NOTE: Please remember that following ‘answers’ are NOT ‘model answers’. They are NOT synopsis too if we go by definition of the term. What we are providing is content that both meets demand of the question and at the same time gives you extra points in the form of background information.
General Studies – 1
Topic: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Indian Express , Insights on India
Why the question:
UNESCO has to combine swadeshi and swaraj to create new cultures of peace. A culture bereft of peace is no longer democratic. A reinvented UNESCO is part of the Satyagraha of the future.
Key Demand of the question:
To write evaluate the role of UNESCO in protection and promotion arts and culture.
Directive word:
Evaluate – When you are asked to evaluate, you have to pass a sound judgement about the truth of the given statement in the question or the topic based on evidence. You must appraise the worth of the statement in question. There is scope for forming an opinion here.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by writing about the aims and objectives of UNESCO
Body:
First, write about achievements of UNESCO in promoting and protection art and culture of India. Give various projects and missions undertaken by UNESCO. Give examples to substantiate.
Next, write about the shortcomings of the UNESCO and ways to overcome them.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward.
Introduction
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) based in Paris. Its declared purpose is to contribute to peace and security by promoting international collaboration through educational, scientific, and cultural reforms in order to increase universal respect for justice, the rule of law, and human rights along with fundamental freedom proclaimed in the United Nations Charter. It is the successor of the League of Nations‘ International Committee on Intellectual Cooperation.
Body
Objectives of UNESCO
- It promotes intellectual co-operation and mutual understanding of peoples through all means of mass communication;
- Gives fresh impulse to popular education and to the spread of culture;
- Maintains, increases and diffuses knowledge;
- Encourages scientific research and training;
- Apply sciences to ensure human development and the rational management of natural resources.
- Attaining quality education for all and lifelong learning
- Mobilizing science knowledge and policy for sustainable development
- Addressing emerging social and ethical challenges
- Fostering cultural diversity, intercultural dialogue and a culture of peace
- Building inclusive knowledge societies through information and communication
- Focuses on global priority areas – “Africa” and “Gender Equality”.
Roles and responsibilities
- Education transforms livesis at the heart of UNESCO’s mission to build peace, eradicate poverty and drive sustainable development.
- The Organization is the only United Nations agencywith a mandate to cover all aspects of education.
- It has been entrusted to lead the Global Education 2030 Agendathrough Sustainable Development Goal – 4.
- Protecting Our Heritage and Fostering Creativity: It is becoming a fact that no development can be sustainable without a strong culture component.
- UNESCO has adopted a three-pronged approachto make culture takes it rightful place in development strategies and processes:
- Spearheads worldwide advocacyfor culture and development.
- Engages with the international communityto set clear policies and legal frameworks
- Works on the ground to support governments and local stakeholdersto safeguard heritage, strengthen creative industries and encourage cultural pluralism.
- Science for a Sustainable Future: Science equips us to find solutions to today’s acute economic, social and environmental challenges and to achieving sustainable development and greener societies.
- UNESCO works to assist countries to invest in Science, Technology and Innovation (STI),to develop national science policies, to reform their science systems and to build capacity to monitor and evaluate performance through STI indicators.
- World Heritage Convention and List: World Heritage Convention –1972links together the concepts of nature conservation and the preservation of cultural properties.
- The Convention defines the kind of natural or cultural sites (World Heritage Sites) which can be considered for inscription on the World Heritage List.
- The States Parties of convention are encouraged to integrate the protection of the cultural and natural heritage into regional planning programmes, set up staff and services at their sites, undertake scientific and technical conservation research.
- It explains how the World Heritage Fundis to be used and managed.
India and UNESCO
- India has been a founder memberof UNESCO, having ratified UNESCO’s Constitution on 4th November, 1946, while still under colonial rule
- Further, India has played a leadership rolein supporting the implementation of the priorities of UNESCO in its different agendas relating to education, science and culture
- India has been continuously re-electedto the UNESCO Executive Board since 1946
- Recently, India won the re-election to the executive board of the UN’s cultural and education organisation for the 2021-25 term
- India iscurrently a member of 19 of its UNESCO’s Conventions, including those on natural and cultural heritage, education, and intellectual property rights.
