[Mission 2023] Insights SECURE SYNOPSIS: 30 January 2023

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: The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.

1. To make political independence more meaningful, there were certain weaknesses in the Indian social structure which needed to be strengthened. Discuss the statement in the context of Gandhiji’s constructive programme. (250 Words)

Difficulty level: Easy

Reference: Indian Express (Gandhi in Amrit Kaal (by Shyam Saran)), TOI

Why the question:

Today is the 75^th death anniversary of Gandhiji

Key Demand of the question:

To show the weakness of Indian society in that period and how Gandhiji tried to achieve social freedom along with political one.

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: 

You may begin by writing:

Centuries of  British colonial rule destroyed the intricacies of Indian social structure, it created fissures in communal harmony, strengthened caste rigidities and criminalized tribals, to highlight a few. Gandhiji tried to address these

Body:

Next briefly write about the major weaknesses of Indian society e.g. religious conflict, untouchability, Education, economic disparity etc.

Next, write about Gandhi’s constructive program in different spheres (as shown in the image below)

Describe a few with examples.

Conclusion:

You may write:

Most of the weaknesses still exist, though in different forms and even today India needs Constructive programmes 2.0 to uplift several sections of society from poverty, illiteracy and discrimination and achieve true political independence.

Introduction

Gandhiji always believed that independence was not just change in governance or ruler. If the society did not change, then it would just be King log replaced by King stork. While fighting for political independence, he was also wanting to prepare the people for a new and just social order so that Independence, when it came, would be “complete”. In other words, his was a struggle for Poorna (or complete) Swaraj for all irrespective of their caste, class or religion.

This meant building up or constructing the nation from its smallest unit (consisting of self reliant individuals living in independent self reliant communities) upwards, through nonviolent and truthful means.

Body

Weaknesses of the Indian Society

To make political independence more meaningful, there were certain weaknesses in the Indian social structure which needed to be strengthened.

• Conflicts between different religious groups (mainly Hindus and Muslims)
• Untouchability,
• Fear arising out of ignorance,
• Economic disparities,
• Decaying condition of our villages,
• The plight of adivasis, kisans and the labourers, and the position of women were areas of major concern.

In a small booklet, entitled Constructive Programme: its meaning and place, which he wrote on the train from Sevagram to Bardoli, he appealed to all Congressmen and others engaged in the freedom struggle to address these issues.

Gandhiji’s constructive program

• Communal Unity: According to Gandhi, communal unity does not merely mean political unity but should be an unbreakable unity of hearts.
  • This was achieved during the Lucknow Pact 1916, whereby both the Indian National Congress and Muslim League joined hands against British rule.
  • The Lucknow Pact laid the foundation of the Khilafat and Non-Cooperation Movement.
• Removal of Untouchability: Gandhi held that untouchability was a blot and curse upon Indian society. Gandhi endeavoured to abolish this evil. He founded ‘Harijan Sevak Sangh’ for the abolition of untouchability in 1932 after his Poona Pact.
• Prohibition: Mahatma Gandhi considered alcohol consumption a social evil. Gandhi based his case for compulsory sobriety on the argument that it would benefit the poor, who did most of India’s drinking.
  • With this in mind, the directive principles of the Constitution proclaim that the State shall endeavour to prohibit the use of intoxicating drinks and drugs that are injurious to health except for medicinal purposes.
• Khadi making: Gandhi presented Khadi as a symbol of nationalism, economic freedom, equality and self-reliance.
  • It was his belief that reconstruction of the society and effective Satyagraha against the foreign rule can be possible only through Khadi.
  • Khadi takes the Central place in the upliftment of the village economy, which eventually lead to the attainment of Gram Swaraj.
• Village Industries: He thought that any pursuit of activity in a cottage industry involved an unusually large number of independent participants.
  • There is no need of huge capital to establish a cottage or small scale industry. Normally a cottage industry is carried out at home by the family members using their own equipment.
  • These types of small and tiny organizations are following complexicity of activities relating to production which provide more employment to members in the family.
• Nai Talim or Basic Education: Gandhi’s concept of new education implies that nature, society and crafts are huge mediums of education.
  • According to him, true education is that which draws out and stimulates the spiritual, intellectual and physical faculties of the children.
  • This education ought to be for them, a kind of insurance against unemployment.
• Women Empowerment: In his mission of Swaraj, Gandhi needed the cooperation of women, kisans, labourers and students.
  • So, he had planned to work amongst them through a constructive programme.
  • The movement of 1930-32 generated unprecedented awareness in women.
  • It was only due to Gandhi’s efforts that women came out of their houses for the first time in history and participated in the Indian political struggle.

To this, he added five more items:(1) Kisans (2) Labour (3) Adivasis (4) Lepers (5) Students. The 18 point constructive programme thus became his framework for the new India he wished to see after Swaraj.

Conclusion

Integration of Indian society was perhaps more difficult than the achievement of freedom because, in this process, there existed a possibility of conflict between groups and classes of our own people.
In this scenario, the Gandhian constructive role played a key role in Nation Building.

