[Mission 2022] Insights SECURE SYNOPSIS: 6 May 2022

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: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.

1. What do you understand by intangible cultural heritage? What are the various measures aimed at protecting and preserving intangible cultural heritage of India?  (250 words)

Difficulty level: Easy

Reference: Insights on India

Why the question:

The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the need for protecting intangible heritage of India.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Begin by writing about the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage.

Body:

In the first part, write the items in the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage and the region they belong to.

Next, write need for protecting intangible heritage of India – cultural heritage, source of livelihood, dying arts. Celebrating diversity etc.

Conclusion:

Conclude by stating the importance of intangible heritage of India.

Introduction

‘Intangible Cultural Heritage’ indicates ‘the practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, skills – as well as the instruments, objects, artefacts and cultural spaces associated therewith – that communities, groups and, in some cases, individuals recognize as part of their Cultural Heritage’ (UNESCO, 2003). Examples of intangible heritage are oral traditions, performing arts, local knowledge, and traditional skills.

Body

UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage is a coveted list is made up of those intangible heritage elements that help demonstrate diversity of cultural heritage and raise awareness about its importance. The list was established in 2008 when the Convention for Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage came into effect.

Measures aimed at protecting and preserving ICH

• The National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of India is an attempt to recognize the diversity of Indian culture embedded in its intangible heritage.
• It aims to raise awareness about the various intangible cultural heritage elements from different states of India at national and international level and ensure their protection.
• The National ICH List is an attempt to recognize the diversity of Indian culture embedded in its intangible heritage. This initiative is also a part of the Vision 2024 of the Ministry of Culture.
• The Ministry of Culture has formulated a Scheme titled “Scheme for Safeguarding the Intangible Heritage and Diverse Cultural Traditions of India”, with the objective of reinvigorating and revitalizing various institutions, groups, individuals, identified non-MOC institutions, non-government organisations, researchers and scholars so that they may engage in activities/ projects for strengthening, protecting, preserving and promoting the rich intangible cultural heritage of India.
• The Scheme will cover all recognized domains of ICH such as oral traditions and expressions, including language as a vehicle of the intangible cultural heritage, Performing arts, Social practices, rituals and festive events, Knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe, traditional craftsmanship etc.
• The Union ministry of Culturehas also launched the draft National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of India.
• India has successfully inscribed 14 Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) elements in the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity under the 2003 Convention.
• Following UNESCO’s 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, this list has been classified into five broad domains in which Intangible Cultural Heritage is manifested:
  • Oral traditions and expressions, including language as a vehicle of the Intangible Cultural Heritage
  • Performing Arts
  • Social practices, Rituals, and Festive events
  • Knowledge and practices concerning Nature and the Universe
  • Traditional Craftsmanship

Conclusion

India has a vast basket of living and diverse cultural traditions, traditional expressions, intangible cultural heritage comprising masterpieces which need institutional support and encouragement with a view to addressing areas critical for the survival and propagation of these forms of cultural heritage. Though, such preservation efforts are being carried out in a scattered form, a need is being felt to have an institutionalized and centralized Scheme for concerted efforts in the direction of professionally enhancing awareness and interest in Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), safeguarding, promoting and propagating it systematically.

Value addition

UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage from India

Topic: Role of women and women’s organization

2.  Due to lack of stronger supportive infrastructure, women are faced with choice between career and familial responsibilities. Enumerate the measures that are required to overcome this trend. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Indian Express

Why the question:

A recent international Deloitte survey reports how women’s workplaces are driving them out of full-time jobs, while the pandemic years have only made things worse in terms of burnout and work/life balance.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the conflict between women’s career and familial responsibilities and steps needed to balance the both.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Begin by giving context regarding the conflict between the work life balance faced by women.

Body:

First, write about the various causes behind this conflict – societal, attitudinal, lack of support etc.

Next, write about the measures that are required in order to ensure a balance between the bot.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward to address this issue.

Introduction

While gender gaps in education and nutrition have been closing over time the disadvantaged position of women is very visible in the labour market. Women Labour force participation is only 25% in India whereas the global average is 60%, to become world power, we cannot afford women to be out of service.

