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: The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.
Difficulty level: Easy
Reference: Chapter 20- A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir (Spectrum Publishers)
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1 and mentioned as part of Mission-2022 Secure timetable.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the reactions of Indian leaders to the Government of India Act 1935.
Directive word:
Elucidate – Give detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the context. You must be defining key terms wherever appropriate and substantiate with relevant associated facts.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by giving the context for the introduction of the Government of India Act,1935.
Body:
Write about the points supporting the Indian leaders to resent the Government of India Act,1935 such as the concept of federation with Provinces to join the imperial power and have a reserved representation, promoting feudal despotism, communally divisive approach and economic control of federal budget. Stress on the point that as much as the Indian leaders resented it, they were appealed by the constitutional means involved and participated in the elections.
Conclusion:
In the conclusion, despite its flaws major India leaders decided to give it a try and its outcome.
Introduction
The Government of India Act was passed by the British Government in the year 1935. It was one of the lengthiest Acts at that time as it contained 321 sections and 10 schedules. The act was implemented and formed from the sources like the Simon Commission Report, the three roundtable conferences etc. which were earlier declined by the government.
Body
Opposition to GOI Act 1935
- One was that the Governor General was head of federation and could exert special powers in the reserved subjects. All the ultimate control was in the hands of the governor general.
- The act appeared to grant real power to the people of India, but in reality, things were a little different. Provincial governor also had special powers in the two reserved areas.
- They had the authority to dismiss ministers and even the right to dismiss the whole administration and rule by proclamation during a period of emergency.
- However, the governors were asked to act upon the advice of Ministers, which seemed to be very beneficial. But this could also be surpassed.
- Another reason was that the part concerning the central Govt. was never introduced because the princes rejected the new arrangements.
- Although the act appeared to give the Indians a say in running their own country, there was a very limited franchise.
- The property qualification for voting meant that only 25% of Indians population was allowed to vote in the provincial elections.
- The act was opposed on all sides of India. The Congress, ML and even the princes of states disliked and resented this act. Nehru called it a “charter of slavery’ and said that it had so many safeguards that it was like ‘a machine with strong breaks but no engine’.
Resentment against inefficacy of Government of India Act 1935
- Nationalist response: The 1935 Act was condemned by nearly all sections and unanimously rejected by the Congress. The Congress demanded, instead, convening of a Constituent Assembly elected on the basis of adult franchise to frame a constitution for independent India.
- Everyone agreed that the 1935 Act was to be opposed root and branch but it was not clear how it was to be done in a period when a mass movement was not yet possible.
- In early 1937, elections to provincial assemblies were announced and there was agreement that the Congress should fight these elections on the basis of a detailed political and economic programme, thus deepening, the anti-imperialist consciousness of the people.
- Despite fighting these elections, it did not amount to office acceptance under 1935 Act.
- The leftists proposed entry into the councils with an aim to create deadlocks, thus making the working of the Act impossible (older Swarajist strategy).
- And, as a long-term strategy, they advocated an increased reliance on workers and peasants, integration of their class organisations into the Congress, thus imparting a socialist direction to resumption of a mass movement.
- Capture or rejection of office was not a matter of socialism but of strategy. They agreed that there was a danger of being sucked in by wrong tendencies, but the answer was to fight these tendencies and not to abandon offices.
- The administrative field should not be left open to pro-government reactionary forces. Despite limited powers, provincial ministries could be used to promote constructive work.
- The Congress manifesto reaffirmed total rejection of the 1935 Act, and promised release of prisoners, removal of disabilities on the basis of gender and caste, radical transformation of the agrarian system, substantial reduction of rent and revenue, scaling down of rural debts, cheap credit and right to form trade unions and to strike.
Conclusion
Gandhi advised Congressmen to hold these offices lightly and not tightly. The offices were to be seen as ‘crowns of thorns’ which had been accepted to see if they quickened the pace towards the nationalist goal. Gandhi advised that these offices should be used in a way not expected or intended by the British.
Value Addition
The Government of India Act was passed by the British Parliament in August 1935. Its main provisions were as follows.
- An All India Federation: It was to comprise all British Indian provinces, all chief commissioner’s provinces and Indian states. The federation’s formation was conditional on the fulfilment of two conditions:
- states with allotment of 52 seats in the proposed Council of States should agree to join the federation;
- aggregate population of states in the above category should be 50 per cent of the total population of all Indian states.
