NOTE: Please remember that following ‘answers’ are NOT ‘model answers’. They are NOT synopsis too if we go by definition of the term. What we are providing is content that both meets demand of the question and at the same time gives you extra points in the form of background information.
General Studies – 1
Topic : Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The article brings to us the dismal picture of sanitation workers in the country and the underlying causes that factor into it.
Key Demand of the question:
Explain the plight of sanitation workers in the country and the underlying causes that have led to such a situation.
Directive:
Explain – Clarify the topic by giving a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the particular context. You must be defining key terms where ever appropriate, and substantiate with relevant associated facts.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Despite multiple laws and provisions, even in 2020, India continues to grapple with the inhuman nature of manual scavenging.
Body:
Explain in detail why despite laws, workers in the field in India still face stigma and are devoid of essential rights.
Discuss one by one the laws and policies taken by the government in this direction.
Explain what are the underlying factors that are responsible for such plight of sanitation workers.
Give example and explain the scenario in detail.
Suggest solutions to address the issue.
Conclusion:
Conclude with what needs to be done and suggest solutions.
Introduction:
Manual scavenging refers to the unsafe and manual removal of raw (fresh and untreated) human excreta from buckets or other containers that are used as toilets or from the pits of simple pit latrines. Despite a 2013 law prohibiting employment of manual scavengers, a government survey recently has identified 54,130 people engaged in this job as of July 2019.
Even in 2020, the Indian government and our civil society continue to grapple with the inhuman nature of manual scavenging
Body:
Situation in India:
- The SECC-2011 counted over 1.82 lakh families that had at least one member employed in manual scavenging. Rights groups Safai Karamchari Andolan pegs the number of manual scavengers across India at over 7 lakh.
- Between 2016 and 2018, up to 123 manual scavengers have died on the job, data from the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK).
- Since January 2019, more than 25 sewer workers have died of asphyxiation across the country, including in densely populated cities.
- More than 375 workers died while cleaning septic and sewer tanks between 2015 and 2019, according to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment’s data
GOVERNMENT INTERVENTIONS
- The Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993 and employment of manual scavengers was declared unlawful.
- National Commission for Safai Karamcharis was constituted under the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis Act, 1993, to monitor and recommend specific programs.
- National action plan for the total eradication of manual scavenging by 2007.
- Self-Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers initiated to provide training, loans, and subsidies for alternate occupations in 2007.
- Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation, Act, 2013.
- In 2014, the Supreme Court ruled in Safai Karamchari Andolan v. Union of India that “entering sewer lines without safety gears should be made a crime even in emergency situations,” and ordered for compensation in cases of death of the worker.
- The Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan (NBA) was replaced by Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (SBA) in 2014.
- Ministry for Social Justice and Empowerment announced the Draft National Action Plan Framework ‘to eliminate inhuman practices by 15th August 2022’ and counted sewage cleaning as one such practice.
ISSUES IN IMPLEMENTATION
- Prohibition and Employment of Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 – fails to explain what qualifies as “appropriate safety gear”.
- It does not mention health as a component of rehabilitation and provides a meagre amount of money to the worker in the name of assistance for alternative occupations, which most manual scavengers remain unaware of.
- Nothing in the act mentions provisions related to the death of manual scavengers.
- Municipalities choose the compensation route as they mostly outsource the unsanitary sanitation work.
- Toilets that were built under SBM are dependent on water and a lot of parts of India are not connected by the sewage system. Also, Septic tanks have engineering defects which means that after a point, a machine cannot clean it.
- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has remained elusive of the health problems of manual scavengers even though the National Health Policy (2017) calls for action on social determinants of health.
Reasons for the Prevalence of Manual Scavenging in India
- Delayed Implementation – Manual scavenging was banned 25 years ago but it continues to find practitioners.
- Insanitary Latrines – According to Safai Karmachari Andolan, the occupation persists mainly because of the continued presence of insanitary latrines. There are about 2.6 million insanitary latrines (dry toilets) that require cleaning by hand.
- Caste-based notions of stigma and deployment of Dalit workers in these occupations in modern contexts reinforces manual scavenging in India.
