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 : Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies. Social empowerment.
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Reference: un.org, InsightsonIndia
Why the question:
The question is premised on the topic of women empowerment and associated issues from GS paper I.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss in detail the gaps that are visibly encountered in India quite often while realizing the goal of social empowerment of a woman through economic empowerment.
Directive:
Critically examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we have to look into the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a fair judgment.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
With key statistics present the position of women in the country.
Body:
In the body define the two terms; economic empowerment and social empowerment and differentiate the two while also suggesting the interlinkages.
The term “empowerment of women” refers to the process of providing power to women to stand up against the control of the others and help them to lead prosperous and successful life. Historically, women have been regarded as constituting a weaker section of the society.
Explain that Women’s Economic Empowerment is very important for a country’s development right from the smallest unit of the community which is the family. Having empowered women in a country means a great reduction in dependence rates, increased household income leading to increased household purchasing power resulting in an improved standard of living adding on the taxes that the government in each country collects which is then invested back into better services to the tax payers women inclusive. This further leads to independent decision making regarding career, job selection, education, health, investment and rights. It is therefore inevitable that empowering women economically will no doubt lead to the country’s development.
Then move on to explain the gaps in translating this economic empowerment into social empowerment.
Discuss the key issues and suggest solutions to address the same.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward.
Introduction
Empowerment of women is perceived as equipping them to be economically independent, self-reliant, with positive esteem to enable them to face any situation and they should be able to participate in the development activities. However, Social mores, rising incomes of men, and gender-based segregation in the job market are limiting women’s economic empowerment in India. Empowerment can be approached from distinct perspectives, which carry different political priorities and strategies.
Body
Economic upliftment and women empowerment:
- The agency, freedom and intra-household power of women are strengthened when women are given an economic value; when they are enabled to hold a position in the economy through employment.
- Scholars who have explored and studied women’s work, especially among the poorest in the most marginalised locales and communities, have been highlighting the importance of recognising women’s work, the importance of women as economic agents.
- Economic power for women within and outside the household makes a difference to gender relations.
- India’s corporate world is inclusive of women holding significant positions in top-notch organizations.In 2015, SEBI (Stock Exchange Board of India) made it compulsory for companies to have at least 1 woman as their board member.
- There is a bidirectional relationship between economic development and women’s empowerment, defined as improving the ability of women to access the constituents of development — in particular health, education, earning opportunities, rights, and political participation
Economic empowerment not translating in to social empowerment:
- The under-representation of women in the workforce is both a social and economic loss.
- A McKinsey Global study in 2015 found that India could increase its GDP by 16-60% by 2025 by simply enabling women to participate in the economy at par with men.
- Three key factors that have limited the role of women in the Indian economy: the role of entrenched gender norms in our society, the rising incomes of men (which raises family income and makes it easier for women to quit working), and the lack of quality jobs for women.
- The latest evidence on regressive attitudes towards women comes from the Social Attitudes Research India survey covering Delhi, Mumbai, UP and Rajasthan in 2016.
- A new study based on the survey shows that a significant share of men and women feel that married women whose husbands earn a good living should not work outside the home.
However, the idea of women- empowerment just doesn’t imply economic empowerment by increasing their Labour force participation, job creation, entrepreneurship opportunities. There is a grave necessity of social and political empowerment. It does not happen due to:
Crimes:
- Crimes against women are discussed merely as a barrier to women’s mobility, one that hampers their supply in the labour market.
- NCRB data recording an 83 per cent increase in crimes against women between 2007 and 2016, and the Thomson Reuters Foundation’s global poll in 2018 naming India as the most dangerous country for women.
- The MeToo movement tumbled out many skeletons from the drawers showing most women kept quiet about the sexual harassment due to fear of losing jobs and affecting their livelihoods and career.
Social barriers:
- Married women are not allowed to work in some religions and culture. Further, the patriarchal mindset prevalent in Indian people forces such barriers on women.
