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: Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc., geographical features and their location-changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: The Hindu , Insights on India
Why the question:
Around 350 million Indians were exposed to strong heat stress between April and May 2022. Between 1990 and 2019, summer temperatures on average rose by 0.5-0.9°C across districts in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Rajasthan; about 54% of India’s districts have also seen a similar rise in winter temperatures.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about heat waves and causes of heat wave conditions and role of climate change on it
Directive word:
Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must investigate the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by defining a heat wave.
Body:
In the first part of the body, start by mentioning the criteria for a heat wave: in temperature for plains, coastal areas and hilly areas. The criteria for a severe heat wave.
In the next part, mention the causes behind heat waves in India. Write about the ways in which climate change impacts heatwaves in India and to what extent.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing about measures that must be taken to tackle heatwaves in India.
Introduction
Heat wave is a period of abnormally high temperatures, more than the normal maximum temperature that occurs during the pre-monsoon (April to June) summer season. According to Indian Meteorological Department, Heat wave is considered if maximum temperature of a station reaches at least 40°C or more for Plains, 37°C or more for coastal stations and at least 30°C or more for Hilly regions.
Around 350 million Indians were exposed to strong heat stress between April and May 2022. Between 1990 and 2019, summer temperatures on average rose by 0.5-0.9°C across districts in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Rajasthan; about 54% of India’s districts have also seen a similar rise in winter temperatures.
Body
Reasons for India to experience increasing instances of heatwaves
- Magnified effect of paved and concrete surfaces in urban areas and a lack of tree cover.
- Urban heat island effects can make ambient temperatures feel 3 to 4 degrees more than what they are.
- More heat waves were expected as globally temperatures had risen by an average 0.8 degrees in the past 100 years. Night-time temperatures are rising too.
- Higher daily peak temperatures and longer, more intense heat waves are becomingly increasingly frequent globally due to climate change.
- High intensity of UV rays in medium-high heat wave zone.
- Combination of exceptional heat stress and a predominantly rural population makes India vulnerable to heat waves.
Climate change and Heatwaves
- Climate change is making heat waves phenomenon more frequent and severe
- Due to climate change, periods of hot days in heat wave conditions stretch out longer in places like South Asia.
- Climate models reveal that future heatwaves will have a more intense geographic pattern. The world will experience more intense, more frequent, and longer-lasting heat waves in the second half of the 21st century.
- Increased anthropogenic activities causing increased greenhouse gas emissions show that heatwaves will be more severe.
- Heatwaves and droughts, as a result, minimise ecosystem carbon sequestration or carbon uptake.
- This will cause changes in the ecosystem’s carbon cycle feedback because there will be less vegetation to hold the carbon from the atmosphere, which will only contribute more to atmospheric warming.
- Due to climate change, the problem of heat waves is also becoming widespread across the country, affecting not only the typical hot spots in the northwest and southeast but also regions that aren’t used to seeing so much extreme heat.
- The effects of heat waves are even more stark because of a lack of rainfall so far this season due climate change.
Measures to mitigate heat waves:
- Switching to lighter-colored paving or porous green roads and cool roofs, to reflect more solar radiation.
- For instance, after a severe 2010 heat wave, the city of Ahmedabad implemented a Heat Action Plan, including a cool-roofs program; research has shown this plan has prevented thousands of deaths.
- Cities could increase their share of tree cover, which is significantly lower than what’s required to maintain an ecological balance.
- People in urban areas could be encouraged to grow climbing plants and curtains of vegetation outside their windows.
- Greenbelts around cities, for wind paths, would allow the passage of exhaust heat from urban air conditioners and automobiles.
- Finally, air-quality standards should be enforced rigorously and continuously—not just when air pollution reaches hazardous levels.
Way forward:
- In 2016, the National Disaster Management Agency prepared guidelines for state governments to formulate action plans for the prevention and management of heat waves, outlining four key strategies:
- Forecasting heat waves and enabling an early warning system
- Building capacity of healthcare professionals to deal with heat wave-related emergencies
- Community outreach through various media
- Inter-agency cooperation as well as engagement with other civil society organizations in the region.
- Scientific Approach:
- Climate data from the last 15-20 years can be correlated with the mortality and morbidity data to prepare a heat stress index and city-specific threshold.
- Vulnerable areas and population could be identified by using GIS and satellite imagery for targeted actions.
