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: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
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 Mission-2024 Secure timetable.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the features of nagara style of architecture.
Directive word:
Explain – Clarify the topic by giving 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:
Begin by writing about the emergence of nagara style in ancient India.
Body:
First, draw a small representative diagram highlighting the important features of Nagara style. Explain the various features of it – Shikhara, Grabhagriha, Mandapa etc. Mention some important temples constructed using Nagara style.
Conclusion:
Conclude by summarising.
Introduction
Nagara style is one of the styles of temple architecture. It is the temple construction style of North India. Nagara style is associated with the land between the Himalayas and Vindhyas. The Nagara style has its origin in the structural temples of the Guptas period The major example of the temple of Nagara Style is Sun Temple at Modhera, Kandariya Mahadeva Temple at Khajuraho, Jagannath Temple at Puri, etc.
Body
Various features of Nagara style of architecture
- The cruciform ground plan and curvilinear mountain-peak like tower are the two most fundamental features of Nagara style.
- The temples of Nagara style generally have a square plan with a number of graduated projections in the middle of each face which give the structure a cruciform shape in the exterior.
- In Nagara style, the Shikhara remains the most prominent element of the temple and the gateway is usually modest or even absent.
- In this style, temples have elaborated boundary, less emphasised.
- The entire temple is built on high stone platform called Jagati
- Generally, they do not have large enclosures and entrances.
- The temple has only one peak or shikhara above the Garbagriha.
- There was a Kalasha placed on the Shikara of a temple.
- Sikhara(the tower) slowly bending inwards and capped by a spheroid plate with ribs around the edge (Amalaka) give the height.
- Temples of Nagara styles are categorized on the basis of the shape of the Shikhara. They are – Rekha Prasad, Phamsana, and Valabhi.
Classification of Nagara style of temple architecture based on the style of Shikhara
- Rekha-Prasad or Latina: These temples are characterized by a simple Shikara with a square base and inward curving walls that have a pointed top. Early medieval temples such as the Sun Temple at Markhera in Madhya Pradesh (MP). The Sri Jagannath Temple of Odishahas been constructed in the Rekha-Prasad Shikara style.
- Shekari: is a variation of the Latina where the Shikara comprises of a main Rekha-Prasad Shikara and one or more rows of smaller steeples on both sides of the central spire. Additionally, the base and corners also feature mini Shikaras.The Khajuraho Kandariya Mahadev Temple is one of the most prominent temples built in this style.
- Bhumija: Another type of Nagara temple that evolved from the Latina style was the Bhumija architecturedeveloped in Malwa under the Paramara dynasty. These temples have a flat upward tapering projection comprising of a central Latina spire and miniature spires on the quadrant formed by the tapering tower. These mini Shikaras carved out both horizontally as well as vertically. The Udayeshwar Temple in MP is built in this style.
- Valabhi: style temples are rectangular in shape comprising of barrel-vaulted roofs. The vaulted chamber roof has earned them the moniker wagon vaulted buildings/structures. Teli Ka Mandir, a 9th Century temple at Gwaliorhas been built in this style.
- Phamsana: are shorter but broader structures comprising of roofs with numerous slabs that rise upwards in a gentle slope on a straight inclinelike a pyramid meeting at a single point over the mid-point of the building. The Jagmohan of Konark Temple is constructed in the Phamsana mode.
Sub-schools of Nagara style of temple architecture
- Odisha School– The most prominent distinguishing feature is the Shikara (Deul) which rises vertically before curving inwards at the top. The main type is square while the upper reaches are circular. These temples have intricately carved exteriors and usually bare interiors. Unlike Nagara temples of the north, most Odisha temples have boundary walls.
- Chandel School– Unlike Odishan style, these temples are conceived as a single unit and have Shikaras that curved from bottom to top. There are a number of miniatures Shikaras rising from the central tower and towers that gradually rise up to the main tower cap both the porticos and halls.
- Solanki School– They are similar to the Chandel School except that they have carved ceilings that appear like a true dome. The distinguishing feature of these temples is the minute and intricate decorative motifs. Except for the central shrine, one can find carvings on both the inner and outer sides of the walls.
