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1.VariousIndianstateshaveemployedinnovativetechnologytoimprovefarmproductivityandincreasefarmers’income.Canyoudiscusstwosuchcasestudies?

Introduction

India’sfarmlandstodayareatacriticaljuncture.Ourpopulationcontinuestogrow,rapidlyindustrialisingandthereisfallinagriculturalincomeandthesectorisindangerofbeingleftbehind.Theneedhasarisenforanotherrevolution:anewphaseinIndianagriculturewhichisbeingdefinedbyinnovationandtechnology.

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Variousstateshaveadoptedinnovativetechniquessuitableforthetopographyandclimaticfactors.

AuniqueirrigationtechnologycalledSystemofWaterforAgricultureRejuvenation(SWAR)inTelangana:

• SWARshiftsirrigationfromsurfacetomeasuremoistureatplantrootzone.Soilmoisturecontent in the root-zone is an important variable in modelling hydrological andbiophysicalprocessesandagriculturalapplicationsandSWARworksontheseparameters.Therootzonealsoservesasanecosystemtofostersoilmicro-organismsbesidesrationingplantwaterrequirements.

• Technologyused:Thesysteminvolvesstoringofwaterinoverheadtanksandsendingitthroughasmalldiameterpipetoacustomisedlocally-madeclaypotthatisburiednearthe root area. The clay pot containsmicro-tubes that transmitwater through a sandpouch,topreventtherootsfrominvadingthepipesandthepot.Theslowoozingofwaterprovidesmoistureforaprolongedperiod,thelevelofwhichiscalculatedbasedonsoiltype,plantspeciesanditsage.

Benefits:

• SWARusesaverylessamountofwaterandthereiszerowastageofwater.• The innovation has been highly recognised by the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana

government.Thegovernmenthasplacedordersforimplementationofthesysteminanextentof400acresinAnantapur,KurnoolandChittoor.

• Thesystemissuitableforthemassivetreeplantationprogramme.In2015,thistechniquewasalsousedtogrowvegetablesandflowers.

• Thishelpedshowimmediateresultsintermsofbothsoilandplanthealthandfarmers’incomes.

• Invegetablesandfruits,wherecloseplantingisdone,itwasdiscoveredthatoneeighthofthewatersuffices,comparedtodripirrigation.



• The innovativeSWARsystemattainedaglobal recognitionsandawards. ItwasduetothesepromisingearlyresultsthatSWARreceivedtheGlobalChampionInnovationPrizeforWaterandForestryatthe2015ParisInternationalAgriculturalShow.

• SWARdesirestobringmorelow-rainfallareasunderirrigation.

ProtectedCultivationalongwithPlasticultureinRajasthan:

• Involves cultivation in greenhouses and shade-net houses and use of Plasticultureapplicationsindripirrigationsystemsandsprinklerirrigationsystems.

• Technologyused:Slimpolyethylenehoseswithsmallnozzlesrunalongthelengthoftheplantations; the jets shoot water mixed with fertilizer directly at the roots; climate-controlledgreenhousescreatebalmyconditions,justrightfortheplantsinside

• From2014-15totillnow,32.74lakhSq.M.areaofGreenHouse,3.05lakhSq.M.areaofShadenet,255.10lakhSq.M.areaofPlastictunnelhavebeenestablishedand16149Ha,areacoveredunderplasticmulching.

• The focus districts initially are Jaipur, Alwar, Ajmer, Chiitorgarh, Udaipur, Kota, SawaiMadhopur,SriganganagarandBikaner.

• Cucumber, tomatoes, cherry tomatoes and strawberries aremainly cultivated and toincrease farmers’ incomes, facilitation has been provided to practice floriculturewithflowerslikeGerberaandDutchRosecommonlygrown.

• RajasthanStategovernmentisalsoproviding20%additionalsubsidyonGreenHouseandShadenetsothatSmall/marginal/SC/STfarmerscouldgetsubsidyupto70%.

Benefits:

• Enhancedproductivityandcost-saving:Forex:itisobservedthatGreenhousecucumberproduction gives an average 50 tonne of average production. The average cost ofcucumberisaboutRs20perkg.Sothat’sRs10lakhintotalrevenue.IftotalcostsareRs3-4lakh,thatmeanssavingofaroundRs6lakh.

• Yieldimprovementandwatersavingsroughlyabout50%-60%.• Fertilizersavingsupto30%-40%.• Preventionofweedgrowth.• Subsequentincreaseinfarmers’incomeandadditionalincomefromfloriculture.

Note: Many more examples of Zero-Budget-Natural Farming, Irrigation farming inRajasthanetc.canbementioned.

Conclusion

India’sDepartmentofAgriculturesaysthepaceoffarmmechanizationhasbeenpoor,thustheneedforgreatermechanizationandinnovationforhigherproductivityissorelyfeltinthesector.



BestAnswer:Revamped

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2.Examinethefactorsthatarecausingstressinthecivilaviationsector.

Introduction

TheCivilAviationSector in India isa fast-growing industryandhas recordedconsiderablegrowthinthelast30years.Indiahasthethird-largestaviationmarketintermsofdomesticpassenger traffic.Further, It isprojectedthat IndiawouldovertaketheUKtobecomethethird-largestairpassenger(bothDomesticandInternational)marketby2025.

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CurrentSituation

• ThecivilaviationsectorcontributedUSD8.9billiontoIndia’sGDPin2014andsupported1.31milliondirect,indirectandinducedaviationjobs.

• In2016,thedemandfordomesticairtravelwastwicethatinChina.• The World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report, 2018 ranks India

as53rdoutof140countriesworldwideinairtransportinfrastructure

Factorscausingstressinthecivilaviationsector

• Risingfuelpricesandthedepreciatingrupee:Oilfortheairlineindustryisanimportantvariablecost.Asthepriceforoilhasshotup,ithadledtodifficultiesforairlinesastheyhavenotbeenabletoabsorbintheshorttermduetotheirbusinessmodel.

• Taxesonaviationturbinefuel(ATF):Duetohightaxesandlackofcompetitionamongproviders,ATFisrelativelyexpensiveinIndia.SinceitremainsoutsidetheGSTnetwork,therearealsoregionaldisparitiesinitsprice.ThepriceofaviationfuelinIndiamaybeupto60percenthigherthanpricesinASEANandtheMiddleEastcountriesbecauseofhighcentralandstatetaxes

• Airlines’inabilitytobalancevolumeandvalue:Thesufferingforthesectorisnotanewonealtogether.Overtime,checksandbalancesshouldhavebeenbuiltinthesystemtoabsorb price shocks. The sector is confused as a whole on whether they wantmore



volumeorshouldtheyconcentrateonafeasibleplanthatwillhelpthemkeeptheirhouseinorder.

• India’sairlineshavebeentryingsohardtocapturemarketsharethatthey’velostfocusonmakingmoney. Indianaviationcompanieshavebeenunable tovaluesustainabilityovervolumes.

• Inabilitytocomeupwithacurrencypolicy:Noairlinescompanyhasbeenabletodeviseacrediblecurrencypolicytoprotectthemagainstsharpcurrencymovements.

• Capacity and infrastructure: Inadequate hangar space and unavailability of land toexpandairportsattheircurrentsites,particularly inmajorcities,aretwoofthemajorconstraintsthatfacethesector

• Aviation safety: Although the number of aviation safety violations in 2017 (337) hasdeclinedincomparisonto2016(442),theabsolutenumberremainshigh.

• Skilledworkers:Shortageandgapsintheavailabilityofindustry-recognisedskills–fromairlinepilotsandcrewtomaintenanceandgroundhandlingpersonnel–couldconstrainthegrowthofdifferentsegmentsofthesector.

WayForward

Indianeedsto

• Enhance aviation infrastructure: Complete the planned airports under the UDANinitiative in a time-bound manner. A revival of 50 un-served and under-servedairports/airstripsshouldbecompleted.

• Address shortage of skilled manpower: Promote collaboration between originalequipmentmanufacturers(OEMs),industryandeducationalinstitutestoteachthelatestconceptsintheaviationindustryincludingmanagementprinciples,ITinaviation,etc

• Become a huge exporter of services as well, in terms of maintenance, repairs, andoverhauls(MRO)servicesandotherthings

• Ease the regulatory environment for airports: Deregulate further and open up theaviationmarkettohelpincreasepassengerandfreighttrafficinIndia.

• UsherinamendmentstoLandAcquisition,RehabilitationandRestructuringAct,2013andadopt“land-pooling”techniquestodevelopnewerairports.

• Levya lowerGoodsandServicesTax (GST) reasoning that “taxesaddpressureon theairline’sbottomline”,thusaviationturbinefuel(ATF)needstobebroughtunderGST“attheearliest”.

• AirlinesmusttrytoreducedependenceonATFbyadoptingbiofuelsandexploreissuingmasalabondstoraisefundsforthemselves.

• Prioritizeaviationsafety:Shiftfocustopre-emptingandpreventingaccidents/incidents.•Thereshouldbezerotoleranceforsafetyviolations.

• AviationFinancing:Inthewakeoffallingrupee,airlinesmaynotbeabletocontinuewithSaleandLeaseback (SLB)modelduetoreducedmargins (onaccountof theexpensive



dollar).Thus,themodelwillfailtobesustainableinthelongrun.Therefore,establishingadomesticaircraftfinanceindustrywillrequirealongtermvisionandsignificantpolicyreforms,especiallyonthetaxationfront.

• ThegovernmentmayconsiderestablishingaNabhNirmanFund(NNF)withastartingcorpusofaround$2billiontosupportlowtrafficairportsintheirinitialphases.

Conclusion

The industrystakeholdersshouldengageandcollaboratewithpolicymakers to implementefficientandrationaldecisionsthatwouldboostIndia’scivilaviationindustry.Withtherightpolicies and relentless focus on quality, cost and passenger interest, Indiawould bewellplacedtoachieveitsvisionofbecomingthethird-largestaviationmarketby2025.

BestAnswer:AyushiSingh

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3.What are the possible benefits for a commonman from the ChandrayaanMission?Discuss.

Introduction

Chandrayaan-2is India’ssecondlunarexplorationmissionafterChandrayaan-1,developedbytheIndianSpaceResearchOrganisation.Itinvolvesthethreemodules:theOrbiter,Lander(Vikram)andRover(Pragyan)toconductvariousscientificexperimentsonthelunarsurface.

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Benefitsfromchandrayaan-2missiontoacommonman:

Chennaiwatercrisis

• DuringitsfirstmissiontoMoonin2008,ISROfoundthewateronMoon.Expertsstatedthat the present expedition could offer much-needed solutions to existing watershortagesinChennai.

• IndiaistryingtoidentifytheexistenceofHelium-3onthesurfaceoftheMoon.Thenon-radioactiveHelium-3istoutedtohavethepotentialtopowernuclearfusionreactorsforcenturies.Chennai,despitebeingacoastalcityissufferingfromdrinkingwaterscarcity.



• Inthedesalinationprocess,theseawaterisprocessedandmadepotable.However,thedesalinationprocessrequiresextremeenergyguzzlertechnology.Here,Helium-3basedenergycouldcomeveryhandy.

DiscoveriestobenefitIndia,itscitizensandhumanityasawhole:

• A successful Chandrayaan 2 mission could prove to be a paradigm shift in the wayexpeditionstotheMoonareconducted.Itwillalsoincreasetheunderstandingofspaceandpromoteglobalalliances,whichfinallyculminatesinto“Peace”.

• stimulationoftechnologicaldevelopment,andgenerationofscientificknowledge.

Makinglivesbetter:

• Therequirementsforhighprecisionandforextremereliabilitywhichmustbeimposeduponthecomponentsofamoon-travellingchandrayaan-2areentirelyunprecedentedinthe history of engineering, they improve manufacturing procedures, lengthen thelifetimesofinstruments,andevendiscovernewlawsofnature.

• All this newly acquired technical knowledge is also available for application to earth-boundtechnologies.Everyyear,aboutathousandtechnicalinnovationsgeneratedinthespace program find theirways into our earthly technologywhere they lead to betterkitchenappliancesandfarmequipment,bettersewingmachinesandradios,bettershipsandaeroplanes,betterweatherforecastingandstormwarning,bettercommunications,bettermedicalinstruments,betterutensilsandtoolsforeverydaylife.

Earth’sEnvironment:

• TheChandrayaan-2programmeisextremelyexciting.Especially,theVikramlanderwhichwillcarryoutseveralscientificexperimentsonthelunarsurface.itwillbeinterestingtofurtherexploreitsenvironment,forexample,it’ssurfaceconstituentsanditsconnectiontotheEarth’senvironment.

BetterStandardofLiving:

• Inourmodernworld,we’reoftenlookingforinstantgratification.Butscienceisn’talwayslikethat.Nuclearpowerwasn’tharnessedfordecadesaftertheideawasfirstproposed;theHiggsbosonwasonlyfoundafterover40yearshadpassedandbillionsofdollarswereinvestedinitssearch.Yeteachoftheseachievements,alongwithcountlessothers,havehelpedbringaboutthemodernworld,withbillionsofpeopleenjoyingahigherqualityoflifethaneverbefore.

Motivation:



• chandrayaan-2will provide that inspiration to the youth and also the national publicmainstream.Itwouldinspiretheyounggenerationintonotableachievementsandenablethemtoplaytheirlegitimateroleinchallengingfutureactivities

Conclusion

TheChandrayaan-2missionisaprecursortotheambitiousGaganyaanproject,whichaimstoplacethreeIndiansinspaceby2022.),interplanetaryprobesandasolarspacecraftmission(Aditya).Themissionsof ISROhavehelped invariousapplications liketelecommunication,military, etc. and its futuremissions are expected to further explore new areas in spacetechnology.

BestAnswer:JeanGrey

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4.HighlighttheachievementsofISROintheareaofindigenisationoftechnology.

Introduction

IndianSpaceResearchOrganization(ISRO)wasestablishedin1969.Sinceitsbeginning,ISROhas created a niche for itself in the space technologyworld through continuous low-costinnovations.

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IndigenizationofSpacesystems:

India hasmade remarkable strides achieving 98 per cent indigenisation in launch vehicletechnologyand60-70percentinsatellitetechnology

ISROismakingdesperateattemptstoindigenizingcurrentspacetechnology.Itisdevelopingitsownrockets,cryogenicengines,navigation,spyandcommunicationsatellites.

SomeofAchievementsare:

CHANDRAYAAN-2:



• Chandrayaan2isafullyindigenousmission,whichaimstoplacearoboticroveronthemoon,isIndia’smostcomplexandmostambitious.Forthefirsttime,itwillshedlightonacompletelyunexploredregionoftheMoon–itsSouthernPolarregion.

GAGANYAAN:

ISRO has successfully demonstrated some of the technologies required for themissionsuchas:

• SpaceCapsuleRecoveryExperiment(SRE-2007),• CrewmoduleAtmosphericRe-entryExperiment(CARE-2014),• GSLVMk-III(2014),• ReusableLaunchVehicle-TechnologyDemonstrator(RLV-TD),• CrewEscapeSystem• PadAbortTest(2018)and• unveiledaspacecapsule(crewmodule)andSpacesuitprototype

IRNSS:

• India’s own regional navigation satellite system named as “Navigation with IndianConstellation(NavIC)”isestablishedbyISRO

• The potential of this indigenous system is being demonstrated in various applicationsectorsviz.vehicletrackingsystem,mobiles,timing&powersynchronization,fisheries,surveying etc. For example, all commercial vehicles registered from 1stApril 2019onwardsaremandatedtohavevehicletrackers,whicharealsoNavIC-enabled.

GAGAN:

• TheIndianSpaceResearchOrganization(ISRO)andAirportsAuthorityofIndia(AAI)haveimplemented theGPSAidedGeoAugmentedNavigation-GAGANproject as a SatelliteBasedAugmentationSystem(SBAS)fortheIndianAirspace.TheobjectiveofGAGANtoestablish,deployandcertifysatellitebasedaugmentationsystemforsafety-of-lifecivilaviationapplicationsinIndiahasbeensuccessfullycompleted.

MANGALYAAN:

• ItisIndia’sfirstinterplanetarymissionandmadeISROthefourthspaceagencytoreachMars,ItmadeIndiathefirstAsiannationtoreachMartianorbitandthefirstnationintheworldtodosoinitsmaidenattempt.mostofthesystemswereindigenous.

HysIS:



• It is thecountry’s firsthyperspectral imaging satellite foradvancedEarthobservation.HysiSisastate-of-the-artsatellitewithmanyindigenouscomponentsdevelopedbySAC.

• The primary goal of HysIS is to study the Earth’s surface in visible, near-infrared andshortwaveinfraredregionsoftheelectromagneticspectrum.

LAUNCHERS:

• Launch Vehicles are used to carry spacecraft to space. India has two operationallaunchers: Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and Geosynchronous Satellite LaunchVehicle(GSLV).

ENGINES:

• ISROisalsoplanningtousescramjetengineforminimizingrocketsize(40-50percent)andsavefuel(upto70percent).Furthermore,ISROhasdevelopedRLV-TDareusablelaunchvehicletomakespaceprogramcheaperandperformadvancedspaceresearch.