Topic: Indian Society: Communalism

2. Communalism turns the strength of diversity of Indian society into its Achilles heel. Critically evaluate. (150 Words)

Difficulty level: Easy

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 the Mission-2023 Secure timetable.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about communalism and how it leads to fractures in Indian society.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Introduce communalism E.g. you may write: Communalism is described as an ideology stating the division between people or communities on the basis of ethnicity, religion, beliefs, values, etc. The difference between two or more religious, ethnic and social communities can sometimes produce clashes in society. 

Body:

Briefly write about the strength of diversity of Indian society: E.g. Coexistence, Assimilationist, cultural cosmopolitanism etc.

Next, write about how communalism turns this strength into its Achilles heel: E.g. Exclusion, Violence, Economic inequality, stereotyping etc.

Briefly write a few positives of communalism as well e.g.

• Integration: communalism can lead to the integration of some previously excluded groups into their political identity.

In conclusion,

Briefly write some measures which can be taken to address this issue.

Introduction

Communalism is basically an ideology which consists of three elements:

• A belief that people who follow the same religion have common secular interests i.e. they have same political, economic and social interests. So, here socio- political communalities arise.
• A notion that, in a multi-religious society like India, these common secular interests of one religion is dissimilar and divergent from the interests of the follower of another religion.
• The interests of the follower of the different religion or of different ‘communities’ are seen to be completely incompatible, antagonist and hostile.

Body

Communalism is the achiles heel of Indian Society

• Genocides: With mass killings, the real sufferers are the poor, who lose their house, their near and dear ones, their lives, their livelihood, etc. It violates the human rights from all direction. Sometimes children lose their parents and will become orphan for a lifetime.
• Ghettoization and refugee problem are other dimensions of communalism induced violence, whether its inter country or intra country.
• Sudden increase in violence against any particular community causes mass exodus and stampede which in turn kills many number of people. For example, this was seen in the case of Bangalore in 2012, with respect to people from North eastern states, which was stimulated by a rumour.
• Apart from having effect on the society, it is also a threat to Indian constitutional values, which promotes secularism and religious tolerance. In that case, citizens don’t fulfil their fundamental duties towards the nation.
• It becomes a threat for the unity and integrity of the nation as a whole. It promotes only the feeling of hatred in all directions, dividing the society on communal lines.
• Minorities are viewed with suspicion by all, including state authorities like police, para-military forces, army, intelligence agencies, etc. There have been many instances when people from such community have been harassed and detained and finally have been released by court orders guilt free. For this, there is no provision for compensation of such victims, about their livelihood incomes forgone, against social stigmas and emotional trauma of the families.
• Barrier for development: Communal activities occurring frequently do harm the human resource and economy of the country. And then again it takes years for the people and the affected regions to come out the traumas of such violence, having deep impact on minds of those who have faced it. They feel emotionally broken and insecure.
• Terrorism and Secessionism: As seen during the Khalistan movement in Punjab.

Communalism is not an Achilles heel:

Communalism as an ideology can be used to fulfill socio, economic  and  politico hopes of a community or social groups.

It stands for the affinity of an individual towards his own community involving efforts for the social and economic upliftment of his community.

To unite the community, communalism suppresses the differences within the community and emphasizes the essential unity of the community

Steps to be taken to prevent communalism

• Economic:
  • Poverty is one of the major factors for communal violence. Poverty alleviation measures are thus important for promoting communal harmony.
  • Eradicating the problem of unemployment among the youths, illiteracy and poverty and that too with honesty and without any discrimination.
  • Reducing educational and economic backwardness of minorities like Muslims.
  • This can uplift their socio-economic status and reduce their deprivation compared to Hindus
• Social:
  • The religious leaders and preachers should promote rational and practical things through religion promoting peace and security.
  • Children in schools must be taught through textbooks and pamphlets to maintain brotherhood and respect for all religions
  • Creating awareness in the society about the ill effects of communism through mass media
• Political:
  • Political communism should be avoided recent Supreme court’s directives
  • Identification and mapping of riot prone areas. For Example, Delhi police used drones to monitor to maintain vigil during communal festivals
  • Media, movies and other cultural platforms can be influential in promoting peace and harmony.
  • Social Media should be monitored for violent and repulsive content and taken off immediately.
• Recommendations of Committee on National Integration
  • Joint celebration of community festivals
  • Observing restraint by Hindus while taking processions before the mosques
  • Formation of peace and brotherhood communities at local level to prevent anti-social elements from engaging in communal riots
  • Respect for religious customs, rituals and practices

Conclusion

In a vast country like India which is made up of diverse cultures, backgrounds, religions, identities etc. it really requires to maintain a sense of equality among its citizen to provide a meaning to the term democracy. The core reason behind all these discrimination are based on the nature of unacceptance of diversities. We tend to commit heinous crimes to eradicate the population which chooses a different set of traditions to follow. But these intolerance can lead India to get collapsed from being a secular country to communal. And India is known to the world by the term “diversity”. It is beautiful when the people irrespective of their differences are co-existing.

