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: 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.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about how we can understand the interior of earth by using Seismic waves.
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 mentioning that the structure of Earth’s deep interior cannot be studied directly but geologists use seismic (earthquake) waves to understand the interior structure of earth.
Body:
First, define what are seismic waves and their types.
Explain, how the difference in their properties helps us to understand the earth’s interior. Also, draw a neat labelled diagram for better presentation of your answer.
Conclusion:
Mention the significance of understanding the interior of the earth.
Introduction
Seismic waves are caused by the sudden movement of materials within the Earth, such as slip along a fault during an earthquake. Volcanic eruptions, explosions, landslides, avalanches, and even rushing rivers can also cause seismic waves. Seismic waves travel through and around the Earth and can be recorded with seismometers.
Body:
Understanding the structure of the earth’s interior (crust, mantle, core) and various forces (heat, seismic waves) emanating from it is essential to understand the evolution of the earth’s surface, its current shape and its future, the geophysical phenomenon like volcanism, earthquakes, earth’s magnetic field, the internal structure of various solar system objects, the evolution and present composition of the atmosphere for mineral exploration.
Earthquake waves and interior of the earth:
- They are the most important source available to understand the layered structure of the earth.
- All natural earthquakes take place in the lithosphere. Earthquake waves are basically of two types — body waves and surface waves.
- Body waves are generated due to the release of energy at the focus and move in all directions travelling through the body of the earth. Hence, the name body waves.
- The body waves interact with the surface rocks and generate new set of waves called surface waves. These waves move along the surface.
- The velocity of waves changes as they travel through materials with different densities. The denser the material, the higher is the velocity. Their direction also changes as they reflect or refract when coming across materials with different densities.
- There are two types of body waves. They are called P and S-waves. P-waves move faster and are the first to arrive at the surface. These are also called ‘primary waves’.
- The P-waves are similar to sound waves. They travel through gaseous, liquid and solid materials.
- S-waves arrive at the surface with some time lag. These are called secondary waves. An important fact about S-waves is that they can travel only through solid materials. This characteristic of the S-waves is quite important.
- It has helped scientists to understand the structure of the interior of the earth. Reflection causes waves to rebound whereas refraction makes waves move in different directions.
- The variations in the direction of waves are inferred with the help of their record on seismograph. The surface waves are the last to report on seismograph. These waves are more destructive. They cause displacement of rocks, and hence, the collapse of structures occurs.
- Earthquake waves get recorded in seismographs located at far off locations. However, there exist some specific areas where the waves are not reported. Such a zone is called the ‘shadow zone’. The study of different events reveals that for each earthquake, there exists an altogether different shadow zone.
Conclusion:
The velocity of seismic waves changes as they travel through materials with different elasticity and density. The more elastic and denser the material is, the higher is the velocity. They also undergo refection or refraction when they come across materials with different densities. Earth’s internal structure can be understood by analyzing the patterns of reflection, refraction and change in velocity of the seismic waves when they travel through it.
Topic: Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.
Difficulty level: Tough
Reference: Indian Express , The Hindu
Why the question:
The Government’s decision to take a stern view of hate speech targeting religious beliefs, to distance itself from comments made by two spokespersons of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and to assert India’s traditional values of tolerance and respect for all religions is both welcome and reassuring for those within the country increasingly concerned about the increase in such speech.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about hate speech, its impact on the society and steps needed to curb it
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by defining hate speech.
Body:
First, in detail write about the impact of hate speech on society – affects human rights and the rule of law. If left unaddressed, it can lead to acts of violence and conflict on a wider scale etc.
Next, write in detail about various legal and constitutional measures that have been provided for curbing hate speech. Also, mention measures needed to curb hate speech.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.
Introduction
The term hate speech is understood as any kind of communication in speech, writing or behaviour, that attacks or uses pejorative or discriminatory language with reference to a person or a group based on their religion, ethnicity, nationality, race, color, descent, gender or other identity factor.
The Law Commission, in its 267th report on hate speech, said such utterances have the potential to provoke individuals and society to commit acts of terrorism, genocide, and ethnic cleansing.