Conclusion
Nagara style is seen from the Himalaya to the north of Bijapur district in the South, from the Punjab in the west to Bengal to the east. Therefore, there are local variations and ramifications in the formal development of the style in the different regions. However, the cruciform plan and the curvilinear tower are common.
Topic: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Insights on India
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1 and mentioned as part of Mission-2024 Secure timetable.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the pluralistic traditions of Mughal architecture in India and various elements of it borrowed by 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:
Begin the answer by writing about the grandeur of Mughal architecture.
Body:
First, write about the plurality that is present in Mughal architecture and how it has taken shape under various Mughal rulers.
Next, write about the elements that were borrowed by the Mughal architecture from various indigenous styles of art as well as foreign entities. Substantiate with examples.
Conclusion:
Conclude by summarising.
Introduction
India is often referred to as the land of cultural plurality and diversity where two contrasting worldviews – that of the traditional and continuous and the formal and official (inherited from the British) thrive. Mughal architecture is a construction style that thrived in northern and central India from the mid-16th to late-17th centuries under the patronage of Mughal rulers. Famous buildings such as Agra Fort, Taj Mahal, etc were built under them..
Body
Features of Mughal architecture
- It’s the blend of Indian, Islamic and Persian elements that makes Mughal architecture so unique.
- Typical features include huge, onion-shaped domes crowning commemorative monuments, with smaller domed buildings and minarets standing symmetrically on either side.
- There are impressive entrances and gateways, within tall turreted walls, and water features and quadrilateral gardens.
- White marble, red sandstone and, less commonly, limestone, are typical construction materials as well as semi-precious stones and coloured marble which are inlaid as decorations.
- Understated lattice work appears throughout as well as verses from the Qur’an inscribed on interior and exterior walls in Persian and Arabic.
- Royal palaces are often surrounded by symmetrical gardens featuring walkways and water channels.
- These stand in contrast to the stark courtyards within the mosques, which can hold enormous congregations.
- Indo-Muslim architecture got striking improvement with the arrival of Mughals, as had been declined significantly during the Lodi’s period.
- Unlike Delhi Sultanate Sultans, Mughals mixed and mingled with the local population & Rajput provinces.
Conclusion
Mughal architecture is a unique Indo-Islamic architectural style that flourished in northern and central India from the 16th to the 18th centuries under the patronage of Mughal monarchs. It’s a stunningly symmetrical and ornate blend of Persian, Turkish, and Indian architecture.
Topic: The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
The article discusses the Santal Rebellion against the British during the Hul Diwas. This event is significant in the history of India’s freedom struggle.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the causes and impact of Santal Rebellion.
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:
Brief explanation of the Santal Rebellion and its historical context.
Body:
First, write about the causes of the Santal Rebellion – Socio-economic grievances of the Santal community, including land dispossession, forced labor and exploitation., Cultural and religious factors contributing to the uprising etc.
Next, write about the Impact on the Socio-Political Landscape of Colonial India – Heightened awareness of indigenous rights and grievances in British India, Influence on subsequent peasant and tribal movements in different parts of the country, Role in shaping discourse on land rights, labor exploitation, and cultural autonomy, Contribution to the larger narrative of resistance and anti-colonial struggle in India etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude by summarising.
Introduction
Santhals were the agricultural people settled in Rajmahal Hills of Bihar. British turned to them for the expansion of the revenue through agriculture. Santhals agreed to clear forests to practice settled agriculture. In 1832, a large number of areas were demarcated as Damin-i-Koh or Santal Pargana. However, gradually the exploitation started from the British side and to such an extent, that it gave rise to Santhal Rebellion.
Body
Distinctiveness of Santhal rebellion:
- The British East India Company implemented the Permanent Settlement System in 1793 which granted zamindars (tax-collecting intermediaries) perpetual and hereditary rights to land in exchange for a fixed revenue paid to the government.
- This system, however, gave zamindars significant power to exploit and oppress peasants, leading to widespread resentment among the Santhal community.
- Many Santhals fell victim to predatory lending practices, where they were charged exorbitant interest rates on loans.
- When they were unable to repay these loans, they often lost their land and were forced into bonded labor.
