[Mission 2024] Insights SECURE SYNOPSIS: 20 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

Topic: Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.

1. India played a significant role in the Non-Aligned Movement and worked towards maintaining a policy of non-alignment during the Cold War. However, the complex geopolitical realities of the era made complete neutrality difficult to achieve, and India occasionally took actions that raised doubts about its adherence to strict non-alignment principles. Analyse.250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Insights on India

Why the question:

The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1 and mentioned as part of Mission-2024 Secure timetable.

Key Demand of the question:

Highlight nature of engagement of NAM countries with the superpowers. Evaluate the role played by India, as a member of NAM.

Directive:

Analyse – When asked to analyse, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them in a summary.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction:

Introduce NAM, and the background in which it emerged.

Body:

Elaborate on the role played by NAM in easing tensions between the superpowers by citing examples. Note how NAM did not practise isolationism or neutrality.

Next, write the role played by India as part of NAM, and steps taken by it to reduce geo-political tensions.

Next, write about the nature of non-alignment by India.

Conclusion:

Conclude by giving a balanced opinion on the issue.

Introduction

The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) was created and founded during the collapse of the colonial system and the independence struggles of the peoples of Africa, Asia, Latin America and other regions of the world and at the height of the Cold War. Throughout its history, the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries has played a fundamental role in the preservation of world peace and security.

Body

Role of NAM countries in reducing cold war conflicts

• In middle of the cold war, NAM ensured that peoples being oppressed by foreign occupation and domination can exercise their inalienable right to self-determination and independence.
• South-South Cooperation: NAM acted as a protector for the small countries against the western hegemony. The third world nations and newly independent countries supported each other in their quest for development.
• NIEO: During the 1970s and 1980s, the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries played a key role in the struggle for the establishment of a new international economic order(NIEO) that allowed all the peoples of the world to make use of their wealth and natural resources and provided a wide platform for a fundamental change in international economic relations and the economic emancipation of the countries of the South.
• Disarmament: The Non-aligned Movement repeatedly comes out for maintenance of peace, ‘the cessation of arms race and the peaceful coexistence of all States.

India’s contribution to NAM

• As a leader of NAM, India’s response to the cold war power politics was two-fold:
  • India steered itself away from the great power politics, positioning itself as an ‘interested observer’.
  • It raised its voice against the newly decolonized nations from joining the either bloc.
• During the cold war, India made a, concerted effort to activate those regional & international organizations, which were not a part of the alliances led by US & USSR, thus maintaining the spirit of NAM.
• In the General Assembly, India submitted a draft resolution declaring that the use of nuclear weapons would be against the charter of the United Nations and crime against humanity and should therefore be prohibited.
• Non-alignment has been an influential tenet of India’s foreign policy since its emergence from decolonization.
• It was based on a realistic assessment of India’s geopolitical situation.
• Nehru, one of the chief architects of NAM intended to give India room to manoeuvre according to its own interests rather than allowing it to become confined within the limitations of the cold-war alliance.

Critical analysis

• India’s inclination towards erstwhile USSR created confusions in smaller members. It led to the weakening of NAM and small nations drifted towards either US or USSR.
• The signing of Friendship Treaty with Soviet Union was a major Faultline and India was considered anti-west for a long time.
• However, with the end of cold war power politics and emergence of Unipolar World, non-alignment, both as an international movement as well as the core of India’s foreign policy, has lost some of its relevance & importance.
• The NAM countries did not have any concrete initiative in the context of crisis in Syria & Libya.
• Many ‘non-aligned’ countries, including India are continuing NAM as a historical legacy and have re-oriented their foreign policy towards strengthening engagements with major powers, such as USA, Russia & China, for their domestic development agenda.
• The sparse attendance by heads of government/State at 17th NAM Summit (Venezuela) is the key evidence of the crisis of relevance of NAM.
• According to C. Raja Mohan NAM is in the state of ‘COMA’. It is passing through the crisis of identity and relevance.

Conclusion

Non alignment as a foreign policy is very much alive even today in India’s foreign policy. The strategic autonomy approach is a manifestation of the same. The NAM platform is still the biggest arena of developing nations. Hence it becomes relevant to mobilize international public opinion against terrorism, weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), nuclear proliferation, ecological imbalance, safeguarding interests of developing countries in WTO (World Trade Organization) etc.