Body

Causes behind women facing conflict of choice between career and family

There are non-economic, social and cultural factors over and above the economic factors. When increase in family incomes are there, due to the cultural factors, women leave the work to take care of the family.

• Deep rooted patriarchy: The cultural baggage about women working outside the home is so strong that in most traditional Indian families, quitting work is a necessary precondition to the wedding itself.
• Childcare responsibility solely on women: One big factor is maternity. Many women who join the workforce are unable to re-join after having a child. This is because, childcare is mainly seen as a woman’s job.
• Bias at workplace against women: The landmark legislation, which entitles a woman to 26 weeks of paid maternity leave is becoming a big hurdle.
  • As per a study this increased cost for companies and this may discourage them from hiring women.
  • Mothers are also not given preference because they are seen to take less official responsibilities due to family.
• Safety: The safety in metropolitan, tier 1 and tier 2 cities is the major issue. Concerns about safety and Harassment at work site, both explicit and implicit.
• Education: Higher Education levels of women also allow them to pursue leisure and other non-work activities, all of which reduce female labour force participation.
  • When income increases, men allow Indian women to withdraw from the labour force, thereby avoiding the stigma of working (cultural factors).
• Insufficient availability of the type of jobs that women say they would like to do, such as regular part-time jobs that provide steady income and allow women to reconcile household duties with work.
• Unpaid work: Social norms about household work are against women’s mobility and participation in paid work. Childbirth and taking care of elderly parents or in-laws account for the subsequent points where women drop off the employment pipeline.

Measures that are required to overcome this trend

• Emancipation of women: Creating safe workplaces to bring more women to labor force should take front seat. Better targeting of education and reducing digital divide in post pandemic world should become a priority.
• Women Empowerment: Through education, women have better access and opportunities in the workforce, leading to increased income and less isolation at home or exclusion from financial decisions.
• Removing work place bias against working mothers: Pregnancy discrimination, hiring of women based on skill and diversity hiring after career gap, should become a norm.
• Sharing child care: Men should become equal participants in child care, as it should be. Child rearing is a shared responsibility.

Conclusion and way forward

• Existing patriarchal norms pose a significant constraint to the take-up of public or market services.
• Addressing the issue of childcare and flexible work could help initiate positive social norms that encourage the redistribution of unpaid care and domestic work burden.
• A huge spectrum of women’s skilled but unpaid work contributes directly to the economy. Yet, its devaluation by not being accounted for ‘work’ weakens women’s status, leading to their vulnerability.
• Sharing the responsibilities of childcare can be difficult in a culture where parental leave is given only to the mother.
• This further reinforces the notion that unpaid care work is the sole responsibility of the women.
• The government has a crucial role to play in promoting gender equality by ensuring equality of opportunity in public services.
• However, these solutions will have a limited impact unless the behavioural change of each and every individual is targeted.

Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

3. France and India have shared a common belief in the importance of multilateralism and have a common respect for international rules and regulations. These shared beliefs can form the basis for a cooperation agenda. Analyse. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Tough

Reference: The Hindu

Why the question:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron held extensive discussions on a range of bilateral and pressing global issues, including the raging conflict in Ukraine, the situation in the Indo-Pacific and terrorism, as the two top leaders agreed on a blueprint to work together in making the India-France strategic partnership a force for global good.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the potential in the Indo-French relations for cooperation between the two countries.

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 giving context.

Body:

First, discuss about the historic relations between the India and France in brief.

Next, write about the further potential in the Indo-French relations especially given the current geopolitical turmoil in Europe. Elaborate on the aspect of importance of multilateralism and have a common respect for international rules and regulations that both the countries share.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward in order to achieve the potential.

Introduction

India and France have traditionally close and friendly relations. In 1998, the two countries entered into Strategic Partnership which is based on three pillars of defence cooperation, space cooperation and civil nuclear cooperation. In the recent years, there have been increasing convergences between both the countries.

