[Mission 2024] Insights SECURE SYNOPSIS: 15 July 2023

NOTE: Please remember that following ‘answers’ are NOT ‘model answers’. They are NOT synopsis too if we go by definition of the term. What we are providing is content that both meets demand of the question and at the same

General Studies – 1

1. Globalization has facilitated the exchange of ideas, knowledge, and technology between India and the rest of the world. Critically analyse the impact of globalization on Indian society and culture.

Reference: Insights on India

Introduction

Globalization is an international platform for maintaining evenness in the living mode of the people all over the world. Globalization is the resultant of the interchange of worldly views, opinions and the various aspects of the culture everywhere around the world. The impact of globalization on Indian and rural life has a tremendous influence which is both positive as well as negative. The Indian urban and rural life is viewed as the two faces of the same coin. They are mutually interdependent and both have a greater impact of globalization.

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Impact of globalization on Indian rural society

• Positives:
  • Commercialization of agriculture: There is an increased trend of commercialization from sustenance farming. This has been successful only with farmers having large tracts of lands.
  • Expansion of agro-industries: Increased crop yield has led to development of agro-processing industries which help in adding value to the products and increasing their shelf life. E.g.; Tomato Ketchup, Potato chips etc.
  • Wider use of information, communication and technologies: Agricultural extension techniques like Kisan TV, sms about weather conditions has helped farmers plan better. Initiatives like e-Nam have helped farmers get better prices in certain areas.
  • Increased Mechanization, better inputs: Mechanization like use of tractors, harvesters, tillers has eased the job. High yield variety seeds, fertilizers have given better yield as seen during Green Revolution
  • Socio-economic development: With telemedicine and teleeducation, people are able to access the health and education facilities at the remotest areas. Adult literacy has helped in fighting for their rights.
  • MSMEs: There has been a rise of MSMEs with women entrepreneurs heading it.
• Negatives:
  • Changes in Land-Use patterns
  • Internal labour migration: Labour migration  to  cities from  rural  areas  in  search  of  employment  was  a  common phenomenon.  This  was  for  various  reasons  especially  for luxurious  life,  handsome  salary  and  for  numerous  job opportunities
  • Increasing privatization of resources: Rural population is still    suffering    from    unemployment    as    rural    labour    is    mostly    uneducated and unskilled.  Machines and latest technologies   have   reduced   the   number   of manpower a lot
  • Loss of jobs and Displacement: due to mechanization, women are the worst sufferers. When big-ticket projects like Dams, Roads, and Mining come up, people are displaced making them internal refugees.
  • Increased inequality: Regional and sectional disparity due to only a few reaping the benefits.
  • No Behavioural changes: Open defecation still present, caste discriminations are still prevalent.

Impact of globalization on Indian urban society

Positives:

• Increased Urbanization: It has been estimated that by 2050 more than 50% of India’s population will live in cities. The boom of services sector and city centric job creation has led to increasing rural to urban migration.
• Increased job opportunities: due to inflow of MNCs, FDIs, people have a wide choice of job opportunities provided they have the requisite skills. Startups like Ola, Swiggy etc. have revolutionized the Gig-Economy. Development of Industries have also provided with jobs.
• Higher Per capita income: employees are paid well albeit lesser than the global pay levels.
• Enhanced lifestyle: due to higher PCI and wide array of facilities available from which the consumer can choose. It has raised the quality of life of many.
• Better infrastructure: In terms of education, health, transport available to people. This has in turn enhanced the agglomeration of economies leading to industrial belts, IT parks, SEZ, CEZ etc.
• Rapid Digitization: for faster and ease of connectivity, most of the services are digitized. This also increases the awareness of citizens in terms of rights, happenings around world etc. On the Governmental side, there is more accountability and transparency and faster delivery of services.

Negatives:

• Family Structure: The increasing migration coupled with financial independence has led to the breaking of joint families into nuclear ones. The western influence of individualism has led to an aspirational generation of youth. Concepts of national identity, family, job and tradition are changing rapidly and significantly.
• Marriage Values: Similarly, marriages have also lost their values. It is very much evident from the increasing number of divorce cases and the extra-marital affairs reported every now and then.
• McDonaldization: A term denoting the increasing rationalization of the routine tasks of everyday life. It becomes manifested when a culture adopts the characteristics of a fast-food restaurant. McDonaldization is a reconceptualization of rationalization, or moving from traditional to rational modes of thought, and scientific management.
• Walmartization: A term referring to profound transformations in regional and global economies through the sheer size, influence, and power of the big-box department store WalMart. It can be seen with the rise of big businesses which have nearly killed the small traditional businesses in our society.
• Rise in Lifestyle diseases: due to reduced physical activity, increased habits of liquor and smoking etc.
• Urban Sprawl: Increasing slums, unplanned urbanizations are on the rise which is a ticking time-bomb.

Conclusion

It is difficult to say that the impact of globalization has been totally positive or totally negative. It has been both. Each impact mentioned above can be seen as both positive as well as negative. However, it becomes a point of concern when, an overwhelming impact of globalization can be observed on the Indian rural and urban society.

