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: Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: The Hindu , Insights on India
Why the question:
There is an element of intrigue that trails Subhas Chandra Bose’s persona, his life, disappearance and death. He was a dynamic personality of India’s freedom movement who inspired hundreds of Indians to join the struggle.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about steps taken by Bose towards National freedom, his belies and his present-day legacy.
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 a brief intro of Subhas Chandra Bose and his way of politics.
Body:
First, in detail, mention the various approach taken by Bose towards Indian freedom after resigning from Indian Civil Service.
Next, mention the various measures towards national reconstruction and his socialistic tendencies to achieve the same.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing about his legacy in the present day.
Introduction
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was an Indian nationalist, whose defiant patriotism made him a hero in India. Bose viewed freedom not only in terms of political self-rule but also freedom from socio-economic inequalities, casteism, intolerance etc. Bose held steadfast to a vision of large scale industrialisation and a politics devoid of irrationality and religiosity.
There is an element of intrigue that trails Subhas Chandra Bose’s persona, his life, disappearance and death. He was a dynamic personality of India’s freedom movement who inspired hundreds of Indians to join the struggle.
Body
Contribution to Indian National Movement:
- Indian National Army:
- Also known as ‘Azad Hind Fauj’ in 1943 was revived and was initially formed in 1942 by Rash Behari Bose.
- The assault by the INA was an important factor that eventually contributed to the British leaving India.
- The idea of Economic Planning:
- He espoused concrete economic planning and showed the way himself.
- Women Empowerment:
- Bose believed that women were equals of men, and should therefore be likewise prepared to fight and sacrifice for India’s liberation.
- Throughout the 1920’s and 1930’s he had campaigned in India to bring women more fully into the freedom struggle of the nation.
- A women’s regiment of Azad Hind Faujwas formed, which was under the command of Captain Lakshmi. It was called the Rani Jhansi regiment.
- Strong Leadership:
- The Azad Hind Fauj became the symbol of unity and heroism to the people of India. Bose motivated the troops with his fiery speeches.
- His famous quote is, “Give me blood, and I shall give you freedom!
- Mass mobilisation:
- Subhash Chandra Bose played an important role in mass mobilisation and rousing feeling of independence among them.
- Realising that manpower was India’s greatest resource, he proclaimed that all Indians should actively participate in the fight for freedom.
- With the formation of provincial government of Azad Hind, he appealed directly for total mobilisation to the mass of Indians.
- Youth leadership:
- Bose was also deeply committed to the youth movement. Convinced that young people were by nature idealistic, restless and open to new ideas, Bose worked with and put efforts to the new Youth Leagues that were formed in a number of provinces during the 1920’s.
- He motivated youth to join the cause of Indian freedom struggle.
- Bose believed that India’s liberation would be achieved only through the efforts and sacrifices of the conscious younger generation.
His legacy as message for today’s India
- He was non-communal and deeply secular. He appointed many Muslims to senior positions in the Indian National Army (INA).
- A much needed value for a peaceful India.
- Despite serious political differenceswith Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, he accorded them a lot of respect.
- He was the first who referred to Gandhi as Father of the Nation, in a radio speech, and also named two of the four INA regiments by the name of Gandhi and Nehru.
- A leaf can be drawn from this and inculcated with politicians in contemporary India.
- He was attracted by the ideology of Marxismand his ambition for post-independent Indian society was strongly egalitarian.
- He also believed in gender equality which is needed to empower women – about 50% of our population.
- He was attracted to military discipline, a much needed value for today’s youth of India.
Conclusion
Subhash Chandra Bose was a prominent figure in India’s freedom struggle. He was not only an efficient leader but played an important role in the freedom struggle. He is remembered for his active and aggressive role in Indian freedom struggle. His style of leadership was not only attractive but was a motivating factor for many to take up the cause for Indian freedom struggle.
Topic: History of the world will include events from 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc.— their forms and effect on the society.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Insights on India
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1 and mentioned as part of Mission-2023 Secure timetable.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about how the continental system played a part in the downfall of Napoleon.
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 defining continental system.
Body:
First, write about the design of continental system and how its major target was to cripple Britain Economically.
