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: Hindustani Music
Reference: itcsra.org , Indian Express
Why the question:
The question is from the static portions of GS paper I, part of art and culture.
Key Demand of the question:
One is expected to comment on the key feature of Hindustani music which is the Gharanas; and relate it to the likeliness of socio-cultural environment.
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 brief introduction about the Hindustani music and its significance in general with special focus on the feature of Gharanas.
Body:
The answer body must have the following aspects covered:
What are Gharanas and brief importance of them; These Gharanas have their basis in their traditional mode of musical training and education. Every Gharanas have their distinct features. The concept of ‘Guru-Shishya parampara’ leads to the development of Gharanas. Any music style can be called Gharana only when it is passed down through three generations.
Explain the linkages of gharanas with the socio-cultural aspects. Give examples of popular gharanas like Gwalior Gharana, Agra Gharana etc. and substantiate.
Conclusion:
One can conclude by highlighting their significance as an intangible heritage and in what way the sociocultural fabric decides their features even today.
Introduction:
Gharana, in Hindustani music of India, a community of performers who share a distinctive musical style that traces to a particular instructor or region. The notion of a gharana arose in the 19th century, but it was not until the 20th century that the gharana took shape as a veritable system for the transmission of classical music. The system emerged as a means by which musicians could maintain their artistic authority—through emphasis of the lineage—in an era of declining court patronage. Some of the gharanas well known for singing khayals are: Agra, Gwalior, Patiala, Kirana, Indore, Mewati, Sahaswan, Bhendibazar and Jaipur.
Body:
Features of Gharanas are just a reflection of the features socio-cultural environment of existence:
- Past:
- For the longest time, a gharana consisted strictly of family members and music was preserved within its lineage, almost like any other property.
- Its origin is traced back to the time when the Mughal empire was at its twilight, and art and culture of the court, disintegrated to find new homes in the princely states.
- The emergence of gharanas by the end of the 19th century, is reflexive of the kind of sociological transformations that music underwent during the final years of the Mughal empire.
- A gharana also indicates a comprehensive musicological ideology. This ideology sometimes changes substantially from one gharana to another. It directly affects the thinking, teaching, performance and appreciation of music.
- Musicologists and musicians have accepted a gharana if it has existed for at least three generations either within the family or through the guru-shishya mode.
- Royal favouritism and family jealousies were part of this newfound system of music. A case in point is the Gwalior Gharana, which is believed to be the reference point from which other gharanas emerged.
- In India, historically, the emergence of gharanas enabled only male artistes gain respectability and independent visibility as gurus and art leaders.
- Modern claims to reviving the ‘purity’ of Indian classical music heritage were driven more by social prejudice against lower caste and lower class, minority, and female musician lifestyles than any fundamental stylistic distinctiveness. There was a sociological inevitability to the favouring of patriarchy.
- Recent times:
- In recent times, the purity of the gharana tradition has diluted, and to be trained in multiple gharanas is often seen as an attribute of a good singer.
- The trend of teaching students outside one’s family, was also something that began fairly recently.
- In the 21st century the gharana system remains a vital force in the validation of North Indian classical musicians.
- In the last two decades, the trend has shifted further and the blending of classical Hindustani with modern and western variants of music has emerged rather strongly.
- The popularity of fusion music is now enticing a young audience towards classical music.
Conclusion:
The Gharanas, thus emerge from the creative style of a genius, who gives existing structures a totally new approach, form and interpretation. The new approach, form and interpretation apply to include the tone of the voice, the pitch, the inflexions and the intonations, and the specific application of the various nuances. It is also influenced by the socio-cultural environment as seen above.
Topic: Puppetry
Reference: Art and culture by Nitin Singhania
Why the question:
The question is from the static portions of GS paper I, part of art and culture.
Key Demand of the question:
The question is based on Indian puppetry and its diverse forms.
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 what Indian puppetry is and its diversity across Indian states.
Body:
The question is straightforward and aims to discuss the following dimensions:
- The diverse forms of Indian puppetry and its various types.
- Examples of Puppetry across India.