- According to recent research by Public Affairs Centre (PAC), a major metropolis like Delhi has only 196 female workers per 1,000 workers, and Mumbai has only 188. In contrast, a state like Nagaland, which has historically been matrilineal, has more than 500 women workers per 1,000 in most districts.
Unpaid care:
- Unpaid work done by women in the household demonstrates no understanding of how it constrains women from entering the labour force.
- The lack of basic facilities like drinking water, cooking gas in rural areas forces women into drudgery to arrange the basic stuff.
Fixed Gender Roles:
- There are fixed gender roles in most families, again a consequence of patriarchal mindset.
- The concept of paternity leaves and mainstreaming of gender education in schools is still miles away in India.
- Without the renegotiation of gender roles, most women will only juggle jobs and not enjoy fulfilling careers.
Gender-wage gap:
- Unequal pay for equal work is a stark feature which directly violates the fundamental right to equality of women.
- A government report in 2018 finding a 30 per cent wage gap even for men and women with the same qualifications.
- Women also lack equal inheritance rights leading to Feminization of poverty.
- There is absence of any discussion on over-representation of economically active women in the informal sector, which leaves them poor and vulnerable, deprived of many work benefits.
Impact of Covid-19:
- A major factor is that coronavirus has significantly increased the burden of unpaid care.
- According to one survey, covid-19 has increased by 30% the time women in India spend on family responsibilities.
- Unsurprisingly, therefore, women have dropped out of the workforce at a higher rate than is explained by market dynamics alone.
- COVID-19 is depressing global economic growth and causing mass unemployment, especially among women. Women are more vulnerable, not only because of their jobs, but also because of gender inequalities within housework division, education, and healthcare.
Way Forward
- Implementation of the laws viz. Protection of women from sexual harassment at workplace act, maternity benefit Act in true letter and spirit.
- Breaking the social barriers by gender sensitization and education at families, schools and workplaces.
- Incentivising companies to employ women and promoting safe work spaces are necessary.
- Companies must compulsorily grant paternity leave so that the responsibility is shared.
- Gender-wage gap should be reduced by bringing in stringent laws.
- Formalization of jobs should be pushed to avail benefits to many women. Until then, social security benefits should be provided to women in unorganized sector.
Conclusion
The need of the hour to reap economic benefits is by addressing the issues of gender rights and justice. Economic agency is one of the most enabling elements to shift gender relations of power, to release women from the kind of oppression, violence and powerlessness that they experience. Women’s inclusion in the development design would enhance the outcomes of development it the self. All the Departments of States at all levels, to Ministries, to Niti Aayog and its State-level counterparts, as well as to research and policy forums should work and implement the schemes realizing the importance of women in the economy and elsewhere in the society to achieve holistic empowerment.
Topic : Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.
Reference: InsightsonIndia
Why the question:
The question is based on the theme of communalism and its impact on Indian society.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss the concept of communalism, factors responsible for the growth and its impact on our society.
Directive:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Communalism, in a broad sense means a strong attachment to one’s own community. In popular discourse in India, it is understood as an unhealthy attachment to one’s own religion.
Body:
Present the case of Communalism in India; Communalism as a political philosophy has its roots in the religious and cultural diversity of India. It has been used to create a divide, differences and tensions between the communities on the basis of religious and ethnic identity leading to communal hatred and violence.
Discuss the major factors that contributed towards the emergence and growth of communalism in modern India. Present the current situation.
Present measures to deal with Communalism.
Conclusion:
Conclude with both positive and negative impacts of communalism on our society.
Introduction
Communalism is basically an ideology which consists of three elements:
- A belief that people who follow the same religion have common secular interests i.e. they have same political, economic and social interests. So, here socio- political communalities arise.
- A notion that, in a multi-religious society like India, these common secular interests of one religion is dissimilar and divergent from the interests of the follower of another religion.
