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General Studies – 1
Topic: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
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-2023 Secure timetable.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the various features and evolution of various classical dances in India.
Directive word:
Elaborate – 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:
Explain that dance has always been considered ad a complete art and has had a close association with god and worship. The earliest examples of dance in India can be traced back to the dancing pictures in Bhimbetka caves and the bronze statue of a dancing girl in Mohenjodaro.
Body:
First, enumerate the list of 8 classical dances on India and the major region they are practised.
Next, mention the evolution of classical dances over the years and how each classical dance show cultural aspects of that regions and are distinct from one another. Substantiate with examples.
Conclusion:
Conclude by summarising.
Introduction
The earliest examples of dance in India can be traced back to the dancing pictures in Bhimbetka caves and the bronze statue of a dancing girl in Mohenjodaro. Most of the classical dance forms originated in temples. Worshipping was the main aim. Although every dance form evolved from different regions, their roots are the same. The roots can be traced from the Sanskrit text – ‘Natya Shastra’. The first compilation of Natya Shastra is dated between 200BCE and 200CE.
As time passed, artists improvised many classical dances which resulted in the present day forms.
Body
Classical dances of India: Evolution
- The Natya Shastra is the foundational treatise for classical dances of India, and this text is attributed to the ancient scholar Bharata Muni.
- Its first complete compilation is dated to between 200 BCE and 200 CE, but estimates vary between 500 BCE and 500 CE.
- The most studied version of the Natya Shastra text consists of about 6000 verses structured into 36 chapters. The text, states Natalia Lidova, describes the theory of Tāṇḍava dance (Shiva), the theory of rasa, of bhāva, expression, gestures, acting techniques, basic steps, standing postures – all of which are part of Indian classical dances.
- Dance and performance arts, states this ancient text, are a form of expression of spiritual ideas, virtues and the essence of scriptures.
- While the Natya Shastra is the revered ancient text in the Hindu tradition, there are numerous other ancient and medieval Sanskrit dance-drama related texts that further discuss and expand on the classical repertoire of performance arts, such as the Abhinaya Darpana, Abhinava Bharati, Natya Darpana, Bhava Prakasa and many others. The term “classical”( “Shastriya”) denotes the ancient Indian Shastra-based performing arts.
The Sangeet Natak academy recognizes below dances as classical dances.
- Bharatanatyam, from Tamil Nadu: Bharatnatyam dance is known to be ekaharya, where one dancer takes on many roles in a single performance.
- The dance involves transitional movements of leg, hip and arm. Expressive eye movements and hand gestures are used to convey emotions.
- Kathak, from Uttar Pradesh: The word Kathak has been derived from the word Katha which means a story.
- It was primarily a temple or village performance wherein the dancers narrated stories from ancient scriptures.
- Kathak began evolving into a distinct mode of dance in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries with the spread of the bhakti movement.
- The legends of Radha-Krishna were enacted in folk plays called rasa lila, which combined folk dance with the basic gestures of the kathak story-tellers.
- Kathakali, from Kerala: Chakiarkoothu, Koodiyattam, Krishnattam and Ramanattam are few of the ritual performing arts of Kerala which have had a direct influence on Kathakali in its form and technique.
- Kathakali is a blend of dance, music and acting and dramatizes stories, which are mostly adapted from the Indian epics.
- Heavy make-up and stunning costumes (elaborate masks, huge skirts and big head-dresses) are used.
- Kuchipudi, from Andhra Pradesh: Kuchipudi is the name of a village in the Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh which has a very long tradition of dance-drama. It was known under the generic name of Yakshagaana.
- In 17th century Kuchipudi style of Yakshagaana was conceived by Siddhendra Yogi. He was steeped in the literary Yakshagaana tradition being guided by his guru Teerthanaaraayana Yogi who composed the Krishna-Leelatarangini, a kaavya in Sanskrit.
- Odissi, from Odisha: The major subjects of performance are lores of incarnations of Lord Vishnu and verses of Jayadeva’s Gita Govinda.
- A soft dance backed by soothing lyrics and is similar to Bharatanatyam in terms of the mudras and expressions.
- Sattriya, from Assam: The Sattriya dance form was introduced in the 15th century A.D by the Vaishnava saint and reformer of Assam, Sankaradeva as a medium for propagation of the Vaishnava faith.
- The dance form evolved and expanded as a distinctive style of dance later on.