Body

India-France: Convergences and shared common beliefs

• Partnership in the Indian Ocean: France was the first European country to launch an Indo-Pacific strategy and India is a key pillar in that strategy.
  • Thus, the relationship between India France has grown beyond bilateral to focus and includes intensified maritime and naval cooperation in Indian Ocean and more broadly the Indo Pacific.
  • France has specific interests in the Indian Ocean due to its overseas territories (Reunion Island and Mayotte) home to over a million French citizens, and more than 10% of the Indian Ocean’s surface.
• Strategic convergence: On the regional front, France is as concerned as India at the rising Chinese profile in the Indo-Pacific. Both would like to work to offer credible alternatives to Chinese economic and military assistance in the region.
  • On the international front, both are deeply concerned about the breakdown of the rules based global order.
• Global cooperation: After their joint efforts to limit climate change and develop the International Solar Alliance, India and France have turned to more ambitious ideas. In this direction, both countries issued the road map on cybersecurity and digital technology.
• France’s support on international platforms: France is among the countries that have consistently supported India’s permanent membership to UNSC.
  • Also, France has offered unstinted support for India on targeting the sources of violent extremism in Pakistan and helped limit the international backlash against India’s effort to rewrite the rules of engagement in J&K.
• Nuclear Cooperation: After the nuclear tests in May 1998 when India declared itself a nuclear weapon state, France was the first major power to open dialogue and displayed a far greater understanding of India’s security compulsions compared to other countries. Both signed, civil nuclear cooperation agreement in 2008.
  •  “Industrial Way Forward Agreement” was signed in 2018, between France and India for the construction of six nuclear reactors at Jaitapur.
• Defence Cooperation: France remains a vital source of arms supply to India. Defence cooperation with France began in the 1950s when India acquired the Ouragan aircraft and continued with the Mystères, Jaguar, Rafale, Scorpène submarines, etc.
  • Both countries also signed reciprocal logistics support agreement to receive logistical support, supplies and services from each other during authorised port visits, joint exercises, etc.
• Cooperation in Space and Technology has continued since the 1960s when France helped India set up the Sriharikota launch site, followed by liquid engine development and hosting of payloads. Currently, other projects include joint satellite mission – TRISHNA (for eco-system stress and water use monitoring) and also accommodation of French instrument on India’s OCEANSAT-3 satellite.
•  Counter terrorism: Terror strikes in France by home-grown terrorists provide much scope for counterterrorism cooperation, in terms of both intelligence-sharing and de-radicalisation strategies.
• Urban planning: Given its expertise in the sphere of urban planning France is also helping in the Smart Cities Mission. The three such smart cities are Chandigarh, Nagpur and Puducherry.

Way Forward

• Even though above specified areas provided a robust basis for engagement, it remained primarily at a government-to-government level.
• In recent years, it was clear that for a wider partnership, strengthening business-to-business and people-to-people relationships was essential.
• Also, the trade between India and France, although growing, is yet to reach its potential. • By leveraging the potential of convergences, France can be India’s gateway to Europe and India France’s first strategic partner in Asia.
• The underpinnings of global geopolitics are being rapidly altered with China’s rise, the West being consumed by internal problems and Russia, the “America First” priorities of the US Administration, and growing threats to globalization.
• With such background, France and India have a shared interest in developing a coalition of middle powers with a shared commitment for a rule-based multipolar world order.

General Studies – 3

Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment

4. Invasive alien species have serious negative consequences for their new environment and overall biodiversity of the region. Discuss. In what ways can the spread of invasive species be contained? (250 words)

Difficulty level: Easy

Reference: Down to Earth

Why the question:

Alien trees are invading mountainous areas across South Africa. These are important water generating regions and the trees threaten water supplies in several cities, among them Cape Town and Gqeberha. Both have experienced water shortages in recent years.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the threats posed by invasive alien species and ways to tackle their spread.

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: 

Start by explaining the term invasive alien species.

Body:

First, Explain the various threats posed by them. Provide examples and present the scenario of harm posed by invasive species in India – threaten cultivable land and wildlife habitats alike, may lead to the conversion of marshy wetlands into dry land. E.g.: water hyacinth, spread into the forests through the corridors created by landslides, affect the soil and destroy the microhabitat of that area

Next, Write about the various government policies and programmes in this direction.

Conclusion:

Conclude with solutions to address the issue.