- The interests of the follower of the different religion or of different ‘communities’ are seen to be completely incompatible, antagonist and hostile.
Body
Factors responsible for growth of Communalism in India:
- A Legacy of Past:
- On the basis of the “Two Nation” theory of Jinnah, India was partitioned. Communal politics had played its nasty game during the immediate past of independent India. The “Divide and Rule” policy of the British Government served their colonial interest. The partition of India was the ultimate outcome of their politics.
- Presence of Communal Parties:
- Religion in India has become an important agency of political socialization and it is also reflected in the ideology of a number of political parties. A number of communal and sectarian political parties and organisations are present in India. Muslim League, Jamaat—Islami, Hindu Mahasabha, Akali Dal, Vishwa Hindu Parishad are directly or indirectly responsible for the emergence of communalism.
- Isolation of Muslims:
- Indian Muslims have developed a tendency of isolationism even long after the creation of Pakistan. They remain aloof from the mainstream of national politics. Most of them are not interested to take part in the secular-nationalistic politics of the country. They insist on to be treated as a separate entity.
- Poverty:
- Mass poverty and unemployment create a sense of frustration among the people. It generates backwardness, illiteracy, ignorance, etc. The unemployed youth of both the communities can be easily trapped by religious fundamentalists and fanatics. They are used by them to cause communal riots. The weak economic status often breeds communalism.
- Hindu Chauvinism:
- The growths of Hindu chauvinistic attitudes have further strengthened the communal tensions in India. The Hindu religious groups like Shiv Sena, Hindu Mahasabha, Viswa Hindu Parisad often pressurize the government to take steps suitable to the interest of Hindus. They consider each Muslim as pro-Pakistani and anti-national. To face the possible challenge of other communal forces, they encourage the growth of Hindu communalism.
- Social Cause:
- The two major communities of India have been suspicious towards each other. The Muslims complain of the threat of Hindu cultural invasion upon their lives and have become more assertive of their rights. Either due to ignorance or insecurity, they do not fully accept the need of family planning and help in increasing population.
- Communalization of Politics:
- Electoral politics in India has become more expensive and competitive. Different political parties are not hesitating to use any means, fair or foul, for electoral victory. They even create communal tensions and try to take political advantage out of it. Concessions are granted to various minority groups for appeasing them.
- Cross-Border factors:
- Communal tensions in India sometimes are highly intensified due to the rule of two neighbouring theocratic countries. These countries try to create communal problems in the border states. The communal problems of Punjab and Jammu Kashmir are caused due to provocation of Pakistan. So long as this cross-border factor is not removed, communal problems are likely to stay in India.
- Failure of Government:
- Both the Union and the State Governments often fail to prevent communalism in the country. Due to lack of prior information, they fail to take any preventive measures. So the communal violence can easily take innocent lives and destroys property. The post-Godhra riot in Gujarat shows the inefficiency of the government to control the communal riot. Failure of immediate and effective steps has been a cause of the continuance of communalism.
Ramification of Communalism:
- Genocides: With mass killings, the real sufferers are the poor, who lose their house, their near and dear ones, their lives, their livelihood, etc. It violates the human rights from all direction. Sometimes children lose their parents and will become orphan for a lifetime.
- Ghettoization and refugee problem are other dimensions of communalism induced violence, whether its inter country or intra country.
- Sudden increase in violence against any particular community causes mass exodus and stampede which in turn kills many number of people. For example, this was seen in the case of Bangalore in 2012, with respect to people from North eastern states, which was stimulated by a rumour.
- Apart from having effect on the society, it is also a threat to Indian constitutional values, which promotes secularism and religious tolerance. In that case, citizens don’t fulfil their fundamental duties towards the nation.
- It becomes a threat for the unity and integrity of the nation as a whole. It promotes only the feeling of hatred in all directions, dividing the society on communal lines.
