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I have mixed feelings about this.Warning: This is going to be a very long answer.First, let us look at the background.In Islam, there are two kinds of divorce:[1] Talaq and Khul’. To simplify, Talaq is a divorce initiated by the husband while Khul’ is initiated by the wife. When the husband initiates Talaq, there is a waiting period of three months (or if the wife is pregnant, until she delivers) within which he can revoke the divorce. During the waiting period, the husband has to support the wife financially as before. When the waiting period is over and there is no revocation, the couple is divorced and the wife gets to keep the dowry she was given for the wedding. It is allowed for them to remarry each other after this. However, there is a first strike that comes along with it. Once the husband divorces the wife thrice — whether the divorces were revoked or whether there was remarriage involved — they are not allowed to marry again unless she has married someone else, consummated the marriage and divorced him first (this is the root of the horror of Nikah Halala,[2] but that is another story[3]).Triple talaq is the process by which the husband declares at the outset that he is not interested in any possibility of reconciliation. Instead of declaring an intent to divorce and waiting for three months (even after which there could be a reconciliatory remarriage), he gives all three divorces in one go. The marriage ends immediately, with no recourse for reconciliation. Now, there are different religious rulings about this. Irrespective of Islamic sect and school of jurisprudence, all Muslims treat such a divorce as abhorrent and cursed. The only religious disagreement is about the validity of such a divorce. Some groups consider such a divorce completely invalid, while some treat it as a single revocable divorce. At the extreme end are groups which treat it as three divorces leaving no possibility of reconciliation. Unfortunately, Sunni Hanafi Muslims who form the majority of north Indian Muslims fall under this category.With this introduction, let us see what the issues are with Triple Talaq in the current context of Indian society, Muslims and women. This is a subject on which there is a lot of cacophony from all sides, so I will try to give as unbiased an overview as possible. The basis of this section is going to be the Supreme Court judgement in Shayara Bano vs Union of India and Ors which is comprehensive as Supreme Court judgements get. It is one of the few judgements I have read in their entirety, and I welcome you to do the same (you can find the judgement here[4]). So let us look at the general arguments about Triple Talaq without getting into questions about the court’s jurisdiction and so on.1. Triple Talaq is gender-discriminatory. If the man can unilaterally and irrevocably divorce the wife even in her absence while she has no such recourse, where is the equality?It was submitted, that a female spouse had no say in the matter, inasmuch as, ‘talaq-e-biddat’ could be pronounced in the absence of the wife, and even without her knowledge. It was submitted, that divorce pronounced by way of triple talaq was final and binding, between the parties. These actions, according to learned counsel, vested an arbitrary right in the husband, and as such, violated the equality clause enshrined in Article 14 of the Constitution.To put this in context, we need to see where India’s divorce laws stand. According to the Special Marriage Act,[5] for instance, the only valid reasons for divorce are adultery, desertion (two years), imprisonment (seven years), mental disorder, communicable sexual disease and going missing (seven years!). The wife can also apply for a divorce if the husband is guilty of rape/sodomy/bestiality, or has been legally allowed to not provide maintenance to her under separation. Either party can demand divorce also after one year of separation following a ruling of judicial separation or of restitution of conjugal rights (another horrifying British relic that has been thrown out in most other places[6]). Finally, both the husband and wife can ask for divorce with mutual consent. Divorce under the Hindu Marriage act is very similar.[7] There is a reasonably fair and equal way for the couple to separate.But the situation in Muslim personal law is very different. The dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act[8] provides for divorce initiated by the wife under the grounds of the husband going missing (four years), lack of maintenance (two years), imprisonment (seven years), not performing marital obligations (three years), impotence, insanity, sexual disease, underage marriage or cruelty. There is also a general “on any other ground which is recognised as valid for the dissolution of marriages under muslim law” clause, but the basic point is that she needs to have a valid ground for divorce. There is no mention of Talaaq initiated by the husband in the law because he faces no such obstacles to obtain a divorce. He can get an irrevocable divorce for no reason whatsoever! Meanwhile, the woman-initiated divorce of Khul’ is hard to obtain because the wife needs to justify it based on a few grounds to a patriarchal Islamic cleric, and they are often opposed to it even when there is a valid reason.[9]Clearly, there is no gender or religious equality here.It was pointed out, that Muslim women, were placed in a position far more vulnerable than their counterparts, who professed other faiths. It was submitted, that Hindu, Christian, Zoroastrian, Buddhist, Sikh, Jain women, were not subjected to ouster from their matrimonial relationship, without any reasonable cause, certainly not, at the whim of the husband; certainly not, without due consideration of the views expressed by the wife, who had the right to repel a husband’s claim for divorce.2. When Triple Talaq is considered abhorrent by all groups, can it be considered an essential religious practice at all? Rulings supporting the validity of Triple Talaq have always been about “bad in theology, good in law”. Even the Sunni Hanafis accept it as bad practice. How can the government or the judiciary ending such a practice clearly opposed to by the religion be considered as an encroachment on religious freedom? Not every religious custom is “integral to the religion”. And this is even far from it: “My religion opposes it but does not forbid it, so the government should not interfere in my religious practice” is strange logic!3. Many Muslim-majority nations including Islamic theocracies have already enacted laws against Triple Talaq.Learned senior counsel also drew our attention to the fact, that a number of countries had, by way of express legislations, done away with the practice of ‘talaq-e-biddat’. It was submitted, that even when talaq was pronounced thrice simultaneously, the same has, by legislation, been treated as a single pronouncement, in a number of countries, including countries which have declared Islam as their official State religion. It was accordingly contended, that had ‘talaq-e-biddat’ been an essential part of religion, i.e., if it constituted a core belief, on which Muslim religion was founded, it could not have been interfered with, by such legislative intervention.And India has banned many Hindu customs like Sati, Devadasi system and polygamy by law. Why should India not follow these Islamic nations and ban Triple Talaq as well?4. Beyond all this, All India Muslim Personal Law Board had filed an affidavit in the Supreme court during the Shayara Bano case that it would advise men against Triple Talaq during weddings and create a code of conduct to avoid three divorces in one sitting!2. I say and submit that the All India Muslim Personal Law Board will issue an advisory through its Website, Publications