- Because of its religious character and association with the Sattras (Vaishnava maths or monasteries), this dance style has been named Sattriya.
- Manipuri, from Manipur: The dance in Manipur is associated with rituals and traditional festivals, there are legendary references to the dances of Shiva and Parvati and other gods and goddesses who created the universe.
- Mohiniyattam, from Kerala: Mohiniyattam or dance of Mohini (an incarnation of Lord Vishnu) is the classical solo dance form of Kerala.
- References of Mohiniyattam can be found in the texts Vyavaharamala written in 1709 by Mazhamagalam Narayanan Namputiri and in Ghoshayatra, written later by poet Kunjan Nambiar.
- It was structured into the present-day classical format by the Travancore Kings, Maharaja Kartika Tirunal and his successor Maharaja Swati Tirunal (18th-19th century)
Conclusion
The style of Indian classical dancing is very vibrant and motivational. It is a style of dance that is like a communication with the gods. Indian classical dancing usually happens at festivals and cultural events. The dancers who perform this kind of dance usually is a professional dancer that has had a lot of practice in that specific style of Indian classical dancing. In Indian classical dancing the professional dancers usually dance to beat of the song or sound that is playing.
Value addition
Government reviving classical dance
- The government of India puts continuous efforts in preserving, promoting the Indian classical dances in India and abroad as well.
- The establishment of Sangeet Natak Akademi, Delhi and its allied centers and constituent bodies boosted the development of these classical dances.
- The grand Classical dance festivals like Khajuraho, Konark, Dhauli Kalinga, Kalidas, Mukteshwar, Soorya, Ellora, Nishagandhi etc., displays the beautiful representation of Indian Classical Dances.
- The classical dances flourished and developed further with the establishment of Music and Dance Universities like Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya, Khairagarh, Raja Mansingh Tomar University, Gwalior etc. and the various Institutions like Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal, Prayag Sangeet Samiti. They not only added to the development of it but also helped the classical dance forms to reach till common people.
Topic: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
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-2023 Secure timetable.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the evolution of music and compare Hindustani and Carnatic music.
Directive word:
Compare and contrast – provide for a detailed comparison of the two types, their features that are similar as well as different. One must provide for detailed assessment of the two.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Give a brief introduction about Indian music. One can state facts, historical genesis of Indian music.
Body:
First, Hindustani and Carnatic music are the two main sub-genres of Indian classical music. While Hindustani music originated in the Vedic period, Carnatic music originated during the Bhakti Movement. Give the detailed differences between the two.
Next, Highlight similarities between Hindustani classical and Carnatic music.
Conclusion:
Conclude by summarising.
Introduction
Music has always been an important part of Indian life. The range of musical phenomenon in India extends from simple melodies to what is one of the most well- developed “systems” of classical music in the world. There are references to various string and wind instruments, as well as several kinds of drums and cymbals, in the Vedas. Some date the advent of the system of classical Indian music to Amir Khusro. Muslim rulers and noblemen freely extended their patronage to music. In the courts of the Mughal emperors, music is said to have flourished, and the Tansen was one of the jewels of Akbar’s court.
The great poet-saints who chose to communicate in the vernacular tongues brought forth a great upheaval in north India and the Bhakti or devotional movements they led gained many adherents. The lyrics of Surdas, Tulsidas, and most particularly Kabir and Mirabai continue to be immensely popular. By the sixteenth century, the division between North Indian (Hindustani) and South Indian (Carnatic) music was also being more sharply delineated.
Body
Evolution of Indian music from ancient times
- It is generally believed that Indian classical music has its origins in the religious observances of the Aryan people who arrived in India some 3,000 years ago
- The Aryans brought with them their sacred texts known as the Vedas, meaning ‘knowledge’ forming the core of ancient Hindu scriptures with their worship rituals largely centring on the highly structured and organised recitation of these verses.
- Thus, the roots of Indian classical music can be traced back to its origin in the recital of Vedic hymns of the Hindu temples
- There are four main Vedas, of which the one known as Samaveda (from saman, roughly translating to ‘melody’) is the most relevant – as the texts contained in it were clearly meant to be sung whilst also acting as treatises about music, dance and theatre.
- The seven swaras of music – Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni represent different scriptural deities: SA – Agni, RE – Brahma, GA – Saraswati, MA – Shiva, PA – Vishnu, DHA – Ganesha, NI – Surya
- Ancient musical treatises show that by 300 BC, there was already a marked difference in classification for what was known as marga Sangeet (music of the gods) and Desi Sangeet (music of the people).