Topic: Indian Society: Social Empowerment

3. What does the ‘Social Progress Index’ (SPI) measure? In light of the report, discuss the status of social mobility in India and the factors affecting it. (250 Words)

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 the Mission-2023 Secure timetable.

 Key Demand of the question:

To write about the Social Progress Index (SPI), its measure of social mobility and the factors that affects it.

 Directive word: 

Discuss: This is an all-encompassing directive – you must debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You must give reasons for both for and against arguments.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Begin by defining social mobility or write about the SPI index.

You may define Social mobility as:

Social mobility or progress refers to change in a person’s socio-economic situation, either in relation to their parents (inter-generational mobility) or throughout their lifetime (intra-generational mobility).

Body:

In the first part, write about what does ‘Social Progress Index’ (SPI) measure.

Next, write about the status of social mobility in India:

• Global SPI: India’s performance was quite poor as it was ranked 110 out of 169 nations in the global SPI 2022 and the score of 60.2 is well lower than the global average of 65.2. India also ranks low at 76th out of 82 places on WEF’s global Social Mobility Index 2020.

Next, write the factors affecting it: E.g. rural-urban divide, caste-religion markers; social security etc.

Conclusion:

You may write,

A stronger association between one’s starting point and their outcomes in adulthood indicates lower social mobility and less meritocracy. For India, realising the potential of its population will be a key driver of progress and growth. Thus, ongoing initiatives relating to each component must be implemented in a timely and effective manner.

Introduction

Recently, the Social Progress Index (SPI) for States and Districts of India was released by the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM). The SPI was compiled by the Institute for Competitiveness and Social Progress Imperative. The report also dwells on India’s performance (ranked 110 out of 169 nations) based on the global SPI 2022 that is brought out by Social Progress Imperative since 2013.

Body

About SPI measure

• SPI is a comprehensive tool that can serve as a holistic measure of a country’s social progress at the national and sub-national levels.
• The report aims to provide a systematic account of the social progress made at all levels in the country.
• The index uses an extensive framework comprising 89 indicators at the state level and 49 at the district level.
• The index assesses states and districts based on 12 components across three critical dimensions of social progress – Basic Human Needs, Foundations of Wellbeing, and Opportunity.
• The index uses an extensive framework comprising 89 indicators at the state level and 49 at the district level.
  • Basic Human Needs assess the performance of states and districts in terms of Nutrition and Basic Medical Care, Water and Sanitation, Personal Safety and Shelter.
  • Foundations of Wellbeing evaluates the progress made by the country across the components of Access to Basic Knowledge, Access to Information and Communication, Health and Wellness, and Environmental Quality.
  • Opportunity focuses on Personal Rights, Personal Freedom and Choice, Inclusiveness, and Access to Advanced Education.
• By evaluating change in the performance of some key indicators since 2015-16, the report presents a broad picture of the social progress in India.
• In addition, the report highlights progress made by the 112 aspirational districts in the country, helping them track their social progress journey and understand the areas that require more attention.

Social mobility in India

• Puducherry has the highest SPI score of 65.99 in the country, attributable to its remarkable performance across components like Personal Freedom and Choice, Shelter, and Water and Sanitation.
• Lakshadweep and Goa closely follow it with scores of 65.89 and 65.53, respectively.
• Jharkhand and Bihar scored the lowest, 43.95 and 44.47, respectively.
• For the dimension of Basic Human Needs, Goa, Puducherry, Lakshadweep, and Chandigarh are the top four states with the best performance in Water and Sanitation and Shelter as compared to the other states and union territories.
• In addition, Goa has the highest component score for Water and Sanitation, followed by Kerala, scoring the highest across the Nutrition and Basic Medical Care component.
• For Shelter and Personal Safety, Chandigarh and Nagaland have emerged as the front-runners, respectively.
• Mizoram, Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, and Goa have emerged as the best-performing states for the Foundations of Wellbeing.
• Within the dimension for the Access to Basic Knowledge component, Punjab has the highest component score of 62.92, while Delhi has topped the list for Access to Information and Communication with a score of 71.30.
• For Health and Wellness, Rajasthan has the highest component score of 73.74.
• For Environmental Quality, the top three states belong to the northeast region, namely, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Meghalaya.
• Lastly, Tamil Nadu has achieved the highest component score of 72.00 for the Opportunity dimension.
  • Within this dimension, Andaman and Nicobar Islands have the highest component score for Personal Rights, while Sikkim has topped the list for Inclusiveness.
• It is commendable to witness Puducherry attaining the highest scores across two components in this dimension, i.e., Personal Freedom and Choice and Access to Advanced Education.