- The zamindars and moneylenders, with the support of the British police, frequently dispossessed the Santhals of their land through aggressive extractions.
- This resulted in a significant loss of land ownership for the Santhal community.
- The implementation of the Zamindari system and the arrival of moneylenders led to the disruption of traditional systems and political structures that had been in place for generations among the Santhals.
- The Santhals were forced to rely on moneylenders, which led to a heavy debt burden and increasing poverty among the community.
- This economic hardship contributed to the decision of many Santhals to revolt against the British and the zamindars.
- The Santhals traditionally used a barter system and had difficulty adapting to the use of money.
- This made it difficult for them to pay the zamindars, and they often had to borrow from moneylenders at high interest rates, trapping them in a cycle of debt.
- The only way out of this situation was to resist British policies and reclaim their traditional way of life.
Impact of Santhal Rebellion on the socio-political landscape of colonial India
- The Santhal Rebellion brought attention to the oppressive nature of the zamindari system imposed by the British East India Company on indigenous communities in the region.
- It also highlighted the exploitative practices of moneylenders, who took advantage of the indigenous people’s lack of understanding of currency and charged exorbitant interest rates on loans.
- The Santhal uprising was an organized movement with good leadership qualities. In a short period of time, it was successful in uniting about 60,000 people.
- If we look at the other spontaneous movement of that time, we find that none of the movements was that well-arranged as the Santhal revolt. The unity of the Santhals shook the nerve of the Britishers.
- It also served as an inspiration for the Naxalite movement, which aimed to address similar issues of land rights and exploitation faced by tribal communities in India.
- The rebellion is considered a turning point in the evolution of the modern Santhali identity and resistance against oppression.
- It also led to the British government passing the Santhal Parganas Tenancy Act in 1876, which offered some protection for tribals against exploitation.
- This was successful in inculcating nationalist feelings among the people.
- The rebellion played an important role in the creation of the state of Jharkhand in 2000, which is home to a significant population of the Santhal people.
Conclusion
The Santhal rebellion was overshadowed by the revolt of 1857 but it remains a watershed in the evolution of the modern Santhali identity. It played an important role in the creation of the state of Jharkhand in 2000.
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: The Hindu , Insights on India
Why the question:
The article discusses the importance of accurate data on the disability sector and how the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) can contribute to obtaining more robust data
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the efforts at achieving inclusivity for PwD’s and steps need to realise it by making them equal partners in their development.
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 the answer by giving statistic regarding the number of persons with disabilities (PwD) in India.
Body:
First, write about the efforts made at improving the lives of PwD’s – Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, Sugamya Bharat Abhiyaan/Accessible India campaign, Disability movement etc.
Mention the shortcomings of the above – lack of medical treatment, educational opportunity, absence of PwDs in decision making etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward to involve PwDs as stakeholder in their development and decision-making.
Introduction
According to Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, “Person with disability” means a person with long term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairment which, in interaction with barriers, hinders his full and effective participation in society equally with others.
Today, there are millions of people living with disabilities in India. Census 2011 pegs us at 26.8 million, constituting 2.21 per cent of India’s total population; but activists, academicians and world bodies like the WHO estimate it to be between 40 and 80 million.
Body
Various efforts towards securing a life of dignity for persons with disabilities (PwD)
Constitutional Provisions:
- Article 41 of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP)states that the State shall make effective provision for securing right to work, to education and to public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement, within the limits of its economic capacity and development.
- The subject of ‘relief of the disabled and unemployable’ is specified in the state list of the Seventh Schedule of the constitution.
Governmental Provisions:
- Right of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016:
- It becomes the duty of the Union, states as well as Union Territories to take up the matter.
- It is also important to ensure that all government buses are disabled friendly in accordance with the harmonized guidelines.
- Disability has been defined based on an evolving and dynamic concept.
- The types of disabilities have been increased from 7 to 21. The act added mental illness, autism, spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, chronic neurological conditions, speech and language disability, thalassemia, hemophilia, sickle cell disease, multiple disabilities including deaf blindness, acid attack victims and Parkinson’s disease which were largely ignored in earlier act. In addition, the Government has been authorized to notify any other category of specified disability.