2. Explain the spread of the civil disobedience movement in terms of popular response and regional patterns across India.

Reference: Insights on India

Introduction

Gandhi addressed an ultimatum to Viceroy Lord Irwin on 31 January 1930, asking him to remove the evils of the British rule and also informed of his decision to undertake Civil Disobedience Movement. The aim of this movement was a complete disobedience of the orders of the British Government. There was agitation against land revenue, abolition of salt tax, cutting down military expenditure, levying duty on foreign cloth, among others, throughout India. A very important movement was that of Salt Satyagraha where Gandhi undertook the Dandi march as a protest against the Salt tax.

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Spread of the civil disobedience movement:

In terms of Popular Response:

• With Gandhi’s symbolic breaking of salt laws at Dandi, defiance of salt laws started all over the country.
• Every section of society as Students, Women, Tribals, Merchants and Petty Traders, Workers & Peasants took active part in CDM.
• The defiance of salt laws took place in different provinces too under leadership of various leaders.
• In Tamil Nadu, C Rajagopalachari led the Salt Satyagraha; K Kelappan headed in Malabar and in Dharasana Salt Works (Gujarat) by Sarojini Naidu and Manilal Gandhi.
• Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan raised the band of non-violent revolutionaries, the Khudai Khidmatgars, popularly knowns as the Red Shirts in the Peshawar region in the North West Frontier Province which played a crucial role in the Civil Disobedience Movement.
• Women, young mothers, widowed and unmarried girls, played an important role in the picketing of liquor shops and opium dens and stores selling foreign cloth. They used non-violent and persuasive means to convince the buyers and sellers to change their ways.
• They were ably supported by the students and youth in the boycott of foreign cloth and liquor.
• Significantly, for Indian women, the movement was the most liberating experience to date and the can be said to have marked their entry into public space.
• The CDM was launched and the farmers were asked to not pay rent or only pay 50% of it. The government repression was harsh on them.

In terms of regional patterns across India:

• In Bihar, anti-Chowkidara tax campaign was initiated where villages refused to pay protection money to the local guards (chowkidars) who supplemented the meagre police forces in the rural areas. Rajendra Prasad took part in the anti-Chowkidara tax campaigns in Bihar.
• In Gujarat, a no-tax movement took place against payment of land revenue. This was most visible in Kheda, Surat and Broach districts. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel led the no-tax campaign in the Kheda district.
• Defiance of forest laws took place on a large scale in Maharashtra, Karnataka and the Central Provinces, especially in areas with large tribal populations.
• In Assam, a powerful agitation led by students was launched against the ‘Cunningham circular‘ which forced students and their guardians to furnish assurances of good behaviour.
• In United Provinces, a no-revenue, no-rent campaign was organized against the government which soon turned into a no-rent campaign against the zamindars. Jawaharlal Nehru played an important role in organizing the no-revenue, no-rent campaign and the districts of Agra and Rae Bareli were the important centers of this campaign.
• The movement also popularized a variety of forms of mobilization like Prabhat Pheris, Patrikas, and Magic Lanterns.
• In Manipur and Nagaland, at the young age of thirteen, Rani Gaidinliu of Nagaland raised the banner of revolt against foreign rule. She was captured in 1932 and sentenced to life imprisonment
• In Chittagong, Surya Sen’s Chittagong Revolt Group carried out a raid on two armouries. It declared the establishment of a provisional government.
• Provisional Governments were established in Ballia in UP by Chittu Pandey, Satara in Maharashtra.

Conclusion

The civil disobedience movement of 1930-31, then marked a critically important stage in the progress of the anti-imperialist struggle. The impact of the civil disobedience movement reverberated far and wide. It created distrust towards the British government and laid the foundation for the freedom struggle.

General Studies – 2

3. NATO should prioritize building stable and inclusive security architecture in Europe rather than pursuing expansion at all costs. Critically examine.

Reference: The Hindu

Introduction

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is a military alliance established by the North Atlantic Treaty (also called the Washington Treaty) of April, 1949, by the United States, Canada, and several Western European nations to provide collective security against the Soviet Union. There are 30 member countries of NATO.

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Origins of NATO during cold war

• After World War II in 1945, western Europe was economically exhausted and militarily weak(the western Allies had rapidly and drastically reduced their armies at the end of the war).
• In 1948 the United States launched theMarshall Plan, which infused massive amounts of economic aid to the countries of western and southern Europe on the condition that they cooperate with each other and engage in joint planning to hasten their mutual recovery.
• As for military recovery,under the Brussels Treaty of 1948, the United Kingdom, France, and the Low Countries—Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg—concluded a collective–defense agreement called the Western European Union.
  • It was soon recognized, however, that a more formidable alliance would be required to provide an adequate military counterweight to the Soviets.
  • In March 1948, following a virtual communist coup d’état in Czechoslovakia in February, the three governments began discussions on a multilateral collective-defense scheme that would enhance Western security and promote democratic values.
  • These discussions were eventually joined by France, the Low Countries, and Norway and in April 1949 resulted in the North Atlantic Treaty.
• In 1955, when the Cold War was gaining momentum, the Soviet Union signed up socialist republics of Central and Eastern Europe to the Warsaw Pact (1955).The Pact, essentially a political-military alliance, was viewed as a direct strategic counterweight to NATO.