- Advance implementation of local Heat Action Plans, plus effective inter-agency coordination is a vital response which the government can deploy in order to protect vulnerable groups.
- This will require identification of “heat hot spots”, analysis of meteorological data and allocation of resources to crisis-prone areas.
- The India Cooling Action Planmust emphasize the urgency and need for better planning, zoning and building regulations to prevent Urban Heat Islands.
- Provision of public messaging (radio, TV), mobile phone-based text messages, automated phone calls and alerts.
- Promotion of traditional adaptation practices, such as staying indoors and wearing comfortable clothes.
- Popularization of simple design features such as shaded windows, underground water storage tanks and insulating housing materials.
General Studies – 2
Topic: India and its neighbourhood- relations.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Indian Express , Insights on India
Why the question:
Earlier this month, the International Court of Justice at The Hague rejected the Myanmar junta’s appeal for a 10-month reprieve to file a counter-memorial — or reply — to The Gambia’s case that Myanmar was in breach of the international Genocide Convention.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the constraints faced by international community, importance of Myanmar to India’s foreign policy and steps needed put Myanmar back on a democratic path.
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:
Begin giving context regarding Indo-Myanmar relations.
Body:
In the first part, mention about the importance of Myanmar to India’s foreign policy. Throw light on economic and strategic significance, act east policy of India etc.
Next, write the various options to ensure the return of democracy in Myanmar. Using U.N and ASEAN, Bilateral diplomacy etc.
Next, write about the other measures of outreach that must be explored by India for a successful Act east policy.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward.
Introduction
Myanmar (formerly called Burma) military grabbed power in a coup, third time in the nation’s history since its independence from British rule in 1948. Military (also called Junta and Tatmadaw) has alleged that the general elections held in November 2020 were full of irregularities and that therefore, the results are not valid. This marked the end of Myanmar’s short-lived experience with democracy which began in 2011, when military implemented parliamentary elections and other reforms.
Body
Various efforts to ensure the return of democracy in Myanmar
- International efforts should provide strong incentives and support for critical democracies in the region such as India, Japan and Indonesia to increase dialogue with and assistance for pro-democracy political parties and non-state ethnic nationalities authorities in Myanmar.
- The United States should increase high-level diplomatic engagement with ASEAN to enhance that organization’s resilience to attempts by China to undermine the role the bloc may play in putting the country back on a path toward democracy.
- Despite the military’s best effort to quash it, civil society in Myanmar persists and serves an increasingly important role providing essential services to vulnerable communities and by organizing anti-coup activities.
- The United States and other democracies should continue to provide financial and technical support to civil society.
- Support political dialogues across Myanmar’s diverse, anti-coup movement. These include dialogues under the People’s Representative Committee for Federalism and the National Unity Consultative Council.
- Where possible, the United States should support solidarity and trust-building within the anti-coup movement.
- Dialogues should aim to sincerely address past discrimination and abuses, including those by the NLD and others who have held positions of power.
Approach to be taken by India
- India faces the most challenging dilemma on how to respond to the military coup in Myanmar. India supports the process of democratic transition in Myanmar.
- Though India has expressed deep concern over recent developments in Myanmar, cutting off from the Myanmar military is not a viable option as India has significant economic and strategic interests in Myanmar and its neighbourhood.
- The dual power centres of the military and the civilian government that existed in Naypyitaw until recently, suited India.
- While India’s national interests clearly lie in dealing with whoever is in power in Myanmar, India would find it difficult to openly support the junta given the strong western and American stance.
- On the other hand, it can ill-afford to offend the junta by actively seeking a restoration of democracy there.
- India should continue to engage with the present regime in Myanmar working towards mutual development of people of both the countries while it should support sharing experiences in constitutionalism and federalism to assist Myanmar in resolving the prevailing stalemate.
Conclusion
India is left with very few clear policy options. And yet, it must continue to maintain relations with the government in power in Myanmar while discreetly pushing for political reconciliation in the country. In the meantime, the focus must be on improving trade, connectivity, and security links between the two sides.
Topic: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Indian Express , Insights on India
Why the question:
Campaigning in Karnataka on Sunday, Rahul Gandhi called for a caste census and for the removal of the 50 per cent cap on SC/ST/OBC reservation.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about benefits of collecting caste based data in census as well as the harms it might cause in light of the reality of Indian society. Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Monday reiterated demand for a caste based census in the country and claimed that it was highly beneficial.
