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General Studies – 1
Topic: Salient features of world’s physical geography.
Difficulty level: Easy
Reference: Insights on India
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 the reasons for the frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity in the Circum-pacific belt.
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 by defining what is Ring of fire and cite statistic related to the volcanism and eaqrthquake in the region.
Body:
First draw small, neat diagram of Ring of Fire and show its location, shape, and characteristics.
Next, discuss the formation of the Pacific Ring of Fire and explaining the reason behind its active state due to which it hosts the largest number of active volcanoes of the world, its association with plate tectonics. Give some of the important geological features associated with it.
Conclusion:
Conclude by stating relevance of the geographical feature to the world physiography.
Introduction
The Ring of Fire is a Pacific region home to over 450 volcanoes, including three of the world’s four most active volcanoes – Mount St. Helens in the USA, Mount Fuji in Japan and Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines. It is also sometimes called the circum-Pacific belt. Around 90% of the world’s earthquakes occur in the Ring of Fire, and 80% of the world’s largest earthquakes.
Body
Location of Circum-Pacific Region (“Pacific Ring of fire”):
- It stretches along the Pacific Ocean coastlines, where the Pacific Plate grinds against other, smaller tectonic plates that form the Earth’s crust – such as the Philippine Sea plate and the Cocos and Nazca Plates that line the edge of the Pacific Ocean.
- The 40,000 kilometre horse-shoe-shaped ring loops from New Zealand to Chile, passing through the coasts of Asia and the Americas on the way.
- The chain of volcanoes extends from Aleutian Islands into Kamchatka, Japan, the Philippines and Indonesia, southward into Pacific Islands of Solomon, Tonga and New Zealand. On the other side of the pacific, the chain continues from the Andes to Central America (Guatemala, Costa Rica and Nicaragua), Mexico and right up to Alaska.
- Example: Mt. Fuji, Mt.Vesuvius, Stromboli, Etna etc.
Formation is due to the Ocean – Ocean plate collision and Ocean – Continent plate collision:
- The Ring of Fire is a direct outcome of the tectonic activities in the Pacific Ocean. The lithosphere plates are in constant motion and collisions.
- These plates making up the outermost layer of the earth are always moving on top of the mantle and sometimes pull apart, collide, or slide past each other resulting in divergent boundaries, convergent boundaries, and transform boundaries respectively.
- The Ring of Fire is the result from subduction of oceanic tectonic plates beneath lighter continental plates. The area where these tectonic plates meet is called a subduction zone.
- Subduction zones are also predominant due to the action of the tectonic movements when heavier plates slip under lighter plates, creating deep trenches.
- The subduction alters the heavy mantle into buoyant magma which moves up the crust to the surface of the earth. When this occurs over millions of years, the rising magma brings about a series of active volcanoes referred to as volcanic arc.
- The volcanic arcs and ocean trenches run parallel to each other thereby bringing about the ever expanding Pacific Ring of Fire.
- For example, the Aleutian Islands in Alaska run parallel to the Aleutian Trench. What’s more, the Andes Mountains of South America runs parallel to the Peru-Chile Trench.
- These parallel geologic features are the ones responsible for the subductions of the Plates.
- When it comes to plate tectonic boundaries, it leads to faulting, crashing, and formation of rift valleys on the sea floor which contributes to the ejection of magma and powerful shaking of the ocean floor.
- This leads to the formation of more cracks, vents, and fault lines which can trigger strong earthquakes and volcanic activities.
- The ejected magma is cooled by the seawater to form new crust, creating high ridges on the ocean floor.
- The East Pacific Rise is one of the major locations experiencing fast seafloor spreading in the ring of fire.
Ring of fire and earthquakes:
- The world’s deepest earthquakes happen in subduction zone areas as tectonic plates scrape against each other – and the Ring of Fire has the world’s biggest concentration of subduction zones.
- As energy is released from the earth’s molten core, it forces tectonic plates to move and they crash up against each other, causing friction. The friction causes a build-up of energy and when this energy is finally released it causes an earthquake. If this happens at sea it can cause devastating tsunamis.
- Tectonic plates usually only move on average a few centimetres each year, but when an earthquake strikes, they speed up massively and can move at several metres per second.
Conclusion
Volcanoes have a huge impact on man and material as urbanization and globalization increases. The effects have impacts on flora, fauna and the global warming which can accelerate the climate change.
Topic: Salient features of world’s physical geography.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Insights on India
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 ecological and economical importance of deltas and threats posed to human activities to it.
Directive word:
Analyse – When asked to analyse, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them in a summary.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by defining the landform of Delta.
