[Mission 2023] Insights SECURE SYNOPSIS: 25 November 2022

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

General Studies – 1

Topic: Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.

1. The rise of hate speech in the country in recent years has been alarming. How does hate speech impact the society? What measures are needed to prevent hate speech? (250 words)

Difficulty level: Tough

Reference: Indian Express

Why the question: 

Certain reports indicate that since May 2014, there has been a 490% increase in hate speeches by prominent personalities, the majority of whom are politicians.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about hate speech, its impact on the society and steps needed to curb it

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Begin by defining hate speech.

Body:

First, in detail write about the impact of hate speech on society – affects human rights and the rule of law. If left unaddressed, it can lead to acts of violence and conflict on a wider scale etc.

Next, write in detail about various legal and constitutional measures that have been provided for curbing hate speech. Also, mention measures needed to curb hate speech.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward. 

Introduction

The term hate speech is understood as any kind of communication in speech, writing or behaviour, that attacks or uses pejorative or discriminatory language with reference to a person or a group based on their religion, ethnicity, nationality, race, color, descent, gender or other identity factor.

The Law Commission, in its 267th report on hate speech, said such utterances have the potential to provoke individuals and society to commit acts of terrorism, genocide, and ethnic cleansing.

There is no international legal definition of hate speech, and the characterization of what is ‘hateful’ is controversial and disputed.

Body

Impact on the society

• Hate speech is a discursive process of pushing marginalised groups outside of social, economic and political spheres of society by disseminating hate propaganda and encouraging discrimination.
• At its most harmful, it is widely recognized as a precursor to ethnic cleansing.
• Internal Security: The Muzaffarnagar riots of 2013 was triggered by a fake video that incited communal passions. In the West, hate speech combined with fake news on minorities has induced an anti-immigration sentiment (e.g. : France, Italy, Greece)
• User homophily and Bubble phenomenon: Users with matching political views exchange one-sided information and opinions that suit their own convictions, reinforcing them even further, even if those were based on false information. E.g. : Twitter prompts users to follow those who express similar views or posts.
• Igniting extremist sentiments: Fake news’ perpetuates, previously locally found, extremist ideas and groups together dangerously like-minded people e.g. – Neo-Nazis in Germany, Separatists in Kashmir.
• Mob lynching: Rumours of child lifting in Jharkhand led to mob lynching on innocent victims.
• Violence: An atmosphere of violence and chaos is created directly or indirectly. The Christchurch Terror attack on a mosque by an extremist was a result of Islamophobia (a direct result of hate speech).
• Misinformation and disinformation due to hate speech and fake news have led to riots as seen in the Delhi Riots case 2020.

Legal Provisions to deal with hate speech

• Indian Penal Code:
  • Sections 153A and 153B of the IPC: Punishes acts that cause enmity and hatred between two groups.
  • Section 295A of the IPC: Deals with punishing acts which deliberately or with malicious intention outrage the religious feelings of a class of persons.
  • Sections 505(1) and 505(2): Make the publication and circulation of content which may cause ill-will or hatred between different groups an offence.
• Representation of People’s Act:
  • Section 8 of the Representation of People’s Act, 1951 (RPA): Prevents a person convicted of the illegal use of the freedom of speech from contesting an election.
  • Sections 123(3A) and 125 of the RPA: Bars the promotion of animosity on the grounds of race, religion, community, caste, or language in reference to elections and include it under corrupt electoral practices.

More measures needed

• For a country like India with a massive population of diverse backgrounds and culture, subjects like hate speech become a complex issue to deal with as it is difficult to differentiate between free and hate speech.
• Several factors are to be considered while restraining speeches like the number of strong opinions, offensive to certain communities, the effect on the values of dignity, liberty, and equality.
• Certainly, there are laws for such atrocities, but a major part of work is still left.

Way forward

• Clarity and technological upgradations needed to deal with this and a mechanism to get down such material, which is prone to disturb social setup.
• Improving the level of training in equality and non-discrimination among police forces and legal bodies, improving research and encouraging reporting of such content.
• Indian government has been pushing for internet platforms to locate their servers in the country, which might help address dangerous speech in real time.
• Generating contra-narratives on social networks and raising public awareness through campaigns to tackle extremism.
• There can be an internationally accepted law that places the responsibility on social media companies like Facebook to tackle hate speech by deleting obviously illegal content within 24 hours if there is a request from the Government of a particular nation.
• Social media platforms need to take responsibility to ensure transparency, accountability and a system of rules and guidelines that users can recognize as standards, and which when enforced in a regularized fashion can begin to act as precedents. Thus, users, police and civil society actors will have a clear sense of what kind of material is likely to be taken down.
• Public authorities must be held accountable for dereliction of the duty of care and also for non-compliance with this court’s orders by not taking action to prevent vigilante groups from inciting communal disharmony and spreading hate against citizens of the country and taking the laws into their own hands.
• Therefore, giving a proper definition to hate speech would be the first step to deal with the menace and other initiatives such as spreading awareness amongst the public is the need of the hour.

