{"id":15543,"date":"2018-02-09T12:56:10","date_gmt":"2018-02-09T07:26:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.forumias.com\/?p=15543"},"modified":"2018-02-08T13:56:54","modified_gmt":"2018-02-08T08:26:54","slug":"answers-mains-marathon-upsc-mains-current-affairs-questions-february-8-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/answers-mains-marathon-upsc-mains-current-affairs-questions-february-8-2018\/","title":{"rendered":"Answers: Mains Marathon \u2013 UPSC Mains Current Affairs Questions \u2013 February 8, 2018"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/blog.forumias.com\/mains-marathon\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Archives<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Q.1) The Indo-U.S. civil nuclear agreement is seen as a watershed in India-USA relations and introduced a new aspect to international nonproliferation efforts. Has India been able to accrue any benefit out of this deal? (GS\u20132)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Introduction:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Signed in 2005, <\/span><b>The 123 Agreement <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">signed between the United States of America and the Republic of India is known as the <\/span><b>S.\u2013India Civil Nuclear Agreement or Indo-US nuclear deal.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As per the deal, India agreed to <\/span><b>separate its civilian and military nuclear activity<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India also agreed to <\/span><b>open up the civilian part to inspection<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In return, the US offered to <\/span><b>resume full nuclear trade (selling of reactors, transfer of technology, Uranium sale) <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">with India, ending its nuclear ostracism.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Has India been able to accrue any benefit out of this deal?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, India been able to accrue any benefit out of this deal. They are as follows:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Fissile material:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The best way to get access to the requisite fissile material for India would be through uranium imports, which was not possible without ending India\u2019s nuclear isolation by US and the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Energy security concerns:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This deal would partially ease India\u2019s energy security concerns.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Growth under the Make in India scheme:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Access to uninterrupted reliable power would aid in industrial growth under the Make In India scheme and would bring in foreign investment.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Access to better technologies:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India also gets access to better technologies in the civilian power generation ambit.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Recognizes India as a de-facto nuclear power:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Strategically, this deal recognizes India as a de-facto nuclear power and has taken Indo-US relations (in all matters including political, economic, military, etc) to the next level (the N deal has turned into a flag-point for Indo-US relations).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>India as a possible counter to China:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The US views India as a possible counter to China in the Asian region and this is good for India.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Nuclear ties will other NSG signatories:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By getting the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) waiver, India can now look to have nuclear ties will all the other NSG signatories.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Development of a strategic reserve of nuclear fuel:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Agreement provides for the development of a strategic reserve of nuclear fuel to guard against any disruption of supply over the lifetime of India\u2019s reactors.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Bringing India closer to Non-Proliferation regime:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The US wants to bring India closer to the Non-Proliferation regime by placing most of its nuclear capabilities under IAEA safeguards.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Boost India\u2019s economic growth:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Financially, the U.S. also expects that such a deal could spur India\u2019s economic growth and bring in $150 billion in the next decade for nuclear power plants, of which the U.S. wants a share.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Allow Uranium sale to India:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It also was under pressure from other nations to allow Uranium sale to India as India is one of the largest buyers of Uranium and everyone wants a share of this market.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Benefit from Indian technology:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The US may also benefit from Indian technology, especially the Thorium based research, as India had to develop its capabilities in isolation, it may well have developed novel techniques.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Q.2) What do you mean by Non-Performing Assets?<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is it different from stressed assets?<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What are the adverse effects of India\u2019s bad loan problem on a bank\u2019s revenue stream? (GS\u20133)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Introduction:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A non performing asset (NPA) is a loan or advance for which the principal or interest payment remained overdue for a period of 90 days.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>How NPA are different from stressed assets?<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A stressed asset is an indicator of the <\/span><b>health of the banking system.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is a combination of <\/span><b>NPA, Restructured loans and Written off assets.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Assets of the banking system comprises of <\/span><b>loans given and investment in bonds made by banks.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Quality of the asset indicates <\/span><b>how much of the loans taken by the borrowers are repaid in the form of interests and principal.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>What are the adverse effects of India\u2019s bad loan problem on a bank\u2019s revenue stream?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The adverse effects of India\u2019s bad loan problem on a bank\u2019s revenue stream are:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The higher is the amount of non-performing assets (NPA) <\/span><b>the weaker will be the bank\u2019s revenue stream.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Indian Banking sector has been facing the NPA issue due to the mismanagement in the loan distribution carried by the Public sector banks.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As the NPAs of the banks will rise, it <\/span><b>will bring a scarcity of funds in the Indian markets.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Few banks will be willing to lend if they are not sure of the recovery of their money.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>The shareholders of the banks will lose of money<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as banks themselves will find it tough to survive in the market.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This will lead to a <\/span><b>crisis situation in the market.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>The price of loans, interest rates will shoot up badly.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Shooting of interest rates will directly impact the investors who wish to take loans for setting up infrastructural, industrial projects etc.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It <\/span><b>will also impact the retail consumers,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> who will have to shell out a higher interest rate for a loan.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All these factors hurt the<\/span><b> overall demand in the Indian economy.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, it will lead to<\/span><b> lower growth and higher inflation because of the higher cost of capital. <\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Q.3) \u00a0Discuss the role of NITI Aayog\u2019s Three Year Action Agenda \u00a0in reforming various sectors of the economy including agriculture. (GS\u20133)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Introduction:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NITI Aayog\u2019s Action Agenda forms a part of larger Vision Document which spans a seven year strategy and a 15 years vision till fiscal year 2031-32.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NITI Aayog\u2019s Three Year Action Agenda document is a comprehensive framework for policy changes to be implemented in the short term in India.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The action agenda has replaced the five-year plans of the erstwhile Planning Commission.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It covers the different sectors of the economy\u2014agriculture, industry and manufacturing<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>What are the objectives of NITI Aayog\u2019s Action Plan?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The objectives of NITI Aayog\u2019s Action Plan are:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Target of doubling farmers\u2019 income by 2022,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It will address the problems of increasing suicides &amp; distress of the farmers,<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Schemes like PMKSY, E-NAM, and digitalization of land-records are in the right direction in this regard,<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Increasing productivity of land and water,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reforming agri-markets on the lines of e-NAM,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reforming tenancy laws,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Relief measures during natural disasters,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shift to high value commodities: horticulture, animal husbandry, fisheries,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Improve the profitability of cultivation by \u201cgetting markets right\u201d,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Investing in water to fulfill its slogan of \u201char khet ko pani\u201d and \u201cmore crop per drop\u201d,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Focusing on Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) of food and fertiliser subsidies to the accounts of targeted beneficiaries,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ensuring that the new Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)delivers compensation to farmers in time, and<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Setting up logistics from grading, storage to movement, and linking them to organised retail (including e-retail), large processors and exporters.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Archives\u00a0 Q.1) The Indo-U.S. civil nuclear agreement is seen as a watershed in India-USA relations and introduced a new aspect to international nonproliferation efforts. Has India been able to accrue any benefit out of this deal? (GS\u20132) Introduction: Signed in 2005, The 123 Agreement signed between the United States of America and the Republic of&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/answers-mains-marathon-upsc-mains-current-affairs-questions-february-8-2018\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Answers: Mains Marathon \u2013 UPSC Mains Current Affairs Questions \u2013 February 8, 2018<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":61,"featured_media":2292,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[25,9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15543","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mains-marathon-answers","category-public","entry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/pen-paper-laptop.jpg?fit=1000%2C500&ssl=1","views":{"total":15,"cached_at":""},"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15543","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/61"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15543"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15543\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2292"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15543"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15543"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15543"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}