Significance of NATO

• NATO promotes democratic values and enables members to consult and cooperate on defense and security-related issues to solve problems, build trust and, in the long run, prevent conflict.
• NATO is committed to the peaceful resolution of disputes. If diplomatic efforts fail, it has the military power to undertake crisis-management operations.
• NATO has anintegrated military command structure but very few forces or assets are exclusively its own.
• All 30 allies have an equal say, the Alliance’s decisions must be unanimous and consensual, and its members must respect the basic values that underpin the Alliance,namely democracy, individual liberty and the rule of law.
• NATO’s protection does not extend to members’ civil wars or internal coups.
• NATO is funded by its members. The U.S. contributes roughly three-fourths of NATO’s budget.

Role of NATO

• The fundamental role of NATO is to safeguard the freedom & security of its member countries by political and military means.
• NATO safeguards the Allies’ common values of individual liberty, rule of law, the democratic values and the peaceful resolution of disputes and promotes these values throughout the Euro-Atlantic area.
• It provides a forum in which countries from North America and Europe can consult together on security issues of common concern and take joint action in addressing them.
• NATO activities are no longer confined to Europe. Since 1990-91, the Alliance has gradually increased its contact with other countries. It has helped UN by sending peace-keeping forces and through peace-keeping operations. It first involvement with UN was in Yugoslavia in 1992. Thereafter, It took up peace-keeping activities out of Europe by sending troops to Iraq, Afghanistan, Sudan, Kosovo etc.
• NATO expanded its role to include the war on terrorism after 9/11 terrorist attack on world trade centre which was considered an attack on the US. Now NATO’s highest priority is its mission in Afghanistan. For success of its mission, it has even asked help from its arch rival Russia also.

Conclusion

NATO was created to serve as a regional defense Alliance. It’s purpose is to enhance the stability and freedom of its members through collective security system. Its main goal was to keep the Russians out, the Americans in, and the Germans down. For sixty plus years, it must be rated as one of the most successful defensive Alliances of all time.

General Studies – 3

4. In the context of Chandrayaan-3 mission, what is a launch window? Examine the goals of the Chandrayaan-3 mission and its potential impact on India’s pursuit of space exploration.

Reference: Indian Express , en.wikipedia.org

Introduction

The launch window is a term used to describe a time period in which a particular mission must be launched. It is a precise time period during which a spacecraft can be launched from a particular site in order to achieve a desired mission, as a rendezvous with another spacecraft.

Through the launch of Chandrayaan-3 on Friday (July 14), the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to make its second attempt to land a spacecraft on the moon.

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Background

Chandrayaan-3 is the successor to the Chandrayaan-2 mission and it will likely attempt another soft-landing on the lunar surface. It will be a mission repeat of Chandrayaan-2 but will only include a lander and rover similar to that of Chandrayaan-2. It will not have an orbiter. As per ISRO, the total cost of Chandrayaan-3 mission will be over Rs 600 crores. In comparison, the total cost of the Chandrayaan-2 mission was Rs 960 crores.

Objectives of Chandrayaan – 3 mission

• The mission is aimed at better understanding the Moon’s composition.
• Isro has laid out three main objectives for the mission, which include
• demonstrating a safe and soft landing on the lunar surface
• demonstrating the rover’s roving capabilities on the moon
• performing in-situ scientific observations.

Chandrayaan – 3: potential contributions to India’s space exploration endeavours

• Chandrayaan 3 is an ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) mission with the primary objective of putting a lander and rover in the highlands near the south pole of the Moon in 2023.
• According to ISRO, the Chandrayaan-3 mission will cost more than Rs 600 crores in total.
• Chandrayaan-3 will be a mission repeat of Chandrayaan-2 but will only include a lander and rover similar to that of Chandrayaan-2. It will not have an orbiter, but its propulsion module will behave like a communications relay satellite.
• India aims to examine the Moon’s surface, especially areas that have not been receiving sunlight in some billion years.
• Scientists and astronomers are suspecting the presence of ice and abundant mineral stocks in these darker parts of the lunar surface.
• In addition, this exploration will not limit to the surface but aim to study the sub-surface and exosphere.
• The rover of this spacecraft will communicate to earth via an orbiter taken from Chandrayaan 2.
• It will study the surface by taking images at a distance of 100km from the lunar orbit.

Conclusion

Chandrayaan 3, if successful, will make India the fourth country to soft-land a spacecraft on the Moon after the United States, USSR and China.

5. Discuss the need for preparedness measures in the face of monsoon-related disasters in North India and importance of preparedness measures to mitigate the impact of such events.

Reference: Indian Express

Introduction

Last weekend, parts of North India witnessed heavy rains that triggered flash floods and left a trail of destruction. Homes were flooded, roads and bridges washed away and communication networks disrupted, isolating communities and hampering rescue efforts. At least 50 deaths were reported. The rains triggered landslides which caused more damage. Himachal Pradesh was the worst affected. Several places in Haryana, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh reported record rainfall between Saturday and Sunday.

