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: political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc.— their forms and effect on the society
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The COVID19 vaccine crisis is another tragic instance of a clash between the needs of Humanity and the principles of Capitalism. Thus the question.
Key Demand of the question:
Critically analyse the clash between the needs of Humanity and the principles of Capitalism amidst the ongoing pandemic.
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 with what you understand by capitalism in brief.
Body:
The answer body must discuss the various ways in which Capitalism is against Humanity – Focused on profit, immorally converts the “commons” to private goods, tries to establish monopoly etc.
Give examples amidst the current covid crisis.
One can present the case study of impact of Capitalism on welfare nature of State through the Intellectual Property regime.
Suggest what needs to be done to address the problem.
Conclusion:
Conclude that the governments must create more public-spirited enterprises to provide public goods equitably to all citizens. Companies must rethink the purpose of their existence. It is imperative now that more human and fewer money values are adopted.
Introduction
The COVID-19 vaccine crisis is another tragic instance of a clash between the needs of humanity and the principles of capitalism. This is even more so in the context of vaccine distribution. Capitalists insist that private producers of vaccines must make profits because that is their compensation for investing in research and production.
Body
Clash between needs to humanity and capitalistic principles
- The purpose of governments is to improve the all-round well-being of all citizens; not merely to provide products to customers who can pay good prices for them, which is the means by which private enterprises meet their objective of producing profits for their investors.
- The COVID-19 crisis has revealed the inadequacy of capitalism to fulfil societal needs. If capitalist enterprises are not willing to fulfil public purposes, governments must create more public-spirited enterprises to provide public goods equitably to all citizens.
- Relentless economic growth is devouring the earth that hosts humanity.
- With artificial intelligence algorithms in social media, capitalist enterprises are able to manipulate human minds.
- Their investors have become the richest people on the planet.
- New mRNA technologies on which some new COVID-19 vaccines are based provide the means to manipulate the composition of human bodies.
- Thus, capitalists can create even more wealth for themselves off human beings.
Measures needed to balance profits and public welfare
- There are three stakeholders involved in a system to produce adequate volumes of affordable medicines: citizens who need the medicines, governments who must ensure they get them, and private companies who produce and sell them.
- If the stand of private companies is that because their business must be only business, and the public good is not their responsibility, governments must step in.
- They must have the means to regulate the prices and also to enhance production.
- Vaccine must be distributed freely, to all across the globe. Infact, USA being a staunch capitalist nation itself provided the vaccines freely.
- India must ensure that, those who cannot afford the vaccines must be inoculated; they are already burdened with loss of livelihood. It is imperative their lives are not valued less.
Conclusion
Money-driven capitalist values have drifted too far from human values. Money has become the supreme measure of success in all spheres: the wealth of individuals, the size of companies, and the scales of nations’ economies. The sustainable health of complex systems — which human beings and societies are — is being lost sight of. The COVID-19 crisis will not end capitalism. But capitalism must mutate to survive. Companies must rethink the purpose for their existence. It is imperative now that more human and less money values are adopted.
Topic: History of the world will include events from 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc.— their forms and effect on the society.
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
Germany for the first time has recognized that it committed genocide against the Herero and Nama people in present-day Namibia during its colonial rule over a century ago. Thus the question.
Key Demand of the question:
Explain the impact of recognition of genocide that Germany had committed against the Herero and Nama people of the present-day Namibia.
Directive:
Elucidate – Give 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 brief background of the context of the question.
Body:
The answer body must have the following aspects covered:
Briefly discuss the history of the genocide committed by the Germany in the past.
Between 1904 and 1908, German colonial settlers killed tens of thousands of men, women and children from the Herero and Nama tribes after they rebelled against colonial rule in what was then called German South West Africa. Between 1884 and 1890, Germany formally colonized parts of present-day Namibia. The Germans continued to rule the region till 1915, following which it fell under South Africa’s control for 75 years.
The atrocities committed have been described by some historians as the first genocide of the 20th century.
Now, after the announcement, a declaration will be signed by Germany, following which it will be ratified by the parliaments of both countries.
Discuss the impact and significance of such recognition.
Conclusion:
Conclude with importance.
Introduction
Germany for the first time has recognised that it committed genocide against the Herero and Nama people in present-day Namibia during its colonial rule over a century ago, and promised financial support of over a billion euros to the Southern African nation. While Germany has previously acknowledged the atrocities, they refused to pay direct reparations for many years.