- Minorities are viewed with suspicion by all, including state authorities like police, para-military forces, army, intelligence agencies, etc. There have been many instances when people from such community have been harassed and detained and finally have been released by court orders guilt free. For this, there is no provision for compensation of such victims, about their livelihood incomes forgone, against social stigmas and emotional trauma of the families.
- Barrier for development: Communal activities occurring frequently do harm the human resource and economy of the country. And then again it takes years for the people and the affected regions to come out the traumas of such violence, having deep impact on minds of those who have faced it. They feel emotionally broken and insecure.
- Terrorism and Secessionism: As seen during the Khalistan movement in Punjab.
Steps to be taken to prevent communalism
- Economic:
- Poverty is one of the major factors for communal violence. Poverty alleviation measures are thus important for promoting communal harmony.
- Eradicating the problem of unemployment among the youths, illiteracy and poverty and that too with honesty and without any discrimination.
- Reducing educational and economic backwardness of minorities like Muslims.
- This can uplift their socio-economic status and reduce their deprivation compared to Hindus
- Social:
- The religious leaders and preachers should promote rational and practical things through religion promoting peace and security.
- Children in schools must be taught through textbooks and pamphlets to maintain brotherhood and respect for all religions
- Creating awareness in the society about the ill effects of communism through mass media
- Political:
- Political communism should be avoided recent Supreme court’s directives
- Identification and mapping of riot prone areas. For Example, Delhi police used drones to monitor to maintain vigil during communal festivals
- Media, movies and other cultural platforms can be influential in promoting peace and harmony.
- Social Media should be monitored for violent and repulsive content and taken off immediately.
- Recommendations of Committee on National Integration
- Joint celebration of community festivals
- Observing restraint by Hindus while taking processions before the mosques
- Formation of peace and brotherhood communities at local level to prevent anti-social elements from engaging in communal riots
- Respect for religious customs, rituals and practices
Conclusion
In a vast country like India which is made up of diverse cultures, backgrounds, religions, identities etc. it really requires to maintain a sense of equality among its citizen to provide a meaning to the term democracy. The core reason behind all these discrimination are based on the nature of unacceptance of diversities. We tend to commit heinous crimes to eradicate the population which chooses a different set of traditions to follow. But these intolerance can lead India to get collapsed from being a secular country to communal. And India is known to the world by the term “diversity”. It is beautiful when the people irrespective of their differences are co-existing.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Difficulty level: Difficult
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
India has 20% to 30% undernutrition even in the first six months of life when exclusive breastfeeding is the only nourishment required. Neither maternal nutrition care interventions nor infant and young child feeding practices has shown the desired improvement.
Key Demand of the question:
Enumerate the issues with ICDS and Poshan Abhiyan and give what needs to be done. You can take pointers from the articles but also need to research a bit.
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:
Briefly describe issues with India’s child and mother nutritional issues by citing data from NHFS 5.0
Body:
First, briefly describe the scheme and give issues with ICDS and Poshan Abhiyan.
E.g., Poor coverage by the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) in urban areas because of higher population density, transportation challenges and migration.
Issue with Nutritional Policy: Poorest states and those with the highest levels of undernutrition still have the lowest levels of program funding and coverage by ICDS activities.
Then give interventions that can be taken with examples, if possible.
E.g., a maternal nutritional policy.
Conclusion:
Give a positive viewpoint. E.g., Despite slow progress, India is moving towards better and assured mother-child care nutrition.
Introduction
Malnutrition refers to deficiencies, excesses or imbalances in a person’s intake of energy and/or nutrients. India’s National Family Health Surveys (NFHS) show that there has been a decline in child malnutrition numbers in the country. However, various studies show that the rate of decline is very slow, and India is still fighting a tough battle.
Body
Background
Malnutrition in India
- India, currently has the largest number of undernourished people in the worlde. around 195 million.
- Nearly 47 million or 4 out of 10 children in India do not meet their full human potential because of chronic undernutrition or stunting.
