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General Studies – 1
Topic: The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.
Difficulty level: Easy
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The article explores the role of Meerut in the Indian Uprising of 1857, which is often regarded as the first war for India’s independence.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the impact created by the revolt of 1857.
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 briefly mentioning how the 1857 uprising was successfully quelled by the British.
Body:
First, write about how revolt of 1857 jolted the British administration.
Next, Mention the various re-alignment policies in administration such a British crown taking over control from EIC, Military strengthening, Transfer of Power, Divide and Rule, New Policy Towards the Princess, Search for New allies etc brought by the British as a way to avoid any such future uprising.
Conclusion:
Conclude by mentioning that although the British succeeded in overpowering the Uprising, it proved to be the beginning of resistance from the people of India.
Introduction
The cumulative effect of British expansionist policies, economic exploitation, and administrative innovations over the years had adversely affected the positions of all—rulers of Indian states, sepoys, zamindars, peasants, traders, artisans, pundits, maulvis, etc. The simmering discontent burst in the form of a violent storm in 1857, which shook the British empire in India to its very foundations.
Body
The revolt of 1857 shook the foundations of the British empire in India
- The revolt of 1857 played an important role in bringing the Indian people together and imparting to them the consciousness of belonging to one country.
- During the entire revolt, there was complete cooperation between Hindus and Muslims at all levels—people, soldiers, leaders.
- Rebels and sepoys, both Hindu and Muslim, respected each other’s sentiments.
- Immediate banning of cow slaughter was ordered once the revolt was successful in a particular area.
Nature of Revolt
Views differ on the nature of the 1857 revolt.
- It was a mere ‘Sepoy Mutiny’ to some British historians—”a wholly unpatriotic and selfish Sepoy Mutiny with no native leadership and no -popular support”, said Sir John Seeley.
- Dr K. Datta considers the revolt of 1857 to have been “in the main a military outbreak, which was taken advantage of by certain discontented princes and landlords, whose interests had been affected by the new political leader”
- It was at the beginning of the twentieth century that the 1857 revolt came to be interpreted as a “planned war of national independence”, by V.D. Savarkar.
- Dr R.C. Majumdar, however, considers it as neither the first, nor national, nor a war of independence as large parts of the country remained unaffected and many sections of the people took no part in the upsurge.
- According to Marxist historians, the 1857 revolt was “the struggle of the soldier-peasant democratic combine against foreign as well as feudal bondage”.
Impact: Re-alignment policies in administration by British post 1857
The revolt of 1857 marks a turning point in the history of India. It led to far-reaching changes in the system of administration and the policies of the British government.
- Direct Governance of Queen: Even before the revolt could be suppressed fully, the British Parliament, on August 2, 1858, passed an act for the Better Government of India. The act declared Queen Victoria as the sovereign of British Indiaand provided for the appointment of a Secretary of Statefor India (a member of the British cabinet).
- The direct responsibility for the administration of the country was assumed by the BritishCrown and Company rule was abolished.
- The assumption of the Government of India by the sovereign of Great Britain was announced byLord Canning at a durbar at Allahabad in the ‘Queen’s Proclamation’ issued on November 1, 1858.
- Princely states and paramountcy: As per the Queen’s proclamation, theera of annexations and expansion had endedand the British promised to respect the dignity and rights of the native princes. The Indian states were henceforth to recognise the paramountcy of the British Crown and were to be treated as parts of a single charge.
- The people of India were promised freedom of religion without interference from British officials.
- Rule of law:The proclamation also promised equal and impartial protection under law to all Indians,besides equal opportunities in government services irrespective of race or creed. It was also promised that old Indian rights, customs, and practices would be given due regard while framing and administering the law.
- Army reforms:The army, which was at the forefront of the outbreak, was thoroughly reorganised and British military policy came to be dominated by the idea of “division and counterpoise”.
- The British couldno longer depend on Indian loyalty,so the number of Indian soldiers was drastically reduced even as the number of European soldiers was increased.
- The concept of divide and rule was adopted, with separate units being created on the basis of caste/community/region.
- Recruits were to be drawn from the ‘martial’ races of Punjab, Nepal, and north-western frontier who had proved loyal to the British during the revolt. Effort was made to keep the army away from civilian population.