- Federal executive: Governor-general was the pivot of the entire Constitution. Subjects to be administered were divided into reserved and transferred subjects.
- Reserved subjects—foreign affairs, defence, tribal areas and ecclesiastical affairs—were to be exclusively administered by the governor-general on the advice of executive councillors.
- Executive councillors were not to be responsible to the Central Legislature
- Legislature: The bicameral legislature was to have an upper house (Council of States) and a lower house (Federal Assembly).
- Provincial autonomy replaced dyarchy.
Topic: The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Chapter 22- A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir (Spectrum Publishers)
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1 and mentioned as part of Mission-2022 Secure timetable.
Key Demand of the question:
To write in detail about the nationalist response to the outbreak of world war-II.
Directive word:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you must debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You must give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Mention the how the colonial government involved Indian army and resources in the World War II without reaching out any leaders.
Body:
Talk about the response of various leaders as a strategy to achieve self-rule in the context of World War II wherein one faction supported the idea of supporting the British against Fascist parties so that in return, they could achieve self-rule whereas, another faction was of the opinion to make use of the situation wherein the British resources were thinned and have an attack on the British in order to achieve independence. Mention the views of INC leaders.
Also mention actions take such as Congress ministries resigning, Individual satyagraha and wait and watch approach.
Conclusion:
Conclude by mentioning the stage being setup for the launch of Quit India movement.
Introduction
After Germany attacked Poland in 1939, Britain immediately declared war against Germany. The British Government of India declared India’s support for the war without consulting Indian opinion. Though the Congress did not like the unilateral action of the British of drawing India into the war without consulting the Indians, it decided to support the war effort conditionally. The hostility of the Congress to Fascism, Nazism, militarism and imperialism had been much more consistent than the British record.
Body
World war-II provided the opportunity to revive the anti-colonial movement and mass struggle politics:
- Socialists thought it was the ideal time to launch a civil disobedience movement, to thus take advantage of the situation and snatch freedom from Britain.
The nationalist response to the outbreak of world war-II:
- Gandhi, who had all sympathy for Britain in this war because of his total dislike of the fascist ideology, advocated an unconditional support to the Allied powers.
- He made a clear distinction between the democratic nations of western Europe and the totalitarian Nazis and fascists.
- He said that he was not willing to embarrass the British government during the war.
- Subhas Bose and other socialists, such as Acharya Narendra Dev and Jayaprakash Narayan had no sympathy for either side in the war.
- In their opinion, the war was being fought by imperialists on both sides; each side wanted to protect its colonial possessions and gain more territories to colonize, so neither side should be supported by the nationalists.
- Jawaharlal Nehru was not ready to accept the opinion of either Gandhi or of the socialists.
- He was clear in his mind about the difference between democratic values and fascism.
- He believed that justice was on the side of Britain, France and Poland, but he also believed that Britain and France were imperialist powers, and that “the war was the result of the inner contradictions of capitalism maturing since the end of World War I”.
- He, therefore, advocated no Indian participation till India itself was free.
- The CWC resolution condemned Fascist aggression. It said that
- India could not be party to a war being fought, on the face of it, for democratic freedom, while that freedom was being denied to India;
- If Britain was fighting for democracy and freedom, it should be proved by ending imperialism in its colonies and establishing full democracy in India;
- The government should declare its war aims soon and, also, as to how the principles of democracy were to be applied to India after the war.
- The Congress leadership wanted “to give every chance to the viceroy and the British Government”.
Conclusion
However, at the same time, no advantage was to be taken of Britain’s difficulty by starting an immediate civil disobedience movement. Gandhi was more or less isolated in his stand. In the end he decided to go with Nehru’s position, which was adopted by the Congress Working Committee.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Indian Express , vikaspedia.in
Why the question:
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval for continuation of the revised Samagra Shiksha Scheme for a period of five years i.e., from 2021-22 to 2025-26.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about SSA and how it aligns with SDG-4 and the NEP in order to improve the quality and accessibility of education in India.
Directive word:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you must debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You must give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin the answer by writing about SSA, its aims and objectives.
Body:
Next, write about the major features and interventions of the scheme.
Link the features of the scheme with treating school education as a continuum and is in accordance with targets Sustainable Development Goal for Education (SDG-4), convergence for the implementation of the RTE Act as well as recommendations of NEP 2020 to ensure that all children have access to quality education with an equitable and inclusive classroom environment.
Conclusion:
Suggest a way forward to make the SSA 2.0 a resounding success.