- The policymakers’ have a fragmented and a target driven approach (counting numbers of toilets, length of sewerage, etc.,) to sanitation.
- Privatization of waste management and acute contractualisation of sanitation work has made fixing legal responsibility and identification of the guilty much more difficult.
- Gender-based occupation – Manual scavenging is not only a caste-based but also a gender-based occupation with 90 percent of them being women. Households with dry latrines prefer women to clean the excreta instead of men as they are located inside the house.
- Inadequate Funding
- There are hardly any exclusive trade unions for sweepers, and unlike other sections in the government or private workforce, their problems are voiced by only those who are not associated with sanitation work.
Way-Forward
- Adopting technology to end manual scavenging– It is not going to be possible to eliminate manual scavenging unless we create the right technologies.
- Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Boardis using 70 mini jetting machines that can access narrow lanes and smaller colonies to clear the choked sewer pipes.
- In Thiruvananthapuram, a group of engineers has designed a spider-shaped robot that cleans manholes and sewers with precision.
- Proper awareness and sensitization of the authorities: It is essential that the authorities are sensitized to recognize the intensity of the issue and see the system as dehumanizing and unconstitutional.
- Sensitising Women through a nationwide march to make them aware of their right to live with dignity and assure them of ‘sustainable freedom’, by providing an alternative livelihood option.
- That the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 and the Supreme Court’s judgment of 2014 should be duly implemented and applied in all cases of sewer/septic tank deaths.
- Target driven approach to measure the success of the sanitation policy
- The underlying caste-based attitude to sanitation work and workers should be identified and strong action taken against it.
- To eradicate the profession of manual scavenging, it is important to provide these people with alternate professions. The government could start by giving specific training for vocations like plumbing, gardening etc to those involved in manual scavenging.
General Studies – 2
Topic : Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
The article explains to us in what way the FCRA 2020 amendments come as a blow to Indian civil society.
Key Demand of the question:
Critically analyse the recently proposed FCRA 2020 amendments and explain the possibility of its misuse.
Directive:
Critically analyze – When asked to analyse, you have to examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them as a whole in a summary. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a fair judgment.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by explaining briefly the background of the question.
Body:
Explain in what way the recent amendments of FCRA cut out access to foreign contributions as a source of funding for most organisations and bring to an end an era of collaboration among FCRA registered civil society organisations (CSOs).
List down the concerns pointed out in the article and discuss their ill impacts on the actual mandate of the Act. Give examples to justify better.
Suggest what needs to be done to resolve the issues that have arose due to the recent amendments.
Conclusion:
Conclude with what should be the way forward.
Introduction:
The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2020 has passed by the parliament. The Bill amends the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 which regulates the acceptance and utilisation of foreign contribution by individuals, associations and companies.
Body:
Foreign contribution:
- Foreign contribution is the donation or transfer of any currency, security or article (of beyond a specified value) by a foreign source.
- In India, the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act regulates foreign donations and ensures that such contributions do not adversely affect internal security.
Highlights of the Bill:
- Prohibition to accept foreign contribution:
- Persons prohibited to accept any foreign contribution include: election candidates, editor or publisher of a newspaper, judges, government servants, members of any legislature, and political parties, among others.
- Also, public servants(as defined under the Indian Penal Code) and corporations owned or controlled by the government were added to this list.
- Transfer of foreign contribution:
- The Bill amends to prohibit the transfer of foreign contribution to any other person. The term ‘person’ under the Act includes an individual, an association, or a registered company.
- Earlier, foreign contribution could be transferred to any other personafter registration to accept foreign contribution (or has obtained prior permission).
- Aadhar for registration:
- The Bill adds that any person seeking prior permission, registration or renewal of registration must provide the Aadhar numberof all its office bearers, directors or key functionaries, as an identification document.
- In case of a foreigner, they must provide a copy of the passport or the Overseas Citizen of India card for identification.
- FCRA account:
- Foreign contribution must be received only in an account designated by the bank as “FCRA account”in such branch of the State Bank of India, New Delhi.
- No funds other than the foreign contribution should be received or deposited in this account.
