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: Easy
Reference: The Hindu , Insights on India
Why the question:
The Indian Space Research Organisation, along with the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST), is set to organise a two-day conference themed ‘Akash Tatva’ (the element Akash) in Dehradun that, according to Science Minister Jitendra Singh, would expose “youth of India to the wisdoms of ancient science along with modern scientific advancements”.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the contributions of Ancient India to science and technology and the present-day learnings from it.
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:
Briefly explain about India’s ancient and medieval of development in science.
Body:
Explain that one of the oldest civilizations in the world, the Indian civilization has a strong tradition of science and technology. Ancient India was a land of sages and seers as well as a land of scholars and scientists. India was actively contributing to the field of science and technology centuries long before modern laboratories were set up. Mention a few examples.
Next, mention the major contributions of science and technology in the ancient India.
Next, write about what we can learn from the successes and limitations of ancient science and technology.
Conclusion:
Conclude with significance and relevance of such discoveries and inventions even in today’s times.
Introduction
India has a rich heritage of science and technology. The dependence on nature could be overcome by developments in science. In ancient India, religion and science worked in close proximity. India belongs to one of the oldest civilized cultures with a long tradition in science and technology. Her history of science can be studied in a different context compared to that of other modern civilizations
Body
- Astronomy: Jyotishvedanga texts established systematic categories in astronomy but the more basic problem was handled by Aryabhatta (499 AD). His Aryabhattiya is a concise text containing 121 verses. It contains separate sections on astronomical definitions, methods of determining the true position of the planets, description of the movement of the sun and the moon and the calculation of the eclipses.
- Mathematics: The town planning of Harappa shows that the people possessed a good knowledge of measurement and geometry. By third century AD mathematics developed as a separate stream of study. Indian mathematics is supposed to have originated from the Sulvasutras.
- Brahmagupta’s Brahmasputa Siddhantais the very first book that mentioned ‘zero’ as a number, hence, Brahmagupta is considered as the man who found zero. He gave rules of using zero with other numbers.
- Aryabhatta discovered algebra and also formulated the area of a triangle, which led to the origin of
- Medicine: From 600 BC beganthe period of rational sciences. Takshila and Varanasi emerged as centres of medicine and learning. The two important texts in this field are Charak Samhita by Charak and Sushrut Samhita by
- Metallurgy: The vedic people were aware of fermenting grain and fruits, tanning leather and the process of dyeing. By the first century AD, mass production of metals like iron, copper, silver, gold and of alloys like brass and bronze were taking place. The iron pillar in the Qutub Minar complex is indicative of the high quality of alloying that was being done
The development of science and technology in ancient India can offer wisdom and key insights to present day scientific advancements:
- Ayurveda: The plants and herbs mentioned in Charaka Samhita is relevant even today and is the foundation of Ayurveda.
- In the last few decades there has been growing interest inalternative forms of therapy globally.
- There are attempts bybiomedical and Ayurvedic researchers to correlate Ayurvedic understanding of the nature of disease with modern biomedical concepts
- Yoga: Many western nations have adopted Yoga for mental and physical well-being.More research is being done in this regard.
- Yoga has been found to lessen symptoms of depression and anxiety, ease chronic back pain, lower stress levels, boost brain function and improve heart health.
- Decimal system: What we use as the modern decimal system was compiled in its entirety in India. Although other cultures had introduced some features of the numeric system beforehand, it was completed in India by the 9th century AD.
- Chandrasekhar Limit: Indian Nobel Prize-winning physicist Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar discovered the calculation used to determine the future of what would happen to a dying star.
- If the star’s mass is less than the Chandrasekhar Limit it will shrink to become a white dwarf, and if it is great the star will explode, becoming a supernova.
- It is said that he was influenced by ancient astronomical texts.
- Physics and nuclear energy:The concept of atom can be traced to Acharya Kanad. Kanad founded the Vaisheshika school of philosophy where he taught his ideas about the atom and the nature of the universe. Today India is one of the few countries that possesses nuclear technology.
Conclusion
As illustrated above, modern sciences that exists today in India and elsewhere has roots to the ancient scientific past of India. Many advancements in fields of science and technology can be traced to the basic foundational knowledge that exists in India. In medieval times, this knowledge was disseminated through translation of ancient Indian books by Arabs and Persians. Such developments are believed to have taken India’s wisdom to Europe and other western nations.