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:
Begin by giving context of caste-based census in India.
Body:
In the first part, discuss the pros – lack of accurate data related to many affirmative action programmes of the government, helpful in the debate related to reservation policy, targeted poverty reduction programmes etc
Next, Discuss the cons – creates chasms within society, historical apprehensions when such data was used to further divide and rule policy, the reality of Indian society and the implications that it would have in a situation of trust deficit between communities, it would be a process of recording caste generated a conception of community as a homogeneous and classifiable community and thereby influenced the processes of political representation.
Conclusion:
Based on above arguments give a fair and balanced view as conclusion.
Introduction
Despite the underlying good intentions, positive discrimination has been a controversial topic. Many oppose affirmative actions like reservation; they believe that such provisions only perpetuate caste differences and they call for a “casteless society”.
But, as Justice D.Y. Chandrachud pointed out, “caste-lessness” is a privilege that only the upper caste can afford because their caste privilege has already translated into social, political and economic capital.
On the other hand, individuals who belong to the lower castes must retain their caste identity in order to claim the benefits of measures such as reservation, which recognise historic harm.
Body
Background
- SECC was conducted for the first time in 1931.
- SECC is meant to canvass every Indian family, both in rural and urban India, and ask about their:
- Economic status, so as to allow Central and State authorities to come up with a range of indicators of deprivation, permutations, and combinations of which could be used by each authority to define a poor or deprived person.
- It is also meant to ask every person their specific caste name to allow the government to re-evaluate which caste groups were economically worst off and which were better off.
- SECC has the potential to allow for a mapping of inequalities at a broader level.
Benefits of caste based census
- Benefit in Policy Making: The purpose of a caste census is not merely geared to the reservation issue; a caste census would actually bring to the fore the large number of issues that any democratic country needs to attend to, particularly the number of people who are at the margins, or who are deprived, or the kind of occupations they pursue.
- A caste census, which will generate exhaustive data will allow policymakers to develop better policies, implementation strategies,and will also enable a more rational debate on sensitive issues.
- Reveal Privileged Section of Society: Caste is not only a source of disadvantage; it is also a very important source of privilege and advantage in our society.
- There is a need to stop thinking of caste as being applicable to only disadvantaged people, poor people, people who are somehow lacking.
- The opposite is even more true: caste has produced advantages for certain communities, and these also need to be recorded.
- Caste has an Important Position in Indian Society: While census data has been captured for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, religions and linguistic profiles, there has been no profiling of all castes in India since 1931.
- Since then, caste has assumed an increasingly important position in our lives, and our reliance on inadequate data has also increased.
- To Address Prevalent Inequalities: Unequal distribution of wealth, resources and education has meant an acute shortage of purchasing power among the majority of Indians. Hence, the caste census helps to address these issues in a democratic, scientific and objective manner.
- Constitutional Mandate: Our Constitution too favours conducting a caste census. Article 340 mandates the appointment of a commission to investigate the conditions of socially and educationally backward classesand make recommendations as to the steps that should be taken by governments.
- To Burst the Myths:There are a lot of myths which actually deprive a large number of people, particularly on the margins.
- For instance, In Karnataka, there were claims that among the castes, the Lingayats are the most numerous.
- But a lot of other studies have brought out that this may not be true, and these kinds of myths lead to the argument that given that this is a caste which is numerous, it has to be constantly placated. These myths can be debunked through a caste census.
- Reduce Inclusion and Exclusion Errors:With accurate data of castes, most backward castes can be identified.
- Some have benefited so much across the years, while there are people in this country who have not benefited at all.
Challenges in conducting the caste based census
- Repercussions of a Caste Census:Caste has an emotive element and thus there exist the political and social repercussions of a caste census.
- There have been concerns that counting caste may help solidify or harden identities.
- Due to these repercussions, nearly a decade after the SECC, a sizable amount of its data remains unreleased or released only in parts.
- Caste Is Context-specific:Caste has never been a proxy for class or deprivation in India; it constitutes a distinct kind of embedded discrimination that often transcends class. For example:
- People with Dalit last names are less likely to be called for job interviews even when their qualifications are equal to an upper-caste candidate.
- They are also less likely to be accepted as tenants by landlords. Thus, difficult to measure.
- Marriage to a well- educated, well-off Dalit man still sparks violent reprisals among the families of upper-caste women every day across the country.
