Daily Analysis of 'The Hindu' - 17th August, 2020 | Additional Study Material for UPSC PDF Download

 Page 1


17-08-2020
1
17-AUGUST-2020
S. 
No.
News Articles
Page Number* 
C B D H T
1
Lapsing into contempt (Editorial)
6 6 6 6 8
2
Suo motu contempt power is inherent: SC (16-08-2020)
10 10 8 8 -
3
India is moving towards a form of elected autocracy 
10 10 10 10 12
4
Allegations of graft not per se contempt 
10 10 10 10 12
5
The cost of stifling voices (OPED)
7 7 7 7 9
6
The centrality of devolution in development (OPED)
7 7 7 7 9
7
Parliament to see several firsts 
9 9 9 9 11
8
NCC set for big expansion in border areas
10 10 10 10 12
9
PMO denies RTI plea seeking info on PM-CARES
9 9 9 9 11
10
Prelims Practice Questions
The Hindu News Analysis – 17
th
August 2020
 
Page 2


17-08-2020
1
17-AUGUST-2020
S. 
No.
News Articles
Page Number* 
C B D H T
1
Lapsing into contempt (Editorial)
6 6 6 6 8
2
Suo motu contempt power is inherent: SC (16-08-2020)
10 10 8 8 -
3
India is moving towards a form of elected autocracy 
10 10 10 10 12
4
Allegations of graft not per se contempt 
10 10 10 10 12
5
The cost of stifling voices (OPED)
7 7 7 7 9
6
The centrality of devolution in development (OPED)
7 7 7 7 9
7
Parliament to see several firsts 
9 9 9 9 11
8
NCC set for big expansion in border areas
10 10 10 10 12
9
PMO denies RTI plea seeking info on PM-CARES
9 9 9 9 11
10
Prelims Practice Questions
The Hindu News Analysis – 17
th
August 2020
 
17-08-2020
2
Pg: 6 – C, B, D, H; 8 – T;
16-08-2020
Pg: 10 – C, B; 8 - D, H;
Pg: 10 – C, B, D, H; 12 – T;
Pg: 10 – C, B, D, H; 
Pg: 12 – T;
Part A—Preliminary Examination
Paper I - (200 marks) 
? C u r r e n t e v e nt s o f n a t i o n a l a n d i n t e r n a t i o n a l i m por t a nc e .
? I n d i a n P ol i t y a nd G ov e r na n c e - C o n s t i t u t i o n , P o l i t i c a l S y s t e m ,
P a n c ha y a t i R a j , P u bl i c P o l i c y , R i g h t s I s s u e s , e t c .
Part B—Main Examination 
PAPER-III 
General Studies- II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social 
Justice and International relations
• I n d i a n C ons t i t u t i o n —h i s t o r i c a l u n d e r p i n n i n g s , e vol u t i o n ,
f e a t u r e s , a m e n d m e n t s , s i g n i f i c a n t pr ov i s i ons a n d ba s i c
s t r u c t u r e .
• S e p a r a t i on of p o w e r s be t w e e n v a r i o u s o r ga n s di s p u t e
r e d r e s s a l m e c h a n i s m s a n d i ns t i t u t i o n s .
• S t r u c t u r e , o r ga n i z a t i o n a n d f u n c t i o n i n g o f t he E x e c u t i v e a nd
t h e J u d i c i a r y —M i ni s t r i e s a n d D e p a r t m e n t s o f t h e
G o v e r nm e n t ; pr e s s u r e gr oup s a n d f o r m a l / i nf o r m a l
a s s oc i a t i ons a n d t h e i r r o l e i n t he P o l i t y .
• A p p o i n t m e n t t o v a r i o u s C o n s t i t u t i o n a l p o s t s , pow e r s ,
f u nc t i ons a n d r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s o f v a r i o u s C o n s t i t u t i o n a l
B o d i e s .
Page 3


17-08-2020
1
17-AUGUST-2020
S. 
No.
News Articles
Page Number* 
C B D H T
1
Lapsing into contempt (Editorial)
6 6 6 6 8
2
Suo motu contempt power is inherent: SC (16-08-2020)
10 10 8 8 -
3
India is moving towards a form of elected autocracy 
10 10 10 10 12
4
Allegations of graft not per se contempt 
10 10 10 10 12
5
The cost of stifling voices (OPED)
7 7 7 7 9
6
The centrality of devolution in development (OPED)
7 7 7 7 9
7
Parliament to see several firsts 
9 9 9 9 11
8
NCC set for big expansion in border areas
10 10 10 10 12
9
PMO denies RTI plea seeking info on PM-CARES
9 9 9 9 11
10
Prelims Practice Questions
The Hindu News Analysis – 17
th
August 2020
 