Introduction
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the school education programme Samagra Shiksha Scheme 2.0 till the 2025-26 financial year. It has been upgraded to align it with the Sustainable Development Goal for Education and the new National Education Policy launched in 2020. Out of the 293 transformative paragraphs of the National Education Policy 2020, about 180 are dedicated to school education. Provisions of 86 of those paragraphs figure in the revamped Samagra Shiksha 2.0 scheme that was approved by the Union government.
Body
Samagra Shiksha 2.0 aligned with SDG-4 and NEP
- Direct Benefit Transfer: In order to enhance the direct outreach of the scheme, all child centric interventions will be provided directly to the students through DBT mode on an IT based platform over a period of time.
- Teacher training: Provision of training of Master Trainers for training of Anganwadi workers and In-service teacher training for ECCE teachers.
- Specific training modules under NISHTHA by NCERT to train Secondary teachers and Primary teachers.
- A new component Appointment of Language Teacher has been added in the scheme- components of training of teachers and bilingual books and teaching learning material added, besides support for salary of teachers.
- Ensuring learning outcomes: NIPUN Bharat, a National Mission on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy to ensure that every child achieves the desired learning competencies in reading, writing and numeracy at the end of grade III and not later than grade 5 has been launched under the scheme with provision of TLM upto Rs 500 per child per annum, Rs 150 per teacher for teacher manuals and resources, Rs 10-20 lakh per district for assessment.
- Empowering girls: Incinerator and sanitary pad vending machines in all girls’ hostels.
- Provision made for all KGBVs to be upgraded to class XII.
- Enhanced financial support for existing Stand-alone Girls’ Hostels for classes IX to XII (KGBV Type IV) of upto Rs 40 lakh per annum (earlier Rs 25 lakh per annum).
- Training for 3 months for inculcating self-defence skills under ‘Rani Laxmibai Atma Raksha Prashikshan’ and amount increased from Rs 3000 to Rs 5000 per month.
- Separate provision of stipend for CWSN girls @ Rs. 200 per month for 10 months, in addition to student component from pre-primary to senior secondary level.
- Provision of annual identification camps for CWSN at block level @Rs. 10000 per camp and equipping of Block Resource centres for rehabilitation and special training of CWSN.
- Overhauling syllabus: Addition of new subjects instead of Stream in existing senior secondary schools.
- Infrastructure: Transport facility has been extended to secondary level @ upto Rs 6000 per annum.
- Additional Sports grant of upto Rs. 25000 to schools in case atleast 2 students of that school win a medal in Khelo India school games at the National level.
- Provision of ICT labs, Smart classrooms including support for digital boards, smart classrooms, virtual classrooms and DTH channels have been provided.
- Caring for dropouts: For out of school children at 16 to 19 years of age, support will be provided to SC, ST, disabled children, upto Rs 2000 per child per grade to complete their secondary/senior secondary levels through NIOS/SOS.
- Financial support for State Commission for Protection of Child Rights @ Rs 50 per elementary school in the state, for protection of child rights and safety.
- Innovation in schooling: Provision for Bagless days, school complexes, internships with local artisans, curriculum and pedagogical reforms etc included.
- Provision for Establishment of New SCERT has been included and new DIETs in districts created upto 31st March 2020.
- Assessment: Setting up of assessment cell preferably at SCERT to conduct various achievement surveys, develop test materials & item banks, training of various stakeholders & test administration, data collection analysis and report generation, etc.
- The academic support of BRCs and CRCs has been extended for pre-primary and Secondary level also.
- Support under Vocational Education extended to Government aided schools also in addition to Government Schools and grant/number of job roles/sections linked to enrolment and demand.
- Provision of Classroom cum workshop for Vocational Education in schools serving as Hub for other schools in the neighbourhood. Provision of transport and assessment cost for schools serving as spokes has been made.
- Child tracking provision included for students of Government and Government aided schools
- Support for Social Audit covering 20% of schools per year so that all schools are covered in a period of Five years.
Conclusion
Infusing joy at every stage and in every aspect of school education in a holistic manner, with the complete support and participation of all stakeholders is the way forward not only for inducing positivity in the system, but also for bringing synchronicity in the experience of both teachers and learners. This is what Samagra Shiksha 2.0 aims to do.
Value Addition
About Samagra Shiksha Scheme:
- It is an integrated scheme for school education covering the entire gamut from pre-school to class XII.