- Divide and Rule: The policy of divide and rule started in earnest after the Revolt of 1857. The British used one class/community against another unscrupulously.
- Thus, socially, there wasirremediable deterioration. While British territorial conquest was at an end, a period of systematic economic loot by the British began.
Conclusion
For the British, the Revolt of 1857 proved useful in that it showed up the glaring shortcomings in the Company’s administration and its army, which they rectified promptly. These defects would never have been revealed to the world if the Revolt had not happened.
For the Indians, the 1857 Revolt had a major influence View In conceptual terms, the British who had started their rule as ‘outsiders’, became ‘insiders’ by vesting in their monarch the sovereignty of India. Bernard Cohn (in context of the Queen’s Proclamation) on the course of the struggle for freedom. It brought out in the open grievances of people and the sepoys, which were seen to be genuine. The Revolt of 1857 did establish local traditions of resistance to British rule which were to be of help in the course of the national struggle for freedom.
Value addition
Various causes for the defeat of the rebel
- All-India participation was absent: Limited territorial spread was one factor; there wasno all-India veneer about the revolt. The eastern, southern, and western parts of India remained more or less
- All classes did not join: Certain classes and groups did not join and, in fact, worked against the revolt.
- Big zamindarsacted as ‘break-waters to storm’; even Awadh talukdars backed off once promises of land restitution were spelt out.
- Moneylendersand merchants suffered the wrath of the mutineers badly and, anyway, saw their class interests better protected under British patronage.
- Poor Arms and Equipment:The Indian soldiers were poorly equipped materially, fighting generally with swords and spears and very few guns and muskets.
- On the other hand, the European soldiers were equippedwith the latest weapons of war like the Enfield rifle. The electric telegraph kept the commander-in-chief informed about the movements and strategy of the
- Uncoordinated and Poorly Organised:The revolt was poorly organised with no coordination or central leadership.
- The principal rebel leaders—Nana Saheb, Tantia Tope, Kunwar Singh, Laxmibai—were no match to their British opponents in general ship.
- No Unified Ideology:The mutineers lacked a clear understanding of colonial rule; nor did they have a forward-looking programme, a coherent ideology, a political perspective, or a societal alternative. The rebels represented diverse elements with differing grievances and concepts of current politics.
Topic: History of the world will include events from 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc.— their forms and effect on the society.
Difficulty level: Tough
Reference: Insights on India
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1.
Key Demand of the question:
There were different arenas (Korea, Vietnam, etc.) of the cold war. Apart from these different arenas, mention the different fields (ex: space race, sports) in which the cold war played out.
Directive:
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 your answer by writing briefly what the primary cause of the cold war was.
Body:
First write about the “hot” aspects of the war, the different places where the two superpowers technically battled each other (Korea, Vietnam etc.). Proceed to write about the different fields in which the cold war ended up playing out – sports, space race, weapons race etc.
Write about the impact of the above.
Conclusion:
You can conclude by highlighting how in recent years a new cold war may be brewing, this time between USA and China.
Introduction
Cold war was a sequence of events after the World War II (1939-45) till the disintegration of the USSR in 1991, whereby the two super powers, USA and USSR, competed for hegemony in domains of economy, science and technology, politics and military. Each side adopted policies to strengthen itself and weaken the other falling short of an actual war.
Body
Various domains of cold war
- Ideologies: Nations in theSoviet and Chinese spheres were governed by They also featured command economies, in which production and distribution is rigidly controlled by the government.
- US-led block was the capitalist block which stood for liberal values of democracy and freedom. They saw communism as a threat to the liberal world.
- NATO vs Warsaw Pact:US formed NATO (1949) after the West Berlin Blockade because the capitalist bloc found itself unprepared for a military conflict.
- Warsaw pact (1955) was initiated by USSR in response to NATOadmitting West Germany.
- It was signed by USSR and all satellite states except Yugoslavia.
- Under Warsaw Pact, the members promised to defend each other against any attack from outside and the armies of all members came under overall control of Moscow.
- Arms race began in earnest when USSR developed the Atomic Bomb in 1949.
- Thereafter, US planned and produced the much more powerful Hydrogen Bomb.
- By 1953, USSR also caught up and developed the Hydrogen Bomb.