There is no international legal definition of hate speech, and the characterization of what is ‘hateful’ is controversial and disputed.
Body
Impact of hate speech on the society
- Hate speech is a discursive process of pushing marginalised groups outside of social, economic and political spheres of society by disseminating hate propaganda and encouraging discrimination.
- At its most harmful, it is widely recognized as a precursor to ethnic cleansing.
- Internal Security: The Muzaffarnagar riots of 2013 was triggered by a fake video that incited communal passions. In the West, hate speech combined with fake news on minorities has induced an anti-immigration sentiment (e.g. : France, Italy, Greece)
- User homophily and Bubble phenomenon: Users with matching political views exchange one-sided information and opinions that suit their own convictions, reinforcing them even further, even if those were based on false information. E.g. : Twitter prompts users to follow those who express similar views or posts.
- Igniting extremist sentiments: Fake news’ perpetuates, previously locally found, extremist ideas and groups together dangerously like-minded people e.g. – Neo-Nazis in Germany, Separatists in Kashmir.
- Mob lynching: Rumours of child lifting in Jharkhand led to mob lynching on innocent victims.
- Violence: An atmosphere of violence and chaos is created directly or indirectly. The Christchurch Terror attack on a mosque by an extremist was a result of Islamophobia (a direct result of hate speech).
- Misinformation and disinformation due to hate speech and fake news have led to riots as seen in the Delhi Riots case 2020.
Measures needed
Measures:
- The world’s biggest social media companies, including Facebook, Google, Twitter and ByteDance, are exploring an industry-wide alliance to curb fake news on their platforms in India.
- The Election Commission of India must tie up with tech companies to identify the creator of such news.
- Educating the end-users.
- The government should bring out a policy framework on the possible harm due to the internet messaging platforms to engage at a deeper level.
- Imposing hefty fines, like in Germany the Social media companies face fines of up to €50m if they persistently fail to remove illegal content from their sites.
Way forward
- Clarity and technological upgradationis needed to deal with this and a mechanism to get down such material, which is prone to disturb social setup.
- Improving the level of training in equality and non-discrimination among police forces and legal bodies,improving research and encouraging reporting of such content.
- Indian government has been pushing for internet platforms to locate their serversin the country, which might help address dangerous speech in real time.
- Generating contra-narratives on social networks and raising public awarenessthrough campaigns to tackle extremism.
- There can be an internationally accepted law that places the responsibility on social media companieslike Facebook to tackle hate speech by deleting obviously illegal content within 24 hours if there is a request from the Government of a particular nation.
- Social media platforms need to take responsibility to ensuretransparency, accountability and a system of rules and guidelines that users can recognize as standards, and which when enforced in a regularized fashion can begin to act as precedents. Thus, users, police and civil society actors will have a clear sense of what kind of material is likely to be taken down.
- Public authorities must be held accountable for dereliction of the duty of care and also for non-compliance with this court’s orders by not taking action to prevent vigilante groups from inciting communal disharmony and spreading hate against citizens of the country and taking the laws into their own hands.
- Therefore giving a proper definition to hate speech would be the first step to deal with the menaceand other initiatives such as spreading awareness amongst the public is the need of the hour.
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: The Hindu
Why the question:
Petitioners in the Delhi High Court questioned why marital status, age, or gender were the criteria for being allowed to commission or not commission surrogacy in India.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the various issues in the regulation of surrogacy and measures to rectify 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 the objectives of surrogacy act and recent changes proposed to it.
Body:
First, write about the various issues in the act – strident approval from infertility experts, restrictive regulations, it does not allow single women, or men, or gay couples to go in for surrogacy etc. write about the impact on the above.
Next, write about the corrective steps that are needed to rectify the same.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.
Introduction
The Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill was introduced in Parliament in November 2016, and passed in the Winter session of Parliament in 2021.
The Act sought to regulate the surrogacy part of a rather flourishing infertility industry in the country. Defining ‘surrogacy’ as a practice where a woman undertakes to give birth to a child for another couple and agrees to hand over the child to them after birth, it allows ‘altruistic surrogacy’ — wherein only the medical expenses and insurance coverage is provided by the couple to the surrogate mother during pregnancy. No other monetary consideration will be permitted.