Factors affecting social mobility in India

• Education: Education not only helps an individual to acquire knowledge but is also a passport for occupational position for higher prestige.
  • It is only after acquiring minimum formal education that individual can aspire to occupy higher positions.
  • It is through education that in modern India the members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are not only able to change their traditional occupation but have also started occupying jobs of higher prestige.
• Migration: Labour migration is important for economic growth as it allows for the efficient allocation of talent across regions and states, as well as industries. While nearly 30 percent of India’s population are considered internal migrants, just 14.7 percent of these internal migrants cite work as their reason for moving; among female migrants, only two percent moved for work.
• Industrialization: Industrial Revolution ushered in a new social system in which people are given status according to their ability and training. No importance was given to their caste, race, religion and ethnicity.
• Urbanization: In the cities there are more people, they have formal relations. People do not know each other intimately. Urban centres are marked by anonymity. People are close to their friends and relatives only. Urban settlements provide secrecy to individual’s caste and background. Individual’s position is largely dependent upon his education, occupation and income rather than his background.
• Legislations: The enactment of new laws can also facilitate social mobility. When Zamindari Abolition Act was passed, most of the tenant cultivators became owner cultivators which indicates improvement in their status i.e. from tenants to owner cultivators. Similarly, the legal provision for reservation of jobs and promotion for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes has also helped in social mobility.

Way forward

The most urgent measures are the following:

• The coupling of local employment generation strategies with policies that make geographic mobility easier;
• Harnessing the equalising effects of education by investing in early childhood education and creating more pathways to higher education attainment for the poor;
• Supporting youth in finding desirable and satisfactory career options through increased investment in mentorship and career guidance programmes;
• Redesigning social protection schemes to meet the needs of a unique and diverse population; and
• Carving out a role for companies and holding them accountable for improvements in social mobility.

Conclusion

Increasing social mobility is important in advancing equality. It is also vital for economic efficiency, as it enhances the use of individual abilities, especially for India which is aiming to realise a massive dividend from its young demographic. Equalising opportunity can help unleash the potential of the population, which as it stands is constrained by persistent income and occupational rigidity.

General Studies – 2

Topic: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population

4. Critically examine the need for reforms in the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005. Suggest various reform measures to address the issues. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: The Hindu

Why the question:

Last year parliamentary panel report asked for reforms. This editorial article suggests various reforms needed in the  Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).

Key Demand of the question:

To critically write about the need for reforms in the MGNREGA and suggest ways to improve its performance.

Directive word: 

Critically examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we have to look into 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. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a fair judgment.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Give a brief introduction of the aims and objectives of MGNREGA.

Body:

First, in brief, write about the issues with MGNREGA and therefore need for reforms.

Next, Suggest reform measures e.g. address delays in wage payments; strengthen implementation capacities where expenditure is low instead of curbing expenditure where employment generation is high; run the programme like a demand-based law and not a scheme; make discussions on any proposed reforms participatory etc.

Conclusion:

Conclude with the way forward.

Introduction

The MGNREGA was launched in 2006 in order to provide at least 100 days of guaranteed employment to rural households. It is the largest scheme run by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD).

An internal study commissioned by the Ministry of Rural Development has argued for decentralisation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), allowing for more “flexibility” at the ground level.

Body

How has MGNREGA fared so far?

• MGNREGA works have demonstrably strong multiplier effects are yet another reason to improve its implementation.
• It is a labour programme meant to strengthen participatory democracy through community works. It is a legislative mechanism to strengthen the constitutional principle of the right to life.
• It has helped in increasing rural household income.
• It has not only helped in increasing groundwater table in the last one decade, but also agriculture productivity, mainly cereals and vegetables and fodders.
• The water conservation measures, including farm ponds and dug wells, have made a difference to the lives of the poor.
• While the scheme was earlier focused on creation of community assets, in the last three years, individual assets have also been emphasised.
• It has provided goat, poultry and cattle shed as per the need of poor households.
• One national study found that MGNREGS has created valuable public goods which have augmented rural incomes.
• Another national study found that, even after deficiencies in implementation, MGNREGS may have improved nutrition outcomes.
• Even consumption has been shown to improve if MGNREGS is implemented well. A 2018 study of a better-implemented version of MGNREGS in Andhra Pradesh, where there was significantly less leakage or payment delays, estimated that MGNREGS increased income households’ earnings by 13% and decreased poverty by 17%
• MGNREGS can smoothen food consumption of rural poor by providing them with an alternate source of income during the agricultural lean season.
• According to a study conducted by New Delhi-based Institute of Economic Growth.
  • there has been an 11 per cent increase in rural household income,
  • 5 per cent increase in cereal productivity and
  • 32 per cent increase in vegetable productivity,