Next, write about the limitations of continental system with respect to its design, implementation, aspects of under estimation the economic prowess of Britain etc which led to its failure.
Next, mention other factors that were responsible for the downfall of Napoleon.
Conclusion:
Conclude by mentioning to what extent continental system was responsible for the downfall of Napoleon.
Introduction
Continental System, in the Napoleonic wars, the blockade designed by Napoleon to paralyze Great Britain through the destruction of British commerce. The decrees of Berlin and Milan proclaimed a blockade: neutrals and French allies were not to trade with the British. However, it proved largely ineffective and eventually led to Napoleon’s fall.
Napoleon was a French statesman and military leader who rose to prominence during the French Revolution and led several successful campaigns during the French Revolutionary Wars.
Body
The Continental System had some success in hurting British trade and economic interests. By some estimates, British trade declined by as much as fifty percent. It also benefited some parts of the French manufacturing sector by acting essentially as a protective tariff, making British imports unavailable or unaffordable in France and its territories. This stimulated the growth of some local manufacturing and many French capitalists and industrialists made large profits as a result of the embargo on British goods.
Flaws in the Continental System
- It killed many trade based industries and deeply hurt the economies of major French ports such as Marseilles. Moreover, the Continental System could not be strictly enforced.
- It was an impossible scheme. Every country was not expected to bear the innumerable stresses by following this scheme.
- French navy was not so powerful to control the vast sea.
- Most of the European countries including France depended British goods and they could not possibly live without these goods. But after the supply of these articles was stopped, people had to face great difficulties and they began to oppose this scheme vehemently. In 1807 Napoleon himself purchased fifty thousand overcoats from Great Britain through Holland at the time of the battle of Eyleau.
- The smuggling of goods became widespread in the entire Europe and Napoleon could not check this black marketing due to his weak navy.
- Portugal and Spain also did not join this scheme and extended their cooperation to England.
Conclusion
Napoleon’s ambition to implement the continental system dragged him to the peninsular war which he called “an ulcer that destroyed me”. The Portuguese and Spaniards turned and united against him at the battle of Trafalgar. This defeat proved to the world that Napoleon could be defeated, over 20,000 of his soldiers surrendered and it also weakened Napoleon’s military strength. This led to the downfall of Napoleon in 1815 . Thus, the continental system entangled Napoleon into disastrous Moscow campaign which was the turning point in his military and political career in France and Europe.
Topic: History of the world will include events from 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc.— their forms and effect on the society.
Difficulty level: Tough
Reference: Insights on India
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1 and mentioned as part of Mission-2023 Secure timetable.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about role of Bismarck in the unification of Germany and its impact.
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 giving context.
Body:
First, write about the policy of blood and iron is and how Bismarck employed it in the 3 wars he fought, and how it brought Germany closer to the goal of unification. Explain the various other policies of Bismarck which led to German Unification.
Next, write about the impact of Bismarckian policies on contemproray politics – alliances, secret alliances, isolation of France, colonialism etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude by summarising.
Introduction
The creation of the German Confederation in 1815 was largely in reaction to the growing sense of German nationalism, which had not existed in Europe prior to the 19th century. While strains of nationalism certainly existed before the turn of the century, it was France’s conquest of the German lands in the first decade of the 19th century that first fully aroused German nationalists into proposing a unified, German state.
Otto Von Bismarck was the Prussian Chancellor. His main goal was to further strengthen the position of Prussia in Europe.
Body
Background
Bismarck had a number of primary aims:
- to unify the north German states under Prussian control
- to weaken Prussia’s main rival, Austria, by removing it from the German Federation
- to make Berlin, not Vienna, the centre of German affairs
- to strengthen the position of the King of Prussia, Wilhelm I, countering the demands for reform from the Liberals in the Prussian Reichstag
Role of Bismarck in unification of Germany
- Military reforms: Otto von Bismarck was a fervent German nationalist who wanted a German nation. As a result, once appointed, Chancellor Bismarck set out to strengthen and improve the Prussian army and gain international allies that would help Prussia on its way to unifying Germany. Reforms included
- An increase in army conscription from two to three years.