Body
Objectives of Surrogacy ACT
- India has emerged as a hub for infertility treatment, attracting people from the world over with its state-of-the-art technology and competitive prices to treat infertility.
- Soon enough, due to prevailing socio-economic inequities, underprivileged women found an option to ‘rent their wombs’ and thereby make money to take care of their expenses — often to facilitate a marriage, enable children to get an education, or to provide for hospitalisation or surgery for someone in the family.
- Once information of the availability of such wombs got out, the demand also picked up.
- Unscrupulous middle men inveigled themselves into the scene and exploitation of these women began.
- Several instances began to emerge where women, in often desperate straits, started lodging police complaints after they did not receive the promised sum.
- Other issues also began to crop up. For instance, in 2008 a Japanese couple began the process with a surrogate mother in Gujarat, but before the child was born they split with both of them refusing to take the child. In 2012, an Australian couple commissioned a surrogate mother, and arbitrarily chose one of the twins that were born.
Issues with the ACT
- As per the Surrogacy Act, a married couple can opt for surrogacy only on medical grounds.
- It also prescribes an age-criteria for both the man and woman.
- Though the law allows single women to resort to surrogacy, she has to either be a widow or a divorcee.
- Single men are not eligible.
- The Bill raises questions over the reproductive rights of a woman. The right to life enshrines the right of reproductive autonomy, inclusive of the right to procreation and parenthood, which is not within the domain of the state, warranting interference of a fundamental right.
- Only a close relative of the couple can be a surrogate mother. She should have been married, with a child of her own. She can only be a surrogate mother once.
- Even at the Bill stage, there was some apprehension about the too restrictive regulations. For instance, it does not allow single (never been married) women, or men, or gay couples to go in for surrogacy.
Corrective steps that are needed to rectify the same
- For surrogacy to happen, we need embryos, and embryos are cultured in various In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) laboratories.
- So regulation of surrogacy must be preceded by law on Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) which is now realised.
- Rather than penalising surrogacy, the person providing a womb for surrogacy must be secured with a contract, ensuring proper, insurance and medical checks.
- The Standing Committee had recommended a model of compensated surrogacy which would cover psychological counselling of the surrogate mother and/or her children, lost wages for the duration of pregnancy, child care support, dietary supplements and medication, maternity clothing and post-delivery care. The Bill should, at the very least, incorporate these provisions.
- Right to privacy of donor as well as surrogate mother should be protected.
- Surrogacy should be made inclusive for all class of people irrespective of their sexuality
Conclusion
Although the bill bans commercial surrogacy, it falls short to effectively tackle the larger social, physical, psychological, emotional and economic issues that continue to challenge the welfare and safety of both the surrogate mother and the child. The rights of surrogate mother and child born must comprehensively be formulated, along with that ART must be regulated thoroughly.
Topic: India and its neighborhood- relations.
Difficulty level: Tough
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
June 6 marked the completion of 25 years since the 1997 Bangkok Declaration launched a modest grouping (of Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka and Thailand), with the acronym, BIST-EC. Three countries (Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar) joined it later to make it the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the role BIMSTEC can play in the changing geopolitics and if it can be an alternative to SAARC.
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:
Begin by mentioning the mandate behind the launch of BIMSTEC.
Body:
First, write the role BIMSTEC can play in the changing geopolitics – BIMSTEC allows the confluence of its Act East and the Neighbourhood Policies, development of ‘Blue Economy’, collaboration on security and communication etc.
Next, give context regarding SAARC and examine if BIMSTEC can be a suitable alternative.
Conclusion:
Conclude writing a balanced opinion.
Introduction
The Bay of Bengal is fast becoming a key area of economic and strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific. It’s the largest bay in the world and forms an important part of southern Asia. The limitations of SAARC due to multiple reasons have led to South Asian region being the least integrated region in the world vis-à-vis the European and ASEAN experiences.