- Lack of Trust & Clarity: The Supreme court has time and again asked governments to provide the data related to castes; however, this has not been possible due to the non-availability of such data.
- As a result, our national life suffers from mutual mistrust and misconceptions among different castes.
- All such commissions have had to rely on data from the last caste census (1931).
- Other Issues:There are apprehensions that caste-based census would further promote:
- Caste-based political mobilisation
- Strong sentiments for or against reservations
Way forward
- Utilizing Existing Data:As SECC has its own concerns, linking and syncing aggregated Census data to other large datasets such as the National Sample Surveys may help the governments realize the intended benefits of SECC.
- National Sample Surveys cover issues that the Census exercises do not, such as maternal health, information of land and asset ownership, consumption expenditure, nature of employment, which would be significant for a more comprehensive analysis.
- Digital Alternatives:Statisticians pointed out that Census operations across the world are going through significant changes, employing digital methods that are precise, faster, and cost-effective.
- However, care must be taken to ensure that digital alternatives and linking of data sources involving Census operations are inclusive and non-discriminatory, especially given the sensitive nature of the data being collected.
- A Preliminary Census: Further, independent of census, a preliminary socio-anthropological study can be done at the State and district levels to establish all sects and sub-castes present in the population.
Conclusion
A caste census may not sit well with the goal of a casteless society, but it may serve as a means of addressing inequities in society. With every passing day and increasing social awareness, the urgency to do away with the caste system is being sharply felt. Dr. BR Ambedkar stated that if India had to attain a place of pride among the comity of nations, caste would have to be annihilated first.
The 21st century is the right time to solve India’s caste question, which would otherwise extract a heavy price, not just sociologically, but also politically and economically, and make us fall behind in the development index.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Security challenges and their management in border areas – linkages of organized crime with terrorism.
Difficulty level: Tough
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
During his visit to Arunachal Pradesh earlier this week, Indian Home Minister Amit Shah declared, “Today, we can state with pride, gone are those days when people could encroach into our land. Now, they cannot even take a pin’s tip worth of our land because the ITBP and the Indian Army are now present here.”
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the challenges of border management especially in Arunachal Pradesh and the strategies India has employed to tackle such challenges.
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 highlighting that India shares borders with several countries, a few of those countries don’t share good relations with India making the task of border management challenging.
Body:
First, Discuss the challenges with respect to border security – non-demarcated boundaries with overlapping, Unilateral actions by some nations to change the status quo in their favour, Misuse of borders (especially porous open borders) for smuggling, illegal migration, etc, Little or no support from counterparts of neighbouring nations and in some cases active support by cross border elements to illegal activities etc.
Next, write about the issues in managing the border of Arunachal Pradesh.
Mention the various steps taken by India to address these issues and for effective management of its borders.
Conclusion:
Conclude by summarising the need of effective border management strategy.
Introduction
India has one of the longest and most varied of international borders. Historical and political reasons have left India with an artificial unnatural border. Border Management is an integral approach towards borders in which along with security enhancement, infrastructure & human development is undertaken. The challenge of coping with long-standing territorial and boundary disputes with China and Pakistan, combined with porous borders along some of the most difficult terrain in the world, has made effective and efficient border management a national priority.
India and China share a disputed 4,000-kilometer border.
Body
India has had to deal with numerous challenges with respect to border management such as:
- Porous borders: International borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh run through diverse terrain including deserts, marshes, plains and mountains. This porosity of borders facilitates various illegal activities such as smuggling, trafficking of humans, drugs and arms and infiltration.
- Contested International borders: History of mistrustand constant border skirmisheswith Pakistan along line of control (LOC) makes India highly susceptible to cross-border terrorism. Similarly, India’s border with Myanmar is threatened by several insurgent groups that have found sanctuaries in jungles along the border. Political boundary issues of “enclaves and adverse possessions” in Bangladesh have resulted in political sensitivity along the entire eastern border.
- Inefficiency in Border management: Indian borders continue to be guarded by military and police forces that report to different ministries in the Centre and states, making the border management task arduous and leading to duplication of efforts by the security forces.
- Lack of critical infrastructure: Critical infrastructure such as observation towers, bunkers, Border Flood Lights etc. are lacking in many border areas which also prevent deployment of hi-tech equipment.
- Poor intelligence and resource efficiency: Security forces are ill-equipped to handle border management given poor intelligence capabilities and severe resource deficiency.