- The latter formed the basis for what evolved as folk music, varying region by region, but the former remained the sole domain of those who were considered adequately trained by a master
- The earliest treatise on music, drama and dance is Bharata’s Natyashastra
Hindustani music: Features
- The six primary ragas in Hindustani classic are- Bhairava, Kausika, Hindola, dipak, sriraga and Megh
- Ragas in Hindustani classic music used to strictly observe the time theory. Ex: Bhairavi at dawn, Megh in the morning
- Ragas in Hindustani music are also associated with feelings and moods. Ex: Bhairavi with awe and fear, Kausika with joy
- It has a highly formalized grammar, dictated by textual as well as oral tradition.
- Hindustani music places more emphasis on improvisation and exploring all aspects of a raga
- Slow and sometimes even leisurely introductory section (alap) followed by solfege and fast section with fast melodic phrases and rhythmic play
- There is significant emphasis on space between the notes
- Hindustani classical music has been influenced considerably by Persian traditions
- Musical instruments used in Hindustani are Tabla, Sarangi, Sitar, Santoor, Flute and violin.
- Main styles in Hindustani music– Dhrupad, Khayal, Tappa, Chaturanga, Tarana, Sargam, Thumri and Ragasagar, Hori and Dhamar.
Carnatic music: Features
- It is an indigenously developed style of classical music
- The Melakarta scheme is a highly comprehensive and systematic formula which includes within its fold all the modes used in ancient as well as modern systems of music of the different parts of the world.
- It is strongly Kriti-based
- Unity of raga, tala and shruti in every piece
- The system gives equal importance to melody and rhythm.
- Mixing the three degrees of speeds
- Fewer instruments are used in Karnataka than in northern Indian music, and there are no exclusively instrumental forms.
- There is an even balance between re-creativity (soulful interpretation of the compositions of great masters) and creativity (on the spot improvisations).
- Some of the important Carnatic music compositions are- Gitam, suladi, svarajati, Jatisvaram, varnam, kritanam, kriti, pada, javali, pallavi etc
Comparison between Hindustani and Carnatic music
- Hindustani originated in North India. It was influenced by foreign traditions. Carnatic originated in South India. No such foreign influence.
- In Carnatic there is Unity of raga, tala and Sruti in every piece. No strict adherence to these factors in Hindustani.
- Raga development is phrase by phrase in Carnatic music while it is note by note in Hindustani.
- There are many gharanas in Hindustani and no such prevalence in Carnatic.
- In Carnatic there is equal importance to vocal and instruments while in Hindustani importance is to the vocal.
Conclusion
Care must be taken to ensure sufficient funding is provided to classical artists to pursue their art
Awareness training at the school-level could help in encouraging the students to take up classical music training. Creating sufficient livelihood opportunities for traditional artists in the country
Institutions such as ‘Sangeet Natak academy’ has to be equipped with sufficient resources to research and come up with solutions to ensure all aspects of the rich tradition of music continues to survive and thrive in the society
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: Tough
Reference: The Hindu , Insights on India
Why the question:
A decline in revenue and an increase in spending has led to a sharp rise in debt among States with a higher dependence on Central transfers
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the increasing fiscal deficit of the state, its impact and performance of FRMBA in this regard and changes needed to 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 writing about the aims and objectives of FRBMA.
Body:
First, write about the impact of the pandemic on fiscal discipline of the states and the impact of a growing deficit.
Next, write about the performance of FRBMA since its inception especially during phases of low economic growth and volatility in global economy. Mention the pros and cons of its performance. Also, mention the various changes made to the act.
Next, write about the changes needed to the act as India recovers from the impact of the pandemic.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward.
Introduction
FRBM Act was enacted in August 2003. It aims to make the Central government responsible for ensuring inter-generational equity in fiscal management and long-term macro-economic stability. The Act envisages the setting of limits on the Central government’s debt and deficits.
It limited the fiscal deficit to 3% of the GDP. For states it is 3% of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) cap on their annual budget deficits.
Body
Impact of the pandemic on fiscal discipline of the states
- The pandemic has worsened the fiscal positions of State governments. Declining tax revenue, a high share of committed expenses (interest payments, pensions, administrative expenses etc.,) and rising subsidy burdens meant that States were overly dependent on Central transfers.