• GSLVMarkIII–developedbyISROwithitsowncryogenicengine.Thelaunchvehicleiscapableofcarrying4tonsatellitesintothegeosynchronoustransferorbits.

DEFENCE:

• Communication is key to any sort of defence establishment. By developing India’scapability in GSLV launching system, India is now inching closer to launching its owncommunicationsatelliteswhichwillserveacriticalroleandpurposeintimesofstrategicneed.

In all, India now has complete autonomous capability in space technology- propellantmanufacture,satellitemanufacture,launchcapabilityupto4tonsatelliteandsoon.Also,thecostingisverycompetitivecomparedtoforeignlauncheswhichcostedmuchmore,therebysavingIndia’sforeignreservetoo

Conclusion

The success of ISRO is testament to India’s capability in frugal engineering and findingsolutions with severe resource constraints and international non-cooperation. FuturemissionslikeAditya-L1,Gaganyaanetc.willhelpIndiaenhanceitsglobalimageevenfurther.

BestAnswer:Aspirant123

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5.Howdoeshyperlooptechnologyfortransportationwork?Discuss.

Introduction

Hyperloopisanewformofgroundtransport.Itwillhavepassengerstravellinginfloatingpodswithinlow-pressuretubes.

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Hyperlooktechnologyfortransportation:

• ThebasicideaofHyperloopisthatthepassengerpodsorcapsulestravelthroughatube,eitheraboveorbelowground.Toreducefriction,mostbutnotalloftheairisremovedfromthetubesbypumps.

• Overcoming air resistance is one of the biggest uses of energy in high speed travel.Airlinersclimbtohighaltitudestotravelthroughlessdenseair;inordertocreateasimilareffect at ground level, Hyperloop encloses the capsules in a reduced-pressure tube,effectivelyallowingthetrainstotravelatairplanespeedsbutontheground.

• Inmodel,thepressureofairinsidetheHyperlooptubeisaboutone-sixththepressureoftheatmosphereonMars.Thismeansanoperatingpressureof100pascals,whichreducesthedrag forceof theairby1,000timesrelative tosea levelconditions,andwouldbeequivalenttoflyingabove150,000feetaltitude.



• Thepodwouldgetitsinitialvelocityfromanexternallinearelectricmotor,whichwouldaccelerateitto‘highsubsonicvelocity’andthengiveitaboostevery70milesorso;inbetween,thepodwouldcoastalonginnearvacuum.

Benefits:

• SupportersarguethatHyperloopcouldbecheaperandfasterthantrainsandcartravel,andcheaperandlesspollutingthanairtravel.

• It’salsopotentiallytwoorthreetimesfasterthanevenhigh-speedrail(andtentimesthespeedofregularrailservices).

• Theyclaimthatitisquickerandcheapertobuildthantraditionalhigh-speedrail;assuch,Hyperloop could take the pressure off gridlocked roads,making travel between citieseasierandpotentiallyunlockingmajoreconomicbenefitsasaresult.

• Beingcheapertobuildshouldmeantheseservicescanbecomeprofitablequickly.

Challenges:

• Plentyofengineeringchallengesneedtobetackledwhichcouldpushthecostsup.Likebuilding the tubes strongenough todealwith the stressesof carrying thehigh-speedpods,findingenergyandcostefficientwaystokeepthemoperatingatlowpressure.

• Lotsofpodswillberequiredtoachievethesamepassengernumbersasmoretraditionalrailwhichusesmuchbiggercarriages.

• Howtheseserviceswillbe funded inthe firstplace isnotclear.Theseservicescanbefinancedthroughacombinationofpublicandprivateinvestment.

Conclusion

Thetechnologyisnascentasnohyperloophasactuallybeendevelopedonalongdistance.Indiahastimetodevelopexpertise inthefield.Partnershipswithcompanies likeHTTandVirginHyperloopwillhelpIndiadecideastohowthetechnologycanbecosteffective.Also,meanwhile improving basic necessities like food, access to energy and house should befocused.

NoBestAnswer

6. Identify the most polluted stretches of the Ganga river system.What are the mostprominentcontributingfactorstothispollution?CantheNamamiGangeplanaddresstheproblemofpollutionintheGanges?Comment.

Introduction

Around40percentofIndianpopulationisdependentonriverGangaforitswaterneeds,thepollutionlevelsarecauseofconcern.Thegovernmenthastakenseveralinitiativestoabate



pollution levels, conservation and rejuvenation of river Ganga such as Namami GangaProgramme.

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MostpollutedstretchesofGanga

CentralPollutionControlBoard(CPCB)iscontinuouslymonitoringthepollutionlevelsacrosstheriverstretchesinIndia.CPCBconsidersaBiologicalOxygenDemand(BOD)oflessthan3mg/l an indicator of a healthy river. BOD is the amount of oxygen required for thedecompositionoforganiccompoundsbymicroorganismsinagivenamountofwater.

Mostprominentcontributingfactors

• Industrial Waste: Presence of large industries especially in the UP region, releasingpollutedwaterwithouttreatingthemintotheGanga.Theyareevenresponsiblefortoxicpollution(LeatherIndustries).



• Agriculture Sources: Agricultural runoff containing fertilizers, pesticides being non-degradableandhavinglonglife.

• Municipal/SolidWaste: The untreated sewage dumped intoGanga, gap between thefunctionalSewageTreatmentPlant(STP)capacityandrequiredSTPcapacity,hasbeenacauseofconcern.

• Microbial Containment: such as faecal, total coliform released, this can be observedduringtheKumbhMela.Theriveralsofindstheultimatedisposalplaceforunclaimeddeadbodiesandotherhalforfullyburneddeadbodieswhichdecayandpolluteriver.

• Dams:arealsooneofthemaincauseofpollutionintheGanga.Damsobstructtheflowofriverandmakeitslow,duetowhichGangalacksinself-purificationcapacity.

• Tonsofplastic,polytheneandothertrash:arethrownintotheGangaRiver,chokingoutlifefromherwatersandblockingexistingseweragesystems.

NamamiGangaProgramme

TheNamamiGangaProgrammeisaninitiative,tomakevillagesonthebankofriverGangaODFalongwith interventionsdealingwith solidand liquidwastemanagement (SLWM). Itincorporates activities like sewage infrastructure, ghats & crematoria development, riverfront development, river surface cleaning, institutional development, biodiversityconservation,afforestation,ruralsanitation,andpublicparticipation.

Yes,itcanaddresstheIssue

• Infrastructure development- Activities like sewage infrastructure, river-frontdevelopment,ghatandcrematoriadevelopment,ghatcleaning,ruralsanitation,etc.havebeenundertakenunder thisandall thevillagesnearGangahavebeendeclaredOpenDefecationfree.

• Decentralization-PanchayatRajInstitutions(PRIs)havebeenaccordedaprominentroleintheplanningandexecutionoftheprojectsundertheNamamiGangaProgrammeasincaseofGangaGramsinitiative.

• Mobilization of resources- financial and technological resourcemobilization from theprivatesectorisgivenpriority.TheHybridAnnuity-PPPmodelhasbeenadoptedforthesewagesector.

• Zeroblackliquordischargehasbeenachievedinpaperandpulpindustries.• National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), nodal agency for implementing this

programmehaspartneredwiththeNationalInstituteofUrbanAffairstoprepareUrbanRiver Management Plan, which aims at preventing the deterioration and to ensuresustainableuseofwaterresources.



• Knowledgedisseminationandawarenessbuilding-GangaKnowledgeCentre(GKC)wasestablishedasapremiereandautonomousknowledgebasedinstitutiontoenhancethequalityoftheimplementationoftheNamamiGangaProgramme.

Stillthereareconcerns

• Unusedfunds-AsperareportfromtheCAG,Governmenthadonlyused$260millionofthe$1.05billionearmarkedfortheflagshipprogrammebetweenApril2015andMarch2017.

• Delays- Therehavebeendelays, lapsesor completenon-implementation in areas likecleaning of the river, installation of sewage treatment plants, and construction ofhouseholdtoilets.

• SlowImplementation-Attributabletodelaysintendering,non-availabilityofland,legalissues,pendingapprovalsetc.NationalGreenTribunalrecentlyslammedthegovernmentduetothestretchesbetweenHaridwarandUnnaobeing“unfitfordrinkingandbathing”.

• Financialissues-Inadequatefinancesandresourceswithlocalbodiescrippletheirabilitytotreatsewageproducedincities.Thisfindsitswayintotheriver.

• Absenceofalong-termplan-ThegovernmentfailedtocomeoutwithadetailedactionplanforcleaningandrejuvenatingGanga.

• TechnicalandEngineeringaspects-SomeoftheworstpollutedstretchesoftheriverareacrossUP,KanpurbeingtheworstintermsofBiologicalOxygenDemand.Treatingthehighlytoxicsludgerequiresadvancedtreatmenttechnology.

• Poorinter-agencycooperation.• Inabilitytokeeppacewithgrowingpollutionloads.

Conclusion

Thegapbetweenthe functionalcapacityofSTPandrequiredcapacityofSTPneeds tobeplugged,theawarenesslevelsneedtobepromoted,initiativeslikeGangaPraharistoeducate,motivate citizens. The development of Ganga River must be a lesson for improving thestretchesofotherpollutedriversinIndia.

BestAnswer:AyushDubey

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7.Theterm‘urbannaxal’hasgainedcurrencyinthelastfewyears.Whatisthemeaningofthisterm?WhatareyourviewsonthebeliefthatthesocalledurbannaxalsareasecuritythreattoIndia?Comment.



Introduction

ThetermUrbanNaxalsisnotclearlydefined.Thephrase“UrbanNaxal”looselymeanspeopleoftheNaxalitebentofmindwhoresideinurbanareasandworkasactivists,supportersandprotectorsoftheideology,whiletheactiveNaxalsbattleitoutinthejunglesandvastswathesofMaoist-dominatedareas.

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InIndia,whileLWEhasremainedlargelyaruralphenomenon,theNaxalmovementhasbeendrawinggreatfollowingandleadershipfromtheurbanareas,especiallyfromhighlyeducatedachievers.Themostpredominantandvisiblemodesofpenetrationappeartobeinfiltrationinto protests, agitations or demonstrations carried out against the government in urbanareas.

TheyarenotathreattoInternalSecurity:

• Political parties and right-wing organizations have wrongly termed some of the Left-leaningsocialactivistsas‘urbanNaxal’fortheirpoliticalmileage.

• AnybodyraisingstrongquestionsagainstthegovernmentisbeingperceivedasanurbanNaxal,whichisveryseriousmalice.

• TheseareLeft-leaningactivistswhoarefightingagainstsocialinjusticeandadvocatesfortherightsofpoorandtribal.

• UrbanNaxalswanttowintheinformation/perceptionwarthroughlegalmeans,unlikerealNaxalswhowanttooverthrowthestatethrougharmedconflict.

• Thegovernmentusesthistermtocurtailsomedissentingvoices.

TheyareSecurityThreattoIndia:

• UrbanNaxalsarethe‘invisibleenemies’ofIndia.Onecommonthreadamongstallofthemisthattheyareallurbanintellectuals,influencersoractivistsofimportance.

• TheseurbanNaxalinfluencethemiddle-classemployee,intellectualsandstudentswithMaoistideologyandradicalizethemagainstthegovernment.

• Theyalsohampertheinternationalimageofthecountryandportraybadsocialpictureininternationalforumsthroughconferencesandnewspaperarticles.

• ItisbelievedthatwithageingleadershiptheMaoistsandNaxaliteshavebeenlookingatcitiesandtownsforleaders.Itfeelsthatthisiskeepinginlinewiththetraditionthatmostoftheirtopleadersarewell-educatedpeoplefromuniversities.

• SomecommunistpartiesandNaxalorganisationsgiveimmenseimportancetoits‘urbanmovement’ not just for the leadership, but for providing personnel, supplies,technologies,expertise,informationandlogisticsupportbyovergroundactivities.



• The main focus of the Maoists’ urban work is to organise the masses, including theworking class, students, middle-class employees, intellectuals, women, Dalits andreligious minorities. Naxals create front organisations for extending the reach of theorganisation.

• Fromtheirideology,itappearsthatNaxalitesarefightingfortherightsofthepoorandwant to establish a people’s government, but the facts are quite contrary. The socialuplifting of the downtrodden is not their real aim rather it is political power byundemocraticmeans.

Wayahead:

• TopaintovertandpeacefulpoliticalrebellionsasNaxalismisabadtactic,apoliticalandmoralblunder,whichthegovernmentandpoliticalpartiesshouldavoid.

• ThegovernmentshouldfocusoncurtailingthepropagandaoftherealMaoistsinruralpocketsofcentralIndian.

• Take up genuine counter campaigns and outreach programs are the best way toideologicallydefeattheleftistinsurgency.

Conclusion

ManytopintellectualsregularlysupportNaxalism,advocatinganegalitariansociety,humanrightsandtribalrights.Buttheuseofviolentmeanscannotbesupportedtoachieveanoblecause in a democratic setup. Rather than blind support, the intellectuals should alsoencourageNaxalstoeschewviolence,fightelections,jointhemainstreamsocietyandlearntheartofgiveandtakeofdemocraticbargainingwithoutaggression.

BestAnswer:Write.s

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8.With the abrogation of Article 370, there is a fear of Jammu& Kashmir becoming aplaygroundforexternalstateandnon-stateactorstryingtodestabilisepeaceandorderinthevalley.Doyouagree?Howcanthisthreatbeaverted?Suggest.

Introduction

Article370acknowledgesthespecialstatusofthestateofJammuandKashmirintermsofautonomyanditsabilitytoformulatelawsforthestate’spermanentresidents.



Body

JammuandKashmirbecomingaplaygroundforexternalstate:

• Strategic location: Jammu Kashmir location is at the confluence of India, Tibet,Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Central Asian Republics makes it one of themost geostrategicallyimportantregionsoftheworld

• China:ChineseforceshumiliatedtheIndianArmyandcapturedAksaiChin,whichroughlyforms20percentofJammuandKashmir.ThisgaveChinaabigfootholdinJammuandKashmir.

• Geographicalroute:ThestateliesontheoldsilkroutebetweenancientChinaandCentralAsianRepublics.ItsvicinitytotheChina–PakistanEconomicCorridor(CPEC),theflagshipprojectforChina’sBeltRoadInitiative(BRI),alsoenhancesitsgeostrategicpotential.

• CPEC:TheCPECpassesthroughGilgit-Baltistan,apartofJammuandKashmir.Chinahasgotitsownandtroopsforsecurityofthedevelopmentprojectsinthecorridor.

• Ladakh:LadakhwhichisofstrategicimportancebetweenTibetandPakistanhasbeenasourceofdisputesbetweenIndiaandChina.

• Islam culture: Due to its deepmysticmoderate Islam culture, it has the potential ofreversingtheculturalJehadithreattotheUyghurregionofChinainthenorth.

JammuandKashmirbecomingaplaygroundfornon-stateactors:

• Taliban: The withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan describes the drawdown ofUnitedStatesArmedForcesandincreasedtensionofTalibaninMiddleEast.

• Various terroristgroups:various terroristgroupsareseen in JammuandKashmirandthereishugeriskofintruders.

Stepsforthreattobeaverted:

• Intelligence unit: Within the intelligence community, the different branches need tocoordinatebetterwhenitcomestointelligencesharingbetweenthem,ensuringthereisasinglestreamforthedisseminationofcounterterrorismintelligence.

• Defence infrastructure: Needed to allocate resources towards reaching the goal byoverhaulingitsdefenceinfrastructureandprocurementpolicies.

• Feasibleoption:IndiahasaskedPakistantotakecredibleandirreversiblestepstoendcross-borderterrorismanddismantleterroristinfrastructureinterritoryunderitscontrol.

• FATF: India is also a member of FATF (Financial Action Task Force) whose aim is toestablishinternationalstandardsforcombatingmoneylaunderingandterroristfinancing.

• NIA:OfficersoftheNationalInvestigationAgencyaregoingfromdoor-to-dooratcrackdowncrossborderterrorfunding.

• Regionalorganizations:Bilateralsummitmeetingswithvariouscountries,andatregionalandmultilateralforums,suchasShanghaiCooperationOrganization,G20,BRICS,among



others.Manifestation:zerotolerancetoterrorism;rejectionofanyjustificationforanactofterror;delinkingterrorfromreligion;needforallforcesbelievinginhumanitytouniteinfightagainstterrorismhasfoundgreateracceptance.

• Satellite: ISROlaunchedanearthobservationspysatelliteRISAT-2Bthatcantakehighresolutionimagesoftheearthduringdayandnight,andalsoundercloudyconditionstokeepaneyealsoonterrorcampsacrosstheborderinPakistan.

Conclusion

Itistheconsensusofgovernmentandpublictomaintainpeaceandharmonyofthenationforthewelfareofall.

BestAnswer:JeanGrey

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9.WhatareyourviewsontheideaoflinkingsocialmediaaccountstoAadhar?WillitbebeneficialinanywayfromtheperspectiveofIndia’sinternalsecurity?Criticallycomment.

Introduction

Recently,TamilNadugovernmenttoldtheSupremeCourtthatsocialmediaprofilesshouldbelinkedtousersAadhaarnumbertocheckterroristmessages,pornography,andfakenews.