and Social Media Platforms and thereby advise the persons who perform ‘Nikah’ (marriage) and request them to do the following:(a) At the time of performing ‘Nikah’ (Marriage), the person performing the ‘Nikah’ will advise the Bridegroom/Man that in case of differences leading to Talaq the bridegroom / man shall not pronounce three divorces in one sitting since it is an undesirable practice in Shariat(b) That at the time of performing ‘Nikah’ (Marriage), the person performing the ‘Nikah’ will advise both the Bridegroom/Man and the Bride/Woman to incorporate a condition in the ‘Nikahnama’ to exclude resorting to pronouncement of three divorces by her husband in one sitting.3. I say and submit that, in addition, the Board is placing on record, that the Working Committee of the Board had earlier already passed certain resolutions in the meeting held on 15th and 16th April, 2017 in relation to Divorce (Talaq) in the Muslim community. Thereby it was resolved to convey a code of conduct/guidelines to be followed in the matters of divorce particularly emphasizing to avoid pronouncement of three divorces in one sitting.5. In Indian society, women are typically completely financially dependent on the husband. This is particularly the case for Muslim women. As a result, the threat of an arbitrary and unilateral divorce always constrains the Muslim wife and is an affront to her dignity.One of the non-professional individuals assisting this Court on behalf of the petitioners’, went to the extent of stating, that the fear of the fact, that the wife could be thrown out of the matrimonial house, at any time, was like a sword hanging over the matrimonial alliance, during the entire duration of the marriage. It was submitted, that the fear of ‘talaq-e-biddat’, was a matter of continuous mental torture, for the female spouse.This also needs to be seen in the light of the alimony and maintenance laws in India. According to the Code of Criminal Procedure,[10] men are supposed to pay maintenance for their wives after divorce until they remarry. Alimony is also explicitly included (and gender-neutral) in the Hindu marriage act. However, the case of Muslim women is a bit complicated. In the Shah Bano case,[11] The Supreme Court ruled that the Muslim Husband had to provide maintenance for his divorced wife. There was widespread opposition from the orthodox Muslims against this, and the government passed The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act[12] — The husband had to provide maintenance for the wife only for the three month waiting period. After that, such maintenance had to be paid by her parents or other relatives! The implementation of the rule has not always been harsh.[13] In the Danial Latifi case, for instance, the Supreme Court ruled that the husband has to make provisions for alimony for the rest of the wife’s life during the three-month period.[14] There is still a significant difference between post-divorce maintenance for Muslim women compared to other religions.6. All oppositions in the Supreme Court against banning Triple Talaq were procedural. There was the argument that the change had to come from the community and not from the government. There was also the argument that any change to religious personal law had to be a legislative effort and not to be done by a Court. Finally, there was also the claim that Triple Talaq could not be touched legally because it was part of constitutionally protected legal practice. There was not a single word in the 395-page judgement where anyone on any side said anything good about Triple Talaq!Clearly, Triple Talaq is a complete wrong that needed to be remedied. It was bad practice even in the view of religion, and it was discriminatory against women. Islamic societies around the world were curbing it legislatively. So what was the status of Triple Talaq in India before the passage of the recent bill?The order in the Shayara Bano case wasORDER OF THE COURTIn view of the different opinions recorded, by a majority of 3:2 the practice of ‘talaq-e-biddat’ — triple talaq is set aside.That is, Triple Talaq was already invalid in India in 2017. If a Muslim man divorced his wife by giving Triple Talaq, it had no legal validity. It would not change the wife’s right to the marital home or maintenance.So, what does the bill change? It is a very short piece of legislation, so I request you to read it yourself.[15]First, it declares the Triple Talaq (abbreviated just to Talaq in the bill for some reason!) void and illegal and prescribes the punishment for the same.3. Any pronouncement of talaq by a Muslim husband upon his wife, by words, either spoken or written or in electronic form or in any other manner whatsoever, shall be void and illegal.4. Any Muslim husband who pronounces talaq referred to in section 3 upon his wife shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, and shall also be liable to fine.Triple Talaq was already void by the Supreme Court ruling. The only addition is making it illegal as well. The point of making an already void civil action illegal seems strange. If the Muslim man declaring Triple Talaq has no legal validity and does not render them divorced, why go ahead and make it a criminal act? And why further punish him? Introducing a criminal punishment in a civil matter is always dodgy. Consider a similar scenario in which a husband (of any religion, including Islam) deserts his wife and stops giving maintenance to her. She can approach the court in that case. If a Muslim man declares Triple Talaq and leaves his wife now, the case is identical — his pronouncement of Triple Talaq has no standing in the eyes of law.So what was the justification for introducing such a bill? The statement of objects and reasons saysIn spite of the Supreme Court setting aside talaq-e-biddat, and the assurance of AIMPLB, there have been reports of divorce by way of talaq-e-biddat from different parts of the country. It is seen that setting aside talaq-e-biddat by the Supreme Court has not worked as any deterrent in bringing down the number of divorces by this practice among certain Muslims. It is, therefore, felt that there is a need for State action to give effect to the order of the Supreme Court and to redress the grievances of victims of illegal divorce.To me, this does not seem strong. If someone has performed Triple Talaq after the Supreme Court ruling, it was simply not valid. The state could have dealt with such men as if they had simply deserted their wives. The existing law was enough to demand maintenance from them since they remain married legally.But what this also shows is how inconsiderate the patriarchal Islamic clerics are towards Muslim women and the Supreme Court ruling. It was very straightforward for religious leaders across the country to refuse Muslim husbands’ demands to approve their Triple Talaq both based on the Supreme Court ruling and based on its abhorrence in Islam. But if Muslim men are continuing to give Triple Talaq with their approval, it shows that the Muslim religious leadership in India is upholding its cherished history of unfailing and mindless support of patriarchy.Additionally, the bill has a couple of clauses for the protection of women after the Triple Talaq.5. Without prejudice to the generality of the provisions contained in any other law for the time being in force, a married Muslim woman upon whom talaq is pronounced shall be entitled to receive from her husband such amount of subsistence allowance, for her and dependent children, as may be determined by the Magistrate.6. Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, a married Muslim woman shall be entitled to custody of her minor children in the event of pronouncement of talaq by her husband, in such manner as may be determined by the Magistrate.I am a bit confused about the first point again. If the Triple Talaq is void and she remains legally married, does she not already have recourse to maintenance as his wife? Additionally, it is contradictory to the punishment clause. How is the husband supposed to provide subsistence allowance for the wife and children when in prison?According to Islamic law, the guardianship of young (<7 yr old boys, girls under puberty) rests on the mother and later, on the father. This law extends that and provides full custody of children to the victim of Triple Talaaq. No issues there.That is pretty much all there is in the bill. Many have questioned the necessity of including a criminal aspect in the law. Today’s The Hindu editorial[16] touches upon this and the contradictions of the law which talks about custody and maintenance when the marriage is still legally ongoing. Overall, I am not very bothered about the criminalisation but just think of the law as pointless given the Supreme Court ruling.I am far more bothered about what the bill does not achieve.First, there is still no divorce equality for Muslim women. Instead of a Triple Talaq, the husband can give a revocable Talaq and end the marriage after three months. This can be done arbitrarily, he does not need to have a reason. Meanwhile, the Muslim woman has to approach the court for divorce — that too, after waiting for two years if the husband does not provide maintenance or three if he does not fulfil marital obligations. The Muslim man can just decide that he does not like the tea the wife made and still go for a divorce, and get rid of her at the end of three months.In fact, with this reason, the attorney general argued in the Supreme court that all forms of Talaq should be made illegal!The learned Attorney General having assisted this Court in the manner recounted above, was emphatic that the other procedures available to Muslim men for obtaining divorce, such as, ‘talaq-e-ahsan’ and ‘talaq-e-hasan’ were also liable to be declared as unconstitutional, for the same reasons as have been expressed with reference to ‘talaq-e-biddat’. In this behalf, the contention advanced was, that just as ‘talaq-e-biddat’, ‘talaq-e-ahsan’ and ‘talaq-e-hasan’ were based on the unilateral will of the husband, neither of these forms of divorce required the availability of a reasonable cause with the husband to divorce his wife, and neither of these needed the knowledge and/or notice of the wife, and in neither of these procedures the knowledge and! or consent of the wife was required. And as such, the other two so-called approved procedures of divorce (‘talaq-e-ahsan’ and ‘talaq-e-hasan’) available to Muslim men, it was submitted, were equally arbitrary and unreasonable, as the practice of ‘talaq-e-biddat’.…One of us (U.U. Lalit, J.), enquired from the learned Attorney General, that if all the three procedures referred to above, as were available to Muslim men to divorce their wives, were set aside as unconstitutional, Muslim men would be rendered remediless in matters of divorce? The learned Attorney General answered the querry in the affirmative. But assured the Court, that the Parliament would enact a legislation within no time, laying down grounds on which Muslim men could divorce their wives.Let me admit that this is something I struggle with. I am opposed to the demands of Indian law and society that you should only be allowed to divorce if you can justify it to an authority. I find this deeply troubling, if you do not feel comfortable staying married to someone, it is a violation of your most personal freedom to be forced in that marriage. But this is one of those situations where I am willing to have a legal change in the “wrong” direction in the short term to make things better in the long run. Muslim men and women need to have divorce equality. It can be either achieved by extending the right of arbitrary divorce to the woman (codifying Khul’ should do within the personal law) or by taking away arbitrary talaq from the Muslim man and requiring judicial sanction as in the case of divorce in other religions.The more important issue is what happens in the case of divorce. As discussed above, Muslim women still face discrimination when it comes to alimony/maintenance after divorce. What India needs is a religion-neutral and gender-neutral law for division of marital assets and maintenance after marriage to keep up with the times.And of course, there is the continuing discrimination through polygamy. Indian Muslim men can still marry multiple women at the same time while of course, the women cannot. Instead of attacking any of these issues where an entire law would have to be built from scratch, the government has effectively just added an appendix to the Supreme Court ruling!Considering all this, I see little to justify the hype about the passage of the Triple Talaq bill. Had it been introduced before the Supreme Court ruling voiding the practice, it would have been revolutionary. As of now, it is merely symbolic and incremental, something I would even call confused at some level. Its only purpose was to show that the government was doing something without doing anything major. There are still miles to go before we can say that any significant legislative step has been made towards equality for Muslim women.PS: I am not an expert in law. Or a beginner in law, for that matter — it is completely divorced from my field of expertise. My analysis of the Supreme Court judgement and the other Indian laws should be treated as just the view of an average Indian interested in the subject, and could have serious issues. Corrections from those with expertise in law welcome!Footnotes[1] Divorce in Islam - Wikipedia[2] Nikah halala - Wikipedia[3] Raziman T.V. (റസിമാൻ ടി.വി.)'s answer to As an Indian Muslim, what is your view on the Supreme Court banning triple talaq? Also, do you want Nikah Halala to be banned?[4] File:Shayara Bano vs Union of India and Ors (Triple Talaq Judgment).djvu[5] Special Marriage Act, 1954[6] Restitution of conjugal rights - Wikipedia[7] Hindu Marriage Act, 1955[8] Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act, 1939[9] 'I'm not his property': Abused Muslim women denied right to divorce[10] https://indiacode.nic.in/handle/123456789/1611[11] Mohd. Ahmed Khan v. Shah Bano Begum - Wikipedia[12] Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986[13] Maintenance for Muslim women[14] Danial Latifi & Anr vs Union Of India on 28 September, 2001[15] https://www.prsindia.org/billtrack/muslim-women-protection-rights-marriage-bill-2019[16] Beyond talaq: On Muslim divorce bill

Like most everyone else, I can’t help but wonder what good the Republicans think those witnesses would do for the president and themselves. The same four individuals are suggested over and over again, for the same purposes every time. They are:A. Hunter Biden.B. Joe Biden.C. Adam Schiff.D. The whistleblower.From the context in which Republicans have mentioned them in the public hearings, we have a pretty good idea of what questions they want to ask. But we also have a pretty good idea how the witnesses are likely to answer, and all but the whistleblower should be positively eager to testify, even if it means the Republicans end up airing their grievances, to their faces, at length. Which is to say: I will be speculating about what the witnesses would say if they were summoned, and this is going to get long. If you want a direct answer to the question, you may skip to part D.A. Hunter Biden. One handy, if not completely objective, source of publicly available facts about him is Jim Geraghty, Hunter Biden: The Most Comprehensive Timeline, National Review, 30 Sept. 2019.Q Please explain your relationship with the Ukraine-based natural gas production company called Burisma.A I was a member of the board of directors.Q When were you a member of the