Challenges to MGNREGA

• Low Wage Rate: These have resulted in a lack of interestamong workers making way for contractors and middlemen to take control. Currently, MGNREGA wage rates of 17 states are less than the corresponding state minimum wages. The above study also noted that the MGNREGS wages were far below the market rate in many States, defeating the purpose of acting as a safety net.
• Case study: At present, the minimum wage of a farm labourer in Gujarat is ₹324.20, but the MGNREGS wage is ₹229. The private contractors pay far more. In Nagaland, the wage is ₹212 per day, which does not take into account the difficult terrain conditions. Similarly, in Jammu and Kashmir, the rate is ₹214 per day. This, the study noted, “is lower than what is offered by private contractors which can go up to to ₹600-₹700 per day”.
• Insufficient Budget Allocation: The funds have dried up in many States due to lack of sanctions from the Central government which hampers the work in peak season.
• Payment Delays: Despite Supreme Court orders, various other initiatives and various government orders, no provisions have yet been worked out for calculation of full wage delays and payment of compensation for the same. The internal study also flagged the frequent delay in fund disbursal, and to deal with it suggested “revolving fund that can be utilised whenever there is a delay in the Central funds”.
• Case study: In Lower Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh, for example, the surveyors found that because of the delay in the material component the beneficiaries ended up buying the construction material themselves to complete the projects. In Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat, the delay in wages was by three or four months and the material component was delayed by six months.
• Corruption and Irregularities:Funds that reach the beneficiaries are very little compared to the actual funds allocated for the welfare schemes.
• Discrimination:Frequent cases of discrimination against the women and people from the backwards groups are reported from several regions of the country and a vast number goes unreported.
• Non-payment of Unemployment Allowance: There is a huge pendency in the number of unemployment allowances being shown in the Management Information System (MIS).
• Lack of Awareness: People, especially women, are not fully aware of this scheme and its provisions leading to uninformed choices or inability to get the benefits of the scheme.
• Poor Infrastructure Building: Improper surveillance and lack of timely resourcesresult in the poor quality assets.
• Non Purposive Spending: MGNREGA has increased the earning capacity of the rural people but the spending pattern of the workers assumes significance because there ishardly any saving out of the wages 
• Workers penalised for administrative lapses: The ministry withholds wage payments for workers of states that do not meet administrative requirements within the stipulated time period.
• Too much centralisation weakening local governance: A real-time MIS-based implementation and a centralised payment system has further left the  representatives of the Panchayati Raj Institutions with literally no role in implementation, monitoring and grievance redress of MGNREGA schemes.

Way forward

• It is evident that the jobs under MGNREGS can only be revived through:
  • Adequate allocation of Budget funds
  • Timely payment for workers
  • Complete decentralisation of the implementation
  • Improving entitlements (wages, compensations and worksite facilities)
  • Allocation for a year should include pending liabilities of previous years.
• It should also respect the idea of the decentralised planning processes through Gram Sabhas across the country and allow adequate fund allotment as per labour budgets provided by each Gram Panchayats.
• The government should come up with only one delay-payment report that accounts for the entire time taken and delays during the closure of muster roll and wages credited to workers’ accounts.
• Also, the MGNREGA payment procedures should be simplified to ensure transparency and accountability.
• Better coordination must be ensured among various government departments involved.
• Better mechanism must be provided to allot and measure work.
• Gender gap in wages under this scheme must be addressed. In this scheme, women earn 22.24% less than their male counterparts.
• MGNREGA has been implemented for more than a decade now. It is necessary to understand its performance through output indicators like the number of workers, person days of work generated, quantum of assets completed etc.
• The data collected can be used to compare inter-state and inter-district differences in performance.
• In addition, MGNREGA must encompass provision for safe working conditions for the beneficiaries, like temperature checks, masks, hand washing facilities, proper hydration etc.

Conclusion

MGNREGA is playing a critical role in providing economic security for the rural population post the COVID-19 crisis. Therefore, the government must take steps to ensure that it is made use of to its fullest extent to address the current economic problems and bringing the economy back on track.

Value addition

Importance of MGNREGA

• MGNREGA is vital for addressing India’s current problems.
• It boosts rural demand and ensure economic development of the rural population
• It seeks to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor.
• This Act aims to improve the purchasing powerof the rural population by providing them primarily the semi-skilled or unskilled work, especially to those living below the poverty line.
• This can help solve rural poverty, farmer suicides, unemployment crisis in rural areas etc.
• Furthermore, it is a scheme that has the potential to undertake progressive measureslike infrastructure development in rural India, improving agricultural productivity through labour-intensive, supportive projects related to water conservation, drought relief measures, flood control etc.
• This Act is also highly significant because it allows for grass-root level developmentas it is implemented mainly by the Gram Panchayats. It does not allow the involvement of contractors so that the workers under this scheme are not exploited.
• It also stands out in its worker-centric legislation with a high emphasis on transparency and accountability.
• If the government supports this Act, then it can become the solution to the present-day problems like water scarcity, climate change etc.
• It is demand-driven wage employment schemethat provides additional 50 days of unskilled wage employment during drought/natural calamities.
• Section 3(4) of the Act allows states/Centre to provide additional days beyond the guaranteed period from their own funds.

Topic: Governance

5. Throw light on the significance of the Census exercise in understanding population changes. How does the exercise help in planning for development? (250 Words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Indian Express

Why the question:

The 2021 census exercise has been postponed, thus affecting the implementation of various schemes.