- Among the more recent ratifications include the Convention of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2003, the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions in 2005and the Convention Against Doping in Sports in 2005
Conclusion
UNESCO’s mission is to contribute to the building of a culture of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development and intercultural dialogue through education, the sciences, culture, communication and information.
UNESCO works to create the conditions for dialogue among civilizations, cultures and peoples, based upon respect for commonly shared values. It is through this dialogue that the world can achieve global visions of sustainable development encompassing observance of human rights, mutual respect and the alleviation of poverty, all of which are at the heart of UNESCO’s mission and activities.
Topic: geographical features and their location-changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
The heavy October rainfall over North and Northwest India underscores the changing patterns of monsoon activity over the subcontinent. Driven by climate change, the ‘normal’ has shifted, and the country may soon have to make adjustments in a range of sectors.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the impact of climate change on monsoon and adaptations needed to reduce its negative impacts.
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:
Start by introducing Indian monsoon and its importance briefly.
Body:
Write about the impact of climate change – both monsoon deficit and too much monsoon in counterproductive in the Indian scenario. Mention the drawbacks of the too much surplus in monsoon such as floods, crop damage, increased pest infestation and disease, low outputs etc with supporting examples. Also, include the indirect costs incurred such as increased imports and reduced exports.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward to deal with climate change impact and mitigate it.
Introduction
Monsoons are seasonal winds which reverse their direction with the change of season. The monsoon is a double system of seasonal winds. They flow from sea to land during the summer and from land to sea during winter. Monsoons are peculiar to Indian Subcontinent, South East Asia, parts of Central Western Africa etc. Indian Monsoons are Convection cells on a very large scale. They are periodic or secondary winds which seasonal reversal in wind direction.
Persistence of intense La Nina conditions, the abnormal warming of East Indian Ocean, negative Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), southward movement of most of the monsoon depressions and lows and pre-monsoon heating over the Himalayan region and melting glaciers are causes of the variation.
Body
Factors that influence formation of South west monsoon are:
- The differential heating and cooling of land and watercreates a low pressure on the landmass of India while the seas around experience comparatively high pressure.
- The shift of the position of Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) in summer, over the Ganga plain (this is the equatorial trough normally positioned about 5°N of the equator. It is also known as the monsoon-trough during the monsoon season).
- The presence of the high-pressure area, east of Madagascar, approximately at 20°S over the Indian Ocean. The intensity and position of this high-pressure area affect the Indian Monsoon.
- The Tibetan plateaugets intensely heated during summer, which results in strong vertical air currents and the formation of low pressure over the plateau at about 9 km above sea level.
- The movement of the westerly jet streamto the north of the Himalayas and the presence of the tropical easterly jet stream over the Indian peninsula during summer.
- Position and strength of the Tropical Easterly Jet (African Easterly Jet).
- Southern Oscillation (SO):Normally when the tropical eastern south Pacific Ocean experiences high pressure, the tropical eastern Indian Ocean experiences low pressure. But in certain years, there is a reversal in the pressure conditions and the eastern Pacific has lower pressure in comparison to the eastern Indian Ocean. This periodic change in pressure conditions is known as the SO.
- Indian Ocean Dipole,which is sustained variations in the difference between tropical western and eastern Indian Ocean surface temperatures
- Madden-Julian oscillation, an oceanic-atmospheric phenomenon which affects weather activities across the globe. It brings major fluctuation in tropical weather on weekly to monthly timescales.
Effects of climate change on the Indian monsoons:
- The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has clearly sighted that2022 has seen the second highest extreme events since 1902.
- An alarming case asincidents of floods and droughts have increased, there is more evidence coming our way on how global warming has been impacting the Indian monsoon.
- Research shows thatglobal warming increases the fluctuations in the monsoon, resulting in both long dry periods and short spells of heavy rains.