- It aims to deliver inclusive, equitable, and affordable school education.
- It subsumes the three Schemes of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) and Teacher Education (TE).
- The scheme covers 1.16 million schools, over 156 million students and 5.7 million Teachers of Govt. and Aided schools (from pre-primary to senior secondary level).
- It is being implemented as a centrally sponsored scheme. It involves a 60:40 split in funding between the Centre and most States. It was launched by the Ministry of Education in 2018.
Topic: Development processes and the development industry —the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Live Mint
Why the question:
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) constituted a 15-member working group on a social stock exchange (SSE)
Key Demand of the question:
To explain Social Stock Exchange, its working and factors that will make it a success in India.
Directive word:
Explain – Clarify the topic by giving a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the context. You must be defining key terms wherever appropriate and substantiate with relevant associated facts.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by defining the social stock exchange (SSE).
Body:
Explain the concept of SSE, how it works and the potential benefits its offers to the Indian civil society.
Next, write about the considerations While designing India’s social stock exchange. Factors such as – ensuring independent leadership, ensuring scale, building investor and donor appetite, and developing a viable business model etc. Give examples of model SSE from across the world.
Conclusion:
Conclude with notion how SSE holds the promise of becoming a transformative agent for civil society.
Introduction
A social stock exchange (SSE) is a platform on which social enterprises, volunteer groups and welfare organizations will be listed so that they can raise capital. It will bring together social enterprises and impact investors on a common platform. Finance Minister announced that the government plans to create a social stock exchange (SSE) in the budget 2019.The SSE in India will be under the ambit of SEBI.
Body:
Background:
- In this context, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) constituted a 15-member working group on a social stock exchange (SSE) in September 2019.
- India has at least 3.1 million non-profit organizations (NPOs), more than double the number of schools and 250 times the number of government hospitals, according to an estimate in a June 2020 report by Sebi’s SSE working group.
Implications of Social Stock Exchanges on civil society:
- The proposal has attracted much attention, and social entrepreneurs, among others, have said that the move can have a revolutionary effect on how they tap investors for capital.
- The exchange would help social and voluntary organisations which work for social causes to raise capital as equity, debt or a unit of mutual fund.
- It’s good for the government to put in some resources in the creation of what should be viewed as a facilitating institution
- With the government distrustful of foreign donations to nonprofits, the exchange might help the sector generate more capital
- The proposal would be a radical experiment in a country characterised by stark inequality and rapid economic growth.
- If created, the exchange could provide new and cheaper sources of financing for social welfare projects, while showcasing India’s independence from foreign aid as it seeks to enhance its position on the world stage.
- SSEs exist in several countries in various forms but there is no clarity about the Indian version yet on trading, tax benefit transferability and accountability of third parties
Factors to be considered to make this novel concept a success in India:
- Non-profit organizations (NPOs) NPOs would have to establish “primacy of social impact” as well as demonstrate the measurability of their efforts.
- It appears that any organization “in corporate form, partnership or sole-proprietorship firm” that creates a social impact as part of its business can be considered an for-profit social enterprises (FPEs). This is a grey area and could be potentially misused, even possibly reduce the flow of funds to NPOs.
- The SSE seeks to give the NPO sector transparency by mandating increased financial, social and governance reporting. While this in itself is a good aim, mechanisms that are dependent on information risk leaving out smaller NPOs from the SSE’s ambit.
- It also risks alienating organizations whose effort and/or impact may not be amenable to adequate data-capture. For instance, NPOs involved in environmental justice, digital rights or other areas where the existing systems and processes are stacked against them.
- While the SSE technical group lays down protocols for social auditors, the worry is that middlemen agencies might emerge.
- Such agencies may gain unchecked influence over the SSE-NPO-donor ecosystem, given the proposals’ inadequacy of regulatory checks and balances. This could go against the spirit of the idea.
- The tightrope between regulating NPOs to restrain misuse of the flexibility they are given and allowing for a wider set of fund-raisers that go beyond a narrow set of quickly measurable outcomes is a tough one, and needs a fair amount of work as the plan rolls out.
Way forward:
- The first thing the government needs to decide is how to distinguish between a social enterprise and a normal enterprise.
- It would be innovative if corporate social responsibility funds could be routed to social enterprises through the exchange
- This can help reduce misuse of CSR funds and help companies route funds through a more viable route
- Social Stock Exchange is a worthy idea, but still needs deliberation and consultations with all stakeholders.
