Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
2. The worsening winter air quality in north India has yet again brought into public focus the harmful effects of air pollution on our health. This public health emergency has resulted in calls for health to be made central to air pollution policymaking. Critically analyse. (250 words)
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
In India, in 2019, 17.8% of all deaths and 11.5% of respiratory, cardiovascular and other related diseases are attributable to high exposure to pollution (The Lancet).
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the steps taken so far to tackle air pollution and their successes and limitations and the need for health centric approach in tackling air pollution.
Directive word:
Critically analyze – When asked to analyse, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them in a summary. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a balanced judgment on the topic.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin the answer by giving air pollution statistics in India.
Body:
In brief, write about the impact of air pollution in India.
Next, write about the various policy measures like Air Pollution Act, National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), Commission for Air Quality Management, Graded Response Action Plan, National Ambient Air Quality Standard etc. write about the successes and limitations of the above measures aimed at improving air quality.
Next, write about the need to take an health centric approach to air pollution control policy making. Mention the advantages it can offer.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward with a way to overcome air pollution.