- A decline in revenue and an increase in spending meant a sharp rise in debt. Punjab, Rajasthan, Kerala, West Bengal, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana had the highest debt burden in 2020-21.
- The revenue expenditure of many of these States constitute 80-90% of the total expenses and therefore they have poor capital spending.
- . Some States like Rajasthan, West Bengal, Punjab and Kerala spend around 90 per cent in revenue accounts
- Own tax revenue of Haryana, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh constitutes about half of their total revenue collections. The major source of revenue of other States is Central transfers. Within own tax revenue, States’ goods and services tax (SGST), States’ excise duties and sales tax are the major sources of revenue
Performance of FRBMA since its inception
- The implementation of FRBM Act/FRLs improved the fiscal performance of both centre and states.
- The States have achieved the targets much ahead the prescribed timeline.
- Government of India was on the path of achieving this objective right in time. However, due to the global financial crisis, this was suspended and the fiscal consolidation as mandated in the FRBM Act was put on hold in 2007-08.
- FRBM act has been violated more than adhered to since its enactment. The target fiscal deficit to GDP ratio of 3% for the Union government was achieved only once, in 2007-08, when it was 2.5%. That achievement has yet to be emulated again.
- The FRBM Act was amended twice, in 2012 and 2015. The revisions in 2015 shifted the date for achieving the 3% target to 2017-18. By this year, the amended revenue deficit target was put at 2% of GDP.
Shortcomings of the Act
- Reduction of expenditure in critical sector: While there is a drastic fall in deficits, it has largely been on account of reductions in expenditure in critical sectors of the economy such as education, health etc.
- The Union government’s development expenditure as a proportion of GDP has declined over time.
- Reduced development expenditure: An analysis of revenue account of the development expenditure by states shows that in almost all sectors of development, there has been a decline in the FRBM era.
- Manipulation: Also, at times it has been seen that the government has achieved the deficit targets by manipulating the revenue and expenditure accounts such as curtailing the capital expenditure; demanding interim dividend from Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) in advance etc.
- No force majeure clauses: Further, the FRBM Act ignores the possible inverse link between fiscal deficit (fiscal expansion) and bank credit (monetary expansion). That is, if credit growth falls, fiscal deficit may need to rise and if credit rises, fiscal deficit ought to fall — to ensure adequate money supply to the economy.
- Investment starved: Data on money supply growth, bank credit and GDP establishes that both money supply growth and credit expansion have significantly reduced in relation to GDP growth. Thus, the FRBM Act has not only reduced the fiscal deficit but also starved the growing economy from much-needed investment.
Reformation of FRBM needed
The government should start by defining a clear objective, based not on arbitrary targets but on sound first principles: It should aim to ensure debt sustainability. To this end, the government could adopt a strategy based on four principles.
- Remove multiple fiscal criteria: The current FRBM sets targets for the overall deficit, the revenue deficit and debt. Such multiple criteria impede the objective of ensuring sustainability since the targets can conflict with each other, This creates confusion about which one to follow and thereby obfuscating accountability.
- Target must not be fixed: Around the world, countries are realising that deficit targets of 3 per cent of GDP and debt targets of 60 per cent of GDP lack proper economic grounding. In India’s case, they take no account of the country’s own fiscal arithmetic or its strong political will to repay its debt. Any specific target, no matter how well-grounded, encouraging governments to transfer spending off-budget such as with the “oil bonds” in the mid-2000s and subsidies more recently.
- Focus on one measure for guiding fiscal policy: In this regard, Arvind Subramanian and Josh Felmanwe propose targeting the primary balance. This concept is new to India and will take time for the public to absorb and accept. But it is inherently simple and has the eminent virtue that it is closely linked to meeting the overall objective of ensuring debt sustainability.
- Have a long-term plan: The Centre should not set out yearly targets for the primary balance. Instead, it should announce a plan to improve the primary balance gradually, by say half a percentage point of GDP per year on average. Doing so will make it clear that it will accelerate consolidation when times are good, moderate it when times are less buoyant, and end it when a small surplus has been achieved. This strategy is simple and easy to communicate; it is gradual and hence feasible.