Value Addition

• The basic concept for the group originated in 1955 during discussions that took place at the Asia-Africa Bandung Conference held in Indonesia.
• The Non-Aligned Movement was founded and held its first conference (the Belgrade Conference) in 1961 under the leadership of Josip Broz Tito of Yugoslavia, Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt, Jawaharlal Nehru of India, Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, and Sukarno of Indonesia.
• NAM does not have a formal constitution or permanent secretariat, and its administration is non-hierarchical and rotational. Decisions are made by consensus, which requires substantial agreement, but not unanimity.
• It has 120 members as of April 2018 comprising 53 countries from Africa, 39 from Asia, 26 from Latin America and the Caribbean and 2 from Europe (Belarus, Azerbaijan). There are 17 countries and 10 international organizations that are Observers at NAM.

Topic: Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.

2. The Five-Year Plans played a crucial role in promoting industrialization in India, contributing to economic development and employment generation. Discuss. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Easy

Reference: Insights on India

Why the question:

The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1 and mentioned as part of Mission-2024 Secure timetable.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the successes and limitations of five-year plans and the limitations of planning commission.

Directive word: 

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

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Begin by giving a brief about aims of the planning commission.

Body:

First, in detail write about the growth of Indian economy in the various FYPs from the first plan to the twelfth plan. Write about its successes and limitations.

Next, write about the major limitations of the planning commission – No structural mechanism, Ineffective forum, one size fits all approach, bureaucratic inefficiency, inefficient allocation of resources, limited private sector participation etc.

Conclusion:

Conclude by mentioning the genesis of NITI Aayog.

Introduction

The term economic planning is used to describe the long term plans of the government of India to develop and coordinate the economy with efficient utilization of resources. Economic planning in India started after independence in the year 1950 when it was deemed necessary for economic growth and development of the nation.

Body:

About 5-year plans:

• After independence, India launched a programme of Five Year Plans to make the optimum use of country’s available resources and to achieve rapid economic Development
• In India, development plans were formulated and carried out within the framework of the mixed economy
• In India, economic planning was adopted in the form of Five Year Plans and was seen as a development tool on account of various reasons.
• The need for social justice as experience of the past five and-a- half decades suggests that in a free enterprise economy, economic gains do not necessarily trickle down and
• Judicious mobilisation and allocation of resources in the context of overall development programme in the light of the resource constraint in India
• So far, 12th Five Year Plans have been formulated since the year 12th Five-year Plan (2012- 2017), came into force once it was approved by the NDC on 27th December, 2012.

Achievements of 5 year plans:

• Economic Growth:
• Economic planning in India has been successful in increasing the national income and the per capita income of the country resulting in economic growth.
• The net national income at factor cost increased from Rs. 4393.45 billion in 1966- 67 to Rs.45, 733 billion in 2011-12 (at 2004-05 prices). The per capita income increased from Rs.8876 to Rs.38, 048 during the same period (at 2004-05 prices).
• The average growth rate has increased from 3.5 percent during 1950 to 1970 to about 5.5 percent after 1990’s. The economy recorded a growth rate of 7.8 percent during the eleventh five- year plan.
• Progress in Agriculture:
• The first five-year plan focused on agricultural development. However, agricultural sector did not receive priority in the subsequent plans. Yet, with various initiatives implemented in the agricultural sector such as the green revolution and agricultural pricing policies, there has been a considerable increase in the output of the agricultural sector.
• The index of agricultural production increased from 85.9 in 1970-71 to 165.7 in 1999-2000 (Base year- 1981-82). The production of major food grains which includes rice, wheat, coarse cereals and pulses has increased from 77.14 million tons in 1958-59 to 252.22 tons in 2015-16. With the introduction of green revolution, the yield per hectare of food grains has increased from 662 kg in 1959-60 to 2056 kg in 2015-16.
• Similarly, the production of commercial crops has also recorded an increasing trend. Various reforms in the agricultural sector such as the Rashtriya Krishi Bima Yojana and Kisan credit cards during the ninth plan and National Food Security Mission and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana during the eleventh plan have been quite successful in improving the performance of the agricultural sector.
• Industrial Growth:
• Economic planning has also contributed to the progress of the industrial sector. The index of industrial production increased from 54.8 in 1950-51 to 152.0 in 1965-66 (Base year- 1960-61) which is about 176 percent increase in production during the first three five-year plans.