- It increases the quantum of reservationfor people suffering from disabilities from 3% to 4% in government jobs and from 3% to 5% in higher education institutes.
- Every child with benchmark disability between the age group of 6 and 18 years shall have the right to free education.
- Government funded educational institutions as well as the government recognized institutions will have to provide inclusive education.
- Stress has been given to ensure accessibility in public buildingsin a prescribed time frame along with Accessible India Campaign.
- The Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities and the State Commissioners will act as regulatory bodies and Grievance Redressal agencies, monitoring implementation of the Act.
- A separate National and State Fundbe created to provide financial support to the persons with disabilities.
- Accessible India Campaign:Creation of Accessible Environment for PwDs:
- A nation-wide flagship campaign for achieving universal accessibility that will enable persons with disabilities to gain access for equal opportunity and live independently and participate fully in all aspects of life in an inclusive society.
- The campaign targets at enhancing the accessibility of built environment, transport system and Information & communication ecosystem.
- Deen Dayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme: Under the scheme financial assistance is provided to NGOs for providing various services to Persons with Disabilities, like special schools, vocational training centres, community-based rehabilitation, pre-school and early intervention etc.
- Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase / fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP):The Scheme aims at helping the disabled persons by bringing suitable, durable, scientifically-manufactured, modern, standard aids and appliances within their reach.
- National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities (RGMF):
- The scheme aims to increase opportunities to students with disabilities for pursuing higher education.
- Under the Scheme, 200 Fellowships per year are granted to students with disability.
- Schemes of the National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities.
Issues and Challenges
- Health:
- A large number of disabilities are preventable, including those arising from medical issues during birth, maternal conditions, malnutrition, as well as accidents and injuries.
- However, the health sector especially in rural India has failed to react proactively to disability
- Further there are lack of affordable access to proper health care, aids and appliances
- Healthcare facilities and poorly trained health-workers in rehabilitation centres is another concern.
- Education:
- The education system is not inclusive. Inclusion of children with mild to moderate disabilities in regular schools has remained a major challenge.
- There are various issues such as availability special schools, access to schools, trained teachers, and availability of educational materials for the disabled.
- Further, reservations for the disabled in higher educational institutions has not been fulfilled in many instances
- Employment:
- Even though many disabled adults are capable of productive work, disabled adults have far lower employment rates than the general population.
- The situation is even worse in the private sector, where much less disabled are employed
- Accessibility: Physical accessibility in buildings, transportation, access to services etc still remain a major challenge.
- Discrimination/Social Exclusion:
- Negative attitudes held by the families of the disabled, and often the disabled themselves, hinder disabled persons from taking an active part in the family, community or workforce.
- Differently-abled people face discrimination in everyday life. People suffering from mental illness or mental retardation face the worst stigma and are subject to severe social exclusion.
- Inadequate data and statistics:The lack of rigorous and comparable data and statics further hinders inclusion of persons with disabilities. The major issues with collection of data and measuring disability are:
- Difficult to define disability
- Coverage: Different purposes require different disability data
- Reluctance in reporting disability as disability is considered to be a stigma in many places/societies
- Poor implementation of policies and schemes hinders the inclusion of disabled persons.
- Though various acts and schemes have been laid down with an aim to empower the disabled, their enforcement face many challenges.
Way Forward:
- Prevention:
- Preventive health programs need to be strengthened and all children need to be screened at a young age.
- Kerala has already started an early prevention programme. Comprehensive New-born Screening (CNS) programme seeks early identification of deficits in infants and reduce the state’s burden of disability.
- Awareness:
- People with disabilities need to be better integrated into society by overcoming stigma
- There should be awareness campaigns to educate and aware people about different kinds of disability
- Success stories of people with disabilities can be showcased to inculcate positive attitude among people
- Employment:
- Disabled adults need to be empowered with employable skills
- The private sector needs to be encouraged to employ them.
- Better measurement: The scale of disability in India needs to be better understood by improving the measurement of disability.
- Education:
- State-wise strategies on education for children with special needs need to be devised.