Conclusion
Economic disruption caused by the COVID has prompted calls for a relook at the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act (FRBM). The introduction of the FRBM in 2003 reflected the belief that setting strict limits on fiscal deficits, both for the centre and the states, was the solution. But this framework didn’t work. It is time to learn from past experience and adapt. Adopting a simple new fiscal framework based on the primary balance could be the way forward.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Indian Express , Insights on India
Why the question:
5G technology is going to make inroads into the country very soon. Top smartphone manufacturers in India have already released phones with 5G capability.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about making digital India inclusive through optical fibre and 5G networks.
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 stating objectives of Digital India mission.
Body:
First, mention the various limitations of digital India with respect to its accessibility and inclusivity.
Next, discuss the role optical fibre can in this regard in enhancing reach of the digital services across India.
Next, write about role of 5G in this regard and steps that are needed to make itself atmanirbhar in this regard,
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.
Introduction
Internet connectivity is critical for making the Digital India project inclusive, and widespread use of optical fibre in the remotest corners of the country is vital to ensure that no one is left behind in this endeavour. With over 117 crore telecom users and more than 82 crore internet subscribers, India is one of the fastest-growing markets for digital consumers. A 2019 Mckinsey study rated India as the second-fastest digitising economy. Digital infrastructure, which seamlessly integrates with physical and traditional infrastructure, is critical to India’s growth story and the country’s thrust towards self-reliance.
Body
Limitations of Digital India
- Digital Divide: The digital divide takes form in rich-poor, male-female, urban-rural etc segments of the population.
- The gap needs to be narrowed down, then only the benefits of digitization would be utilized equally.
- There are many roadblocks in the way of its successful implementation like digital illiteracy, poor infrastructure, low internet speed, lack of coordination among various departments, issues pertaining to taxation These challenges need to be addressed in order to realize the full potential of this programme.
- Slow adoption of new technologies. For example, Banking sector most vulnerable to cloning of magnetic strip debit/credit cards.
- Piracy: Rampant use of unlicensed and pirated software that are easy targets for malware. E.g.: Saposhi attack leading to Denial of Service.
- Import dependence: Majority of electronic devices from cellphones to equipments used in power sector, defense and other critical infrastructure puts India into a vulnerable situation.
- Lack of uniform security protocol and standards used across various electronic devices.
Role of optical fibre in success of Digital India
- Networking equipment that relies on optical fibre and other semiconductor-based device ecosystems are at the heart of building the infrastructure that will be needed when the country takes the next step in its digital journey.
- The government has taken several measures to build the next generation of digital infrastructure. But the success of initiatives such as Bharatnet Phase III and the world’s largest rural broadband project — which aim to provide broadband connectivity to all 2.5 lakh gram panchayats across the country — hinge on the deployment of high-quality fibres.
- A basic requirement of 5G will be data transmission networks. Optical fibre is the backbone of the digital infrastructure required for this purpose — the data is transmitted by light pulses travelling through long strands of thin fibre.
- Indian manufacturers have a strong presence across the value chain of this industry. In the last 10 years, domestic manufacturers invested more than Rs 5,000 crore in this industry, which has generated direct and indirect employment for around 4 lakh individuals.
- India exported optical fibre worth $138 million to over 132 countries between April 2020 and November 2021. India’s annual optic fibre manufacturing capacity is around 100 million fibre km (fkm) and the domestic consumption is around 46 million fkm.
- Indian optical fibre cable consumption is predicted to increase to 33 million fkm by 2026 from 17 million fkm in 2021. A little more than 30 per cent of mobile towers have fibre connectivity; this needs to be scaled up to at least 80 per cent.
Conclusion
India needs to invest in R&D, offer production-linked incentive schemes to support indigenous high-tech manufacturing and develop intellectual property in critical aspects of digital connectivity. The digital infrastructure created in the process could serve as a springboard for our growth in the next 20 years. We are at a crossroads now. The need of the hour is to unlock the full potential of India’s optical fibre industry and enable India to emerge as a major manufacturing and technology hub while achieving atmanirbharta in its 5G journey.
Topic: basics of cyber security;
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
Hermit, a sophisticated spyware, is believed to have targeted iPhone and Android devices in Italy and Kazakhstan.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about spywares, issues created by it and measures to tackle it.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by defining spywares and cite examples.
Body:
First, write about the threats and problems posed by spywares – Data theft, Identity fraud, Device damage etc.
Next, write about the various precautions which can be taken various levels in order to prevent various attacks from spywares.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward.