Key Demand of the question:

To understand the significance of census exercise and its role in developmental planning.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

You may introduce by:

The census provides information on the size, distribution and socio-economic, demographic and other characteristics of the country’s population. The first synchronous census in India was held in 1881. Since then, censuses have been undertaken uninterruptedly once every ten years except for the current 2021 exercise.

Body:

First, briefly write about the census report and its data heads e.g. two phases, house-listing, population enumeration etc.

Next, write about the significance of the Census exercise in understanding demographic changes e.g. demographic changes, confidential gathering of information etc.

Next, write its role in development e.g. Welfare estimation; allotment of resources, Evidence-based planning etc.

Conclusion:

Thus, it is understood that the Census is very important in planning for maximizing the development of Indians and creating viable, data-supported policies. Therefore, it is important to not delay the currently pending Census exercise any further to uphold regularity and get the latest data on the status of Indian demography.

Introduction

A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. Census provides information on size, distribution, socio-economic, demographic and other characteristic of countries population.

The Census was first started under British Viceroy Lord Mayo in 1872. It helped in framing new policies, government programs to uplift areas of improvement in the community. The first synchronous census in India was held in 1881. Every ten years: Since then, censuses have been undertaken uninterruptedly once every ten years.

The decennial census exercise has been postponed till September 2023. The government informed States that the date of freezing of administrative boundaries has been extended till June 30.

Body

Need for census

• The census provides information on size, distribution and socio-economic, demographic and other characteristics of the country’s population.
• The data collected through the census are used for administration, planning and policy making as well as management and evaluation of various programmesby the government, NGOs, researchers, commercial and private enterprises, etc.
• Census data is also used for demarcation of constituencies and allocation of representation to parliament, State legislative Assemblies and the local bodies.
• Researchers and demographers use census data to analyze growth and trends of population and make projections.
• The census data is also important for business houses and industries for strengthening and planning their business for penetration into areas, which had hitherto remained, uncovered.

Implications of delay:

• Surveys have limitations and cannot be used to find answers to how many villages have literacy rates below 75% or which tehsils have a low percentage of people getting protected water supply.
• In case of panchayats and municipal bodies, reservation of seats for SCs and STs is based on their proportion in the population.
  • There is no other source that can provide this information.
• Delay in the Census means that the data from the 2011 Census would continue to be used.
• Rapid changes in the composition of the population over the last decade.
  • This means that either too many or too few seats are being reserved.
• The rural-urban distribution of population has been rapidly changing over the years.
  • For example: Areas under the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike grew by 3(forty nine point three)% during 2001-11 etc
• The pandemic; It resulted in deaths among adults and the aged relatively more than children.
  • It would give indirect estimates of the number of deaths.

Importance of Census

• Utility in Administration and Policy
  • The population census provides the basic data for administrative purposes. One of the most basic of the administrative uses of census data is in the demarcation of constituenceis and the allocation of representation on governing bodies. Detailed information on the geographic distribution of the population is indispensable for this purpose. The Census also gives information on the demographic and economic characteristics of the population at the district level.
• Utility of Census data for Research Purposes:
  • The population census provides indispensable data for scientific analysis and appraisal of the composition, distribution and past and prospective growth of the population.
• Utility of Census data in Business and Industry:
  • The census data has many important uses for individuals and institutions in business and industry. It is very difficult to make a full assessment of the multiplicity of ways in which trade and business make use of the census data.
• Census as frame for Sample Surveys:
  • The rapidity of current changes in the size and other characteristics of populations and the demand for additional detailed data on social and economic characteristics which are not appropriate for collection in a full-scale census, have brought about the need for continuing programmes of intercensal sample surveys to collect current and detailed information on many topics which are usually investigated at ten-year intervals in the population censuses.
• Utility of Census data in Planning:
  • The census data is indispensable for social and economic planning of the Country. The Planning Commission utilises the Census data on the distribution of population by age, sex classified by rural and urban regions, cities, town areas and social groups to analyse the growth of consumer demand and savings in the process of development.
• Utility of Population Census to Electoral Rolls:
  • Some countries have taken advantage of the enumeration for a population census to collect, at the same time, information needed for the establishment of electoral rolls. This procedure is not generally advisable because of the deleterious effect the secondary purpose might have on the quality of the census results.
• Utility of Population Census to other types of Censuses:
  • Certain information collected as part of a population census, or incidential to it, can be most useful in conducting and/or utilizing the results of housing, agricultural or establishment censuses taken at about the same time or near about as the population census.
• Utility of population census to civil registration and vital statistics:
  • Census data serve as denominators for the computation of vital rates, especially rates specific for characteristics normally investigated only at the time of the census.