- The person may open another FCRA account in any scheduled bank of their choice for keeping or utilising the received contribution.
- Restriction in utilisation of foreign contribution:
- Government may restrict usage of unutilised foreign contributionfor persons who have been granted prior permission to receive such contribution.
- This may be done if, based on a summary inquiry, and pending any further inquiry, the government believes that such person has contravened provisions of the Act.
- Renewal of license:
- Government may conduct an inquiry before renewing the certificateto ensure that the person making the application:
- Is not fictitious or benami.
- Has not been prosecuted or convicted for creating communal tension or indulging in activities aimed at religious conversion.
- Has not been found guilty of diversion or misutilisation of funds, among others conditions.
- Reduction in use of foreign contribution for administrative purposes:
- A person who receives foreign contribution must use it only for the purpose for which the contribution is received.
- The draft bill states that not more than 20% of the total foreign funds received could be spent on administrative expenses. Presently, the limit is 50%.
- Surrender of certificate:
- The Bill adds a provision allowing the central government to permit a person to surrender their registration certificate.
- The government may do so if, post an inquiry, it is satisfied that such person has not contravened any provisions of the Act, and the management of its foreign contribution (and related assets) has been vested in an authority prescribed by the government.
- Suspension of registration:
- Suspension of the registration may be extended up to an additional 180 days. Previously, it was for a period not exceeding 180 days.
Impact of the amendment:
- The impact of this is being felt the most by smaller NGOs running in states.
- Work of NGOs working in remote areas will suffer.
- Many Dalit, Adivasi, women workers may lose jobs.
- During COVID, a lot of these workers addressed domestic violence issues but now with the 20 per cent limit on administration cost, it would become difficult for NGOs to make payments to them.
Criticism:
- The bill has left both small and big non-government organisations very worried.
- The bill threatens their existence by imposing stiff conditions on working expenditure for big organisations and by stopping the transfer of funds from them to smaller ones.
- It will hurt civil societies which are all about commitment and caring as it demonises NGOs in the public mind.
- Many NGOs in far-off places cannot access any foreign resources. So large and small organisations work together to ensure funding and growth – that would be impacted.
Conclusion:
In India, the NGO sector is heavily regulated and international donors find it difficult to make grants. In the current times when foreign funds are most needed for COVID-19 related relief activities, these changes could prove to be counter-productive.
Topic: Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
October 24 marks the diamond jubilee of the United Nations. But far from joyous celebration, it is an occasion to somberly reflect on why the UN is stagnating at 75 and how it can regain its lost luster.
Key Demand of the question:
Explain the tussle between ‘principle’ and ‘power’ that the UN body still continues to face and suggest what needs to be done to overcome these problems.
Directive:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Although much has changed in the international system since 1945, the world body continues to see a tussle between ‘principle’ and ‘power’.
Body:
Narrate brief background of UN and its coming into picture.
Discuss the working model of UN and explain the lacunae present in it.
Explain how UN today stands to be a surplus of multilateral challenges, deficit of multilateral solutions.
List down the issues associated and suggest the need to focus on UN reforms.
Conclusion:
Conclude that On the 75th anniversary of the UN, there must be a global push against ossifying ‘rules’ which have privileged ‘rule’ of the few over the many. That is the only way to restore some balance between ‘power’ and ‘principle’ and ensure a renaissance of the UN.
Introduction:
The United Nations (UN) is an international organization founded in 1945. It is currently made up of 193 Member States. Its mission and work guided by the purposes and principles contained in its founding Charter and implemented by its various organs and specialised agencies.
Its activities include maintaining international peace and security, protecting human rights, delivering humanitarian aid, promoting sustainable development and upholding international law.
Body:
Key Points
- Despite that the UN has gone through several improvements, the tussle between ‘principle’ and ‘power’ still remains the same.
- The UN is for global governance and not a global government.
- Though the organisation was designed to maintain a peaceful and just world, it still privileges the most powerful states.
- The UN has seen successes as well as failures almost equally.
- The United Nations must be sustained as there is no parallel organisation to it.
