any person relating to access to information under the control
of public authorities and to decide appeals against the decisions of designated appellate officers.
b) Impose penalties on erring Central Public Information Officers and recommend disciplinary action
against those who have, without any reasonable cause, denied access to information under the provisions
of the Act or deprived a citizen of right to access information with public authorities in a malafide
manner.
GS

c) To require the public authority to compensate the complainant for any loss or other damage suffered.
d) The decision of the Commission on an appeal is binding and is not subject to further appeal in a court
of law.
e) Recommend public authorities the steps which ought to be taken for promoting conformity with the
provisions of the Act.
f) While inquiring into a complaint the CIC has the same powers as are vested in a civil court trying a
suit like summoning and enforcing the attendance of persons and compelling them to give oral or
written evidence on oath and to produce documents or things; requiring the discovery and inspection
of documents; receiving evidence on affidavit; requisitioning any public record or copies thereof from
any court or office; issuing summons for examination of witnesses or documents etc.
g) The Commission may, during the inquiry into any complaint, examine any record under the control of
the public authority, and no such record may be withheld from it on any grounds.
State Information Commission
When established? The State Information Commission is constituted by the State Government through
a Gazette notification.
Notes

1
 www.iasscore.in

Composition - A State Chief Information Commissioner and not more than Ten State Information
Commissioners appointed by the Governor.
Most of the powers & functions of the State Information Commission are similar to that of its counterpart
at the national level.
Consumer Dispute Redressal Agencies
Consumer Forums have been established across country at the different levels with view to provide speedy,
less expensive and simple, hassle-free dispute redressal to the consumers.
The Consumer Protection Act provides three tier dispute redressal agencies namely the National Consumer
Dispute Redressal Commission, the State Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission & the District
Consumer Dispute Redressal Forum. All these agencies are quasi-judicial in terms of nature and power.
National Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission
When established? Set up in 1988 under the Consumer Protection Act of 1986
Headquarter New Delhi

E
Composition
OR
a) A President who is or has been the judge of Supreme Court
b) Four other members including one woman member & not more than fifty percent of the members
should be from judicial background
Jurisdiction of National Commission has been categorized in five parts i.e. pecuniary, territorial, appellate,
SC

revisional and review of jurisdiction.

Powers of the National Commission
a) It has some powers of civil court, criminal court
b) To make summary judgment
GS

c) Exercise of administrative control over all the State Commissions by calling for periodical returns
regarding the institution, disposal and pendency of cases
d) Power to issue instructions regarding adoption of uniform procedure in the hearing of the matters, prior
service of copies of documents produced by one party to the opposite parties, oversee the functioning
of the District Forums to ensure that the objects and purposes of the Act are best served, without
interfering with their quasi-judicial freedom.
Any person aggrieved by an order of the National Commission may prefer an Appeal against such order
to the Supreme Court within a period of 30 days.
State Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission
When established? Set up under the Consumer Protection Act of 1986
Composition
a) A President who is or has been the judge of High Court
b) Two other members including a woman member & not more than fifty percent of the members should
be from judicial background
Notes

2
 www.iasscore.in

Jurisdiction of National Commission has been categorized into pecuniary, territorial, appellate, and revisional
jurisdiction

Most of the powers & functions of the State Commission are similar to that of its counterpart at the
national level.

District Consumer Dispute Redressal Forum

When established? Set up under the Consumer Protection Act of 1986
Composition

a) A President who is or has been the judge of District Court

b) Two other members including a woman member
Jurisdiction of District Forum has been categorized into pecuniary, territorial, and appellate jurisdiction

E
Most of the powers & functions of the District Forum are similar to that of its counterpart at the national
& state level.

OR
CBI derives power to investigate from the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946. Later on, the
Government of India set up Central Bureau of Investigation by a resolution dated 1st April, 1963. Hence, CBI
is not a statutory body as it was created by executive resolution.
The CBI is subject to three ministries of the Government of India and two Constitutional bodies-
SC
Ministry of Home Affairs: Cadre Clearance
DoPT: Administration, Budget and Induction of non IPS officers
Union Public Service Commission: Officers of and above the rank of Deputy SP

Law and Justice Ministry: Public prosecutors

GS

Central Vigilance Commission: Anti-corruption cases.