- There should be proper teacher training to address the needs of differently-abled children and facilitate their inclusion in regular schools
- Further there should be more special schools and ensure educational material for differently-abled children
- Access:
- Safety measures like road safety, safety in residential areas, public transport system etc, should be taken up
- Further, it should be made legally binding to make buildings disabled-friendly
- Policy Interventions:
- More budgetary allocation for welfare of the disabled. There should be a disability budgeting on line of gender budget.
- Proper implementation of schemes should be ensured. There should be proper monitoring mechanisms and accountability of public funds.
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:
The article discusses the impact of unsafe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices on child mortality, specifically reporting on a WHO report that highlights the number of deaths of children under the age of five attributed to inadequate WASH conditions in 2019.
Key Demand of the question:
To develop a link between WASH and its impact on achieving SDGs.
Directive word:
Explain – Clarify the topic by giving 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 giving context.
Body:
Give brief about the WASH status in India and its impact.
Bring the link between impact of poor WASH outcomes. Highlight how apart from the food intake, factors such as contaminated drinking water, poor sanitation, and unhygienic living conditions negative affect the development of the humans. Cite data from WHO and NFHS-5 to substantiate your points.
Mention few initiatives taken up by the government in this direction to address this chronic issue and further steps that are required achieve SDGs.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward.
Introduction
WASH is the collective term for Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene. Due to their interdependent nature, these three core issues are grouped together to represent a growing sector. While each a separate field of work, each is dependent on the presence of the other. For example, without toilets, water sources become contaminated; without clean water, basic hygiene practices are not possible.
The core activity of WASH emphasizes the teaching of basic sanitation and hygiene to communities and school children with a particular focus on girls’ education and gender equality, as a necessary complement to the success of water and sanitation infrastructure projects.
Body
Importance of WASH
- Unsafe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) were responsible for 395,000 deaths among children under five years of age, according to a new report by the World Health Organization (WHO).
- This includes 273,000 deaths from diarrhoea and 112,000 deaths from acute respiratory infections. These diseases are the two leading infectious causes of death in children under five years of age in the world.
- The report, Burden of disease attributable to unsafe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene: 2019 update,showed that half of the world’s population still does not have adequate access to drinking water, sanitation and hygiene, which caused the death of at least 1.4 million people and 74 million disability-adjusted life years (DALY) in 2019.
- On a positive note, a 2012 WHO report had calculated that for every dollar invested in sanitation, there was $5.50 to be gained in lower health costs, more productivity and fewer premature deaths.
- The intersection between WASH, infection prevention and control and antimicrobial resistanceis unique in that it offers policy makers an opportunity to address multiple overlapping problems through interventions on WASH in healthcare facilities
- WASH is critical in the prevention and management of Neglected Tropical Diseases for intensified control or elimination
However, there are still many challenges to the WASH in India:
- Highly expensive:
- BMJ global estimates that improving WASH across the pubic healthcare facilities in India and maintaining this for a year would cost $354 million (Rs 2567,00,00,000 approximately) in capital costs and $289 million (Rs 2095,00,00,000 approximately) in recurrent expenses.
- Accessibility issues:
- A 2019 joint global baseline report by WHO and UNICEF had pointed out that globally, one in four healthcare facilities lacked basic water servicing and one in five had no sanitation service and 42% had no hygiene facilities at point of care.
- The study further finds that the costliest interventions were providing clean water, linen reprocessing and sanitation while the least expensive were hand hygiene, medical device reprocessing and environmental surface cleaning.
- Solid and Liquid waste management:
- Just 6% of rural households use the recommended twin-pitsystem. The waste from the remainder of rural toilets could create a new sanitation nightmare — harmful to health and the environment, and even pushing a new generation into manual scavenging.
- For the more than 70% of toilets without twin pits, a faecal sludge management systemis desperately needed.
- A 2018 survey of 30 cities and towns in Uttar Pradesh by the Centre for Science and Environment found that 87% of toilet waste is dumped into water bodies and farm lands.
- In Bihar, some households throw sanitary pads in toilets, burn them or bury them under the ground as they do not have a formal arrangement to dispose solid wastes.
- Most of the households surveyed in Manipur, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal also do not have any arrangement to dump solid wastes. Ironically, these three states also have more than 80 per cent coverage of household toilets.