UN’s Success Areas
- Increment in the UN membership: Post- 1960’s decolonisation, the membership of the UN expanded from about 50 members to double.
- Decolonisation: It was the UN which played the lead role in the 1960 decolonisation and helped around 80 colonies in gaining their freedom.
- Involvement with civil society: The UN is no more an organisation of nations only, more and more UN bodies have begun engaging with the people within the nations, experts, intellectuals and media with time.
- Better sustenance: The UN has successfully sustained itself till now, as compared to the League of Nations, which is an achievement.
- Peacekeeping: The UN has successfully prevented World War – III.
UN’s Major Setbacks
- Arm races and Cold war: Although, the WW-III has been successfully prevented till date, violence, arm races, nuclear races and cold wars still occur among nations.
- Power suppressing principles: The world body still continues to see a tussle between ‘principle’ and ‘power’.
- While the hopes of a peaceful and just world are represented by the UN, the most powerful states are privileged by granting them commanding heights over international politics via the undemocratic instruments of veto power and permanent seats in the UN Security Council (UNSC).
- Not a multipolar organisation: The UN has been unable to present itself as a multipolar and multilateral organisation.
- At the time of formation, the UN had 5 permanent members with a total of 51 members, presently, it has 193 members but permanent members in the UN General Assembly are still 5.
- Laggard in holistic growth: The organisation had not been able to cope up with the increasing globalisation.
- The UN has been a laggard in overall development; no institutional arrangement is there to deal in particular with Pandemics or new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence.
WAY FORWARD
- Reforming the UN charter:The UN charter talks only about the rights but not duties and responsibilities. The duties and responsibilities at individual, community, global and national level need to be emphasised too.
- Reforms in the UNSC:The UNSC should be expanded in terms of its core members, only five permanent members with a total of 193 members does not provide justice to the others.
- A more multilateral organisation:The UN should engage strongly with multilateralism and harness the capabilities of all those who matter, not just the P5.
- What is needed is a multipolar and multilateral approach rather than autocracy of the P5 countries.
- Choosing principles over power:If the principles are written by the most powerful states, then it cannot create any difference; the unequal and iniquitous structure will remain the same.
- The salience of power is what is needed to be reduced.
- This is where India can take up the lead and may start a dialogue with the like-minded countries first about the same.
- Judging the elements of power:It is needed to be looked upon what elements of power need to be appreciated- the crude, military power or the soft, economic power.
- Principles for the powerful too:The other members need to make sure that the powerful members are made to work within the framework of principles so the balance between the power and principle is maintained.
- Specialised agencies:The need for specialised agencies dealing with specific affairs such as Artificial Intelligence, Information Technology, and Pandemics etc. shall be looked and acted upon.
CONCLUSION
The UN has survived and thrived and has certainly seen incremental changes over the last 75 years but the time has come for the UN to change and change for the better. UNSC is in desperate need to undergo reforms, the sooner the better, the later the more redundant. In a nutshell, as far as the whole UN is concerned complete reform is needed with principles not to be written by the most powerful anymore.
Topic: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The article analyses U.S. President Donald Trump’s West Asia policy. Thus the question.
Key Demand of the question:
One must explain the effects of declining influence of the US in West Asia could have serious geopolitical consequences for the region.
Directive:
Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must look into the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Explain first what USA’s West Asia policy is about.
Body:
Discuss the West Asia policy of the US from past to present.
Present the West Asia policy and its inclination during Barack Obama and now of Donald Trump.
There has been a reversal of the US’s West Asia policy after Mr Donald Trump assumed office in 2016.
The plan was to remake the regional dynamics in favour of America’s allies like the Saudis and Israel and push rivals like Iran to a corner.
Discuss the concerns associated.
Conclusion:
Conclude that the declining influence of the US in West Asia could have serious geopolitical consequences for the region and might be an indication of an upcoming troublesome future.
Introduction:
When the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain signed normalisation agreements with Israel in September, under the mediation of the United States, USA hailed it as a “new dawn in the Middle East”.
Body:
DECLINING INFLUENCE OF U.S.:
- Doha Agreement: U.S.-Taliban deal is largely seen as American capitulation to the Afghan insurgents.