Special Cells were created to take up investigations in important & sensational cases of conventional
nature.
Over a period of time, some of the work originally allotted to the CBI was transferred to other organizations.
Part of the work relating to Crime Records and Statistics Division was transferred to NCRB and that
relating to Research Division was transferred to BPR&D.
In the last 65 years, the organization has evolved from an anti corruption agency to a multi faceted, multi
disciplinary central police law enforcement agency.
Director, CBI as Inspector General of Police, Delhi Special Police Establishment, is responsible for the
administration of the organization. With enactment of CVC Act, 2003, the Superintendence of Delhi
Special Police Establishment vests with the Central Government except investigations of offences under
the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, in which, the superintendence vests with the Central Vigilance
Commission.
CBI has been provided security of two year tenure in CBI by the CVC Act, 2003. The CVC Act also
provides mechanism for selection of Director, CBI and other officers of the rank of SP and above in CBI.
Notes

3
 www.iasscore.in

At Present CBI has following divisions:

Anti Corruption Division
Economic Offences Division
Special Crimes Division
Directorate of Prosecution
Administration Division
Policy & Coordination Division
Central Forensic Science Laboratory
Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
During the early stages of World War-II, the then Government of India realized that the enormously expanded
expenditure for purposes connected with the war had brought about a situation in which unscrupulous and
antisocial persons, both officials and non-officials, were enriching themselves dishonestly at the cost of the

E
public and the Government. It was felt that the Police and other Law Enforcement Agencies, which functioned
under the State Governments, were not adequate to cope with the situation. It was under these circumstances,
OR
that the setting up of a separate organization to investigate offences connected with these transactions became
a dire necessity. Consequently, the organization known as the Special Police Establishment (S.P.E.) was created
under a Deputy Inspector- General of Police by the Government of India, in 1941, by an executive order.
The functions of the S.P.E. were to investigate cases of bribery and corruption in transactions with which the
War and Supply Department of the Government of India was concerned.
SC

Even after the end of the War, the need for a Central Government agency to investigate cases of bribery and
corruption by Central Government employees was felt. This was subsequently replaced by the Delhi Special
Police Establishment 1946. This Act transferred the superintendence of the SPE to the Home Department and
its functions were enlarged to cover all departments of the Govt. of India. The jurisdiction of the SPE
extended to all the Union Territories and could be extended also to the States with the consent of the State
Government concerned.
GS

The DSPE renamed as Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in 1963. Initially the offences that were notified
by the Central Government related only to corruption by Central Govt. servants. In due course, with the
setting up of a large number of public sector undertakings, the employees of these undertakings were also
brought under CBI purview. Similarly, with the nationalization of the banks in 1969, the Public Sector Banks
and their employees also came within the ambit of the CBI.
As the CBI, over the years, established a reputation for impartiality and competence, demands were made on
it to take up investigation of more cases of conventional crime such as murder, kidnapping, terrorist crime,
etc. Apart from this, even the Supreme Court and the various High Courts of the country also started
entrusting such cases for investigation to the CBI on petitions filed by aggrieved parties.
It was therefore decided in 1987 to constitute two investigation divisions in the CBI, namely, Anti-Corruption
Division and Special Crimes Division, the latter dealing with cases of conventional crime, besides economic
offences.
Even though the CBI is empowered to investigate all offences notified by the Central Government under
Section 3 of the DSPE Act, 1946, it does not take up all such cases keeping in view its limited resources and
its powers being concurrent and coextensive with those of the State Police Forces, which if exercised without
Notes

4
 www.iasscore.in

coordination with the State Police, might lead to conflict and duplication of efforts. To avoid such duplication,
an administrative arrangement has been arrived at by CBI with the State Police Forces, according to which:
a) The cases, which are substantially and essentially against Central Government employees or concerning
affairs of the Central Government, shall be investigated by CBI although certain employees of the
State Government may also be involved. The State Police or State Anti-Corruption Bureau will render
necessary assistance to the CBI, during investigation and prosecution of such cases.
b) The cases, which are essentially and substantially against State Government employees or are in respect
of matters concerning the State Government, shall be investigated by the State Police irrespective of
the fact that certain employees of the Central Government are also involved as co-accused. CBI will
just assist them.
c) Cases relating to the breaches of Central Laws; Big cases of fraud, cheating, embezzlement etc; Cases
having interstate and international ramifications CBI will be the sole authority engaged in investigation
of cases.
But because of limited resources and need to concentrate on cases having interstate or international ramifications