Topic: Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
Difficulty level: Tough
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The Official Language Committee, headed by Home Minister Amit Shah, recently submitted its report to President Droupadi Murmu. It recommended that Hindi be made the medium of instruction in Central institutions of higher education in Hindi-speaking States and regional languages in other States. This has reignited a debate on the imposition of Hindi.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the importance of linguistic diversity and its role in building national solidarity and social inclusion.
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:
Briefly explain what linguistic diversity is.
Body:
First, in detail comment upon the Need and importance of preserving linguistic diversity – Cultural Identity, Cultural Diversity, glimpse of our past etc. Write about the links between promoting linguistic diversity and social inclusion and national solidarity.
Next, Discuss the Government efforts in this direction in terms of statutes, provisions in the constitution, technological measures etc.
Next, write about the limitations of the above.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward to overcome the limitations.
Introduction
India is one of unique countries in the world that has the legacy of diversity of languages. The Constitution of India has recognised 22 official languages. Multilingualism is the way of life in India as people in different parts of the country speak more than one language from their birth and learns additional languages during their life time.
Though officially there are 122 languages, Peoples Linguistic Survey of India has identified 780 languages, of which 50 are extinct in past five decades
Body:
Need and Significance to preserve India’s linguistic diversity:
- Ecological diversity.
- Cultural diversity through oral traditions, stories, songs, poetry, and rituals passed down from generation to generation.
- Languages express identity
- Languages are repositories of history
- Language contribute to the sum of human knowledge
- Languages are interesting in themselves
- improved cognitive abilities in children when they are taught in their mother tongue in primary school
Provisions that safeguard the wealth of Indian languages:
- In addition to these scheduled and classical languages, The Constitution of India has included the clause to protect minority languages as a fundamental right. It states” Any section of the citizens residing in the territory of India or any part of thereof having a distinct language, script or culture of its own shall have the right to conserve the same.”
- The language policy of India provides guarantee to protect the linguistic minorities. Under the Constitution, provision is made for appointment of Special Officer for linguistic minority with the sole responsibilities of safeguarding the interest of language spoken by the minority groups.
- In the post-independence era, Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL), based in Mysore was assigned to carry out an in-depth survey of languages.
- In 1991 the Census of India listed 1576 mother tongues’ with separate grammatical structures and 1796 speech varieties that is classified as other mother tongues’.
- Another unique feature of India is the concept of protecting the interest of children to get basic education in their mother tongue. The Constitution provides” it shall be the endeavour of every State and of every local authority within the state to provide adequate facilities for instruction in the mother tongue at the primary stage of education to children belonging to linguistic minority groups”. Thus, even before the United Nationsdeclared the International Mother Language Day (February 21) the founders of the Indian Constitution gave top priority to teaching in mother tongues’, enabling the child to develop its full potential.
- In 1956 reorganisation of states in India was carried out with linguistic boundaries that had its own script. Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel, the then home minister played key role in formation and amalgamation of states based on linguistic attributes.
- The language policy of India has been pluralistic, giving priority to the use of mother tongue in administration, education and other fields of mass communication. The Language Bureau of Ministry of Human Resource Development is set up to implement and monitor the language policy.
- According to UNESCO, Internationalised Domain Names (IDNs) can help to foster the growth of local languages online by allowing Internet users to use non-Latin scripts to access domain names.
- The internet can be used to raise awareness about the issues of language extinction and language preservation.
Conclusion:
Linguistic diversity has been a critical aspect of the multiculturalism that has been the defining characteristic of India through the ages. Diversity is undoubtedly strength of our democracy. The cultural bonds need to be strengthened through enhanced and continuous mutual interaction between people of varied regions. This encourages reciprocity and secures an enriched value system of unity amongst people of different States.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Live Mint , Insights on India
Why the question:
India lifted about 415 million people out of multidimensional poverty between 2005-06 and 2019-21, according to the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), an initiative of UNDP and Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about causes of urban poverty and steps that are needed in order to end it.
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 giving statistic about the numbers of urban poor in India
Body:
First, mention the various causes of poverty in Urban areas and how it is much more severe than the rural areas.
Next, write about the measures that are needed in order to end urban poverty – minimum wages, social security, food and nutritional security and rehabilitation and resettlement, Housing etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.
Introduction
Urban poverty in India is over 25 percent; close to 81 million people in urban areas live below the poverty line. Over the years, due to high migration, the poverty in the country is transiting largely from rural to urban. To make rapid economic progress, India needs to improve the well-being of the workforce that migrates to cities in the hope of a better life.