Body

GoodIdea,canbelookedafter

• With the increase in number of fake news posts on social media, this can help withidentifying the originator of fake news, with intentions are to create tensions in thesociety.

• RecentissueofonlineBlueWhalegame,whichledtosuicidesofmany.Itwasdifficultforthegovernmenttotracetheoriginator.

• Itisestimatedthataround15%oftwitteraccountsarebybots,thesebotsarenothumanrun,stilltheyplayabigroleinspreadingfakenews.

• TheincreaseincrimessuchasChildpornography,Revengeporn,morphedphotographsetcareonrise.



• Manyanti-nationalpostsandhatepoststooareonrise,thiscreatessocialunrest.• SocialMediacompaniestoohavefailedtokeepacheckonsuchpostsdespitereceiving

complaints.

Concerns

• There are many privacy concerns, this might be in conflict with the recent AadhaarJudgement.

• WhatsapphasrecentlysaidthatitcannotsharetheAadhaarnumberwithathirdpartyasthecontentonitsinstantmessagingWhatsappwasend-to-endencryptedandeventheydonothaveaccesstoit.

• Largenumberoffakenewsisgeneratedfromforeignnationstoo,thisprovisionwon’tbeabletoaddresstheissue.

• Thereisconcernwithregardstofairinvestigation,governmentmightburstheavilyonitscriticstoo.

• FacebookreportedtheissueofCambridgeAnalyticatwoyearsfromtheincident,withtheabsenceofdatalocalisation,howsafewouldAadhaardetailsbestoredwithsocialmediacompanies.

Yes,ItcanaddressIndia’sinternalsecurityissues

• SocialMediahasthepotentialtomobilizelargecrowds,thereexiststhreattopeacewhencrowdattemptstodisturbtheatmosphere.Hence,precautionarystepscanbetaken,ifauthoritiesareawareofsuchevents.

• The offensive clips and hate messages have created social unrest like observed inMuzzaffarnagar riots 2013, AssamEthnic clashes 2012 etc, spreadof such videos andpostscanbecurtailed.

• Socialmediahasbecomeapotenttoolforradicalisationbyterrorgroups,arrestofMehdiMasoorBiswas, in2014,accusedofbeingthemanbehindterrorgroup IslamicState’s(ISIS)mostinfluentialTwitterhandleinIndia,broughttosurfacetheextentofthethreatposedbythemisuseofsocialmedia.

• There is alwaysavirtual community in socialmedia thatattempts tobring inpoliticalinstabilityandrevolution,sometimesusinganti-nationalposts.

• TherecentphenomenaofUrbanNaxals,whousethesocialmediaplatformtoreachouttonaxalites.

However, there might exist few challenges. Most of the cyber terrorism originates fromoutside the national boundaries. Open-Source monitoring is possible, but monitoring ofpersonalconversationswillsparkoffdebate.

WayForward



• SocialmediacompaniesneedtobemadecompliantwithIndianlaws,whenoperatinginIndia.

• Socialmediacompaniesshouldbeforcedtoensurethattheyshouldstorethemetadataofall thecontent that isuploadedandbywhom, they should store thedetailsof thesource.

• Laws can be made as per the recommendations of BN Srikrishna report on “DataProtection”.

• SocialMedialab(2013)ModelofMaharashtracanbeworkedupon.

Conclusion

AsstatedbySupremeCourt,thereisaneedtofindabalancebetweentherighttoonlineprivacyandtherightofthestatetotracetheoriginsofhatefulmessagesandfakenews.AnystateinterventionforregulationofonlinecontenthastopassthetestofproportionalitylaiddownbytheSupremeCourtinPuttaswamyPrivacyjudgement.

NoBestAnswer

10.Socialmediaplatformshavebecomeamajorsourceoffakenewsandpropaganda.Doyouagree?Howdoesitthreatenpeaceandorderinthecountry?Howcanitbeaddressed?Analyse.

Introduction

Fakenews,orhoaxnews,referstofalseinformationorpropagandapublishedundertheguiseofbeingauthenticnews.Fakenewswebsitesandchannelspushtheirfakenewscontentinan attempt to mislead consumers of the content and spread misinformation via socialnetworksandword-of-mouth.

Body

Fakenewsismade-upstuff,masterfullymanipulatedtolooklikecrediblejournalisticreportsthatareeasilyspreadonlinetolargeaudienceswillingtobelievethefictionsandspreadtheword.Thishas,inturn,ledtodeliberatepropagandaandclickbaitarticlescausingdisharmonyinthecountry.

FakeNewsposesasecuritythreattopeaceandorderinthecountry:

• Socialrifts–Burialofrealnews,andspreadoffakenewscreateriftsamongcommunitiesandcastesandalsopolarizepeoplealongideologicallines.Ex.cowvigilantism

• Mobviolence–Fakenewsofacertainpersonbeinga‘child-lifter’ledtothedeathofaninnocentcivilianbythemob.



• Hatespeech–Hatespeechesarespreadthroughcommunalmediatoinciteviolence.• Riots– With fake information, it can lead to riots between two religious groups or

communitygroupsEx.Muzaffarpurriots.• Theradicalisationofyouth:ThemodusoperandiofISISwastheusageofsocialmediato

spreadthefakeandfalsemessagesandtargetvulnerableyouthandradicalizethem.Ex.TheradicalisationofyouthinthestateofKerala.

• Impactedmoraleofsoldiers–Fakenewslikesoldierswillhavetospendtheirownmoneytobuyuniformsandotherclothesfromcivilianmarketshurtthemoraleoftheforcesandthefamiliesofforces.

• Damage to reputation– Spreading fake news about a person, or using a picture ofsomeoneinfakenewscandamagetheperson’sreputationandevenleadtoharassmentandintimidation.Ex.JNUdoctoredvideo.

Howtoaddressfakenewsproblem:

• Accountability of social media– LikeWhatsApp limiting forwards, other social mediaplatformsshouldalsohaveaccountabilitytodealwithsuchnews.SocialMediaplatformshavetofilterthespreadoffakenews.

• Education campaign– This education campaign needs to carried out by the apps andplatforms,aswellasthegovernmentabouttheeducationofthedo’sanddon’ts,andthelawsgoverningtheconductofparticipants.

• Screening– Special screening to check the use of automated software and chatbotsresponsibleforthespreadoffakenews.

• Independentagency–Governmentappointedanagencytoverifydatabeingcirculatedonsocialplatforms.Officersatthedistrictleveltobeappointedtogatherintelligenceandcloselymonitorsocialmediacontents.

• PrivateInitiatives–likeAltNews.in,Lallantop,mediavigilandDebunkedshouldbetakenforafactcheckofnewsandtopulldownanddebunkfakenews.

• Enforcement–PlatformsandIntermediariesneedtocomplywithdataaccessdemandsmadeunderIndialawsbyoursecurityagencies.

• Self-regulation and awareness– Active civil society to curb the spread of fake news.Peoplethemselvesmustcross-checkanynewsbeforereactingoverit.

• Punishment–Severepunishmenttobeawardedforcreatingandspreadingfakenews.• Activeparticipationofpolice–Localpolicecanbeapartof thesocialmediagroupto

constantlycheckandmonitorthespreadofnews.

Conclusion

Traditional media had the ways to screen material and verify sources before puttinginformation in the public domain. But in the currentworld,with the prevalenceof socialmedia,weneedtheparticipationofallstakeholderstoensureonlytheinformationwhichistrueandisbeneficialforthesocietyasawholeshouldseethelightoftheday.



BestAnswer:Anshul

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11.What are your views on the provisions of compulsory retirements for civil servantsunder 56J?Don’t you think such provisions affect themorale of bureaucracy? Criticallycomment.

Introduction:

According to Rule 56J of fundamental rules for civil services, the government shall haveabsolute right to retireanygovernment servant (inpublic interest). Though thisprovisionexisted,butstilltheusagewasminimal.However,thepresentgovernmenthasevoked56Jtoretiremanycivilservantshassparkedoffadebate.

Body

Views

• Forbetteradministration,itisnecessarytoremovegovernmentservantwhopromotesthecultureofcorruptionandunethicalpractices.

• Suchmoveswouldensureefficientandeffectiveworkbyothercivilservantwhoismorevulnerabletocorruption.

• This provision is not treated as punishment under Article 31 of Indian constitution(SupremeCourtinUmedbhaiPatelVs.StateofGujarat2003caseupheldthis).

• Still there are doubts raised with regards to forced retirement (Especially politicalmotives).

• Suchuncertaintyoftenureleadstofearandinstabilitybypublicservants.• WhenHonestofficersarewrongfullypunished,thisleadstoinefficiencyanddemotivation

forothersinthedepartment.

Moralereferstostateofmindandemotions,effectingtheattitudeandwillingnesstowork.56JAffectingmoraleofbureaucracy:

• The young officers watching, his senior officials get terminated, might lack will toeffectivelyimplementschemes.

• Bureaucratmightnotbeabletotakeastrongstandforanyissue.• Would blindly support every decision of the government of the day, thereby

compromisingonfoundationalvaluesofcivilservices.



• Theonewhoisintendedtoreplacethepreviousofficer,knowswhatisexpectedoutofhim,therebyhejustactsasaremotecontroller.

However,thiscan inturnrestrictcorruptpracticesandcausefearforthosewhoresorttounfairmeans.Thiswillbepromotethefoundationalvaluessuchasintegrity,impartialityetcintheorganization.

Conclusion

ThereexistsaneedforsettingupstandardsofServicerecords,thiswillensureonlyhonestofficers are promoted to senior levels. Civil servants are lifelines of a healthy democraticsocietyandplayamajorroleingoodgovernance.

BestAnswer:Redeemer911

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12.Whyhas theNationalRegisterofCitizens (NRC)been in controversy lately?Are theapprehensionsconcerningNRCjustified?Criticallycomment.

Introduction

TheNationalregisterofcitizensisaregistercontainingnamesofallgenuineIndiansresidingin India. Assam faced influx from Bangladesh, to remove the illegal migration fromneighbouringcountriesNRCaspreparedin1951.

Body

ControversiesrelatedtotheNationalRegisterofCitizens(NRC):

• Laboriousprocess:AddingapersontoNRCiscomplexprocedurebecauseofpresentingmanydocumentsandlayersofverification.

• Documentverification:“Familytreeverification”hasbecomedifficultprocessforleftoutchildren.

• Rejectionofcertificate:Morethan40lakhpeoplearerejectedforpanchayathresidencycertificates.

• Citizenshiprelated:Failedtoensurelegalclarityoverthemannerinwhichtheclaimsofcitizenshipcouldbedecided.

• RoleofSupremeCourt:lackofmonitoringprocess,inabilitytocomprehendpoliticalandpolicyactionsincaseoflossofcitizenship.



• Hugepopulation:GiventhesizeofIndia’spopulation,implementationoftheNRCwillbeamammothtaskanddemandsadetailedanalysis.

BenefitsofNRC:

• Detectionofillegalimmigrants,inclusionwillbeashieldagainstharassmentandatickettoenjoyingalltheconstitutionalrightsandsafeguardsandthebenefitsofgovernmentschemes.

• Tosafeguardtheindigenouspopulationandcivilization.• Illegalactivitiesliketerrorism,humantrafficking,drugtraffickingcanbechecked.• TosafeguardVotingrightsandpropertiessuchaslandandhouse.

CriticismoftheNRC:

• ThefirstreportwasannouncedonDecember31-January1,2017,theremovalof40lakhpeopleleadstoamajorsocialandpoliticalcrisis.

• Themassinsecurityandsocialcrisisstalkingthe40lakhpeopleofAssam.• Many people are in stake who lives in strategic and sensitive border state. Their

documentsarebeingambiguous.• Assamhasapeculiarproblemofvillagesgettingravaged,ordisappearing,duetoannual

floodsunleashedbythefieryBrahamaputra.Documentsgetdestroyed,geographiesshift,addresseschange.

• Several cases of transparent injustice whereby families have been divided – somedeclaredDoubtfulVotersandforeigners,othersasbonafidecitizens.

• Widespread perception that specifically linguistic and religious minorities are beingtargeted–namely,BengalispeakingMuslimsandHindus.

Conclusion

It is important and essential for the union government to proactively come out with anequitable, predictable and transparent plan on the way forward, for those who will beidentified as ‘foreigners’. The left out from the NRC must be handled carefully onhumanitarianbasis.

BestAnswer:Hula

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13. Recent developments in Karnataka and Goa legislative assemblies prove that thepoliticalproblemofdefectioncan’tbeaddressedbythelegalsolutionoftheanti-defectionlaw.Comment.

Introduction:

Theanti-defectionlawunder10thscheduleoftheconstitutionwasenactedthroughthe52ndamendmentafteraprominentcultureof‘AayaRamGayaRam’,inwhichlegislatorsusedtochangepartiesfrequently,waswitnessedintheIndianpolity.

Body

Anti-defectionlaw:

• Groundsofdisqualification-o Voluntarilygivingupmembershipofthepartyo Votingagainstthedirectionofwhipinthehouse

• Also,itprovidesincaseofmerger,iftwo-thirdofmembersofthepartyagree,therewillbenodisqualification,thus,validatingmassdefections.

Alegislatoriswellwithinhisrightstochangeparty; infact,hemustifhelosestrustinhisparentpartyor findsanother ideologymoreattractive.Butany shift inpoliticalaffiliationwouldmeantherighttorepresentthemandateislost,makingtheroleofanti-defectionlawimportant.

Recentdevelopments inKarnatakaandGoa,thougharedefection,passtheanti-defectiontestandthememberscancontinuetobeapartofthegovernment.

• Karnataka– Members resigned from the house instead of party, thus reducing thegovernment to a minority and not inviting the wrath of anti-defection law ontothemselves.

• Goa–Heremassdefectionswerewitnessedwhicharevalidasperthelaw.

Both the above cases, aswell as recent trends in Telangana and Rajya Sabha, showhowlegislatorscanbypasslawsandthusthereisaneedtolookattheproblemfrommorethanalegalperspective.

Wayforward:

• Preventunholyalliances-Partiesformpost-pollcoalitionswiththeopposingpartiesonlytoformgovernment,evenwhentheideologiesdonotmatchandagainstthewishesofelectedlegislators,ashappenedincaseofKarnataka.



• Internal democracy- Parties should promote internal democracy for the member toexpresstheiropiniononimportantmattersconcerningparties,likewithwhomtoformcoalition,whoshouldbechiefministeretc.

Conclusion

Keepingdefectionsincheckensuresstabilityofgovernanceandhelpsinkeepingupwiththemandateofpeople.Thus,toupholdthisspirit,reformswithinthepartiesarerequiredapartfromthelegalsolution.

BestAnswer:Pushyamitra

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14.HasBrexitaffectedIndiainanyaway?Analyse.

Introduction:

Brexitisanabbreviationfor“Britishexit,”referringtotheU.K.’sdecisioninaJune23,2016referendum to leave the EuropeanUnion (EU). The vote’s result defied expectations androiledglobalmarkets,causingtheBritishpoundtofalltoitslowestlevelagainstthedollarin30years.

Body

Facts:

• EUandIndiawouldemergeasstrongtradepartnersthroughenforcementofBTIA.• EUisIndia’slargesttradingpartneraccountingforapproximately13%ofitstotalworld

trade,whileIndiaisEU’s10thlargesttradingpartner.IndiaisreliantonEUformachinery,nuclearreactors,opticalandphotoequipment,aircraft,etc.

• EU’s top imports from India include mineral fuels, oil, distillation products, organicchemicals,textiles,etc.Thekeysectorsoftradeinservicesbetweenthetwoareseaandairtransport,computerandinformation,financialandbankingservices.

PositiveeffectsofBrexitinIndia:

• Toresetlegalterms:BrexitisanopportunityforIndiatoresetthelegaltermsofitstradewiththeUKandEU,atthemultilaterallevel,andthroughfreetradeagreements.



• Studentsfriendly:BeforeBrexit,BritishuniversitieswereforcedtoofferscholarshipsandsubsidiestothecitizensoftheUKandEU.BrexitfreesupfundsfortheotherstudentsandmoreIndianstudentsmightbeabletogetscholarships.

• Increasestourism:ReductioninpoundvaluewillreducetravellingcosttotheUKandwillmakeitagoodtraveldestination.

• Hugeinvestment:BrexitwillhelpstrengthenourtieswithBritainbecauseIndia’sfocuson innovation and entrepreneurship still makes it an attractive destination foroutsourcingandinvestment.

• Goods and services: According to the UK’s Department for International Trade (DIT)figures,totaltradeingoodsandservicesbetweentheUKandIndiawas18billionpoundsin2017,a15percentincreasefrom2016.

• Currentaccountdeficit:Lowercommodityprices,crudeoilpricesmayhelpnarrowingcurrentaccountdeficit(CAD)

• Tradingpartners:TheUKandtheEUarelosingtradingpartnersintheprocess.Sotheywillbothbe looking for replacements.Here, Indiacanplayacrucial role.Wemayseeenhancedcooperationinsegments liketechnology,cybersecurity,defenceproductionandfinance.

NegativeeffectsofBrexitinIndia:

• Shorttermeffects:Automobile,PharmacyandITmightbethemostaffected.NASSCOMhaspredictedthattheeffectofBrexitwillbefeltonthe$108BillionIndianITsectorintheshortterm.