- Aerosols absorb solar radiationdue to which less of it reaching the surface of the Earth.
- This leads tocooling of land, reducing the contrast of temperature between sea and land, thereby weakening the atmospheric circulation that sustains the Indian Monsoon.
- Not only this, changes in circulation in the Indian subcontinent affect air-sea interaction which is the binding factor between Asia and the Indian Ocean.
- Climate change is altering the nature of the Indian monsoon,turning it into an erratic and destructive force.
- Since 1951, the monsoon circulation has weakened, especially in regions like the Western Ghats and the Indo-Gangetic plains.Simultaneously, however, incidents of localised heavy rainfall have increased. What has also increased is the duration of dry spells between rainy days during the monsoon.
Measures needed
- Deploying lower-carbon Energy:
- There are four main types of low-carbon energy: wind, solar, hydro or nuclear power. The first three are renewable, which means these are good for the environment – as natural resources are used (such as wind or sun) to produce electricity.
- Deploying lower carbon energy would help address both domestic and international climate challenges while simultaneously improving the economic well-being of India’s citizens.
- Mainstreaming Renewable energy:
- India’s energy mix is dominated by coal powered electric generation stations as of now.
- The need of the hour is increase the share of renewable energy in this energy mix.
- Focus on Energy Efficiency:
- Will need energy efficient buildings, lighting, appliances and industrial practices tomeet the net-zero goal.
- Increased usage of Biofuels:
- Can help reduce emissions from light commercial vehicles, tractors in agriculture.
- In aviation, the only practical solution for reducing emissions is greater use of biofuels, until hydrogen technology gains scale.
- Transition towards Electric vehicles:
- This will further help curb the carbon emissions.
- Carbon Sequestration:
- India willhave to rely on natural and man-made carbon sinks to soak up those emissions. Trees can capture 0.9 billion tons; the country will need carbon capture technologies to sequester the rest.
- Carbon Pricing:
- India, which already taxes coal and petroleum fuels, should consider putting a tax on emissions to drive change.
Conclusion
India is one of the most vulnerable nations to the ravages of climate change, and what makes our experience unique in many ways is that the country faces severe challenges on nearly every climate metric: be it sea level rise, the melting of Himalayan glaciers, an increase in the number of destructive cyclones or extreme heatwaves. In many ways, these separate impacts have come together to shape the destiny of one of the most awe-inspiring weather phenomena on the planet, the Indian monsoon.
Climate change is set to inescapably alter the ocean temperatures around the Indian neighborhood. So, giving more importance to understanding the vagaries of the NE monsoon should be among India’s key priority in adapting to climate change. India needs to step up research to improve the performance of the monsoon prediction models. Preparedness is the best way forward.
General Studies – 2
Topic: transparency and accountability
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
A good 17 years after India got the Right to Information (RTI) Act, the transparency regime in the country remains a mirage with nearly 3.15 lakh complaints or appeals pending with 26 information commissions across India.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the impact of backlogs in RTI cases and ways to address them.
Directive word:
Analyse – When asked to analyse, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them in a summary.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by giving context.
Body:
First, write in detail about the various reasons behind increasing backlogs in RTI cases and complaints.
Next, write about the impact that these backlogs will have on the transparency regime of India – barriers to information, limitations on accountability, corruption etc.
Next, write about the ways to overcome the above and dispose cases in a timely manner.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.
Introduction
A good 17 years after India got the Right to Information (RTI) Act, the transparency regime in the country remains a mirage with nearly 3.15 lakh complaints or appeals pending with 26 information commissions across India.
According to a report by the Satark Nagrik Sangathan, the backlog of appeals or complaints is steadily increasing in commissions every year.
Body
Reasons for backlogs
- Incremental backlogs: The backlog of appeals or complaints is increasing in commissions every year. The number of appeals and complaints pending in 2019, from data obtained from 26 information commissions was 2,18,347. In 2022 the number was 3,14,323.
- The large backlog of cases has resulted in a long waiting time for disposal.