General Studies – 2

Topic: Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.

2. One nation, one election could be a step in the right direction. However, developing political consensus for it looks difficult to achieve. Examine. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Indian Express , Insights on India

Why the question:

‘One nation, one election’ is not a new concept. Though not explicitly stated in the statute books, it seems to have been the assumption of the framers of our Constitution. Midterm elections, either in the states or the Centre, were envisaged to be an exception rather than the rule.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about possibility of holding simultaneous elections of the parliament and state legislatures in the country.

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: 

Begin by giving context of ‘One Nation, One election’.

Body:

In the first part, write about advantages of simultaneous elections.

Next, write about the feasibility and India’s preparedness to conduct simultaneous election in India – 5 elections to legislatures per year, capability of election commission, growing political will etc.

Next, write about the limitations that hinder conduct of simultaneous elections in India.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a balanced opinion regard the conduct of simultaneous elections.

Introduction

Simultaneous elections refer to holding elections to Lok Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, Panchayats and Urban local bodies simultaneously, once in five years. The idea of holding elections simultaneously is in news after it got a push from Prime Minister and ex-President of India. However, political parties are divided on the issue of holding simultaneous elections

The political parties of Kashmir recently impressed upon the Election Commission of India (ECI) to hold the assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir simultaneously with the upcoming Lok Sabha elections

Body:

The Law Commission of India has also proposed holding simultaneous state and general elections and has sought public opinion on its recommendations regarding the same. Simultaneous elections were held in India during the first two decades of independence.

Merits of Simultaneous elections:

• Governance and consistency:
  • The ruling parties will be able to focus on legislation and governance rather than having to be in campaign mode forever.
  • Parties and workers spending too much time and money in electioneering can make use of the time for social work and to take people-oriented programmes to the grassroots.
  • To overcome the “policy paralysis and governance deficit” associated with imposition of the Model Code of Conduct at election time which leads to putting on hold all developmental activities on that area and also affects the bureaucracy’s functioning.
• Reduced Expenditure of Money and Administration:
  • The entire State and District level administrative and security machinery will be busy with the conduct of elections twice in a period of five years as per the current practice.
  • Expenditure can be reduced by conducting simultaneous elections.
  • It is felt that crucial manpower is often deployed on election duties for a prolonged period of time. If simultaneous elections are held, then this manpower would be made available for other important tasks.
  • For instance, for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, which was held along with 4 state assemblies saw the deployment of 1077 in situ companies and 1349 mobile companies of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF).
• Continuity in policies and programmes:
  • Will limit the disruption to normal public life associated with elections, such as increased traffic and noise pollution.
  • Large numbers of teachers are involved in the electoral process which causes maximum harm to the education sector.
• Efficiency of Governance:
  • Simultaneous elections can bring the much-needed operational efficiency in this exercise.
  • Populist measures by governments will reduce.
• Curbs Vices:
  • During frequent elections there is increase in “vices” such as communalism, casteism, corruption and crony capitalism.
  • Simultaneous elections can also be a means to curb corruption and build a more conducive socio-economic ecosystem.
  • The impact of black money on the voters will be reduced as all elections are held at a time.

Challenges to simultaneous elections:

• Illiteracy:
  • Not all voters are highly educated to know who to vote for. They may get confused and may not know whether they are voting for candidates contesting assembly or parliament elections.
  • IDFC study says that there is 77% chance that the Indian voter will vote for the same party for both the state and centre, when elections are held simultaneously.
  • Evidence from Brazil, Argentina, Canada, Germany, the US and Europe supports the idea that elections that are held simultaneously produce greater alignment between national and regional election outcomes.
• Functional issues:
  • Frequent elections bring the politicians back to the voters, create jobs and prevent the mixing of local and national issues in the minds of the voters.
  • There is a dearth of enough security and administrative officials to conduct simultaneous free and fair elections throughout the country in one go.
• Changes in Constitution and Legislations:
  • The following constitutional changes need to be made:
  • Amendments needed in the following articles:
    • Article 83 which deals with the duration of Houses of Parliament need an amendment
    • Article 85 (on dissolution of Lok Sabha by the president)
    • Article 172 (relating to the duration of state legislatures)
    • Article 174 (relating to dissolution of state assemblies)
    • Article 356 (on President’s Rule).
  • The Representation of People Act, 1951 Act would have to be amended to build in provisions for stability of tenure for both parliament and assemblies. This should include the following crucial elements:
  • Restructuring the powers and functions of the ECI to facilitate procedures required for simultaneous elections
  • A definition of simultaneous election can be added to section 2 of the 1951 act
  • Articles 83 and 172 along with articles with articles 14 and 15 of the 1951 act be appropriately amended to incorporate the provision regarding remainder of the term i.e.., post mid elections, the new loksabha/assembly so constituted shall be only for the remainder of the term of the previous loksabha or assembly and not for a fresh term of five years.
• Constructive vote of no confidence:
  • The 170^th law commission report suggested a new rule i.e., rule 198-A has to be added to rules of procedure and conduct of business in Lok Sabha and similar amendment to such rules in the state legislatures.
  • The report suggested introduction of motion of no confidence in the incumbent government along with a motion of confidence in the alternative government.
  • To avoid premature dissolution of the house/state assemble in case of Hung parliament /assembly and to advance simultaneous elections the rigour of anti-defection law laid under in tenth schedule be removed as an exception.
• Local and national issues will get mixed up distorting priorities.
• The terms of different state governments are ending on separate dates and years.
• Spirit of Constitution:
  • One nation, one election” would make sense if India were a unitary state. So “one nation, one election” is anti-democratic.
  • Simultaneous elections threaten the federal character of our democracy.
  • Frequent elections act as checks and balances on the functioning of elected representatives.