Body
Causes for urban poverty
- High vulnerability
- Indian cities are vulnerable to multiple disasters like urban floods, urban heat islands, air pollution, inaccessibility of potable water etc.
- Proliferation of slums
- land to people ratio in cities has been exacerbated.
- there is lack of hygienic and sanitation in slums
- Non-inclusive development
- Urban poor are not receiving the benefits of the development –rich are getting richer with development while poor are getting poorer.
- India is quite far behind in inclusivity index.
- Development at the cost of poor
- The peri-urban areas where tribes live are being occupied for establishments of industries without proper compensation and rehabilitation.
Implications
- People living in slum areas are also prone to suffer from waterborne diseases such as typhoid and cholera.
- Women and children living in slums are prone to become victims of social evils like prostitution, beggary and child trafficking.
- Hunger, malnourishment, lack of quality education, high infant mortality, child marriage, child labour are some of the social problems prevalent for urban poor.
Concerns / Challenges
- Urban commons like lake, urban forests, green areas in Cities are adversely affected due to the need for development.
- As per a survey people in mega cities spend more time in office than home. Family life has been affected adversely.
- Municipal bodies have lost revenues after the introduction of GST as entry tax and octroi are no longer with them.
- While an increase in property tax is an option, this alone will not suffice.
- Stamp duty is a big revenue source in urban areas but it’s not directly available to local bodies.
- Contrary to B R Ambedkar’s hope that urbanisation will break caste hierarchies, our large cities are among the most segregated.
Conclusion & Way Forward
- The focus on urban employment generation programmes should be in coordination with local governments.
- A major local initiative would be to design and implement employment-intensive investment policies.
- There is a need to prioritise urban infrastructure.
- A labour-intensive approach to building municipal infrastructure can be a cost-effective alternative to capital intensive-approach as wage rates are low.
- Infrastructure investments would spur employment, generate earnings and contribute to small enterprise formation.
- Construction of low-cost housing can be carried out using labour-intensive methods, while yielding substantial benefits for urban dwellers.
- There is need for an urban employment scheme oriented toward building large-scale medical, health and sanitation infrastructure in cities and towns across India.
- Skilling, upskilling, and re-skilling opportunities must be readily available for poor households in ways that enable them to combine work with skill upgradation.
- Focusing on rural development and to enhance services like education, health, electricity and water and sanitation services are effective means to control rural to urban migration.
Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The brutal murders of two women as part of “ritualistic human sacrifices” in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala have left the country in shock. And in the absence of a comprehensive law to counter such inhuman acts, the call for a strict anti-superstition law has only grown louder.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the need for an anti-superstition law across the country.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by giving the statistic related to crimes due to superstitious practise.
Body:
First, write about the prevalence of superstition, occult practices and black magic in the Indian society and how it impacts the society in the absence of an anti-superstition law.
In the next part, write about the various measures taken by state governments like Maharashtra and Karnataka to deal with the same and how a central law can be effective curbing superstitious beliefs effectively.
Next, write about the impediments to enactment of such a law.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.
Introduction
Superstition is a kind of blind belief in supernatural powers that don’t have any scientific explanations behind that. Superstitions in India are a serious problem. Superstitions in India are not a fresh introduction. It has been prevalent for decades. The brutal murders of two women as part of “ritualistic human sacrifices” in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala have left the country in shock.
Body
Current measures against superstition
- Section 295A of the Indian Penal Code:
- It criminalizes “deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs”.
- Article 51 A (h)of the Constitution of India:
- It lists “to develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform” as a fundamental duty for every Indian citizen.
- Article 25:
- It guarantees freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion.
- Article 21:
- It guarantees protection of life and personal liberty. No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law.
Need for a central anti superstition law
- In India many people link religion with superstitions. Many believe age old beliefs as the truth without necessary rational outlook.
- When some scientists and well educated person believes in superstitions it gives legitimacy to the people to follow it.
- Also In India still many are uneducated. The development and fostering of scientific temper is neglected entirely in Indian education system where reasoning is put behind.
- Moreover people tend to look for godmen to get their problems solved especially in rural areas where adequate public health infrastructure is unavailable.
- Sometimes people who are facing problems and have personal issues etc are superstitious as they want faster resolutions.
- Even hard-core cynics can occasionally fall prey to superstitions like, if the stakes are high and the effort implemented is low, many rational people say they don’t believe, but they also don’t want to take a chance.