Introduction

Invasive alien species are plants, animals, pathogens and other organisms that are non-native to an ecosystem, and which may cause economic or environmental harm or adversely affect human health. In particular, they impact adversely upon biodiversity, including decline or elimination of native species – through competition, predation, or transmission of pathogens – and the disruption of local ecosystems and ecosystem functions. Examples: Needle Bush, Goat weed, Prickly Poppy, Black Mimosa.

Since the 17th century, invasive alien species have contributed to nearly 40% of all animal extinctions for which the cause is known (CBD, 2006).

Body

Threats posed by Invasive alien species:

Threats to Environment:

Biodiversity is essential for the functioning of the ecosystems that provide vital resources such as food, water, fuel, building material and traditional medicines for millions of people. Invasive species alter and degrade the environment, and have a negative effect on both native species and the people who live and work there. The impacts of invasive species include:

• Reduced biodiversity
• Decreased availability and quality of key natural resources
• Water shortages
• Increased frequency of wildfires and flooding
• Pollution caused by overuse of chemicals to control infestations

Threats to native species:

• India is endowed with 2,319 species of finfish.
• Studies from several parts of the country show that the diversity of freshwater fish is depleting at an alarming pace due to the invasion of commercially important and ornamental exotic fish species
• Many native species, especially Indian major carps in various riverine systems, have been affected because of the invasion of exotic fish species such as Nile tilapia, African catfish, Thai pangus and common carp.
• Apart from commercially important exotic species, ornamental fishes such as guppy, piranha, suckermouth, blue perch, goldfish and platy have been recorded in rivers, lakes, traditional village ponds and other inland freshwater bodies. These also accelerate the extinction of natural varieties from local water bodies.
• The exotic ornamental Amazon sailfin catfish poses a serious threat to the native fish species of Vandiyur Lake, Madurai.
• The biomass of the Amazon sailfin catfish is statistically significant compared to the indigenous varieties. This clearly shows the negative impact of this exotic aquarium fish on inland aquaculture in terms of diminished production/catch of edible fish.
• Thus more than 15 exotic ornamental species have successfully established a reproductive population in our freshwater bodies and still don’t know the magnitude of the impact of this species on the native diversity of fish.

Economic threats:

Agriculture, forestry and fishing are of huge importance to the economies of developing countries. Invasive species affect the productivity of these systems, and limit the ability of producers to access export markets. This hinders sustainable economic growth and development. The impacts of invasive species include:

• Value and quality of land degraded
• Lower crop productivity
• High cost of controlling pests, weeds and diseases
• Routes to domestic and global markets blocked
• Livestock forced into marginal, sub-optimal grazing lands

Social threats:

Invasive species are a major threat to the livelihoods of the people who live in the areas they colonize. Through disrupting ecosystems, invasive plants, insects and diseases impair many of the things humans need to sustain a good quality of life – including food and shelter, health, security and social interaction. The impacts of invasive species include:

• Livelihood options narrowed
• Food security decreased
• Recreational and social opportunities limited
• Risks to human and animal health
• Increased social challenges

Way forward

• The most cost-effective measure to address the impacts from IAS is to prevent their introduction.
• This can be achieved by establishing effective and well-resourced biosecurity measures to manage priority pathways of introduction, supported by early warning systems and rapid eradication capacity.
• Control, containment and – where feasible – eradication, also need to be undertaken to mitigate the impacts from established IAS, including those whose impacts are likely to increase due to climate change.
• It is essential that a cross-sectoral approach is taken in IAS prevention and management measures. This needs to include the environment, human health, agriculture, fisheries, customs and transport government departments, along with key private sector bodies and civil society.
• Governments, donors and agencies that fund and implement projects, including projects supporting the SDGs, must ensure that current and potential impacts of IAS are understood so that relevant prevention and management measures can be incorporated into projects.

Conclusion

Ecosystems need to be prioritized according to their vulnerability to climate change and IAS, making it possible to establish measures that will prevent IAS introduction. This should include establishing effective biosecurity measures to manage priority pathways of introduction, supported by early warning and rapid eradication to tackle alien species before they become invasive.

Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment

5. Climate change impacts different regions in a disproportionate manner which affects livelihoods as well as our survival. Elucidate. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Insights on India

Why the question:

The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 3.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the adverse effects of climate change on the planet.