Body
About the genocide by colonial Germany
- Between 1884 and 1890, Germany formally colonised parts of present-day Namibia — a territory which was roughly twice as large as the European nation, but not as densely populated.
- By 1903, around 3,000 German settlers had occupied the central high ground of the region.
- Tensions quickly rose as local tribes saw the German settlers as a threat to their land and resources.
- The conflict reached a boiling point in 1904, when the Herero nation — a primarily pastoral community — rebelled against the Germans, and were closely followed by the Nama tribe.
- Between 1904 and 1908, German colonial settlers killed tens of thousands of men, women and children from the Herero and Nama tribes after they rebelled against colonial rule in what was then called German South West Africa.
- During the Battle of Waterberg, around 80,000 Herero, including women and children, were chased across the desert by German troops. A mere 15,000 survived.
- Around this time, the southern Nama communities, too, had led an insurrection against German colonialism. But much like the Herero, they too were brutally suppressed. Around 10,000 of them were killed.
- Over the next three years, thousands of Nama and Herero men, women and children were exiled to the Kalahari Desert where many died of thirst. Several others were sent to bleak concentration camps, and used for forced labour.
- The Germans continued to rule the region till 1915, following which it fell under South Africa’s control for 75 years. Namibia finally gained independence in 1990.
Recognition of genocide by Germany
- Since 2015, however, the two countries have been negotiating an agreement in an attempt to “heal the wounds” of the past. This was meant to combine an official apology by Germany as well as some sort of financial package. The aim of the talks was to “find a common path to genuine reconciliation in memory of the victims”.
- Germany was also reluctant to use the term “reparations” to describe the financial aid they were planning to provide, the southern African nation noted at the time.
- In 2018, as a gesture of goodwill, Germany returned the human remains of some Herero and Nama tribe members, which were used during the colonial-era in experiments to assert the superiority of the European race.
- Finally, Germany acknowledged the killings as genocide. In light of Germany’s historical and moral responsibility, Germany asked for forgiveness. Also, the foreign minister announced a financial package of 1.1 billion euros for development projects in Namibia.
- A declaration will be signed by Maas in early June, following which it will be ratified by the parliaments of both countries.
- Germany’s financial package worth 1.1 billion euros will be paid separately to existing aid programmes in the country over the next three decades.
- A majority of the total sum will go towards projects relating to land reform, rural infrastructure, water supply and professional training, the Guardian reported. The descendants of Herero and Nama tribes are heavily involved in these developmental projects.
- Meanwhile, around 50 million euros has been reserved for cultural projects and youth exchange programmes between the two countries, to help build bridges.
- The joint declaration will refer to the atrocities committed by the German troops as a “genocide” but is likely to pointedly avoid using the term “reparations” and “compensation”, to avoid any legal repercussions or set a precent for similar demands by other nations.
Conclusion
This will be an instance where a country took historical responsibility and is acknowledging the mistakes of its colonial past. The development package will come as a respite to the African nation which can steer towards better development of human capital.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.
Reference: Times of India
Why the question:
The slew of regulations to be brought up by the Administrator of UT of Lakshadweep, on the account of pushing developmental measures, has raised environmental concerns in the region.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss and analyse in what way struggles to divert part of tourism from Maldives towards Lakshadweep overlooking it in the Indian Ocean Region has the obvious potential to challenge the sovereignty of our nation amidst rising separatist movements throughout the country.
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:
Lakshadweep Administrator Praful Khoda Patel is facing opposition from the people of the union territory and politicians — both from within Lakshadweep and neighboring Kerala — over policies introduced by him since his appointment in December 2020.
Body:
The answer body must have the following aspects covered:
Discuss the current issue in detail, talk about the contentious regulations made in the recent times.
Account for issues with the recently created Lakshadweep Development Authority (LDA).
Explain how such aspects can be potential enough to challenge the sovereignty of our nation amidst rising separatist movements throughout the country.
Conclusion:
Conclude by suggesting solutions to the issue and need for a relook at the new slew of measures about to be undertaken.
Introduction
Over the last few weeks, public anger has been simmering in the Lakshadweep islands over a number of controversial proposals floated by the Union Territory Administrator, Praful K Patel. While the UT Administration has said Patel’s proposals are aimed at ensuring safety and well-being of residents along with promoting the islands as a tourist destination on par with the Maldives, residents view them as ripping the social and cultural fabric of the islands.