- People prefer to take the safer route believing in superstitions in order to avoid any adversity, harm or injury. This is the reason why most superstitions are associated with fear of some harm that may strike the person if he or she does or fails to do a particular thing.
- The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB),which maintains data on crimes in the country, provides data for deaths due to witchcraft and human sacrifices.
- As per the 2021 report, six deaths were linked to human sacrifices, while witchcraft was the motive for 68 killings. The maximum number of witchcraft cases were reported from Chhattisgarh (20), followed by Madhya Pradesh (18) and Telangana (11). Kerala saw two cases of human sacrifice.
- In 2020, India saw 88 deaths due to witchcraft and 11 died as part of ‘human sacrifices’, as per the NCRB report.
- The cognizance of human sacrifice is in the Indian Penal Code (IPC) only after the murder is committed.
- The present IPC is not equipped to take care of all crimes committed on account of black magic and other superstitious practices.
- Thus, legislation has the capacity to act as a deterrent.
Conclusion & Way forward
- Secular temptations and anxieties of money and power in the modern world explain better perhaps the rise in need-based rituals for placating deities than inner tendencies within religion.
- Lacking access to proper health care and poverty will also make victims fall to such methods.
- If the executive is serious about curbing such practices, active implementation and enforcement of existing laws need to be made more effective. Studies in criminology have already established that certainty of punishment curbs the rate of crime and not the type or the quantum of punishment.
- The enforcement machinery needs a major overhaul to make criminal justice more accessible.
- Moral resources for replacing unacceptable practices are explored within tradition.
- Inhuman practices in the name of religion in the country are a cause of worry.
- In Maharashtra, there were several cases where people murdered or brutally injured others and held them responsible for some deaths in their families, merely on suspicion.
- So, a law to prevent exploitation in the name of religion is necessary.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
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 the importance of biosphere functions and impact in its change.
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 defining biosphere.
Body:
First, mention briefly various functions of biosphere. Give various instances of depleting natural resources. Cite earth overshoot day to substantiate.
Next, bring out the impact of the same – The increase in human population levels and the harvesting of more of Earth’s natural resources has led to overexploitation. Human activities are causing major alterations to the patterns of energy flow and nutrient cycling through ecosystems, and these activities are eliminating populations and species.
Next, mention how the above can be incorporated to achieved sustainable development.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward.
Introduction
Earth’s biosphere, its extraordinary and complex web of species and ecosystems on land and in the oceans, drives the life-sustaining cycles of water and other materials that enable all life on Earth to thrive. The Brundtland report defines Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Body
Biosphere functions and need to understand the same
- The biosphere plays an integral role to support the life of organisms and their mutual interactions.
- Earth’s ecosystems have played a central role in keeping our planet’s climate system unusually stable throughout the last 11,700 years
- It is a vital element in climate regulation. Namely, a change in the biosphere triggers a change in climate.
- All the mineral and animal nutrients necessary to uphold life are found in the Earth’s biosphere.
- Oxygen and nitrogen are produced in the biosphere which are responsible for virtually every biochemical process of organic matter production.
- The living components of the biosphere, also known as the biota, plays an integral role in providing us with the raw material we need to survive: food, fuel, and fiber.
- The natural cycles of decomposition and biological modification, which take place in the biosphere, help the planet earth to expel toxins and other components that could be harmful to life.
- Virtually all the substances used in the pharmaceutical industry today are derived from compounds that exist naturally in the terrestrial biosphere.
Threats to biosphere
- The atmospheric build-up of carbon dioxide causing global warming as per various reports such as IPCC 1.5 degree report.
- Pollution of fresh and salt waters, and of soil and air.
- Erosion and other effects of deforestation.
- Human economy, climate change, exponential human population growth, ecological overshoot, biotic impoverishment and the reduction of biodiversity, renewable resource depletion, energy allocation, and environmental refugees- affect each other and affect and are affected by the biosphere.
- An ever-increasing number of animal and plant species are being pushed towards extinction.
- Some, perhaps all, are close to tipping points that, if tipped, will result in irreversible change.
Impacts
- Human activities driving deforestation and degradation have already turned the Brazilian Amazon into a carbon source, and other tropical biomes may be moving toward a similar fate, compounded by the effects of higher temperatures and increased frequency of droughts on tree growth and mortality.
- Global warming also increases risks of wildfires in temperate and boreal forests, which could flip Northern hemisphere ecosystems from sink to source in coming decades.