17-08-2020
2
Pg: 6 – C, B, D, H; 8 – T;
16-08-2020
Pg: 10 – C, B; 8 - D, H;
Pg: 10 – C, B, D, H; 12 – T;
Pg: 10 – C, B, D, H; 
Pg: 12 – T;
Part A—Preliminary Examination
Paper I - (200 marks) 
? C u r r e n t e v e nt s o f n a t i o n a l a n d i n t e r n a t i o n a l i m por t a nc e .
? I n d i a n P ol i t y a nd G ov e r na n c e - C o n s t i t u t i o n , P o l i t i c a l S y s t e m ,
P a n c ha y a t i R a j , P u bl i c P o l i c y , R i g h t s I s s u e s , e t c .
Part B—Main Examination 
PAPER-III 
General Studies- II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social 
Justice and International relations
• I n d i a n C ons t i t u t i o n —h i s t o r i c a l u n d e r p i n n i n g s , e vol u t i o n ,
f e a t u r e s , a m e n d m e n t s , s i g n i f i c a n t pr ov i s i ons a n d ba s i c
s t r u c t u r e .
• S e p a r a t i on of p o w e r s be t w e e n v a r i o u s o r ga n s di s p u t e
r e d r e s s a l m e c h a n i s m s a n d i ns t i t u t i o n s .
• S t r u c t u r e , o r ga n i z a t i o n a n d f u n c t i o n i n g o f t he E x e c u t i v e a nd
t h e J u d i c i a r y —M i ni s t r i e s a n d D e p a r t m e n t s o f t h e
G o v e r nm e n t ; pr e s s u r e gr oup s a n d f o r m a l / i nf o r m a l
a s s oc i a t i ons a n d t h e i r r o l e i n t he P o l i t y .
• A p p o i n t m e n t t o v a r i o u s C o n s t i t u t i o n a l p o s t s , pow e r s ,
f u nc t i ons a n d r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s o f v a r i o u s C o n s t i t u t i o n a l
B o d i e s .
17-08-2020
3
The Contempt of courts Act, 1971
• Civil contempt - wilful disobedience to any
judgment, decree, direction, order, writ or
other process of a court or wilful breach of an
undertaking given to a court.
• Criminal contempt - the publication of any
matter or doing any other act which
scandalises or tends to scandalise, or lowers or
tends to lower the authority of, any court.
• Punishment - Simple imprisonment – up to six
months, or fine up to two thousand rupees, or
both.
Constitutional Provisions on Contempt of Court
129. Supreme Court to be a court of record.—The
Supreme Court shall be a court of record and shall
have all the powers of such a court including the
power to punish for contempt of itself.
215. High Courts to be courts of record.—Every
High Court shall be a court of record and shall have
all the powers of such a court including the power
to punish for contempt of itself.
142(2). Subject to the provisions of any law made
in this behalf by Parliament, the Supreme Court
shall, as respects the whole of the territory of
India, have all and every power to make any order
for the purpose of securing the attendance of any
person, the discovery or production of any
documents, or the investigation or punishment of
any contempt of itself
Constitutional Provisions on Contempt of Court
129. Supreme Court to be a court of record.—The
Supreme Court shall be a court of record and shall
have all the powers of such a court including the
power to punish for contempt of itself.
215. High Courts to be courts of record.—Every
High Court shall be a court of record and shall have
all the powers of such a court including the power
to punish for contempt of itself.
142(2). Subject to the provisions of any law made
in this behalf by Parliament, the Supreme Court
shall, as respects the whole of the territory of
India, have all and every power to make any order
for the purpose of securing the attendance of any
person, the discovery or production of any
documents, or the investigation or punishment of
any contempt of itself
16-08-2020
Pg: 10 – C, B; 8 - D, H;
Page 4


17-08-2020
1
17-AUGUST-2020
S. 
No.
News Articles
Page Number* 
C B D H T
1
Lapsing into contempt (Editorial)
6 6 6 6 8
2
Suo motu contempt power is inherent: SC (16-08-2020)
10 10 8 8 -
3
India is moving towards a form of elected autocracy 
10 10 10 10 12
4
Allegations of graft not per se contempt 
10 10 10 10 12
5
The cost of stifling voices (OPED)
7 7 7 7 9
6
The centrality of devolution in development (OPED)
7 7 7 7 9
7
Parliament to see several firsts 
9 9 9 9 11
8
NCC set for big expansion in border areas
10 10 10 10 12
9
PMO denies RTI plea seeking info on PM-CARES
9 9 9 9 11
10
Prelims Practice Questions
The Hindu News Analysis – 17
th
August 2020
 