- States with high backlogs: The highest number of pending cases was in Maharashtra (at 99,722), followed by Uttar Pradesh (at 44,482), Karnataka, the Central Information Commission and Bihar.
- Defunct information commissions: Two information commissions—Jharkhand and Tripura—out of 29 across the country have been completely defunct for 29 months and 15 months respectively.
- Lack of enough manpower: Several information commissions, including the Central Information Commission, are working at reduced capacity with less than the stipulated number of members being in office.
- Another report mentions that one-fourth of information commissioner posts are vacant and there are only 5% (only 8) women information commissioners in the country.
Measures needed
- Training of officials:The Indian information law, rated as one of the strongest in the world, needs to be bolstered by raising awareness amongst the people and organising rigorous training of government officials.
- Code of conduct: A code of conduct must be evolved for the central and state information commissioners.
- It is imperative for the commissioners tokeep a strict distance from government heads and officialdom.
- A strong political system is a must for the RTI regime to flourish.
- It is imperative to ensure freedom of the press and democratic institutions, punish errant officials and maintain complete autonomy of the information commissions, in the interest of the people and the nation at large.
Conclusion
Proper functioning of information commissions is crucial for people to realise their right to information. The report shows that in several commissions a large backlog of cases has built up, resulting in a long waiting time for disposal, as governments have failed to make appointments of information commissioners in a timely manner. The report also flags concerns regarding tardy disposal rates in several commissions and the lack of transparency in their functioning. There is an urgent need for the transparency watchdogs to function in a more effective and transparent manner.
Value addition
RTI Act
- The right to information is a fundamental right under Article 19 (1) of the Indian Constitution.
- In 1976, in theRaj Narain vs the State of Uttar Pradesh case, the Supreme Court ruled that the Right to information will be treated as a fundamental right under Article 19.
- The Supreme Court held that in Indian democracy, people are the masters and they have the right to know about the working of the government.
- Thus the government enacted the Right to Information Act in 2005which provides machinery for exercising this Fundamental Right.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: The Hindu , Insights on India
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 3 and mentioned as part of Mission-2023 Secure timetable.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about successes and limitations of current FTP and suggest measures to overcome the limitations.
Introduction:
Begin by writing about the aims and objectives of Foreign Trade Policy.
Body:
First, in brief, write about the major features of Foreign Trade Policy (2015-20).
Next, write about the successes of the Foreign Trade Policy (2015-20) and cite facts to indicate the progress achieved because of it boosting exports.
Next, write about the shortcomings of the Foreign Trade Policy (2015-20) and reasons therefore.
Next, suggest measures that are needed in the upcoming foreign to overcome the limitations of the above.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward.
Introduction
Various aspects of globalization are being rethought all over the world, and this includes rethinking trade policy. India is also going through this process. The Ministry of Commerce is working on a new trade policy to be unveiled in September 2022. The Government will roll out a new foreign trade policy (FTP) of a shorter term of two-three years in a bid to keep pace with the fast-evolving scenarios in international trade. These have been triggered by recent disruptions, such as the pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war.
Body
Background
- An FTP is an elaborate policy guideline and strategyto promote the export of goods and services, usually with a duration of 5 years.
- It sets out the regulations for cross-border trade and reveals the Government’s position on a host of crucial policy variables such as technology flow, intangibles, and so on.
- Revisited and notified every five years since the 1991 economic reforms, the FTP has been the guiding beacon for all stakeholders.
- The last FTP was notified in 2015, and the new policy was due in April 2020.
- However, it has been periodically extended since then, and the new policy is expected by September 2022.
Challenges with current FTP and need for a new one
- Clarifying India’s Stand at Global Level:It is essential to clarify India’s position and alignment with flagship programmes like ‘Local for Global’ and PLI (Production Linked Incentive) schemes, WTO’s ruling against India’s export incentive schemes, an overdue review of the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) scheme, changing geographical profiles of India’s export basket, and implications of the FTAs.
- In 2019, a dispute resolution panel of WTO had held that the export incentives under the FTP are violative of India’s WTO Commitment.