- Space race:Space exploration served as another dramatic arena for Cold War competition. Russia launched its first satellite in 1957, called Sputnik.
- In 1959, the Soviet space program took another step forward with the launch of Luna 2, the first space probe to hit the moon.
- In April 1961, the Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first person to orbit Earth, traveling in the capsule-like spacecraft Vostok 1.
- December 1968 saw the launch of Apollo 8, thefirst manned space mission to orbit the moon. By landing on the moon, the United States effectively “won” the space race that had begun with Sputnik’s launch in 1957.
Cold War manifestation across the world
- Berlin Wall erection and blockade: After WWII, Germany wasdivided into the Soviet-occupied, communist East and the Ally-occupied, democratic West.
- Though this division was initially administrative, the nation split into separate states (West Germany and East Germany) in 1949.
- Immediately preceding the division of Germany was the year-longBerlin blockade. The aim of the blockade was to starve the West Germans, but this was overcome by Allies through airlifting supplies.
- Berlin Wall was erected, which was called the descent of the iron curtain and start of cold war.
- Korean War of 1950- 1953: After World War II, Korea was divided into the Soviet-backed North and US-backed South.
- A Northern invasion of the South sparked the Korean War (1950-53), in which the South was supported by a US-led UN coalition.
- Just when this coalition had taken most of the Korean Peninsula, China joined the USSR in support of the North, driving the Americans back southward to the 38th parallel;this line has served as the boundary between the two Koreas ever since.
- Vietnam War:The most prolonged and destructive Cold War conflict was the Vietnam War (1954-75). Post war the nation was divided into the communist, USSR/China-backed North and non-communist, US-backed South.
- The US resorted to brutal campaigns ofcarpet bombing (area bombing) and defoliation (destruction of foliage, typically with napalm or herbicides).
- Yet even these extreme measures failed.
- The US ultimately withdrew, NorthVietnam invaded the South, and the nation was Millions had been killed
- Cuban Missile Crisis:The apex of Cold War tension was the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, when the US discovered that Russia was building nuclear launch sites in Cuba.
- President Kennedy ordered anaval blockade of the island, and for a few days nuclear war seemed imminent. reunited under communist
- An agreement was reached, however, in which Khrushchev removed the weapons from Cubain exchange for the American removal of warheads in Turkey, as well as a guarantee against future American invasion of Cuba
- Afghan invasion by Soviet: The foremost conflict of the late Cold War was the Soviet War in Afghanistan (1979-89), in which Soviet forces attempted to defend the reigning communist government of Afghanistan from anti-communist guerrillas.
- The guerrillas, furnished with weapons and funding provided by the USand sympathetic Muslim nations, maintained a bloody stalemate throughout the conflict (such that this war has been dubbed the “Soviet Vietnam”).
- The guerrillas toppled the communist government a few years after the Soviet withdrawal.
Conclusion
The cold war was a period of hostilities between nations who were aligned with the two blocs. Post-cold-war American supremacy remained for a long time, making it a unipolar world. Today Russia is no longer a major threat to USA. China’s rise in the past two decades is a simmering conflict in the waiting. The friction between USA and China has been touted as the Cold war 2.0
General Studies – 2
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:
The article argues that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s demand for a caste census in India is justified, as it will provide valuable data on the socio-economic status of different caste groups and help policymakers design more targeted welfare policies.
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:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you must debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You must give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by giving 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
Every Census in independent India from 1951 to 2011 has published data on Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, but not on other castes. Caste Has 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.
Body
The 2021 Census of India, the 16th Indian Census, will be taken in 2021. But the growing demands for a caste census from various sections of society have once again surfaced the issue like its immediate need and long-term repercussions.
Merits of Caste 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.
- Enumerating the marginalized:A caste census would actually bring to the particular the number of people who are at the margins, or who are deprived, or the kind of occupations they pursue, or the kind of hold that institutions like caste have on them.
- Also 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.
- We have to stop thinking of caste as being applicable to only disadvantaged people, poor people, people who are somehow lacking.
- The opposite is even truer: caste has produced advantages for certain communities, and these also need to be recorded.
- To Address Prevalent Inequalities:Unequal distribution of wealth, resources and education has meant an acute shortage of purchasing power among the majority of Indians.
- As a democratic nation, we cannot forcibly overthrow the system,but we need to address it 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 classes and make recommendations as to the steps that should be taken by governments.