E
and those involving bribery and corruption CBI is not able to take up all the cases committed by Central
Government employees such as ordinary cases of theft, misappropriation and cheating.
Central Vigilance Commission
OR
In the Transparency International rankings for 2011, India was placed 95th among the 183 countries rated.
Corruption flourishes in India because it is perceived to be a low risk, high profit business. In service delivery,
there is lack of transparency in rules and procedures, and significant delays in operations or functioning. The
SC
lack of transparency provides an opportunity for public servants to mislead citizens who have to transact
business with them, and extract bribes. Certainly, the size of Indias parallel economy (or black market),
estimated at 40% of GDP, provides fertile ground for corruption to flourish. Equally important, the corrupt
face little deterent. There are enormous delays in the prosecution of cases in courts. What is worse, the
conviction rate is hardly 6% in criminal cases.
Thus to propagate the idea of zero tolerance for corruption the Central Vigilance Commission was set up by
GS

the Government in February, 1964 on the recommendations of the Committee on Prevention of Corruption,
headed by Shri K. Santhanam, to advise and guide Central Government agencies in the field of vigilance.
CVC is conceived to be the apex vigilance institution, free of control from any executive authority, monitoring
all vigilance activity under the Central Government and advising various authorities in Central Government
organizations in planning, executing, reviewing and reforming their vigilance work.
CVC is a multi member body consisting of a central Vigilance Commissioner and not more than two vigilance
commissioners. They are appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal on the recommendation
of a three member committee consisting of the Prime Minister as its head, the Union minister of home affairs
and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.
The jurisdiction of CVC extends to members of All india Services; officers of scale V and above in public
sector banks; officers in D Grade in RBI, NABARD and SIDBI, Managers in Insurance companies etc.
Some initiatives taken by the CVC to combat corruption
a) Project Vigeye
CVC has launched the Project Vigeye which is a citizen-centric initiative, wherein citizens join hands with the
Central Vigilance Commission in fighting corruption in India.
Notes

5
 www.iasscore.in

Project Vigeye is the platform through which vigilance information flows freely through common public, the
government agencies and the vigilance commission, making it possible to achieve a step jump in improving
the corruption index of the nation.
Salient features:
Citizens have multiple channels to air their grievances and complaints to CVC
Through their mobile phones: by downloading the mobile application from the CVC website. The
complaints can be better articulated with additional data like audio/ video/ photo evidence from their
mobiles directly.
Through the internet: by filling up the complaint form online they can attach audio/video/photo
evidence.
Through telephone: help line have been setup
The entire complaint processing is done online, in digital form, enabling fast and accurate processing of
complaints.

E
The concerned CVO will interact with the complainant directly over phone/email or in person, as the case
may be, to take it forward.
OR
Status of the complaint is communicated back to the complainant - the communication loop becomes
complete.
Lokpal and Lokayukta
SC

The Lokpal is the central governing body that has jurisdiction over all members of parliament and central
government employees in case of corruption. Whereas, the Lokayukta is similar to the Lokpal, but functions
on a state level. Scope of the Lokpal is based on a national government level basis and the scope of the
Lokayukta relied on a state level.
The main function is to address complaints of corruption, to make inquiries, investigations, and to conduct
trials for the case on respective state and central government with having responsibility to help in curbing the
GS

corruption in the central and state government.