board?A From April 2014 until earlier this year.Q Was this not during the time your father was vice president?A The early part of it was, yesQ You are aware that this presents at least the appearance of a conflict of interest.A We know this now, yes.Q You should have realized it earlier. Your hiring was criticized in the press at the time for this very reason. With unanimous consent, I would enter into the record an example of this commentary: Adam Taylor, Hunter Biden’s new job at a Ukrainian gas company is a problem for U. S. soft power, Washington Post, 14 May 2014.I actually don’t know exactly how the exhibition of evidence would work in the Senate with Chief Justice Roberts presiding, but I don’t imagine that he would object. But this is not a question, and Biden and his counsel need only say so, and that would probably end this line of questioning.Q What was your compensation?I cannot anticipate this answer, because it’s likely to be complicated. It may begin with a base figure around $50,000 per month, as National Review reports, but perhaps with allowances that bring the total closer to $83,000 per month, as Republicans have been claiming recently.Either way, it’s more for one month than many Americans make in a year, and Republicans have been milking it for maximum populist resentment. But their games with the exact number make it hard to compare with figures that are typical for a corporate board director anywhere.Q What was your prior experience in the industry?A I had experience as a lawyer and executive, but nothing specific to the oil and gas industry.Q Is it typical for members to be appointed to a corporate board without experience in the industry?A I don’t know.Q Why do you think you were recruited to work there?A I can’t speak to their reasons. You should ask them.Q Was it not because they expected access to the sitting vice president of the United States?A I cannot speak to that.There is no disputing the facts here. Biden has little choice but to say “true” or “I don’t know” to every question and get it over with. The Republicans can claim impropriety all they want, and everyone realizes how it looks now; but this is not the time or place to adjudicate the claim. As much as Republicans would love it to be so, their political opponents are not on trial.B. Joe Biden. With him, the nub of the matter is his effort to persuade then Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko to remove top prosecutor Viktor Shokin in 2015, and his use of financial pressure to achieve it. Biden’s extemporaneous account before the Council on Foreign Relations was dramatic but confusing, and the financial pressure didn’t work alone or as fast as Biden represented. (For what it’s worth, this tendency to muddle himself on the fly is one reason I don’t support his candidacy for president.) For the facts, Glenn Kessler, Correcting a media error: Biden’s Ukraine showdown was in December 2015, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2019, is essential.Q Your last official position was vice president of the United States.A Correct.Q When did you leave this office?A January 20, 2017.Q Were you involved in the Obama administration’s diplomatic efforts with Ukraine?A Yes, as were lots of others within the White House and the State Department.Q How many conversations did you have with Ukrainian administration officials during the term?A Oh, there must have been at least a few dozen.Q Your son is Hunter Biden.A Yes.Q He was a member of the board of directors of Burisma at the time?A Yes.Q When did your son begin working for Burisma?A April 2014.Q Did you ever discuss executive decisions with him?A No.Q Why not?A He’s an adult. He makes his own decisions about his career. I don’t get involved. I told him I wouldn’t get involved when he took the position. And I never did.Q Do you know that having your son on the board of directors in a company based in a notoriously corrupt foreign country, while you were heavily involved in diplomatic relations with the same country, presents the appearance of a conflict of interest?A It could.Q We heard in the House Intelligence Committee that George Kent was concerned enough about such an appearance to cancel the embassy’s cosponsorship with Burisma in a youth contest in Ukraine [Diplomats Bill Taylor and George Kent Impeachment Inquiry Testimony, C-SPAN, 13 Nov. 2019, at 3:04:44–3:05:45].A I wasn’t involved in that decision, and I can’t speak to it.Q Did the company come under investigation for corrupt practices while your son was working there?A Well, I’ve heard reporting that there was, and I believe it’s correct.Q Do you know when it began?A No, but it was reported in the American press starting at least in December 2015.Q Near the time of your visit to Ukraine?A Yes.Q Who was in charge of the investigation?A Viktor Shokin, the Prosecutor General.Q Did you not ask the president of Ukraine to remove him, and threaten to withhold $1 billion in loan guarantees if he didn’t?A Yes.Q Does this not rise to quid pro quo?A Possibly.The logical follow-up to this last line of questioning is to ask why Biden did something that arguably rises to quid pro quo. The answer, of course, is that he did so in the pursuit of a legitimate anti-corruption interest. Shokin was known for dragging his feet on corruption investigations. Furthermore, he was even more notorious among our European Union allies, and they had been pushing for his removal, too. A better investigator on Burisma might have exposed Hunter Biden to more scrutiny, not less. The implication that Joe Biden’s move against Shokin was motivated by an attempt to protect his son is completely backward.Democrats have to admit that some proposed exchanges between foreign countries are legitimate. But the comparison is hazardous for the Republicans, because Trump’s effort hardly qualifies as a legitimate anti-corruption interest. Not if it dwells on Joe Biden’s eligibility as a presidential candidate in 2020, nor on relitigating the 2016 election via the CrowdStrike investigation of the DNC server. CrowdStrike’s involvement itself began with Trump’s own encouragement of Russian interference. The Russians immediately hacked the server, and CrowdStrike ultimately was commissioned by the FBI to perform technical analysis on the server.The major concerns that come through on Trump’s end of that conversation all relate to domestic U. S. politics, not clean Ukrainian government. By contrast, Biden’s record is distinguished by an absence of confounding personal motives. He comes out cleaner than Trump, as experienced, serious-minded politicians tend to do, and you can’t take that away.C. Adam Schiff. As chair of the House Intelligence Committee, he has generated unexpected controversy. We may expect three related issues to preoccupy the Republicans.Q Have you read the official transcript of the conversation between the President of the United States and the President of Ukraine?A Yes.Q When did you first read the transcript?A Immediately after it was released to the public, on September 25, 2019.Q We would like you to read a statement you made in a public hearing of your committee on the following day, September 26. Would you please read what you said?A “We’ve been very good to your country, very good, no other country has done as much as we have, but you know what, I don’t see much reciprocity here. I hear what you want. I have a favor I want from you, though, and I’m going to say this only seven times, so you better listen good. I want you to make up dirt on my political opponent, understand, lots of it, on this and on that. I’m going to put you in touch with people, not just any people, I’m going to put you in touch with the Attorney General of the United States, my Attorney General, Bill Barr. He’s got the whole weight of the American law enforcement behind