Way forward:

• Any changes must require both a constitutional amendment and judicial approval that they do not violate the “basic structure” of the Constitution.
• A focused group of constitutional experts, think tanks, government officials and representatives of political parties should be formed to work out appropriate implementation related details.
• Other alternatives should be explored to reduce election related expenses like
  • State funding of elections
  • Decriminalisation of politics
  • Bringing in transparency in political funding
  • Setting up National Electoral Fund to which all donors can contribute.
• One year one election as suggested by Election Commission can be executed by amending Section 15 of the RP Act 1951. If the six-month stipulation is extended to nine or 10 months, elections to all states, whose term is expiring in one year, can be held together.
• The Law Commission of India in its report of 1999 has dealt with the problem of premature and frequent elections. It had recommended an amendment of this rule on the lines of the German Constitution, which provides that the leader of the party who wants to replace the chancellor has to move the no-confidence motion along with the confidence motion. If the motions succeed, the president appoints him as the chancellor.
  • If such an amendment to Rule 198 is made, the Lok Sabha would avoid premature dissolution without diluting the cardinal principle of democracy that is a government with the consent of the peoples’ representatives with periodical elections.
  • It will also be consistent with the notion of collective responsibility of the government to the House as mentioned in Article 75 (3) of the Constitution.

Conclusion:

Election Commission’s idea of “one year one election” will better suited as it will require fewer amendments to the constitution, it will respect the essence of the exercise of popular will, unlike one nation one election which prioritizes economic costs of elections over the exercise itself, it will avoid clubbing of national and state issues, it will not disturb federalism much, not much issues generated by emergencies like need to hold by-election etc. will be addressed by this option.

Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

3. India and Australia share common values, complementary economies and strong people to people links that make them ideal trade partners as well as strategic allies. Analyse. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: The Hindu , Insights on India

Why the question:

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s administration that assumed office a little over a month after his predecessor and now Leader of Opposition Scott Morrison signed the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) with India, has steered its ratification through Parliament.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the various facets of India-Australia relations especially with respect to space, critical minerals, strategic research, people-to-people links, security and stability of the Indo-Pacific.

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: 

Start with brief background of the context of the question.

Body:

First, write about the various aspects of growing trade between India and Australia – recently introduced Update to Australia’s India Economic Strategy, space, critical minerals, strategic research and people-to-people links to boost cooperation with India, business engagement and an increased Australian presence in India etc.

Next, write about security in the Indo-pacific – formation of AUKUS, QUAD and overall aspect of China.

Next, write about various bottlenecks in bilateral ties between both the nations.

Conclusion:

Suggest way forward and conclude.

Introduction

India and Australia have several commonalities, which serve as a foundation for closer cooperation and multifaceted interaction, on lines similar to what India has developed with other Western countries. Both are strong, vibrant, secular and multicultural democracies.

The relationship has grown in strength and importance since India’s economic reforms in the nineties and has made rapid strides in all areas – trade, energy and mining, science & technology, information technology, education and defence.

Body

Convergence between India-Australia

• Rule of law: Apart from being two English-speaking, multicultural, federal democracies that believe in and respect the rule of law
• Strategic interest: Both have a strategic interest in ensuring a balance in the Indo-Pacific and in ensuring that the region is not dominated by any one hegemonic power.
• Skilled migrants: In addition, Indians are today the largest source of skilled migrants in Australia.
• Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA): The economic relationship, already robust, could potentially be transformed if the promise of the new Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA)is realized.