Salient features of the Act
1. TheLokpalto consist of a Chairperson and a maximum of eight Members, of which fifty percent shall
be judicial Members. Fifty per cent of members ofLokpalshall be from amongst SC, ST, OBCs, Minorities
and Women.
2. The selection of Chairperson and Members ofLokpalshall be through a Selection Committee consisting
of
a) Prime Minister;
b) Speaker ofLokSabha;
c) Leader of Opposition in theLokSabha;
d) Chief Justice of India or a sitting Supreme Court Judge nominated by CJI;
e) An eminent jurist to be nominated by the President of India
Notes

6
 www.iasscore.in

3. A Search Committee will assist the Selection Committee in the process of selection.Fifty per cent of
members of the Search Committee shall also be from amongst SC, ST, OBCs, Minorities and Women.
4. Lokpalsjurisdiction will cover all categories of public servants including Group A, B, C & D officers
and employees of Government.On complaints referred to CVC byLokpal, CVC will send its report of
Preliminary enquiry in respect of Group A and B officers back toLokpalfor further decision.With
respect to Group C and D employees, CVC will proceed further in exercise of its own powers under
the CVC Act subject to reporting and review byLokpal.
5. All entities receiving donations from foreign source in the context of the Foreign Contribution Regulation
Act (FCRA) in excess of Rs. 10lakhsper year are brought under the jurisdiction of Lokpal.
6. Lokpalwill have power of superintendence and direction over any investigation agency including CBI for
cases referred to them byLokpal.
7. A high powered Committee chaired by the Prime Minister will recommend selection of the Director, CBI.
8. Attachment and confiscation of property of public servants acquired by corrupt means, even while

E
prosecution is pending.
Enquiry procedure

considering an inquiry report the Lokpal shall- OR

The Lokpals inquiry wing is required to inquire into complaints within 60 days of their reference. On

(i) order an investigation; (ii) initiate departmental proceedings; or (iii) close the case and proceed against the
complainant for making a false and frivolous complaint. The investigation shall be completed within 6 months.
SC
The Lokpal may initiate prosecution through its Prosecution Wing before the Special Court set up to adjudicate
cases. The trial shall be completed within a maximum of two years.
The recent amendment has amended Section 44.
a) Now the every public servantshall make declaration of their assets and liabilities in the form and manner
as prescribed by government. It has abolished the previous 30 days timeline.
GS

b) Gives extension of the time given to public servants and trustees and board members of Non-Governmental
Organisations (NGOs) to declare their assets and those of their spouses.
1) Press Council of India
When established? On 4 July 1966 as an autonomous, statutory, quasi-judicial body.
Headquarter New Delhi
Composition A Chairman (by convention a retired judge of the Supreme Court), 28 other members
of whom 20 represent the press and nominated by the press organizations/news agencies, five members
nominated from the two Houses of Parliament and three represent cultural, literary and legal fields as
nominees of the Sahitya Academy, University Grants Commission and the Bar Council of India
Functions of the PCI
a) to help newspapers to maintain their independence
b) to build up a code of conduct for newspapers and journalists
c) to ensure maintenance of high standards of public taste
Notes

7
 www.iasscore.in

d) to encourage a sense of responsibility and public service in the journalism

e) to promote common services for the supply and dissemination of news to newspapers
f) to provide facilities for proper education and training in journalism
Powers of the PCI
a) Power to Censure on receipt of a complaint when a newspaper or news agency has offended against
the standards of journalistic ethics, public taste, professional conduct. The decision of the Council shall
be final and shall not be questioned in any court of law.
b) The Council shall have the powers vested in a civil court namely summoning and enforcing the
attendance of persons and examining them on oath, requiring the discovery and inspection of documents,
receiving evidence on affidavits, requisitioning any public record or copies thereof from any court or
office etc.
c) Every inquiry held by the Council shall be deemed to be a judicial proceeding within the meaning of
sections 193 and 228 of the Indian Penal Code.

E
OR
SC
GS
Notes

8
 Trending Topics www.iasscore.in

PRESSURE GROUPS
The term pressure group refers to any interest group whose members because of their shared common
attributes make claims on the other groups and on the political process. They pursue their interests by
organising themselves and by influencing the governmental policies. Their aim is to see that laws or governments
actions are favorable to their interests.
Pressure groups are defined by three key features:
They seek to exert influence from outside, rather than to win or exercise government power. Pressure
groups do not make policy decisions, but rather try to influence those who do (the policy-makers). In that
sense, they are external to government.

E
They typically have a narrow issue focus. In some cases, they may focus on a single issue (for instance
opposing a planned road development).