In the first aspect start by suggesting the famous types of puppetry popular in India; There are 4 major different types of puppets used in India: Glove puppetry, rod puppetry, shadow puppetry, string puppetry.
Then one can regionally discuss the types across the spatial dimension of the country (may be State wise), draw the map of India for better presentation.
Give examples such as Glove Puppets – PavaKoothu – Kerala,Rod Puppets – Putul Nach – West Bengal, Kathi Kandhe – Orissa, Yampuri – Bihar. Shadow Puppets : Tholu Bommalata – Andhra Pradesh , Togalu Gombeyata – Karnataka, Tolpavakoothu – Kerala etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude with importance of puppetry art in India and in a passing reference suggest how the art is dying and efforts need to be made to conserve and preserve the same.
Introduction:
A puppet is one of the most remarkable and ingenious inventions of the man. Puppetry is a type of narrative theatre; at the crossroads between bardic storytelling and theatre plays. Shows include live music, narration and gestures taken from dance. Puppetry throughout the ages has held an important place in traditional entertainment. Like traditional theatre, themes for puppet theatre are mostly based on epics and legends. Puppets from different parts of the country have their own identity. Regional styles of painting and sculpture are reflected in them.
Body:
Puppetry in India:
- The earliest reference to the art of puppetry is found in Tamil classic ‘Silappadikaaram’ written around the 1st or 2nd century B.C. In Sanskrit terminology Puttalika and Puttika means ‘little sons’.
- Ancient Hindu philosophers have paid the greatest tribute to puppeteers. They have likened God Almighty to a puppeteer and the entire universe to a puppet stage.
- Srimad Bhagavata, the great epic depicting the story of Lord Krishna in his childhood say that with three strings-Satta, Raja and Tama, the God manipulates each object in the universe as a marionette.
- Natyashastra, the masterly treatise on dramaturgy written sometime during 2nd century BC to 2nd century AD., does not refer to the art of puppetry but the producer-cum-director of the human theatre has been termed as ‘Sutradhar’ meaning the holder of strings.
- Stories adapted from puranic literature, local myths and legends usually form the content of traditional puppet theatre in India which, in turn, imbibes elements of all creative expressions like painting, sculpture, music, dance, drama, etc.
- Almost all types of puppets are found in India. Puppetry throughout the ages has held an important place in traditional entertainment. Like traditional theatre, themes for puppet theatre are mostly based on epics and legends.
- Puppets from different parts of the country have their own identity. Regional styles of painting and sculpture are reflected in them.
There are 4 major different types of puppets used in India.
String Puppets:
- India has a rich and ancient tradition of string puppets or marionettes.
- Marionettes having jointed limbs controlled by strings allow far greater flexibility and are, therefore, the most articulate of the puppets.
- Kathputli in Rajasthan, Kundhei in Odisha, Gombeyatta in Karnataka, Bommalattam in TamilNadu, Putal Nach in Assam, Kalasutri Bahulya in Maharashtra are some of the regions where this form of puppetry has flourished.
Shadow Puppets:
- India has the richest variety of types and styles of shadow puppets.
- Shadow puppets are flat figures. They are cut out of leather, which has been treated to make it translucent.
- Shadow puppets are pressed against the screen with a strong source of light behind it.
- The manipulation between the light and the screen make silhouettes or colourful shadows, as the case may be, for the viewers who sit in front of the screen.
- Togalu Gombeyatta-Karnataka, Tholu Bommalata- Andhra Pradesh, Ravanachhaya- Orissa, Tolpavakoothu – Kerala, Chamadyache Bahulya – Maharashtra, Thol Bommalattam – Tamil Nadu are some of the shadow puppets surviving in India.
Rod Puppets:
- Rod puppets are an extension of glove-puppets, but often much larger and supported and manipulated by rods from below.
- This form of puppetry now is found mostly in West Bengal and Orissa.
- Putul Nautch-West Bengal, Yampuri-Bihar, Kathi Kandhe – Odisha are few examples.
Glove Puppets:
- Glove puppets, are also known as sleeve, hand or palm puppets.