- India is afflicted by public health issues such as child malnutrition (35.5% stunted, 67.1% anaemic) attributing to 68.2% of under-five child mortality.
- Rate of overweight and obesity continues to rise, affecting almost a fifth of the adults, at 21.6% of women and 17.8% of men.
- Inequities in food and health systems increase inequalities in nutrition outcomes that in turn can lead to more inequity, perpetuating a vicious cycle.
Issues with ICDS and Poshan Abhiyan
- Preconception nutrition, maternal nutrition, and appropriate infant and child feeding remain to be effectively addressed.
- India has 20% to 30% undernutrition even in the first six months of life when exclusive breastfeeding is the only nourishment required.
- Neither maternal nutrition care interventions nor infant and young child feeding practices have shown the desired improvement. A maternal nutrition policy is still awaited.
- NFHS-5 also confirms a gap in another nutrition intervention — complementary feeding practices, e., complementing semi-solid feeding with continuation of breast milk from six months onwards.
- Poor complementary feeding is often due to a lack of awareness to start feeding at six to eight months, what and how to feed appropriately family food items, how frequently, and in what quantity.
- The fact that 20% of children in higher socio- economic groups are also stunted indicates poor knowledge in food selection and feeding practices and a child’s ability to swallow mashed feed
Measures needed
- There is a pressing need to revisit the system spearheading POSHAN 2.0 and overhaul it to remove any flaws in its implementation. We need to see if we are using opportunity of service delivery contacts with mother-child in the first 1,000 days to the optimum.
- There is a need to revisit the nodal system for nutrition programme existing since 1975, the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) and examine whether it is the right system for reaching mother-child in the first 1000 days of life.
- By depending on the ICDS, we are in fact missing the frequent contacts with pregnant mothers and children that the public health sector provides during antenatal care services and child immunisation services.
- There is also a need to explore whether there is an alternative way to distribute the ICDS supplied supplementary nutrition as Take- Home Ration packets through the Public Distribution (PDS) and free the anganwadi workers of the ICDS to undertake timely counselling on appropriate maternal and child feeding practices.
Conclusion
It is time to think out of the box, and overcome systemic flaws and our dependence on the antiquated system of the 1970s that is slowing down the processes. Moreover, mass media or TV shows could organise discourses on care in the first 1,000 days to reach mothers outside the public health system.
Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests
Difficulty level: Difficult
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The current geopolitical situation has seen multilateralism being not able to solve current issues. The 14th virtual BRICS summit hosted by China (June 23-24) was a clear attempt by China to hijack the grouping, going by a blueprint it has prepared for the new world order. In this situation, Bilateral engagements may be much more productive at this point in history.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss how bilateralism is better than multilateralism in the current geopolitics.
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:
Describe the context and give what you mean by ‘multilateralism’
“Evolving global order and the changing nature of threats are posing difficult questions on the continued relevance of multilateral frameworks. Bilateral, Pluri lateral and Mini laterals can help in framing targeted partnerships that can focus energies on shared interests and concerns in the current geopolitical situations.”
Body:
First, give reasons why India followed multilateralism over the years.
Next, Answer -should India change its stance? Yes- give point-wise reasons.
Then give perils of opting for that ‘Bilateral’, ‘Pluri-laterals’ and ‘Mini-laterals’ over ‘multilateralism.
Conclusion:
Give a balanced view. E.g.
“India should take a balanced view and engage with trading partners bilaterally and through plurilateral and multi-lateral agreements forums depending on a case-to-case basis.”
Introduction
The current geopolitical situation has seen multilateralism being not able to solve current issues. The 14th virtual BRICS summit hosted by China (June 23-24) was a clear attempt by China to hijack the grouping, going by a blueprint it has prepared for the new world order. In this situation, bilateral engagements or plurilateral engagements may be much more productive at this point in history.