Body
Issues with the recent proposals
- On an island where crime rate is already low, administrator introduced a proposal to implement the anti-social Activities Regulation bill, 2021, or the goonda act. Under this act anyone can be arrested without a trial for a period of up to one year.
- A draft on the Lakshadweep Development Authority Regulation 2021 (LDAR) has been another bone of contention.
- The draft gives the administrator powers to remove or relocate islanders from their property, for town planning or any developmental activity. This is to make Lakshadweep like Maldives. Severe ecological concerns are raised about this plan.
- The draft bill gives the government and its bodies arbitrary and unchecked power to directly interfere with an islander’s right to possess and retain their property.
- The new proposal also includes introduction of liquor shops on the islands, to fuel tourism, which thus far have been restricted owing the majority Muslim population.
- A change is also being brought about to the Panchayat regulations wherein those people having more than two kids would be unable to contest for any panchayat elections.
- Among a string of changes, a beef ban has been proposed and non-vegetarian meals have been scrapped from the midday meals.
- The Administration has decided to allow liquor to be served at resorts on inhabited islands. Currently, prohibition is in place on all inhabited islands, with liquor served only at resorts on the uninhabited Bangaram island.
- As for Covid norms, earlier on the islands a mandatory 14-day quarantine was put into place, however now a negative RT-PCR would now suffice to enter the islands. This has caused concern for the locals.
Impact of such measures: Potential to challenge sovereignty
- Alongside the islanders and people on social media, opposition leaders in Lakshadweep and neighbouring Kerala have raised cause for concern.
- Residents have alleged that the move will lead to a proliferation of liquor sales on the island, which had been observing near-prohibition until now.
- The change in covid norms led to the island losing its ‘green zone’ tag and a spurt in infections in subsequent months. As of May 28, the Union Territory has reported over 7,300 cases and 28 deaths. Islanders blame the Administration for mismanagement in handling of the pandemic.
- Lawmakers in Kerala raised issues of locals. Majority of the 70,000 people in this Island depend on fishing and government services, but the new administration demolished huts of fisherman accusing Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) violation.
- The measures of administrator were termed authoritarian and locals are severely protesting the same. This has also fuelled demand for certain degree of autonomy to the people to administer themselves with elected representatives.
- There is a fear that, local movement may turn into challenge to India’s sovereignty on the island.
Conclusion
So far, people in the Lakshadweep have been living pretty much within the bounds of the ecological integrity of the islands. The new plans are feared to take agency away from the islanders. With the ingress of outside developers, islanders may feel alienated from their resources and land, which may fuel north-east like separatist movements. Adequate representation of the people must be given and their opinions valued before making major reforms.
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 highlights how data played an important role in decision-making in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic.
Key Demand of the question:
One is expected to elucidate the role played by data in decision making especially in the context of current pandemic crisis facing the world.
Directive:
Elucidate – Give 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:
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted globally how important data is to governments in decision-making.
Body:
The answer body must have the following aspects covered:
Importance of data in decision making; Epidemiological data is of paramount significance for targeting and implementing control measures for public health in a timely manner. Such data was used effectively in the evidence-based response and decision-making in countries like South Korea. Modern response to pandemics has focused on exploiting all the available data to inform policy action in real time.
Explain how data analysis helped during pandemic. Give examples to assert the importance.
Highlight the challenges if any.
Conclusion:
Suggest way forward.
Introduction
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted globally how important data is to governments in decision-making. The power of such data was seen early on in the evidence-based response and decision-making in countries like South Korea. Modern response to pandemics has focused on exploiting all the available data to inform policy action in real time.
Body
Significance of data in handling pandemic
- The need for timely data sharing lies in its utility through analysis and its power resides in its interpretation. The current pandemic is a prime example.
- It has revealed the need for continuous and repeated tracking of case numbers, fatalities and recoveries. The epidemiological concept of flattening the curve and its predictions are results of data analysis and modelling.
- The first wave showed us how certain underlying illnesses, comorbidities, could impact the outcome of the disease.
- Understanding testing adequacy or lack thereof allows us to measure our preparedness, prognostic versus diagnostic ability, and shape our responses to identify, manage, and care for new cases.
- Epidemic outbreak data like case data, medical and treatment data can be used to understand disease pathogenesis and severity.