Elucidate – Give 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 climate change.

Body:

Write about the various impacts of climate change on various regions – water cycle, rainfall patterns, Coastal areas, extreme sea level events, melting of glaciers and ice sheets, Changes to the ocean, marine heatwaves, ocean acidification, and reduced oxygen levels etc. Cite statistic to substantiate your points.

Next, write about the urgent steps that are required to combat climate change.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward.

Introduction

Climate Change is a periodic modification of Earth’s climate brought about due to the changes in the atmosphere as well as the interactions between the atmosphere and various other geological, chemical, biological and geographical factors within the Earth’s system.

Climate change includes both global warming driven by human-induced emissions of greenhouse gases and the resulting large-scale shifts in weather patterns. Though there have been previous periods of climatic change, since the mid-20th century humans have had an unprecedented impact on Earth’s climate system and caused change on a global scale

Body

Background

• Over the past few days, large parts of Bihar and several areas in Uttar Pradesh have been reeling under floods due to excessive rainfall.
• A similar situation was witnessed in Mumbai last month, where heavy downpour and massive water logging caused mayhem.
• Last year more than three dozen people died in one of the longest heatwaves in the country with temperatures reaching 48 degrees Celsius.
• Not just in India, such extreme weather events have been witnessed globally, making it the most pressing issue in the present times.

Impact of Climate Change in various regions in India

• Indo gangetic plain:The Indo-Gangetic plain is one of the most populous and productive agricultural ecosystems in the world.Climate change will result in both flood and drought, impacting agriculture in the region
  • Floods: High-intensity precipitation events projected to increase, leading to floods, particularly in the eastern parts of the basin.
  • Drought: Western parts of the basin both Haryana and Punjab are likely to become vulnerable to drought.
• Punjab:Drought days to extend by 23-46 days in lower Sutlej basin
• Increase in flash floods. Severe water-logging in south-western region
• West Bengal: Intensity of cyclone to increase and Sea surge height may increase to 7.46 metres. Sea level rise will be higher than global average
  • Sunderbans and Darjeeling hill to have more rain
• UP and Bihar: A mere 1°C rise in temperature to reduce wheat yeilds significantly in UP
• Rice yeilds are expected to decline in Bihar
  • Drought to increase in UP and Bihar
• The Indian Himalayan region: The Himalayas, which represent about 16.2 per cent of the total area of the country, are not only a key watershed of India but also play a crucial role in the monsoon system. Climate change impacts on the mountain range can affect the entire sub-continent
  • The mean temperature of the Himalayas has gone up by 0.6°C in the past 30 years; the frequency of warmer days is also increasing
  • The northeastern states of India, particularly parts of Assam and Manipur, are vulnerable. Flash flood due to glacial lake outbursts may lead to landslides and affect large-scale food security
  • Himalayan glaciers melting faster than others elsewhere in the world
  • Productivity of apple has decreased by 2-3% over the past few years. This will go down further
  • Projected increase in intensity of rainy days is 2-12% in the Himalayan region
• Central and Peninsular India: The region covers most of India’s rainfed areas that contribute more than 40 per cent of the country’s food grain production. Already ravaged by frequent floods and droughts, this region will be severely impacted by climate change, affecting the country’s food security
  • Temperature rise: Six of the 11 states will witness a temperature rise of 1°C to 4°C. Maharashtra will record a 3.4°C increase by 2100
  • Most states will have hotter summer and winter.
  • The winter temperature in Jharkhand will rise to such an extent that the lowest minimum temperature in the 2080 will be higher than the highest minimum temperature in the 2020s
  • Rainfall: Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Maharashtra and Jharkhand will witness increase in rainfall.
    • Summer rainfall will increase by the end of this century and the number of rainy days during summer will increase by up to 10 days by 2100 in Jharkhand
    • The post-monsoon and pre-monsoon increase in rainfall is projected to be more than the increase in rainfall projected for the monsoon period for 2100
    • Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh, parts of Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka will witness less rainfall. In Andhra Pradesh, there will be drastic decrease in southwest rainfall over Anantapur and Kadapa districts
    • Northern Karnataka, already witnessing less rainfall and higher temperature, will see the temperature trends accentuated
• The desert region: The Thar desert, covering 10 per cent of the total geographic area of India, is the seventh largest desert in the world. The region has witnessed unheard of floods in the recent past.
  • Drought: Parts of Rajasthan and the Kutch region of Gujarat have the highest probability of occurrence of drought
  • Rajasthan: The share of water for agriculture is set to reduce from 83% to 70% by 2050
  • Gujarat: There will be heat stress and water shortages in the state. Luni and the West-flowing rivers of Kutch and Saurashtra to experience acute water shortage
  • The severity of drought for the Mahi and Sabarmati rivers will increase between 5% and 20% by 2050
• The coast and islands: The region is already witnessing climate change impacts like frequent, severe cyclones and sea ingression due to sea level rise.
  • Cyclone: The Kutch region in Gujarat and the entire eastern coastal region are projected to have the highest incidence of cyclone.
  • Coconut yields in Kerala are projected to increase by 30%
  • Sea water intrusion will impact drinking water sources
  • A one-metre rise in sea level will displace 7.1 million people in India
  • Temperature fluctuation will negatively impact winter crop in AP.