- The head is made of either papier mache, cloth or wood, with two hands emerging from just below the neck.
- The rest of the figure consists of a long flowing skirt. These puppets are like limp dolls, but in the hands of an able puppeteer, are capable of producing a wide range of movements.
- The tradition of glove puppets in India is popular in Uttar Pradesh, Orissa, West Bengal and Kerala.
- In Uttar Pradesh, glove puppet plays usually present social themes, whereas in Orissa such plays are based on stories of Radha and Krishna.
- In Orissa, the puppeteer plays on the dholak with one hand and manipulates the puppet with the other.
- The delivery of the dialogues, the movement of the puppet and the beat of the dholak are well synchronised and create a dramatic atmosphere
- Pavakoothu in Kerala is a form of glove puppet.
However, the art of puppetry is dying due to the following reasons:
- Lack of patronage in the modern age.
- Competition from Electronic media which is a preferred mode of entertainment. People find it more appealing to watch mythological stories of Ramayan and Mahabharat on electronic media rather than in Puppetry.
- Puppetry Art is usually confined to only devotional and mythological stories.
- With changing times, Puppetry does not take up modern social issues.
- Puppetry lacks modernization in terms of script, lighting, sound and other stage effects.
Conclusion:
Besides traditional puppetry, India is home to a lively contemporary scene. Independent India opened up to artistic exchange, and new forms and techniques affected puppetry, introducing new styles and giving origin to a refined urban puppet theatre. The birth of modern troupes and the opening to the international scene created new contexts for traditional puppetry to flourish. Several festivals organized in the last decades offer the stage to traditional troupes. So far modernity threatened the very survival of traditional puppetry, but a more conscious use of contemporary means and opportunities is actually the key to preserve this rich heritage of India.
Topic: Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.
Reference: The Hindu.
Why the question:
The Supreme Court of India has recently opined, inter-caste marriages can reduce caste and community tensions in India Thus the question.
Key Demand of the question:
Critically examine in what way Inter-caste marriages can prove to be a solution to reduce communal tensions in our country.
Directive:
Critically comment – 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 ‘comment’ is prefixed, we have to express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an overall opinion thereupon.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start with the present societal setup and conditions related to intercaste marriages in the country. Comment on the societal aspects, beliefs and sociological aspects.
Body:
Start with the help of fact that -The Supreme Court of India in a recent judgment said that, the educated youngsters are showing a way forward to reduce caste and community tensions across India by involving into the Inter-caste marriage.
Then explain the laws that prohibited intercaste marriages in the country, give example of the UP government, explain how such laws can create communal tensions and deepen the gaps in the society.
Conclusion:
Comment on existing efforts/policies and the latest programs and provisions that encourage inter faith marriages as a solution to communal tensions in the country.
Introduction:
Inter-caste marriages will possibly reduce caste and community tensions, the Supreme Court said while noting that the educated younger boys and girls are now a days choosing their life partners which is a departure from earlier societal norms.
Body:
Background:
- Anti-Conversion Laws: The proposed law cleared by the Uttar Pradesh cabinet defines punishment and fine under three different heads.
- Those found guilty of conversion done though “misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, allurement or by any fraudulent means” in contravention of the law would face jail term of one to 5 years, and a minimum fine of Rs 15,000.
- Such laws can be misused by the extremist forces of the society.
- In 2017 the Supreme Court in the Sadiya case said that marriage between two adults falls in the core zone of privacy under Article 21.
- Yet in India, in 2015, as many as 251 people died in the name of honour killings, which is a whopping increase of 796% from 2014.
- In 2006, an SC judgement called such incidences “barbaric. But the irony is that there exists no separate law to punish those found guilty of such murders, and prosecutions are usually among various sections of the Indian Penal Code for homicide and culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
Inter-caste and inter-faith marriages reduces Communal Tensions
- Educated youngsters can show future generations about how people can live amicably in the society transcending caste, religion and ethnic fault lines.
- Communal tensions can be reduced, and India which is divided into innumerable castes and religions can truly cement unity.