Trade partners and strategic allies

• Convergence: Chinese aggression and assertive foreign policy are common concerns and has brought both the democracies closer. Both have shared interests in vision of a free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific region.
  • Both are part of QUAD, and also proposed Supply Chain Resilience Initiative.
  • Australia’s Pacific Step Up and India’s Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC)reaffirm their cooperation in the South Pacific region.
• Economic relations: Bilateral goods and services trade between two was $30.3 billion in 2018-19, and the level of two-way investment was $30.7 billion in 2018.
  • In 2018, Australia announced implementation of “An India Economic Strategy to 2035”, a vision document to shape India- Australia bilateral ties.
  • India is also preparing an Australia Economic Strategy Paper (AES)on similar lines.
  • This was after fallout of Australia and China.
• Progress after fallout with China: Elevated the “2+2” engagement to the level of Foreign and Defence Ministers (from secretary level), where strategic discussions will be taking place every two years. India already has such mechanism with USA and Japan.
  • Both have shared interests in vision of a free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific region.
  • Both are part of QUAD, and also proposed Supply Chain Resilience Initiative.
  • Australia’s Pacific Step Up and India’s Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC)reaffirm their cooperation in the South Pacific region.
• Technology and Research: The two nations are working on a new and renewable energy partnership, to support the development of technologies such as green hydrogen and ultra-low cost solar.
  • Australia is also supporting research and investment to unlock Australian critical minerals for Indian advanced manufacturing.
• Defence and security cooperation: Both signed Strategic Partnership, including a Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation in 2009.
  • Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement was signed 2014 between two, enabling India to secure uranium from Australia.

Limitations of India-Australia ties

• Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA)still remains inconclusive after 9 rounds of negotiations.
• India opted out fromRegional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Among other things, India and Australia could not agree regarding market access over agriculture and dairy products.
• Australia’s economy is heavily dependent on China, with China being Australia’s largest trading partner, accounting for 26 % of its trade with the world.
• The prospects for bilateral relationship are recognized in both countries as strategically useful, economically productive and aligned with each other’s new agenda.
  • However, it is recognized that the natural synergy has so far not been exploited fully.
  • Countries should conclude CECA at the earliest, to realize the economic opportunities.

Way forward

• Enhancing shared framework: While this is the first Dialogue since 2019, two nations have only grown closer together through enhancing shared framework for regional security, promoting business and commercial opportunities and strengthening people to people links, bilaterally and multilaterally.
• Fifth largest global economy: As India marks 75 years of Independence and surpasses the United Kingdom as the fifth largest global economy, the momentum around this fifth Australia-India Leaderships Dialogue and the bilateral fruit it may bear should not be underestimated.
• Diplomatic maneuvering and economic and military assertion: Appropriate diplomatic maneuvering and economic and military assertion is vital for the implementation of India’s interests in the Indi-Pacific region along with leveraging space as a building block for a multipolar world order.
• Rule based multipolar order: India’s view is to work with other like-minded countries in the Indo-Pacific region to cooperatively manage a rules-based multipolar regional order and prevent any single power from dominating the region or its waterways.

Conclusion

Based on several commonalities and closely aligned values in principles of democracy, liberty, the rule of law, human rights, freedom of speech, free press and multiculturalism both must enhance the bilateral relationship by expanding engagement in various sectors like defence industry and commercial cyber activity etc.

General Studies – 3

Topic: Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping;

4. The Public Distribution System (PDS) has helped bring about socio-economic justice by helping alleviate hunger, malnutrition, anaemia among poorest of the poor. Evaluate its shortcomings and write about how the use of ICT could increase the efficiency of PDS. (250 words)

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 (Revision) Secure timetable.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about achievements of PDS, its limitations and step needed to increase its efficiency.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Begin by giving context of PDS and its role in delivery of food grains.

Body:

In the first part, write about the importance of PDS for the development of the country and addressing hunger and malnutrition.

Next, mention the various bottlenecks, limitations and the shortcomings with respect to PDS in India. Cite statistics and reports to substantiate your points.

Next, write about the steps that are required to ensure a seamless supply chain to overcome hunger and malnutrition.

Conclusion:

Conclude with a way forward.

Introduction

The Public Distribution System (PDS) is an Indian food security system which evolved as a system for distribution of food grains at affordable prices and management of emergency situations. It distributes subsidized food and non-food items to India’s poor. This scheme was launched in June 1947. It functions through a network of Fair Price Shops at a subsidized price on a recurring basis.

The government recently said nearly 6.83 lakh tonnes (lt) of fortified rice has been distributed under the Public Distribution System (PDS) in the second phase beginning April this year.