- Ethnic conflicts and separatist movements: The situation has worsened due to the changed demographic profile of many Border States and shift in ethnic balance of communities as a result of illegal migration.
- Over-population in the border areas: Density of population in the border areas at some places is approximately 700-800 persons per square km on the Indian side and about 1,000 persons on the Bangladesh side.
- Political instability and disorder in its periphery impacts India’s security directly or indirectly. Proxy war between India and Pakistan adds to this security risk.
The implications on the internal security due to the above challenges of border management is marked by
- increased cross-border terrorism
- infiltration and ex-filtration of armed militants
- emergence of non-state actors
- nexus between narcotics traffickers and arms smugglers
- left-wing extremism
- fake Indian Currency network
- separatist movements aided and abetted by external powers
- illegal cattle trade
Way forward:
- Infrastructure along with border has to be improved – rail connectivity along with road connectivityhas to be provided for quick mobilization.
- Building of additional checkpoints and Border postsalong major and minor trade routes connected with borders
- Building of floating bridges, walls & electrical fenceswhere there is high probability of infiltration.
- Taking up of joint Border management with Countries like Myanmar, Bhutan and Nepal.
- Improving healthcare, physical infrastructure and digital connectivity in villagesaround borders thus making them stakeholder in Border Management.
- Madhav Godbole task forcerecommendations on border management need to be implemented.
- It had recommended that the CRPF should be designated as the primary national level counter-insurgency force. This would enable the other central paramilitary forces like the BSF and Indo-Tibetan Border Police to return to their primary role of better border management.
- It had also recommended that all paramilitary forces managing unsettled borders should operate directly under the control of the armyand that there should be lateral induction from the army to the paramilitary forces so as to enhance their operational effectiveness.
- The principle of ‘single point control’ must be followedif the borders are to be effectively managed.
- The advances in surveillance technology, particularly satellite and aerial imagery, can help to maintain a constant vigil along the LAC and make it possible to reduce physical deployment.
Conclusion:
Keeping a strong vigil on its border is very important for any nation to check any kind of illegal activities or intrusion through them. For India, the task becomes difficult where terrain and climate is very complex across some of its border areas. Focussing on improved technology will help in making the task easier for the security forces and make its borders more secure.
Value addition
China’s claim on Arunachal Pradesh
- China claims some 90,000 sq km of Arunachal Pradesh as its territory.
- It calls the area “Zangnan” in the Chinese language and makes repeated references to “South Tibet”.
- Chinese maps show Arunachal Pradesh as part of China, and sometimes parenthetically refer to it as “so-called Arunachal Pradesh”.
- China makes periodic efforts to underline this unilateral claim to Indian territory. Giving Chinese names to places in Arunachal Pradesh is part of that effort.
China’s rationale behind claiming these areas
- The People’s Republic of China disputes the legal status of the McMahon Line, the boundary between Tibet and British India that was agreed at the Simla Convention — officially the ‘Convention Between Great Britain, China, and Tibet’ — of 1914.
- China was represented by a plenipotentiary of the Republic of China.
- The Chinese representative did not consent to the Simla Convention, saying Tibet had no independent authority to enter into international agreements.
- The McMohan Line, named after Henry McMahon, the chief British negotiator at Shimla, was drawn from the eastern border of Bhutan to the Isu Razi pass on the China-Myanmar border.
- China claims territory to the south of the McMahon Line, lying in Arunachal Pradesh.
- China also bases its claims on the historical ties that have existed between the monasteries in Tawang and Lhasa.
Topic: Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.
Difficulty level: Easy
Reference: Insights on India
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 3 and mentioned as part of Mission-2023 Secure timetable.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the obstacles to the Naga peace talks and suggest steps to resolve them.
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 giving context
Body:
In the first part, mention about Naga peace accord of 2015, the Centre signed a framework agreement with the NSCN (I-M) to resolve the Naga issue, but both sides maintaining secrecy about its contents.
Next write about the various obstacles in Naga peace process – Write about the friction between NSCN(I-M) and interlocutor R.N Ravi over some contents of the deal. Mention other hurdles such as sovereignty issues, demand for Greater Nagalim, Issues with non-Naga groups, Extortions by certain Naga groups and factions within the Nagas.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.