Body:
First, mention about the diversity of deltas and the reasons therefor.
Next, write about the economic significance of deltas across the word. Cite examples.
Next, write about the ecological significance of deltas with examples across the world.
Finally, mention how anthropogenic activities are negatively affecting deltas – cite facts and statistics.
Conclusion:
Conclude by suggesting steps protect deltas.
Introduction
A river delta is a low-lying plain or landform that occurs at the mouth of a river near where it flows into an ocean or another larger body of water. It is a “depositional feature” of a river in its senile or old stage. These are wetlands that form as rivers empty their water and sediment into another body of water, such as an ocean, lake, or another river. Deltas’ greatest importance to human activities, fish and wildlife lay in their characteristic highly fertile soil and dense, diverse vegetation.
Body
Importance of deltas
- River deltas are important in human civilization, as they are major agricultural production centers and population centers.
- They can provide coastline defense and can impact drinking water supply.
- The Mississippi River Delta, for example, buffers the impact of potentially strong hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico.
- River deltas boast some of the most biodiverse systems on the planet.
- As such, it is essential that these unique and beautiful havens of biodiversity remain as healthy habitat for the many species of plants, animals, insects, and fish — some rare, threatened or endangered — which call them home.
Threats posed by anthropogenic activities to deltas
- Human activities in both deltas and the river basins upstream of deltas can radically alter delta environments.
- Upstream land use change such as anti-erosion agricultural practicesand hydrological engineering such as dam construction in the basins feeding deltas have reduced river sediment delivery to many deltas in recent decades.
- This change means that there is less sediment available to maintain delta landforms, and compensate for erosion and sea level rise, causing some deltas to start losing land.
- Declines in river sediment delivery are projected to continue in the coming decades.
- The extensive anthropogenic activities in deltas also interfere with geomorphological and ecological delta processes.
- People living on deltas often construct flood defences which prevent sedimentation from floods on deltas, and therefore means that sediment deposition can’t compensate for subsidence and erosion.
- In addition to interference with delta aggradation, pumping of groundwater, oil, and gas, and constructing infrastructure all accelerate subsidence, increasing relative sea level rise.
- Anthropogenic activities can also destabilise river channels through sand mining, and cause saltwater intrusion.
- There are small-scale efforts to correct these issues, improve delta environments and increase environmental sustainability through sedimentation enhancing strategies.
Conclusion
Thus there is a delicate struggle between preserving natural ecosystems and using the planet’s resources that must be maintained on the deltas of the world.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.
Difficulty level: Easy
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The Union Home Ministry has enhanced the powers of the Border Security Force (BSF) to “arrest, search and seize” within 50 km from the international boundary in Assam, West Bengal, Punjab, and the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Key Demand of the question:
To analyse the Centre-state relations in the context of India’s quasi-federal structure in the realm of deployment of security forces.
Directive word:
Comment- here we must express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an overall opinion thereupon.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by giving a brief on the federal structure of India as per our constitutional provisions.
Body:
First, mention that the federal structure of India is not as rigid as the federal structure of USA.
Next, deliberate on the need for a collaborative approach between the Centre and the state in matters of security (internal and external) and that deployment of Union forces should be on a consensus and situational demand basis.
Conclusion:
Conclude by saying that Union should exercise its powers of deployment with caution and without causing insecurity of the states.
Introduction
The constitutional and legal–institutional design of the federal system and process in India, when examined from the lens of national security, shows a distinct trajectory towards centralization. Centralization of power was implicit in the establishment of parliamentary supremacy by the Constituent Assembly of India, which stressed the need for a strong Central Government to address the numerous crises confronting the Indian state.
The Union Home Ministry has enhanced the powers of the Border Security Force (BSF) to “arrest, search and seize” within 50 km from the international boundary in Assam, West Bengal, Punjab, and the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Body
Federalism in India
- The Indian Constitution laid down a political system which is federal in nature—i.e., there are two tiers of government: at the national level, and the state level.
- However, the Indian Constitution has structurally made the Union government more powerful than the states—therefore the seeming paradox of “centralized federalism.”
- Constitutionally, “public order” and “police” are in the State List.
- But in reality, these provisions do not guarantee the states a real say in the management of security issues, because the related “Defense of India” is in the Union List.
- Besides, under the Emergency Powers vested under Articles 352, 355 and 356, the centre can intervene in the affairs of the state.
Need for a collaborative approach between the Centre and the state in matters of internal and external security
- Although the above move may appear to contravene the federal spirit, it is a necessary step from the perspective of countering terrorism and for internal and external security of India.
- India is among the countries that are most affected by terrorist violence.