• Automobileindustry: Intheautomobileindustry,BrexitmayleadtoreductioninsalesandcompaniesthatderivegoodrevenuesofprofitsfromBritaincouldgethurtmajorly.

• Disruptions: Indian companies would need to recalibrate European operations, likesettingupanadditionaloperating companywithinEuropeanUnion. Thismeans shorttermdisruptionswillhaveafinancialimpact,asalsotakeupmanagementtime.

• Immigration: Because of the large number of immigrants from EU, UK has restrictedimmigrantsfromotherpartsoftheworld,whichhadanimpactonIndians.

• Restrictions:PostBrexit,immigrationintoUKofIndiansmaynotbecomeeasierastheUKwantstoplacequantitativerestrictionsontotalnumberofimmigrants,andonlyafewIndianswithspecialskillsmayfinditeasiertoworkintheUK.

Conclusion

India should re-negotiatewith theUKandEU theWorldTradeOrganizationSchedulesofConcessions,forbothgoodsandservices,shouldresumeitsFTAdiscussionswiththeEU,andshouldpreparetolaunchFTAtalkswiththeUK.

BestAnswer:AnuragsinghThakur



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15. Do you think developments on the West Bank or Hong Kong can lead tointernationalisationoftheKashmirissueaswell?Criticallycomment.

Introduction:

Article370oftheIndianconstitutionwhichgavespecialstatustoJammuandKashmirwasrevokedbytheGovernmentinAugust2019throughaPresidentialOrderandthepassageofaresolutionintheParliament.ThisactionensuredtheintegrationofthestatewiththeentirenationandrepealoftheArticle35Aaltogether.

Body:

Developments in various regions of the world and necessity of the Internationalcommunity:

WestBank:

• WhentheJewishState (Israel)came intoexistence, therewasnoPalestineArabStatebecausePalestinianArabswerenotorganized,unlikeZionists;theylackedthemoneyandgunpoweroftheirown.TheyreliedonthearmiessentbySyria,Jordan,Iraq,andEgypt,tofightfortheircause.

• WestBankistheregiononthewestsideofJordanRiver.From1950to1967itwasruledbyJordan.ButIsraelcaptureditin1967’swar.APalestineAuthority(PA)wascreatedandIsraelhandedoverthecivilianadministrationofGazaandWestbanktothisPA.

• The current Israel-Hamas conflict, sporadic ceasefires, economic blockades, violentuprisingsandmilitantmovementsarefrequentincidentsplaguingtheregionevennow.

• VariousUNresolutionsandglobalinterventionshavebeenaccompaniedwithkeyoutsideparties—theUN,theUnitedStates,theEUandtheneighboursinterveningstrategically.

HongKong:

• HongKongissituatedonthesoutheastcoastofChina,HongKong’sstrategiclocationonthePearlRiverDeltaandtheSouthChinaSeahasmadeitoneoftheworld’smostthrivingandcosmopolitancities.HongKongbecameaSpecialAdministrativeRegion(SAR)ofthePeople’sRepublicofChinaon1July1997.



• TheinterferenceofthecommunistregimeofChinaintheinternalaffairsofHongKonganditsoppressivepolicieshaveledtovariouspro-democracyprotestsforautonomyinrecenttimes.

• Massive protests in Hongkong have erupted against a government plan to allowextraditiontomainlandChina.Civilunrestsandsevereeconomicclampdownsarebeingwitnessedintheregion.

SituationinKashmirandwhyitshouldnotbeinternationalized:

• UndertheShimlaAgreementthetwocountriesnotonlyagreedtoputanendto“conflictand confrontation” but also work for the promotion of a friendly and harmoniousrelationshipandtheestablishmentofdurablepeaceinthesub-continent,sothatbothcountriesmay henceforth devote their resources and energies to the pressing talk ofadvancingthewelfareoftheirpeoples.

• Article 370 of the Indian Constitution is a ‘temporary provision’ which grants specialautonomousstatustoJammu&Kashmir.

• Theissueofcross-borderterrorismaffectingIndia,India’seffortstomaintainpeaceandstabilityinJ&KandissuesrelatingtoArticle370areaninternalmatterofIndiawhichisaimedat improvinggrowthandeconomicdevelopment,democracyandprosperityforthepeopleofJammuandKashmir.

• Itshouldalsobenotedthatoutofthe3mainadministrativedivisions–Jammu,Kashmir,and Ladakh – insurgency and demand for independence are high only in the KashmirValley.MostofthepeopleinJammuandLadakhstillwishtobepartofIndia,eventhoughtheydemandautonomyinadifferentway.

• KashmirwasandstillisanintegralpartofIndia.Ithasapluralandsecularculture–justliketherestofIndia.UrgentstepsshouldbetakentobridgethegapsoftrustdeficitinthemindsofKashmiriyouth.AllKashmirisshouldgetthedueshareinthegrowthstoryofIndiawhichcanberealisedonlyifitisintegratedwiththerestofthenation.

Challenges:

• UNrefusestoformallydeclarePakistana‘terroriststate’• Pakistan’smilitary,identifiedasanti-IndiaelementalforceinPakistan,remainsopposed

toanyunderstandingwithIndia• RisinginfluenceofradicalextremistideasandideologiesinsidePakistanandsubsequent

influenceonyouthofKashmirmayleadtoacallforInternationalintervention.

Wayforward:

Indianeedstoestablishanationalsecuritydoctrineinordertodealwithallsecurityissues.AstrongneedforIndiatochangeitsapproachfromResponsivetoProactiveismoresuitableatpresent.ImmediatemeasurestoimproveandmainstreamJ&Kpopulationeconomicallyand



sociallywiththerestofIndiacanhelpcurbthefeelingofneglectandbackwardnessoftheregion.

Conclusion:

Forthepast70years,Indiahasconsistentlyresistedanythird-partymediationproposalandrecentlyanoverwhelmingmajorityintheUNSecurityCounciltoohasstressedKashmirisabilateralmatterbetweenNewDelhiandIslamabad.Thus,bothsidesshouldexerciserestraintand settle the matter via peaceful talks and negotiations, with the strict end to statesponsoredterrorismbyPakistan.


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16. Should India be worried about the deepening ties between Pakistan and the US?Criticallycomment.

Introduction:

USAhasbeenastrongerallytoPakistaninthepast,buttherelationsseemdeterioratingdueto many factors such as China, Terrorism etc. Post 2000s there has been significantimprovementinIndo-USrelationsandwhichlookevenbetteratpresent.

Body

Needtoconcern

• RecentvisitbyPakistan’sPMImranKhan,wherePresidentTrumphaslaudedPakistan’seffortstofightterrorismandendthewarinAfghan(AfghanPeaceProcess).

• UShasresumedMilitaryAidtoPakistan,tofighttheterroristsandforAfghanPeacetalks.But, Pakistan’s duplicitous policy and double games have ensured diversion of fundstowards encouraging terrorism. This can prove hazardous for India, particularlywhenPakistanisattemptingforinfiltrationofterroristsinKashmirregion(EspeciallypostArticle370Abrogation)tocreateunrest.



• USisthesecondlargestmilitarysuppliertoPakistan.Withcontinuousceasefireviolationsandcreatingwarlikesituationonborder.AdvancementinweapontechnologyofPakistancanbecomeanissueforIndia.

Noneedtoworry

• AfghanPeaceProcess:USwantstogetoutofthemessithascreatedinAfghanistanandfortalkswithTaliban,itrequiresPakistanhelpformomentarysupport.So,therelationsareoftemporarynatureandstrategicbargain.

• WithPakistan’sproximitywithChina:USwould liketohaveapartner like India intheneighbourhoodthatcouldpotentiallychallengePak-ChinaHegemony.

• US has placed Pakistan in Religious freedom special watch list in the category of“CountriesofParticularConcern”.

• PresidentTrumphastimeandagainaccusedPakistanfortheir“LiesandDeceit”andforprovidingsafeheaventoterrorists.

• USpolicyofKashmir:USwanttheissueofKashmirtobesolvedbilaterally.ThisisinlinewithIndianstand.

• USvoicedconcernoverPakistan’sfailuretodoenoughtocontainterrorfundinginitssoiland not registering cases against terrormasterminds Hafiz Saeed andMasood Azharunder anti-terror laws at the meetings of Financial Action Task Force(FATF), this haseffectivelyplacedPakistaninGreyListofFATF.

Conclusion

Pakistanhasbeenplayingvictimcardandtryingtogainsympathyfromnationsaround.IthasbeenspreadingfakenewsofHumanrightsviolationinKashmirthroughsectionsofmedia.IndiamustmaintainstatusquoonKashmirandnotbemovedbytransientrelationsbetweenUS&Pakistan.

BestAnswer:Ayush

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17.WhatareIndia’sstakesintheShanghaiCooperationOrganisation(SCO)?WhatbenefitswouldaccruefromIndia’smembershipofthegrouping?Discuss.



Introduction:

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), an influential Eurasian regional groupingconsistingofRussia,ChinaandfourCentralAsianRepublics(CARs)—Uzbekistan,Kazakhstan,TajikistanandKyrgyzstan—in2017formallyapprovedmembershipofIndiaandPakistan,whohadbeenobservers,tonowbecomepermanentmembersofthebody.

Body:

India’sstakesintheSCO:

• Earlier theSCOwas seenasaChinesedominatedbodybeing runwith the supportofRussia.WithIndia’saddition,itwillbeseenasaninclusiveorganisationwithconsiderablygreaterrespectability,leverage,powerandstature.

• With two of the three largest economies (in PPP terms) viz. India and China beingmembersofthisorganisation,itsleverageandweightisboundtoincreasewithpassageoftime.

• ThesignificanceoftheSCOcannotbeunderestimatedbecauseofthepresenceoflargeterritorialandeconomicpowerslikeRussiaandChina,aswellasthegeopoliticalspacethatthegroupingoccupies.ThegeographicalandstrategicspacewhichtheSCOentailsisofgreatimportanceforIndia.

BenefitsfromIndia’smembershipofthegrouping:

India’sfullmembershipwillhelpinachievingregionalandglobalstabilityandprosperity.ItwillalsostrengthenIndia’spositioninCentralAsia.

• Cultural and civilisation links: India enjoys millennia old cultural, economic andcivilisation linkswith countries of Central Asia. India and the regionwere inextricablyboundwitheachotherfrom3rdcenturyBCto15thcenturyADthroughtheSilkRoad.India’sdisconnectwithCentralAsiacamewithPartitionandthelossofdirectgeographicallinks.Thus,itwillnowbeabletoleverageitsprofound,deep-rootedtieswiththeregion.

• Diplomaticimpetus:FrequentandregularcontactsatthehighestlevelbetweenIndiaandthese countries during annual SCOSummitswill helpdeliberatewith eachotheron aregular basis. This will help to promote understanding and open up fresh vistas andavenuesofcooperation.

• Energyco-operation: Indiabeingenergydeficientcountrywithincreasingdemandsforenergy,itisanassuredmarketfortheresourcerichCentralAsiancountriesandRussia.SCOmembershipcouldhelpadvancetalksontheconstructionofstalledpipelines likeTAPI (andpossibly IPI later)which isof considerable importance to India’snaturalgasneeds.



• Knowledgesharing: Indiawillbeabletoshare itsexpertise in informationtechnology,software,pharmaceuticals,agricultureetctothemutualbenefitandadvantageofIndiaandCentralAsia.GreatercontactsandexposuretoeachotherarealsolikelytoprovideafilliptotourismandtravelbetweenIndiaandCentralAsia.

• Security: The chronicpresenceand increasing challengesof terrorism, radicalism, andinstabilitystillposeagravethreattothesovereigntyandintegritynotonlyofIndia,butalsoofcountries in itsbroaderneighbourhood. India’sparticipation in theSCOwillbehelpfulforfightingagainsttheseproblems.

• ChecktheoverpoweringpresenceofChina:India’spresenceinSCOwouldalsoensurethatChinadoesnotdictatetermsinEurasia.ThisisalsotheconcernofRussiawhichisinastateofa‘softcompetition’withChinainCentralAsia.

• Organisational forums: India would also benefit from the Regional Anti-TerroristStructure(RATS)basedinTashkent,whichwouldhelpgainvitalintelligenceinputsonthemovementofterroroutfits,drug-trafficking,cybersecurityandPublicinformationoftheregion.

Challenges:

• Balance of powers: Since China and Russia are co-founders of SCO and its dominantpowers,India’sabilitytoassertitselfwouldbelimitedanditmayalsohavetoeitherdiluteitsgrowingpartnershipwiththeWestorengageinadelicatebalancingact.

• BRI initiative: Except India, all the othermembers of SCO have endorsed China’s BRIinitiative.Inthisregard,ifinfuturetheeconomicpoliciesofSCOcometobeassociatedwiththeBRInetworkofroadsandtransportation,thenIndiawouldfaceadilemmaandevenapolicysetback

• RATS: Indiamightfacedifficultiesasthe IndianunderstandingofterrorismisdifferentfromtheothermembersofSCO.ForSCO,terrorismcoincideswithregimedestabilisation;whereasforIndiaitisrelatedtostatesponsoredcrossborderterrorism.SCO’stargetsaregroupslikeEast-TurkestanIslamicMovement(ETIM)andAl-Qaeda,whereasgroupslikeLashkar-e-Taiba, Jaiesh-e-Mohammad, Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, Afghan Taliban andHaqqaniNetworkdonotcomeundertheambitoftheSCOanti-terrorstructure.

• RelationswithPakistan:SCOcharterprohibits theraisingofbilateral issues,aconflictsituation involvingKashmirmightcompelRussiaandChinato interferetopreventanydetrimentalimpactontheSCO.

Conclusion:

India’smembershipoftheSCOthrowsopenmanypossibilitiestoachievethehugepotentialofbilateralpartnership.Itcreatesawin-winsituationfortheorganization,forCentralAsia,forChina,andforRussia,aswellasforIndia.MembersofSCOthus,haveahugepotentialtoplay a more substantive role in promoting peace, security, connectivity, economicdevelopment,trade,energysecurity,andinvestmentwithintheregionandbeyond.




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18.WhatisCPEC?DoesitaposeathreattoIndia’sinterests?Examine.

Introduction:

Launched in 2015, ChinaPakistanEconomicCorridor (CPEC) is a seriesof roads, railways,pipelines, hydropower plants and other development projects, being built from betweenChinaandPakistan.The$46billionCPECwillconnectChina’slargestprovinceXinjiangwithPakistan’s Gwadar port in Balochistan. The so-called economic corridor between China-PakistanisaflagshipprogramofOneBeltOneRoad.

Body:

CPECpossessmultipleSovereigntythreatsandsecurityconcernstoIndia,suchas:

• China-PakistanEconomicCorridorviolatesthesovereigntyandtheterritorialintegrityofIndia.ThiscorridorpassesthroughGilgit-BaltistanareaofKashmirwhich isan integralpartofIndiabutoccupiedbyPakistan.IthasraisedvarioussecurityconcernsforIndia.

• CPECalsosomewhatlegitimizesPakistan’sownershipoverdisputedPoKanditmayleadtotheinternationalizationofKashmirIssuewhichIndiadoesn’twant.



• o ThehigheconomicstakesintheprojectwillpushChinatoallywithPakistanonthe

Kashmir dispute and will make China an indirect stakeholder in Kashmir conflictbetweenIndiaandPakistan.

o China is State-of -Power country and they have the ability to influence Pakistan’spolicyanditmightunofficiallybecome24thprovinceofChinawhichagainwillbeanissueforIndia’ssecurity.

o Eversincetheconstructionofthecorridorisstarted,theChinesemilitarypresenceinthe area is also embarked. Thismilitary personnelwould bedeployed around theprojects built by Chinese companies. China can permanently position troops onPakistansoilnottoofarfromtheIndian.

o ChinesenavalshipswouldbedeployedatGwadar incooperationwiththenavyofPakistanforthesafeguardofportandtradeunderthiscorridor.ItwouldenableChinatowieldmuchmorepowerfulinfluenceintheIndianOcean.

• ChinahasplanstobuildanavalbaseinGwadarport.ThepresenceofChinesewarshipinthe area implies a security threat to India’s western border of Gujarat and India’sinvestmentinChabaharport.

• China’sMaritimepresenceinGwadarportwhichcanbedetrimentaltoIndia’senergyandeconomicsecurity,asmorethantwo-thirdsofIndia’spetroleumimportspassthroughthearea.

Conclusion:

Projects like CPEC must be based on the universally accepted and the other recognizedinternationalnorms,transparencyandequality,ruleoflawandmustrespectthesovereigntyand territorial integrity. However, India needs to counter CPEC by various diplomatic,economicandstrategicefforts.

BestAnswer:suraj

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19.What role should Indianplay inAfghanistan in thebackdropof the rapidly changingdynamicsinthistroubledregion?Analyse.

Introduction:



Afghanistanhasbeenmiredinconflictforsome40years.Ithasbeenalmost18yearssinceAmerica and other NATO members invaded to kick out the Taliban in the wake of theSeptember11thattacks.ThetwosideshavebeennegotiatingdirectlyforsometimeovertheAmericantroopswithdrawalinexchangeforacommitmentfromtheTalibannottoharbourterrorists.