- Genome sequencing surveillance helps identify and track viral genome sequence variants in real time and the evolution of the virus.
- Data is most valuable when you compare it to a control. Hence, background data defining underlying characteristics of the resident population including demographics, movement data, health infrastructure, water supply system and hygiene infrastructure are critical.
Vitality of data to governments in decision-making
- The pre-requisite for evidence-based policy is that the data must be trustworthy, and it depends upon the quality of the data and the quality of the professional statisticians.
- Evidence-based policy-making (EBP) assists in making decisions about projects, programmes and policies, by placing the best available evidence from research conducted at the heart of policy development and implementation.
- It also makes explicit what is known through scientific evidence. In contrast to opinion-based policy-making, evidence-based policy-making needs an evidence base at all stages in the policy cycle to define issues, shape agendas, make choices of action, identify options, deliver them, and monitor their impact and outcomes.
- Basically, it is a set of methods which informs the policy process, rather than aiming to directly affect the eventual objectives of the policy.
- Thereby, EBP advocates a more systematic, rational and rigorous approach to produce better outcomes.
Way forward
- Part of the challenge in evidence-based decision-making pertains to the standardisation of data collection, curation, annotation and the seamless integration of data analytics pipelines for outbreak analytics.
- Thus, ensuring data availability and quality under operational constraints is critical.
- The use of data standards instils consistency, reduces errors and enables transparency.
- Embedded in the idea of data sharing lies the concept of data security and confidentiality.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment. Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing.
Reference: Indian Express.
Why the question:
The article explains that the edible oil prices have risen sharply in recent months. It provides for a look at the reasons, and the options before the government for price control.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss why India needs to import edible oils, discuss its burden to the exchequer and what needs to be done to make India self-reliant in edible oils.
Directive:
Elaborate – Give 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 some key facts related to the context of the question such as – The prices of six edible oils — groundnut oil, mustard oil, vanaspati, soya oil, sunflower oil, and palm oil — have risen between 20% and 56% at all-India levels in the last year.
Body:
Briefly first discuss the trends of oil consumption in India; with rising incomes and changing food habits, consumption of edible oils has been rising over the years.
Explain how much is produced domestically and how much is imported?
Explain that the increase in domestic prices is basically a reflection of international prices because India meets 56% of its domestic demand through imports. In the international market, prices of edible oils have jumped sharply in recent months due to various factors.
Discuss what we can do to boost the domestic production of edible oils.
Conclusion:
Conclude with policy measures and solutions to make India self-reliant in edible oils.
Introduction
India needs 25 million tonnes of edible oils to meet its requirement at current consumption level of 19 kg per person per year. Out of the total requirement, 10.50 million tonnes are produced domestically from primary (Soybean, Rapeseed & Mustard, Groundnut, Sunflower, Safflower & Niger) and secondary sources (Oil palm, Coconut, Rice Bran, Cotton seeds & Tree Borne Oilseeds) and remaining 70%, is met through import.
Body
Reasons for edible oil import dependence in India
- India’s import dependence in this has worsened to over 70%. Oilseed growers in India are in distress as a result of increased imports.
- The planted acreage has stagnated and the yields also continue to be abysmally low.
- This is primarily because growers have no incentive to improve agronomic practices.
- The marketability of the crop grown is also weak as the price support mechanism is nearly non-existent.
- Market – Liberal policies with zero or low rate of duty and free market operations of the last 25 years have contributed to unfettered imports.
- This has worked against protecting the interests of domestic growers.
- About 10-15% of the current import volume is speculation driven. It often represents stock transfer from Indonesia and Malaysia to India.
- Huge inventories of as much as 2 million tonnes are often piled up in India, in turn affecting the domestic market.
Effect of import on government exchequer
- According to the latest data, each Indian consumed 19.5 kg of edible oil every year on an average during 2015-16, up from 15.8 kg in 2012-13.
- This amounts to an aggregate demand of around 26 million tons of edible oils per year.
- In 2019, India imported around 15 million tons of edible oils worth approximately Rs 7,300 crore, which accounted for 40 per cent of the agricultural imports bill and three per cent of the overall import bill of the country.
- Palm oil accounted for the lion’s share of the total imports (62 per cent), followed by soya oil and sunflower oil (21 per cent and 16 per cent, respectively). There is a considerable increase in the share of soya oil and sunflower oil in the import basket.