Introduction
Spyware is defined as malicious software designed to enter your computer device, gather data about you, and forward it to a third-party without your consent. Spyware can also refer to legitimate software that monitors your data for commercial purposes like advertising. However, malicious spyware is explicitly used to profit from stolen data.
Whether legitimate or based in fraud, spyware’s surveillance activity leaves unsuspecting victims open to data breaches and misuse of your private data. Spyware also affects network and device performance, slowing down daily user activities.
Body
Problems caused by spywares
- Data theft: Malicious spyware is installed without your informed consent. Step-by-step, spyware will take the following actions on your computer or mobile device:
- Infiltrate via an app install package, malicious website, or file attachment.
- Monitor and capture data via keystrokes, screen captures, and other tracking codes.
- Send stolen data to the spyware author, to be used directly or sold to other parties.
- Breach of privacy: In short, spyware communicates personal, confidential information about you to an attacker. Eg: Pegasus spyware giving whatsapp message info of users to third party.
- Identity Fraud: Spyware can steal personal information that can be used for identity theft.
- If malicious software has access to every piece of information on your computer, it can harvest more than enough information to imitate your identity.
- Information used for this purpose includes browsing history, email accounts, and saved passwords for online banking, shopping, and social networks.
- Also, if you’ve visited online banking sites, spyware can siphon your bank account information or credit card accounts and sell it to third parties — or use them directly.
- Computer Damages: Spyware can be poorly designed, leading to system-draining performance. The lack of performance optimization can take up an enormous amount of your computer’s memory, processing power, and internet bandwidt
- As a result, infected devices may run slowly and lag in between applications or while online. Worse cases include frequent system crashing or overheating your computer, causing permanent damage. Some spyware can even disable your internet security programs.
- Disruptions to Your Browsing Experience: Spyware can also manipulate search engine results and deliver unwanted websites in your browser, which can lead to potentially harmful websites or fraudulent ones. It can also cause your home page to change and can even alter some of your computer’s settings.
- Pop-up advertisements are an equally frustrating issue that accompanies some types of spyware.
- Advertisements may appear even when offline, leading to inescapable annoyances.
Precautions to address these issues
- At user-level
- Basic Security Hygiene : Not visiting untrusted websites, installing untrusted third party applications or certificates, keeping device and application software updated is needed.
- Using licensed software: Users must ensure pirated software are not used and also update latest security patches to their devices.
- Non-disclosure of sensitive information: Awareness to ensure people are not deceived by unsrcupulous actors regarding confidential information. Eg: Bank Login, OTP, debit/credit card details.
- Using trusted software: Users must not give unbridled access to phone’s content to suspicious apps.
- Two-layer authentication: Strong passwords with OTP login can help secure devices, apps from unauthorized access.
- At Government level: Initiatives
- CERT-IN is the national nodal agency to respond in crisis situation.
- CERT-fin has also been launched exclusively for financial sector.
- CERT-in is also operating Cyber Swachhata Kendra, a Botnet Cleaning and Malware Analysis Centre
- National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC) to battle cyber security threats in strategic areas such as air control, nuclear and space.
- Cyber Surakshit Bharat Initiative to strengthen Cybersecurity ecosystem in India. It is first public private partnership of its kind and will leverage the expertise of the IT industry in cybersecurity.
- National cyber coordination centre (NCCC) to scan internet traffic coming into the country and provide real time situational awareness and alert various security agencies.
- Cyber Forensic Lab set up in Bangalore, Pune, Kolkata in collaboration with NASSCOM.
Conclusion
India must develop core skills in data integrity and data security fields, to ensure protection of user data as well as security of critical infrastructure. Expertise of the private sector must be leveraged to build capabilities. Meanwhile user awareness is equally necessary to prevent them from becoming victims of cybercrime.
New foundation for a global law on cybersecurity must be laid. It will help in guiding national legislation or policy against cybercrimes. Cyber-Deterrence must be ingrained in the policy on cybersecurity with both defensive and offensive approach.
Rapid capacity building and Skill development in cyber space is required considering the fact that India’s IT segment accounts for 51 percent share of the IT-BPM sector (2018-19).
Value addition
Types of spyware
Spyware is generally classified into four main categories:
- Trojan spyware enters devices via Trojan malware, which delivers the spyware program.
- Adware may monitor you to sell data to advertisers or serve deceptive malicious ads.
- Tracking cookie files can be implanted by a website to follow you across the internet.