Body
Difficulties of multilateral negotiations in current global scenario
- Impossible to have consensus: All 193 nations of the world cannot come to an understanding even to solve a major global crisis. Eg: Climate change measures and responsibility is a case in point. Small island nations expect bigger nations to take action, while Developed states blame developing nations and vice versa. Common but differentiated principle is not being implemented till date.
- Reforms of the United Nations: UN and UNSC reforms are pending from years and the current set up does not reflect the realities of 2nd decade of 21st As seen earlier, the UNSC is divided over P2 and P3 axis and has hampered its functioning leading to paralysis. Eg: Syria war, Libya intervention show failures of UNSC as a security body with responsibility to maintain global peace.
- WTO negotiations: No agreement has been made or joint statement been possible as consolidation of nations’ interests is difficult. Diverse opinions has halted any concrete action leading to FTA’s between like-minded nations.
- Geopolitical self-interest: Nations are driven by self-interest and think from narrow view point of strategic benefit. There is no altruism in international politics.
Issues with plurilateral, bilateral and mini-laterals over multilateralism
- Spaghetti bowl effect: Especially in world trade, there won’t be comparative advantage or benefits of world trade accruing to any nations. Rather due to many mini-laterals/pluri-laterals some nations will be severely affected.
- Global issues remain unresolved: Problems such as terrorism, climate change require consensus. They do not respect borders. Hence action must be taken collectively to weed out issues and nations need to cooperate. Eg: Pakistan’s state sponsored terrorism cannot be addressed as long as China backs Pak for narrow interests.
- Polarised world: Yet again the world is getting polarised into small camps. The perils of Cold war will revive and there won’t be growth or prosperity in nations. Eg: Russia Ukraine war triggered by Ukraine wanting to join NATO.
- War becomes inevitable: Infighting, cyber-crimes and covert war in different mediums are already a phenomenon. Eg: North Korean hackers impacting US systems
Conclusion
Bilateral and plurilateral negotiations and alliances are needed when multilateralism is not working. However, it is in the larger interest of India and the world to ensure multilateralism is revived and that the world can move towards a ruled based order.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: The Indian Express, CERN
Why the question:
The world’s most powerful particle collider, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), will begin smashing protons into each other at unprecedented levels of energy beginning today.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the main goals of LHC and how it helps in understanding the universe.
Directive word:
Enumerate – when asked to enumerate, you have to list down various points or name things separately one by one briefly explaining each point.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by giving a brief idea about large hadron collider.
Body:
First, list down the main goals of LHC and briefly explain each goal.
Next, write about how these goals will help in understanding the evolution of the universe.
E.g with the discovery of God Particle – helps in understanding how particles got mass.
Then, try to give a brief about what more can be done.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward. How the understanding of the evolution of the universe will direct our way toward a sustainable future.
Introduction
The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is a particle accelerator that pushes protons or ions to near the speed of light. It consists of a 27-kilometre ring of superconducting magnets with a number of accelerating structures that boost the energy of the particles along the way. LHC is the most powerful particle accelerator ever built. The accelerator sits in a tunnel 100 metres underground at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, on the Franco-Swiss border near Geneva, Switzerland.
Body
Main goals of LHC
- The Standard Model of particle physics – a theory developed in the early 1970s that describes the fundamental particles and their interactions – has precisely predicted a wide variety of phenomena and so far successfully explained almost all experimental results in particle physics.
- But the Standard Model is incomplete.
- The Standard Model does not explain the origins of mass, nor why some particles are very heavy while others have no mass at all.
- It leaves many questions open, which the LHC will help to answer.
- The discovery of the Higgs boson was only the first chapter of the LHC story. Indeed, the restart of the machine this year marks the beginning of a new adventure, as it will operate at almost double the energy of its first run.
- Thanks to the work that has been done during the Long Shutdown 1, the LHC will now be able to produce 13 TeV collisions (6.5 TeV per beam), which will allow physicists to further explore the nature of our Universe.