The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is a bridge between South Asia and South East Asia. BIMSTEC has gained more favour as the preferred platform for regional cooperation in South Asia
Body
The changing dynamics of the world order
- Admittedly, the world has recently seen the rise of authoritarian rulers in many countries. However, this can hardly be viewed as a new phenomenon.
- The role of China is possibly the most disrupting one, given the challenge it poses to the existing international order.
- Militarily, China is openly challenging U.S. supremacy in many areas, including ‘state-of-the-art weaponry’such as hyper-sonic technology.
- USA’s pivot to Indo-Pacific region has added a new dimension to the world order.
- The other major risk stems from the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine— the latter being backed by the U.S. and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)
- Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistanhas led to a material shift in the balance of power in an already troubled region on India’s periphery.
- In Central Asia, India will be challenged on how best to manage its traditional friendship with Russiawith the pronounced tilt seen more recently in India-U.S. relations.
- In West Asia, the challenge for India is how to manage its membership of the Second Quad(India, Israel, the UAE and the U.S.) with the conflicting interests of different players in the region.
- Indian diplomacy will be under severe test to manage the extant situation in both regions.
BIMSTEC provides an alternative to SAARC due to the following reasons:
- Connectivity:
- BIMSTEC serves two purposes for India – it makes it easier for India to share a common regional platform with its neighbours in South Asia (sans Pakistan) and secondly, BIMSTEC also establishes a linkage between South and Southeast Asia.
- Urgency of promoting regional and sub-regional cooperation via BIMSTEC and BBIN has to be seen in the context of China’s BRI and the compelling strategic challenge posed by China’s muscular geo-economic and geo-political interventions in Asia, particularly in India’s neighbourhood.
- The development of the North-eastern region, by opening up to Bangladesh and Myanmar, is another incentive for India.
- Regional Co-operation: Regional cooperation under the ambit of SAARC has become difficult made BIMSTEC more viable:
- Despite India’s keen interest in cooperating and strengthening intra-regional connectivity by backing the SAARC–Motor vehicle agreement, the agreement was stalled following Pakistan’s reluctance.
- Similarly, the SAARC satellite project that India proposed was abandoned following objection from Pakistan in 2016
- SAARC has also faced obstacles in the area of security cooperation. A major hindrance in this regard has been the lack of consensus on threat perceptions, since member countries disagree on the idea of threats. Example: cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan.
- Cordial Relationship:
- The member countries have generally cordial relationships, something patently missing among the SAARC countries.
- BIMSTEC’s major strength comes from the fact that it includes two influential regional powers: Thailand and India. This adds to the comfort of smaller neighbours by reducing the fear of dominance by one big power.
- Economic vistas: As a trade bloc, BIMSTEC provides many opportunities.
- The region has countries with the fastest-growing economies in the world. The combined GDP in the region is around US$2 trillion and will likely grow further.
- Trade among the BIMSTEC member countries reached six percent in just a decade, while in SAARC, it has remained around five percent since its inception.
- Compared to SAARC, BIMSTEC has greater trade potential as well. Among the member countries, India’s intra-BIMSTEC trade is around 3 percent of its total trade.
- BIMSTEC regional grouping happens to have five nations that are also part of SAARC. The fact that this region is growing at 6.5% per annum, collectively comprises of 1.5 billion people, is the drive behind India’s focus being part of BIMSTEC.
However, there are concerns which need to be addressed:
- Infrequency of the BIMSTEC summits, the highest decision-making body of the organisation. In its 20 years of existence, the BIMSTEC summit has taken place only thrice.
- The delay in the adoption of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), a framework that was agreed upon in 2004, fuels doubts about BIMSTEC’s efficacy.
- BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement [MVA] is an instrument that was conceived to transform and facilitate trade. It has not yet been completely successful as Bhutan is worried about security and environmental fallout of such an agreement.
- In the latest summit in 2018, it was noted that the Motor Vehicle Agreement and the Coastal Shipping Agreement would still need more time for finalisation.
- Both Thailand and Myanmar are criticised for having ignored BIMSTEC in favour of ASEAN.