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Factors leading to monsoon related disasters 

• An active monsoon with strong winds in the lower air layers, bringing moisture into the region from the Bay of Bengal or the Arabian Sea.
• A large-scale atmospheric forcing in the form of outflows in the upper layers of the atmosphere moving eastward through mid-latitude troughs. These troughs can also direct the flow of moisture towards the Himalaya.
• Deep convection triggered by orographic uplift combined with the steep terrain of the Himalaya.

Importance of preparedness measures to mitigate the impact of monsoon-related disasters

• Recent studies show an increasing trend in extreme rainfall in many parts of the country, especially central India.
• The number of extreme rainfall events (more than 15 cm in 24 hours) has tripled in the region.
• The duration of rainstorms over central India has also tripled.
• The observations also indicate that during the monsoon, the total number of rainy days and rainy hours decreases.
• This indicates that when it rains, it rains very heavily.
• The Himalayan region, with its complex topography and varied weather patterns, is prone to extreme rainfall events.
• A recent study shows that 65 per cent of areas in the region have a positive trend in the frequency of daily rainfall extremes.
• Another study on the 2013 floods in Uttarakhand identified this region as one where deep, intense convective clouds are most likely to form.
• Instances of such deep convection have increased over time. Climate change is thought to be one of the main causes of this.
• The Arctic is warming and sea ice is receding due to human influence. There is growing evidence of the impact of Arctic warming on the monsoon climate through mid-latitude circulation.
• Observations and models suggest that due to Arctic warming, the frequency of occurrence of blocking highs and deep mid-latitude troughs (like the one last weekend) is likely to increase.
• Changes in land use and land cover also appear to be reasons for the increase in extreme monsoon rainfall, especially its intensity.
• The IPCC’s scenarios for climate change indicate that these trends will continue.
• Multi-day flood events are projected to increase faster than single-day events in the future — this can have severe consequences.

Way forward

• A robust early warning system that alerts people about heavy rains and possible flash floods. This system can include meteorological observations including a Doppler weather radar (DWR) and a high-resolution numerical weather prediction model.
• Advanced methods such as AI/ML could be used to interpret the DWR and model forecast data.
• Continuous monitoring of rainfall patterns, river levels and an advanced flood warning system.
• Flood risk maps that take into account factors such as topography, historical flood data and hydrological modelling to assess vulnerability, identify high-risk zones and target actions.
• Improving and maintaining climate-resilient infrastructure, such as drainage systems and channels to prevent waterlogging.
• Proper implementation of land use planning and zoning regulations. For example, areas prone to flash floods can be designated as non-residential or restricted areas.
• The protection and restoration of natural ecosystems, such as forests and wetlands. Vegetation acts as a natural buffer, absorbing rainfall and reducing runoff.
• Awareness campaigns can influence people to take the right actions during floods, including arranging evacuation, providing first aid and getting information from reliable sources.

Conclusion

To mitigate floods, we need a multi-pronged approach that includes both proactive measures and reactive strategies. By recognising the increasing threat of extreme precipitation and  implementing proactive measures, India can improve its resilience to extreme weather events. India needs to step up research to improve the performance of the monsoon prediction models. Preparedness is the best way forward.

Answer the following questions in 250 words(15 marks each):

General Studies – 1

6. The Surat Split was caused by a clash of ideologies and leadership styles within the Indian National Congress (INC). While it weakened the national movement in the short term, it also had long-term impacts, including the growth of mass-based politics, the rise of militant nationalism, and the influence on future movements and leaders. Examine.

Reference: Insights on India

Introduction

In the early twentieth century the nationalism was gaining fervour so Curzon decided to divide Bengal, to break the unity of Indians and to check the growth of nationalism. This move was inception point to Surat split of INC in 1907. The ideological difference between moderates and extremists further widened with moderates opposing the resolutions on Swaraj, Swadeshi, Boycott of foreign goods and National Education and also there as issue with the leadership of congress sessions as well that ultimately led to Surat split.

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causes behind the Surat Split

• There was a great deal of public debate and disagreement among Moderates and Extremists in the years 1905-1907, even when they were working together against the partitioning of Bengal.
• The Extremists wanted to extend the Swadeshi and the Boycott Movement from Bengal to the rest of the country.
• They also wanted to gradually extend the boycott from foreign goods to every form of association or cooperation with the colonial Government.
• The Moderates wanted to confine the boycott part of the movement to Bengal and were totally opposed to its extension to the Government.
• Matters nearly came to a head at the Calcutta Congress in 1906 over the question of its Presidentship.
• A split was avoided by choosing Dadabhai Naoroji.
• Four compromise resolutions on the Swadeshi, Boycott, National Education, and Self-Government demands were passed.
• Throughout 1907 the two sides fought over differing interpretations of the four resolutions.
• By the end of 1907 the Extremists were convinced that the battle for freedom had begun as the people had been roused.
• Most of them felt that the time had come to part company with the Moderates
• Most of the Moderates, led by Pherozeshah Mehta, were no less determined on a split. They were afraid that the Congress organization built carefully over the last twenty years, would be shattered.