Challenges and Experiences:

• Cost of Conducting Census
  • One of the biggest challenges associated with conducting census in poor countries is the enormous financial costs of conducting the exercise. It is no secret that it is extremely costly to conduct a census.
• High Illiteracy Rate in a Nation has a Negative Impact on the Conducting of Census
  • Countries with large proportions of their populations being illiterates face a great challenge during the conducting of censuses.
• Inadequate Infrastructural Facilities in Certain Areas
  • There are certain places in the world where it is very difficult undertaking efficient population census because of poor infrastructural facilities such as bad roads, inaccessible roads or insufficient roads that connect various towns and villages.
• Traditional and Religious Beliefs can Interfere with the Census Exercise
  • In many underdeveloped parts of the world where traditional beliefs are the order of the day, census officers face serious challenges when they reach these places and try counting the people.
• Corruption Interferes with Census
  • Corruption during census can make it difficult to have an efficient population census exercise that provides accurate population figures.
• Insufficient Census Experts
  • Another problem associated with conducting censuses in certain parts of the world is the insufficient number of professionals with the knowledge and experience of conducting census.
• Insufficient and Ineffective Census Educational Campaign
  • How effective an educational campaign on census is prior to the census taking place determines how successful the census exercise eventually becomes.
• Poor Demographic Maps
  • Because of demographic maps that aren’t reliable, it becomes very difficult for the authorities to know all the remote areas (especially the very remote areas) in the country and go there to conduct the census exercise.

Way forward

• Census data is first time being collected by mobile hence specific training should be given to the collectors
• Also public must be aware about the methodology
• Method must be developed to tackle the problem faced in earlier phases

Conclusion

Census is a major pillar for development and hence, Centre, States as well as local bodies must help for smoother process of Collection of data.

General Studies – 3

Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.

6. India is said to have done better than many many other nations in terms of economic growth. Elaborate on why economic growth matters, and also on the human cost of slow economic growth for a developing country like India.  (250 Words) 

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: The Hindu

Why the question:

Budget is around the corner and this interview by Kaushik Bashu (former economic advisor) is a reminder of what India needs to do.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about India’s economic growth, its importance and what happens when there is slow growth.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Begin by giving statistics regarding India’s growth. How it fared compared to other countries.

Body:

In the first part, mention the significance of having good economic growth, particularly for a country like India with a large youth population.

Next, write about the possible impact that a country like India can face in case of slow economic growth.

Conclusion:

Conclude with a way forward

Introduction

The World Bank recently said that India is expected to be the fastest growing economy of the seven largest emerging-market and developing economies (EMDEs) though its economic growth is projected to slow to 6.9% in FY23 and 6.6% in FY24 from 8.7% in 2021-22.

A growing economy can foster healthy population and bring overall prosperity and inclusiveness. India with its current demographic dividend must leverage the opportunity.

Body

India’s economic growth

• In terms of the aggregate economy, measured by GDP, over the last year India has done fairly well, especially in the context of the current global situation, where several advanced economies are on the brink of a recession.
• In September 2022 India had overtaken the UK to become the world’s 5^th largest economy.
• India’s youth unemployment rate stands at 28.3%, which is almost double that of most east and south-east Asian nations and comparable to some of the troubled middle-eastern countries.

Significance of positive economic growth

• To engineer an inclusive and sustainable growth for India, the social infrastructure like education, health and social protection must be given utmost priority by the Government
• Protecting and investing in people’s health, education, and skilling is vital for reducing income inequality, and sustained inclusive economic growth.
• India needs to increase its spending on health and education. As recommended by the National Health Policy 2017 and the NEP 2020, India needs to increase its spending on health and education to at least 2.5 % in 6 % of GDP respectively from its current levels. Enhancing policies to maintain and even increase health and longevity will therefore be necessary.
  • Only a growing economy will be able to do this.
• The current situation calls for more and better schools, especially in rural areas. It also calls for better transportation links between rural areas and regional urban hubs.
• India has to invest more in human capital formation at all levels, from primary education to higher education, cutting-edge research and development as well as on vocational training to increase the skill sets of its growing working-age population.
• The flagship schemes such as Skill India, Make in India, and Digital India have to be implemented to achieve convergence between skill training and employment generation.
• Bridging the gender gaps in education, skill development, employment, earnings and reducing social inequalities prevalent in the society have been the underlying goals of the development strategy to enhance human capabilities.
• Improved infrastructure, skill development, access to easy finance, reducing barriers to entrepreneurship and forums for mentorship of emerging entrepreneurs in partnership with corporates are some of measures.
• Decentralized models of development: Social policies for each state must be differentiated to accommodate different rates of population growth. The populations in south and west India are growing at a much slower pace than in the central and eastern states.