- Impact on Export-Oriented Businesses:Another reason for overhauling the FTP is some export-oriented businesses have been adversely impacted by certain ad hoc, mistimed, and contradictory changes to the 2015 FTP
- The 2015 FTP incentivised exports by issuing duty-credit scrips directly in proportion to exports. However, in 2020 the government limited the maximum export incentives for goods to Rs. 20 million, and in 2021, limited them to 20 million for services.
- Moreover, the changes for service incentives were retrospectively notified in September 2021 to be applied from April 2019.
- Reduction in Outlays and Incentives:The annual export incentives — the Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS) and Services Exports from India Scheme (SEIS) of Rs. 51,012 crore were replaced with the RoDTEP scheme incentive of Rs.12,454 crore.
- The remaining Rs. 38,558 crore has been diverted into PLIto give benefit to a few sectors.
- Also, earlier there was a 3% export incentive on agriculture implements like tractors, which has been reduced to 0.7%.
- Infrastructural Setbacks: Dueto inadequate upgraded export infrastructure such as ports, warehouses and supply chains, the average turnaround time for ships in India is about three days while the world average is 24 hours.
- Crisis of MSMEs:With a contribution of about 29% to the GDP and 40% to international trade, MSMEs are the key players in achieving the ambitious export targets. However, the surge in input and fuel costs are hitting the bottom lines of MSMEs.
- The rise in prices of raw materialssuch as steel, and plastics along with a shortage of shipping containers and labour are making it difficult for the MSMEs to take full advantage of the global increase in demand.
- The 2015 FTP incentivised exports by issuing duty-credit scrips directly in proportion to exports. However, in 2020 the government limited the maximum export incentives for goods to Rs. 20 million, and in 2021, limited them to 20 million for services.
Way forward to boost exports
- First, the Government must invest in upgrading export infrastructure such as ports, warehouses, quality testing and certification centres to stay ahead of technology-advanced countries. For instance, China has planned to spend US$ 1.4 trillion on infrastructure between 2019 and 2023.
- Second, India also needs to adopt modern trade practices that can be implemented through the digitisation of export processes. This will save both time and cost.
- Third, the Government must help MSMEsplanning to tap the export potential in existing tariff lines and provide policy support to raise the number of exporting MSMEs and increase MSME exports by 50% in 2022-23.
- Fourth, the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) agreementoffers a new opportunity. The trade pillar in the IPEF does not, as of now, deal with market access. India should work to push the IPEF towards a trade agreement.
- Fifth, Digital trade, e-commerce and digital paymentswill play a major role in global integration in the years ahead. India has substantial strengths in this area, but there seems to be ambivalence about entering negotiations on it. India should shed this hesitancy and be actively involved in the development of global rules acceptable to all.
- Sixth, a short-term FTP shall be a good move because the general elections are just two years away. The new government (new or the existing one) should be given the mandate to announce a new policy, as it may have a different focus area or agenda.
Conclusion
The new FTP should work in a phased manner to address export constraints. It should review the regulatory and operational framework to reduce the transit costs and create a low-cost operating environment through developed logistics and utility infrastructure.
Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Insights on India
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 3 and mentioned as part of Mission-2023 Secure timetable.
Key Demand of the question:
To analyse India’s decision to not join RCEP.
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:
Begin by giving context.
Body:
Start by addressing the fact that India recently opted out of it, present the reasons – the economic factors; Protecting its economy from burgeoning trade deficits with a majority of the 15 RCEP members. It had cited the grouping’s refusal to accede to its requests on safeguards as a deal breaker.
Present the significance; RCEP members now account for about 30% of the global GDP and a third of the world’s population. The timing of the accord presents a unique opportunity to support economic recovery, inclusive development and job creation.
Discuss both pros and cons.
Conclusion:
Conclude by giving a balanced opinion
Introduction
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) was signed into existence by 15 countries led by China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and the 10-state ASEAN grouping, creating one of the world’s largest trading blocs. The countries involved account for almost half of the world’s population, over a quarter of world exports, and make up around 30% of the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
India had been a part of negotiations for almost nine years till it pulled out in November 2019, stating that inadequate safeguards and lowering of customs duties will adversely impact its manufacturing, agriculture and dairy sectors.