• It went up from 109.3 in 1981-82 to 232.0 in 1993-94 (Base year- 1980-81). Taking 2004-05 as the base year, the index of industrial production recorded an increase from 108.6 in 2005-06 to 181.1 in 2015-16. The introduction of reforms in 1991 relieved the industrial sector from numerous bureaucratic restrictions that were prevalent earlier.
• This has led to the rapid growth of the industrial sector in India. India has made remarkable progress in cotton textiles, paper, medicines, food processing, consumer goods, light engineering goods etc.
• Public Sector:
• The public sector played a predominant role in the economy immediately after the independence. While there were only 5 industrial public sector enterprises in 1951, the number increased to 244 in 1990 with an investment of Rs.99, 330 cores. However, the number of public sector enterprises fell to 217 in March 2010.
• Very high profits were recorded by petroleum, telecommunication services, power generation, coal and lignite, financial services, transport services and minerals and metal industries. The government has eliminated a number of restrictions on the operational and financial powers of the Navaratnas, Miniratnas and several other profit making public sector enterprises.
• Infrastructure:
• Development of infrastructure such as transport and communication, power, irrigation etc., is a pre-requisite to rapid economic growth and development. Expansion of transport facilities enables easy movement of goods and services and also enlarges the market. Irrigation projects contribute significantly to rural development.
• Power projects help in meeting the growing demand for power by both industrial and household sector. The total road length increased from about 400,000 km in 1951 to about 4.7 million km in 2011.
• The route length of the Indian railway network has increased from about 53,596 km in 1951 to about 64,450 km in 2011. The investment in infrastructure as a percentage of GDP was about 5.9 percent during the tenth plan and increased to about 7.2 percent during the eleventh plan.
• Education and Health Care:
• Education and health care are considered as human capital as they contribute to increased productivity of human beings. Considerable progress was achieved in the education as well as health sector during the five-year plans. The number of universities increased from about 22 in 1950-51 to 254 in 2000-01.
• The number of institutions in higher education has increased to over 100 percent since 2008. With the growth in the number of institutions, the literacy rate in India has increased from 16.7 percent in 1950-51 to 74.04 percent in 2011. With improvements in the health infrastructure, India has been able to successfully control a number of life threatening diseases such as small pox, cholera, polio, TB etc.
• As a result, there has been a fall in the death rate from 27.4 per thousand persons in 1950-51 to 7.3 per thousand persons in 2016. The life expectancy has increased from about 32.1 years in 1951 to 68.01 years in 2014. The infant mortality rate has declined from 149 per thousand in 1966 to 37.42 per thousand in 2015.
• Growth of Service Sector:
• Service sector is the key contributor to the economic growth of India. The service sector contributed to about 53.2 percent of the gross value added growth in 2015-16. The contribution of the IT sector to India’s GDP increased from about 1.2 percent in 1998 to 9.5 percent in 2015. The service sector has recorded a growth rate of about 138.5 percent in the last decade.
• Financial services, insurance, real estate and business services are some of the leading services that have been recording a robust growth in the past few years. The rapid growth of the service sector in India could be attributed to the inflow of huge amount of FDI in this sector. India’s share of service exports in the world service exports has increased from 0.6 percent in 1990 to 3.3 percent in 2011.
• Savings and Investment:
• Savings and Investments are major driving forces of economic growth. The gross domestic savings in India as a proportion of GDP has increased from 8.6 percent in 1950-51 to about 30 percent in 2012-13. The gross capital formation has increased from 8.4 percent in 1950-51 to 34.70 in 2012-13. Capital accumulation is the key to economic development. It helps in achieving rapid economic growth and has the ability to break the vicious circle of poverty.
• Science and Technology:
• India is the third most preferred destination for technology investments. It is among the top most countries in scientific research and space exploration. India is also making rapid progress in nuclear technology. ISRO has made a record of launching 104 satellites in one go on a single rocket. India today has the third largest scientific manpower after U.S.A and Russia.
• The government has undertaken various measures such as setting up of new institutions for science education and research, launching the technology and innovation policy in 2013, strengthening the infrastructure for research and development in universities, and encouraging public- private partnership etc.
• Foreign Trade:
• On the eve of independence, India’s primary exports were agricultural commodities and UK and US were its major trading partners. India was largely dependent on other countries for various capital and consumer goods. However, with the development of heavy industries during the five-year plans, India has been able to reduce its dependence on other countries and was able to achieve self-reliance in a number of commodities.
• With the liberalisation of trade, India now exports about 7500 commodities to about 190 countries and it imports about 6000 commodities from about 140 countries. The exports of the country increased from Rs. 54.08 billion in 1977- 78 to Rs. 17,144.24 billion in 2015-16. And imports have increased from Rs. 60.20 billion in 1977-78 to Rs. 24, 859.27 billion in 2015-16.