Body

Background:

• Talibanfighters,whomUS-ledforcesspentbillionsofdollarstryingtodefeat,arenowopenlyactivein70%ofAfghanistan.

• RecentattacksclaimedbyTalibanandIslamicStategroupmilitantshavekilledscoresinKabulandelsewhere.

• ISismoreactiveinAfghanistanthaneverbefore,althoughitremainsfarlesspowerfulthantheTaliban.

• TheprospectofaprematureUSwithdrawalfromAfghanistanisbadenough.NowIndiandiplomacy must act fast to quell newly emergent threats to the country’s fragiledemocracy.

RoleofIndia:

• Softpower:Broadly speaking,NewDelhihaspursueda “softpower” strategy towardAfghanistan,stickingtocivilianratherthanmilitarymatters.

Example:TheSalmaDampowerproject intheHeratprovince,constructionoftheAfghanparliamentbuilding,helpingintheexpansionoftheAfghannationaltelevisionnetwork,andseveralsmallerprojectsinagriculture

• Bilateraldonor:IndiahaspledgedsomeUS$1.3billiononvariousprojects,emergingasthesixthlargestbilateraldonortoAfghanistan.

• Policy: India’sAfghanistanpolicyhas twomajorobjectives: first, tocurtail Islamabad’sinfluenceinKabulanddenyPakistan’sstateandnon-stateagentsleveragetoplotagainstIndianinterests,andsecond,togainaccesstovastenergymarketsinCentralAsia.

• Vested interests: India has been one of the staunchest supporters of a strong and“independent”governmentinKabulsinceanAfghanistanthatisindirectlycontrolledbyRawalpindi is detrimental to Indian strategic interests. New Delhi is working in closecoordinationwiththegovernmentofAshrafGhaniinalmostallregionalandinternationalissuesofconcern.

• Importance for afghan led government: India has been opposed to any outsideinterferenceintalkswiththeTaliban,assertingthatthepeaceprocessmustbe“Afghan-led,Afghan-ownedandAfghan-controlled.”



• India–Pakistan:Thisrelationshipcontinuestoserveasaprimarysourceofinstabilityintheregion,and,indirectly,alsoofinstabilityinAfghanistan.

• Neighbouring countries: Pakistan–China and China–India relations are importantconsiderationsforPakistanandIndiawhentheyformulatetheirforeignpolicystrategies,includingthoserelatedtotheirbilateralrelations.

• Constraints:DuetogeographicaldistanceandabsenceofmilitaryfootprintdictatethatIndia cannot convincingly push for a complete exclusion of Pakistan from the Afghanpeaceprocess.

• United Nations: India’s recent critical stance at the United Nations for its failure tosanctionnewTaliban leadersandtheirhelpers in theneighbourhoodmaybeethicallyappropriate,butseemsoutofsyncwithemerginggroundrealitiesinAfghanistan.

Conclusion

ThedecisiontoabrogatethespecialstatustoJammuandKashmircameinthebackdropofaflurryofactivitiesinAfghanistan.ThesedevelopmentshaveadirectbearingonIndia

BestAnswer:SRK

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20.Keepinginmind,anaggressiveandfarmoreproactiveChina,thereisanurgentneedofenhancedandmuchdeeperoutreachtowardsMaldives,SriLankaandBhutan.Elucidate.

Introduction:

India’s relationship with China have gone through a tumultuous phase in the last fewyears.TherehavebeendisputeslikeChina’soppositiontoIndia’sentryinNSG,SupportfordiscussiononKashmirissueinUNSCrecentlyamongothers.

Body:

ExpansionistChinaisbecomingmoreaggressiveandproactiveinitsinternationalaffairs,tocounterit,IndianeedstoproactivelyengageinenhancingitsrelationshiptowardsMaldives,SrilankaandBhutan.Theneedtoenhancewiththesethreecountriesinparticularisbecause:

WithSrilanka:

• ChineseinroadsinSrilankaisseentobethreateningtoIndia’ssecurityandsafety.



• Sri lanka is considered to be important to Chinese “String of pearls” theory which isconsideredtobethreateningIndia’ssecuritybypresumablyencirclingIndia.

• IncreasingChineseroleinSrilankaandIndianoceanisseentoundermineIndia’sroleasthenetsecurityproviderintheIndianoceanregion.

• ChinahasgotleaseofHambantotaportwhichcouldbeusedformilitarypurposeintimestocome.

• Increasing influence of China,will decrease Sri lanka’s dependence on India, there byreducingIndia’sbargainingpower.

WithMaldives:

• StrategiclocationofMaldivesisveryimportantforsurveillanceoperationsintheIndianOceanregion.

• ProtectIndia’stradeinterestsandsecurityinterest.• TokeepwatchonglobalterrorascountryiscloselylinkedtoradicalIslam.Ithassentthe

highestnumberofforeignfighterstosupportterroristgroupsinSyriaandIraq.• ItisalsoamemberinChina’sStrongofpearltheoryandambitiousBeltandRoadInitiative,

adevelopmentstrategywhichhasmetwithacertainresistancebyIndia.• It has Free Trade Agreement with China. The archipelago nation is the only SAARC

country,otherthanPakistan,tohaveafreetradepactwithChina.• ChinahasalsosentwarshipstovisittheMaldives.IfChina,whichhassteppedupmilitary

pressureonIndiaalongtheirHimalayanfrontier,turnedoneoftheMaldivianislandsintoanavalbase,itwouldeffectivelyopenamaritimefrontagainstIndia.

WithBhutan:

• Bhutanisastrategically importantcountryforIndiaduetoits location,andbothsideshavebeenrampingupoverallcooperation,includinginareasofdefenceandsecurity,andenergy,overthepastafewyears.

• Bhutan’s significance to India stems from its geographic location. Nestled in theHimalayas,itissandwichedbetweenIndiaandChina.Thus,itservesasabufferbetweenthetwoAsiangiants.Bhutan’svalueasabuffersoaredafterChinaannexedTibetin1951.

• As the 2017 crisis in the Doklam region revealed, India will strongly oppose, evenmilitarily,anyChineseattempttoassertcontrolovermDoklam.SecuringBhutan’spresentbordersespeciallyitswesternborderisclearlyimportantforIndia.

• DoklaminthehandsofahostilepowerwouldheightenthevulnerabilityofIndia’sSiliguriCorridor, a narrow strip of land that links India to itsNorth-eastern states. So vital isDoklamto India’sdefencethat IndiahasapermanentandsizeablemilitarycontingentandanarmyhospitalinHaadistrict,whereDoklamislocated.

• Bhutan is also very vital for India’s energy security needs due to its hydroelectricpotential.



Wayforward:

• Neighbourhoodfirst:Indiashouldinthefirstplaceresolvethedifferenceswithitssmallneighbors.ElseitwillonlypavethewayforChinatoexertgrowinginfluenceintheregionasitwasseeninthecaseofNepalduringtheeconomicblockadebyIndia.

• RevivalofSAARCshouldbestressedupon.• Common platforms like SCO, ofwhich both India and China aremembers, should be

leveragedtoironoutthedifferencesandresolveissues.• Infrastructureprojectsshouldbefast-tracked.• India’s overall approach towards its small neighbors should be that of big brother. It

shouldnotbeassertivegiventhesensitivitiesinvolved.• Internalbalancing-Buildingupdomesticmilitarymusclebyraisingnewforces,improving

existingones,orbuyingweapons.

• IndiaisalsocooperatingwithAustralia,USandJapantocontainchina’sinfluenceandalsotosustainprincipleoffreemaritimetrade.

BestAnswer:None

21.InwhatwayswilltheabrogationofArticle370affectIndia’srelationswithPakistan?Examine.

Introduction:

Recently,thegovernmentofIndiahasrepealedArticle370oftheConstitutionwhichusedtograntspecialstatustoJ&KandtillnowrestrictedIndianparliamenttomakeanylawsforthestate and it can only preside over the subjects like Defence, External Affairs, andcommunication.NowJ&KisdividedintotwoUnionTerritories,oneofJammuandKashmirwithlegislativeassemblyandanotherofLadakhwithoutlegislativeassembly.

Body:

ErstwhileStateofJammuandKashmirisdividedbetweenIndianandPakistaniadministeredterritories.Thecrucialborderbetweenthemisknownasthe“LineofControl.”SoPakistanhasakeeninterestintheaffairsofstateofJammuandKashmir.ThisiswhytheabrogationofArticle370willaffectIndia’srelationwithPakistan.



TheabrogationsofArticle370affectIndia’srelationswithPakistaninthefollowingways:

• BilateralRelation:IslamabaddowngradeditsdiplomaticmissioninDelhiandaskedIndiatowithdrawitsenvoytoPakistaninretaliation.Although,ambassadorswerenotengagedinanyseriouspoliticaldialogueandjustdoingrepresentationalfunctional,soitwillnotaffectmuchbetweentwocountries.

• Trade:PakistandecidedforsuspensionofbilateraltradetolodgeitsprotestagainstNewDelhi’smovetorevokeJammuandKashmir’sspecialstatus.Thiswon’taffectIndiamuchasIndiaandPakistanhaveveryminusculebilateraltrade.However,thiswillhurtPakistanastheirtextilesindustryimports65%CottonfromIndia.

• Cultural:PakistanhasdecidedtobanallculturalexchangeswithIndia,includingallkindsof joint ventures between the entertainment industries of the two countries. As thePakistangovernmenthasbannedthescreeningofIndianfilmsinthecountry’scinemas,thiswillaffecttheboxofficeasBollywoodhasahugefanfollowinginPakistan.

• Travel:CountrieshavestoppedfunctioningofSamjhautaexpresstrain.ThiswillaffectthedividedMuslimandSikh families inbothcountries. Islamabadalsoannounced that itsairspacewouldbepartially closed to India, for amonth. Thiswill costmore to Indianairlinesflyingtothewest.Pakistanhas,however,kepttheKartarpurprojectalive.

• Terrorism: Pakistan threatened for more Pulwama like attacks. Pakistan will provokeKashmiri people for anti- India sentiments and sponsor and radicalize them for stonepelting,militancyandterrorism.ThiswillcreateamorevolatilesituationinthevalleyandisathreattoIndia’sinternalsecurity.

• TensiononBorderandWar:Crossbordershellingwillincreaseontheborder.Moreover,thereisathreatofwarbetweenthetwonuclearnations.ChancesarelessasPakistanisgoingthroughaneconomiccrisisrightnow.

Conclusion:



Pakistan is trying to internationalize the issue.Pakistan’snarrative in thissubjecthasverylittlesubstance.BothcountriesshouldgoforabilateralresolutionofJ&Kissueofdisputedterritory peacefully under the Shimla Agreement of 1972. Domestically, India should alsopump adequate funds in Jammu and Kashmir for developmental projects and win theconfidenceofthepeopletocounterradicalizationandmilitancy. IndiashouldalsobeverycarefultoavoidanyPulawamalikeattacksandbevigilantonborders.

BestAnswer:None

22.What isHumanDevelopment Index (HDI). Evaluate India’s overall performancewithrespecttotheindicatorsconstitutionstheHDI.

Introduction:

TheHumanDevelopmentIndexemphasisesthatpeopleandtheircapabilitiesshouldbetheultimatecriteriaforassessingthedevelopmentofacountry,noteconomicgrowthalone.ItispublishedbyUNDPandwascreatedbyPakistanieconomistMahbubulHaqin1990.

Body

TheHDIisthecompositemeasureofeverycountry’sattainmentinthreebasicdimensions:

• Standardoflivingmeasuredbythegrossnationalincome(GNI)percapita.(SDG8)• Healthmeasuredbythelifeexpectancyatbirth.(SDG3)• Educationlevelscalculatedbymeanyearsofeducationamongtheadultpopulationand

theexpectedyearsofschoolingforchildren.(SDG4)

PerformanceofIndia

• As per the latest human development ranking released by the United NationsDevelopmentProgramme(UNDP),Indiahasclimbedonespotto130outof189countries.

• TheInequality-AdjustedHumanDevelopmentIndex(IHDI)allowsonetocomparelevelsofinequalitywithincountries,andthegreatertheinequality,themoreacountry’sHDIfalls.



• ThevalueofIndia’sInequality-adjustedHDI(IHDI)fallsto0.468,a26.8percentdecrease,farworsethantheglobalaveragedecreaseintheglobalHDIvalueduetoinequalityat20percent.

India’sstatistics:-

• Lifeexpectancyatbirth–68.8• Meanyearofschooling:6.4years• GNIpercapita:6353PPP$.

HealthOutcomes

• IMR(InfantMortalityRate)is34.6perthousandlivebirthswhicharetobebroughtto12per1000by2030.

• MortalityrateforUnder5is43per1000withtaskofcuttingitalmosttoitshalfby2030to25.

• IndiaremainstobethehighestTBburdencountryaccordingtoWHO,withasmanyas211peopleperlakhsufferingfromeithernewlycontactedorrelapsedTB.

• Indiaspendsonly1.3%ofitsGDPonhealthexpenditure

EducationAchievement

• Totalgovernmentexpenditureoneducationisapaltry4.6%oftotalGDP.• PrimaryschooldropoutrateinIndiaduring2007-2016was9.8%

NationalIncome

• TotalGDPofIndiain2017–2.6lakhcrores$• GDPpercapita–6,427dollars

CHALLENGESININDIA

• Challengessuchasviolenceagainstwomen,childmarriage,andshareofparliamentaryseats forwomenarealsoevident in India,wheredespiteconsiderableprogressat thepolicyandlegislativelevels,womenremainsignificantlylesspolitically,economicallyandsociallyempoweredthanmen.

• Fewer women’s participation: For instance, women hold only 14.58 per cent ofparliamentary seats, and only 39 per cent of adult women have reached at least asecondarylevelofeducationascomparedto64percentmales.

• LowFemalelabourparticipation–27.2percentcomparedto78.8formen.• Unequaldistribution:According to the report, theunequaldistributionofoutcomes is

visible not just between countries but also within each country. In India’s case, the



inequality-adjusted HDI of 26.8 per cent is due to the stark inequality in access toeducation,health,andincome.

Conclusion

India’sHumanDevelopmentIndex(HDI)hasincreasedtremendouslyfrom0.427in1990to0.640in2018,butthisisnottheend.Todevelopfurther,Indianeedstofocusoninequalityand the pockets of deprivation that are dragging the HDI down and affects it adversely.Increasing the participation of women in labour force and climate resilience should befocusedonistoensuresustainedHDIgrowth.

BestAnswer:Neha

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23.TheDelhiGovernmenthasstartedahappinesscurriculumtosupplement theregularcurriculum.Whatareyourviewsonthisinnovativestep?Shoulditbereplicatedacrossthecountry?Comment.

Introduction:

Tocreateahappyenvironment,inrecentyears,manycountrieslikeBhutan,SouthKorea,UKetchavemadehappinesseitheraspecificgoaloftheireducationanddevelopmentpoliciesorhaveincludedelementsrelatingtohappinessintheirpolicyframework.Inthisbackdrop,a new initiative by the Delhi Government that introduces the ‘Happiness curriculum’ inschoolsisaninnovativeandawelcomestep.

Body:

AffirmativeimplicationsoftheHappinessCurriculum:

• Strengthentheinculcationofsoundvalues:Thiscurriculumisbasedonhuman-centriceducationwhichincludesmeditation,valueeducationandmentalexercisesandwillbepurely activity-basedwithout formal exams, thus encouraging students towards valuebuilding.

• Self-awarenessand resilience: The curriculumaims to stimulate self-awarenessandagoodmentalhealthandcharacter.Thiswillgoalongwayinthechild’sperformanceinschoolanddailylife.Thiswillalsocontributetoahigheremotionalquotientamongthechildren.



• Reduce anxiety, depression, and intolerance among students: With an alarmingincreasingrateofsuicidesamongschoolchildren–(Between2014and2016,morethan26,000studentscommittedsuicide,ofwhicharound30percentwereduetoexamfailure)thereisanurgentneedtohelpstudentscopewiththepressureofsuccessandfailureandtakecognitivedecisions.Thehappinessperiodisabigstepinthisdirection.

• Healthychildhoodleadstohealthyfuture:Ahealthyandwholesomechildhood,happyschool lifeandasoundmindsetgoesa longway increatingasolidfoundationfortheyouthofthecountry.Thiswillinvariablyleadtoaproductiveandstronggrowthoftheyoungpopulationreadytofacetheworldandbuildalife.

• Improvedacademicperformance:Researchshows thatahappychildperformsbetterthanhispeersunderpressure,andisabletoacceptbothwinsandlosseswithhumilityandsportively.

• Increasesinteractivepeopleskills:Helpsshy,introvertstudentsshedtheirinhibitionsandlearntobefriendlier.

NeedfortheHappinessCurriculumacrossthecountry:

• As per the World Happiness Report, 2019, India ranked 140 out of 156 countriesevaluated.ThereportcallsforanenvironmentinIndiawhichkeepspeoplehappy.ItonlyreiteratesthefactthatIndianeedsawell-beingfusedsystemofdevelopmentforabetterperformanceandeducationwithafriendlytouchisamuch-neededreforminthisregard.