- The strength and capacity of the state police are extremely inadequate to meet the terrorism challenge.
- According to the Bureau of Police Research and Development, India has only 143 police personnel for every 100,000 people. This is well below other countries with much lower populations, like Italy (559) and Mexico (491.8).
- Coordination between the various state police forces for Counter Terrorism operations is also a problem. On numerous occasions, an absence of coordination has hampered important operations.
Way forward
- The Union must take into confidence the states that have international borders in jointly ensuring the national security.
- The recommendations given by the Punchhi Commission in 2010 are important for strengthening Indian federalism.
- Despite all their tussles, the Union government and the states have a mutual need for survival.
Topic: Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.
Difficulty level: Tough
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The Group of 20 (G20) has agreed to work together to avoid a humanitarian disaster in Afghanistan, even if it means having to coordinate efforts with the Taliban, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi said after hosting an emergency summit.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the need for taking steps to address the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.
Directive word:
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by giving context about the recent geo-political changes in Afghanistan.
Body:
First, mention the large-scale humanitarian crisis witnessed in Afghanistan in the aftermath of U.S withdrawal. Write about its impact.
Next, mention the need and the steps that are needed to address the crisis holistically. Mention the role India can assume in this.
Next, also mention these humanitarian efforts should also be complemented by boosting security measures.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward.
Introduction
India has always been a strong proponent of an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned, broad-based and inclusive process of peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan. However, a collapse of the Afghan government and return of the Taliban marks the beginning of a new phase in the India-Afghanistan relationship. Indian Prime Minister in G20 meeting has called for the international community to provide Afghanistan with immediate and unhindered access to humanitarian assistance.
Body
Humanitarian Crisis in Afghanistan
- UNHCR has published a report that states that half the population in Afghanistan (more than 20 million people) are in need of lifesaving humanitarian assistance.
- An estimated 270,000 Afghans have been newly displaced inside the country since January 2021.
- The number of civilian casualties has risen 29 per cent during the first quarter of this year compared to 2020.
- The UN has received only 35% of the funds needed for its relief operations.
- The banks are running out of money, civil servants have not been paid and food prices have soared, leaving millions at risk of severe hunger.
- The country is struggling with drought and severe poverty following the decades of war.
- The U.S. has frozen the reserves of Afghanistan making the situation vulnerable.
- The Taliban government’s refusal to allow women to work and stopping girls from schooling have complicated the issue.
Global response so far
- The EU committed $1.15 billion for Afghanistan and neighbouring countries where refugees have fled.
- Other countries including the U.S. and China pledged $1.1 billion at a donor conference in Geneva last month.
- India has not announced any monetary or food assistance.
Possible Way forward for India
- India could contribute to international agencies that are working with displaced Afghans, particularly for about one million children at the risk of starvation.
- It could also help Iran and the Central Asian states that are housing refugees with monetary assistance.
- The Government could also consider liberalising its visa regime for Afghans, which at the moment has cancelled all prior visas to Afghan nationals.
- India, presently, is releasing very few e-visas for Afghans desperate to travel here.
- As a goodwill gesture, India could once again send food aid, including wheat, grain, fortified biscuits and other packaged food, directly to Kabul.
- India could implement the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 to protect the minorities in Afghanistan.
- As and when the situation stabilizes medical visas, visas for students who have already secured admission can be considered.
Conclusion
In the unfolding situation, New Delhi will have to quickly reorient its Afghan strategy. At the same time, Delhi must be prepared to discuss what are real and serious differences with key regional and international partners on the Taliban and the future of Afghanistan. Despite India’s foreign policy orientation moving more towards the US and the West, the new Afghan strategy will have to be synchronized with an entirely different set of players.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Disaster and disaster management.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
Media reports have claimed that developed countries are inching closer to the target of providing $100 billion annually in climate finance to developing countries by 2025 (the original target was 2020).
Key Demand of the question:
To wrtie about the strategies against climate change and understanding of key role of climate finance.
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 by giving a brief on Paris agreement and the difference in the adoption and mitigation approach to climate change with respect to the developed and developing nations.
Body:
Mention about Climate financing and mechanisms of it such as the Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF), the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF), both managed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF).
Also, mention the need for a balance of mitigation as well as adaptation approaches. The path that should be taken in this regard.
Conclusion:
Conclude by stating that a global unified approach acknowledging the greater threats and challenges faced by the developing nations must be acknowledged by the climate financing mechanisms.
Introduction
Climate finance refers to local, national or transnational financing – drawn from public, private and alternative sources of financing -that seeks to support mitigation and adaptation actions that will address climate change. Climate finance is needed for mitigation, because large-scale investments are required to significantly reduce emissions. Climate finance is equally important for adaptation, as significant financial resources are needed to adapt to the adverse effects and reduce the impacts of a changing climate.