Measures to boost domestic production
India has a serious import dependency in edible oil. One of the biggest constraints to raising oilseed output has been that production is largely in rain-fed areas. Only one fourth of the oilseed producing area in the country remains under the irrigation.
- In 1986, government had launched a Technology Mission on Oilseeds to improve productivity. This resulted in some growth but then growth in this field has been sluggish only.
- Current Government is promoting National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP) during 2012-17. This mission has some clear cut objectives such as:
- Increasing Seed Replacement Ratio (SRR) in oil crops with focus on Varietal Replacement;
- Increasing irrigation coverage under oilseeds from 26% to 36%;
- Diversification of area from low yielding cereals crops to oilseeds crops; inter-cropping of oilseeds with cereals/ pulses/ sugarcane;
- Use of fallow land after paddy /potato cultivation;
- Expansion of cultivation of Oil Palm and tree borne oilseeds in watersheds and wastelands;
- Increasing availability of quality planting material enhancing procurement of oilseeds and collection; and
- Processing of tree borne oilseeds.
- National Mission on Edible Oils (NMEO): To increase domestic availability and reduce import dependency, a National Mission on Edible Oils (NMEO) is proposed for next five years (2020-21 to 2024-25). NMEO covering three Sub-Missions to increase production of oilseeds and edible oils from
- Primary Sources (Annual Crops, Plantation Crops and Edible TBOs),
- Secondary Sources (Rice bran oil and Cotton seed oil) and
- Consumer Awareness for maintaining edible oil consumption constant at 19.00 kg per person per annum.
- The proposed mission will aim to increase production from 30.88 to 47.80 million tonnes of oilseeds which will produce 7.00 to 11.00 million tonnes of edible oils from Primary Sources by 2024-25. Similarly edible oils from secondary sources will be doubled from 3.50 to 7.00 million tonnes.
- The following action point will be initiated for increasing production and productivity of oilseeds and promotion of Secondary Sources of Edible oils:
- Increasing seed replacement rate and varietal replacement rate
- Promotion of oilseed in rice fallow/ potato areas
- Promotion of oilseeds through intercropping
- Extending oilseed cultivation in non-traditional area
- Targeting 100 low productivity districts
- Crop diversification in different reasons
- Promotion of community-based oil extraction unit
- Value addition and promotion of export
- Promotion of rice bran and cotton seed oil
- Consumer awareness for judicious consumption of oils for good health
Conclusion
India must become self-sufficient in edible oil production and this must become a part of India’s Atmanirbharta. Certain WTO compliant incentives must be given to farmers in increasing the growth of oilseed production in the country to ensure domestic cultivation.
Topic: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
Reference: Economic Times
Why the question:
Bill Gates and Harvard University are planning to back solar geoengineering to fight global warming. Thus the question.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss in detail the concept of solar geoengineering and account for its merits and demerits.
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 solar geoengineering.
Body:
Solar geoengineering is a specific form of albedo modification in which highly reflective particles are introduced into the atmosphere to increase Earth’s albedo. This would reduce incoming light (radiation) from the sun, and thereby decrease the amount of energy (heat) reaching Earth’s surface.
Explain why is it needed: Adverse effects of global warming threatens public health, food security, housing and water availability, and national security. So, the need for actions with quick effects like geoengineering becomes pertinent in the short term, along with long term plans of emissions reduction and forest conservation.
Discuss the potential of such a technology.
Present the challenges in its implementation.
Conclusion:
Conclude by highlighting its importance.
Introduction
Solar geoengineering is a term used to describe a group of hypothetical technologies that could, in theory, counteract temperature rise by reflecting more sunlight away from the Earth’s surface. There is no substitute for aggressive cuts in greenhouse-gas emissions. But the risks and benefits of technologies that could mitigate global warming need to be evaluated.
Body
Benefits of solar geoengineering
- All types of solar geoengineering – known also as solar radiation management (SRM) – are united by their goal of limiting the effect of sunlight on the Earth, but they vary widely in their approach.
- Possible methods include reducing heat-trapping clouds, sending a giant sunshade up into orbit or releasing aerosols (sulphates) into the stratosphere.
- It is worth noting that, although these technologies could theoretically lower global warming, they do not aim to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and, therefore, would not be able to directly address problems such as ocean acidification.
Shortcomings and issues linked with the technology
- First, there are a lot of unknowns, as theoretical understanding is always based on computer modelling and laboratory experiments.