Introduction
The NSCN (IM) entered into a ceasefire agreement with the Centre in 1997 and the two have been holding talks since then, while a conglomerate of seven different Naga national political groups (NNPGs) also got into separate talks with the Centre since 2017. The Centre signed a “framework agreement” with NSCN (IM) in 2015, and an “agreed position” with the NNPGs in 2017. However, the NSCN (IM)’s demand for a separate Naga flag and constitution has been a delaying factor in signing a final deal on the protracted Naga political issue.
The Union government and the Manipur government have signed a cessation of operations agreement with the Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF), a Manipur-based Naga armed group in December 2022.
Body
Naga Peace Accord and deadlock
- Enlarged Peace Talks: Talks were expanded in 2017 by including other Naga groups under the banner, the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs)
- Bilateral to Multilateral Negotiations: The Framework Agreement envisaged a bilateral truce between two entities, but today it is seen to be a multilateral one with involvement of seven prominent Naga groups
- Deadlock in Talks Since October 2019:The deadlock was on the insistence for a separate flag and constitution by the NSCN(IM) to make way for India and Nagaland to be independent allies in a shared-sovereignty federal relationship
- Differences within Naga Groups: The NSCN (I-M) still insists on a “Greater Nagalim”. However, most of the NNPGs based in Nagaland have sought to settle the issue without disturbing the State boundarieswhile keeping the “Greater Nagalim” question in abeyance.
Other issues in the peace process
- The agreement released by the NSCN-IM in August 2020 stated “sharing the sovereign power” and provide for an “enduring inclusive new relationship of peaceful co-existence of the two entities”.
- The NSCN-IM claims that the word ‘new’ is politically sensitive as it goes to define the meaning of peaceful co-existence of the two entities(two sovereign powers) and it strongly indicates outside the purview of the Constitution.
- The position of NSCN (IM) has been“with India, not within India”.
- Conceding to this demand, especially after the abrogation of Article 370, seems improbablefor the Government.
- In November 2017, R N Ravi signed an agreement with seven groupswho had come together under the banner of the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs), which did not include the NSCN (IM).
- The IM, which considers itself the principal representative of Naga aspirations, has been a rival of many of the NNPG groups. In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2020, the IM accused Ravi of attempting to “segregate the Naga civil society”.
- The NSCN-IM had claimed that the interlocutor Mr. Ravi, “craftily deleted the word new from the original”to justify his own narrative and circulated to the other Naga groups including NNGPs.
- NSCN-IM was also angeredby Mr. Ravi’s letter to Nagaland CM, alleging the collapse of law and order and that armed gangs who question the sovereignty and integrity of the nation” were engaging in “blatant extortion”.
Way forward
- The government has roped in former IB officer Mishra as the new pointsperson for talks.
- It is important to understand that there cannot be an accord without the NSCN(IM). It continues to get young recruits and wields considerable influence in the region.
- The idea is to slowly bring them to accept what India can give.
- One of Mishra’s tasks would also be to delicately close the gap between the IM and NNPGs, which shared a good relationship with Ravi.
General Studies – 4
Topic: Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators;
Difficulty level: Easy
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4 and part of ‘Conceptual Tuesdays’ in Mission-2023 Secure.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the values envisaged by the founding fathers of India and the need to preserve them.
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:
Start by mentioning the major values envisaged by the founding father of India.
Body:
First, write about the rationale behind such values and how they continue to be relevant in the present times. Cite examples to substantiate.
Next, write about the impact they could create on the present times and help use address challenges of today.
Conclusion:
Conclude by summarising.
Introduction
The five principal pillars of envisaged by founding father of India are, Nation-building, Democratic institution-building, Secularism, Democratic Socialist economics, and a Novel foreign policy (Non-alignment, Panchsheel) still form the cardinal values of India.
Body
Values envisaged by builders of Independent India
- Constitution of India: The Founding fathers came up with a constitutional scheme guaranteeing rights that included freedom of speech, religionand equality of all people.
- It also allowed for affirmative actionin favor of those who were historically marginalized.
- A secular state: India’s diversity invariably called for a secular state. Though the principle of secularism is different, it is suitably adapted to the needs of India. It has been working successfully all these years.
- Universal adult franchise: From the very start, post-Independent India had universal adult franchise without discrimination against women. Even western nations didn’t have it until late and India can take great pride in this matter.
- Allowing for a formal separation of powers:There is a federal set up with clear separation of power with features to become unitary without amending the constitution. This model also has worked well for India which needs a strong Centre for its unity and integrity.