Human cost of slow economic growth

• Rising Inequality: In India, a large portion of the population is below the poverty line, therefore, they do not have easy access to primary health and education.
  • There is growing inequality across social groups and income groups which translates itself into poor socio-economic mobility.
  • Lack of socioeconomic mobility hinders human capital development and traps a large section of population to be in the vicious circle of poverty.
• Lack of Skilling: According to the National Sample Survey, out of the 470 million people of working age in India, only 10% receive any kind of training or access to skilled employment opportunities.
  • There’s a huge mismatch between demand and supply when it comes to skilled workforce and employment opportunities, which could place a strain on the economy in the long run
• Inadequate use of knowledge bases from technology developments: There is a disconnect between India’s rate of technological growth and ability to distribute the gains from it by adequately focusing on skilling and health.
  • The use of technical advancements has been concentrated in few sectors and benefits accrued by a few elitist sections of the society.
• Jobless growth:India’s high growth rate phase (2004-05 to 2010-11) has created significantly fewer jobs as compared to previous decades of economic growth.
  • Around 47 % of India’s population is still dependent on agriculture which is notorious for underemployment and disguised unemployment.
  • Majority of the workforce is employed by the unorganized sector where workers are underpaid and lack any kind of social security.
• Falling female labour force participation: According to data from International Labour Organization and World Bank, India’s female labour force participation rates have fallen from 34.8 % in 1990 to 27 % in 2013.
  • Socio-cultural factors and rising family incomes have been identified as the main reasons for this decline.
  • Another appalling concern is that a significant proportion of qualified women drop out of the workforce for reasons ranging from no suitable jobs in the locality—particularly in rural areas—to family responsibilities and marriage.

Conclusion

Once the current demographic dividend is behind us, we will need these deep strengths to steer our economy.  Reducing poverty is to be taken as key element in our inclusive growth strategy and there has been some progress in that regard. The government and private sector both have imperative roles in driving inclusive growth. There is a need for the public and the private sector in India to have a combined approach towards how they can extend, innovate, and cooperate in innovative ways to enhance inclusive growth.

General Studies – 4

Topic: laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance;

7. What is the meaning of ‘crisis of conscience’? Give instances of it in public life. (10M)

Difficulty Level: Easy

Why the question:

The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4 and part of ‘Philosophical Mondays’ in Mission-2023 Secure.

Key Demand of the question:

Write about the ‘crisis of conscience’ and describe it in the case of public life. Try to give practical examples.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction:

Start by describing what you understand by ‘Crisis of Conscience’

You may write:

Conscience refers to an individual’s inner sense which helps him/her’ to distinguish between right and wrong. ‘Crisis of conscience’ is a situation wherein a person is drawn between two or more choices all of which appear to be morally acceptable. Such situations can arise in both private and public life.

 

Body:

Elaborate on the concept by dividing it into various parts and giving examples for each from your own life or others. E.g. Lives vs. livelihoods conundrum; Transparency and confidentiality, e.g. the right to information law allows disclosure of information on public issues but not those related to sensitive defence matters; Independence and obedience of higher authority, e.g. order to carry out the raid on some ex-ministers family members due to political reasons

Very briefly write how these crises can be resolved.

Conclusion:

You may conclude by writing:

A crisis of conscience is an integral part of everyone’s lives, and mechanisms to face this situation should be taught and developed amongst us in a consistent and ethical manner both in our private and public lives. Failure to do so might push a person into anxiety, depression, fear etc. 

Introduction

Conscience is inner moral sense of a person which guides him/her to regulate his behaviour. It is a cognitive process that elicits emotion and rational associations based on an individual’s moral philosophy or value system.  Often Conscience is related to religious text and supreme command to be followed by one’s inner self. Conscience comes to play when a person is in moral dilemma and need deep assessment of scenario and his behaviour.

Body

Crisis of conscience:

• It is a situation in which it is very difficult to decide what is the right thing to do.
• It is also a time when people are worrying because they think that they have done something unfair or morally wrong.
• It is a case of ethical dilemma, but often in a stronger sense.
• When there is a crisis of conscience, the individual fear that his action may be against the voice of conscience and hence ethically wrong.
• For example, a municipality official has been ordered to forcefully evict illegal shelters constructed by squatters on government land. The official observes that the occupants are poor people who have small infants to take care of. In such case the official has to choose between his/her conscience of giving them time to vacate or follow government order and perform his duty.
• In health care, conscientious objection involves practitioners not providing certain treatments to their patients, based on reasons of morality or “conscience.”
• ‘Crisis of conscience’ and its effect on individual is visible in the form of ‘whistle blowing’, where an individual brings out irregularities happening inside the organisation out into the public domain.
• Ex: Public official in the revenue department observes that some colleagues have conspired to illegally sell a government land which has been allocated to an orphanage. They have offered him a huge sum of money to keep quiet. ‘Crisis of conscience’ will force the official to bring out this information into the public domain, even if it is anonymously.
• A public official is forced to resort to public activism if he/she is unable to do what his conscience expects him/her to do so. In this case he may follow a path of political activism or social activism.
• Ex: An officer is trying hard to sanction drinking water project to a poor residential area but there is ignorance on the part of concerned officials. He/she is forced to file petition with court in order to implement the project.

Conclusion

To quote Gandhiji, “There is a higher court than courts of justice and that is the court of conscience. It supersedes all other courts.” Thus, the voice of conscience guides a person in treading the moral highway. For a public servant faced with crisis of conscience, Gandhi’s Talisman is the best source of solution to overcome the crisis.

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