him. And I’m going to put you in touch with Rudy. You’re going to love him, trust me. You know what I’m asking, and so I’m only going to say this a few more times in a few more ways. And by the way, don’t call me again. I’ll call you when you’ve done what I asked.” [Acting Director of National Intelligence Maguire Testifies on Whistleblower Complaint, C-SPAN, 26 Sept. 2019, at 07:38–08:49]Q Was this an exact quote from the transcript?A No, but it wasn’t meant to be. It conveyed my interpretation of what Trump had told Zelensky. And I was very clear about that before the part we’ve just quoted, and in statements to the press after the hearing,Q Don’t you think it was wrong to misstate the president’s words in a public hearing?A I did not misstate the president’s words.Q But you did mischaracterize the president’s intent. This was not a pressure campaign.A The president’s intent is not for me to judge for the purpose of convicting and removing him from office, and I am entitled to use my own words in official proceedings of the House.Schiff’s constitutional warrant for saying something like this last would be in Article I, Section 6: “The Senators and Representatives … shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place” (The Constitution of the United States: A Transcription, National Archives, last updated 19 Nov. 2019).Q Did you have any knowledge of the transcript’s contents before then?A My knowledge was very limited.Q How so?A I had only heard that a whistleblower had reported concerns to the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community. I couldn’t connect it to the July 25 phone call until the complaint was made public.Q How did you first learn of the complaint?A The whistleblower met with the staff of the House Intelligence Committee sometime in August or September, 2019.Q Can you tell us what the whistleblower stated at this time?A I can only tell you what the staff reported to me, which they considered within the limits prescribed by the Whistleblower Protection Act. I was told that it would be a privileged complaint, likely to involve personal acts of the president relating to foreign policy. I was also told that he planned to report it anonymously to the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community.Q Why do you think he went to your committee staff?A I can only answer based on what I’ve heard from media reports. He had filed an anonymous complaint with counsel in his own agency, but based on internal discussions of the matter, he thought it unlikely to result in meaningful oversight. So he decided to report to the next higher oversight body, and that was the ICIG. He approached the Intelligence Committee staff because he wanted guidance, and he thought that Congressional oversight was likely to begin in that committee.Q Did you receive any other information on the substance of the expected complaint?A Not until the complaint was first publicly reported, in mid-September.Q Have you or your representative’s office staff had personal contact with the whistleblower at any time?A No.Q Would you turn over your office’s and the committee’s records relating to the complaint?A No.Q Why not?A That would risk revealing the whistleblower’s identity. He reported through an anonymous process, in order to protect his livelihood and his family. He did so out of concern for the country, and we owe him that privilege.Q This concern with anonymity is rather novel. You appeared on Morning Joe on September 17. Would you repeat what you said on that occasion?A “We have not spoken directly with the whistleblower. We would like to. But I am sure the whistleblower has concerns that he has not been advised, as the law requires, by the Inspector General or the Director of National Intelligence just how he is supposed to communicate with Congress, and so the risk to the whistleblower is retaliation.” [Also reported by Glenn Kessler, Schiff’s false claim that his committee had not spoken to the whistleblower, Washington Post, 4 Oct. 2019, from which this text is adapted.]From here, the discussion is likely to proceed along two tracks. One concerns whether the whistleblower is entitled to anonymity as a matter of law. This is likely to provoke disagreement, with Schiff saying yes and Republican senators saying no. The other discussion is likely to concern why Schiff had proposed that the whistleblower make some statement of the facts on September 17. Recently, leading Democrats’ answer to questions like this has been that the facts are much better attested by other witness testimony, and the whistleblower’s testimony is both derivative and redundant. Schiff likely would repeat that argument before the Senate, but the most widely reported version of it may be George Conway’s.Someone calls 911 because they hear shots down the street at the bank. The cops show up at the bank, and, sure enough, it’s been robbed, and there are numerous witnesses there who saw the crime. The suspects confess. Normally, at this point, no one cares about who called 911. https://t.co/n9DrXiB9Qm— George Conway (@gtconway3d) October 15, 2019D. The whistleblower. This is the only witness I would expect to challenge a subpoena. The publicly known information about him (yes, him) is reported mainly in Julian E. Barnes, Michael S. Schmidt, Adam Goldman, and Katie Benner, White House Knew of Whistle-Blower’s Soon After Trump’s Call With Ukraine Leader, New York Times, 26 Sept.–26 Nov. 2019. He reportedly is a CIA officer, although his lawyers refused to confirm even that detail. This is the source from which I would expect Schiff to learn almost everything about the timing of the complaint—all, that is, which was not communicated by the committee staff. My speculative characterization of Schiff’s testimony is largely drawn from that story.In fact, the same story quotes another private attorney with relevant experience, Dan Meyer, to suggest that the whistleblower made a mistake by alerting the agency lawyer first. “I always advise whistle-blowers against going to general counsels because the general counsels have to report the matter,” Meyer said. “They are like tuna in a shark tank.” The whistleblower’s first choice of reporting channel probably compromised his anonymity and linked him with the CIA from the beginning.Some reporters took this detail from the Times story, and others from Michael K. Atkinson, Intelligence Community OIG Letter to DNI on Whistleblower Complaint, 26 Aug. 2019 (PDF, via C-SPAN)—especially where Atkinson said that the complaint contained “some indicia of an arguable political bias on the part of the Complainant in favor of a rival political candidate”—and suggested they fit the profile of one particular CIA analyst. The first to do this was Paul Sperry, The Beltway’s ‘Whistleblower’ Furor Obsesses Over One Name, Real Clear Investigations, 30 Oct. 2019, but it became a pro-Trump staple after Breitbart picked it up and then Donald Trump Jr. tweeted out the Breitbart piece.I won’t repeat the alleged whistleblower’s name here because his involvement has never actually been confirmed. But Republicans have been pleased to take Sperry’s details (omitting the alleged name only as a further token of their scorn for the Democrats’ regard for the whistleblower’s anonymity) and apply them to the whistleblower as if it were confirmed. This is not just a misuse of journalism; it makes a mockery of the whistleblower’s legitimate interest in his anonymity.If the whistleblower refuses to answer a subpoena from the Senate, there are two options. It can either take the subpoenas to court and try to get an order for the whistleblower to comply, or complain about obstruction and leave it at that. This second option is the one that Schiff took with uncooperative fact witnesses. He seems to have been driven to it by the risk in going to