- Region lacks physical connectivity. The tri-lateral highway connecting India-Myanmar-Thailand has been a non-starter.
- BIMSTEC has identified 14 priority sectors and has signed an FTA (2004) and a Convention on Cooperation in Combating International Terrorism, Transnational Organized Crime and Illicit Drug Trafficking (2009). The pace of implementation has been quite sluggish so far.
Conclusion
Both SAARC and BIMSTEC focus on regions which are geographically overlapping but this does not make them equal alternatives. SAARC is a purely regional organization, whereas BIMSTEC is interregional and connects both South Asia and ASEAN. Hence, SAARC and BIMSTEC complement each other in terms of functions and goals and India has a unique opportunity to connect with ASEAN through 3Cs (Commerce, Culture and Connectivity).
General Studies – 3
Topic: Major crops-cropping patterns in various parts of the country, – different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Hindustan Times
Why the question:
According to Food and Agriculture Organization experts, agricultural value chains use 12.5 million tonnes of plastic products each year. Crop production and livestock combined accounted for 10.2 million tonnes (Mt) per year of plastics, followed by fisheries and aquaculture with 2.1 million tonnes and forests with 0.2 million tonnes.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about Plasticulture, its pros and cons.
Directive word:
Critically comment – 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 ‘comment’ is prefixed, we must express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an overall opinion thereupon.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by defining plasticulture and its objectives.
Body:
First, write about the various components of plasticulture
Next, write about the benefits of plasticulture in agriculture and substantiate with facts and examples.
Next, write about the limitations of plasticulture. Also, write about ways to reduce the limitations associated with it.
Conclusion:
Conclude by commenting a balanced opinion of plasticulture.
Introduction
Plasticulture refers to the use of plastic in agricultural activities. This can include soil fumigation, irrigation, the packaging of agricultural products, and the protection of harvests from precipitation. Plastic also appears as a mulch or greenhouse cover.
While plasticulture has been touted as a way for farmers to efficiently grow crops with less water and fewer fertilizers and pesticides, it has also been called into question for being environmentally unsustainable. Problems cited include the contamination of soil, water, and food; air pollution; and large quantities of plastic waste.
Body
Background
- The history of plasticulture started with the mass production of plastics, which began in the 1930s.
- Researchers discovered that one type of plastic, polyethylene, was well-suited to agricultural use because of its durability, flexibility, and chemical resistance.
- It was first used as a greenhouse construction material in the 1940s as an alternative to glass.
- The widespread use of plastic as an artificial mulch soon followed.
Benefits of plasticulture
- Mulching: Plastic mulch, which utilizes sheets of plastic that cover the soil with holes allowing plants to grow through, became commercially available in the 1960s. Since then, it has become the most widely-used form of plasticulture.
- Silage, Piping, Planters, and Storage: Another application of plasticulture today is as an airtight cover for silage or other animal feed grains.
- Flexible plastic sheets can be wrapped tightly around harvested grains and straw bales; this keeps them dry and fresh for months or more at a time.
- Polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, and polyethylene are both commonly used in pipes for irrigation and hydroponic systems.
- These relatively light plastic tubing materials also resist corrosion, making them an attractive alternative to metal pipes.
- Petroleum-based nursery pots, crates, and other containers made from durable but lightweight plastics represent another significant category of plasticulture.
- Artificial ponds: Creation of artificial ponds using plastic to conserve water during the monsoons. Domestically, Rajasthan and Maharashtra are at the forefront of promoting pond liners in a big way and are witnessing robust growth prospects.
- Greenhouses: A farming technique wherein the crop is grown in a controlled environment and is covered through firm nets or plastics through a frame.
Economic benefits outweigh environmental costs
- Plasticulture’s potential environmental benefits are often outweighed by adverse environmental impacts such as greenhouse gas emissions, contamination of soil, water, air, and food, and the generation of enormous quantities of plastic waste.
- Un-recycled agricultural plastics constitute an enormous volume of waste that creates further environmental hazards when it is buried, burned, or dumped in landfills.
- This is a particular concern in developing countries that lack adequate waste management infrastructure, but an enormous dilemma for developed countries as well.