- The introduction of new battle tactics.
- The introduction of weapons such as the needle gun.
- First war under Bismarck: Bismarck’s Prussia first fought a war in 1864 in alliance with Austria against Denmark to annex most of the territory of German Confederation.
- To counter Prussia’s growing influence, Austria tried to strengthen its position in the German Federation. Bismarck thwarted Austria’s plans by insisting on popular elections to the Diet (the Federation’s Parliament). Bismarck had successfully ruined Austria’s plans.
- Second war (Austria-Prussia): Then he allied with Italy in 1866 to defeat Austria and removed it from the German Confederation. Consequently, the Confederation itself was ended.
- In 1867, Bismarck formed the North German Confederation. It united 22 German states but excluded the Southern German states like Bavaria, which remained independent.
- The constitution of this Confederation made the Prussian King the hereditary head of the state. The Southern states followed a pro-Austria policy but were forced to unite after the German victory in Franco-Prussian war of 1870.
- The Franco-Prussian war in 1870 led to final unification of Germany
Conclusion
Unification of Germany was not one single event but a process which occurred in phases. Bismarck had played a major role in unification and nation building of Germany through his policies, military reforms, speeches and isolation strategies.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: The Hindu , Indian Express
Why the question:
According to the 17th ASER report released in New Delhi on Wednesday, as the pandemic ebbed, school enrolment touched a record high in 2022 — 98.4% children in the 6-14 age group are now in school, up from 97.2% in 2018, when the last full pre-pandemic survey was conducted by Pratham.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the impact of the pandemic on education and steps needed to offset the impact.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by giving context and citing statistic.
Body:
Firstly, mention the progress in education system before the pandemic. Cite a statistic to substantiate your point. Bring out the impact of learning deficit caused by the pandemic in India.
Next, mention the various ways to bridge the learning deficit that has emerged – readmitting dropouts, ensuring access to e-learning, special focus on most vulnerable states etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.
Introduction
Following two years of school closures caused by Covid-19, the recently released 17th Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) for 2022 contains both bright spots and areas of concern. Pratham, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has been surveying children aged 6 to 14 and publishing ASER since 2005 to track trends in school enrolment, attendance, and reading and arithmetic abilities.
This year’s report (published after 2018) surveyed 7 lakh children in 19,060 villages across 616 districts across the country.
Body
Findings of the report: Progress and improvements
- School enrolment touched a record high (98.4% in 2022, 97.2% in 2018).
- The proportion of girls (aged 11-14) not enrolled has reduced (10.3% in 2006, 4.1% in 2018, 2% in 2022).
- The percentage of children (aged 11 – 14) enrolled in government schools has risen from 65% in 2018 to 71.7% in 2022.
- A small, steady increase in the children availing private tuitions (from 26.4% to 30.5% between 2018-22).
- Improvement in the availability of smartphones, thereby increasing digital penetration even in the rural areas.
- In 2022, the availability of smartphones in the homes of enrolled students has nearly doubled
- Percentage of children not going to school has dropped to 2% or below for the first time in 2022.
- Even after prolonged school closures during the pandemic period, the proportion of children not enrolled in school continued to decline between 2018 and 2022.
Areas of concern
- According to this report, children of class 3 have become weaker in studies than before. According to the report, in the year 2018, 18.7 percent of class 3 children could read class 2 level text, but in the year 2022 this number came down to 14.3 percent.
- Nearly 16.4 percent of class three children do not recognize letters.
- Only 2 percent of class 5 students can read class 1 level text. According to the report, 30.7 percent of children studying in class 5 recognize marks from 11 to 99, while 78 percent of children are unable to participate in subtraction and 76 percent of the children are unable to participate.
- 3 percent of class 6 children can subtract, and 30.7 percent of children are able to participate. 25.4 percent of class 7 children can subtract, and 41.1 percent of children are able to participate. In class 8, 25.8 percent of the students are able to make a subtraction and 45.3 percent of the children are able to participate.
- According to this report, children are weak in English studies in Jharkhand.1 percent of class 1 students do not recognize capital letters. 30 percent of class II, 18.2 percent of class III, 12.2 percent of class IV and 7.8 percent of class 5 students do not recognize English capital letters.