- The ultimate aim of the LHC’s detectors is to allow physicists to test the predictions of different theories of particle physics, including measuring the properties of the Higgs boson and searching for the large family of new particles predicted by supersymmetric theories, as well as other unsolved questions of physics.
LHC – role in understanding the evolution of the universe
- After the discovery of the Higgs boson, scientists have started using the data collected as a tool to look beyond the Standard Model, which is currently the best theory of the most elementary building blocks of the universe and their interactions.
- Scientists at CERN say they don’t know what Run 3 will reveal; the hope is to use the collisions to further the understanding of so-called “dark matter”.
- This hard-to-detect, hoped-for particle is believed to make up most of the universe, but is completely invisible as it does not absorb, reflect, or emit light.
Conclusion
Many physicists hope that the Large Hadron Collider will help answer some of the fundamental open questions in physics, which concern the basic laws governing the interactions and forces among the elementary objects, the deep structure of space and time, and in particular the interrelation between quantum mechanics and general relativity.
General Studies – 4
Syllabus: Application of Ethics
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude by Lexicon Publications.
Why the question:
There is a growing tendency in the world to see altruism in a negative light. Focusing on oneself and one’s interests are being perpetuated as a ‘good’ behaviour at all levels in the world (Ex: ‘Make America great again’).
Key Demand of the question:
To expand on the criticism given and negating the same by giving proper justification that altruism is not only in the best interests of the society but also that of the individual.
Directive:
Analyze: When asked to analyze, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into parts and presenting them in a summary.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction: Define the term Ethical altruism.
Body:
- Give some possible reasons as to why this criticism could be made by giving suitable examples. (When someone expects help due to the prevalence of altruism, they shall not be pushing themselves to realize the best of their abilities).
- Negate the above by giving instances of how altruism doesn’t hinder the growth of an individual using proper examples. You can use the life experiences of various leaders, reformers and administrators in this answer. Ex: Harshavardhana, Ashoka, Gandhi Ji etc.
Conclusion:
Suggest how such altruistic behaviour could be encouraged in the society with particular focus on an administrator
Introduction
Altruism is defined as acting in the best interests of others rather than one’s own. When a person’s behavior is motivated by a desire to help someone other than oneself, it is referred to as altruistic behavior.
Ethical altruism is an ethical doctrine that states that people have a moral obligation to help, serve, or benefit others, even if it means sacrificing their own interests. To put it another way, an action is morally right if the consequences of that action are more favorable than unfavorable for everyone except the agent.
Body
Criticism against altruism
- Friedrich Nietzsche held that, the idea that it is virtuous to treat others more important than oneself is degrading and demeaning to the self.
- He also believed in the idea that others have a higher value than oneself hinders the individual’s pursuit of self-development, excellence, and creativity. Eg: America’s decision to abandon Afghanistan and letting Taliban takeover etc.
- He maintained that it was an ideology fabricated by the weak for the weak, and masks self-poisoning resentment about individual and collective powerlessness.
- Ayn Rand said that most problems in the world come from the doctrine of Altruism, and argues that there is no rational ground for asserting that sacrificing yourself in order to serve others is morally superior to pursuing your own self-interest.
- Furthermore, if the state were to enforce Altruism as a moral ideal, this could ultimately result in the state forcing everyone into a collectivist political system.
- Others have argued that actions formerly seen as altruistic are in reality just a form of enlightened self-interest.
Nonetheless, most moral philosophers hold altruistic actions in high regard and believe they play a role in morality. Mildly altruistic moral principles, on the other hand, may be rejected by altruistic principles that require extreme personal sacrifices.
People’s moral judgments are often driven by emotion. And empathy for others seems to encourage altruism. Another emotion, called “elevation,” appears to inspire altruistic behavior, too. We feel elevation when we see another person act virtuously, such as by helping someone in need. Altruism also builds social connections. For example, studies show that people who are altruistic tend to be happier, to be healthier, and to live longer. So, while altruism leads us to do what’s best for others, it also makes us good human beings.