Body
Climate finance has remained skewed towards mitigation
- Climate finance has also remained skewed towards mitigation, despite the repeated calls for maintaining a balance between adaptation and mitigation.
- The 2016 Adaptation Gap Report of the UN Environment Programme had noted that the annual costs of adaptation in developing countries could range from $140 to $300 billion annually by 2030 and rise to $500 billion by 2050.
- According to OECD, currently available adaptation finance is significantly lower than the needs expressed in the Nationally Determined Contributions submitted by developing countries.
Various mechanisms to achieve Climate finance
- Multilateral funds: The largest multilateral climate funds are the Climate Investment Funds (CIFs), Green Climate Fund (GCF), Adaptation Fund (AF), and Global Environment Facility (GEF).
- Funds provided by developed country governments from national budgets. Includes Assessed and Voluntary contributions.
- Sources that contribute to national budgets, dependent on national decisions. E.g.: Domestic carbon taxes, Phase out of fossil fuel subsidies
- Sources that contribute to national budgets, dependent on international agreements. E.g.: Financial transactions tax, Border carbon cost levelling Carbon exports optimization tax
- Funds collected internationally pursuant to an international agreement. E.g.: Carbon pricing for international aviation
- Leveraged private sector funds
- Non-concessional loans
Conclusion
There still doesn’t exist an operational definition of what counts as “climate finance” or “new and additional”. Clarifying these definitional and accounting issues in a consultative way, with an eye on post-2025 actions, would go a long way towards increasing trust and scaling up collective action.
Delivering on climate finance is fundamental to trust in the multilateral process. Regrettably, while developing countries will continue to pressure developed countries to live up to their promises, the history of climate negotiations is not in their favour.
Topic: Security challenges and their management in border areas – linkages of organized crime with terrorism.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
2021 marks two decades since the attack of 9/11 in USA and it is pertinent to do a fact check on Global preparedness against terrorism especially in the context of fast-growing disruptive technology.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the threats posed by the convergence of technology and terrorism and steps that should be taken to prevent it.
Directive word:
Critically analyze – When asked to analyse, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them 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 balanced judgment on the topic.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by mentioning that terrorist organizations have co-opted technology as a force multiplier in achieving their objectives.
Body:
First, mention about the features of the internet, like end-to-end encryption and virtual private network (VPN), provision of digital currency etc have made it easier than ever for terrorist organizations to find recruits and manage outreach and organization and also launder money for terror financing. Give few instances of terrorist groups using technology to advance their terror activities.
Next, suggest that states to opt for more technology, better technology and skilful deployment of technology against malign actors, need for international co operation and new forums to address the threat of terrorism without borders, need for investments in capacity building, tech firms vigilantism etc all this while maintaining freedom in cyber space.
Conclusion:
Conclude by saying that the new challenges posed by confluence of terrorists and technology needs a new approach by the states to develop a robust counter-terror mechanism.
Introduction
Technology has as much potential to exacerbate as it does to mitigate the risks of terrorism. What takes place in the digital space is merely symptomatic of structural and governance challenges in the physical space. Extremists have repeatedly proven to be early adopters and adapters of technology since the 1990s when the internet flickered to life in the public domain. But as governments seek to counter terrorism online and by other technological means, it is worth remembering that tech is simply a tool: one that is open to use, misuse, and abuse by all who wield it on both sides of the law.
Body
How internet/technology has been a potent pillar of support for terrorists
- Innovations in computing and telecommunications—like widespread internet access, end-to-end encryption, and virtual private network (VPN) usage—have made new types of operations possible for a higher number of radicalized individuals.
- For instance, The Islamic State best capitalized on the new technologically driven landscape by remotely inspiring and directing attacks.
- On the radicalization side, online platforms offer more opportunities to become radicalized and accelerate the speed with which radicalized individuals mobilize.
- Once radicalized, terrorists have used the internet for communication and operational planning.
- The end-to-end encrypted messengers—like WhatsApp and Telegram—afford their users privacy by scrambling data sent from the sending device, through the cell tower and server, to the receiving device.
- In terrorist applications, these encrypted messaging services allow for unprecedented operational security, limiting law enforcement’s ability to view or disrupt these communiques.
- The diffusion of modern technologies – be they 3-D printing, cyber capabilities, drone technologies or robotics – means that, more than any other time in the past, ordinary individuals and small groups have access to weapons of mass violence previously monopolized by the state.