Conclusion

The socio-economic impact of decarbonising the economy and the way humans live would be crucial in setting our priorities. We have limited time and our resources are scarce. Paris agreement must be implemented on war footing in India as well as across the globe to limit the devastating impact of climate change.

Value addition

India’s action for Climate Change

• National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC): outlines existing and future policies and programs addressing climate mitigation and adaptation. The Action Plan identifies eight core “national missions” running through to 2017: Solar Energy; Enhanced Energy Efficiency; Sustainable Habitat; Water; Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem; Green India; Sustainable Agriculture; and Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change. Most of these missions have strong adaptation imperatives.
• National Clean Energy Fund: The Government of India created the National Clean Energy Fund (NCEF) in 2010 for financing and promoting clean energy initiatives and funding research in the area of clean energy in the country. The corpus of the fund is built by levying a cess of INR 50 (subsequently increased to INR 100 in 2014) per tonne of coal produced domestically or imported.
• Paris Agreement: Under the Paris Agreement, India has made three commitments. India’s greenhouse gas emission intensity of its GDP will be reduced by 33-35% below 2005 levels by 2030. Alongside, 40% of India’s power capacity would be based on non-fossil fuel sources. At the same time, India will create an additional ‘carbon sink’ of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of Co2 equivalent through additional forest and tree cover by 2030.
• International Solar Alliance: ISA was launched at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris on 30 November 2015 by India and France, in the presence of Mr. Ban Ki Moon, former Secretary-General of the United Nations.
• Bharat Stage (BS) Emission Norms: Emissions from vehicles are one of the top contributors to air pollution, which led the government at the time to introduce the BS 2000 (Bharat Stage 1) vehicle emission norms from April 2000, followed by BS-II in 2005. BS-III was implemented nationwide in 2010. However, in 2016, the government decided to meet the global best practices and leapfrog to BS-VI norms by skipping BS V altogether.

Topic: Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.

6. Chief of Defence staff (CDS) was created to promote jointness and restructure military commands for optimal resource utilisation. However, there is scope to utilise the post of CDS more effectively and in a more integrated manner among the tri services. Evaluate.

Difficulty level: Tough

Reference: The Print

Why the question:

The Narendra Modi government is looking at possibly splitting the post of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Secretary, Department of Military Affairs (DMA), both of which were held by the late General Bipin Rawat.

Demand of the question:

To write about the importance of CDS to the nation’s security and reforms needed in the post of CDS.

Directive word: 

Evaluate – When you are asked to evaluate, you have to pass a sound judgement about the truth of the given statement in the question or the topic based on evidence.  You must appraise the worth of the statement in question. There is scope for forming an opinion here.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Begin by mentioning the rationale behind creation of the post of CDS.

Body:

In the first part, mention his role – he will be the single-point military adviser to the government as suggested by the Kargil Review Committee in 1999. Mention the roles and responsibilities of CDS – oversees and coordinates the working of the three Services. The charter of the CDS, if implemented properly, will prepare the 15-lakh strong armed forces for the wars of the future. The CDS is mandated to ensure the Army, Navy and IAF, which often pull in different directions, truly integrate to slash wasteful expenditure amidst the ongoing severe fund crunch for military modernization because of the ballooning pay and pension bills. Next, write about tis limitations.