17-08-2020
2
Pg: 6 – C, B, D, H; 8 – T;
16-08-2020
Pg: 10 – C, B; 8 - D, H;
Pg: 10 – C, B, D, H; 12 – T;
Pg: 10 – C, B, D, H; 
Pg: 12 – T;
Part A—Preliminary Examination
Paper I - (200 marks) 
? C u r r e n t e v e nt s o f n a t i o n a l a n d i n t e r n a t i o n a l i m por t a nc e .
? I n d i a n P ol i t y a nd G ov e r na n c e - C o n s t i t u t i o n , P o l i t i c a l S y s t e m ,
P a n c ha y a t i R a j , P u bl i c P o l i c y , R i g h t s I s s u e s , e t c .
Part B—Main Examination 
PAPER-III 
General Studies- II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social 
Justice and International relations
• I n d i a n C ons t i t u t i o n —h i s t o r i c a l u n d e r p i n n i n g s , e vol u t i o n ,
f e a t u r e s , a m e n d m e n t s , s i g n i f i c a n t pr ov i s i ons a n d ba s i c
s t r u c t u r e .
• S e p a r a t i on of p o w e r s be t w e e n v a r i o u s o r ga n s di s p u t e
r e d r e s s a l m e c h a n i s m s a n d i ns t i t u t i o n s .
• S t r u c t u r e , o r ga n i z a t i o n a n d f u n c t i o n i n g o f t he E x e c u t i v e a nd
t h e J u d i c i a r y —M i ni s t r i e s a n d D e p a r t m e n t s o f t h e
G o v e r nm e n t ; pr e s s u r e gr oup s a n d f o r m a l / i nf o r m a l
a s s oc i a t i ons a n d t h e i r r o l e i n t he P o l i t y .
• A p p o i n t m e n t t o v a r i o u s C o n s t i t u t i o n a l p o s t s , pow e r s ,
f u nc t i ons a n d r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s o f v a r i o u s C o n s t i t u t i o n a l
B o d i e s .
17-08-2020
3
The Contempt of courts Act, 1971
• Civil contempt - wilful disobedience to any
judgment, decree, direction, order, writ or
other process of a court or wilful breach of an
undertaking given to a court.
• Criminal contempt - the publication of any
matter or doing any other act which
scandalises or tends to scandalise, or lowers or
tends to lower the authority of, any court.
• Punishment - Simple imprisonment – up to six
months, or fine up to two thousand rupees, or
both.
Constitutional Provisions on Contempt of Court
129. Supreme Court to be a court of record.—The
Supreme Court shall be a court of record and shall
have all the powers of such a court including the
power to punish for contempt of itself.
215. High Courts to be courts of record.—Every
High Court shall be a court of record and shall have
all the powers of such a court including the power
to punish for contempt of itself.
142(2). Subject to the provisions of any law made
in this behalf by Parliament, the Supreme Court
shall, as respects the whole of the territory of
India, have all and every power to make any order
for the purpose of securing the attendance of any
person, the discovery or production of any
documents, or the investigation or punishment of
any contempt of itself
Constitutional Provisions on Contempt of Court
129. Supreme Court to be a court of record.—The
Supreme Court shall be a court of record and shall
have all the powers of such a court including the
power to punish for contempt of itself.
215. High Courts to be courts of record.—Every
High Court shall be a court of record and shall have
all the powers of such a court including the power
to punish for contempt of itself.
142(2). Subject to the provisions of any law made
in this behalf by Parliament, the Supreme Court
shall, as respects the whole of the territory of
India, have all and every power to make any order
for the purpose of securing the attendance of any
person, the discovery or production of any
documents, or the investigation or punishment of
any contempt of itself
16-08-2020
Pg: 10 – C, B; 8 - D, H;
17-08-2020
4
Authors ’ opinion
• The author is ‘critical ’ about the recent
verdict of SC on CoC.
? It was merely a criticism on an
authority in Mr Bhushan ’s case.
• The verdict of SC shows its low threshold for
tolerance to criticism.
? No deep analysis was carried out by the
SC while pronouncing the verdict.
• 1
st
tweet - only touches partially on the
CJI ’s personal conduct and partially on his
administrative decision-making.
? It cannot be qualified for criminal
contempt.
• 2
nd
tweet - clearly in the nature of a
political opinion
? Mere voicing of an opinion can ’t
undermine public trust in the judiciary.
• SC built its reputation in front of the world
not through punishing of contempt but through
its stellar/high quality judgements and the
court ’s fearless independence.
• The reputation of SC can be damaged only
due to reasons such as
? perception of judicial evasion,
? self-imposed reticence,
? quiet acquiescence.
Page 5