- Its realization and eventual value to these stakeholders, especially to NPOs, will depend on some of these critical choices made at the onset.
- The Social stock exchange is a step in the right direction to help the cash starved social startups. This will further the cause of socio-economic development with much transparency and accountability.
Value addition:
Background:
- The idea of a social stock exchange (SSE) for listing of social enterprise and voluntary organisations was mooted by Finance Minister while presenting the Union Budget 2019-20.
- A working group constituted by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on social stock exchanges has submitted its recommendations.
- The panel was set up by Sebi in September 2019 under the Chairmanship of Ishaat Hussain to suggest possible structures and regulations for creating SSE to facilitate listing and fund-raising by social enterprises as well as voluntary organisations.
Key recommendations of the panel:
- Allow direct listing of non-profit organisations through the issuance of bonds and a range of funding mechanisms.
- Funding mechanisms suggested include some of the existing mechanisms such as Social Venture Funds (SVFs) under the Alternative Investment Funds.
- A new minimum reporting standard has also been proposed for organisations which would raise funds under social stock exchanges (SSE).
- Profit social enterprises can also list on SSE with enhanced reporting requirement. To encourage, giving culture some tax incentives have also been suggested.
Need for Social Stock Exchanges:
- Social enterprises are playing a very significant role in solving real problems in education, healthcare and financial inclusion.
- The Electronic Fundraising Platform acknowledges the problem of investment fundraising for such organizations
- It sends a positive signal that the government is bothered about the sector.
- It will help companies to have greater visibility and raise capital. For instance, if an entrepreneur can go to a single platform which he knows will be touched by a hundred investors, it becomes easier for him
- Listing on an exchange can be a viable alternative for impact startups to raise funding
- In India, the social impact startups are growing at 20 per cent annual rate while there are more than 400 such startups
Global examples:
- UK: The Social Stock Exchange in London functions more as a directory connecting social enterprises and potential investors. Launched in 2013, it only accepts companies that pass its independent assessment on social impact.
- Kenya: The Kenya Social Investment Exchange, launched in 2011, connects vetted social enterprises with impact investors, both foreign and domestic. A listed social enterprise has to demonstrate social impact as well as financial sustainability beyond the funding period.
- Canada: Backed by the Ontario government, the SVX is an online platform that allows investments in Canadian companies and funds that have “a positive social or environmental impact”. Retail investors are also allowed to participate.
- Singapore: The Impact Investment Exchange runs a social stock exchange in partnership with the Stock Exchange of Mauritius, which is open to limited accredited investors who want to invest.
Challenges:
- In a survey of Indian social enterprises by Brookings India, 57% identified access to debt or equity as a barrier to growth and sustainability.
- Lack of clarity of Social Enterprise in India.
- There is less clarity about how a stock exchange will help raise capital for “voluntary organisations”.
- Social startups possibly lack the flexibility in raising capital from angel or venture capital investors, unlike a regular technology startup.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.
Difficulty level: Tough
Reference: The Hindu , Indian Express
Why the question:
Gross Value Added (GVA) in the economy during the April to June period rose 18.8%, as per the National Statistical Office (NSO), from a 22.2% dip in the first quarter of 2020-21.
Key Demand of the question:
To explain Social Stock Exchange, its working and factors that will make it a success in India.
Directive word:
Critically examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we have to 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. 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:
Begin by defining V-Shaped Recovery post covid-19 economic slowdown. Use graph and cite examples.
Body:
Write about the India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth by 20.1% in first quarter and its various interpretation.
Next, write if the NSO numbers ‘reaffirm’ governments prediction of an ‘imminent V-shaped recovery’ made this time last year, and said the 20.1% rise in GDP ‘despite the intense second wave in the months of April-May.
Next, write difference between an economy benefiting from a “low base effect” and one registering a V-shaped recovery.
Conclusion:
Conclude by suggesting steps for quick recovery of economy from a policy perspective.
Introduction
A V-shaped recovery is a term that describes a period of economic decline (recession) and recovery that resembles a V shape. This V shape symbolizes a short trough or decline in an economy, followed by rapid recovery, the first stroke of the V shape shows a sharp but short decline while the other stroke indicates a rapid recovery. The recent data released by MoSPI showed that in Q1 of 2021-22, India’s GDP grew by 20.1% while the GVA grew by 18.8%.
Body.
Recent happenings:
- Latest data show lofty increases in GDP and GVA compared to the first quarter of last year.