- This has led to rising concerns that human activities risk triggering biosphere feedbacks that could set the planet on a trajectory away from Holocene conditions toward a much warmer state, with potentially catastrophic effects for societies and ecosystems
Way forward
- Sustainable developmentis one approach to keeping the biosphere healthy.
- This method attempts to increase local food production without increasing the amount of land taken.
- It involves natureconservation and environmental monitoring, and it advocates encouraging and training local communities to participate in maintaining the environment.
- The goal is to balance human needs with environmental needs, and proponents of this view maintain that economic growth depends on renewable resources, which in turn depends on permanent damage to the environment being kept at a minimum.
- Creating a sustainable biosphere requires a cohesive policy for reducing consumption and seeking nonmaterial means of satisfaction.
- Avoiding a climate catastrophe requires at least three global transformations, unprecedented in both magnitude and speed:
- a transformation of the energy system that cuts emissions by half each decade to reach net-zero by 2050;
- a transformation of the agriculture and forestry sectors from greenhouse gas sources to sinks within 30 years;
- a transformation of our relationship with nature to one that conserves, restores, and enhances its benefits for people and planet.
- A Biosphere stewardship—the pursuit of social-ecological sustainability, from local to global scale, that ensures the health and resilience of Earth’s life support systems—is an indispensable guiding principle and building block for the successful implementation of these transformations.
- The combination of local and indigenous knowledge with international technical and financial support is vital for enabling effective stewardship.
Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
Difficulty level: Easy
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 write about the ecotones and their importance and the need to conserve them.
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 defining ecotone.
Body:
First, mention briefly how ecotones are formed. Mentioned about the edge effect.
Next, write about the importance of ecotones – providing an area for a large number of species, nesting, food provisions, greater genetic diversity, serve as bridges of “gene flow” and buffer-zone” protecting the neighbouring ecosystem from possible environmental damage.
Next, write about the need to conserve them.
Conclusion:
Conclude by summarising the importance and how Ecotones provide a sensitive indicator of global change.
Introduction
The transition zone between two ecosystems is called an ecotone. It is an area that represents the boundary between two ecosystems. This area is of high environmental and scientific importance. Marshy land, grassland ecosystem are few examples of Ecotones.
Body
Significance of Ecotones
- Ecotones, in simple terms, are transitional lands, which is why they provide such valuable insights and information regarding the evolution of the topography.
- Ecotones are also very special when it comes to species diversity.
- The transitioning region boasts species richnessand elaborate biodiversity.
- This is because they contain animal and plant species from both the adjacent ecosystems.
- This phenomenon is formally referred to as the edge effect.
- Ecotones act as biodiversity hotspotsbetween two ecosystems.
- Because this region borders two well-defined ecosystems, it promotes gene flowfrom one community to another, thereby giving rise to interesting variations.
- As such, ecotones hold evolutionary significance for researchers.
- Ecotones are the biological analogues of buffer states. They act as buffer regions when catastrophic conditions strike and protect the adjacent ecosystem from any prospective dangers.
- For instance, if a tsunami hits a coast, it’s usually the mangrove vegetation that acts as the shock absorbers. It prevents a massive amount of danger from infiltrating the terrestrial region.
Conclusion
Moreover, such a region is also very susceptible to climate- and human-induced changes. These changes result in modifications related to the biodiversity, structure, and functioning of the thriving flora and fauna.
General Studies – 4
Topic: Case Study
(a) What are the options available to Rakesh to meet the above situation?
(b) Critically examine each of the options identified by Rakesh.
(c) What are the ethical dilemmas being faced by Rakesh?
(d) What course of action would Rakesh adopt to diffuse the above situation?
(250 words) (UPSC 2022)
Difficulty level: Moderate
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by giving the context. Bring out the key stakeholders in the above case study.
Body:
In the body, write about the ethical dilemmas present in the case.
Next, Write about the various options available to Rakesh and their pros and cons.
Next, write about the action that Rakesh must take in order resolve the issue.
Conclusion:
Conclude by stressing on the importance of rationality and compassion in such cases.
Introduction
The above case holds a mirror to the road rage that is frequently seen in busy metros of India. Unfortunately, some of them turn vicious leading to loss of life and limb. In the above case study, the various possible stakeholders are
- Rakesh, joint commissioner in transport department of a city.
- Deceased bus driver.
- Deceased driver’s family which has his wife, two school- college going daughters.
- Survived car driver.
- Union of city transport department.
- General public.