• AlloverIndia,instancesofsuicideandsuccumbingtopressuresoffailuresareontherise.A uniform comprehensive happiness curriculum will ensure overall growth in thedemographicdividendofthecountry.

• Feelinggoodaboutoneselfandourplaceintheworld–isthefoundationonwhichgreatlivesandgreatachievementsarebuilt.Adolescentmentalhealthisamajorfactorthatcontributestotheyoungsters’ lifestyleandchoicesandawellbeing inducededucationsystemisthemosteffectivewaytoinfluencethat.

• Failure to promote good mental health not only ruins lives, it costs the economy.Happiness curriculumwill improve the deterioratingmental health and cut down thenation’smentalhealthbillforyearstocomeandalsoplayamajorroleintheefficiencyofthefutureeconomiccontributorsofIndia.

Concernsandawayforward:

• Efficient and conducive training to teachersmust be given and the educationmodelsfollowedmustberevisedandevaluatedregularlysothatthatinnovativestepdoesnotdieamereexperiment.

• Uniformity of the curriculum in all schools whether private or government-aided toensurethatallyoungstersgettherightideaofhappinessandbuildsastrongcognitiveability.



• Make it apurely activitybased, interesting session soas toencourage students tobeactiveparticipantsandnottreatitasanotherschool‘burden’thatincreasesstress.

Conclusion:

School is theplacewherechildren inculcateanacademicenvironmentandalso indulge intheirall-rounddevelopment,andthishasagreaterimpactinlearners’livesinthelongrun.Thusitisnon-negotiabletocreateahappyenvironmentfromearlychildhoodinallschoolsofIndia.

BestAnswer:

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24.Discussvariousschemeslaunchedtopromotetribalcultureandentrepreneurship.Howaretheyperforming?Examine.

Introduction:

Thereareatotalof705individualethnicgroupsnotifiesasscheduledTribesinthelengthandbreadthof thecountry.Asper2011census.The tribalpopulationof thecountry is10.43crore,constituting8.6%ofthetotalpopulation.

Body

Ministryof TribalAffairswas setup in1999 touplift tribal communitiesof Indiawhich isextremelymarginalisedsimplybecauseoftheirculturalpractisesandhabitationinfarawayareastherebygettinggeopoliticallyexcluded.

SchemestopromoteTribalculture:

• AadiMahotsavo a celebration of the spirit of Tribal Culture, Craft, Cuisine and Commerce, was

successfully conductedby the tribalministry inDelhi. Ithasbeenorganised in thememoryoflegendarytriballeaderBirsaMunda.

o TheFestivalshowedexquisitecraftsmanshipoftribalartisans.Thisincludedbeautifulsarees,dressmaterials,jewellery,bamboo&caneproducts,paintingsandhundredsofotheritems.

• SwadeshDarshanSchemeTribalcircuit



o UnionMinistryofTourismhasinauguratedIndia’sfirsttribalcircuitprojectconnecting13tourismsitesinChhattisgarhunderSwadeshDarshanSchemeTribalcircuitproject

o Major components sanctioned under tribal circuit project in Chhattisgarh includesdeveloping eco log huts, craft haats, souvenir shops, open amphitheatre, tribalinterpretation centres, workshop centres, tourist amenities centres, viewpoints,naturetrails,solarilluminationsetc.

o These components will improve the existing tourist facilities, enhance the overalltourist experience and help in getting more visitors which in return will increasepromotionoftribalcultureandjobopportunitiesinthearea.

o ConstructionofMuseumsforTribalFreedomFighters.

• TribalHandicraftso TRIFED has setup TribesIndia a chain of showrooms where several categories of

handicraftsarebeingmarketedliketribaltextiles,tribaljewellery.o TRIFEDisalsoworkingonthecapacitybuildingofthetribes

SchemesforPromotionoftribalentrepreneurship

• VanDhanSchemeo TheschemeaimsateconomicdevelopmentoftribalsinvolvedincollectionofMinor

FoodProduces(MFPs)byhelpingtheminoptimumutilizationofnaturalresourcesandprovidesthemwithasustainablelivelihood.

o Underit,10SelfHelpGroups(SHGs)of30Tribalgathererswillbeconstituted.o TRIFED–Itisengagedinthemarketingdevelopmentoftribalproductsandprovides

marketingsupporttotheproductsmadebytribalsthroughanetworkofretailoutlets.o MinorForestProduceisthemainsourceoflivelihoodoftribalinthecountry.Recently

thegovernmentinitiatedthefixingoftheMSPoftheMinorForestProduceanditsrange.

• VanBandhuKalyanYojana-aimedatthesocial-economicempowermentofthetribalo Itaimsattheoveralldevelopmentoftribalpeoplewithanoutcome-baseapproach

bybringingthetribalpopulationofthecountryatparwithothersocialgroupsandincludetheminoverallprogressofthenation.

• TribalEntrepreneurshipSummito India’s firstTribalEntrepreneurshipSummitwasorganisedatDantewada inBastar

regionofChhattisgarh.Thesummit ispartof8thGlobalEntrepreneurshipSummitbeingheld in India.TheeventwasorganizedbyNational InstituteofTransformingIndia(NITI)AayoginpartnershipwithGovernmentofUSA.

o Itwasorganised to inspire,nurtureandpromote the spiritofentrepreneurship intribal youth. It aims to ensure another step towards tribal-centric sustainable andinclusivedevelopment.



• Stand-UpIndiao Launchedin2015,Stand-UpIndiaseekstoleverageinstitutionalcreditforthebenefit

ofwomenentrepreneurs,ScheduledCastesandScheduledTribes.o AtleastonewomenandoneindividualfromtheSCorSTcommunitiesaregranted

loans between Rs.1 million to Rs.10 million to set up greenfield enterprises inmanufacturing,servicesorthetradingsector.

Performanceofschemes

• UnderTribalSubPlan,37centralgovernmentministriesanddepartmentsarerequiredtoearmark2-20%oftheirtotalbudgetoutlayfortribalwelfare.Theministriesidentifytargetedschemesandthenearmarkthefundsscheme-wisetodifferentstates.

• However,16ofthe37ministrieshavespentlessthanhalftheamounttodate.• TheCentre’sbidtospendanunprecedentedallocationofoverRs39,000crorefortribal

welfarethisfiscalhasn’tbeengoingwellwithalmosthalfoftheministriesunabletospendeven50%oftheallocations

ThereareseveraldiscrepanciesintheimplementationoftheTSP,including:

• Non-adoptionofspecificnormsforreleaseoffunds,• Weakprogrammemanagement,• Adeficientmonitoringsystem,• Non-implementationofinformationprogrammes.

MinimumSupportPriceforMinorForestProduce:

• TheMinistryofTribalAffairs(MoTA)hasaddednineminorforestproduce(MFP)itemstoitsminimumsupportprice (MSP) forMFPscheme thereby taking the totalnumberofMFPscoveredunderthelistto49

• ExtensionoftheschemefromscheduleVstatestoalloverthecountry.

SkillDevelopment:

AnamountofRs. 165.00Crorehasbeen released to various statesunder Special CentralAssistancetoTribalSub-SchemeandGrantsforskilldevelopmentoftribalyouth.

Recommendations

• Financialmanagement–strictadherencetoearmarkingoffundsintoaseparateheadateverylevelshouldbemademandatoryforreleaseoffunds.

• Non-lapsablepoolforTSPfund• Centralnodalunitforanoverviewwhichwillfacilitatebettercoordinationandefficient

implementationofTSPthroughanonlinemonitoringsystem.



• Involvementofthelocalcommunityintheplanningprocessinputs/suggestionsofthelocaltribalcommunityshouldbesoughtbeforefinalisingtheplanforimplementationofanyprogrammeunderTSP.

Conclusion

Asmorenumberoftribesarebeingassimilatedintothemainstream,thereisanurgentneedforeffectiveimplementationoftheseschemestosafeguardtribalcultureanduplifttheirlivessociallyandeconomically.

BestAnswer:None

25.How have minority centric welfare measures performed in India? Do a criticalassessment.

Introduction:

TheIndianConstitutioniscommittedbothtotheideaofequalityandtothepreservation,protectionandassuranceofrightsofminorities.FivereligiouscommunitiessuchasMuslims,Christians,Sikhs,BuddhistsandZoroastrians(Parsis)asminoritycommunitiesunderSection2(c)oftheNationalCommissionforMinoritiesAct,1992.

Body

Measuresfordevelopmentofminorities:

• 12thfiveyearplan:AimsatFaster,SustainableandMore InclusiveGrowth,alleffortsshouldbemadetoapplyittotheMinoritySectortoo.

• Steeringcommittee:SteeringCommitteewasconstitutedundertheChairpersonshipofDr. Syeda Hameed,Member, and Planning Commission, which deliberated upon andreviewedtheschemesofminorities.

• “Empowerment of theMinorities”: The Planning Commission constituted aWorkingGroupon“EmpowermentoftheMinorities”.

• Key parameters: (I) Educational Empowerment, (II) Area Development (III) EconomicEmpowermentandinstitutionalstrengthening(IV)socialempowerment

• Decentfinanceallocation:MinorityAffairsMinistryhasbeenallocatedRs4,700croreinthe2019-20budget,thesameasthepreviousfiscal.

• Governmentinitiatives:TheMinistryofMinorityAffairstookanumberofinitiativesinthe year 2018 for thewelfare of theminorities in the country. These, among others,includeSkillDevelopment,Education,Haj,Waqf,DargahAjmer,PradhanmantriJanVikasKarykram(earlierMultiSectoralDevelopmentProgramme),Secularism&Empowerment,SwachchhtaandMushairasontheteachingsofMahatmaGandhi.



Minoritycentricwelfareschemes:

• Moreinitiativeseveryyear:Increasethescaleofkeyinterventionsbygreaterfinancialoutlaysacrosstheboardforbringsalargernumberofschemeswithinthescope.

• Broader distribution: Re-vamp the design, expand the scope and strengthenimplementationstructuresofkeyinitiativesledtoefficientimplementation.

• Educationreachingallvillages:“FreeCoachingandAlliedSchemeforthecandidatesandstudentsbelongingtominoritycommunities”alloverthecountryincludingNorthEasternStates.

• Pilotprojectforminority:CyberGramfordigitalliteracyinaminoritydominatedvillageChandauliinAlwardistrictofRajasthan.

• NaiUdaan–SupportforstudentsclearingPreliminaryExaminationconductedbyUPSC,SSC,StatePublicServiceCommissions,etc.

• JiyoParsi–SchemeforcontainingpopulationdeclineofParsis.• NaiRoshni–Schemeforleadershipdevelopmentofminoritywomen.• SeekhoAurKamao–Skilldevelopmentinitiativeforminorities.• NaiManzil–Schemeforformalschooleducation&skillingofschooldropouts.• USTTAD–UpgradingtheSkillsandTraininginTraditionalArts/CraftsforDevelopment.• HamariDharohar – Scheme to preserve rich heritage ofminority Communities under

theoverallconceptofIndianCulture.

Lagindevelopmentofminorities:

• Decliningenrolments:58percentofthe illiterateswereconcentrated inthestatesofUttarPradesh,BiharandWestBengal,whichtogetheraccountedfor46percentoftheMuslim population. Declining enrolments at successively higher levels of educationremainsanareaofconcernforallreligiouscommunities.

• Ghostbeneficiaries:Therearemanypeoplewhoaremisusingwithfake identitiesandbeneficiariesareindearth

• Healthcare:ItisfoundthatMuslims,amongallotherreligiouscommunities,suffermostintermsofhealthcare,includingaccesstomedicine,maternalhealthcareandsanitation.

• Roleofwomen:roleofwomenisstillthesameduetoilliteracy,totalfertilizationrate,economicbackground,domesticviolenceetc

Conclusion

Inter-ethnictensions,divisionsandexclusionthatremainunaddressedcaneasilybecomeasourceof instabilityandconflict.Dealingefficientlywithminority-majority relations in theaftermathofethnicconflictiscentraltoachievingadurablepeace

BestAnswer:SRK



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26.Discussvariousfarmercentricwelfaremeasurestakenbythegovernment.Whatarethecoreareasoffocusintheseschemes?Examine.

Introduction:

India is an agrarian county with more than 70% of its rural population dependent onagriculture.Agriculturecontributes17%totheGDPandemployeesaround50%populations.

Body:

Governmenthastakenmanystepsforthewelfareoffarmerssuchas,

• PM-KISAN:Toprovide incomesupportofRs.6000/-peryeartoall landholdingeligiblefarmerstosupplementthefinancialneedsofthefarmersinprocuringvariousinputs.

• Soilhealthcard:SoilHealthCardscarrycrop-specificrecommendationsfornutrientsandfertilizerstohelpfarmersimprovetheirproductivity.

• PradhanMantriKrishiSinchaiYojana:Micro-irrigationisinplacetoensure‘morecropperdrop’andwiththemottoof‘HarKhetKoPaani’forprovidingend-to-endsolutionsinirrigationsupplychainforensuringthateveryfarmgetswater.

• SolarSubsidies: Toencourage farmers to install solarpumps for irrigationand reduceinputcost.

• Interestsubventionscheme:Short-termcroploansupto3 lakhwithlow-interestratemadeavailabletoaddresstheissueoffarmcreditandsavefarmersfrombeingexploitedinthehandsofinformalcreditsourcessuchasmoneylenders.

• PradhanMantriFasalBimaYojana:Itisthebiggestriskcoverinsuranceandsafetynetprovidedbythegovernmenttofarmersatminimalpremiumsrates.

• MinimumSupportPrice:MSPannouncementtosupportthefarmertogettherightpricefortheirproduce.

• National Agriculture Market scheme: Also known as e-NAM has integrated marketsacrossstates.Ithascutdownthemiddlemeninagriculturetradingandfacilitatesonlinetrade to givemore choice of buyers to farmers and discover the better price of theproduced.

• OperationGreens:Toaddressthepricevolatilityofperishableitemsliketomato,potatoandonion,thegovernmentprovidedbetterlogisticsandcoldstoragesupplychain.

• RashtriyaGokulMission:Toconserveanddevelopindigenousbovinebreedforhigherproductivity.



• Fertilizer:Thegovernmenthasimplemented100%NeemcoatingofUrea;ithasresultedin improving the soil quality and also prevented the diversion of fertilizers to otherpurposes.Thegovernmentalsoprovidesfertilizersubsidytofarmerstoreduceinputcost.

• Kisanservicecentre:Toprovideinformationrelatedtobetterfarmingpractices.• Loan waivers: In the case of crop failure, the government provides loan waivers to

farmers.

Challenges:

• Onlybigfarmersreapthebenefitofschemesandsmallfarmersareexcluded.• Corruptionandleakagesdon’tletthebenefitreachthefarmers.• DelayinpaymentsofMSPisanissue.• Lackof irrigational facilitiesasmanyfarmers inthecountrystilldonothaveaccessto

water.

WayForward:

Thegovernmentshouldprovideaboosttotheailingagriculturesectorandlookbeyondshort-termmeasuressuchasloanwaiversandcashtransfers.

• TheGovernmentshouldpromoteexports,asa lotofwastageisreportedinthesectorduetolackofdomesticdemand.

• Thegovernmentshouldpromoteagriculturalstart-upsinruralareas.• InvestmoreinAgri-researchtocomeupwithbettertechnologyforfarmers.• Enhancethescopeofprivateinvestmentinfoodprocessingandagri-basedstart-ups.

Conclusion:

Enablingthefarmertocapturemaximumvalueoneverygrain,everydropandeveryounceofhisproduceisamustforDoublingFarmers incomeby2022asrecommendedbyAshokDalwaicommittee.

BestAnswer:Ritik

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27.Whatmeasureshavebeentakenbythegovernmentstoprotectandpromotetherightsandinterestsofthegirlchild?Howaretheyperformed?Discuss.



Introduction:

Alowchildsexratio(919),incidencesofchildmarriageandchildpregnancy,malnutritionanddenialofeducationbeyondprimaryshowthedismalstateofgirlchildinIndia.

Body

Measuresforwelfareofgirlchild:

• Improvingsex ratio–BetiPadhao,BetiBachaoScheme,Pre-ConceptionandPre-NatalDiagnosticTechniques (PCPNDT)Actaremeant topreventsexselectiveabortionsandimprovesexratiointhecountry.

• Femaleeducation–SukanyaSamridhiYojanacreatesafundforthefutureeducationofthegirlchildandUdanforhighereducationofgirlchild.

• ChildMarriage– Prohibition of Childmarriage Act 2006 has been enacted to preventmarriageofgirlsbelow18yearsofage.

• Healthandnutrition–Supplyingironandfolicacidtablets,KishoriShaktiYojana,POSHANabhiyan,Middaymealschemehavebeenundertakentoprovidesufficientnutritiontogirlchild.

• Hygiene–Ujjwala sanitary napkin atminimal cost under Suvidha schemewill supportmenstrualhygienicamonggirls.

• Child labour–TheChildLabour(ProhibitionandRegulation)AmendmentAct,2016hasbeenenactedtomakesuregirlsarenotindulgedinchillabourandinsteadgeteducation.