- The outreach to North Korea failed to produce any result.
- The maximum pressure campaign on Iran seems to have backfired.
- The trade war with China failed to produce any structural shift in the way China does business while tensions between the two countries rocketed.
- Stalemate of the U.S. in an unwinnable war in Iraq.
- Russian Checkmate: In Syria, it was checkmated by the Russians.
- Missed Deal: The promise to fetch “the deal of the century” between the Israelis and the Palestinians was a non-starter.
- Case with Libya: American intervention in Libya turned out to be disastrous
CASE WITH IRAN:
- Unstable relations with Iran: falling apart of JCPCOA, and subsequent tensions between US and Iran in Persian Gulf.
- U.S. faced with continuous rocket attacks by Iran-backed Shia rebels in Iraq is contemplating shutting down the American Embassy in Baghdad and finally closure of embassy.
- Reimposing Sanctions: Trump’s administration thought the Iranians would flinch once again so that he could extract more concessions from them and cut their regional wings.
- Iran’s Intention: But the perils of that policy were the predictability of the policymaker’s objectives, and the Iranians were determined to defy Americans at any cost.
- Iran’s Approach: Iran responded with multiple cuts on the U.S. and allied interests in the region — from targeting Saudi oil facilities and cargo ships in the Strait of Hormuz to launching rocket attacks at American troops in Iraq.
- Retaliation of Americans: Americans killed Qassem Soleimani, one of the top Iranian Generals, and declared that the U.S. had re-established deterrence vis-à-vis Iran.
OPEN EMBRACE OF ISRAEL:
- Misplaced Adventurism: While in the case of Iran, misplaced adventurism sabotaged even the available policy options, the Trump administration’s open embrace of Israel.
- Sharpening The Axe: The decision to move the American Embassy to Jerusalem, recognition of Israel’s annexation of the Golan Heights sharpened the geopolitical contradictions.
- American Pillars: The normalisation agreements between Sunni Arab countries and Israel could strengthen the pro-American pillar in the region.
- Political Vacuum: It would rather leave a vacuum in regional politics which non-Arab Muslim countries would seek to fill.
- Creating Room: In other words, Trump’s Administration brought together Gulf Arabs and the Jews, who had had backroom contacts for years, on a public platform.
WAY FORWARD:
- Recently signed ‘Abraham Accords’, which saw the first normalisation between Israel and Arab countries in 26 years, was a rare diplomatic victory for USA.
- Obama administration had adopted a realistic approach to address all these problem. This must be replicated.
- Need for Sensitive Leadership: Making peace with Iran, striking balance with the Russians, and balancing relations in matters of Saudi and Israeli preoccupation over Iran.
Conclusion:
Changed administration in U.S have an opportunity in disguise to make America great again by promoting peace and harmony over West Asia.
General Studies – 3
Topic : role of media
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
Chief Scientist, World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted that managing the infodemic has been a serious challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Key Demand of the question:
Explain in what way managing the infodemic has been a serious challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Directive:
Analyze – When asked to analyse, you have to examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them as a whole in a summary.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Firstly, define what an Infodemic is.
Body:
“Infodemic” is defined as having too much information, including false or misleading information, particularly on social media.
It was asserted that infodemic led to confusion, risk-taking and ultimately mistrust towards governments and the public health response.
WHO has been working with technology companies to address this challenge by directing the public to credible sources of information, taking down false and misleading information from online platforms, and developing chatbots in different languages that the public could use for accessing information.
Suggest solutions to overcome such a challenge.
Discuss the efforts being made in the country to overcome such challenges.
Conclusion:
Conclude with solutions.
Introduction:
Infodemic refers to an excessive amount of information concerning a problem such that the solution is made more difficult. Some experts believe that an infodemic, or an excessive amount of both correct and incorrect information, is spreading around the world. The worst-case scenario is that inaccurate information is potentially spreading faster than the virus itself, causing people to make poorly informed decisions. The WHO has declared misinformation and fear as some of the biggest challenges they face with the new coronavirus.