court: that the motion might either fail or take more time than the business of impeachment could possibly spare. Some say that Schiff is taking that risk too seriously. I have quoted Kim Wehle in a recent answer (Austin Spencer’s answer to Why don’t Democrats subpoena the people with first hand evidence of his quid pro quo? 4 Dec. 2019). “Even if some House subpoenas end up stuck in litigation for months,” Wehle writes, “the chamber can move forward with impeachment anyway. The result, in short, will be no worse than the status quo” (The House Is Making This Fight Too Easy for Trump, The Atlantic, 2 Dec. 2019). Based on his testimony before the House Judiciary Committee last week, Jonathan Turley might be another.By opting not to press such witnesses as Mike Pompeo, John Bolton, and Ulrich Brechbuhl, Schiff forfeited the chance of asking them questions on penalty of perjury. Senate Republicans have to ask themselves if they are prepared to make a similar sacrifice of credibility on the whistleblower. But even if not, it could take until after January 2021 to get the answer. And if Senate Republicans are anxious enough to stage a vote on the president’s acquittal, they might well decide it’s not worth waiting for answers to their questions for him. Especially if, as I suspect, they are likely to find the answers unsatisfactory.Q Were you in fact biased against President Trump, as the ICIG suggested was possible?A It’s not relevant. According to my oath of office, my duty is to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. If the president has committed acts that weaken our constitutional order, he must not be exempt from scrutiny or sanction.Q Is it true that you worked for the CIA and had working relationships with Joe Biden while he was engaged in leading our diplomatic efforts with Ukraine, as has been reported?A I cannot answer this question, on the basis of maintaining my anonymity for the purposes of the complaint.Q Where did you get the information that you reported to the ICIG?A I cannot extend beyond what I reported in the complaint. My complaint states what I learned in the course of my official duties from multiple official sources. I also may not divulge my sources, at the risk that they, too, might suffer retaliation.

Thank you for A2A.Yes and No both . UPSC PRELIMS is beyond 1000 coaching institutes who do not understand the demand and nature of exam and lakhs of aspirants who blindly depend on them.But UPSC PRELIMS is most predictable and safe exam if you understand it . I myself has proved by clearing all 6 prelims back to back with huge margins( 145- GS1).Let me explain YOU (Ladies and Gentlemen)This is the breakup of subjects this yearHere only 20 were pure current affairs. Other 12 were contemporary topics and were 1 year old so can’t be categorized as current affairs directly. Thus the bulk of questions came from Static and FundamentalsSantosh Sir Prediction before exam :Now read what I had predicted before exam.I had categorically suggested that this year they will focus on Fundamentals and static. Reading and following websites and mugging up stupid compilations will be a waste of time.I had asked to read newspapers , the Hindu .Most of questions are picked from The Hindu like the species one ,etcMy subject distribution was also close.Which section in the prelims 2019 is expected to give more questions according to the trend?I request you go through all my posts and see how relevant they were for PRELIMS 2019.I had strictly warned not to read bulky govt scheme compilation , it was suicidal . I had suggested only few . And I was bang on - only one scheme came which i had suggested Atal innocation mission.1. In India,'extended producer responsibility' was introduced as an important feature in which of the following?(a) The Bio-medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998(b) The Recycled plastic (Manufacturing and Usage) Rules, 1999(c) The e-Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011(d) The Food Safety and Standard Regulations, 2011My Topic List 3.5 Important topics from environment “ Extended Producer Responsibility”2.Under Ramsar Convention, it is mandatory on the part of the Government of India to protect and conserve all the wetlands in the territory of India.3. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 were framed by the Government of India based on the recommendations of Ramsar Convention.3. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 also encompass the drainage area or catchment regions of the wetlands as determined by the authority.Which of the statements given above is / are correct?(a) 1 and 2 only(b) 2 and 3 only(c) 3 only(d) 1, 2 and 3My Topic List Important topics from environment : Ramsar Wetland3.As per law, the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority exists at both National and State levels.2. People's participation is mandatory in the compensatory afforestation programmes carried out under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016.Which of the statements given above is / are correct?(a) 1 only(b) 2 only(c) Both 1 and 2(d) Neither 1 nor 2CAMPA Compensatory afforestationMy Topic List Important topics from environment: CAMPA4. In the context of which one of the following are the terms 'pyrolysis and plasma gasification' mentioned?(a) Extraction of rare earth elements(b) Natural gas extraction technologies(c) Hydrogen fuel-based automobiles(d) Waste-to-energy technologiesMy Topic List : Waste to energy5. In India, the use of carbofuran, methyl parathion, phorate and triazophos is viewed with apprehension. These chemicals are used as(a) pesticides in agriculture(b) preservatives in processed foods(c) fruit-ripening agents(d) moisturising agents in cosmeticsMy Topic List 3.5 Important topics from environment:: Stockhom-Persistant Organic Pollutatnt5. Why is there a great concern about the 'microbeads' that are released into environment?(a) They are considered harmful to marine ecosystems.(b) They are considered to cause skin cancer in children.(c) They are small enough to be absorbed by crop plants in irrigated fields.(d) They are often found to be used as food adulterants.My Topic List 3.5 Important topics from environment: Dead Zones in Ocean6. Consider the following statements about Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India:1. PVTGs reside in 18 States and one Union Territory.2. A stagnant or declining population is one of the criteria for determining PVTG status.3. There are 95 PVTGs officially notified in the country so far.4. Irular and Konda Reddi tribes are included in the list of PVTGs.Which of the statements given above are correct?(a) 1, 2 and 3(b) 2, 3 and 4(c) 1, 2 and 4(d) 1, 3 and 4My Topic List Important Environment Topics :PVTGs in A&N( Tribes)7. Which of the following are the reasons for the occurrence of multi-drug resistance in microbial pathogens in India?1. Genetic predisposition of some people2. Taking incorrect doses of antibiotics to cure diseases3. Using antibiotics in livestock farming4. Multiple chronic diseases in some peopleSelect the correct answer using the code given below.(a) 1 and 2(b) 2 and 3 only(e) 1, 3 and 4(d) 2, 3 and 4My Topic List Important Anti Microbial Resistance and Policy8. With reference to Mian Tansen, which one of the following statements is not correct?(a) Tansen was the title given to him by Emperor Akbar.(b) Tansen composed Dhrupads on Hindu gods and goddesses.(c) Tansen composed songs on his patrons.(d) Tansen invented many Ragas.9. Consider the following statements:1. Saint Nimbarka was a contem-porary of Akbar.2. Saint Kabir was greatly influenced by Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?