- Society will become more tolerant and accepting of inter-caste marriages that will make it a norm rather than an exception. Dr Ambedkar had noted that, India can truly become a nation when there is a feeling of brotherhood and fraternity amongst all the people of the country
- It will truly lead to annihilation of caste, leading to a cohesive society.
- Incidents such as DG Halli Riots and Delhi riots can be prevented.
Conclusion:
Though inter-faith and inter-caste marriages have the ability to reduce communal tensions, it is not the panacea. Education and instilling the feeling of brotherhood amongst all Indians will be tantamount in building a strong cohesive society.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources. GS-3: Government Budgeting.
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
The article presents to us a detailed analysis of decreased budgetary allocations to the education sector and its impact on the education quality vis-à-vis social divide.
Key Demand of the question:
Elaborate the statement in question and present an analysis as to how though money may not ensure quality education, lack of adequate resources will deepen the social divide.
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:
Start with a fact like – The recent Union Budget allocation to education sector has decreased by 6% compared to last year or by commenting on the trends of allocations made to education sector in the recent years.
Body:
Explain though money may not ensure quality education, lack of adequate resources will deepen the social divide. Substantiate this with facts such as – With the economic constraints created by COVID-19, reduction of state expenditure affects the poor who depend on government schools.
Discuss why Additional resources were required and what they can ensure. Such as – drop-out children returning to school, opening schools with a secure and hygienic environment etc.
Highlight the issues/challenges in education sector.
Conclusion:
Conclude by suggesting solutions to address the problems of this sector.
Introduction:
The government has allocated Rs 6,000 crore less on education in Budget 2021 as compared to last year. Though 15,000 schools will be strengthened by implementing all NEP components, the budget has not highlighted the pandemic impact on education and especially on the poor and the rural students.
Body
Lack of resources and impact on education
Last year’s Parliamentary reported noted stark deficits in school infrastructure.
- Only 56% of schools have electricity, with the lowest rates in Manipur and Madhya Pradesh, where less than 20% have access to power.
- Less than 57% of schools have playgrounds, including less than 30% of schools in Odisha and Jammu and Kashmir, according to the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) 2017-18 survey.
- Almost 40% of schools did not have a boundary wall, endangering the safety of students and school property.
Challenges of education sector in India
- Inadequate government Funding: The country spent 3% of its total GDP on education in 2018-19 according to the Economic Survey which is very less in comparison to the developed and OECD countries.
- Pandemic impact: Some 23.8 million additional children and youth (from pre-primary to tertiary) may drop out or not have access to school next year.
- As per ASER Report 2020, 5.5% of rural children are not currently enrolled for the 2020 school year, up from 4% in 2018.
- This difference is the sharpest among the youngest children (6 to 10) where 5.3% of rural children had not yet enrolled in school in 2020, in comparison to just 1.8% in 2018.
- Digital Divide: There is a major digital divide within the country across states, cities and villages, and income groups (National Statistical Organisation Survey on Digital Education Divide). Nearly 4% of rural households and 23% of urban households possessed computers and 24% of the households in the country had internet access.
- Quality of Education: Only 16% of children in Class 1 can read the text at the prescribed level, while almost 40% cannot even recognise letters.
- Lack of infrastructure: Most of the schools are not yet compliant with the complete set of RTE infrastructure. They lack drinking water facilities, a functional common toilet, and do not have separate toilets for girls.
- Inadequate teachers and their training: The 24:1 ratio of India is way lower than Sweden’s 12:1, Britain’s 16:1, Russia’s 10:1 and Canada’s 9:1. Moreover the quality of teachers who are sometimes appointed politically or are not trained adequately is another huge challenge.
Measures Needed:
- There is considerable scope for expanding Anganwadi outreach for 3- and 4-year-old children.
- Strengthen the early childhood components in the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) system for raising school readiness among young children.
- A reworking of curriculum and activities is urgently needed for the entire age band from 4 to 8, cutting across all types of preschools and early grades regardless of whether the provision is by government institutions or by private agencies.
- The year 2020 marks the 10th anniversary of the RTE Act. This is the best moment to focus on the youngest cohorts before and during their entry to formal schooling and ensure that 10 years later they complete secondary school as well-equipped and well-rounded citizens of India.