 Major Failures of Planning:

• Slow Growth:
  • The planning process in India has been able to achieve considerable increase in the national income and per capita income. Yet, the rate of increase has been slow as compared to developing countries like China, which have been able to achieve more than 10 percent growth rate consistently. India was able to achieve a growth rate of only about 4 to 5 percent during the pre-reform period. It was only during the post reform period that is after 1991, that the country could experience a growth rate of over 7 percent.
• Neglect of Agriculture:
  • The five year plans failed to pay attention to the agricultural sector except for the first five-year plan. As a result, the agricultural growth rate declined from 3.62 percent in 1991-92 to 0.81 percent during 2009-10. And the share of agriculture in GDP declined from about 50 percent during 1950-51 to about 16 percent of the GDP in 2015.
• Unemployment:
  • The plans have failed to address the problem of unemployment which is a cause of many social evils. The unemployment rate has marginally reduced from 8.35 percent during 1972-73 to about 6.53 percent in 2009-10. It was about 4.19 percent in 2013. The growth rate of employment has recorded a decline from 2.61 percent in 1972-73 to 1.50 percent during 2009-10. The employment in primary sector recorded a negative growth rate of 0.13 percent in 2009-10.
• Widespread Poverty:
  • Failure to address the problem of unemployment has resulted in widespread poverty in the country. The first four plans failed to address the problem of poverty. It was only during the fifth five-year plan that measures were taken to tackle poverty directly by introducing various poverty alleviation programmes. These programmes, however, have achieved only limited success. The poverty rate in India declined from about 26.1 percent in 2000 to 21.9 percent in 2011.
• Inflation:
  • Poverty is aggravated under the situation of inflation. The five-year plans have not been able to stabilise the prices due to which there has been a steep rise in the general prices. The inflation rate was around 10 percent in 2012.
• Rising Inequality:
  • With rapid economic growth, the country has been witnessing a rise in the level of inequality. It has been estimated that the richest 1 percent own about 58 percent of the country’s wealth. Poor performance of the agricultural sector and lack of investments in rural infrastructure are cited as the primary reason for such rising inequalities.
• Political Instability:
  • Political instability and inefficient administration are the major hurdles in successful implementation of the plans. Though the plans are formulated after complete analysis of the economic situation, most of the plans fail to achieve the targets due to inefficient administration, corruption, vested interests and red tapism.

Conclusion:

The achievements and failures of the economic planning in India, thus, reveal the underlying gaps in the process of planning. It is an undeniable fact that the current level of growth and development that the country has achieved could not have been possible without planning. Yet, systematic and efficient implementation of the plans and strategic policies to tackle the problem of unemployment and poverty could take the country to greater heights. It is strongly believed that the NITI Aayog would address these gaps that existed in the planning process in India and would strive to build a vibrant economy over the years.

General Studies – 2

Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

3. Denying disabled individuals their right to work and pursue fulfilling careers is unjust and discriminatory. Inclusive policies and measures to ensure equal access to employment opportunities for people with disabilities, promoting their dignity and self-reliance, are the need of the hour. Examine. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: The Hindu

Why the question:

The article discusses the importance of providing job opportunities and career prospects to people with disabilities.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about creating opportunities for work for physically disabled persons.