Body
Reasons for not joining RCEP: A wise move
- Non-acceptance of Auto-trigger Mechanism: To deal with the imminent rise in imports, India had been seeking an auto-trigger mechanism. Auto-trigger Mechanism would have allowed India to raise tariffs on products in instances where imports cross a certain threshold. However, other countries in the RCEP were against this proposal.
- Unfavourable Balance of Trade: Thoughtrade has increased the post-Free Trade Agreement with South Korea, ASEAN countries and Japan, imports have risen faster than exports from India. According to a paper published by NITI Aayog, India has a bilateral trade deficit with 11 out of 15 member countries of RCEP.
- China factor: India fears that the RCEP pact will enable China to dump its products at lower prices and finally capture the market. India’s trade deficit with RCEP countries stood at $105 billion, out of which China alone accounted for $52 billion.
- Rules of Origin: Rulesof origin are the criteria used to determine the national source of a product. India was concerned about a “possible circumvention” of rules of origin. The deal did not have sufficient safeguards to prevent routing of the products.
- Vulnerable domestic sectors: India’s vulnerable agriculture and dairy sectors will be exposed to vagaries of global trade. For instance, the dairy industry is expected to face stiff competition from Australia and New Zealand.
- Issue of Market Access: RCEP also lacked clear assurance over market access issues in countries such as China and non-tariff barriers on Indian companies.
- IPR provisions:Japan and South Korea are proposing intellectual property provisions referred to as TRIPS-plus, which go far beyond the obligations under the WTO’s agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).
Not a wise move
- Global Economic Stagnation due to Covid-19: With global trade and the economy facing a steep decline due to Covid-19 pandemic, RCEP can serve as a bulwark in containing the free fall of the global economy and re-energising economic activity.
- Further, the RCEP presents a unique opportunity to support India’s economic recovery, inclusive development and job creation even as it helps strengthen regional supply chains.
- Need For Economic Realism: India should deter seeing RCEP only from the Chinese perspective. India should acknowledge that the trade bloc represents 30% of the global economyand world population, touching over 2.2 billion people, and staying out of RCEP may result in suboptimal economic growth without leveraging Asia-Pacific demand.
- In this regard, India can draw inspiration from Japan & Australia, as they chose to bury their geopolitical differences with China to prioritise what they collectively see as a mutually beneficial trading compact.
- Strategic Need: It is not just because gains from trade are significant, but the RCEP’s membership is a prerequisite to having a say in shaping RCEP’s rules. This is necessary to safeguard India’s interests and the interests of several countries that are too small to stand up to the largest member, China.
- Impact on India’s Act East Policy: There are concerns that India’s decision would impact its bilateral trade ties with RCEP member nations, as they may be more inclined to focus on bolstering economic ties within the bloc.
Way ahead
- Joining RCEP: It has the option of joining the agreement without having to wait 18 months as stipulated for new members in the terms of the pact, since India is an original negotiating participant of RCEP.
- Strengthen Existing Agreements: The trade and investment agreements with ASEAN, Japan and Korea, as well as its bilateral arrangements with Malaysia and Singaporemust be strengthened.
- Marketing Products: The marketing of Indian products to existing favourable markets, as well as other countries where India has a low export presence.
- The Indian industry, which has a business in these markets, can benefit from targeted promotional strategies given that Indian products are competitive and favoured there.
- Export Diversification: Increasing the exports in Africa, a rapidly growing continent which enjoys almost 9% of the export share, as well as Latin America, currently at a low 3%.West Asia has also been an expanding market where India enjoys synergies.
- Deeper Economic Reforms: Must be initiated particularly in market factors ofland, labour and capital. It will provide the much-needed impetus to overall manufacturing investments. For domestic manufacturing, lowering costs of doing business, building the right infrastructure, ensuring faster and more efficient trade facilitation at the borders, etc.