- Increase accessibility: The pandemic has taught us a lot about adjusting to changes in new and creative ways. But taking the weaker sections along is equally necessary.
- There’s a need to explore the possibility of high and low technology solutions to digital learning, on the basis of power supply, digital skills of teachers and students, and internet connectivity.
- Inclusion in distance learning programs, especially for students coming from low-income groups or the presence of disability, etc.
Conclusion:
Education is the key to upliftment of people from poverty, inequality and oppression. India’s demographic dividend is dependent on quality education at primary, secondary and high school levels. Focus must be on pedagogy and a safe and stimulating environment where wide range of learning experiences are offered to the children.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
Reference: Down to Earth
Why the question:
The article brings to us a detailed report of the achievements made by the GIM and its significance in afforestation movement of India.
Key Demand of the question:
The question is straightforward and one must explain the objectives of Green India Mission and its significance in afforestation movement of India.
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:
Start with the fact that a sum of Rs 343.08 crore has been released under the Green India Mission (GIM) for undertaking afforestation activities over an area of 126,916.32 hectare (ha) in 13 states, according to the Economic Survey 2019-20.
Body:
The question is pretty much straightforward and there isn’t much to deliberate.
Explain the inception of Green Indian Mission and discuss its key features; To protect, restore and enhance India’s falling forest cover, To respond to climate change through a combination of adaptation as well as mitigation measures, To increased forest-based livelihood incomes, To enhance annual Carbon sequestration by 50 to 60 million tonnes in the year 2020.
Evaluate the significance of such a scheme in achieving the afforestation goals of the country.
Conclusion:
Conclude with significance that GIM was introduced with the aim to protect, restore and enhance India’s forest cover. It takes a holistic view on greening and focuses on multiple ecosystem services along with carbon sequestration and emission reduction as co-benefits.
Introduction:
National Mission for a Green India or the commonly called Green India Mission (GIM), is one of the eight Missions outlined under India’s action plan for addressing the challenge of climate change -the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). GIM, launched in February 2014, puts “greening” in the context of climate change adaptation and mitigation. Greening is meant to enhance ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration and storage (in forests and other ecosystems), hydrological services and biodiversity; as well as other provisioning services such as fuel, fodder, small timber and non-timber forest products (NTFPs).
Body:
Objectives of Green India Mission:
- To increase forest/tree cover to the extent of 5 million hectares (mha) and improve quality of forest/tree cover on another 5 mha of forest/non-forest lands; Separate sub-targets exists for different forest types and ecosystems (e.g. Wetland, grassland, dense forest etc.). For instance, GIM aims at:
- Improvement in quality of forest cover and ecosystem services of forests /non-forests, including moderately dense, open forests, degraded grassland and wetlands (5 m ha). The sub-targets are:
- Moderately dense forest cover, but showing degradation: 1.5 m ha
- Eco-restoration of degraded open forests: 3 m ha
- Restoration of Grasslands: 0.4 m ha
- Restoration of Wetlands: 0.10 m ha
- Eco-restoration/afforestation of scrub, shifting cultivation areas, cold deserts, mangroves, ravines and abandoned mining areas (1.8 m ha) with separate sub –targets for each one of those.
- Improvement in forest and tree cover in urban/peri-urban lands (0.20 m ha)
- Improvement in forest and tree cover on marginal agricultural lands/fallows and other non-forest lands under agro-forestry / social forestry (3 m ha)
- Improvement in quality of forest cover and ecosystem services of forests /non-forests, including moderately dense, open forests, degraded grassland and wetlands (5 m ha). The sub-targets are:
- To improve/enhance eco-system services like carbon sequestration and storage (in forests and other ecosystems), hydrological services and biodiversity; along with provisioning services like fuel, fodder, and timber and non-timber forest produces (Minor forest produces or MFPs) etc which are expected to result from the treatment of 10 m ha;
- To increase forest based livelihood income for about 3 million households in and around these forest areas; and
- Enhanced annual CO2 sequestration by 50 to 60 million tonnes in the year 2020.