- Climate impact: A study of plastic greenhouses in China found that they were associated with greater climate-altering greenhouse gas emissions such as carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide, which is also a culprit in air pollution by contributing to particulate matter and ozone.
- Pollution: Conventional plastics are petroleum-based products made from fossil fuels. In addition to pumping climate-altering greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, the plastics manufacturing process creates air and water pollution that can affect workers and nearby communities.
- Microplastic hazard: Another emerging concern involves how much plasticulture may be contributing to the presence of microplastics in soil and water.
- Thin mulching film, in particular, is prone to deteriorate into tiny pieces of plastic, which can affect soil quality, impacting microbes and other creatures that live in the soil.
- The plastic particles are flushed into surface waters and ultimately oceans by rain and irrigation, and they can also be absorbed by plants, potentially ending up in the food system.
- While some of the heavy plastic used in greenhouse construction can be recycled or reused, a significant portion is not. Even less of the lighter plastic used in mulching gets recycled because it is very thin and often contaminated with pesticides, dirt, and fertilizers, making reuse or recycling labour-intensive and expensive.
Conclusion and way forward
- Scientists are beginning to develop biodegradable alternatives to conventional plastic mulch
- Biodegradables can be converted to carbon dioxide, water, and other natural substances by soil microbes.
- Instead of necessitating removal like their conventional polyethylene counterparts, these can be tilled back into the soil.
- Although using more biodegradable plastics and non-plastic alternatives cannot completely resolve the environmental problems associated with plasticulture, they help make a significant dent in combatting the detrimental effects of plastics in agriculture.
- The more growers, consumers, and governments support sustainable alternatives to agricultural plastics—while amplifying practices like water conservation and reduced chemical fertilizer and pesticide use—the healthier our communities, food system, and planet will be.
Topic: Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: ibef.org
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 strengths and weaknesses in the pharmaceutical industry and to suggest adequate measures to address the issues.
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 highlighting the extent of pharmaceutical industry in India.
Body:
First, mention the potential of pharma industry – India is the largest provider of generic drugs globally. Indian pharmaceutical sector supplies over 50% of global demand for various vaccines, 40% of generic demand in the US and 25% of all medicine in the UK. Globally, India ranks 3rd in terms of pharmaceutical production by volume and 14th by value.
Next, write about the limitations.
Next, give a point by point analysis of major areas of reforms needed such as revising the age old The New Drugs, Cosmetics and Medical Devices Act, need to bring in a regulatory structure in the context of e pharmacy and teleconsultations, better clarity in the issue of Licenses as per Drugs and Cosmetics Act (DCA) of 1940 etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude by saying that India should focus on a comprehensive, clear and concise regulatory structure meeting the needs of the new age pharmaceutical industry.
Introduction
The Indian pharmaceutical industry is one of the major contributors to the Indian economy and it is the world’s third-largest industry by volume. The Indian pharmaceutical industry’s success can be credited to its world-class capabilities in formulation development, entrepreneurial abilities of its people, and the vision of its business leaders to establish India’s footprint in the United States and other large international markets.
Body
Strengths of Indian Pharmaceutical Sector
- According to the Economic Survey of 2020-21, the Indian pharmaceuticals sector is expected to expand multifold and become a $ 130 billion industry by 2030, while medicine spending is projected to grow rapidly too, leading India to become one of the top 10 countries in terms of such expenditure.
- Potential of Pharma sector: The Indian pharmaceutical industry, valued at $41 billion, is expected to grow to $65 billion by 2024 and $120-130 billion by 2030, noted the new Economic survey.
- Rise in exports: Indian pharma exports have registered a growth of 103 percent since 2013-14. This happens to be Pharma Sector’ best export performance ever till 2021-22.
- Positive growth: Drug formulations, biologicals have consistently registered positive growth and the highest increase in absolute terms in recent months.
- This led to a rise in its share to 7.1 percent in April-November 2020 from 5 percent in April-November 2019, making it the second-largest exported commodity among the top 10 export commodities.