- Caste doesn’t marginalize:We need to do away with the idea of caste being applicable to only disadvantaged people, poor people, people who are somehow lacking.
- Rids away caste rigidities:Counting of caste doesn’t necessarily perpetuate caste or the caste system. Myths of caste elitisms can be debunked through a caste census.
- To Burst the Myths:There are a lot of myths which actually deprive a large number of people, particularly on the margins.
- g.: In Karnataka, for a long time, 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.
- The Supreme Court has time and again asked governmentsto 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).
- Data for Policymaking:This information is absolutely necessary for any democratic policymaking.
- Judicial backing:The courts in India have often emphatically said that it is important to have adequate data with regard to the reservation.
Associated Challenges with Caste 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 better than that of 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.
- 50% breach:It is argued that a Socio-Economic Caste Census is the only way to make a case to breach the 50% cap on reservation and rationalize the reservation matrix in the country.
- Rising assertiveness:More the State ignores out caste, the more is the tendency to preserve caste, protect it. This has been observed in many states.
- Chaos:Data gathering itself is a big problem because it can become very, very invasive. But we need to actually balance it with enabling people and asserting citizen equality.
- Social friction:Caste identification can lead to friction amongst various classes.
Way Forward
- India needs to bebold and decisive in tackling caste questions through data and statistics in the way the United States (US) does to tackle race issues, by collecting data around race, class, language, inter-race marriages, among other metrics.
- This data provides a mirror to the State and society of the US in which they can see themselves and take decisions to do course corrections.
- Creation of National Data Bank:The Sachar Committee Report recommended setting up a national data bank.
- The Justice Rohini committeewas appointed in 2017 to look into the sub-categorisation of the OBC communities; however, in the absence of data, there can be no databank or any proper sub-categorisation.
Conclusion
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 most important thing is improving existing databases is more crucial to this than getting into the debate of whether to do a caste count or not. Accurate and timely data is central to India’s effort to tackle poverty. Poor data diminishes the efforts to design welfare programmes.
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.
Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Down to Earth
Why the question:
According to a recent report, the progress made by countries towards reducing maternal and newborn deaths has stagnated since 2015. The report, released by the United Nations, revealed that more than 2.5 million newborns and 260,000 women die annually, mostly due to preventable causes.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the high MMR in certain parts and measures needed to tackle 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 giving statistic regarding MMR in India and how it is relatively high in certain parts of the country.
Body:
Frist, write about the various measures against MMR – LaQshya, Poshan Abhiyan, Janani Suraksha Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan Initiative (SUMAN) etc.
Next, write the reasons why there are high trends of MMR in India despite above measures.
Next, write about the measures that are needed to reduce mortality rates in low performing states.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.
Introduction
India’s maternal mortality ratio (MMR) has improved to 103 in 2017-19, from 113 in 2016-18. This is according to the special bulletin on MMR released by the Registrar General of India March 14, 2022.
As per the World Health Organisation, maternal death is the death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy, from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management.
According to a recent report, the progress made by countries towards reducing maternal and newborn deaths has stagnated since 2015. The report, released by the United Nations, revealed that more than 2.5 million newborns and 260,000 women die annually, mostly due to preventable causes.
Body
MMR in states: Findings
- Researchers from the International Institute for Population Sciences triangulated data from routine records of maternal deaths under the Health Management Information System, with Census data and the Sample Registration System (SRS) to provide the MMR for all States and districts of India.
- The analysis suggests that 70% of districts (448 out of 640 districts) in India have reported MMR above 70 deaths — a target under the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
- The number of States that have achieved the SDG target has now risen from five to seven — Kerala(30), Maharashtra (38), Telangana (56), Tamil Nadu (58), Andhra Pradesh (58), Jharkhand (61), and Gujarat (70).
- Keralahas recorded the lowest MMR which puts Kerala way ahead of the national MMR of 103.
- Kerala’s Maternal MMR has dropped by 12 points. The last SRS bulletin (2015-17) had put the State’s MMR at 42(later adjusting it to 43).
- There are now nine States that have achieved the MMR target set by the NHP, which include the above seven and Karnataka (83) and Haryana (96).