Significance of GIM:
The Green India Mission recognizes the influences and potential that the forests and other natural ecosystems have on climate adaptation/mitigation, and food, water, environmental and livelihood security of tribal and forest dwellers specifically, and the nation at large, in the context of climate change.
The Mission is therefore in a unique position to significantly contribute to sustainability of other missions for the following reasons:
- Ameliorating climate: Over the past decades, national policies of conservation and sustainable management have transformed the country’s forests into a net sink of CO2. From 1995 to 2005, carbon stocks stored in our forests are estimated to have increased from 6245 million tonnes to 6622 million tonnes thereby registering an annual increment of 37.68 million tons of carbon or 138.15 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent.
- Food security: Forests are essential for maintaining favourable and stable conditions needed for sustained agricultural In Nayagarh, Orissa, maintaining agricultural productivity is one of the key reasons for forest protection by the community. According to a study by Nadkarni, as much as 50% of the productivity of paddy fields in the Western Ghats is actually attributed to leaf litter collected from the forests.
- Water security: Forests are vital for maintaining the hydrological cycle and regulating water flows and sub-soil water regimes, recharging the aquifers and maintaining the flow of water in rivers and rivulets. Forest ecosystems are the source of a large number of rivers and rivulets in the country. The forested watersheds have better availability as well as quality of water than watersheds under alternative land uses.
- Livelihood security of local communities: Forests provide a range of provisioning services, particularly fuel wood, fodder, small timber, NTFP and medicinal plants, and artisan raw material like canes and bamboo, that are crucial to livelihood security of forest-dependent communities. Nearly 27% of the total population of India, comprising 275 million rural people, depends on forests for their livelihoods
Conclusion:
GIM was introduced with the aim to protect, restore and enhance India’s forest cover. It takes a holistic view on greening and focuses on multiple ecosystem services along with carbon sequestration and emission reduction as co-benefits.
General Studies – 4
Topic: Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in-human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics – in private and public relationships. Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of Family society and educational institutions in inculcating values.
Reference: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Why the question:
Amidst the coming of Covid-19 vaccination across the world within short span of time, the question aims to present the major conflict of interests that arise in Clinical trails.
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:
Briefly explain what clinical trials are and what you understand by conflict of interests in them.
Body:
The term “conflict of interest” in science refers to situations in which financial or other personal considerations may compromise, or have the appearance of compromising, an investigator’s professional judgment in conducting or reporting research.
Explain that Patients and the public benefit when physicians and researchers collaborate with pharmaceutical, medical device, and biotechnology companies to develop products that benefit individual and public health. At the same time, concerns are growing that wide-ranging financial ties to industry may unduly influence professional judgments involving the primary interests and goals of medicine. Such conflicts of interest threaten the integrity of scientific investigations, the objectivity of professional education, the quality of patient care, and the public’s trust in medicine.
Give examples and list the issues.
Conclusion:
Conclude with what needs to be done and suggest way forward.
Introduction:
A clinical trial is a systematic study to generate data for discovering or verifying the clinical and pharmacological profile (including pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic) or adverse effects of a new drug on humans. It is the only way of establishing the safety and efficacy of any drug before its introduction in the market for human use and is preceded by animal trials where the efficacy and side effects are observed in animals and an estimated drug dose is established.
A conflict of interest (COI) occurs when an individual who is involved in multiple interests has one interest that interferes with another. The terms ‘conflict of interests’ and ‘competing interests’ are used interchangeably.
Body:
Conflicts of Interest:
- Patients and the public benefit when physicians and researchers collaborate with pharmaceutical, medical device, and biotechnology companies to develop products that benefit individual and public health.
- At the same time, concerns are growing that wide-ranging financial ties to industry may unduly influence professional judgments involving the primary interests and goals of medicine.
- Such conflicts of interest threaten the integrity of scientific investigations, the objectivity of professional education, the quality of patient care, and the public’s trust in medicine.
Ethical issues involved in clinical trials:
- Lack of informed consent:
- In 2009, an international NGO had launched a $3.6 million human papillomavirus (HPV) trial in India and tested two vaccines on 16,000 tribal girls in Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat, apparently without informed consent from the girls’ parents.