- This shows that India has the potential to be the ‘pharmacy of the world’”, the survey said.
- In 1969, Indian pharmaceuticals had a 5 per cent share of the market in India, and global pharma had a 95 per cent share. By 2020, it was the reverse, with Indian pharma having an almost 85 per cent share and global, 15 per cent.
- Significant advantage: The availability of a significant raw material base and skilled workforce have enabled India to emerge as an international manufacturing hub for generic medicines.
- Further, India is the only country with the largest number of USFDA compliant pharma plants (more than 262 including APIs) outside of the US.
- Capacity: The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that India can not only innovate but also rapidly distribute time-critical drugs to every part of the globe that needs it.
- Global leader: Presently, over 80% of the antiretroviral drugs used globally to combat AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) are supplied by Indian pharmaceutical firms.
Issues facing the Pharma industry:
- Overdependence: Indian pharma industries import about 80% of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients(API) from China. The API forms the base of drugs. With trade-wars at global levels and wavering bilateral relations, there is a looming threat which can stall the Indian pharma industries. In FY19, Indian pharma companies imported bulk drugs and intermediates worth $2.4 million from China.
- Compliance issues and good manufacturing practices: Diversifying the global market has been a problem with countries China and USA imposing Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary(SPS) barriers of WTO against generic drugs. The selective targeting by US Food and Drug Administration and Chinese Drug regulators are a problem still.
- Drug Price Control Order: The companies sight that the reforms of the Government for the essential medicines has caused them to lower the price of drugs. This has been done by the Government for the betterment of the public.
- Stronger IP regulations: IP regulation has always been a thorn in the skin for the companies, especially the foreign companies. The companies strongly feel that the rules have to be amended and the so-called victim of the lax regulations have been the foreign entrants.
- Because of fewer costs associated with generic medicines, multiple applications for generic drugs are often approved to market a single product; this creates competition in the marketplace globally, typically resulting in lower prices. Pharma sector in India is also facing steep headwinds on account of this.
- There is a lack of proper assessment of the performance of the pharmaceutical industry and its efficiency and productivity and due to this many plants have not survived.
- Unregulated online pharmacies or e-pharmacies emerging in India have been a major concern for authorized setups.
- There has been a significant drop in the flow of prescriptions as the Indian pharmaceutical industry has been witnessing a decline in the overall quality of its medical representatives (MRs). This is mainly on account of lack of training and support by the industry.
- In countries such as Russia, one requires to be a medical graduate to be a pharma sales representative. In the European Union, one needs to pass stringent examinations to become an MR. Once they qualify, they need to renew their certification every three years. But in India, even non-graduates are performing as MRs without proper guidance.
Measures needed:
- India’s strong innovation capabilities aided partnerships would help in overcoming these problems.
- Developing our R&D sector to reduce dependency on foreign countries for raw materials
- The introduction of pharmaceutical product patents and the mandatory implementation of good manufacturing practices is the need of the hour.
- It is necessary for the Indian pharmaceutical industry to become globally competitive through world-class manufacturing capabilities, with improved quality and a higher efficiency of production, and there is a need to stress on the up-gradation of R&D capabilities.
- Training and development of human resources for the pharmaceutical industry and drug research and development should be done accordingly;
- There is also a need to promote public-private partnership for the development of the pharmaceuticals industry; promote environmentally sustainable development of the pharmaceutical industry; and enable the availability, accessibility, and affordability of drugs.
- Improvement in industrial practices to provide better training and support services for employees to perform their job functions.
- Using multilateral organisation like WTO against the illegal trade practices.
- Funding for the pharma companies might be a way to move forward.
- IPR Think Tank formed by the Government to draft stronger national IP policies.
Conclusion
The affordability of healthcare is an issue of concern even in India, and people here would welcome some clarity on the principles of fair pricing vis-à-vis medical products. It is important that the accused companies are given a good hearing. The Government of India has taken up a number of initiatives to create an ecosystem that fosters manufacturing in pharma industries.
General Studies – 4
Topic: ethical issues in international relations and funding;
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 write international morality and its nature.