17-08-2020
1
17-AUGUST-2020
S. 
No.
News Articles
Page Number* 
C B D H T
1
Lapsing into contempt (Editorial)
6 6 6 6 8
2
Suo motu contempt power is inherent: SC (16-08-2020)
10 10 8 8 -
3
India is moving towards a form of elected autocracy 
10 10 10 10 12
4
Allegations of graft not per se contempt 
10 10 10 10 12
5
The cost of stifling voices (OPED)
7 7 7 7 9
6
The centrality of devolution in development (OPED)
7 7 7 7 9
7
Parliament to see several firsts 
9 9 9 9 11
8
NCC set for big expansion in border areas
10 10 10 10 12
9
PMO denies RTI plea seeking info on PM-CARES
9 9 9 9 11
10
Prelims Practice Questions
The Hindu News Analysis – 17
th
August 2020
 
17-08-2020
2
Pg: 6 – C, B, D, H; 8 – T;
16-08-2020
Pg: 10 – C, B; 8 - D, H;
Pg: 10 – C, B, D, H; 12 – T;
Pg: 10 – C, B, D, H; 
Pg: 12 – T;
Part A—Preliminary Examination
Paper I - (200 marks) 
? C u r r e n t e v e nt s o f n a t i o n a l a n d i n t e r n a t i o n a l i m por t a nc e .
? I n d i a n P ol i t y a nd G ov e r na n c e - C o n s t i t u t i o n , P o l i t i c a l S y s t e m ,
P a n c ha y a t i R a j , P u bl i c P o l i c y , R i g h t s I s s u e s , e t c .
Part B—Main Examination 
PAPER-III 
General Studies- II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social 
Justice and International relations
• I n d i a n C ons t i t u t i o n —h i s t o r i c a l u n d e r p i n n i n g s , e vol u t i o n ,
f e a t u r e s , a m e n d m e n t s , s i g n i f i c a n t pr ov i s i ons a n d ba s i c
s t r u c t u r e .
• S e p a r a t i on of p o w e r s be t w e e n v a r i o u s o r ga n s di s p u t e
r e d r e s s a l m e c h a n i s m s a n d i ns t i t u t i o n s .
• S t r u c t u r e , o r ga n i z a t i o n a n d f u n c t i o n i n g o f t he E x e c u t i v e a nd
t h e J u d i c i a r y —M i ni s t r i e s a n d D e p a r t m e n t s o f t h e
G o v e r nm e n t ; pr e s s u r e gr oup s a n d f o r m a l / i nf o r m a l
a s s oc i a t i ons a n d t h e i r r o l e i n t he P o l i t y .
• A p p o i n t m e n t t o v a r i o u s C o n s t i t u t i o n a l p o s t s , pow e r s ,
f u nc t i ons a n d r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s o f v a r i o u s C o n s t i t u t i o n a l
B o d i e s .
17-08-2020
3
The Contempt of courts Act, 1971
• Civil contempt - wilful disobedience to any
judgment, decree, direction, order, writ or
other process of a court or wilful breach of an
undertaking given to a court.
• Criminal contempt - the publication of any
matter or doing any other act which
scandalises or tends to scandalise, or lowers or
tends to lower the authority of, any court.
• Punishment - Simple imprisonment – up to six
months, or fine up to two thousand rupees, or
both.
Constitutional Provisions on Contempt of Court
129. Supreme Court to be a court of record.—The
Supreme Court shall be a court of record and shall
have all the powers of such a court including the
power to punish for contempt of itself.
215. High Courts to be courts of record.—Every
High Court shall be a court of record and shall have
all the powers of such a court including the power
to punish for contempt of itself.
142(2). Subject to the provisions of any law made
in this behalf by Parliament, the Supreme Court
shall, as respects the whole of the territory of
India, have all and every power to make any order
for the purpose of securing the attendance of any
person, the discovery or production of any
documents, or the investigation or punishment of
any contempt of itself
Constitutional Provisions on Contempt of Court
129. Supreme Court to be a court of record.—The
Supreme Court shall be a court of record and shall
have all the powers of such a court including the
power to punish for contempt of itself.