• Sexualabuse–ProtectionofChildrenfromSexualOffences(POCSO)Act,2012providesstrictpunitiveactionincaseofsexualabuseagainstthechild.

• Humantrafficking–Ujjawalaschemetoprevent,rescueandrehabilitatetraffickedgirl.

Performanceoftheabovementionedmeasures:

Positive

• IncreaseinchildsexratioinHaryana(913in2018from834inCensus2011)whichusedtohavethelowestsexratiointhecountry.

• Increasingusageofsanitarypadsamonggirls• Improvementinhealthandnutrition,andreductioninanemia.• Increasedattendanceanddecreaseddropoutrates.• Reductioninchildmarriages

Negative

• Sex ratio is still very low compared to developed countries and there exists a hugedisparityamongnorthernandsouthernstates.



• Girls are still denied higher education due to burden to support family or patriarchalmindset(57%girlsdropoutbyClassXI).

• Child labour isstillprevalentespeciallyasdomestic labours,whichdonotcomeunderformalemploymentandhencedifficulttomonitor.

Conclusion

The schemeshavehadmixed results and to achieve the real objective and SDG5 robuststructuralandinstitutionalmechanismsmustbecreatedtoensureproperimplementationoftheseschemesinletterandspirit.

BestAnswer:Jeangrey

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28.Lastmiledeliveryofgovernmentservicestotheintendedbeneficiaryhasbeenakeydesignpriorityofvariousgovernmentschemes.Discussvariousmeasuresthathavebeentakeninthisdirection.

Introduction:

Governmentschemesaimatwelfareofpeopleviadistributionofbenefits.However,mosttimesthebenefitsdonotreachtheintendedbeneficiariesrenderingtheschemesineffective.

Body

Reasonsforlackoflast-miledelivery:

• Exclusionerror–Eligiblebeneficiariesareexcludedfrombenefitsduetoinfrastructuralissues,lackofawarenessonpartofpeople,lackofverifiabledocumentsetc.

• Access issue–Remote areas, lack of access points, unawareness of people etc. act asimpedimentsineffectivelastmiledelivery.

• Leakages–Oftenthebenefitsaredivertedtowardsothersectorsorprofitsbymiddleman,forexamplecaseofureafertilizerwhichwasdivertedtoindustriesandacrossborderduetoitscheappriceowingtohugesubsidy.

• Migration–Astheschemesareimplementedatstatelevel,migrationofpoordeniesthembenefitsofschemeinanotherstate.

Lastmiledeliveryhasbeenthekeydesignprioritybecauselackofitcauses:



• Furtherimpoverishmentofpoor• Diversionoftaxpayersmoney• Drainonpublicexchequer• Reductioninsocialeconomicindicators

Measurestakentoensurelastmiledelivery:

• PMJanDhanYojana–Providingzerobalancebankaccountstounbankedpopulationhasensuredtheirconnectivitywiththeformalsystem.

• JAMtrinity–JanDhan,AadharandMobilemakesverificationofbeneficiaryandgivinginformationaboutbenefitseasier.

• DirectBenefitTransfer(DBT)–Directtransferofsubsidytothebankaccountspreventsitsleakagethroughmiddlemen,eg.LPGPahalscheme.

• PointofSaleterminal(PoS)–Topreventleakagesofrationandensureitsdistributiontotheintendedbeneficiariesonlyandtogivepushto‘Onenation-Onerationcard’scheme.

• MidDayMealscheme–Thatensuresdistributionoffoodandnutritiontochildrenaswellaccesstoeducation.

• Ashaworkers–Alargenetworkofashaworkersthatishelpingstrengthenthehealthcareforruralpoorwomenthroughinstitutionaldeliveriesandnutritionalintake.

• PromotingSelfHelpGroups(SHG)–TherehasbeenincreasedlastmiledeliveryofcreditservicesthroughSHGsbydeployingitsmembersasBankingCorrespondents,asincaseofDeendayalAntodayaYojana.

• Doorstepdelivery–DelhiGovernmenthaslaunchedaschemefordoorstepdeliveryofessentialgovernmentservicesbymobilesahayaksataminimalfee.

Conclusion

In current times, the lastmiledeliveryof services isbeing takenup inavigorousmannerthroughtoolslikeSevottamModel,SocialAuditetc.Needistofurtherstrengthentheexistingmeasurestoensureasmoothdeliveryofbenefitsandimprovegovernanceinthecountry.

BestAnswer:Ironman

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29.Whatarethebehaviouralconstraintsthatlimittheperformanceofvariousgovernmentschemes?Analyse.

Introduction:



Behaviouraleconomicspointsoutanewsetofconstraintsonbehaviourthatcanhelptosharpenpublicpolicymakingtools– interventionsbasedonthisconceptmightbeabletohelp to balance out potential forms of behavioural market and political failure. It isresponsibilityofpolicymakerstoincorporatebehaviouralconstraintsintotheirframeworksforpolicyevaluation.

Body

Behaviouralconstraintsthatlimittheperformanceofgovernmentschemes:

• Lackofawareness:Governmentisnotfullyawareofgroundrealityandtheydon’thavepropermechanismtoreachthebeneficiaries.Andpublicarealsonotawareofthedetailsoftheschemes.

• Lackofcommunication:Therearenumberofschemesintroducingeverymonth.Lackofadvertisements,miscommunicationamongthepublic,misleadingmiddlemanwillleadtoineffectiveimplementation.

• Laxattitudeofpublic:thoughgovernmentmakesvariousschemesandinitiativeswithgreatvision.Itispublicintereststomakeuseofthoseinitiatives.Laxattitude,prejudice,highexpectationleadstopoorexecution.

• Corruption:Toenrolincertainschemesdocumentsaremandatory.Variousdepartmentsdelaythedocumentsanddemandbribe.Thisresultsinwasteofmoneyandtime.

• Casteandgenderdiscrimination:Inruralwomenaregivenlessimportanceduetolackofknowledge.Andcastediscriminationstillprevailshelpingonlycertainsectors.

• Target audience: New schemes to fund care for old age and childcare need toaccommodatefamilyattitudesthattodayconstrainthereformofchildbenefitandcaringschemes.

• Impracticaltarget:Hugemoney,hugeresources,andimpracticaltargetsshowsfailureofpolicymakingandresultsintrustdeficitinfuturegovernmentinitiatives

• Digitaldivide:70percentofoveronebillionIndianslivesinruralareas,andonlyabout400millionhaveInternetaccess.

• IdlegovernmentRFPs:ManyRequestForProposals(RFPs)issuedbythegovernmentarenot being picked up by competent private sector organisations since they are notcommerciallyviable.Example:BiggestchallengefacedbyDigitalIndiaprogrammeistheslow/delayedinfrastructuredevelopment.SpectrumavailabilityinIndianmetrosisaboutatenthofthesameincitiesindevelopedcountries.

Measures:

• Coordination:Bettercoordinationamongprivateentities,community,civilsociety,NGOsandgovernmentindesigningapublicpolicyinordertoimprovethetransparency,qualityandeffectivenessofapolicyorscheme.



• Evaluationandfeedbackmechanism:Cangetfeedbackfromtimetotimefrompublicanderrorscanbeminimized.

• Make use of technology: Grievance redressalmechanism can bemade using apps inmobilesforquickersolutions

• Nudge theory concept: The concept is a relatively subtle policy shift that encouragespeopletomakedecisionsthatare intheirbroadself-interest. It’snotaboutpenalisingpeoplefinanciallyiftheydon’tactincertainway.It’saboutmakingiteasierforthemtomakeacertaindecision

Conclusion

TheEconomicSurveyhasadvocateduseofthebehaviouraleconomicsconceptof‘nudge’toencouragedesirablesocialandeconomicchangeinthecountry.TheSurveyrecommendsthattheproposaltosetupabehaviouraleconomicsunitintheNITIAayogmustbeimmediatelyactivated.

BestAnswer:Ravi

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30.ThePradhanMantriUjjwalaYojanahasproved tobeaboon for thepoorwomen inIndia.Discuss.Whataretheindirectyetfarreachingbenefitsofthisscheme?Examine.

Introduction:

ThePradhanMantriUjjwalaYojana(PMUY)waslaunchedinMay2016withtheobjectiveofproviding freeLPGconnectionsto50million (subsequently8Crores)womenbelongingtobelow poverty line (BPL) households over a period of three years. LPG distributors, localNGOs,andself-helpgroupswereinvolvedtomakeitaninclusivesocialmovement.

Body:

IthasimpactedthelivesofpoorwomeninIndiaforthebetterthroughnumerousways:

• Health: Research showed that people using solid biomass frequently suffer fromheadaches,nausea,chronicbronchitisandmanyskindiseases.Indoorairpollutionandtheacuterespiratoryillnessescausedbyitwereobservedinmostruralwomen.Ujjwalahasempoweredwomenandprotectedthemandtheirfamiliesthroughtheuseofcleanburningfuelbyhelpingpreventasignificantnumberofacuterespiratory illnessesand



other ailments. PMUY implementation has been appreciated by the World HealthOrganization(WHO)asadecisiveinterventiontochecktheindoorhealthpollutionbeingfacedbythewomenofthecountry.

• Safety:Womengoing to the forests for collecting firewoodare alsooftenexposed tohealthandsafetyissues,evensexualharassmentattimes.ThisisconsiderablydecreasedasaresultoftheLPGconnections.

• Economicempowerment:ReleaseofLPGconnectionunderthisSchemeshallbeinthenameof thewomenbelongingtotheBPL familyenablingthesubsidyprovision in thewomen’saccount.Also,usingLPGsavestimeforwomenastheydonothavetocollectsolidfuelandthenuseitforcooking,withthiscookingtimecanbeeffectivelyusedinothereconomicactivities.Womeninmanyvillagesformedself-helpgroupstoindulgeincommunityeconomicactivitiesintheirfreetime.

IndirectbenefitsofthePMUY:

• Environment:There isadefinitepositive impacton forestcoverandtheenvironmentfromstoppingtheuseoffirewood.

• Youthemployment:Itwillalsoprovideemploymentforruralyouthinthesupplychainofcookinggas.Employmentinthelogisticsandmaintenanceservicesareanadditionalbenefit.

• Climateandairpollutionmeasures:Significantlyhelps incontrolofparticulatematterandindoorairpollution,givingwaytoacleanenergycookingprocess.

• Femalefinancialempowerment:TogetanLPGgasconnectionunderUjjwalascheme,itiscompulsorytohaveabankaccountinthenameofafemalememberofafamily.ManyJanDhanaccountswereopenedforwomen.GovernmentstatisticsfromJanuary2018showthatof30.97croresaccountsopenedunderJanDhanscheme,16.37crores(roughly50 percent) were opened in the name of women resulting in financial inclusion andbettermentofwomen’seconomicstatus.

• Developmentofchildren:Womencannowengageinsocialisationofchildrenandtakecareoftheirnutritionandeducation,thusbuildingarobustfuture.

• Recognition from International Agencies: Developed countries and Internationalagencies likeWHO and IEA have hailed the scheme as clean, convenient and energy-efficientsourceprovisionandalsoservingasaninspirationfordevelopingcountries.

However,therehavebeensomeissuesconcerningthescheme:

• Issueofrefillandaffordability:refillingofLPGgasconnectionssawafall inrefillfrom35000in2016-17to13000in2018.Also,severalcomplaintsofaffordabilitywasraisedasareluctanceofadoptionwasshown.



• BehaviouralLimitations:ItrequiresbehaviouralchangesasitisdifficulttogiveuponageoldpracticesofusingtraditionalchulhaswithalackofawarenessamongpeopleregardingbenefitsofuseofLPGgases.

• Inactiveandcorruptuses:Manyinactiveaccountswereidentified,withsomeaccountsbearingfalsebeneficiariesusingLPGforcommercialandprofitablepurposes.

• Economic impact: To meet the requirements, LPG imports may cost the exchequersignificantly.

Wayforward:

• Encouragebehaviouralcampaigns:‘Giveitup’campaign,LPGPanchayatetchavebeenremarkableinbringinginbehaviouralchanges.EveryLPGpanchayatisexpectedtosharetheexperienceofearlylocaladoptersofcleanfuel,anexerciseoncomparingthecostsofalternativebiomassfuels,safetydemonstrationandfeedbackonservices.

• Regulate DBT and beneficiary identification: Target beneficiary expansion andidentificationmustbecarriedoutcarefullytoeliminatefakeaccountsandcorruptuseofthescheme.

Conclusion:

AccordingtotheofficialPMUYwebsite,byJanuary2019,64millionLPGconnectionshavebeenprovidedundertheUjjwalascheme,resultingin itbeingconsideredoneofthemostsuccessfulandeffectivesocialsectorprogrammesinIndia.Thuseffectivebenefitsshouldberealisedbyaddressingalltheloopholesandshortcomingsoftheimplementation.

BestAnswer:None

31.WhatisyourassessmentofthePradhanMantrijanArogyaYojana?Hasitbeenabletobringinpositivetranspositioninpeople’slives?Comment.

Introduction:

Launched in 2018, Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), under Ayushman Bharatumbrellaisworldlargesthealthcareprogram.Theschemeextendsaccesstohospitalcarefor10.74Crorebeneficiaryfamiliesandabout50croreIndiancitizens.ItisaCentrallySponsoredSchemeundertheMinistryofHealthandFamilyWelfare(MoHFW).

Body:

HighlightsoftheScheme

• TheschemeguaranteeseligiblefamiliesarecoveredforinpatientexpensesofuptoRs5lakhperyearinanygovernmentorempanelledprivatehospitalsalloverIndia.



• Itaddressesconcernsofexpenditurebyvulnerable families forsecondaryandtertiarycare. The extension of comprehensive primary health care is given under Health andwellnesscentres.

• AnautonomousandempoweredNationalHealthAgency(NHA)hasbeenestablishedwithcorrespondingstate-levelhealthagencies(SHAs).

• Thebenefitcoverunderitalsoincludespreandpost-hospitalizationexpenses.• Unlikeprivateinsuranceschemes,PMJAYdoesnotexcludeapersononaccountofpre-

existingillnesses.• OneuniquefeatureofthePMJAYisitsnationalportabilityoncefullyoperational.

AssessmentoftheScheme:

• PM-JAYhasdramatically changed thepictureof thehealth sectoranddirectlybenefitpoorpeople.

• Increasedbenefit cover tonearly40%of thepopulation,especially thepoorest& thevulnerable.

• Thepoorandvulnerablecannowavailbenefits inbothpublicandempanelledprivatefacilities. Itensuresallpeoplecanaccessqualityhealthserviceswhenandwheretheyneedthem,withoutsufferingfinancialhardship.

• Itprovidescashlessandpaperlessaccesstoservicesforthebeneficiaryatthepointofservice.

• Itguaranteesquality,affordabilityandaccountabilityinthehealthsystem.• Ithasrationalizedthecostofcareintheprivatesector.

ButstillthereexistsomeConcernsandChallengeswithPMJAY:

• PM-JAYfocusesonsecondaryandtertiarycare,takingawaytheattentionfromprimarycareandpublichealth-relatedinvestments.

• Massiveshortagesinthesupplyofservices(humanresources,hospitalsanddiagnosticcentres in the private/public sector). So PMJAYwill raise the demandwithout raisingsupply.

• The current package prices are too low to encourage private-sector hospitals to fullyparticipateinthescheme.

• Unfairpracticesbydoctorsandofficialsateverylevel.

• Hospitalinsuranceaddressesonlyasmallamountofout-of-pocketexpenditures• Still,millionsofpeopleacross Indiaarepushed intopovertybecauseofout-of-pocket

spendingonhealthcare.



• PMJAYexcludesthe500millionpeopleorsoofthemiddle-classsegment.

WayForward:

• RaisethepercentageofGDPallocatedtohealthfrom1.2%todayto2.5%by2022.• Government hospitals need infrastructure andmachinery up-gradation, which can be

donebytheearningsofpublichospitalsunderPMJAY.• Ensuring adaptive price setting, third-party monitoring, strict regulation, and quality

improvementsinpublicsectorhospitals.• PMJAYwillneedagamutofskilledmanpowerasfacilitatorsandadministrativestaffsat

variouslevels.• Universalhealthcoverage(UHC)willrequireaninsuranceprogramforthemiddleclass

also.• Needtostrengthenthecountry’sprimarycareservices.• AlargershareofIndia’spublichealthexpendituretobeallocatedtopreventivecare.


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32.Discuss the features, significanceandperformanceofPradhanMantriKisanSammanNidhi.

Introduction:

PradhanMantriKisanSammanNidhiaschemeannouncedintheinterimbudget,underwhichvulnerable landholding farmer families, having cultivable land up to 2 hectares, will beprovidedwithdirectincomesupportofRs.6000peryear.

Body

Recently the scopeof the schemehasbeenexpanded to coverall farmers in the countryirrespectiveofthesizeoftheirlandholdings.Therevisedschemeisexpectedtocoveraround2 crores more farmers and increase total coverage of PM-KISAN to around 14.5 crorebeneficiaries.ItalsocostsCentralGovernmentaroundRs.87,000croresfortheyear2019-2020.