Impacts of Surat split

Short term

• Following the Surat Split in 1907, the Moderates demanded colonial self-government in contrast to the Extremists’ demand for total independence.
• The moderates’ constitutional politics did not impress the British government, as evidenced by the Morley-Minto Reforms of 1909.
• The Moderates had lost touch with the nationalism’s younger generation. The younger generation desired results, which fuelled the rise of revolutionaries.
• Following the incarceration of leaders such as Bal Gangadhar Tilak, the moderate-dominated Congress went dormant.
• Separate electorates were granted to Muslims in 1909. This was a setback for Congress because the most critical and vocal elements were not included in the INC.

Long-term

• To suppress militant nationalists, the British used a divide and rule strategy.
• Extremism was mostly confined to Bengal, Maharashtra, and Punjab, where the rise in terrorist activity allowed the government to unleash repression.
• The exit of the Extremist left the Congress paralysed for more than a decade as the Moderates could achieve very little.
• It was only in 1916 after re-entry of the Extremists and exit of the Moderates (1918) that the Congress was reactivated.
• But now it was a different story all together. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi had entered the political scene and associated himself with the programme of the Extremist.
• He represented a new synthesis of faith and reason, law and impulse and inaugurated a new era in Modern India History.

Conclusion

British policy of Divide and Rule, saw a major victory in form of Surat Split and the British believed that they were in control of the affairs of the INC after significant period of time. While the leadership of the Congress remained in the hands of the Moderates for some time more, as the Extremists worked separately till 1916. Later both groups reunited at Lucknow session of Congress in 1916 due to the efforts of the leaders of Home Rule movement.

General Studies – 2

7. India-France relationship is strong and multifaceted, encompassing strategic, economic, and cultural dimensions. Elaborate.

Reference: Indian Express , Insights on India

Introduction

India and France have traditionally close and friendly relations. In 1998, the two countries entered into Strategic Partnership which is based on three pillars of defence cooperation, space cooperation and civil nuclear cooperation. In the recent years, there have been increasing convergences between both the countries.

Indian PM will be the Guest of Honour at France’s Bastille Day parade in Paris. The visit coincides with 25 years of strategic partnerships with France.

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Significance of the PM’s visit to France:

• Increasing investment: The visit will help diversify France and European economic ties away from China
• Boosting regional security: The visit will help boost India’s comprehensive national power and help India stabilise the balance of power in Asia

Time tested India France relationship

• Partnership in the Indian Ocean:France was the first European country to launch an IndoPacific strategy and India is a key pillar in that strategy. Thus, the relationship between India France has grown beyond bilateral to focus and includes intensified maritime and naval cooperation in Indian Ocean and more broadly the Indo Pacific.
  • France has specific interests in the Indian Ocean due to its overseas territories (Reunion Island and Mayotte) home to over a million French citizens, and more than 10% of the Indian Ocean’s surface.
• Strategic convergence:On the regional front, France is as concerned as India at the rising Chinese profile in the Indo-Pacific. Both would like to work to offer credible alternatives to Chinese economic and military assistance in the region.
  • On the international front, both are deeply concerned about the breakdown of the rules based global order.
• Global cooperation:After their joint efforts to limit climate change and develop the International Solar Alliance, India and France have turned to more ambitious ideas. In this direction, both countries issued the road map on cybersecurity and digital technology.
• France’s support on international platforms:France is among the countries that have consistently supported India’s permanent membership to UNSC.
  • Also, France has offered unstinted support for India on targeting the sources of violent extremism in Pakistan and helped limit the international backlash against India’s effort to rewrite the rules of engagement in J&K.
• Nuclear Cooperation:After the nuclear tests in May 1998 when India declared itself a nuclear weapon state, France was the first major power to open dialogue and displayed a far greater understanding of India’s security compulsions compared to other countries. Both signed, civil nuclear cooperation agreement in 2008.
  • “Industrial Way Forward Agreement”was signed in 2018, between France and India for the construction of six nuclear reactors at Jaitapur.
• Defence Cooperation: France remains a vital source of arms supply to India. Defence cooperation with France began in the 1950s when India acquired the Ouragan aircraft and continued with theMystères, Jaguar, Rafale, Scorpène submarines, etc.
  • Both countries also signed reciprocal logistics support agreement to receive logistical support, supplies and services from each other during authorised port visits, joint exercises, etc.
  • The PM’s visit is likely to see agreements or announcements on the acquisition of 26 Rafale-M (the marine version) fighters for the Indian Navy, and co-production of three more Scorpene class submarines at the public sector Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd, which has already produced six Scorpene/Kalvari-class submarines under an earlier agreement.
• Cooperation in Space and Technologyhas continued since the 1960s when France helped India set up the Sriharikota launch site, followed by liquid engine development and hosting of payloads. Currently, other projects include joint satellite mission – TRISHNA (for eco-system stress and water use monitoring) and also accommodation of French instrument on India’s OCEANSAT-3 satellite.
• Counter terrorism: Terror strikes in France by home-grown terrorists provide much scope for counterterrorism cooperation, in terms of both intelligence-sharing and de-radicalisation strategies.
• climate change initiatives: Last October, they signed a Road Map on Green Hydrogen, which aims “to bring the French and Indian hydrogen ecosystems together” to establish a reliable and sustainable value chain for a global supply of decarbonised hydrogen.
• Digital Tech initiatives: roadmap on digital technology co-operation may be on the cards for 6G, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing. An MoU signed last month between NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) and Lyra, a France-based payment services provider, may be implemented soon to enable UPI and RuPay payments in Europe.
• Given its expertise in the sphere of urban planning France is also helping in the Smart Cities Mission. The three such smart cities are Chandigarh, Nagpur and Puducherry.