Directive word: 

Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must investigate the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Begin by giving context.

Body:

First, mention the major provisions such as Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 and mention how it was a landmark step to boost inclusivity and accessibility. Write about the successes of the same

Next, write about various shortcomings of Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 and also additional barriers the disabled face in India.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward to achieve inclusivity.

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. According to Census 2011, India is home to 26.8 million people with disabilities and that is a huge underestimation.  

Body:

Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016: A landmark step for disabled

• 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, haemophilia, 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.

Shortcomings of the act

• The Bill strangely makes the clauses on non-discrimination in employment mandatory only in government establishments.
• The Bill continues with the 1995 act’s provision of having a chief commissioner and state commissioners. Neither the commissioners nor any of the members of their advisory committees are required to be Persons with Disabilities.
• Despite a Supreme Court judgment in 2013 that reservations should be decided on the basis of the total number of vacancies in a particular cadre, rather than the posts identified by the government to be filled by persons with benchmark disabilities, the bill has stuck to the latter.
• Also, like it does for the institutions wanting to be registered as ones for PWDs, the bill does not specify the time frame for a certificate of disability to be issued. This gives PWDs no way to address the trials and tribulations they face when tackling the bureaucracy in receiving what has been their right for years now.
• The amended bill does define public buildings and public facilities and services towards making such infrastructure accessible to PWDs in a “barrier-free” manner. However, for all the benefits that this bill strives to provide, basic issues of accessibility, including to information and communication technology, and certification of disability remain a distant unfulfilled dream in the absence of any political will.

Way forward

• Although RPWD Act, 2016 is a rights-based legislation, the success of the statute will largely depend on the proactive measures taken by the respective state governments on its implementation.
• It is time to leverage this vast human capital. It is hoped that the proposed new law, a robust rights-based legislation with a strong institutional mechanism, shall ensure enjoyment of rights by persons with disabilities on an equal basis with the non-disabled citizens of India.
• Many disability certificates can now be issued by primary health care doctors after specific training, which will be a boon to many disabled patients in rural areas. However, the disability guidelines should have also given the power of certification to the private practising doctors, so that the shortage of human resources could have been taken care of, with adequate checks and balances.
• Considering the sociocultural prejudices against them, and the inability, rather the refusal, to keep in mind the needs of PWDs, this bill, as was the fate of the 1995 act, will go only so far to ensure for them the rights that should have been a given. Till they are treated as second-class citizens, and not recognised as capable individuals in their own right, India will continue to be an unjust and inequitable society.

Conclusion

                Until each of us is firmly committed to the idea of implementing the two fundamental changes sketched above, we will continue to live in an environment in which, even as we sing praises of the disabled who achieve success despite the obstacles placed on their path, we do not pause to reflect on what it is that makes it so hard for them to succeed in the first place and what we can do to reverse this state of affairs.

Value addition

Major provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016:

• Disabilities covered:
  • Disability has been defined based on an evolving and dynamic concept.
  • The types of disabilities have been increased from existing 7 to 21 and the Central Government will have the power to add more types of disabilities.
  • Persons with “benchmark disabilities” are defined as those certified to have at least 40 per cent of the disabilities specified above.
• Rights and entitlements
  • Responsibility has been cast upon the appropriate governments to take effective measures to ensure that the persons with disabilities enjoy their rights equally with others.
  • Additional benefits such as reservation in higher education (not less than 5%), government jobs (not less than 4 %), reservation in allocation of land, poverty alleviation schemes (5% allotment) etc. have been provided for persons with benchmark disabilities and those with high support needs.
  • 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 to the children with disabilities.
  • For strengthening the Prime Minister’s Accessible India Campaign, stress has been given to ensure accessibility in public buildings (both Government and private) in a prescribed time-frame.
• Guardianship
  • The Act provides for grant of guardianship by District Court under which there will be joint decision – making between the guardian and the persons with disabilities.
• Establishment of Authorities
  • Broad based Central & State Advisory Boards on Disability are to be set up to serve as apex policy making bodies at the Central and State level.
  • Office of Chief Commissioner of Persons with Disabilities has been strengthened who will now be assisted by 2 Commissioners and an Advisory Committee comprising of not more than 11 members drawn from experts in various disabilities.
  • Similarly, the office of State Commissioners of Disabilities has been strengthened who will be assisted by an Advisory Committee comprising of not more than 5 members drawn from experts in various disabilities.
  • The Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities and the State Commissioners will act as regulatory bodies and Grievance Redressal agencies and also monitor implementation of the Act.
  • District level committees will be constituted by the State Governments to address local concerns of PwDs. Details of their constitution and the functions of such committees would be prescribed by the State Governments in the rules.
  • Creation of National and State Fund will be created to provide financial support to the persons with disabilities. The existing National Fund for Persons with Disabilities and the Trust Fund for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities will be subsumed with the National Fund.
• Penalties for offences
  • The Act provides for penalties for offences committed against persons with disabilities and also violation of the provisions of the new law.
  • Any person who violates provisions of the Act, or any rule or regulation made under it, shall be punishable with imprisonment up to six months and/ or a fine of Rs 10,000, or both. For any subsequent violation, imprisonment of up to two years and/or a fine of Rs 50,000 to Rs five lakh can be awarded.
  • Whoever intentionally insults or intimidates a person with disability, or sexually exploits a woman or child with disability, shall be punishable with imprisonment between six months to five years and fine.
  • Special Courts will be designated in each district to handle cases concerning violation of rights of PwDs.

Topic: India and its neighborhood- relations.

4. As per international water law, what are the principles of ‘equitable and reasonable utilization’ and the ‘no harm rule’? Examine the challenges and opportunities in incorporating the aforementioned principles in the Indus Waters Treaty to address the water-sharing disputes between India and Pakistan. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Tough

Reference: The Hindu

Why the question:

The Indus Waters Treaty (1960), or IWT, that regulates the Indus water courses between the two riparian states of India and Pakistan, is cited by many as an example of cooperation between two unfriendly neighbours for many reasons. These include the IWT having survived several wars and phases of bitter relations, and its laying down of detailed procedures and criteria for dispute resolution.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the significance and shortcomings of Indus Waters Treaty between India and Pakistan and to write about the changes needed in the same.

Directive word:

Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must investigate the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Start by giving context.

Body:

First, define the principles of ‘equitable and reasonable utilization’ and the ‘no harm rule’.

Next, write about the major provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty between India and Pakistan.

Next, write about the successes of Indus Waters Treaty in ensuring peaceful coexistence despite troubled relations between the both countries and its significance.

Next, write about the various issues in the Indus Waters Treaty which have affected both the parties and possible solutions to it.

Conclusion:

Conclude with a way forward.

Introduction

International water law principles of ‘equitable and reasonable utilization’ and the ‘no harm rule’ are crucial elements in managing shared water resources between countries. These principles are enshrined in various international water agreements, conventions, and customary international law.

Body

Principles of ‘equitable and reasonable utilization’ and the ‘no harm rule’

• Principle of Equitable and Reasonable Utilization: This principle emphasizes that water resources should be shared in a manner that is fair and reasonable among all riparian states. It acknowledges that each state has a right to access and utilize the waters of an international watercourse, but this right should be exercised in a way that takes into account the needs and interests of all parties involved. It encourages cooperation and negotiation among riparian states to ensure the best possible utilization of the shared water resources.
• No Harm Rule: The no harm rule stipulates that a state should not cause significant harm to other riparian states through its water use activities. This means that any use of water resources should be carried out in a way that avoids causing substantial negative impacts on neighbouring states. The no harm rule aims to prevent any activities that might lead to unreasonable harm or damage to the environment or other users of the shared watercourse.