- 8 percent of class III children can read sentences in English, while 33.5 percent of children in class 8 can read sentences. In such a situation, about 77 percent of the children of class eight are not able to read simple sentences of English.
Reforms
- Digitization: Create a single-window system for infrastructure and mainstream fund-flows: In Bihar, only around 10 percent of the schools fulfils infrastructure norms. A study revealed that files for renovating schools often go on a two-year journey through various departments.
- The same can be applied for teacher salaries and school funds. These can be transferred directly from the State to the teachers and schools. There is no need to involve the District or Block in this process.
- Leveraging the audio-visual edutainment to make education more interesting and easier to understand for the children. This will improve the quality as well as reduce the drop-out rates.
- Implementing bio-metric attendance for teachers and students for every class can help reduce absenteeism.
- Empower School Management Committees by using mobile phones:
- To develop a system that facilitates School Management Committee members by fostering democratic accountability.
- Social audits should also be carried out for effective functioning.
- Better pre-service teacher training coupled with transparent and merit-based recruitments is a lasting solution for teacher quality.
- Improve the quality of teacher education by making teacher training mandatory. Example: National Council for Teacher Education Act amendment bill, Diksha portal to train teachers.
- Increase the public spending on education to 6% of GDP as recommended by NEP.
- Teachers are rarely reprimanded for non-performance, while there are recommendations for removal of non-detention policy. The blame is squarely on the children; such an attitude must be wiped out.
- Education policy in India is focused on inputs rather than learning outcomes; It has a strong elitist bias in favour of higher education as opposed to primary or secondary education. This needs a change by coming out with NEP.
- Relearning: The first step should be to acknowledge that children are returning to schools with diminished skills as well as recognise that some learners may have experienced more setbacks than their peers.
- Creative teaching: Planners and school administrators should give teachers the freedom to adopt creative approaches that turn classrooms into spaces where students can shed the anxieties of the past two years and regain skills at their own pace.
- Learner-centric: This would require re-imagining pedagogical practices and a shift from syllabus-centred approaches of the past to learner-centric methods.
- The New Education Policy 2020, announced in the first year of the pandemic, recognises this imperative.
- Keeping a watch on school drop-outs and bringing everyone back to school should become the number one priority of the government.
Conclusion
Education is the key to upliftment of people from poverty, inequality and oppression. India’s demographic dividend is dependent on quality education at primary, secondary and high school levels. Focus must be on pedagogy and a safe and stimulating environment where wide range of learning experiences are offered to the children. Only when we align incentives of all stakeholders, and enable them while holding them accountable, can we shorten the distance between the nation’s current state of education and its aspirations.
Value addition
Draft NEP
- The draft National Education Policy (NEP) developed by a committee chaired by K. Kasturirangan was shared for public comment.
- The NEP proposal to infuse the existing child development schemes, which are primarily nutrition-oriented, with a learning component is in line with this thinking on holistic development.
- The Policy projecting an expansion of the Right to Education Act to cover the three years of preschool before Class 1.
- It suggests a new integrated curricular framework for 3 to 8-year olds with a flexible system based on play, activity and discovery, and beginning exposure to three languages from age 3 onwards.
- The policy aims to provide High-quality early childhood care and education for all children between the ages of three and six by 2025.
- This will be done within schools and anganwadis, which will take care of the overall well-being of the child.
- These institutions will also provide similar support to families for children younger than three years of age—within their homes.
- This policy will result in a massive positive multiplier effect on society.
Topic: Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Indian Exoress , Insights on India
Why the question:
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has set a four-month deadline for remedial actions and recovering damages from the Kulda coal mine run by Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) in Odisha and the Tamnar thermal plant operated by Jindal Power Limited (JPL) in Chhattisgarh for transporting coal through villages in violation of environmental clearance (EC) conditions.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the limitations of NGT in upholding its mandate and measures needed to make NGT more effective.
Directive word:
Critically 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. 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 by giving a brief introduction on context for introduction of NGT and its mandate
Body:
First, mention some of the landmark environmental reforms brought in through NGT.