- It is still a challenge for the SBM-G to manage black and grey water, especially, in areas near coast and areas having shallow groundwater.
- States like Odisha, Goa, Tripura, Telangana are still lacking in IHHL (individual household latrine application) coverage.
- Behavioural change failures:
- The researchers from the Delhi-based think tank Centre for Science and Environment visited villages near Ganga in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh and found that Usage of toilets was very low because of wrong design of toilets and absence of water connection.
- Swachhagrahis
- The SBM agents, who act as motivators for construction and usage of toilets in the states, are underutilized. It also came to pass that in few states there is a long list of vacancies for the post of Swachhagrahis.
Way forward:
- Modules on WASH services and infection prevention and control procedures (IPC) should be included in pre-service training and as part of ongoing professional development of healthcare professionals.
- In addition, health authorities should work more closely with communities, especially in rural areas, to promote demand for WASH services.
- The twin pit has been promoted by the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation as well as the World Health Organization as an in-situ sanitation system which claims to bypass thorny issues such as caste purity, as owners will be dealing with manure, not excreta.
- Governmental Initiatives of Swachhata Pakwada Campaigns should be promoted to raise awareness of sanitation and hygiene. Adequate Budgetary Allocation should be given to construct twin-pit toilets at villages, public toilets etc.
- Teach them young: Children must be taught the importance of Sanitation and hygiene. Initiatives like Bal Swachhata Mission, Swachh Vidyalaya Abhiyan are pushing forward the objective.
- Competition raising initiatives like Swachha Survekshan Abhiyan will help in boosting the spirit of cities and towns to improve the ODF status.
- In places of water scarcity, trains etc. use of bio-toilets can be promoted.
- Technology like mini-jetting machines, robots to clean the clogged pits as done in Hyderabad and Trivandrum should be emulated in other places to curb manual scavenging.
- Swachhata Doots, NGOs and CSOs must be involved at the grassroots level to achieve 100% ODF by October 2nd, 2019.
Conclusion:
The success of the Swachh Bharat Mission is linked to the participation of the people. It depends on people changing their attitudes towards cleanliness, building and using toilets, and maintaining personal hygiene among other things. This means creating a ‘behavioural change’ in an individual is critical to help break old habits and norms.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
Difficulty level: Tough
Reference: Down to Earth
Why the question:
The article discusses the decarbonization of India’s commercial vehicle fleet and making a case for hydrogen-fuelled internal combustion engine vehicles.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the benefits and challenges of hydrogen as fuel for transport sector.
Directive word:
Evaluate – When you are asked to evaluate, you have to pass a sound judgement about the truth of the given statement in the question or the topic based on evidence. You must appraise the worth of the statement in question. There is scope for forming an opinion here.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by giving context of hydrogen as an alternative fuel option.
Body:
First, write about the potential benefits of hydrogen as an alternative fuel – zero emissions, energy density, quick refuelling, and versatility etc.
Next, write about the challenges in adopting hydrogen as an alternative fuel – infrastructure development, production and distribution, cost and efficiency, safety concerns etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward to maximise the benefits of the hydrogen fuel technology.
Introduction
Hydrogen is all set to play a significant role in decarbonising energy system. The hydrogen economy is an envisioned future where hydrogen is used as fuel for vehicles, energy storage and long-distance transport of energy. The different pathways to use hydrogen economy includes hydrogen production, storage, transport and utilization.
In this regard, A National Hydrogen Energy Mission (NHEM) to transform transportation in India was announced during Union Budget 2021-22.
Body
Hydrogen Fuel can be a game changer in ensuring energy security as well as our battle against climate change:
- Hydrogen is the lightest and first elementon the periodic table. Since the weight of hydrogen is less than air, it rises in the atmosphere and is therefore rarely found in its pure form, H2.
- At standard temperature and pressure, hydrogen is a nontoxic, non-metallic, odourless, tasteless, colourless, and highly combustible diatomic gas.
- Hydrogen fuel is a zero-emission fuel burned with oxygen. It can be used in fuel cells or internal combustion engines. It is also used as a fuel for spacecraft propulsion.
- It can be produced from renewable sources of energy such as solar and wind. At present, there are a number of ways to produce hydrogen, but the most common method is natural gas reforming and electrolysis.