- Uttarakhand(101), West Bengal (109), Punjab (114), Bihar (130), Odisha (136) and Rajasthan (141) — have the MMR in between 100-150, while Chhattisgarh (160), Madhya Pradesh (163), Uttar Pradesh (167) and Assam (205) have the MMR above 150.
Measures undertaken to tackle MMR
Under the National Health Mission (NHM), some of the important steps taken to reduce maternal deaths in the country are as follows:
- Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), a demand promotion and conditional cash transfer scheme is implemented with the objective of reducing Maternal and Infant Mortality by encouraging institutional deliveries.
- Under Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK), every pregnant woman is entitled to free delivery, including caesarean section in public health institutions. This also includes free transport, diagnostics, medicines, other consumables, food and blood, if required.
- Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) has been launched to provide fixed-day assured comprehensive and quality antenatal care universally to all pregnant women on the 9thof every month. While antenatal care is routinely provided to pregnant women, special ANC services are provided by OBGY specialists/ Radiologist/ Physicians at government health facilities under PMSMA.
- Surakshit Matratva Ashwasan (SUMAN) 2019 aspires to provide every mother and a newborn who visits a public health institution with guaranteed, dignified, respectful, and high-quality healthcare at no cost.
- ‘LaQshya – Labor room Quality improvement Initiative’ has been launched on 11thDec 2017.
- Special provision of birth waiting homes under NHM in tribal areas.
- Maternal Death Surveillance and Response (MDSR) is implemented to take corrective action for averting maternal deaths.
- Funds are provided for strengthening of ‘Delivery Points’ for provision of comprehensive Reproductive, Maternal, New Born Child Health and Adolescent (RMNCH+A)services. Placing quality emergency obstetric care services at “Delivery Points” is a priority area.
- Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Wings are established at high caseload facilities.
Causes for high MMR
- According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the major causes for maternal mortality are severe bleeding, infections, high blood pressure during pregnancy, anaemia, complications from delivery, and unsafe abortions.
- A large number of these issues can be alleviated with proper medical support, which is sometimes not easy to access. These complications are a result of compounded social, cultural and medical factors.
- Early pregnancy between 15 and 19 years of age, when the adolescent girls are themselves growing, can lead to numerous complications that often result in the death of the mother.
- Child marriage, still followed in some parts of India even though it has been declared illegal, aggravates cases of pregnancy-related complications in young girls.
- Other causes that result in maternal deaths are lack of necessary medical care during childbirth or financial constraints to access medical care.
Conclusion and way forward
- In conclusion, women deserve the right to safe maternity services. This includes physical and emotional safety for the mother and baby.
- Hence, a well-managed system that allows pregnant women to access maternal health care with minimum exposure risk is essential during the outbreak.
- Simultaneously, task sharing with community health workers under regulatory and legal provisions must be explored.
- E-training mechanisms and capacity building exercises must be undertaken for the additionally requisitioned health workforce to reduce the workload of time-sensitive commitments and non-health work.
- Importantly, the health workers must also be trained to reduce the risk, stigma and sensitization of pregnant women on COVID-19 symptoms, prevention and hygiene.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, Nano-technology, biotechnology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: The Hindu , Insights on India
Why the question:
The article discusses India’s space policy for the year 2023, highlighting the goals and objectives of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the features of India’s space policy 2023 and opportunities and challenges it provides.
Directive word:
Evaluate – When you are asked to evaluate, you have to pass a sound judgement about the truth of the given statement in the question or the topic based on evidence. You must appraise the worth of the statement in question. There is scope for forming an opinion here.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by mentioning the aims and objectives of India’s space policy for the year 2023
Body:
First, write about the major features of India’s space policy for the year 2023 – Increased focus on developing indigenous technologies, Strengthening of partnerships with other countries, Expansion of commercial space activities etc.
Next, write about the opportunities it provides – new opportunities for private sector participation. development of spaceports, satellite manufacturing facilities etc.
Next, write about its limitations – funding constraints, limited talent pool, competition from other countries, and technology transfer restrictions etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.
Introduction
The Indian Space Policy 2023 was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security. The policy seeks to institutionalise private sector participation in the space sector, with ISRO focusing on research and development of advanced space technologies.
Body
Background: Indian space sector
- The Indian Space Sector has been globally recognised for building cost-effective satellites, and now India is even taking foreign satellites to space.