(a) 1 only(b) 2 only(c) Both 1 and 2(d) Neither 1 nor 2My Topic lis :Kabir and Akbar10. Consider the following statements:1. Most of India's external debt is owed by governmental entities.2. All of India's external debt is denominated in US dollars.Which of the statements given above is / are correct?(a) 1 only(b) 2 only(c) Both 1 and 2(d) Neither 1 nor 2Debt11. Which one of the following is not the most likely measure the Government/RBI takes to stop the slide of Indian rupee?(a) Curbing imports of non-essential goods-and promoting exports(b) Encouraging Indian borrowers to issue rupee denominated Masala Bonds(c) Easing conditions relating to external commercial borrowing(d) Following an expansionary monetary policyRBI steps to check currency devaluation12. In the context of India, which of the following factors is/are contributor/ contributors to reducing the risk of a currency crisis?1. The foreign currency earnings of India's IT sector2. Increasing the government expenditure3. Remittances from Indians abroadSelect the correct answer using the code given below.(a) 1 only(b) 1 and 3 only(c) 2 only(d) 1, 2 and 3Answer: bCurrency Crisis13. Which of the following is issued by registered foreign portfolio investors to overseas investors who want to be part of the Indian stock market without registering themselves directly?(a) Certificate of Deposit(b) Commercial Paper(c) Promissory Note(d) Participatory NoteP notes14.1. No High Court shall have the jurisdiction to declare any central law to be constitutionally invalid.2. An amendment to the Constitution of India cannot be called into question by the Supreme Court of India.Which of the statements given above is / are correct?(a) 1 only(b) 2 only(c) Both 1 and 2(d) Neither 1 nor 2My Topic List : Amendments15. Building 'Kalyaana Mandapas' was a notable feature in the temple construction in the kingdom of(a) Chalukya(b) Chandela(c) Rashtrakuta(d) VijayanagaraVijayanagar empire (Themes part II) (chap 6)16. Atal Innovation Mission is set up under the(a) Department of Science and Technology(b) Ministry of Employment(c) NITI Aayog(d) Ministry of Skill Development and EntrepreneurshipMt Topic List : AIM17.1.The 44th Amendment to the Constitution of India introduced an Article placing the election of the Prime Minister beyond judicial review.2. The Supreme Court of India struck down the 99th Amendment to the Constitution of India as being violative of the independence of judiciary.44th AmendmentWhich of the statements given above is/are correct?(a) 1 only(b) 2 only(c) Both 1 and 2(d) Neither 1 nor 2Amendments and HC18. Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) exchange rates are calculated by comparing the prices of the same basket of goods and services in different countries.2. In terms of PPP dollars, India is the sixth largest economy in the world.Which of the statements given above is / are correct?(a) 1 only(b) 2 only(c) Both 1 and 2(d) Neither 1 nor 2GDP -PPP19. With reference to the Constitution of India, prohibitions or limitations or provisions contained in ordinary laws cannot act as prohibitions or limitations on the constitutional powers under Article 142. It could mean which one of the following?(a) The decisions taken by the Election Commission of India while discharging its duties cannot be challenged in any court of law.(b) The Supreme Court of India is not constrained in the exercise of its powers by laws made by the Parliament.(c) In the event of grave financial crisis in the country, the President of India can declare Financial Emergency without the counsel from the Cabinet.(d) State Legislatures cannot make laws on certain matters without the concurrence of Union Legislature.Advisory Jurisdiction20.1. As per recent amendment to the Indian Forest Act, 1927, forest dwellers have the right to fell the bamboos grown on forest areas.2. As per the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, bamboo is a minor forest produce.3. The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 allows ownership of minor forest produce to forest dwellers.Which of the statements given above is / are correct?(a) 1 and 2 only(b) 2 and 3 only(c) 3 only(d) 1, 2 and 3FRA 200621. In the context of polity, which one of the following would you accept as the most appropriate definition of liberty?(a) Protection against the tyranny of political rulers(b) Absence of restraint(c) Opportunity to do whatever one likes(d) Opportunity to develop oneself fullyLiberty22. Consider the following statements:1. The 44th Amendment to the Constitution of India introduced an Article placing the election of the Prime Minister beyond judicial review.2. The Supreme Court of India struck down the 99th Amendment to the Constitution of India as being violative of the independence of judiciary.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?(a) 1 only(b) 2 only(c) Both 1 and 2(d) Neither 1 nor 244th amendment23. The- motion to impeach a Judge of the Supreme Court of India cannot be rejected by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha as per the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968.2. The Constitution of India defines and gives details of what Constitutes 'incapacity and proved misbehaviour' of the Judges of the Supreme Court of India.3. The details of the process of impeachment of the Judges of the Supreme Court of India are given in the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968.4. If the motion for the impeachment of a Judge is taken up for voting, the law requires the motion to be backed by each House of the Parliament and supported by a majority of total membership of that House and by not less than two-thirds of total members of that House present and voting.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?(a) 1 and 2(b) 3 only(c) 3 and 4 only(d) 1, 3 and 4Judges removal24. Asiatic Lion Conservation Project ( endangered, canine distemper virus, Gir, Pania sanctuary)25. What is common to the places known as Aliyar, Isapur and Kangsabati?(a) Recently discovered uranium deposits(b) Tropical rain forests(c) Underground cave systems(d) Water reservoirsAnswer: DIndian Major Dams- New dams26. Under which Schedule of the Constitution of India can the transfer of tribal land to private parties for mining be declared null and void?(a) Third Schedule(b) Fifth Schedule(c) Ninth Schedule(d) Twelfth Schedule27. The Ninth Schedule was introduced in the Constitution of India during the prime ministership of(a) Jawaharlal Nehru(b) Lal Bahadur Shastri(c) Indira Gandhi(d) Morarji DesaiSchedules28. In the context of which of the following do some scientists suggest the use of cirrus cloud thinning technique and the injection of sulphate aerosol into stratosphere?(a) Creating the artificial rains in some regions(b) Reducing the frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones(c) Reducing the adverse effects of solar wind on the Earth(d) Reducing the global warmingClimate engineering –carbon capture, Bio char, stratospheric aerosol injection29. Consider the following:1. Deification of the Buddha2. Treading the path of Bodhisattvas3. Image worship and ritualsWhich of the above is/are the feature/ features of Mahayana Buddhism?(a) 1 only(b) 1 and 2 only(c) 2 and 3 only(d) 1, 2 and 3My Topic list :Buddhism features30.The Environment Protection Act, 1986 empowers the Government of India to1. state the requirement of public participation in the process of environmental protection, and the procedure and manner in which it is sought2. lay down The standards for emission or discharge of environmental pollutants from various sourcesWhich of the statements given above is/ are correct?(a) 1 only(b) 2 only(c) Both 1 and 2(d) Neither 1 nor 2My topic List :EPA31.1. The Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification) Act, 1959 exempts several posts from disqualification on the grounds of 'Office of Profit'.2. The above-mentioned Act was amended five times.3. The term 'Office of Profit' is well-defined in the Constitution of India.