Next, list out its shortcomings such as appeals against NGT rulings in High Court and Supreme Court leading to long delays through litigation, lack of overall environmental expertise of the members of tribunal.
Next, bring out the positive aspects such as the power of NGT to Suo-motu take up causes in order to protect the environmental sanctity in the country. Mention the drawbacks of the same.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward to leverage functional capacity of the NGT and do full justice in its environmental mandate.
Introduction
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) was established in 2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act. It is a specialized environmental court that deals with cases relating to environmental protection and the conservation of forests. It has judicial powers that allow it to exclusively decide civil environmental matters. The tribunal is guided by principles of natural justice and is not bound by the mainstream code of civil procedure. The Supreme Court has declared the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) position as a “unique” forum endowed with suo motu powers to take up environmental issues across the country.
Body
Performance of NGT
- The NGT has been recognized as one of the most progressive Tribunals in the world.
- This jurisprudential leap has allowed our country to enter a rather exclusive group of nations which have set up such institutions with broad powers.
- In the Almitra H Patel Vs Union of India case, it directed states to implement Solid Waste Management Rules and prohibited open burning of waste on lands.
- Many Projects which were approved in violation of the law such as an Aranmula Airport, Kerala; Lower Demwe Hydro Power Project and Nyamnjangu in Arunachal Pradesh; mining projects in in Goa; and coal mining projects in Chhattisgarh were either cancelled or fresh assessments were directed.
Limitations of NGT
- The jurisdiction of NGT is curtailed as Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972and Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 is not under its ambit.
- This restricts the jurisdiction area of NGT and at times hampers its functioning as the crucial forest rights issue is linked directly to the environment.
- The sanctioned strength of 10 each under judicial and expert members are not filled. The lack of human and financial resources has led to high pendency of cases – which undermines NGT’s very objective of disposal of appeals within 6 months.
- The option of appeals has nullified the purpose of reducing burden on the higher courts.
- The justice delivery mechanism is also hindered by a limited number of regional benches.
Is endowment of Suo-motu powers to NGT a step in the right direction?
- The Supreme Court recently declared that the National Green Tribunal is vested with suo motu powers to take cognizance on the basis of letters, representations and media reports
- This could allow the NGT to play a more effective role in environmental protection.
- However, the need for suo moto powers itself reiterates the idea that a judicial body must ‘swoop in’ to protect constitutional values, if the legislature or the executive is ill equipped to perform their functions.
- The Tribunal would have a direct effect on the functioning of executive bodies, such as the Municipal Corporation in the present case.
- Unlike orders based on petitions, cases taken up suo moto would allow the tribunal itself to decide what issues it should consider and to what extent it can infringe on the executive’s domain.
Way forward
- There is an immediate need to set up new regional benches. Further, these should be based in a place that has the highest forest cover or large mineral deposit.
- Appeal may be provided against the order of the NGT before a larger Bench of the Tribunal before the matter reaches to the Supreme Court or High Court.
- Vacancies in NGT, needs to be filled as soon as possible.
- There is a need for the central and state governments to work in collaboration with the NGT for balancing between environment & economy.
- NGT should also identify institutions and experts who can help it to scientifically estimate environmental damages/compensation/fines on a case-to-case basis.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Down to Earth , Insights on India
Why the question:
The proposed Etalin hydroelectric project in Arunachal Pradesh has been scrapped in its present form, reported English daily Hindustan Times (HT). The project was mired in controversy, with wildlife scientists and conservationists flagging environmental threats due to the plant in a biodiversity hotspot.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the potential of hydroelectric power and risks posed by it.
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 defining hydroelectric energy and give the statistic highlighting extent of it being generated in India.
Body:
First, mention the potential of hydroelectric energy – plenty of rivers, favourable geology, presence of technological expertise, past success etc.
Next, write about the various risks that are associated with hydropower projects – political conflicts, social impact, economic viability and ecological concerns must be written in detail. Substantiate them with examples.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward to remedy the above-mentioned limitations.