Body:
Challenges posed by Infodemic:
- WHO is leading the effort to slow the spread of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak.
- But a global epidemic of misinformation—spreading rapidly through social media platforms and other outlets—poses a serious problem for public health.
- every outbreak will be accompanied by a kind of tsunami of information, but also within this information you always have misinformation, rumours etc,
- But the difference now with social media is that this phenomenon is amplified, it goes faster and further, like the viruses that travel with people and go faster and further.
- In a country such as India, where 400 million turn to a single messaging app for sharing news and stories about any and everything, more than 240 million are on Facebook and, often, using it as the predominant source of news, a critical mass of misinformation leads to misdirected behaviour.
- In times of crises, cybersecurity is critically important, he stressed, adding that a huge number of people under lockdown or movement restrictions are now working and studying remotely, making them susceptible to cybercrime.
- Some instances are hard to ignore some dominant narratives: Bioweapons origins of the coronavirus (false); Bill Gates was behind it (false); UNICEF’s recommendations for warding off infection (unauthorized).
Measures taken up:
- Immediately after COVID-19 was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, WHO’s risk communication team launched a new information platform called WHO Information Network for Epidemics (EPI-WIN), with the aim of using a series of amplifiers to share tailored information with specific target groups.
- WHO is also working closely with UNICEF and other international agencies that have extensive experience in risk communications, such as the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
- Social-media companies must sort, rank, and prioritize true and reliable information now more than ever.
- Web companies such as Pinterest have already introduced headers and links on their homepages with information about Covid-19, for example.
Way forward:
- Maintaining a system of fact-checking and tough standards regarding COVID-19 and weeding out messages, hashtags and transmitters that fail to meet them.
- The traditional media has a key role in providing evidence-based information to the general public, which will then hopefully be picked up on social media.
- For both social and conventional media, it is important that the public health community help the media to “better understand what they should be looking for, because the media sometimes gets ahead of the evidence”.
- We, as users, have a responsibility to find better ways to seek advice or substitutes for that dopamine rush of sharing a message instantly liked, commented on and shared by others.
- As a society, much like our global response to the coronavirus, we cannot rely on bottom-up decisions.
- We need decisive leadership from the top. In the digital nations we inhabit, Facebook, Facebook-owned WhatsApp, YouTube, Twitter, TikTok, it is imperative that the leaders of these nations act – and act now.
- It is about time, Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook/WhatsApp), Sundar Pichai (Google/YouTube), Jack Dorsey (Twitter) and Zhang Yiming (TikTok) made some tough calls, much like what their own political leaders have done.
- It would be more useful if instead of a coy “Forwarded” note, WhatsApp had a note that said, “For Reliable Medical Advice, Check Out the WHO” or some other trustworthy medical authority
Conclusion:
It is time to step up and help us all practise social media distancing by enforcing stricter standards. Beyond India, the entire developing world relies on your platforms for news about the pandemic. If there ever was a time to demonstrate vision and leadership, this is the time for the digital leaders to flatten the curve of the infodemic before it flattens the most vulnerable populations on the planet.
Topic : Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
Reference: Business Standard
Why the question:
The question is amidst the plans of the Govt of setting up National Coastal Mission to address climate change impact.
Key Demand of the question:
One has to deliberate upon the importance of proposed National Coastal Mission.
Directive:
Deliberate – Weigh up to what extent something is true. Persuade the reader of your argument by citing relevant research but also remember to point out any flaws and counter- arguments as well. Conclude by stating clearly how far you agree with the original proposition.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by presenting key facts related to climate change issues in the country.
Body:
The answer body must deliberate upon the importance of proposed National Coastal Mission.
The Mission aims to address impact of climate change on coastal and marine ecosystems, infrastructure and communities in coastal areas through a combination of adaptation and mitigation measures. Some of these measures include strengthening natural shields against extreme weather conditions to protect shorelines, adaptation, improved employment generation opportunities for coastal communities to reduce pressure on coastal and marine ecosystems and enhancing productivity of coastal and marine ecosystems in a sustainable manner.