Conclusion
Altruism is a vital component of a good society precisely because one cannot anticipate all the occasions on which people may need to be helped, and therefore cannot formally assign duties to help. In a dog-eat-dog world where there is cut throat competition to survive or gain power over others, expectations of altruism personally or between nations is a distant dream. Yet, humans need to find better ways of sharing the burden of altruism so that everyone helps sometimes, and no one is required to sacrifice himself completely to altruistic causes.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude by Lexicon Publications.
Why the question:
The question tests the conceptual understanding of an aspirant on an important topic which is part of the GS4 syllabus. There have also been recommendations to change the nature of the ‘Code of conduct’ (making it stronger or giving it a legal character) in India in recent times.
Key Demand of the question:
To judge the efficacy of ‘the code of conduct as a policy to ensure ethical behaviour on part of government employees in India.
Directive:
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:
You can highlight the objective behind the ‘Code of conduct’ and give any relevant basic data vis-à-vis this topic briefly and concisely.
Body:
- Briefly write about the basic features of the ‘Code of conduct in India.
- Debate whether ‘Code of conduct’ as a mechanism is the adoption of short term and less effective in ensuring ethical behaviour in Indian government enterprises. Make sure you give both sides of the argument.
- Suggest briefly ways to make ‘Code of conduct’ a more effective and a long-term solution to ensure ethical behaviour amongst government officers.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a balanced opinion and a rational opinion on the issue.
Introduction
Codes of conduct represents the set of enforceable rules that should be followed by a person in an organisation. The Code of Conduct outlines specific behaviours that are required or prohibited as a condition of ongoing employment. It might forbid sexual harassment, racial intimidation or viewing inappropriate or unauthorized content on company computers.
Body
Code of Conduct in India for government employees
- The Civil Service code outlines the Civil Service’s core values, and the standards of behaviour expected of all civil servants in upholding these values.
- In India, the current set of ethical norms are the Conduct Rules, contained in the Central Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964 and analogous rules applicable to members of the All India Services or employees of various State Governments.
- For example, Election Commission of India’s Model Code of Conduct is a set of guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India for conduct of political parties and candidates during elections mainly with respect to speeches, polling day, polling booths, portfolios, election manifestos, processions and general conduct.
- Similarly, a set of codes of rules are prescribed for civil servants with regard to their conduct in performing their duties.
Critical analysis
- The code of conduct for civil servants is charted out on the basis of values outlined in the code of ethics.
- To streamline both it is necessary to execute the reforms recommended in the second Administrative Reform Committee (ARC) report such as that the rigid rule bound bureaucracies should be changed into flexible and action-oriented.
- The organization’s desire is to obtain a narrow range of acceptable behaviours from employees.
- Conduct regulations assert that some specific actions are appropriate, others inappropriate.
- Code of conduct consists of provisions general to all employees, so some acts which are not mentioned might be considered ethical despite their unethical nature.
- It becomes a legal impediment in governance due to its rigidity which can affect the public servant leading to policy paralysis.
Making Code of Conduct more effective
- A well-written code of conduct clarifies an organization’s mission, values and principles, linking them with standards of professional conduct.
- The code articulates the values the organization wishes to foster in leaders and employees and, in doing so, defines desired behavior.
- As a result, written codes of conduct or ethics can become benchmarks against which individual and organizational performance can be measured.
- Additionally, a code is a central guide and reference for employees to support day-to-day decision making.
- A code encourages discussions of ethics and compliance, empowering employees to handle ethical dilemmas they encounter in every day.
- Strict code of conduct in financial sector would ensure ethics in the employees and would have avoided and punished instances like recent Nirav Modi scam where ethics of the bank employees was under question.
Conclusion
Code of Conduct is actually extracted from the Code of Ethics. Codes are beneficial for businesses of any size and nature as the codes lays down direction which is helpful for employees, to behave in a particular manner and also making a public image of ethical behaviour.
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