- These are year-on-year comparisons; in other words, the total output (as measured by GDP) of the Indian economy in the first three months of the current financial year (April, May and June) was 20.1% more than the total output created by the economy in the same months last year.
- The total output, as measured by GVA, grew by 18.1% YoY.
- The GDP and GVA had contracted by 24.4% and 22.4%, respectively, in Q1 of the last financial year.
The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) data does not forecast a V-shaped recovery for the Indian economy:
- A V-shaped recovery requires the absolute GDP of an economy getting back to the level before the crisis.
- There is a difference between an economy benefiting from a “low base effect” and one registering a V-shaped recovery.
- India’s total output in Q1, whether measured through GDP or GVA, is nowhere near what it was in Q1 of 2019-20, the year before the pandemic struck.
- The growth rates in 2021-22 in some cases are unduly high due to the low base.
- India produced the same amount of goods and services in Q1 this year as it produced in Q1 of 2017-18.
- The lofty increases in GDP and GVA are in percentage terms, and they are for the most part a statistical illusion created by the very low base set by the complete nationwide lockdown in Q1 of last year.
- The private demand, the biggest engine of growth, in Q1 of the current year was down to almost exactly the level where it was in 2017-18.
- The share of consumption in GDP was lower this time which indicates that the second wave and lockdowns impacted households more than the first wave of COVID.
- The government expenditures (GFCE) have also fallen below last year’s levels.
However, the increase in the output is good news:
- India’s economic growth trajectory remains positive at the moment.
- Two sectors viz. Agriculture and allied activities and Electricity and other utilities, have managed to grow more than they did in 2019-20.
- Construction and Manufacturing GVA recorded a 68.3% and 49.6% uptick between April and June this year, compared to a 49.5% and 36% contraction, respectively, last year.
- Activity in many sectors including retail, automobile, agriculture and construction have also gained momentum; only a few contact-heavy sectors such as transport, tourism and hospitality remain weak.
- The second wave did impact India’s economy, but it was much lesser in comparison to the first wave. The lessons from the first wave, therefore, helped prevent a major disruption during the second wave.
- Higher rate of vaccinations, rapid resumption in manufacturing activity and a milder hit on the all-important services sector are some other reasons that kept the economy afloat during the second wave.
- The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) low-interest regime and measures taken by the government also helped minimise damage.
Way forward:
- It is always better to look at the absolute levels of output to correcting assess the state of an economy’s health. Percentage changes work well in normal times.
- Crucial economic segments such as manufacturing, services, industrial output, exports and demand should be provided an impetus.
- Investment in infrastructure is quintessential for more rapid and inclusive economic growth
Topic: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
In an observational study, Mayo Clinic researchers have found that a monoclonal antibody treatment that have emergency use authorisation from the US Food and Drug Administration — keep high-risk patients out of the hospital when infected with mild to moderate Covid-19.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the scope MCA and potential in treating covid-19 and other diseases.
Directive word:
Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must investigate 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 by giving definition of the monoclonal antibodies.
Body:
First, write about how the monoclonal antibody therapy works.
Mention how monoclonal cells can be used in fight against covid such as reducing covid-19 related emergency department visits and hospitalizations when given early to high-risk patients. Comment on its efficacy.
Mention the use of such cells in treatment of other ailments such as cancer, Ebola &HIV.
Conclusion:
Write about the need to enhance research and development of monoclonal antibodies in India.
Introduction
A monoclonal antibody is a laboratory-produced protein that functions like the antibodies made by the immune system in response to infection. By binding to a specific molecule on a virus or bacteria — known as an antigen — a monoclonal antibody can enhance or restore the immune response against these pathogens. Monoclonal antibody treatment has been used and tested- trusted source for the Ebola virus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), as well as chronic illnesses such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and more.
Body
Scope of monoclonal antibodies for treatment of Covid-19 patients in India:
- The recent surge in the country’s COVID-19 cases not only highlighted the unpredictable nature of the disease but also made us realise how easily the virus can escalate from mild to severe infections.
- Success stories have been heard in India as well, where select hospitals have started administrating the same.
- In an observational study, Researchers have found that a combination of casirivimab and imdevimab — two monoclonal antibody treatments that have emergency use authorization from the US Food and Drug Administration — keep high-risk patients out of the hospital when infected with mild to moderate Covid-19.
- Monoclonal antibodies reduced their risk of developing an infection with symptoms by 80%.