Challenges in the relationship:

India and France don’t have Free Trade Agreement, which limits the potential for increased trade and economic cooperation. Also, there is a trade imbalance in favour of France (France exporting more to India). Also, France has many times expressed concern on India’s stance at WTO, Climate summit and on India’s protection of intellectual property rights

Way forward

• Even though above specified areas provided a robust basis for engagement, it remained primarily at a government-to-government level.
• In recent years, it was clear that for a wider partnership, strengthening business-to-business and people-to-people relationships was essential. Also, the trade between India and France, although growing, is yet to reach its potential.
• By leveraging the potential of convergences, France can be India’s gateway to Europe and India France’s first strategic partner in Asia.
• The underpinnings of global geopolitics are being rapidly altered with China’s rise, the West being consumed by internal problems and Russia, the“America First” priorities of the US Administration, and growing threats to globalization.
• With such background, France and India have a shared interest in developing a coalition of middle powers with a shared commitment for a rule-based multipolar world order.

Conclusion

While military cooperation remains important, the Indo-French relationship could expand beyond arms sales. Initiatives like the International Solar Alliance and exploring Mini-lateral and multilateral cooperation in the Indo-Pacific could bring additional dimensions to their partnership.

8. Although Corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives are voluntary in nature, there is a need for stronger mechanisms to ensure accountability and enforce responsible business practices. Without proper monitoring and enforcement, companies may not fulfil their CSR commitments or may engage in unethical practices. Analyse.

Reference: Live Mint , Insights on India

Introduction

The term “Corporate Social Responsibility” in general can be referred to as a corporate initiative to assess and take responsibility for the company’s effects on the environment and impact on social welfare.

In India, the concept of CSR is governed by clause 135 of the Companies Act, 2013. India is the first country in the world to mandate CSR spending along with a framework to identify potential CSR activities.

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Background: CSR in India

• The CSR provisions within the Act is applicable to companies with an annual turnover of 1,000 crore and more, or a net worth of Rs. 500 crore and more, or a net profit of Rs. 5 crore and more.
• The Act requires companies to set up a CSR committee which shall recommend a Corporate Social Responsibility Policy to the Board of Directors and also monitor the same from time to time.
• The Act encourages companies to spend 2% of their average net profit in the previous three years on CSR activities.
• The indicative activities, which can be undertaken by a company under CSR, have been specified under Schedule VII of the Act. The activities include:
  • Eradicating extreme hunger and poverty,
  • Promotion of education, gender equality and empowering women,
  • Combating Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome and other diseases,
  • Ensuring environmental sustainability;
  • Contribution to the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund or any other fund set up by the Central Government for socio-economic development and relief and funds for the welfare of the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes, other backward classes, minorities and women etc.

Benefits of Corporate social responsibility to the firms

• CSR increases employee engagement: Giving back to the community is a virtuous circle in which engaged employees are enriched by volunteering opportunities that further engage and encourage them.
• Contributes to the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals
• Presents press opportunities: It provides more marketing for firms and increases brand engagement with the public.
• Increases customer retention and loyalty: CSR gives a company a chance to showcase consistency and win loyalty, which ultimately converts into customer retention and increased sales.
• CSR improves employer branding: It’s increasingly important for companies to have a socially conscious image. Consumers, employees, and stakeholders prioritize CSR when choosing a brand or company, and they hold corporations accountable for effecting social change with their beliefs, practices, and profits.