215. High Courts to be courts of record.—Every
High Court shall be a court of record and shall have
all the powers of such a court including the power
to punish for contempt of itself.
142(2). Subject to the provisions of any law made
in this behalf by Parliament, the Supreme Court
shall, as respects the whole of the territory of
India, have all and every power to make any order
for the purpose of securing the attendance of any
person, the discovery or production of any
documents, or the investigation or punishment of
any contempt of itself
16-08-2020
Pg: 10 – C, B; 8 - D, H;
17-08-2020
4
Authors ’ opinion
• The author is ‘critical ’ about the recent
verdict of SC on CoC.
? It was merely a criticism on an
authority in Mr Bhushan ’s case.
• The verdict of SC shows its low threshold for
tolerance to criticism.
? No deep analysis was carried out by the
SC while pronouncing the verdict.
• 1
st
tweet - only touches partially on the
CJI ’s personal conduct and partially on his
administrative decision-making.
? It cannot be qualified for criminal
contempt.
• 2
nd
tweet - clearly in the nature of a
political opinion
? Mere voicing of an opinion can ’t
undermine public trust in the judiciary.
• SC built its reputation in front of the world
not through punishing of contempt but through
its stellar/high quality judgements and the
court ’s fearless independence.
• The reputation of SC can be damaged only
due to reasons such as
? perception of judicial evasion,
? self-imposed reticence,
? quiet acquiescence.
17-08-2020
5
Pg: 7 – C, B, D, H; 9 – T;
Part B—Main Examination 
PAPER-III 
General Studies- II: Governance, Constitution, 
Polity, Social Justice and International relations
• I m p or t a n t a s p e c t s o f g ov e r n a n c e , t r a n s pa r e nc y a n d
a c c ou n t a b i l i t y , e - g o v e r n a n c e - a p p l i c a t i o n s , m o d e l s ,
s u c c e s s e s , l i m i t a t i ons , a n d p o t e n t i a l ; c i t i z e n s
c h a r t e r s , t r a ns pa r e n c y & a c c o u n t a b i l i t y a nd
i n s t i t u t i ona l a nd o t h e r m e a s u r e s .
Part B—Main Examination 
PAPER-V 
General Studies- IV: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude
• Et h i c s a n d H u m a n I n t e r f a c e : Es s e n c e , de t e r m i n a nt s a n d c o n s e que nc e s
o f Et hi c s i n - h u m a n a c t i o n s ; di m e ns i o n s o f e t h i c s ; e t hi c s - i n pr i v a t e
a n d publ i c r e l a t i o n s h i ps . H u m a n V a l u e s - l e s s ons f r o m t he l i v e s a n d
t e a c h i n g s o f gr e a t l e a de r s , r e f o r m e r s a n d a d m i ni s t r a t o r s ; r ol e o f f a m i l y
s o c i e t y a n d e d u c a t i o n a l i ns t i t u t i o n s i n i nc u l c a t i n g v a l u e s .
• A p t i t u d e a n d f o u n d a t i o na l v a l ue s f or C i v i l S e r vi c e , i n t e g r i t y ,
i m p a r t i a l i t y a nd n o n - p a r t i s a n s h i p , o b j e c t i v i t y , d e d i c a t i on t o p u b l i c
s e r v i c e , e m pa t h y , t o l e r a n c e a nd c o m p a s s i on t ow a r ds t he w e a k e r -
s e c t i o n s .
• P u b l i c / C i v i l s e r vi c e v a l ue s a n d Et h i c s i n P u b l i c a d m i n i s t r a t i o n : S t a t u s
a n d p r o b l e m s ; e t h i c a l c on c e r ns a n d di l e m m a s i n g o v e r n m e n t a n d
p r i v a t e i n s t i t u t i o n s ; l a w s , r ul e s , r e g u l a t i o n s a nd c o n s c i e nc e a s s o u r c e s
o f e t hi c a l g u i da nc e ; a c c ou n t a b i l i t y a n d e t h i c a l g ov e r na n c e ;
s t r e n g t he ni n g o f e t hi c a l a n d m or a l v a l u e s i n go v e r n a n c e ; e t hi c a l i s s u e s
i n i n t e r na t i o n a l r e l a t i ons a n d f u nd i ng; c o r p o r a t e g o ve r na n c e .