- As part of India’s commitment to the Geneva Conference on Disarmament, the country continues to advocate peaceful and civilian use of outer space and oppose any weaponization of space capabilities or programs.
- ISRO is the 6th largest space agency in the world and holds an exceptional success rate.
- With over 400 private space companies, India ranks fifth globally in no. of space companies
Salient features of the Space Policy 2023
- The Space Policy would focus on increasing the participation of the private players.
- ISRO focusing on research and development of advanced space technologies.
- It also delineated the roles and responsibilities of ISRO, space sector PSU NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) and Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe).
- The policy will allow the private sector to take part in end-to-end space activities that include building satellites, rockets and launch vehicles, data collection and dissemination.
- Now, the strategic activities related to the space sector will be carried out by NSIL, under the Department of Space, which will work in a demand-driven mode.
- The policy also spells out the framework for the private sector to use ISRO facilities for a small charge and encourages them to invest in creating new infrastructure for the sector.
Current challenges in the space sector
- Lack of Regulations on Commercialisation: The commercialization of outer space is accelerating due to the development of private satellite expeditions for Internet services (Starlink-SpaceX) and for space tourism.
- It is possible that if no regulatory framework is put in place, rising commercialisation may lead to monopolisation in the future.
- Rising Space Debris: As outer space expeditions increase, more space debris will accumulate. Because objects orbit Earth at such high speeds, even a small piece of space debris can damage a spacecraft.
- China’s Space Leap: Compared to other countries, the Chinese space industry has grown rapidly. It has successfully launched its own navigation system, BeiDou.
- It is very likely that China’s Belt Road Initiative (BRI) members will contribute to or join the Chinese space sector, solidifying China’s global position and may lead to weaponization of outer space.
- Increasing Global Trust Deficit: An arms race for weaponization of outer space is creating an environment of suspicion, competition, and aggressiveness across the globe, potentially leading to conflict.
- It would also put at risk the entire range of satellites as well as those involved in scientific explorations and communication services.
Conclusion and way forward
- Defending India’s Space Assets: In order to effectively defend its space assets, including debris and spacecraft, India needs reliable and accurate tracking capabilities.
- Project NETRA, an early warning system in space to detect debris and other hazards to Indian satellites is a good step in this direction.
- Permanent Seat in Space: India should take the initiative to cooperate with international bodies and plan for a planetary defense program and joint space missions in the long term.
- Also, with the Gaganyan mission, ISRO has begun to focus on manned space flight as part of its rethinking of India’s space presence.
- Replicating Space4Women in India: Space4Women is a United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) project that promotes gender equality and women’s empowerment in the space sector.
- It would be beneficial to initiate space awareness programmes at the rural level in India, and College-ISRO Internship corridors can be built specially for female students to introduce them to the possibility of stretching their wagon beyond earth.
- AzaadiSAT, made by 750 schoolgirls from India is a firm step in this direction.
- Technological Intervention for Cleaner Space: Technologies like self-eating rockets, self-vanishing satellites and robotic arms to catch space debris can make India an explorer cum problem solver in the space arena.
General Studies – 4
Topic: Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service
Difficulty level: Easy
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4 and part of ‘Abstract Thursdays’ in Mission-2023 Secure.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the essential traits of responsive civil servant.
Directive word:
Elaborate – Give a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the context. You must be defining key terms wherever appropriate and substantiate with relevant associated facts.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by describing a responsive civil servant.
Body:
Elaborate on the essential traits of a responsive civil servant. Cite examples to substantiate how those traits make him responsive.
Conclusion:
Complete by mentioning the importance of civil servants being responsive.
Introduction
Civil servants are the pivot between state and people. They are accountable to both the political executive and the citizen. Upholding the highest ethical standard is paramount for civil servants because the state machinery rests upon their shoulders; they have to maintain ideals and lead by example to sustain the system’s trust.
Civil service is the steel frame on which the edifice of public administration is based upon. If this steel frame is corroded through corruption and low moral standards, the state machinery implementing policies and welfare measures and addressing grievances will collapse.
Body
Adherence to foundational values such as integrity, objectivity, non-partisanship, tolerance, compassion, dedication to public service, etc., serve as guiding principles for civil servants in the discharge of public service duties. Moreover, they provide normative consensus about the rights and benefits to which citizens are entitled to.