OR
Their members are united by either a shared belief in a particular cause or a common set of interests.
People with different ideological and party preferences may thus work happily together as members of the
same pressure group.
These groups influence both public policy as well as administration. They also contribute towards determination
of political structure of society and the form of government. Any social group which seeks to influence the
SC
behaviour of any political officer, both administrative as well as legislative, without attempting to gain formal
control of the government can be called a pressure group.
Types of Pressure Group
Although they can be distinguished in a variety of ways (including local/national/transnational groups and
temporary/permanent groups) the most common distinctions are between:
GS

1. Interest and Cause Groups

Interest groups (sometimes called sectional, protective or functional groups) are groups that represent a
particular section of society: workers, employers, consumers, an ethnic or religious group, and so on.
Interest groups have the following features:
a. They are concerned to protect or advance the interests of their members
b. Membership is limited to people in a particular occupation, career or economic position
c. Members are motivated by material self-interest
Trade unions, business corporations, trade associations and professional bodies are the prime examples of this
type of group. They are called sectional groups because they represent a particular section of the population.
Cause groups activities range from charity activities, poverty reduction, education and the environment, to
human rights, international development and peace. Cause groups have the following features:
a. They seek to advance particular ideals or principle
b. Membership is open to all
Notes

1
 www.iasscore.in

c. Members are motivated by moral or altruistic concerns (the betterment of others)

Specific examples of cause groups include the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), Amnesty International,
etc.
2. Insiders and outsiders
Insider groups are groups that are consulted on a regular basis by government. They operate inside the
decision-making process, not outside. Their degree, regularity and level of consultation varies, of course. Ultra-
insider groups are regularly consulted at ministerial or senior official level within the executive. They may also
sit on government policy committees and agencies and have links to parliamentary select committees.
Outsider groups, by contrast, have no special links to government. They are kept, or choose to remain, at arms
length from government. They therefore try to exert influence indirectly via the mass media or through public
opinion campaigns.
Pressure groups can be seen as providing an additional form of representation within the political system and
an additional channel of political communication.

E
Pressure Groups promote Democracy
Pressure groups have played a significant role in those developing countries which have a more stable government
OR
and political system or which have adopted democracy as its system. The role of pressure groups in a
developing countries with a stable political system are listed out in the following :
They balance the national and particular interests. They constitute links of communication between the
citizens and the state.
SC

They render a necessary service by making much valuable data available to governmental agencies and
to the public in general. They supply necessary information and accurate statistic to policy-makers. With
the help of the data supplied by the pressure groups, the pressure groups can support the necessary
arguments. Thus, from a mass of conflicting information and views, the truth can always be discerned.
A democracy which permits its citizens to express their varying interest and desires thereby gain a sort
of Build In protection against the emergence of a single, dominant social force. Businessmen, workers,
GS

farmers, social groups, women and religious groups- all seek to advance their own interests, but they are
forced to compete with one another. The inevitable result is that they balance each others demands and
this countervailing tendency protects the society against the threat that an individual group will come to
wield total power.
Pressure groups keep democracy alive during the interval and during the elections, and constitute a barrier
against inter-regnums. They supplement the party system and the formal instruments of government by
serving as spokesman of special interests within society.
Pressure Groups have become a legislature behind a legislature. By their zeal and enthusiasm, their
expertise knowledge and specialised skills, they influenced law-making on the floor of the legislatures.
The powers and functions of the government are increasing day by day. The theory of the welfare state
and the method of planned development are the new phenomenon which have led to growth of government
power. Socialism and Positivism have increased them considerably and today we need Groups as a shield
against the sword wielded by the government.
Notes

2
 Trending Topics www.iasscore.in

NATIONAL MISSION ON BIO-ECONOMY

National Mission on Bio-economy was launched in Shillong, Meghalaya by the Institute of Bio-resources and
Sustainable Development (IBSD) under the Ministry of Science and Technology, In order to boost rural
economy by utilizing bio-resources. The mission is unique to south-east Asia and India has become one of the
few countries to have tapped bio-resources, which when optimally utilized can create a large number of jobs
at village level.
National Mission on Bio-economy envisages the development of a roadmap for an actionable policy
recommendation involving all stakeholders for the transformation of India through job creation from small
scale livelihood enterprises to commercial scale production for increased economic growth through technological
packages to increase primary production, value addition of the unique bio-resources through industrial