- Principle of Utilitarian approach:
- more emphasis on maximum good to more number of people at the cost of individual rights is followed.
- Corruption:
- Clinical trials in India have been accompanied by large-scale criminality as doctors, officials and pharmaceutical companies understand that India is a cesspool of corruption where clearances can be had with influence.
- Lack of adequate representation:
- There is an over-representation of low-income groups among trial subjects.
- Lack of volunteer honesty:
- Some volunteers lie about one’s medical history or enrol in multiple trials to maximise one’s income. Unsafe drugs can make their way into the market as a result, or safe drugs can get rejected.
- Lack of transparency:
- Trials done earlier where the drug has not been found to be effective are sometimes not publicized.
- Monitoring issues:
- Numerous challenges associated with monitoring such as overlapping responsibilities, communication gaps, and lack of standards are also some concerns
Way forward:
- The government is also exploring technologies such as organs-on-a-chip to reduce the harm to animals. This would ensure that animals are used only when absolutely necessary.
- Landmark amendments to the Drugs and Cosmetics Act in 2013 led to better protection of vulnerable groups such as illiterate people, but more regulation is needed to ensure truly ethical research.
- A National registry of trial volunteers which will alert a CRO when someone signs up for two studies simultaneously is necessary without violating volunteer privacy.
- Ethics committees are the front line regulators for clinical trials. If they were functional, they would be a major factor in preventing unethical trials.
- Encourage a wider cross-section of society to participate in research on human subjects.
Topic: Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance.
Reference: Ethics by Lexicon publications
Why the question:
The question is based on a quotation by Socrates.
Key Demand of the question:
The answer must explain in what way a system of morality which is based on relative emotional values isn’t true morality.
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:
Start with definition of what constitutes morality.
Body:
One must explain that when emotionalism is the foundation of moral choices (if it makes you emotionally happy or excited, it is right and good), then the moral choice is vulgar. Since vulgarity is the antithesis of morality, then the choice based on emotionalism is not a moral choice.
Discuss what actually should be the basis of Morality. Give examples to substantiate your stand.
Conclusion:
Conclude with importance of morality.
Introduction:
What Socrates is claiming is that when emotionalism is the foundation of moral choices (if it makes you emotionally happy or excited, it is right and good), then the moral choice is vulgar. Since vulgarity is the antithesis of morality, then the choice based on emotionalism is not a moral choice.
Body:
The entire quote is as follows:
There is only one currency for which all these tokens of ours should be exchanged, and that is wisdom. In fact, it is wisdom that makes possible courage and self-control and integrity or, in a word, true goodness, and the presence or absence of pleasures and fears and other such feelings makes no difference at all, whereas a system of morality which is based on relative emotional values is a mere illusion, a thoroughly vulgar conception which has nothing sound in it and nothing true.
Example, bullying and ragging is a behaviour that is emotionally tormenting to the one being bullied. While those who bully derive sadistic pleasure out of the pain and embarrassment of the victim. Such behaviour is immoral and based on relative emotional values. This Socrates calls as vulgar conception of morality.
Essentially, Socrates is stating that wisdom is the only thing which should be valued in life; given wisdom is what brings about rational emotions. Irrational emotions, like pleasure and fear, can be eliminated because they offer no value. For Socrates, pleasure and fear is vulgar, unlike true goodness, courage and integrity (which comes from wisdom).
Further, a so-called moral choice of this sort, based as it is on faulty logical reasoning, is not rationally sound. If a choice or an argument or a supposition is not logically sound, then there is nothing true in it.
Another example can be man’s reckless destruction of environment for petty greed. The result of which is disproportionately on the most vulnerable. Such incessant destruction without considerations for the ecosystem is Vulgar, because it defies environmental ethics. One cannot call such acts as moral or ethical.
Conclusion:
Morality that is not objective and rational rather based on one’s own emotional state or is self-centred, cannot be called morality at all. Such morality causes chaos and anarchy, destroying the very basis on which the society is formed.