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?(a) 1 and 2 only(b) 3 only(c) 2 and 3 only(d) 1, 2 and 3My Topic List Polity : Office of profitoffice of Profit32.1.According to the Indian Patents Act, a biological process to create a seed can be patented in India.2. In India, there is no Intellectual Property Appellate Board.3. Plant varieties are not eligible to be patented in India.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?(a) 1 and 3 only(b) 2 and 3 only(c) 3 only(d) 1, 2 and 3My Topic List :Indian Patent and Farmer right33.In the context of wearable technology, which of the following tasks is/are accomplished by wearable devices?1. Location identification of a person2. Sleep monitoring of a person3. Assisting the hearing impaired personSelect the correct answer using the code given below.(a) 1 only(b) 2 and 3 only(c) 3 only(d) 1, 2 and 3My topic List :Cyber Physical System34.Recently, scientists observed the merger of giant 'blackholes' billions of light-years away from the Earth. What is the significance of this observation?(a) 'Higgs boson particles' were detected.(b) 'Gravitational waves' were detected.(e) Possibility of inter-galactic space travel through 'wormhole' was confirmed.(d) It enabled the scientists to understand 'singularity'.My topic List :Gravitational waves35.Consider the following pairs:Movement/OrganizationLeader1. All India Anti-Untouchability LeagueMahatma Gandhi2. All India Kisan SabhaSwami Sahajanand Saraswati3. Self-Respect MovementE. V. Ramaswami NaickerWhich of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?(a) 1 only(b) 1 and 2 only(c) 2 and 3 only(d) 1, 2 and 3My topic List :Self-respect movement37. Consider the following pairs:SeaBordering country1. Adriatic SeaAlbania2. Black SeaCroatia3. Gaspian SeaKazakhstan4. Mediterranean SeaMorocco5. Red SeaSyriaWhich of the pair given above are correctly matched?(a) 1, 2 and 4 only(b) 1, 3 and 4 only(c) 2 and 5 only(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5My Topic List :black Sea and Mediterranean Sea-38. With reference to the Legislative Assembly of a State in India, consider the following statements :1. The Governor makes a customary address to Members of the House at the commencement of the first session of the year .2. When a State Legislature does not have a rule on a particular matter, it follows the Lok Sabha rule on that matter.Which of the statements given above is/ are correct?(a) 1 only(b) 2 only(c) Both 1 and 2(d) Neither 1 nor 239. With reference to Indian National Movement, consider the following pairs:PersonPosition held1. Sir Tej Bahadur SapruPresident, All India Liberal Federation2. K. C. NeogyMember, The Constituent Assembly3. P. C. JoshiGeneral Secretary, Communist Party of IndiaMy Topic List :Constituent assemblySantosh Sir Elimination Techniques:Can you share your intelligent guessing tricks?40 . With reference to Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), consider the following statements1. AIIB has more than 80 member nations.2. India is the largest shareholder in AIIB.3. AIIB does not have any members from outside Asia.Which of the statements given above is / are correct?(a) 1 only(b) 2 and 3 only(c). 1 and 3 only(d) 1, 2 and 3Answer: aHere statement 2 and statement 3 can be eliminated because they are extreme. You can read what I had advised in my intelligent guessing tricks.41. What was the purpose of Inter-Creditor Agreement signed by Indian banks and financial institutions recently?(a) To lessen the Government of India's perennial burden of fiscal deficit nd current account deficit(b) To support the infrastructure projects of Central and State Governments(c) To act as independent regulator in case of applications for loans of Rs. 50 crore or more(d) To aim at faster resolution of stressed assets of Rs. 50 crore or more which are-under consortium lendingAnswer: dHere option c and d can only be the answer as they are common.42. The Chairmen of public sector banks are selected by the(a) Banks Board Bureau(b) Reserve Bank of India(c) Union Ministry of Finance(d) Management of concerned bankAnswer: cTopic List : Banking bsics43. Consider the following statements:1. Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) is the first regulatory body set up by the Government of India.2. One of the tasks of PNGRB is to, ensure competitive markets for gas.3. Appeals against the decisions of PNGRB go before the Appellate Tribunals for Electricity.Which of the statements given above are correct?(a) 1 and 2 only(b) 2 and 3 only(c) 1 and 3 only(d) 1, 2 and 3Answer: bHere also extreme statement like First in option 1 can be eliminated. Thus we get the answer.44. With reference to communication technologies, what is/are the difference / differences between LTE (Long-Term Evolution) and VoLTE (Voice over Long-Term Evolution)?1. LTE 'is commonly marketed as 3G and VoLTE is commonly marketed as advanced 3G.2. LTE is data-only technology and VoLTE is voice-only technology.Select the correct answer using the code given below.(a) 1 only(b) 2 only(c) Both 1 and 2(d) Neither 1 nor 2Answer: dTopic List : 5G 4 G.45. Which one of the following is not a sub-index of the World Bank's 'Ease of Doing Business Index'?(a) Maintenance of law and order(b) Paying taxes(c) Registering property(d) Dealing with construction permitsAnswer: aHere option a is unrelated to the question , thus can be eliminated easily. Other 3 deals with doing business.Some indirect Topics46.The Chairmen of public sector banks are selected by the(a) Banks Board Bureau(b) Reserve Bank of India(c) Union Ministry of Finance(d) Management of concerned bankBanking basics:47.Which of the following is not included in the assets of a commercial bank in India?(a) Advances(b) Deposits(e) Investments(d). Money at call and short noticeMy Topic list :Banking48. With reference to the cultivation of Kharif crops in India in the last five years, consider the following statements:1. Area under rice cultivation is the highest.2. Area under the cultivation of jowar is more than that of oilseeds.3. Area of cotton cultivation is more than that of sugarcane.4. Area under sugarcane cultivation has steadily decreased.Which of the statements given above are correct?(a) 1 and 3 only(b) 2, 3 and 4 only(c) 2 and 4 only(d) 1, 2, 3 and 449. Consider the following statements:A digital signature is1. an electronic record that identifies the certifying authority issuing it2. used to serve as a proof of identity of an individual to access information or server on Internet.3. an electronic method of signing an electronic document and ensuring that the original content is unchangedWhich of the statements given above is / are correct?(a) 1 only(b) 2 and 3 only(c) 3 only(d) 1, 2 and 3Answer: dMy Topics list - Digital India51. Which of the following statements are correct about the deposits of 'methane hydrate?1. Global warming might trigger the release of methane gas from these deposits.2. Large deposits of 'methane hydrate' are found in Arctic Tundra and under the seafloor.3. Methane in atmosphere oxidizes to carbon dioxide after a decade or two.Select the correct answer using the code given below.(a) 1 and 2 only(b) 2 and 3 only(c) 1 and 3 only(d) 1, 2 and 3My topic List : Climate change and oceans and Deep Ocean Mining.There are many more which I didn’t include because they were indirect.My point here is if you understand the nature and demand of exam , its easy. I have done it not once but six times . You can also do it.But you have to cut the clutter. If you read and follow unnecessary online stuff daily which UPSC will never ask , you are bound to lose as your precious time will get wasted.For free mains guidance :( AsksantoshSir- telegram)We are starting mains guidance in a week . I will continue guiding you in this journey . But always remember