Next, write about the various limitations associated with CDS in its shorts existence and steps needed to overcome them.

Conclusion:

Conclude with a way forward.

Introduction

Indian Government had approved the creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and the Department of Military Affairs as the fifth department within the Ministry of Defence. The CDS is be a four-star General/Officer who will act as the Principal Military Advisor to the Defence Minister on all tri-services (Army, Navy and Indian Air Force) matters. Chief of Defence staff (CDS) solves issues in planning, budgeting and force structuring for a military based on a coherent strategic vision.

Body

Rationale behind creation of CDS

• Increasing demands
  • With the increasing complexity of security challenges in the modern warfare arena, there was a need for an integrated approach towards defence strategy.
  • There are communication issues, budgetary overruns by individual commands, inter-alia which demanded joint working of Army, Navy and Air Force.
• Jointness:
  • CDS will ensure and promote thejointness (functioning together of the three services independently) through joint planning of command operations, logistics, transport, training, communications, repairs and maintenance of the three services within three years of operation.
  • This will ensure close cooperation and collaborationamongst the defence forces.
• Integration:
  • There is a need for inducing integration (putting together the three Services at different levels and placing them under one commander) in different services.
  • However, there is a difference between integration and jointnessof command.
• Lack of Resources:
  • CDS as‘first among equals’ will act as a single point advisor and could be held accountable for his actions and decisions taken.
  • Restructured military commands for optimal utilization of resources will avoid unnecessary duplication and wasteful expenditure.
• Expertise:
  • Being into the services for so long, the expertise and knowledge of CDS to deal with the adverse situations could be appropriately utilized in order to achieve the desired aims, creating an architecture for joint commands.

Responsibility of CDS:

• CDS will administer the tri-services organisations/agencies related to Cyber and Space.
• CDS will look into monitoring of contracts, promoting the use of indigenous equipment, leveraging of current systems and transforming them, and prioritising the procurement of defence equipment in a better way.
• He will also assigninter-services prioritisation to capital acquisition proposals based on the anticipated budget.
• CDS will bring reforms to augment the combat capabilities of the forces and is expected to evaluate plans for ‘out of area contingencies’ for countries in India’s neighbourhood.

Challenges:

• Mandate for defence of the nation is still with the Department of Defence but the procurement process except capital acquisitions lies with CDS.
• This gives birth to dichotomy as on one hand CDS is expected to prioritise the expenditure between the three services but the wherewithal still lies with the Defence Secretary.
• Hence, the budgetary power still lies with the bureaucratswhich demands timely intervention by the government.
• CDS has the mandate of force planning(planning associated with the creation and maintenance of military capabilities).
• Changing role of warfare- being more technology-oriented over rationalisation/rightsizing of manpower needs to be addressed properly.
• India faces frequent conflicts on its land frontiers. Balancing this realisation that both maritime and air power are going to play an increasingly important rolein India’s rise as a leading power will be among the initial strategic challenges that would be faced by the CDS.
• The government is yet to take a call on who the new CDS will be, despite the post lying vacant for nearly five months.

How do other countries work?

• All major countries, especially the nuclear weapon states, have a CDS. The U.K. from which the Indian armed forces and the Defence Ministry are modelled on has a Permanent Secretary, equivalent to the Defence Secretary, and also a CDS.
• The U.K. Government guidelines state that the CDS is the professional head of the British armed forces and, as military strategic commander, is responsible for how operations are carried out. He is also the most senior military adviser to the Secretary of State for Defence and the Prime Minister.
• The Permanent Secretary is the government’s principal civilian adviser on Defence, has primary responsibility for policy, finance and planning, and is also the Departmental Accounting Officer.