Qualities of a responsive civil servant
- Selflessness: Decisions should only be made in the public interest by those holding public office. For the sake of obtaining money or other material advantages for themselves, their families, or other friends, they shouldn’t do this.
- Integrity: Holders of public office shouldn’t obligate themselves in any way, whether financially or otherwise, to outside parties who could have an impact on how they carry out their official obligations.
- Objectivity: Public officials should base their decisions on merit while doing public business, including public appointments, contract awards, and recommendations for incentives and perks.
- Impartiality: Impartiality is a kind of characteristic or quality of making decisions without bias and prejudice. An instance of impartiality is one in which there is no favoritism. It rejects granting an undue advantage to any individual, societal group, or organization. Being impartial means that all choices should only be based on merit.
- Non-partisanship: Non-partisanship is known by its act of not supporting any political party, even if one strongly agrees with its ideals. Non-partisanship is the absence of adherence to ideals of any political party, organization, or group.
- Accountability: Civil servants are subject to the scrutiny that is appropriate to their position and must answer to the public for their choices and conduct.
- Openness: All choices and acts that public office holders do should be as transparent as possible. When the larger public interest plainly requires it, they should provide justification for their choices and only restrict information when necessary.
- Honesty: Public officials have a responsibility to declare any private interests that may conflict with their official obligations and to handle such conflicts in a way that protects the public interest.
- Leadership:
- Leadership should be used by public authorities to promote and support these ideas.
- Dedication to public service: Dedication is the quality of being motivated in one’s profession, purpose, vision, or actions. Dedicated public servants strive to accomplish the goals set by the administration. An inner drive or excitement for working in the greater good of the public is implied by dedication to public service. Without any external formal technique to drive that desire, it is the commitment, passion, and sincere desire to achieve something that counts.
Conclusion
In a diverse country like India, the civil servants often face complex and often contrasting socio-economic objectives and challenges often creating a deep sense of moral/ethical dilemma in them about their own duties and functions. This demands an inherent aptitude to prevail over contradictions, solve dilemmas and keep up the spirit to perform in spite of adverse circumstances.
Topic: Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and nonpartisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker-sections.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude by Lexicon Publications.
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4 and part of ‘Abstract Thursdays’ in Mission-2023 Secure.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the importance of fortitude.
Directive:
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 defining fortitude.
Body:
Explain how Fortitude is firmness of spirit, especially in difficulty. It provides for constancy in the pursuit of virtue. Fortitude is a willingness to freely go beyond the call of duty, to make sacrifices, to act on your convictions. Fortitude includes the courage to confront our personal weaknesses and attraction to vice. Substantiate with examples.
Conclusion:
Conclude by summarising.
Introduction
Fortitude is firmness of spirit, especially in difficulty. It provides for constancy in the pursuit of virtue. Fortitude is a willingness to freely go beyond the call of duty, to make sacrifices, to act on your convictions. Fortitude includes the courage to confront our personal weaknesses and attraction to vice.
Body
Any individual engaged in public service will face multiple challenges in the fulfilment of their goals.
Fortitude is a display of courage in a difficult situation. E.g.: A situation where a disaster like an earthquake has taken place requires immense fortitude. This attitude ensures peace and attracts positivity. It leads to courageous people coming out to face the truth.
Civil service involves decision-making in the public sphere. They have to deal with many matters that are anonymous and discrete. Due to this, fortitude is an eminent desirable quality in civil servants.
E.g.: Kiran Bedi, IPS officer sent a traffic challan to the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi as the latter’s vehicle was parked wrongly.
A person with fortitude will not give up easily, and despite disappointing results or setbacks, will continually fight to improve the system. adversities could be in form of “dilemmas”, “conflicts of interests”, “sound decision making”, “to face fake cases against an honest officer”, “time management”, “striking a balance between personal and professional life”, “to fight corruption”.
E.g: Ashok Khemka, an IAS officer undertook case against business mafia head-on despite the fear to his life and limb.
Conclusion
All the virtues exist as forms of balance, and so must be carefully distinguished from the various excesses which threaten to substitute for virtue. This is especially true in the case of fortitude, with can easily degenerate into extremes of brashness or cowardice.
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