E
biotechnology and provision of bio services, with tailored packages that are relevant to specific regions across
India.

utilized can create a large number of jobs at village level

OR
The purpose of the mission is to boost rural economy by utilizing bio-resources Besides, it can be optimally

The mission could have the potential to generate new solutions for the planet's major challenges in the field
of energy, health, food, water, climate change and deliver social, environmental and economic benefits.
SC
GS
Notes

3
 Trending Topics www.iasscore.in

SHYAM BENEGAL COMMITTEE SUBMITS

RECOMMENDATIONS ON FILM CERTIFICATION
A Committee was set up under the Chairmanship of Shyam Benegal to lay down a holistic framework
for certification of films, to lay down norms for film certification that take note of best practices in various
parts of the world and give sufficient and adequate space for artistic and creative expression, to lay down
procedures and guidelines for the benefit of the CBFC Board to follow and examine staffing patterns with
a view to recommending a framework that would provide efficient and transparent user friendly services.
The Highlights of the recommendations of the committee broadly cover the areas related to Film
Certification Process and its simplification, Restructuring staffing pattern of Central & Regional censor
advisory panels and Recertification of films for purposes of telecast on television and measures to
preserve the identity of Indian Cinema.
Following are the major highlights of the report

E
a) CBFC should only be a film certification body whose scope should be restricted to categorizing the
suitability of the film to audience groups on the basis of age and maturity except in the following
OR
instances to refuse certification
When a film contains anything that contravenes the provisions of Section 5B (1) of the Cinematograph
Act, 1952.
When content in a film crosses the ceiling laid down in the highest category of certification.
SC

b) The applicant must specify the category of certification being sought and the target audience.
c) The objective of these guidelines would be to ensure that
Children and adults are protected from potentially harmful or unsuitable content
Audiences, particularly parents are empowered to make informed viewing decisions
GS

Artistic expression and creative freedom are not unduly curbed in the process of classification of films
The process of certification by CBFC is responsive, at all times, to social change
The certification by CBFC keeps within the rights and obligations as laid down in the Indian Constitution.
d) Regarding the categorisation of films, the committee recommends that it should be more specific and
apart from U category, the UA Category can be broken up into further sub-categories UA12+ & UA15+.
The A category should also be sub-divided into A and AC (Adult with Caution) categories.
e) The Certification of films shall be carried out in accordance with the Guidelines proposed for certification
that have been split into three sections, with each section required to be read with the other two General
Guidelines, Issue Related Guidelines and Category Specific Guidelines.
f) The committee has also made certain recommendations regarding the functioning of the board and has
stated that the Board, including Chairman, should only play the role of a guiding mechanism for the
CBFC, and not be involved in the day-to-day affairs of certification of films. The functions of the Board
shall be confined to the duties defined in the existing CBFC rules, which inter alia include an annual review
of CBFC work, submission of annual report to the government, review of public reactions to films, and
Notes

4
 www.iasscore.in

periodic recommendations for revision of guidelines. Given these limited functions, the size of the Board
should be compact with one member representing each Regional Office. Therefore, the total composition
of the Board should not be more than nine members and one Chairman.
g) Online submission of applications as well as simplification of forms and accompanying documentation
should be done.
h) Recertification of a film for purposes of telecast on television or for any other purpose should be
permitted.
i) In order to preserve Indian Cinema, the committee recommends that every applicant be asked to deposit
the Directors Cut in the NFAI for preservation of Indian Cinema, instead of the certified version, in order
to truly reflect the cinematic history of Indian cinema.
j) Out-of-turn certification may be permitted for which the applicant would have to pay five times the fee
that would have to be paid if the certification were done in the normal course.
k) In the event that complaints are received by the Central Government, the same shall be referred to the

E
CBFC. The Chairperson may, if he considers it necessary to do so, refer the film to a Revising Committee
for examination once again, on account of alleged violation of Section 5B(1) of the Cinematograph Act,
1952.

OR
SC
GS
Notes