Body
- A) Possible options available to Rakesh to meet the above situations-
- Rakesh can accept both demands of transport union.
- Rakesh can reject the both demand of transport union.
- Rakesh can accept one of demand of department comfort and can reject another.
- Rakesh can send strict warning to those who are involve in strike and can use police force to resolve the dialogue.
- Rakesh can appoint a departmental enquiry team which include half members from union and half from department.
- B) Critically examining each of options identified by Rakesh
1.Rakesh can accept both demands of transport union
Merits:
- Deadlock can resolve soon and transport department can start working in full capacity.
- Deceased driver’s family would get instant justice.
- After resolving deadlock, Rakesh can use his time and energy on departmental work. This can enhance the productivity of department.
Demerits:
- This activity can override police investigation report which cites that quarrel started by bus driver.
- It can send wrong message to other bus drivers.
- It can become the case of departmental jurisprudence.
- Rakesh can reject the both demands of transport union
Merits:
- Department’s exchequer can be saved.
- Department management’s decision would prevail.
Demerits:
- Deadlock can be continued for long.
- Productivity and efficiency of department can be reduced.
- Deceased driver’s family can face serious economic and livelihood concerns.
- Rakesh can send strict warning to those who are involve in strike and can use police force to resolve the dialogue-
Merits:
- It is possible that by introducing element of warning and fear of police force, most of union worker can resume their work.
Demerits:
- This action can make the situation violent.
- It can introduce the elements of trust deficit and bitterness among the union workers and department management.
- Productivity of department can be poorer.
4.Rakesh can appoint a departmental enquiry committee
The committee can comprise equal members from union and equal from department and some from police department. Union should resume work and wait for committee decision. Till the time committee comes out with a conclusion, he can organise departmental funding to help family.
Merits:
- It can be the win- win situation for department management, transport union and police department.
- It can result in all aggregable resolution points.
- It can set an example of all party integrated dispute resolution system.
- Police department can provide the solution of appropriate proportionate legal angle which can motivate department management to be more sympathetic and kinder towards deceased driver’s family.
Demerits:
- Because of all parties involve so It can take time to reach a conclusion.
- Wastage of energy, time, resources if it ended in no conclusive state.
- C) Possible ethical dilemmas being faced by Rakesh
- Principal of natural justice vs Due process of Law:
- Principal of natural justice appeals that deceased’s family should get extra compensation and job to his family but due process of law hinders the department management to do so.
- Right vs Duty:
- He is facing dilemma of public duty as a joint commissioner vs extra compensation and job rights of deceased family.
- Public accountability vs Personal accountability:
- As a public servant, he is accountable to public service and activity delivered by him. On other hand, on compassionate and empathetic ground he is accountable to his personal conscience.
- Code of conduct vs Code of ethics:
- Code of conduct demands what conduct rules and regulation say. Code of ethics demands the way of ‘what ought to do’ under the domain of morality.
- Morality vs Law:
- Morality is what ought to do under principal of natural justice. While law follow the statutory rules and regulations under the domain of procedure establish by law or due course of law.
- Conflict of Conscience:He is facing the dilemma of crisis of conscience as public servant being vs personal being.
- D) Possible course of action by virtue which Rakesh can diffuse the above situation
Rakesh has many courses of action to implement, but the most suitable in the above situation would be to appoint a ‘Departmental enquiry committee’. The committee could comprise equal members from Transport Union and equal from Department management and some from Police Department. Union should resume work and wait for committee decision. Since, committee decision process is time taking so he can organise departmental funding or personal funding to help out deceased family in the meantime.
Merits –
- It can be the win- win situation for department management, transport union and police department.
- It can result in all aggregable resolution points.
- Transport union can resume functioning for time being.
- It can set an example of all party integrated dispute resolution system.
- Police department can provide the solution of appropriate proportionate legal angle which can motivate department management to be more sympathetic and kind towards deceased driver’s family.
Although, it can be a time taking process due to involvement of various parties but the final conclusion of this committee can be more comprehensive, majority agreeable, inclusive. Hence, Rakesh should use this integrated and all participative course of action to diffuse the above situation.
If any extreme case, committee decision is not in favour of deceased family then Rakesh as an empathetic and compassionate public servant, should organise departmental crowdfunding to help out driver’s family. As a joint commissioner, he should also provide some ad hoc job to elder daughter of family.
Join our Official Telegram Channel HERE
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel HERE
Join our Twitter Account HERE
Follow our Instagram Account HERE