Issues pertaining to CSR

• concentration in three activities: education, health and rural development; 77% of the total amount spent between 2014-15 and 2020-21 was on these three. CSR activities, therefore, aren’t covering adequately other important areas such as poverty eradication, gender equality, climate change, etc.
• Regional concentration: Most of the CSR spending is concentrated in States like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Karnataka etc. Between 2014-19, these States accounted for ~32% of total spending. A more recent report by Ashoka University’s Centre for Social Impact and Philanthropy has observed the spending in these 4 States  to be ~54%. Populous Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh with poor resources and poor population receive much less.
• Greenwashing: Many companies still view CSR as a statutory obligation only. They engage in superfluous activities not having a direct measurable impact on communities or the environment. However, they offer misleading misleading communication and then try to influence the perceptions of their stakeholders and the general public. This has been termed as ‘greenwashing’. In the absence of coercive enforcement mechanisms, such phenomena is becoming common.
• Finding Right Partners: Despite growing awareness about the significance of CSR compliance, the challenges remain inidentifying the right partners and projects, as well as in selecting projects that are long-term impactful, scalable, and are self-sustaining.
• Lack of Community Participation in CSR Activities:There is a lack of interest of the local community in participating and contributing to CSR activities of companies.
  • This is largely attributable to the fact that there exists little or no knowledge about CSR within the local communitiesas no serious efforts have been made to spread awareness about CSR.
  • The situation is further aggravated by a lack of communication between the company and the communityat the grassroots.
• Issues of Transparency:There is an expression by the companies that there exists lack of transparency on the part of the local implementing agencies as they do not make adequate efforts to disclose information on their programs, audit issues, impact assessment and utilisation of funds.
  • This reported lack of transparencynegatively impacts the process of trust building between companies and local communities, which is a key to the success of any CSR initiative at the local level.
• Non-availability of Well Organised NGOs:There is non-availability of well organised NGOs in remote and rural areas that can assess and identify real needs of the community and work along with companies to ensure successful implementation of CSR activities.

Measures needed

• Beyond just allocating funds, the companies shall conduct regular reviews on progress of CSR complianceand put in place some measures for a more professional approach towards the same. Also, they should set clear objectives and align all the stakeholders with them.
• It is equally important to let their NGO partners know of their business needs.
  • The latter should know that companies which award money from their CSR budgets are sincere about the causes they pick.
• The Companies must alsorefresh the roles of Board, CSR Committee, CFO and set-up new SOPs including a defined process for fund utilisation, determine applicability of impact assessment, prepare a detailed checklist of processes with the owners and timelines and formulate an annual action plan.
• The government must ensure that the activities included in the CSR Policy of a company are implemented by it.
• It is also the responsibility of the government toaddress the issues of non availability of the NGOs and create awareness in the society about the significance of the CSR and its activities.
• The government plans to use technology tools such as Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to do data mining of the mandated reports to bring changes to its policy on CSR.
  • Leveraging technology to improve the oversight of India Inc is welcome, but this should be applied to the financial and governance aspects of companies before moving on to their social obligations.

Conclusion

More CSR decision-makers are shifting their focus from compliance with CSR laws to the social impact they are making. CSR funders are following several themes to make this transition, such as hiring professionals, coming together in collaboratives, and defining and publishing their impact metrics to hold themselves accountable. The idea is to move beyond signing cheques to recognising that, ultimately, what’s good for Indian society is also good for business.

General Studies – 3

9. Given the rapidly evolving nature of online recruitment, intelligence and counter-terrorism agencies must remain flexible and adaptive. They should continuously review and update their strategies, leverage emerging technologies, and stay abreast of the latest trends in online radicalization. Analyse.

Reference: Indian Express

Introduction

Radicalization is the process by which an individual or a group comes to adopt increasingly radical views in opposition to a political, social, or religious status quo. It is when someone starts to believe or support extreme views and then participates in extremist groups or acts.

Online platforms have become powerful tools for extremist groups to spread their ideologies, recruit individuals, and plan acts of terrorism. Therefore, intelligence and counter-terrorism agencies must keep pace with the ever-changing digital landscape and adapt their methodologies accordingly. This requires regular assessments of their existing strategies to identify gaps and areas for improvement.

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Background

• Recently, India witnessed a series of extremist acts by some radicalized youth from different cities like Udaipur which later got extended to the “sar tan se juda” sloganeering and related controversy.
• Last year also, The NIA made multiple arrests in a suspected ISI module that was playing role in the radicalization of Indian youth and performing extremist acts in India.
• The above incidences highlight the issue of radicalization of Indian youth which could pose a serious challenge to India’s internal security. Thus, in this edition of the Burning issue, we will study radicalization in India, its causes, consequences and some way forward.

Radicalization and role of internet

• Radicalisation of youth: Propaganda information to recruit for terror groups like AQIS, LeT on telegram have been intercepted by NIA.
• Use of Internet by Daesh: Daesh has been using Internet to spread its propaganda using platforms such as twitter, YouTube etc.
• Constant involvement and interaction: By ‘cyber-planners’, who will be responsible for planning terror attacks, identifying recruits, act as “virtual coachers”, and provide guidance and encouragement throughout the process.
• In Recruitment from other countries: India has also suffered from it however less severely. Increasing number of cases of youth being influenced by social media to carry out propaganda of hate and violence has been reported in many areas.
• Rise of sentiments over sensitive issues: By spreading false propaganda and fraudulent ideologies over sensitive and triggering issues of India using morphed videos, or false claims of proof of injustice etc.
  • These instances are being leveraged to recruit youth to avenge the false sense of injustice they feel. Manipulation is easier on internet and more youth especially from nother-east, Kashmir are falling prey.
  • The NIA reported in 2014, the recruitment of more than 300 Indian youths by Pakistan-based Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP), which had joined hands with ISIS.
  • The ISIS have published recruiting materials in Hindi, Urdu, Tamil and other languages spoken in India. This spreads faster on internet.