- Building of institutions (industrial, educational, medical) that heralded progress, and the unleashing of knowledge and communication sectors that tied India beneficially to the world economy.
- Non-alignment: India’s foreign policy has helped it maneuver through tough times and have space for strategic autonomy when the world was mired in cold war. Even today this is very relevant.
The role of value in addressing present day challenges
- The successes and failures of the earlier generations in post-independent India have provided the nation with the pathways to address the challenges of the future.
- For one, it is clear thatneither a statist nor a market-only emphasis on development and growth is ideal.
- India mustcontinue policies, framed in the 1990s, of allowing entrepreneurial energies to flourish while relying on comprehensive welfare with a rights approach, which was given impetus in the late 2000s, to help utilize its demographic potential.
- In the early years of Independence, many modern institutions of higher education, industry and health care were built and enduredbut India missed out on a strong focus on primary health-care and education, a weakness that has led to the persistence of poverty and social marginalization on the basis of caste.
- A bottom-up approach to development that should focus on building capabilities of the citizenry throughboth affirmative actions and state responsiveness would lead to better release of productive forces in the economy.
- States getting more fiscal latitude and local governments being empowered to implement programs could go a long way in achieving this.
- As the world transits towards a new industrial revolution in its reliance on technologies such as 5G, the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, robotics, and green technologies,India must embark upon building significant capabilities in these in a way that does not just result in a few corporations gaining but which allows for more gainful employment and diversification of the economy.
- In external relations, while India must continue to skilfully navigatethe contradictions emerging in the international order with an emphasis on its interests, it should not disavow the time-tested adherence to values — of non-interference, building an equanimous world order and striving for peace — that allowed it to emerge as a leader of the non-aligned world.
Conclusion
India has come a long way since 1947 in finding its footing among the comity of nations, but there still needs a lot more distance to be travelled in fulfilling the promise that Pandit Nehru spoke of, on the eve of Independence. India’s Independence generation was clear that freedom from British rule was meaningless without a constitutional order that governs a democratic system predicated on social justice, equality and unity in diversity as these were the promises that gained them the intellectual ballast and the support of the people to overcome colonialism. India’s progress in the 21st century would depend upon the re-ignition of these values.
Topic: role of Family society and educational institutions in inculcating values.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4 and part of ‘Conceptual Tuesdays’ in Mission-2023 Secure.
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 explaining the various objectives of education.
Body:
Write about how the educational qualifications and good character are not necessarily interlinked. Mention the role of education should be producing good character and it will impact the society along with providing livelihood. Also, mention education devoid of good character can be a menace to the society. Substantiate with examples.
Conclusion:
Summarise by highlighting the importance of education in character building.
Introduction
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,” rightly said Nelson Mandela who abolished apartheid. Not just soaring grades, prestigious degrees and a job with hefty salary packages later on in life, education means a lot more than these.
Body
Good Education and character is interlinked
It is school education that shapes a child and develops their character. A good school education is the key to building social and life skills. School education is something that builds up the edifice of an individual’s life, shapes one’s life, defines one’s character, morality, ideology, principles, life skills and everything that is required to lead a life besides decorating one’s career.
Character building is based on six pillars — trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship and all of these can be filled in a child only through adequate education. These values automatically make them self-sufficient from all respect to face the challenges of life and contribute to society in some positive way.
It is perhaps in school that a child gets the first taste of success and failure, good manners and bad habits, friendship and competition, compassion and care, jealousy and arrogance. This is exactly why primary or elementary education in school disciplines a child and forms the most critical component of an education system.
Educational qualifications and character are not interlinked
Elon Musk said, “My biggest mistake is probably weighing too much on someone’s talent and not someone’s personality (character). Your degree is just a piece of paper, your education is seen in your behavior, attitude and character.
Theodore Roosevelt once said, “To educate a man in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society.” You cannot hope to build a better world without improving individuals.
One may have the greatest scholarly titles and education and one may be a polymath. All these accolodes are of no use if one’s character is bad. If a man is not moral or ethical, even the best of the education is of no use to the society. Hence educational qualification and character need not be overlinked but a good education definitely leads to good character. Good education thus means instilling values and moraliity in an individual.
Conclusion
Producing students with good grades is not enough for helping them lead a fruitful life. This is why more focus needs to be given on preparing students with morals, ethics, soft skills. “Intelligence plus character — that is the goal of true education”
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