NAPCC is a comprehensive action plan which outlines measures on climate change-related adaptation and mitigation while simultaneously advancing development.
Discuss the past efforts of the govt. and suggest the positives of such a mission.
Conclusion:
Conclude on a positive note.
Introduction:
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is embarking on a new National Coastal Mission. With this objective in view, Environment Minister has dedicated the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) to the nation at Chennai.
Body:
Focus of the Government in coastal states is sustainable livelihood, development of coastal communities through various R&D and policy initiatives. Six research divisions have been established at NCSCM that will combine geospatial sciences with cutting-edge research on conservation, pollution, climate change and community interface – both in mainland and islands of the country.
The NCSCM’s core strength is the multi-disciplinary nature of coastal system research for the well-being of coastal communities and promoting sustainable development based on scientific principles.
Need for National Coastal Mission:
- India is the third worst-affected country due to climate- induced natural disasters.
- The country’s coastal regions, in particular, are highly vulnerable because of rapid urbanisation,
- High population densities and related economic activities such as agriculture, aquaculture, tourism, industries and trade. Development gains, however, are being threatened by the impacts of climate change—including sea-level rise, flooding, storm surges and cyclones.
- An increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, predominantly from the economic activities, is projected to aggravate the impacts of climate change and the vulnerability of coastal ecosystems.
- The mangroves ecosystem along the coastal regions that act as a natural barrier against cyclones and coastal erosion have become severely degraded and face even worse decline due to the cumulative climate change impacts.
- According to data from the Central Water Commission (CWC), the cost of damages from climate-related extreme weather events on infrastructure and housing has been 3 percent of India’s GDP.
Objectives of National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management include: –
- Promoting integrated and sustainable management of the coastal and marine areas in the country for the benefit and well-being of the traditional coastal and island communities;
- Strengthening capacity of coastal management at all levels, including stakeholders;
- Advising Union and State governments and other associated stakeholders on policy and scientific matters related to Integrated Coastal Zone Management;
- Striving to become a world class institution through cutting-edge research pertaining to understanding coastal zones, coastal processes, integrated planning and management of coastal and marine areas.
- The NCSCM, along with other Ministries and State/UT governments also strive to scientifically map the cumulative vulnerability of coastal environment to climate change and consequent threats to ecology, lives and livelihoods;
- Develop vulnerability-based environment and adaptive management plans for key sectors by:
- Mainstreaming climate sensitivity and readiness into all coastal developmental projects
- Promoting development taking into account the threats due to natural hazards in the coastal areas and sea-level rise;
- Build resilience of coastal communities (fishermen, agriculturists etc.) and develop infrastructure and settlements in urban and rural areas;
- Conserve and protect coastal stretches, its unique environment and its marine area by enhancing mitigation (blue carbon ecosystems which include mangroves, sea grass meadows and salt marsh ecosystems) and build institutional capacity – both sector-wise and for community.
Conclusion:
Given the importance of India’s coastal regions to the country’s economy and growth, massive investments would be required for building even the most basic of essential infrastructure. But the Need of The hour, is to create effective comprehensive national coastal policy with specific approach in dealing with climate change, and make it more holistic and practical.
General Studies – 4
Topic : Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and nonpartisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker-sections.
Reference: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude by G Subba Rao and P N Chowdhary
Why the question:
The question is based on the concept of Leadership and various theories of it.
Key Demand of the question:
One needs to elaborate on the fact as to how leadership is situational.
Directive:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start with the definition of Leadership.
Body:
First explain the various theories associated with leadership.
Situational leadership refers to when the leader or manager of an organization must adjust his style to fit the development level of the followers he is trying to influence.
Then explain that Leadership requires a complex collection of many attributes that include follower-desired personality traits, communication skills, leadership skills, and teaching ability, to name a few.
A preferred leadership style is developed by the leader through learning and experience. And the leader’s tendency is to fit the situation to his or her particular style.
Discuss the merits and demerits of situational leadership.
Conclusion:
Give suitable example and conclude with fair and balanced opinion.