Directive:
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by defining international morality.
Body:
Start by explaining what is International ethics – moral principles, customary International Law, Human rights, Cooperation, Non-aggression etc. Cite examples to substantiate your points.
Next, write about if its just theoretical concept or it is applied in practise as well.
Conclusion:
Conclude by giving a balanced opinion on international morality.
Introduction
Ethical questions are central to the study of international relations, as it is a field of study concerned with war and peace, trade and production, and law and rights. Yet, a persistent conventional wisdom suggests ethics are marginal to international relations.
Realists believe that International relations is solely based on power and national interest and has no place for morality. In the words of Thucydides “the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must”.”
Body
Do Ethical considerations have a say in international relations?
To answer this question, realists and idealists have an ongoing debate. But since the second world war, the debate was settled largely in favour of the realists.
Hans Morgenthau, gave 6 principles of Realism in International Relations
- Politics is governed by Objective Laws which have roots in Human Nature:
- The first principle of political realism holds that “politics, like society in general, is governed by objective laws that have their roots in human nature.” Humans are power seeking by nature and so are the states.
- National Interest defined in terms of National Power:
- No considerations of Moral Imperatives when it comes to national interest. For eg: Even though India espoused Panchsheel principles, China went to war with India in 1962 without as much of a warning.
- National Interest is always dynamic and it keeps changing. Eg: Russia had imposed arms embargo on Pakistan by being a friend to India, which was lifted recently.
- Abstract Moral Principles cannot be applied to Politics:
- Politics is not ethics and the ruler is not a moralist. The primary function of a state is to satisfy and protect the demands of national interest by means of national power.
- No universal moral principle in international relations
- Political realism refuses to identify the moral aspirations of a particular nation with the moral principles that govern the universe. It refuses to accept that the national interests and policies of any particular nation reflect universally applied moral principles.
- Autonomy of International Relations: It is neither ethics nor law or economics. It is an autonomous discipline where national interest reigns supreme
However, it must be noted that, it is without the element of morality that USA decided to use nuclear bomb on Japan. Only after this plan was executed, the world became aware of the devastating consequences that had ensued. Below are examples that highlight this norm.
- The alleged just war cause where a country thinks it’s their moral responsibility to save the world. E.g.: USA and Iraq war.
- Threat to the Rules-based order of the world by side-lining of the Global bodies like UNSC, WTO such as USA. Pursuing unilateralism and Protectionism goes against the ideal of Rules-based international world order.
- China’s dominance in the South China Sea and its policy of “Debt-Trap diplomacy”, “Island-encirclement” and “String of Pearls” show that there is no adherence to morality.
International morality and International Relations
- Rights and Responsibilities: The UNPeackeeping mission is based on the principle of universal peace. This is the responsibility of the Security Council and all the nations to maintain universal peace. India believes in this ideology and has been the largest cumulative troop contributing nation.
- Equality: Ethics aim at “Peaceful World”, “Respect for All” & “Equality” while forming international organizations, declarations & forums. E.g.: The demand for equality in IMF & UNO shows the demand of adhering to ethics in a way.
- Resolving Tensions: Ethics helps to avoid the “Ego Clash” & “Ideological Clash” between two or more nations. For instance, the disruption between India & Pakistan relations can be avoided if both take a decision based on ethics.
- Solidarity: Natural disasters and refugee crisis situations require a more compassionate view of the global community. These are not isolated events and rather, the duty of every global citizen to help in the times of crisis. g.- Aid during natural disasters (Nepal earthquake)
- Human rights: Adherence to human rights is vital after the Decalaration of Human Rights in the UN Charter. Eg- lack of ethics in the international relation has been the cause of wars & genocide many times in history (Rawnda and Burundi) and also like the first world war.
Conclusion
International ethic is not just an ethic of some leading country, it is not simply an ethic of a powerful country having obligations towards others, because of the power they have over others. International ethics may be elaborated as, that which enables one to participate more actively in shaping and building good international community. The vision of international community that every country has and reality of an international community provides us with food for thought, on what ought to be the nature and purpose of investing in international relations to build an international community.
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