Body

Importance of PDS

• Food grains to the poor, at prices lower than the price of food grains at private shops.
• Food grains are directly purchased from farmers, assuring farmers with a greater price.
• Make goods available to consumers, especially the disadvantaged /vulnerable sections of society at fair prices.
• Rectify the existing imbalances between the supply and demand for consumer goods. Check and prevent hoarding and black marketing in essential commodities.
• Ensure social justice in distribution of basic necessities of life.
• Even out fluctuations in prices and availability of mass consumption goods.
• Support poverty-alleviation programmes, particularly, rural employment programmes, (SGRY/SGSY/IRDP/ Mid-day meals, ICDS, DWCRA, SHGs and Food for Work and educational feeding programmes.

Challenges faced by PDS

Procurement:

• Open-ended Procurement: All incoming grains accepted even if buffer stock is filled creating a shortage in the open market.
• The recent implementation of Nation food security act would only increase the quantum of procurement resulting in higher prices for grains.
• The gap between required and existing storage capacity.
• The provision of minimum support price has encouraged farmers to divert land from production of coarse grains that are consumed by poor, to rice and wheat.

Storage:

• Inadequate storage capacity with FCI.
• Food grains rotting or damaging on the CAP or Cover & Plinth storage.
• The storage of food grains inculcates high carrying costs on the government.

Allocation of food grains:

• Identification of poor by the states is not fool proof. A large number of poor and needy persons are left out and a lot of fake cards are also issued.
• Illicit Fair Price shops: The shop owners have created a large number of bogus cards or ghost cards (cards for non-existent people) to sell food grains in the open market.

Transportation:

• Leakage and diversion of food grains during transportation.
• Uneven distribution of Food generations, procurement and distribution. For example: north eastern states are very far from Punjab and Haryana, from where wheat is procured. To transport food grains from Punjab to far flung areas in North east will entail cost and time both.

Other issues:

• Many times, good quality food grains are replaced with poor quality cheap food grains.
• Public distribution system includes only few food grains such as wheat and rice, it does not fulfil the requirement of complete nutrition.
• Fair Price Shop owner gets fake Ration cards and sell the food grains in the open market.

PDS Reforms undertaken by Government

• Aadhaar Linked and digitized ration cards: This allows online entry and verification of beneficiary data. It also enables online tracking of monthly entitlements and off-take of food grains by beneficiaries.
• Computerized Fair Price Shops: FPS automated by installing ‘Point of Sale’ device to swap the ration card. It authenticates the beneficiaries and records the quantity of subsidized grains given to a family.
• DBT: Under the Direct Benefit Transfer scheme, cash is transferred to the beneficiaries’ account in lieu of food grains subsidy component. They will be free to buy food grains from anywhere in the market. For taking up this model, pre-requisites for the States/UTs would be to complete digitization of beneficiary data and seed Aadhaar and bank account details of beneficiaries. It is estimated that cash transfers alone could save the exchequer Rs. 30,000 crores every year.
• Use of GPS technology: Use of Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to track the movement of trucks carrying food grains from state depots to FPS which can help to prevent diversion.
• SMS-based monitoring: Allows monitoring by citizens so they can register their mobile numbers and send/receive SMS alerts during dispatch and arrival of TPDS commodities
• Use of web-based citizens’ portal: Public Grievance Redressal Machineries, such as a toll-free number for call centres to register complaints or suggestions.

Way forward

• Primacy should be given to ensuring that the functioning of FCI is streamlined and fast paced as per recommendations of the Shanta Kumar Committee.
• 100 lakh ton silo storage capacity must be created in the country. For this, RITES has been assigned the task of changing the silo model and they will give their recommendations in 90 days to FCI.
• At present, there are 3 types of labourers in FCI namely Departmental, Daily Payment System (DPS) and No work no pay workers along with contractual labour. Government of India is deliberating to finish the 3 different arrangements and bring all workers of FCI under a single, uniform system which will bring stability of tenure and secured wages for all.
• To improve the usage of Information Technology in FCI, a Human Resource Management System (HRMS) must be implemented.

Conclusion

PDS has helped bring about the socio-economic justice by helping alleviate hunger, malnutrition, anaemia among poorest of the poor, BPL citizens, women and children. The use of ICT to reduce the touch-points will further increase the efficiency of PDS.

Topic: Major crops-cropping patterns in various parts of the country, – different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints;

5. Agriculture is the key to alleviate rural poverty, stop distress migration and most importantly ensuring food security in India. Discuss. (250 words)

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 (Revision) Secure timetable.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the importance of agriculture to Indian economy.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Begin by giving a brief about role of agriculture in Indian economy. Cite statistics to substantiate.

Body:

First, write about the role of agriculture in alleviating rural poverty and how agriculture plays an important in it.

Next, write as to how agriculture prevents distress migration by ensuring livelihoods and incomes to the farmers.