Introduction
Hydroelectric power projects basically generate electricity from flowing water. Pumped storage hydro (PSH) plants are storage systems based on hydropower operations between two or more reservoirs (upper and lower) with an elevation difference. PSH plants are highly useful options for the integration of Renewable Energy power with the power system. India is blessed with immense amount of hydro-electric potential and ranks 5th in terms of exploitable hydro-potential on global scenario.
Body
India’s Energy scenario
- As of December 2021, the installed generation capacity of the country stood at 393GW.
- It comprises 235GW of thermal, 151GW of renewable (wind, solar, hydro and biomass) and 78GW of nuclear.
- India saw its peak electricity demand surpass 200GW in 2021.
- India is the third largest producer and consumer of electricity globally, with annual electricity production of around 1,200-1,300TWh and one of the largest synchronous power grids.
Potential of hydroelectric power in meeting India’s energy security targets
- In India, PSH potential of about 120GW has been identified at about 120 sites.
- Only nine plants with an installed capacity of 4,785MW have been commissioned so far, and three with a capacity of 2.7GW are under construction.
- Apart from these, about 17 PSH projects with a capacity of 16.5GW in different states are under various stages of implementation.
- Pumped storage schemes use domestically produced material and even the electrical mechanical parts are made in India, so PSH plants can serve the aims of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Associated risks which affect hydro power generation
- Generation of Hydro power depends on the availability of water. When water is not available in the lean season, in summer and in drought year the generation drops.
- Other issues like social impact, where lot of people get displaced, livelihood and resources are affected. There are environmental impacts, Disaster related impacts.
- Most of the new projects are coming up in Himalayan region which is vulnerable to disaster in terms of earth quake, landslides, erosion, and flash floods. In the era of climate change there are glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF)which is because of the lakes which are created by the melting of glaciers which consists of boulders and silt.
- There are issues of generation performance. 89% of India’s installed capacity does not generate power at the promised level.
- There is the issue of Siltation and maintenance of Hydro power projects. Silt reduces the storage capacity and proportionally the power generation also goes down.
- Hydro power projects do not consume fuel and it is assumed that there is no carbon foot print which is not correct. The World Commission on Damshas shown how the power generated particularly in tropical countries generates Methane. In one molecule of Methane there is 22 times more potent Green House Gas than CO2.
- Hydro power projects involve deforestation which reduces the carbon sinks and thereby putting back more carbon into the atmosphere.
- With climate change on the rise, the frequency and intensity of Droughts will increase in the coming years. The rainfall patterns are changing. This will impact the power generation capacity of the Hydro power projects.
- Every Hydro power projects are plagued by cost and time overruns. The reason is lack in the appraisal mechanism particularly geological appraisal.
- Hydro and PSH projects are a state government legislative subject, and require the support of many policymakers, including the MoP, MoEF&CC and electricity regulators, apart from state governments.
Way forward
- There is a need to appraise the projects properly, have proper Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)and proper public consultation process.
- We should maintain the catchment area properly if not the rainfall which comes as flash floods damages the project.
- Micro-hydel projects may also be promoted, as these have less of an adverse social and environmental impact on local communities.
- Large, ‘smart’ hydropower projects may be developed, taking into account the economic, environmental and social concerns of local and downstream communities, in addition to national economic benefits.
- Technical provisions in smart projects can minimize the impacts on aquatic life and terrestrial ecosystems.
- India is using more of ground water and this reduces the surface water flow in the downstream area. All these factors should be taken into account while assessing the generation of Hydro power projects.
- For prioritizing projects, in addition to capital cost and energy supplied, PSH developers and policymakers should consider factors that include the location of the project, duration of storage, availability of a pre-feasibility report, detailed surveys, investigations and project reports, etc, and the cost of the energy supplied, as well as the value of the flexibility assured by it.
- An appropriate policy framework that lets costs and benefits be shared can increase the overall value for primary and end consumers.
General Studies – 4
Topic: ethical issues in international relations and funding;
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude by Lexicon Publications.
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4.
Key Demand of the question:
To write international morality and its nature.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by defining international morality.
Body:
Start by explaining what is international ethics – moral principles, customary International Law, Human rights, Cooperation, Non-aggression etc. Cite examples to substantiate your points.