- System monitors track any activity on a computer, capturing sensitive data such as keystrokes, sites visited, emails, and more. Keyloggers typically fall into this group.
General Studies – 4
Topic: Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators;
6. What does this quote means to you? (150 words)
Difficulty level: Moderate
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4 and part of ‘Quotes Wednesdays’ in Mission-2023 Secure.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by explaining the literal meaning of the quote.
Body:
Write about the meaning of being ‘ourself’ and the various impediments and restrictions on being ourself – family, society and lack of belief. Write about the impact of the same and ways in which one can ‘themselves’. Substantiate with examples.
Conclusion:
Summarise by highlighting the importance of the quote in the present day.
Introduction
“Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom”
According to a legend ‘Know Thyself’ was carved into stone at the entrance to Apollo’s temple at Delphi in Greece and even though the carved stone disappeared long ago, these two words stay in our minds for thousands of years.
The philosopher Socrates famously declared that the unexamined life was not worth living and he would sum up all the philosophical commandments to: “Know yourself.” And only by Knowing ourselves, we can dare to be ourselves.
Body
To dare to be ourselves
One of these facets to be ourselves involves acknowledging your limitations. Only when we have learnt our personality, our behaviour and our shortcomings, we can truly try to be genuine and authentic. We will stop pretending the day we learn what we can do and accept it. One should not try to fit in to the world by being superficial. We must be our real self, only then we can be truly content and find purpose and meaning to life.
Self-awareness is something that everyone can always improve. It is emotional intelligence, perceptiveness, and critical thinking. It means, knowing our weaknesses, but it also means knowing our strengths and what motivates us.
The experience of self-discovery is undoubtedly challenging. Most knowledge comes gradually without immediate impact, but some moments of true realization can offer a surprising release from years of self-doubt
Once this happens, we should remove any façade or mask that we were and try to be true to our beliefs and principles. Only then will the world see us for who we truly are. It also leads to to right paths and ultimately to right destinations.
Take for instance Gandhiji, he did not bow down to anyone for his causes and what he believed in. He wore indigenous clothes even when people made fun of him. This was because he dared to be himself and became an icon and inspiring figure for generations to come.
Conclusion
Living well is not easy, but if we really want to live our lives, we must fight to make it happen. Because if we are not living our lives, we are not living. We are just existing. And to live truly is to be ourselves in any context and situation and not put on an act to please someone else.
Topic: Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators;
7. What does this quote means to you? (150 words)
“The soul becomes dyed with the colour of its thoughts.” ― Marcus Aurelius
Difficulty level: Easy
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4 and part of ‘Quotes Wednesdays’ in Mission-2023 Secure.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by explaining the literal meaning of the quote.
Body:
Write about the various manifestation of thoughts – how thought transform in to actions, actions to personality and personality to character. Substantiate with examples.
Conclusion:
Summarise by highlighting the importance of the quote in the present day.
Introduction
The mind is everything. What you think you become – Buddha
It’s how you think and act that determine the life you lead and the way you see the world. If one is optimistic, then he is hopeful and will have the right drive to do something productive and be happy. Similarly, if one is a pessimist and sees negative aspects of life without seeing the glass half full, he will be a miserable soul who will always be unhappy.
Body
Every day we have 60,000 thoughts and most of them are the same as the day before, most of them are negative. We choose to spend our life worrying about what the future might bring, to complain about our present circumstances and about what’s missing in our lives.
Our whole being, our personality and our self-worth is all because of our mind and the thoughts that consume us. Majority of the time is spent thinking and we are surrounded not by people but by our own thoughts. Hence, they play an important role in shaping our personality and determine our state of mind.
Thoughts are so powerful, even war and peace are result of thoughts of mankind or of one person. Worry clogs the brain and paralyzes the thought. A troubled brain cannot think clearly, vigorously, locally. If we want to change our experiences, our life, we have to change the frequency of our thoughts. We have to pay closer attention to our thoughts because they are the ones that shape the life we want to lead.
Conclusion
It’s our own resolution to accomplish something which makes a difference. Put all the heart and mind in the smallest task we do, do it consciously. Develop the right mindset, have the courage to accept your failure, learn from it and improve yourself and keep moving forward.
All that we are is the result of what we have thought: it is founded on our thoughts, it is made up of our thoughts. If a man speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness follows him, like a shadow that never leaves him.
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