Next, write about the role agriculture in ensuring food security in India and cite statistics to substantiate.

Conclusion:

Conclude by summarising.

Introduction

While the 14 volumes of the Dalwai Committee Report on doubling farmers’ income provided a road map for transition from a mere Green Revolution to an Income Revolution for farmers, the country is yet to solve the ‘Riddle of Agriculture distress’.

Background: Need for agrarian reforms

• Agriculture currently contributes just about 15% to the national output and about 50% of the population directly or indirectly depends on it for employment.
• Farmer distress is a real and pressing problem, as evidenced by the protests currently taking place in various parts of the country.
• In the past, Government strategy primarily focused on raising agricultural output and improving food security rather than recognising the need to raise farmer’s income.
• Low global prices have affected exports and the cheaper imports have hurt domestic prices in the country.
• Natural disasters and crop loss leading to impoverishment of rural households.
• Increasing demographic pressure, disguised employment in agriculture and conversion of agricultural land for alternative uses, have drastically reduced the average land holding.

Challenges faced by Agriculture sector

• Institutional vis-à-vis Non-Institutional Agricultural Credit: Traditionally, rural agrarian credit needs were met primarily through money-lenders, which led to large scale indebtedness.
• Small land holdings: It is fragmented and 87% of farmers are small farmers doing subsistence farming.
• Low productivity: Indian farms are smaller (1-2 hectares on average), making it harder to achieve economies of scale.
• Low mechanization: It is relatively low and Indian farmers do not utilise many high-yield input varieties used in other agri-producing countries.
• High logistics costs: India’s cost of logistics is currently around 14% of GDP – higher than developed country exporters like the US (9.5%).
• Limited value addition: India is a more prolific exporter of primary commodities than of value-added agriculture products – the country ranks 10th globally in processed meat, 18th in the export of processed fruits and vegetables and 35th in dairy.
  • Reasons for low value addition include relative lack of private sector investment and adequate incentives.
• Procurement: 69 to 73% of the rice and wheat produced in 14 years was not procured by FCI/state agencies.
  • Food Corporation of India (FCI) and state government agencies are one of the main platforms available to the farmers for sale of agriculture produce, but these agencies cannot be a wholesome substitute for an efficient marketing system, said the 4th volume of the Dalwai Committee Report on doubling farmers income.
• Shortage of APMC markets: In 5 states—Bihar, Kerala, Manipur, Mizoram and Sikkim—these markets do not exist.
  • Further, there is no APMC market in the UTs of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli too.
• Infrastructure shortage: The poor state of infrastructure in these markets is another important aspect which continues to be ignored. Just 15 per cent of the APMC markets have cold storage facilities. Weighing facilities are available in only 49 per cent of the markets.

Reforms suggested

• ICAR and Saus should develop models of farming system for different types of socioeconomic and bio physical settings combining all their technologies in a package with focus on farm income.
  • This would involve combining technology and best practices covering production, protection and post-harvest value addition for each sub systems with other sub systems like crop sequences, crop mix, livestock, horticulture, forestry.
  • Such shift requires interdisciplinary approach to develop on knowledge of all disciplines.
• About one third of the increase in farmers’ income is easily attainable through better price realization, efficient post-harvest management, competitive value chains and adoption of allied activities.
  • This requires comprehensive reforms in market, land lease and raising of trees on private land.
• Agriculture has suffered due to absence of modern capital and modern knowledge.
  • There is a need to liberalise agriculture to attract responsible private investments in production and market.
  • Similarly, FPOs and FPCs can play big role in promoting small farm business.
• Precision farming: Evidence is growing about scope of agronomic practices like precision farming to raise production and income of farmers substantially.
• Target markets for export: Identify markets with high export potential for competitive value chains and sign beneficial bilateral or multilateral trade agreements with them, raising sanitary and phytosanitary production levels to meet their quality standards and negotiating with them to remove non-tariff barriers.
• Solve Value Chain Clusters (VCC) holistically with focus on value addition: The clusters would also serve to converge the government’s spends and schemes, as well as seek any additional funding required, for building the necessary infrastructure at competitive costs for value addition, promoting research and development and promoting “Brand India” in global markets.
• Similarly, modern machinery such as laser land leveller, precision seeder and planter, and practices like SRI (system of rice intensification), direct seeded rice, zero tillage, raised bed plantation and ridge plantation allow technically highly efficient farming.
  • However, these technologies developed by the public sector have very poor marketability.
  • They require strong extension for the adoption by farmers
• Technological innovations, along with price support measures and the supply of subsidized key inputs like irrigation, fertilizer, and electricity, have played an important role in the growth of Indian agriculture.
• A policy shift from price to income support under the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) program is deemed better as it would incentivize farmers as money is transferred to their bank accounts and bring in much needed efficiency in input use

Conclusion

The government should shift its focus from providing only price support to farmers and focus on building better infrastructure, minimizing the gap between farmers and the market, land reforms, policy reforms to increase flow of credit to farmers, establishing food-processing industries for perishable goods, providing better irrigation facilities etc so, that agriculture emerges as a viable means of sustenance.