Major provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty between India and Pakistan

• The Treaty gives India control of 3 Eastern Rivers (Beas, Ravi and Sutlej) with a mean annual flow of 33 million acre-feet (MAF). Pakistan gets control of 3 Western Rivers (Chenab, Indus and Jhelum) with a mean annual flow of 80 MAF. The treaty gives India 20% of the water from the Indus River System and the rest 80% to Pakistan.
• The treaty allows India to utilize the waters of Western Rivers for for limited irrigation use and non-consumptive use for such applications as power generation, navigation Thus, India can generate hydroelectricity through a run-of-the-river projects (without the storage of waters) on the western rivers, subject to specific criteria for design and operation. Further, Pakistan also has the right to raise concerns on the design of Indian hydroelectric projects on western rivers.
• The treaty allowed India to have a minimum storage level on the western rivers – meaning it can store up to 3.75 MAF of water for conservation and flood storage purposes.
• A Permanent Indus Commission was set up by the United Nations for resolving any disputes that may arise in water sharing.
• The functions of the commission include serving as a forum for exchange of information on the rivers, for continued cooperation and as a first stop for resolution of conflicts.

Challenges in incorporating the aforementioned principles

• Historical Context and Political Tensions: The Indus Waters Treaty was signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan, facilitated by the World Bank, to govern the sharing of the Indus River and its tributaries. Over the years, political tensions between the two countries have affected the implementation of the treaty. Incorporating the principles of equitable and reasonable utilization and the no harm rule requires a strong commitment from both nations to set aside political disputes and prioritize cooperative water management.
• Changing Climate and Water Availability: Climate change can significantly impact water availability in the Indus Basin. Glacier melt in the Himalayas, which feeds the Indus River, may lead to alterations in water flow patterns and availability. Addressing these changes while upholding the principles of equitable sharing and avoiding harm will require adaptive management strategies and close cooperation between India and Pakistan.
• Infrastructure Development and Water Use Efficiency: Both India and Pakistan have increased their water use for agricultural, industrial, and domestic purposes since the treaty’s inception. However, the treaty does not explicitly address issues related to water use efficiency, modernization of irrigation practices, or the construction of new infrastructure. Balancing equitable use with increasing water demands and infrastructure development poses a challenge.

Way forward and Opportunities for Enhancing the Treaty:

• Modernization and Technological Advancements: Updating the Indus Waters Treaty to incorporate modern technology and advanced data collection methods can help in better monitoring and sharing of water data. This transparency can build trust between India and Pakistan and facilitate informed decision-making based on real-time information.
• Basin-Wide Approach and Regional Cooperation: Expanding the scope of the treaty to involve all riparian states within the Indus Basin could lead to a more comprehensive and inclusive water management framework. A basin-wide approach would acknowledge the interconnectedness of water resources and encourage regional cooperation for equitable and sustainable utilization.
• Dispute Resolution Mechanism: Strengthening the dispute resolution mechanism in the treaty to include arbitration or mediation processes can help resolve disagreements more effectively. Establishing a neutral body to oversee dispute resolution can ensure that the principles of equitable sharing and no harm are upheld.

Conclusion

Incorporating the principles of equitable and reasonable utilization and the no harm rule into the Indus Waters Treaty requires a concerted effort from both India and Pakistan. With the current state of relations this seems next to impossible.

Addressing the challenges posed by political tensions, climate change, and infrastructure development while seizing opportunities for modernization and regional cooperation can pave the way for sustainable water-sharing arrangements and enhance water security in the region.

General Studies – 3

Topic: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.

5. What are the potential applications of bacteriophages, also known as “good viruses,” in fighting bacterial infections? Analyse the advantages and challenges of using bacteriophages as an alternative to antibiotics and their significance in addressing the global problem of antibiotic resistance. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Tough

Reference: Indian Express

Why the question:

The article discusses the use of bacteriophages as a potential alternative to antibiotics in fighting bacterial infections, addressing the issue of antibiotic resistance.

Key Demand of the question:

To examine the role and potential applications of bacteriophages in combating bacterial infections, analyze the advantages and challenges of using them as an alternative to antibiotics, and discuss their significance in addressing antibiotic resistance.

Directive word:

Analyse – When asked to analyse, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them in a summary.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Introduce bacteriophages and their role as “good viruses”

Body:

First, write about the role and potential applications of bacteriophages in fighting bacterial infections.