- External Integration Strategy: The country needs to keep its interests on the table. The road to further expansion of its exports to RCEP member nations is very much still open, given that India already has trade and investment agreements with 12 of them.
Conclusion
Utilising existing agreements better while proactively exploring new opportunities in other geographies will diversify both our markets as well as our export basket. Given the global economic scenario in present times and the near future, it would be in India’s interest to dispassionately review its position on RCEP and carry out structural reforms that will help India to mitigate some of the repercussions arising from the RCEP.
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: Difficult
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 need to change the system in order to change the attitudes of the people and why it is considered a better option to prevent people from doing evil things. Give a counter argument that it is easier to change people than to change the system. Cite examples to substantiate.
Conclusion:
Summarise by giving a balanced opinion.
Introduction
The above quote goes on the say that, it is possible to create a semblance of order in the society by creating proper system in place which bounds its people to adhere to the norms. Law, rules, order, policing and institutions are key to this.
The Nazis pushed even unwilling Germans into committing horror crimes of genocide against jews.
Body
In a practical set up, laws are needed to reign people’s evil thoughts and protest rights of law-abiding citizens. People involving in vandalism, theft, robbery, murder, terrorism are to be prevented through the institutions of justice, law and order. Youths radicalised in Kashmir and joining militancy is a case in point. If vulnerable young people are identified and given right attitudinal training, skill development and employment they will willingly abide by the laws of the society. Deprivation and ill intent through manipulation can become breeding ground for evil acts.
The system and the law are important because it acts as a guideline as to what is accepted in society. Without it there would be conflicts between social groups and communities. It is pivotal that we follow them. The law allows for easy adoption to changes that occur in the society.
Conclusion
Systems were made to provide for proper guidelines and order upon the behaviour for all citizens and to sustain the equity on the three branches of the government. It keeps society running. Without law there would be chaos and it would be survival of the fittest and everyman for himself.
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)
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 how to preach peace and love, theoretically, among communities, states and nations etc without having institutional mechanisms or practical ways to continue it forward or build long term engagement is a fallacy. Give examples and suggest ways to practice what once preaches.
Conclusion:
Summarise by highlighting the importance of the quote in the present day.
Introduction
Propounding peace through words and waging wars right after has been hallmark of some nations especially in the West. For instance, USA’s ‘peaceful transfer of power to Taliban’ could not have been more ironical and hypocritical in nature.
Institutional peace aims to anchor states within a specific set of values and shared legal context through which they agree on the way to behave. They also agree to police and enforce that behaviour. International law has been crucial for the institutional peace framework to produce a stable international order.
Body
The challenges facing the international community are characterized by cross-border risks and insecurity, and further complicated by new pathways to unrest, such as climate change and global pandemics. Furthermore, the capacities of existing national institutions to effectively respond to these challenges are limited by increased pressures on democracy and multilateralism, as evidenced by increasing cases of state isolationism and rejection of cooperation, as well as cases of reduced state capacities, endemic corruption lack of accountability and conflicts, among other things.
These challenges present an opportunity for greater collaboration between regional and CSOs as a means of drawing upon one another’s strengths and enhancing regional institutional capacity to ensure peaceful, just and inclusive societies.
‘The institutional peace’ introduces a form of peace that has been influential in the modern era, one that relies on international institutions and law to support the consolidation of a constitutional peace.
Regional action on peace, justice and inclusion should cut across social, economic and political agendas and be sustained through partnerships with those most impacted by conflict and inequalities, including local communities, grassroots organizations, and Indigenous groups. The strengthening of good governance and democratic institutions at the regional level should take place in tandem with efforts to build meaningful partnerships between regional organizations and local communities
Conclusion
Given the current threats to peace and development, including the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and the impact of climate change, the partnership between regional organizations and civil society can enable a new and impactful multilateral regional architecture. Together with governments, global partners and other key democracy actors in the field, regional organizations can build and sustain strong and just institutions, going beyond political limitations to contribute to communities’ lasting peace.
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