- Research suggests that certain monoclonal antibodies can reduce the risk of hospitalization and death in people with asymptomatic or mild COVID-19.
- The ‘pandemic fatigue’ was clearly evident due to overstretching of work during the second wave of Covid in India. Monoclonal therapy would be of great help as the burden on hospitals and healthcare staff would be reduced.
- The therapy is now said to help avoid hospitalisation in high-risk groups, progression to severe disease, and to reduce the usage of steroids.
- This could be a gamechanger for India considering the poor state of healthcare facilities especially in the rural areas.
- Scientists are also looking at whether this treatment can reduce the risk of someone with COVID-19 transmitting the virus to others in their household.
- Serum Institute of India (SII) andthe International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) have announced an agreement with pharmaceutical major Merck to develop SARS-CoV-2 neutralising monoclonal antibodies (mAbs).
- The monoclonal antibody Actemra (tocilizumab) which reduces inflammation that occurs during COVID-19, is used for the treatment of COVID-19 in hospitalized adults and children 2 years and older.
Potential of monoclonal antibodies in treating other diseases:
- The majority of the monoclonal antibodies on the market are for noncommunicable diseases, such as autoimmune diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis and cancer.
- In the past few decades, cancer immunotherapies have saved the lives of millions of people around the world. Monoclonal antibodies have transformed the way we treat multiple cancers, including breast cancer, for which the drug Herceptin has been a game changer.
- Monoclonal antibodies could have a huge impact on the way we treat and prevent infectious diseases. And there are already promising signs.
- Two experimental antibody therapies against Ebola are being used to great effect as part of an emergency access programme in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
- And several antibodies that can act against different strains of HIV are also in development.
Conclusion
Millions of people around the world could benefit from existing monoclonal antibody treatments and those in development – including the ones for Covid-19, which could help bring the pandemic to an end. However, monoclonal antibodies should be made more affordable by i) investing in innovative technologies that could lower production costs; ii) create new business models that enable different market approaches in low-, middle- and high-income countries; iii) establish collaborations between public, private and philanthropic organisations to focus on the needs of the developing countries.
General Studies – 4
Topic : Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators
“Joy is the simplest form of gratitude” What does this quote means to you? (150 words)
Difficulty level: Easy
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4 and part of ‘Quotes Wednesdays’ in Mission-2022 Secure.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Define what is gratitude.
Body:
Explain the quote in your own words.
Mention what are the associated features of showing joy and how gratitude can be one of the causative factors through a suitable illustration. Write about the need for gratitude in life.
Conclusion:
Conclude by summarising the above by stressing on the above.
Introduction
To be joyful is to express happiness or contentment in lieu of appreciation of what we have. Gratitude too is about counting our blessings and being grateful and appreciative of the same. These two terms are closely related and one leads to another. Joy can lead to being grateful and being grateful can make a person joyful.
Body
Joy is the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires. It simply makes one delighted. Eg: Looking at children play fills our hearts with joy.
Gratitude is feeling or showing an appreciation for something done or received. It is about being thankful for what one has. Eg: Grateful for our privilege, education, parents and security.
Joy is the simplest form of gratitude, even literally and figuratively. For instance, consider a hypothetical situation where a person in dire need of job is given a temporary job with social security. He is expected to be very happy and his relief or joy will be his gratitude towards the one that gave him the job. However, if that man is a pessimist and complains that it is not a permanent job instead of seeing ‘glass half full’; the one who gave him the job would rather have given it to someone who could see the positive intent of the same.
It also has another connotation. Here, the meaning of joy does not only mean being joyful by oneself, but also giving joy in order to show gratitude. There are many ways of giving others joy, such as doing charity work, donating for a just cause, helping those in need, or just spreading smiles on people’s faces through our attitude.
For a civil servant, an attempt to give joy to others and being happy and content while carrying out their services would be the best way to show gratitude for the love and respect they receive from the society.
Similarly, people who are helped by civil servants can best repay them by being happy to show that they have been helped. No other measure can bring greater job satisfaction than this to an honest and hardworking civil servant.
Conclusion
Even the simplest of acts just as smiling widely can bring joy to others and oneself. Sometimes, a smile is all a person needs to see to lift his or her day. The world be a more grateful place when there are more such people. These emotions show that there is still ‘humane’ left in us. Being joyful and giving joy are simple acts in life that do not require much effort. It is a simple way in which one can make the environment around themselves blissful.