FeaturesofPMKISANScheme:

• PMKISANisaCentralSectorschemewith100%fundingfromGovernmentofIndia



• UndertheschemeincomesupportofRs.6000/-peryearinthreeequalinstalmentswillbe provided to small and marginal farmer families having combined landholding/ownershipofupto2hectares

• Definitionofthefamilyfortheschemeishusband,wifeandminorchildren.• State Government and UT Administration will identify the farmer families which are

eligibleforsupportasperschemeguidelines.• Thefundwillbedirectlytransferredtothebankaccountsofthebeneficiaries.

SignificanceofPMKISANScheme

• Itprovidessupporttosmallandmarginalfarmerswhoarelargelyinvolvedinsubsistencefarmingandstrugglestoinvestinagricultureinputsortechnology,

• Itwillboosttheruralconsumptionandpositiveforagricultureandalliedsectors.• Povertyreduction:Cashtransferprogrammesareanimportanttoolofsocialprotection

andpoverty reduction. Theyhavean immediate impacton reducinghungerand ruralpoverty.

• Better use: This can increase productive investment, increase access to markets andstimulatelocaleconomies.Incomesupportcanbeusedtomakearepaymentoratleastactivateabankaccountwhichcanthenreceivealoan.

• • Rural development: It can serve as an important complement to a broader rural

developmentagenda,includingapro-poorgrowthstrategyfocusingonagriculture.

Similarprogrammesbystates:

• BhavantarBhugtanYojanainMadhyaPradeshwassoughttoproviderelieftofarmersbyprovidingthedifferentialbetweenMSPsandmarketprices.

• TheRythuBandhuschemeoftheTelanganagovernmentprovides₹5,000peracreforeveryseasontoallthefarmersofthestate.

• KrushakAssistanceforLivelihoodandIncomeAugmentation(KALIA)ofOdishaismorecomplicatedindesignandimplementation.ItcommitstogiveRs5,000perSMF,twiceayear,thatisRs10,000ayear.

PerformanceofPMKISANScheme

• About60percenteligiblefarmersaredeprivedofthePMKisanSammanNidhibenefitsastheStateshavenotaddedthemtothelistofbeneficiaries.

• UttarPradesh,Maharashtra,AndhraPradeshandGujaratarethetopStateswhichhaveregisteredthemaximumnumberofbeneficiarieswhileWestBengalhasnotjoinedtheschemeyet.

• About79percentofthecurrentbeneficiarieshavereceivedthefirstinstalment,while59percenthavereceivedthesecondinstalment.



• Paymenthasbeenstoppedinafewcircumstancesastherewerediscrepanciesintheirbankaccountdetails.

TheNeedofthehouristoimproveinfrastructureinagriculturewhichwouldhelpfarmersingettingacompetitivepricefortheirproduceandaccesstomarkets.Governmentmustfocusonthreethings:cropinsurance,betterirrigationandsubsidisedseedandfertilisers.

Conclusion

PM-KISAN is an ambitious scheme that has the potential to deliver significant welfareoutcomes. However, the current top-down, rushed approach of the government ignoresgovernanceconstraintsand thereforeanalternativebottom-upstrategyandwell-plannedimplementationmechanismwouldallowweaknessestobeidentifiedandrectifiedatthelocallevel.

BestAnswer:Ravi

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33.ShouldDelhibegrantedfullstatehood?Shareyourviews.

Introduction:

Article239AAandarticle239ABprovidedspecialstatustotheNationalCapitalTerritory(NCT)with a legislative assembly and its own democratically elected government via the69thAmendmentActoftheconstitution.IntherecentyearstherehavebeenconsiderationsraisedpoliticallyoverDelhi’sstatehood.

CurrentstatusofDelhi:Accordingtotheact,Delhicanmakelawsonallmattersofstateandconcurrentsubjectsexceptpublicorder,policeandland.

Body:

Benefitsofaccordingstatehood:

• Smooth functioning: Better coordination and quicker decision making andinterconnectednessonthepoliticalandbureaucraticfronts.



• BetteradministrationofincreasingpopulationofDelhi.• Accountability: Promote good governance and reduce shortcomings on delivery of

servicesbygovernment.• Strengthens the democracy and prevents confusion andmultiplicity of authorities on

specificdomainsandpreventsrepetitivedecisionmaking.• Important domains like law and order, police, etc. are outside the purview of state

governmentmakingitdifficulttodealwithmatterslikeriots,etc.

Argumentsagainststatehood:

• Capitalofacountry:Rendersitasacapitalforeveryoneandnotasaterritoryasasinglestate.

• Genuineness of demand: Seems more like a political interest than an administrativeconcern.

• Security Issues: As it’s an important centre hosting the Parliament, various centralagencies,SupremeCourt,Diplomaticenclave,etc.theriskofsecuritybreachishighwhennotundertheresponsibilityoftheCentre.

• Financialandadministrativeviability:Coordinationbetweenpoliciesandimplementationwillbedisrupted.

Conclusion:

PartialStatehoodbythe69thAmendmentActhasn’ttotallyfailedinrespectofgovernanceandwelfareofDelhianditscitizens.However,therecanbewelldefineddivisionofpowersbetweenCentreandtheDelhigovernmentandaneffectiveparticipationoflocalgovernmentaswellintheadministration,keepinginmindthestrategicandnationalimportanceofIndia.

BestAnswer:Upscaspirant

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34.Hasthejudiciarybeenadventuringintotheexecutivedomainoflate?Whatcanbeitsimplications?Analysewiththehelpfsuitableexamples.

Introduction:

TheconstitutionofIndiahasprovidedforseparationofpowersbetweeninstitutionsofthestate-executive,legislatureandjudiciarytoensurechecksandbalanceswhichareessential



inademocracy.Butofflatethejudiciaryhasbeencriticizedbyexecutive,legislatureandcivilsocietiesalikeaboutinterferenceinexecutivedomains.

Implications:

Judiciary has been adventuring into executive domains off late and following are itsimplications:

Positiveimplications:

1. Safeguardstherightsandlibertyofcitizensandensureswelfareofthesame.o RiverGangapollutioncurtailmentandmitigation:TheSCtookatoughstandonthe

delayintakingstepstopreventpollutionfromindustriesandfailureinaneffectivevisionimplementationofcleaningofRiverGanga.Thisresultedincreatingatimelineandatargetbasedactionwith118selectedtownsonbankorRiverGangatoachievetotal sanitation including waste water treatment and solid waste management.Effective limits were implemented on industrial clusters to ensure abatement ofpollution.

2. ProtectionofFundamentalHumanrightsguaranteedunderarticle21oftheconstitution:o Plight of under trial prisoners and Prison reforms: Concerned that almost 67%

prisoners in overcrowded jails across India are under trials, the SC sought earlyconclusion and reformative steps stating that prisoners also have human rights.NALSAwasaskedtocoordinatewithstateauthoritiesandHomeMinistrytoestablishunder-trialReviewCommitteecomprisingofDistrict Judge,DistrictMagistrateandSuperintendentofPoliceinalldistricts.

o Delhipollutionpreventionandabatement:Judiciarywasinstrumentalinpushingthegovernmenttodevelopandadoptvariouspoliciesandprogrammesforcombatingairpollution. It also banned sale of older Diesel cars and also cars above 2000cc forcertainperiod.

3. ForprotectionofLawandorderandsafetyofwomen:o Banoncoolingstickersoncars:TheSupremeCourthasorderedacompletebanon

useoftintedplasticfilmsirrespectiveofthedegreeofvisibilityonwindscreensandotherglasspanelsofvehicles throughout thecountry.Vehicleswith tintedglasseshelped criminals escape after committing heinous crimes such as sexual assaultagainstwomen,robberies,kidnappingetc.

4. Uniformityinpolicycreationoncertainspheres.Alsoprovidesimpetusforaccountableandresponsibleadministration.o Likewise,theSChasintervenedinmanyissuestoservethelargerinterestofsociety

across thecountry. likecasesof fightingdiseases likeDengue, issuesofpoliciesofHealth,drinkingwater,etc.stoppingofpollutingindustriesofAgra,beautificationofTajMahal,etc.



Negativeimplementation:

1. Ignoranceoftechnicalandactualcompatibilityofimplementationanddecisiontaken.o Judiciarymandateonspeedyimplementationofinterlinkingofriverprojects:There

arecertainproceduresfortakingupprojectslikefeasibilityreports,EIA,etc.whichareviolatedduetotheexpedition.Technicalfeasibilityandexpertisewereoverlookedasaresultofthisintervention.

2. IrreversiblejudgmentsbyJudiciaryunlessreviewedoftenleadstoanineffectiveprogressinundesiredprojects.o TheSC,rulingonaPILaboutroadsafety,bannedthesaleofliquorwithin500mofany

NH and SH: Data compiled by NCRB showed that in road accidents in 2014, overspeeding and reckless driving accounted of nearly 90% of it, while drunk drivingaccountedto2.5%,hencerenderingitasanunfeasibledecision.

3. Arbitrarydecisionsmadebyjudiciaryaffectsgrowthanddevelopmentofeconomy:o Ban on Liquor on NH resulted in collateral damage for government, tourism and

livelihoodastherewasmassivelossofrevenuebecausealmostonehalftotwothirdofretailoutlets,bars,etc.arelocatedwithin500metersofNHandSH.Employmentandlivelihoodsareboundtobeacasualtyasamultipliereffect.

4. Leadstoindolence,apathyandinertiaonpartofexecutivewhichisnotahealthytrendindemocracy.

Conclusion:

TherehavebeennumerousinstanceswheretheSChasjustifieditsinteferenceandenhancedthegrowthofjudicialreview.However,intheinterestofdemocraticgovernance,allthe3organsof thestateshoulddischarge theirobligations freelyand independently,entrustedwithinterventiononlywhererequiredinthelargerinterestofthecitizensofIndia.

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35.Has the recently concluded general elections strengthened the conviction thatpresidentialformofgovernmentwouldbeabetteroptionforIndia?Criticallycomment.

Introduction



India opted for parliamentary form of government based on Westminster model whereexecutiveisdirectlyresponsibletolegislaturewhereasinpresidentialsystemelectionismoreaboutnationalleaderelectedonthebasisofhis/hercharismawithlimitedaccountability.

Body

ElectionsinIndiaarebeingfoughtinastyleofpresidentialformduetoheroworship,whereCharismamattersmorethanmanifestosor ideologiesofparties. Itcanbeseen incaseofrecentelectionsand inmanypreviouselectionstoo,where leaders like IndiraGandhiandJawaharlalNehruwonelectionsaroundtheircharisma.

SuitabilityofPresidentialformforIndia:

• Stablegovernment-Thepresidentwillbeelectedbythepeopleandwillbevotedoutbythem.Hewillnothavetoappeaseunreasonablealliesandindulgeincompromisesallthetime.

• Increasedefficiencyoflegislature-Thelegislaturewillbefreetodoitswork,thatistopasslaws, insteadofdevisingmethods to criticize thegovernment. Itwill trulyengage theelectoratewiththedemocraticprocess.

• Promotionofmerit-Thepresidentwillbefullyinchargeoftheexecutive.Hewillbeabletoattractthebestandbrightesttohiscabinet,irrespectiveoftheirpoliticalaffiliations.

• Internaldemocracy-Itwillforcepoliticalpartiestobemoredemocraticandrobust.Allpoliticalpartieswillhavetochoosetheirbestcandidates,astherewillbeadirecthead-to-headcontest.

• Clear choice- The parliamentary system has distorted the voting preferences of anelectorate that knowswhich individuals it wants but not necessarilywhich parties orpolicies.

• Toughandunpopulardecisions-Asystemofdirectlyelectedchiefexecutivesatalllevels,panchayatchiefs,townmayors,ChiefMinisters(orGovernors)andanationalPresident,electedforafixedtermofofficewithclearlydefinedauthoritywouldpermitIndiatodealmoreefficientlywithitscriticaleconomicandsocialchallenges.

• Consensusbuilding-ThePresidentwillhavetowinthesupportofpeopleofvariedgroups,interests, and minorities and would have to work with Parliament to get his budgetthroughortopassspecificBills.

IssueswithadoptingthePresidentialsysteminIndia:

• Authoritarianism-Thepresidentcanassumedictatorialpowers• Noaccountability-Theexecutiveisnotresponsibletothedirectlyelectedlegislature• Conflicts-Ifthepresidentbelongstoonepartyandthelegislatureiscontrolledbyanother

party,itcanleadtoconflictandparalysis.



• Ignoranceofinterestsofminorities-InadiversecountrylikeIndia,itcanleadtoasituationwheretheviewsofanindividualcanoverridetheinterestsofdifferentsegments.

• Lackofautonomy-Bringing‘outside’talentinapresidentialsystemwithoutpeoplebeingdemocraticallyelectedwoulddeterpeoplefromgivingindependentadvicetothechiefexecutivebecausetheyowetheirappointmenttohim/her.

Conclusion

In India context given the vast number of parties andmaturing stage of democracy it ispreferable to continuewithParliamentary formdue to its stability andother advantages.Also,aspertherecommendationsofSwaranSinghcommittee,Indianeednotreplacethecurrentsystem.However,IndiacanexploreoptionofhavingdirectelectionofChiefministersatstateleveltoexperimentwithPresidentialformofgovernment.


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36.Theexistingnumberofministriesinthecentralandstategovernmentsdoesn’taugurwellwiththephilosophyof‘minimumgovernment,maximumgovernance’.Comment.

Introduction:

The Government consists of a number ofMinistries/Departments, number and charactervaryingfromtimetotimeonfactorssuchasthevolumeofwork,theimportanceattachedtocertainitems,changesoforientation,politicalexpediency,etc.

Body:

Fordecades,wehavehadextraordinarily largegovernmentswhile ironicallythequalityofgovernance has been quite poor. There has beenmore attention paid to the size of thegovernmentandnotsomuchtoitsquality

AspertheConstitution,thetotalnumberofUnionministers, includingthePrimeMinistershall not exceed 15 per cent of the number of members in the LS. (Similar for StateGovernments)

ReasonsforMorenumberofministries:

• Dedicatedattentionrequiredtoaparticularsector.ExMinistryofSkill.



• Forbetterworkdistributionandincreasedefficiencyofthegovernment.• Betteraccountabilityofconcernministerswiththerelatedsubjectorsector.• Decentralizationofworktolookintosectorspecificdevelopment.• Somevulnerablesectionsofsocietyneedextraanddedicatedattentionofgovernment.

Ex.Women,Child,Minority,Tribesetc.• Withnewadvancementsnewsectorsareemerging.Ex.

Otherpoliticalreasonsfordoingso:

• Before and after election coalition promises: Ministries became vehicles of politicalpatronageincoalitionpolitics.

• NeedtoaccommodateMPsfromdifferentregionsandstatestogivesenseofinclusivity.• CasteandreligionrepresentationalsoplayanimportantroleinIndia,wherepeopledon’t

casttheirvotebutvotetheircaste.

Negativesofmorenumberofministries:

• UnnecessarycreationofnewministriestoaccommodateMPswhoareincompetenttoholdthepost,butgovernmentneedstodothatunderobligationofcoalition.

• Reducedefficiencyofadministrationasdecisionmakingprocessgetsdelay.• Increasedred-tape:Multipleapprovalsrequiredforanyprojectfallingundermorethan

oneministry.• Italsocreatesmoreavenuesforcorruptionforministers.• Theincreasedcostofmaintenanceofministriesandassociatedofficeandemployees.• Hindranceforeaseofdoingbusinessasclearancesfromdifferentministriesisrequired

foranynewproject.

WayforwardforMinimumgovernmentandmaximumGovernance:

1. The merger of ministries: In order to ensure better implementation of policies andcoordination,weshouldmergesimilarandcomplementaryministriesintoone.Thiswillallowpolicymakers to frameholisticandcomprehensivepolicieson theonehandandensuresmoothimplementationontheother.ForExample:o Currently,threeministriesintheenergysector—power,petroleumandnaturalgas,

and renewable energy can be fused into a singleministry. The recent problemofpowerplantsbeingbuiltwithoutpropercoalsuppliescouldhavebeenavoidedifthepolicyhadbeenhandledbyoneminister.

o Similarly integratetheaviation,railways,roads,andshippingministriessothatthecountrygetsanintegratedtransportstrategyratherthanthecurrentmess.

o CanbringpharmaceuticaldepartmentandAyushMinistryunderthehealthministry.2. Severalministries,whichareirrelevantnow,cansafelybeshutdownwhilesomeoftheir

taskscanbehandedovertoindependentregulators.ForExample:



o Ministryofinformationandbroadcasting.o Ministryofculture.o Ministryofheavyindustries.o Ministryforatmicro,smallandmediumenterprises.

3. Set up technocraticmissions that have very specific Projectswhich can be best dealtthroughcommissions.Ex.ThemissionforcleaningtheGanga,buildingnewcities,settinguphigh-speedraillinks.

4. Lessnumberofministrieswillhelpstategovernmentssavealotofmoneywhichcanbeutilizedfordevelopmentalprojectsandbettergovernancemeasures.

Conclusion:

CreationofumbrellaministrieslikeJalShaktiandhousingandurbanaffairsministrybythegovernment is a good step in the right direction. Similarly, coordination among differentministries and reduced red-tapism is the need of the hour for achieving “minimumgovernmentandMaximumgovernance”.

BestAnswer:

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