- The impact on biodiversity or oceans ecosystem and glaciers are not studied. There is no evidence of it becoming successful while the risks remain high.
- Developed nations may deploy it to the detriment of other regions.
- Once deployed it can become uncontrolled. For instance, spraying aerosols, to what degree will it lead to cooling is not possible to predict.
- Some scientists are vociferously opposed to solar geoengineering, which could go awry in unpredictable ways and, once started, could be difficult to safely shut down.
- There are also concerns that even a move to research solar geoengineering creates ‘moral hazard’, leading to misplaced confidence and detracting from efforts to rein in greenhouse-gas emissions.
- Some who oppose it fear that once research begins, the roll-out of the technology will be unstoppable, no matter what the findings.
- The biggest concern is that solar geoengineering will treat the symptom not the disease.
Conclusion
Solar-geoengineering research brings risks, and there are other, more-promising ways to address global warming. But the world remains on a path to dangerous climate change, and future generations will bear an increasing burden. Governments need to step up climate efforts, and evaluate all possible options for action. If solar geoengineering is harmful, leaders will need evidence so that they can rule out the technology.
General Studies – 4
Topic: Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance.
Reference: ETHICS INTEGRITY AND APTITUDE SUBBARAO
Why the question:
The question is based on the professional integrity of civil servants.
Key Demand of the question:
Explain in detail if the Professional Integrity of the civil servants been systematically Eroded in our country in the backdrop of the issue of political interference in the civil services.
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 you understand by professional integrity.
Body:
One has to explain how political pressures are a fact of life and every public servant, in particular, a member of an All-India Service, is subjected to it in one form or another.
Highlight the issue of political interference to civil servants in the country.
Explain that for a politician, civil servants are like tools to be used, misused and, on occasion, even abused. If an officer lets her guard down, she could be in trouble.
Discuss in detail the effects of political interference in Administration.
Opine if the Professional Integrity of the civil servants has been systematically eroded in our country.
Conclusion:
Suggest solutions to address the issue.
Introduction
When India attained independence, Sardar Vallabhai Patel was the first to envision civil services as the ‘steel frame’ of Independent India. Today, more than six decades later, the Indian bureaucracy is both celebrated and reviled. Far from what Patel had warranted, his vision of a “steel frame” is now derided as “babudom”.
Body
Political interference in the civil services
- In the services, one is up against a calcified system, a bunch of fickle-minded political leaders who change their opinions faster than they change their clothes, and crude local interests that can make life miserable for an upright official.
- The civil servant, especially IAS and IPS at the region level works in coordination with the MP and MLA. They both are required to serve the common people by bringing development, welfare, well-being and peace to the society where they belong to.
- The first and foremost challenge is the dispute between the civil services officers and MP or MLA. The major reason is the difference in opinion, corruption, using public office for personal use and protection given to criminals and lawbreakers by the MP and MLA.
- At the point when this debate comes to a threshold point, the officer is either transferred or kept under the dread of getting executed.
- Recently, US think tank expressed its views on concerns about political interference and outdated personnel procedures in the Indian civil services.
- The political interference led to substantial inefficiency where the vital positions are not held by the best officers and ultimately this can lead to institutional decline.
Erosion of professional integrity of civil servants
- There is no recognition of good work in civil services. When you work in civil services, there is nothing that you can achieve without the cooperation of your team and the goodwill of the people. Honest and brave officers are threatened with suspension and humiliation.
- Today, our bureaucracy is twenty times more bureaucratic, our deference to the chain of command more cringing and decorous, our worship of paper more entrenched. To q
- uote Hyman Rickover, “If you are going to sin, sin against God, not the bureaucracy. God will forgive you but the bureaucracy won’t.”
- A bureaucracy that wastes its precious human potential is morally indefensible.
- This does not mean that there should be fewer oversight checks. An administration certainly needs guardrails in the form of non-negotiable rules.
- Without such rails, the system can stray badly. But necessitating a dozen signatures where a few can do, is a criminal surfeit of supervisory controls.
- Similarly, we have a colossal army of paper-pushing subordinates churning out work of frivolous value.
Conclusion
A bureaucracy must be an enabler and not a hinderer that clogs the decision-making pipeline. Honest and competent civil servants—and there are many—need to initiate human capital reform to create high-performing machinery that does fewer things but does them better.