Introduction:
Leadership is the ability of an individual or a group of individuals to influence and guide followers or other members of an organization. Leadership involves making sound – and sometimes difficult – decisions, creating and articulating a clear vision, establishing achievable goals and providing followers with the knowledge and tools necessary to achieve those goals.
Body:
TYPES OF LEADERSHIP THEORIES:
Great Man Theory
According to the Great Man Theory (which should perhaps be called the Great Person Theory), leaders are born with just the right traits and abilities for leading – charisma, intellect, confidence, communication skills, and social skills.
The theory suggests that the ability to lead is inherent – that the best leaders are born, not made. It defines leaders as valiant, mythic, and ordained to rise to leadership when the situation arises. The term “Great Man” was adopted at the time because leadership was reserved for males, particularly in military leadership.
Trait Theory
The Trait Theory is founded on the characteristics of different leaders – both the successful and unsuccessful ones. The theory is used to predict effective leadership. Usually, the identified characteristics are compared to those of potential leaders to determine their likelihood of leading effectively.
Scholars researching the trait theory try to identify leadership characteristics from different perspectives. They focus on the physiological attributes such as appearance, weight, and height; demographics such as age, education, and familial background; and intelligence, which encompasses decisiveness, judgment, and knowledge
Contingency Theory
The Contingency Theory emphasizes different variables in a specific setting that determine the style of leadership best suited for the said situation. It is founded on the principle that no one leadership style is applicable to all situations.
Renowned leadership researchers Hodgson and White believe that the best form of leadership is one that finds the perfect balance between behaviours, needs, and context. Good leaders not only possess the right qualities but they’re also able to evaluate the needs of their followers and the situation at hand. In summary, the contingency theory suggests that great leadership is a combination of many key variables.
Situational Theory
The Situational Theory is similar to the Contingency Theory as it also proposes that no one leadership style supersedes others. As its name suggests, the theory implies that leadership depends on the situation at hand. Put simply, leaders should always correspond their leadership to the respective situation by assessing certain variables such as the type of task, nature of followers, and more.
Behavioural Theory
In Behavioural Theory, the focus is on the specific behaviours and actions of leaders rather than their traits or characteristics. The theory suggests that effective leadership is the result of many learned skills.
Individuals need three primary skills to lead their followers – technical, human, and conceptual skills. Technical skills refer to a leader’s knowledge of the process or technique; human skills mean that one is able to interact with other individuals; while conceptual skills enable the leader to come up with ideas for running the organization or society smoothly
SITUATIONAL LEADERSHIP:
Situational Leadership is an adaptive leadership style. This strategy encourages leaders to take stock of their team members, weigh the many variables in their workplace and choose the leadership style that best fits their goals and circumstances. In the words of leadership theorist Ken Blanchard, “In the past a leader was a boss. Today’s leaders can no longer lead solely based on positional power.”
Goleman Theory of Situational Leadership:
Daniel Goleman, defines six styles within Situational Leadership:
- Coaching leaders, who work on an individual’s personal development as well as job-related skills? This style works best with people who know their limitations and are open to change.
- Pacesetting leaders, who set very high expectations for their followers. This style works best with self-starters who are highly motivated. The leader leads by example. This style is used sparingly since it can lead to follower burnout.
- Democratic leaders, who give followers a vote in almost all decisions. When used in optimal conditions, it can build flexibility and responsibility within the group. This style is, however, time consuming and is not the best style if deadlines are looming.
- Affiliative leaders, who put employees first. This style is used when morale is very low. The leader uses praise and helpfulness to build up the team’s confidence. This style may risk poor performance when team building is happening.
- Authoritative leaders, who are very good at analyzing problems and identifying challenges. This style is good in an organization that is drifting aimlessly. This leader will allow his or her followers to help figure out how to solve a problem.
- Coercive leaders, who tell their subordinates what to do. They have a very clear vision of the endgame and how to reach it. This style is good in disasters or if an organization requires a total overhaul.
Conclusion:
Nelson Mandela was an exemplary situational leader, because he inspired his fellow citizens to resist the evils of situations with nonviolence and yet not lose focus of freedom that’s when he transformed his capacity to translate vision into reality.