- Its use can reduce CO2 related emissions significantlyand decarbonise the entire value chain, enabling reduced emissions and climate change threats.
- Hydrogen can also bridge the gap between supply and demand, in both a centralized or decentralized manner, thereby enhancingthe overall energy system flexibility.
- Hydrogen can be used to meet both seasonal and daily supply-demand mismatch in the case of renewables.
- At present, the current global demand for hydrogen is 70 million metric tons, most of which is being produced from fossil fuels– 76% from natural gas and 23% from coal and remaining from the electrolysis of water– consumes 6% of the global natural gas and 2% of the global coal. This results in CO2 emissions of around 830Mt/year out of which only 130Mt/year is being captured and used in the fertilizer industry.
- Much of the hydrogen produced is used for oil refining (33%), ammonia (27%), methanol production (11%), steel production via DRI (3%)and others.
Challenges:
- One of the biggest challenges faced by the industry for using hydrogen commercially is the economic sustainability of extracting green or blue hydrogen.
- The technology used in production and use of hydrogen like Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)and hydrogen fuel cell technology are at nascent stageand are expensive which in turn increases the cost of production of hydrogen.
- Several challenges in scaling up the commercial-scale operations of green hydrogen persist.
- Maintenance costsfor fuel cells post-completion of a plant can be costly.
- The commercial usage of hydrogen as a fuel and in industries requires mammoth investment in R&D of such technology and infrastructurefor production, storage, transportation and demand creation for hydrogen.
- Another key challenge has been portability and transporting the gas.
- Currently costs of production of Green Hydrogen are too high to be competitive with other fuels.
- Most renewable energy resources that can produce low-cost electricity are situated far from potential demand centres
Steps taken by India towards hydrogen economy:
- India has a huge edge in green hydrogen production owing to its favourable geographic conditions and presence of abundant natural elements.
- India’s goal of attaining 175 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2022 and to decarbonise by 2050 got an impetus in the Union Budget 2021-22.
- The National Hydrogen Mission has created a road-map for this, and pilot projects on blue hydrogen, green hydrogen and hydrogen compressed natural gas (CNG) have been initiated.
- The proposed introduction of green hydrogen consumption obligations for fertiliser and petroleum refining industry, indicate the country’s resolve to transition towards an economy fuelled by green hydrogen.
- The government has given impetus in scaling up the gas pipeline infrastructureacross the length and breadth of the country, and has introduced reforms for the power grid, including the introduction of smart grids. Such steps are being taken to effectively integrate renewable energy in the present energy mix.
- In October 2020, Delhi became the first Indian city to operate Hydrogen-enrichedCNG (H-CNG) buses in a six-month pilot project.
- The Government of India is planning to focus on five key areas: (a)Research and Development (b) Demand creation (c) how to use it in the industry (d) how to create an eco-system (e) how to bring it on board along with international partnerships.
Way forward for India:
- At this juncture, with a calibrated approach, India can uniquely position itself to take advantage with increasing investment in R&D, capacity building, compatible legislation, and the opportunity for creation of demandamong its vast population. Such initiatives can propel India to become the most favoured nation by exporting hydrogen to its neighbours and beyond.
- Proactive industry collaboration with the government is key to creating a hydrogen economy in India.
- This will help bring best-in-class hydrogen technology, equipment, and know-how to create a hydrogen supply chain in India — in many cases, these could be “Made in India”.
- By prioritising national hydrogen demonstration projects, innovations to further reduce the cost of hydrogen will become prominent locally.
- A robust policy framework akin to the one that guided the country’s solar revolution could lead to an increase in production and demand of this green fuel.
- The Government of India should consider setting up a multi-agency mission to bring multiple ministries, private industry and academia together in a partnership to scale up the deployment of hydrogen across sectors and industries.
- Having a clear mid-term and long-term target inspires confidence in the private sector to make their investments in a new energy source.
- Tax benefits that solar and wind receive should be extended to all players in the green hydrogen ecosystem.
- In the short term, the price of hydrogen generated through steam methane reformation should be capped.
- Generating hydrogen from biomass should also be incentivised as it also has the potential to increase farmer incomes.