Value Addition

Initiatives by the government

• Per Drop More Crop : Centre set up a Micro Irrigation Fund under NABARD with a corpus of 2000cr and 3000crfor 2019 and 2020 respectively.
  • Assistance to states will be given at concessional rates.
  • The target is to bring 10 million hectares under Micro-Irrigation.
• Diversification towards high value crops: IFPRI and ICAR are promoting horticulture crops such as pomegranate and mushroom farming with adequate skills training to farmers.
• Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH): Enhance horticulture production, augment farmers, income and strengthen nutritional security; Improve productivity by way of quality germplasm, planting material and water use efficiency through Micro Irrigation.
• Soil Health Cards: The objectives of the Soil Health Card (SHC) scheme are to issue soil health cards to farmers every two years so as to provide a basis to address nutritional deficiencies in fertilization practices. Soil testing reduces cultivation cost by application of right quantity of fertilizer. It ensures additional income to farmers by increase in yields and it also promotes sustainable farming.
• Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana:
  • In order to promote organic farming, the government has started the Paramparagat Krish iVikas Yojana (PKVY), under which 2 lakh hectares has been made suitable for organic farming thereby benefitting 5 lakh farmers.
  • It is to to ensure a successful “Organic Farming Revolution” in India on the lines of “Green Revolution” so that the farming community benefits from it.
• Ensuring Credit availability to enhance productivity
  • Kisan Credit Cards provides agriculture credit to farmers at subsidized rates, with a 2% interest subvention (IS) and Prompt Repayment Incentive (PRI) of 3% so as to make the effective rate of interest as 4%.
  • PM-KISAN: With a view to provide income support to all farmers’ families across the country, to enable them to take care of expenses related to agriculture and allied activities as well as domestic needs, the Central Government started a new Central Sector Scheme, namely, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)
    • The scheme aims to provide a payment of Rs. 6000/- per year, in three 4-monthly instalments of Rs. 2000/- to the farmers, subject to certain exclusions relating to higher income groups.
  • Minimum Support Price was enhanced to 1.5 times the cost of production for the year 2019-2020.

Topic: Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, Nano-technology, biotechnology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.

6. Artemis is the first step in the next era of human exploration. Discuss the significance of NASA’s Artemis-I mission. Throw light on the pioneering technologies being used in this mission. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Easy

Reference: The Hindu , Insights on India

Why the question:

The US-led Artemis programme, however, aims to return humans to the Moon this decade – with Artemis 1 on its way back to Earth as part of its first test flight, going around the Moon.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the significance of NASA’s Artemis-I and pioneering technologies being used in it.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Start by giving aims and objectives of Artemis-I.

Body:

First, write about the major features of the mission.

Next, write about the significance of the Artemis-I – scientific discovery, economic benefits, and inspiration for a new generation, global alliance and explore deep space for the benefit of all etc.

Next, write about the pioneering technologies being used as part of the mission- Artemis Base Camp on the surface and the Gateway in lunar orbit, Advances in robotic exploration, new Space Launch System etc.

Conclusion:

Conclude by summarising.

Introduction

Artemis– Acceleration, Reconnection, Turbulence and Electrodynamics of Moon’s Interaction with the Sun. It is NASA’s next mission to the Moon. After multiple delays caused by technological failures and natural disasters spread across two months, the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket has been lifted off from the Kennedy Space Centre in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Body

About Artemis Mission

• Artemis I is an uncrewed mission of NASA.
  • Named after the sister of Apollo in Greek mythology, it is NASA’s successor to the Apollo lunar missions from fifty years ago.
• It will test the agency’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion crew capsule.
  • The SLS is the largest new vertical launch system NASA has created since the Saturn V rockets used in the 1960s and 1970s.
• Artemis I is the first in a series of increasingly complex missions to build a long-term human presence at the Moon for decades to come.
  • The primary goals for Artemis I are to demonstrate Orion’s systems in a spaceflight environment and ensure a safe re-entry, descent, splashdown, and recovery prior to the first flight with crew on Artemis II.
• It is only a lunar Orbiter mission even though, unlike most Orbiter missions, it has a return-to-Earth target.

Significance of Artemis I

• Artemis I is the first step into that new space age of achieving the promise of transporting humans to new worlds, of landing and living on other planets, or maybe meeting aliens.
• The CubeSats it will carry are equipped with instruments meant for specific investigations and experiments, including searching for water in all forms and for hydrogen that can be utilised as a source of energy.
• Biology experiments will be carried out, and the impact of deep space atmosphere on humans will be investigated through the effect on dummy ‘passengers’ on-board Orion.