Measures being taken

• Approval of study– The Ministry of Home Affairs has ordered a study on ‘the status of radicalization in India’ which will be conducted under G.S. Bajpai. It will try to legally define ‘radicalization’ and suggest amendments to the UAPA Act,1967.
• Enactment of laws- Various laws such as the UAPA act, 1967; NIA act, 2008 have to be strengthened to give more power to security agencies to tackle radicalism.
• Institutions created– Counter-Terrorism and Counter Radicalization (CTCR) divisions of the Ministry of Home Affairs are the key wings of the Government of India to coordinate with various law-enforcement agencies in the country.
• Cyberworld and technology mechanisms– IB launched Operation Chukravyuh in late 2014 to counter the challenges posed by online radicalization.
• Several deradicalization programs– Certain deradicalization and anti-radicalization programs are coordinated by the Union Government such as Civic Action Programs implemented by the Seema Shastra Bal (SSB) along the Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan Borders.
• State-level de-radicalization programs– such as that of the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) which has been quite successful in their attempts of deradicalizing numerous individuals.
• Other programs- Coverage of the government’s various welfare schemes without discrimination, special schemes for communities and areas, promotion of composite culture and coexistence among various communities and constitutional safeguards for minorities, are some of the steps the government has been taking to keep people away from radicalization

Way forward

• Launching de-radicalization programs which focus on states with higher intensity of radicalization and also Development of counseling and rehabilitation centers for radicalized youths under police custody.
• Adopting the holistic approach of deradicalization, counter-radicalization and anti-radicalization at all necessary levels.
• Promoting research in the field of radicalization concerning the different regions of India for a deeper understanding of the issue and developing a better solution.
• Ensuring adequate funds for these programs, capability development of intelligence forces and creation of modern infrastructure to tackle radicalization, especially the virtual one.
• Capacity development of state police as they are the first line of defense. State police forces need to work in good cooperation with central security agencies to better counter the growing radicalization.
• Increase involvement of family and religious leaders in not only the process of rehabilitation of radicalized youths but also in preventing youth to move towards radicalized ideologies.
• Increasing awareness in society about these threats through school and college education or through social media accounts of security agencies to prevent people from falling into trap of extremists.
• Need to de-glamourize terrorism and also a coordinated South Asian effort in countering radicalization can go a long way for the region as all countries of the region is facing the heat of radicalization.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the ever-evolving landscape of online recruitment and radicalization requires intelligence and counter-terrorism agencies to be flexible, adaptive, and proactive. By continuously reviewing and updating their strategies, leveraging emerging technologies, and staying informed about the latest trends, these agencies can effectively mitigate the threats posed by online radicalization in India.

10. Given the significant environmental risks and uncertainties surrounding deep sea mining, there is a growing need for careful evaluation and consideration of alternative approaches. Critically examine.

Reference: The Hindu

Introduction

Deep-sea mining is the process of retrieving mineral deposits from the deep seabed the ocean below 200 metres and covers two-thirds of the total seafloor. According to International Seabed Authority (ISA), an agency under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) for monitoring all activities related to mineral resources in the deep sea, the international seabed is the area that lies beyond the limits of national jurisdiction and represents around 50% of the total area of the world’s oceans.

The International Seabed Authority (ISA) has decided that it will start taking permit applications from companies that want to mine the ocean floor. More than 1.5 million square kilometres of the international seabed have been set aside for mineral exploration.

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Issues posed by Deep sea mining

• Environmental impact:
  • According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), these deep remote locations can be home to unique species that have adapted themselves to conditions such as poor oxygen and sunlight, high pressure and extremely low temperatures.
  • Such mining expeditions can make them go extinct even before they are known to science.
  • The deep sea’s biodiversity and ecology remain poorly understood, making it difficult to assess the environmental impact and frame adequate guidelines.
  • Environmentalists are also worried about the sediment plumes that will be generated as the suspended particles can rise to the surface harming the filter feeders in the upper ocean layers.
  • Additional concerns have been raised about the noise and light pollution from the mining vehicles and oil spills from the operating vessels.
• Technology:
  • The specialized drills and extraction-technology that would be required pulling out the metals from the deep sea would develop a major technical challenge.
• Commercial Viability:
  • The latest estimate from the ISA says it will be commercially viable only if about three million tonnes are mined per year. More studies are being carried out to understand how the technology can be scaled up and used efficiently.

International conventions regulating deep sea mining

• The Jamaica-based International Seabed Authority was established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). It holds authority over the ocean floors outside of its 167 member states’ Exclusive Economic Zones.
• At the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Marseille (September 2021), IUCN Members adopted Resolution 122 to protect deep-ocean ecosystems and biodiversity through a moratorium on deep-sea mining unless and until several conditions are met.
• The UN High Seas Treaty,to protect the world’s oceans outside national boundaries.

National Conventions

• Draft Deep Seabed Mining Regulations, 2021:It has been formulated by the Indian government to provide a legal framework for the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources in the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Conclusion

There is an urgent need for an international charter as in the absence of a clear charter, deep sea mining operations could cause irreversible damage to a little understood ecology. A new set of exploration guidelines must be worked out with discussions involving multi-stakeholders like ISA, IUCN, UNCLOS, littoral nations etc.

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