- This open technological revolution is arming the terrorists of tomorrow.
Measures needed
- States should opt for state-of-the-art technology, better technology and skillful deployment of technology against malign actors
- There is a need for stronger key disclosure laws which compel suspects to surrender their passwords.
- The need of the hour is placing a renewed emphasis on defensive counterterrorism measures. While continuing to work to prevent attacks, law enforcement should also explore new ways to mitigate attacks’ effectiveness.
- While the government’s ability to disrupt accessible terror is limited, it can consider the availability of these technologies as a factor in determining high-risk locations.
- This increased awareness can be used to better target preventative efforts and assist officials in finetuning their threat assessments.
- Large social media and technology companies, like Facebook and Microsoft, must increasingly take up their role and responsibility in the countering of terrorism.
Conclusion
Innovative technology speaks to our imagination. And imagination is good to keep us from preparing only for threats that are already known. But in thinking about which threats we should prepare for; it is adamant that we assess the feasibility and proportionality of scenarios next to their possibility. If we can strike the right balance here, we are most effective in making this digital age a safe one for all.
General Studies – 4
Topic: Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude by Lexicon Publications.
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4 and part of ‘Conceptual Tuesdays’ in Mission-2022 Secure.
Key Demand of the question:
To understand the various roles and responsibilities of a leader and the importance of ethics in their work domain
Directive word:
Analyse – When asked to analyse, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them in a summary.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by defining what is leadership along with few traits of a good leader.
Body:
Highlight the need for an ethical leader in the present context of rising scams and blind race against mere monetary gains of businesses. Give few examples highlighting cases of leadership with and without ethics and its impact on the organisation as well as the society.
Conclusion:
Conclude by summarising the above points highlighting the need for ethical leadership
Introduction
Ethical Leadership is about Moral principles that govern a person’s behaviour or the conducting of an activity. Ethical leadership means acting according to your moral principles in your day-to-day business life and decision-making. To put it simply, it means doing the right thing. Ethical Leadership is very important for supporting good governance in today’s global economy and is one of the central constructs to protect business and organizational ethics.
Body
Why is it a herculean task for leader to be ethical?
- The global retreat of democracies, relegation of the ethical imperative to an obsessive pursuit of raw power as an end in itself, a crisis of institutional legitimacy, and the challenge of forging a political consensus needed for hard but necessary decisions interrogate the proclaimed assumptions of democratic resilience.
- The rise of ‘jingoistic nationalism’ in confrontation with an international cooperative endeavor to face common challenges, a skewed balance between demands of security and sanctity of civil rights, the sordid saga of fake news and misinformation, an unprecedented global financial crisis that has weakened our collective capacity to rescue national economies, loss of millions of jobs with an estimated $3.4 trillion lost in labour revenue and the resultant social distress, heightened geopolitical rivalries, racism, xenophobia, and woeful absence of a united global response to the challenge of climate change collectively present a potent cocktail of societal instability and political disruption.
- Increasing encroachment of the private sphere by a ‘surveillance state’ through the abuse of digital technologies and Artificial Intelligence systems raise discomforting questions about the flawed dominance of efficiency over ethics and power over principle.
- Notwithstanding the wholly welcome technological empowerment of vast swathes of humanity, digital inequality, the omnipresence of algorithm-driven platforms and commercial harvesting of personal data raise disquieting questions about an unhindered infraction of privacy rights and human dignity.
- Issues concerning accountability for autonomous systems, the absence of enforceable global norms on cybersecurity given the expanding reach of cyber bullies, and communal polarization and violence facilitated by social media raise questions about the future of liberty and dignity in an age of rights.
- Digital ‘code wars’ are seen as the new ideological confrontation with a potential to divide the world.
- The diminished authority of the state to regulate the impact of technology on our social and political life questions the original premises of the social compact.
Traits necessary for a leader in today’s era
- In a reshaped world, formal authority is less potent. Only moral authority can build trust, inspire colleagues, create meaning and help people imagine a better future.
- Leadership in today’s world should consist of an approach which is open and transparent.
- Leaderships goals and visions should be communicated fast and effectively.
- Everyone then has time to think about how they fit into the changes which are going to be made.
- Leaders today must also listen to and hear everyone’s input and solutions, including our youth.
Conclusion
Integrity, consistency, empathy, relentless determination, self-effacing humility, a binding moral compass and the ability to motivate masses within the inviolate ethical and ideological framework of politics are leadership attributes more relevant today than ever. A largeness of heart willing and able to rise above the petty and personal, together with intellectual depth necessary to lead the battle of ideas for the establishment of a dignitarian global society, best define the qualities of leadership in these troubled times.