Way forward

• The appointment of a CDS, can lead to the development of theatre commands in the future.
• Theaterisation has its advantages but the debate among the services on the need for such a move is far from over.
• The success of the CDS will depend on the kind of powers the person appointed to the post enjoys. For the CDS to be effective, he would need to have control on the decision-making apparatus.
• If the Ministry of Defence has the power to overrule the CDS, especially in the case of procurement of equipment for the three services, the move may yield low dividends.
• The positives that this move may have can’t be ascertained until the government reveals the nuts and bolts of its plan.

General Studies – 4 

Topic: Case Study.

7. In recent times, there has been an increasing concern in India to develop effective civil service ethics, code of conduct, transparency measures, ethics and integrity systems and anti-corruption agencies. In view of this, there is a need being felt to focus on three specific areas, which are directly relevant to the problems of internalizing integrity and ethics in the civil services. These are as follows:

1. 1. Anticipating specific threats to ethical standards and integrity in the civil services,
   2. Strengthening the ethical competence of civil servant and
   3. Developing administrative processes and practices which promote ethical values and integrity in civil services.

Suggest institutional measures to address the above three issues. (250 words) (UPSC2019)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Why the question:

The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4 and part of ‘Case Study Fridays’ in Mission-2022 Secure. 

Introduction

Ethical values in governance show how well the ethical values are followed in governance and its structure. This includes legality of government action, rationality in policy and decision making, evolving a sense of responsibility, ensuring accountability, strengthening work commitment, creating excellence, facilitating spirit of individual and organizational goals, developing responsiveness, showing compassion, protecting the national interests, protecting the spirit of justice, bringing transparency and elevating integrity.

Body

The following measures can be taken to address the above three issues:

• E-Governance and digitization to increase transparency and accountability along with easing paper work and reducing red-tapism. Example: PRAGATI, MyGov portal
• Right to Information act to allow for citizen’s right to know which enhances probity in governance.
• Stringent laws like Prevention of Corruption Act, presence of CVC to ensure there is no corruption.
• Civil service codes and various Service Rules to ensure honesty and integrity. Example: Civil Service Conduct Rules.
• Effective implementation of citizen charters and citizen oriented governance to better address feedback, grievances. Example: CPGRAMS, Jan Sunwai.
• In 2006, the department Of Personnel drafted a Public Service Bill which enumerated fundamental values of Public Services, a Code of Ethics, a Management Code etc. with the objective of developing public services. The bill didn’t make much headway and is in cold storage etc
• Witness protection scheme to safeguard the witness from victimization. E.g.: Whistleblower protection law.
• Involvement of the public in the governance by local governance methods, Social Audit schemes

• Removing political interference in administration and politicization of administration.
• Introduction of Public Service bill and Code of Ethics.
• Effective independent review of major official decisions undertaken by the civil servants and reports of the same to be submitted in a transparent manner.
• Appointment of Ombudsman and set up of administrative tribunals to decide the disputes quickly and alleged complaints of ‘maladministration’ to help both the citizens and civil servants.
• Human Resource Management strategies like performance based evaluation, objective annual performance records, merit based promotion and recruitment, anti-discrimination protections can be brought in.
• The Second Administrative reforms commission has suggested the following methods:

• Codification of ethics will ensure the minimum standards that public servants must follow.
• Strong vigilance systems to ensure that corruption is eliminated at the root. Example: CVC, whistle blowers act, Lokpal etc.
• Ethics audit mechanisms must be strengthened and be made a norm.
• Digitization and e-governance is the way forward to ensure citizen centric governance. Example: UMANG- one stop for customers to pay all their bills.
• Values such as selflessness, honesty, integrity and objectivity if inculcated at early age through education will lead to Ethical leadership in the future.
• Sensitivity trainings, Value oriented training of public servants in relevant ethics codes and its application.
• Ethical auditing should be done.
• Delegation of work and responsibility in every organization should be ensured similarly the standard protocols must be codified vide citizen charters.

Conclusion

Strengthening ethical and moral values in Governance is imperative to ensure the best service delivery and citizen-centric administration. Attention needs to be paid to systemic threats that could weaken adherence to core public sector ethics values, and commitment to good governance, and to preparing the necessary political and management responses. New techniques need to be undertaken to institutionalize ethically competent decision making, disinterested advice to Government, and, ultimately, an ‘ethical culture’ which supports professional responsibility, self-discipline, and support for the rule of law.

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