Pioneering technologies used

• Advances in robotic exploration are exemplified by the suite of rovers on Mars, where Perseverance, Nasa’s latest prospector, can drive itself through rocky terrain with only limited guidance from Earth.
• Improvements in sensors and artificial intelligence (AI) will further enable the robots themselves to identify particularly interesting sites, from which to gather samples for return to Earth.
• Within the next one or two decades, robotic exploration of the Martian surface could be almost entirely autonomous, with human presence offering little advantage.
• Instead of astronauts, who need a well equipped place to live if they’re required for construction purposes, robots can remain permanently at their work site. Likewise, if mining of lunar soil or asteroids for rare materials became economically viable, this also could be done more cheaply and safely with robots.

Conclusion

The key difference between the Apollo era and today: the emergence of a strong, private space-technology sector, which now embraces human spaceflight. Private-sector companies are now competitive with Nasa, so high-risk, cut-price trips to Mars, bankrolled by billionaires and private sponsors, cold be crewed by willing volunteers. Ultimately, the public could cheer these brave adventurers without paying for them.

Value Addition

Moon exploration

• In 1959, the Soviet Union’s uncrewed Luna 1 and 2 became the first rover to visit the Moon.
• Before the USA sent the Apollo 11 mission to the Moon, it sent three classes of robotic missions between 1961 and 1968.
• After July 1969, 12 American astronauts walked on the surface of the Moon until 1972.
• In the 1990s, the USA resumed lunar exploration with robotic missions Clementine and Lunar Prospector.
• In 2009, it began a new series of robotic lunar missions with the launch of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) and the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS).
• In 2011, NASA began the ARTEMIS.
• In 2012, the Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) spacecraft studied the Moon’s gravity.
• Apart from the USA, the European Space Agency, Japan, China, and India have sent missions to explore the Moon. China landed two rovers on the surface, which includes the first-ever landing on the Moon’s far side in 2019.

General Studies – 4

Topic: Case Study

7. You are the Range Forest Officer (RFO). In your division, Forest guards intercepted a vehicle carrying what was suspected to be illegally felled timber. But an altercation broke out and in the melee that followed, five tribal villagers who were inside the vehicle and a forest guard were killed.

Tension brewed in the aftermath of the incident, with a forest office being burnt down by angry villagers as well as some vehicles in the vicinity. It was alleged that timber that was being carried was legitimate and the forest guards demanded bribe for it and that’s how the altercation started leading to the violence.

It has become a major national issue and National Commission of Scheduled Tribes has asked for an immediate report from you. There is immense media pressure as well for the RFO to take immediate appropriate action.

1. 1. As the RFO, what are the options available to you in this situation? Discuss their merits and demerits.
   2. What option will you chose? Justify.
   3. What can be done to prevent such incidents from happening in the future?

Introduction

Forest conservation is a joint responsibility of the community and the government. Only cooperation is the key to managing forest resources while co-existing peacefully without harming the biodiversity of the forest area. Being a forest officer will require to bring a balance between people and protection of forest hand in hand.

Body

1. Options available to me as a forest officer.

In this particular case, there can never be various options available. There is only one option available, which is to find the truth.

• Just by virtue of being a forest officer, I cannot take the side of office. A thorough investigation is needed to find out the truth.
• Calling witnesses separately and recording their statements will be the first step in the investigation. Gaining the trust of the village folks will be key in ensuring justice.
• It is also vexing that 5 tribals were killed, arousing suspicions. Hence it is a sensitive issue that needs a balancing act.

1. Option I will Choose

• I will take the help of local police authorities, villagers and witnesses. I will submit an impartial report, by being non-partisan to the National Commission of Scheduled Tribe.
• Ultimately one should understand that truth alone triumphs.
• Managing pressure is key in such situations and the single most important focus and goal must be in finding the truth as this is a dicey situation with moral dilemma.
• Repercussions will be there either way, but one must justify it and believe in it. And finding out the true cause of the altercation alone can help in easing the situation.
• Right compensation must be given to the people who lost their lives.

1. Preventing such situations in future

• Creating many check posts at different entries/exits of forest area.
• Recruitment of people under Joint Forest Management and sensitising them in protecting their own resources by their own ownership will be a right step.
• Using technology/sensors and rfid’s on trees to delineate and mark them.
• Forest survey to identify the number of trees and other resources.
• Frequent community building activities with villagers to build trust.

Conclusion

We should incorporate forest and conservation ethics. The essential task of forest ethics is to ensure that actions launched under the banner of ‘forest development’ do not diminish human wellbeing and vice-versa.

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