Next, write about if it is just a theoretical concept or it is applied in practise as well.
Conclusion:
Conclude by giving a balanced opinion on international morality.
Introduction
Ethical questions are central to the study of international relations, as it is a field of study concerned with war and peace, trade and production, and law and rights. Yet, a persistent conventional wisdom suggests ethics are marginal to international relations.
Realists believe that International relations is solely based on power and national interest and has no place for morality. In the words of Thucydides “the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must”.”
Body
Do Ethical considerations have a say in international relations?
To answer this question, realists and idealists have an ongoing debate. But since the second world war, the debate was settled largely in favour of the realists.
Hans Morgenthau, gave 6 principles of Realism in International Relations
- Politics is governed by Objective Laws which have roots in Human Nature:
- The first principle of political realism holds that “politics, like society in general, is governed by objective laws that have their roots in human nature.” Humans are power seeking by nature and so are the states.
- National Interest defined in terms of National Power:
- No considerations of Moral Imperatives when it comes to national interest. For eg: Even though India espoused Panchsheel principles, China went to war with India in 1962 without as much of a warning.
- National Interest is always dynamic and it keeps changing. Eg: Russia had imposed arms embargo on Pakistan by being a friend to India, which was lifted recently.
- Abstract Moral Principles cannot be applied to Politics:
- Politics is not ethics and the ruler is not a moralist. The primary function of a state is to satisfy and protect the demands of national interest by means of national power.
- No universal moral principle in international relations
- Political realism refuses to identify the moral aspirations of a particular nation with the moral principles that govern the universe. It refuses to accept that the national interests and policies of any particular nation reflect universally applied moral principles.
- Autonomy of International Relations: It is neither ethics nor law or economics. It is an autonomous discipline where national interest reigns supreme
However, it must be noted that, it is without the element of morality that USA decided to use nuclear bomb on Japan. Only after this plan was executed, the world became aware of the devastating consequences that had ensued. Below are examples that highlight this norm.
- The alleged just war cause where a country thinks it’s their moral responsibility to save the world. E.g.: USA and Iraq war.
- Threat to the Rules-based order of the world by side-lining of the Global bodies like UNSC, WTO such as USA. Pursuing unilateralism and Protectionism goes against the ideal of Rules-based international world order.
- China’s dominance in the South China Sea and its policy of “Debt-Trap diplomacy”, “Island-encirclement” and “String of Pearls” show that there is no adherence to morality.
International morality and International Relations
- Rights and Responsibilities: The UNPeackeeping mission is based on the principle of universal peace. This is the responsibility of the Security Council and all the nations to maintain universal peace. India believes in this ideology and has been the largest cumulative troop contributing nation.
- Equality: Ethics aim at “Peaceful World”, “Respect for All” & “Equality” while forming international organizations, declarations & forums. E.g.: The demand for equality in IMF & UNO shows the demand of adhering to ethics in a way.
- Resolving Tensions: Ethics helps to avoid the “Ego Clash” & “Ideological Clash” between two or more nations. For instance, the disruption between India & Pakistan relations can be avoided if both take a decision based on ethics.
- Solidarity: Natural disasters and refugee crisis situations require a more compassionate view of the global community. These are not isolated events and rather, the duty of every global citizen to help in the times of crisis. g.- Aid during natural disasters (Nepal earthquake)
- Human rights: Adherence to human rights is vital after the Decalaration of Human Rights in the UN Charter. Eg- lack of ethics in the international relation has been the cause of wars & genocide many times in history (Rawnda and Burundi) and also like the first world war.
Conclusion
International ethic is not just an ethic of some leading country, it is not simply an ethic of a powerful country having obligations towards others, because of the power they have over others. International ethics may be elaborated as, that which enables one to participate more actively in shaping and building good international community. The vision of international community that every country has and reality of an international community provides us with food for thought, on what ought to be the nature and purpose of investing in international relations to build an international community.
Join our Official Telegram Channel HERE
Please subscribe to Our podcast channel HERE
Subscribe to our YouTube ChannelHERE
Follow our Twitter Account HERE
Follow our Instagram ID HERE
Follow us on LinkedIn : HERE