- India should ramp up international collaborations for more effortless transfer of technology and resources related to hydrogen.
- Low solar prices coupled with pragmatic policies can help India take a leadership position in driving the global hydrogen economy.
- India needs to secure supplies of raw materials that are needed for this technology.
- Major institutions like the DRDO, BARC and CSIR laboratories have been developing electrolyser and fuel-cell technologies, which could further boost hydrogen economy.
- There is a need for a manufacturing strategy that can leverage the existing strengths and mitigate threats by integrating with the global value chain.
Conclusion
Green hydrogen is one of the most promising fuels in the efforts to reduce carbon emissions. Green hydrogen energy is vital for India to meet its Nationally Determined Contributions and ensure regional and national energy security, access and availability. Hydrogen can act as an energy storage option, which would be essential to meet intermittencies (of renewable energy) in the future.
General Studies – 4
Topic: Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.
Difficulty Level: Tough
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4 and part of ‘Philosophical Mondays’ in Mission-2024 Secure.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about Rawls views on inequalities and its criticism.
Directive:
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 explaining the Rawls view on inequalities.
Body:
First, write about how according to Rawls the inequalities are a result of human ignorance. Cite examples to substantiate.
Next, write the criticism for Rawls view on inequalities.
Conclusion:
Conclude the answer by giving a balanced opinion.
Introduction
John Rawls was an American moral and political philosopher in the liberal tradition. Rawls’s theory of justice revolves around the adaptation of two fundamental principles of justice which would, in turn, guarantee a just and morally acceptable society. The first principle guarantees the right of each person to have the most extensive basic liberty compatible with the liberty of others. The second principle states that social and economic positions are to be to everyone’s advantage and open to all.
Body:
John Rawls theory of Social Justice guarantees a just and morally acceptable society:
- Rawls’ theory of justice as fairnessencompasses a central contention that principles of justice is essential to the structure of a constitutional democracy. It must be viewed as political in contrast to more comprehensive moral, philosophical or religious doctrines.
- His concept of social justice gives emphasis to fairness, it must be fair to all, to the most talented as well as the most disadvantaged section.
- Rawls uses the idea of a veil of ignoranceto argue that fair and just distribution can be defended on rational grounds. He says that if a person keeps herself/himself under the ‘veil of ignorance’ then s/he would come up with the just distribution, fair laws and policies that would affect the whole society.
- Rawls further says that the institutions must be fair or just. They must keep themselves above parochial interests. In many societies there are such institutions which have been created to serve group’s interests and such institutions cannot serve the interests of justice.
- The contents of the “social primary goods” specified by Rawls are of particular importance, for the fair distribution of them, namely, liberty and opportunity, income and wealth and basis of self-respect in a society will undoubtedly help to achieve the much-needed social justice.
- For example:The recent 10% reservation for the Economically Weaker Sections in education and jobs; reservations for SC/ST etc.
- Another important aspect of his theory is that while laying emphasis on the equal distribution of the “social primary goods”, he envisages “an unequal distribution” of the “social primary goods” if such unequal distribution is “to the advantage of the least favoured”.
- Example:progressive tax system in India, multi-tiered GST system, Philanthropy.
- In envisaging such “unequal distribution” of the social primary goods to benefit the “least favoured” in the society.
Conclusion:
His works have influenced famous thinkers like Amartya Sen, Thomas Nagel, Thomas Pogge etc. The concept of Social and Economic Justice is adopted in our Constitution in the form of Directive Principles of State Policy.
Value addition:
Basic principles of his theory:
- Rawls suggests two basic principles of justice.
- Principle of Equal Liberty:
- It means each person is to have an equal right to the most extensive basic liberty compatible with a similar liberty for others.
- Examples: freedom of thought, speech and expression, universal suffrage, freedom from arbitrary arrest and seizure, the right to hold public office etc.
- Difference Principle: There are 2 parts under this
- Fair equality of opportunity: It postulates that public policies are reasonably expected to be to everyone’s advantage and public position and offices are open to all.
- Difference principle: It justifies only those social and economic inequalities that maximize benefits to the least advantaged citizens.
- These principles provide an operating logic for the determination of public interest by the decision- makers.
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