Next, write about the advantages of using bacteriophages as an alternative to antibiotics – targeted approach to infection treatment, reducing the risk of harming the body’s natural microbiome. Address the potential for lower side effects and reduced development of antibiotic-resistant strains etc.

Next, write about the challenges of using bacteriophages in clinical settings – selection and isolation of effective bacteriophages, regulatory approvals for phage therapy, and the need for further research and clinical trials to establish safety and efficacy etc.

Conclusion:

Conclude by summarising with respect to addressing the global problem of antibiotic resistance.

Introduction

Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria and use them as hosts for their replication. They are highly diverse and can target different types of bacteria. It was discovered by Frederick Willian Twort in 1915 (Great Britain) and Felix d’Herelle in 1917 (France).

Phage therapy is a treatment approach that uses bacteriophages, which are viruses that infect and kill specific bacteria. It involves using these viruses to target and destroy bacterial infections, serving as an alternative to antibiotics.

Body

potential applications of bacteriophages

• The advantages of phages lie in their effectiveness against every multi-resistant pathogen.
• phages are extremely precise in their elimination of bacterial strains — so much so that you don’t disturb the gut microbiome, as is the case with antibiotics.
• Due to the scarcity of antibiotics in Soviet-era Russia, phages were used to treat bacterial infections, and their use has continued in countries like Georgia, Ukraine and Russia for decades.
• Georgia is a hot spot for phage tourism, with patients from all over the world going there to be treated with phages.
• It’s from these clinics that some scientists say we have good evidence that phages can work against infections that are resistant to conventional antibacterial agents.
• Georgia has developed into one of the global centers of phage therapy, hosting one of the largest therapeutic collections of bacteriophages in the world.

Challenges

• The lack of therapeutic standardisation is the main issue.
• Phage treatment needs to be properly adapted to the patient’s infection-causing microorganisms.
• Since different types of bacteriacan cause illnesses, a variety of phages must be employed as a treatment.
• Also bacteria can become resistant to phagetreatments as well.
• Bacteriophages are unlikely to replace antibiotic.

Conclusion

For now, bacteriophages are unlikely to replace antibiotics. But scientists are optimistic they could be used in combination to make antibiotics more effective, especially against resistant strains of bacteria.

The next steps should include large-scale research and clinical projects to nail down effective phage therapies for different types of infections.

Value addition

How Bacteriophages work?

• Phages are straightforward creatures .
• Like other viruses, are made up of a core of genetic material (nucleic acid) encased in a protein capsid.
• The nucleic acid may be either DNA or RNA.
• They may be double-stranded or single-stranded.
• They search out bacteria, stick on the surface of the bacterial cell, and then inject viral DNA inside the cell to complete their work.
• Once enough new viruses have been produced inside the bacterial cell as a result of the viral DNA replication, the bacterial cell explodes, releasing the fresh viral particles.
• This entire process just takes 30 minutes, thus one virus may multiplie into many in a matter of hours.
• The single-celled prokaryotic species known as archaea are also infected by bacteriophages.

Topic: role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security;

6. Examine the factors contributing to the rise of technology-facilitated sexual violence (TFSV) and online abuse in educational institutions. Suggest potential measures to address the same (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: The Hindu

Why the question:

The Indian Navy on Monday commissioned the fifth diesel-electric Kalvari-class submarine Vagir. It is among the six submarines being built by the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai, in collaboration with the French M/s Naval Group under Project 75. Four of these submarines have already been commissioned into the Navy and a sixth will be commissioned next year.

Key Demand of the question:

The article discusses the concerning issue of online abuse among college students, emphasizing the adverse effects on mental health and academic performance.

Directive word: 

Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must investigate the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Begin by giving context.

Body:

First, write about the factors contributing to the rise of online abuse among college students – role of social media, anonymity, and peer pressure in facilitating cyberbullying and harassment.

Next, write about the impact of online platforms on the behaviour and interactions of students – anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. Address the potential for reduced self-esteem and social isolation among victims of online abuse.

Next, write about the various measures that are needed to address the above.

Conclusion:

Conclude by summarising.

Introduction

TFSV can take many forms, such as morphed nude images, sexualised blackmailing and bullying, digital flashing, rape threats, and explicit comments and messages. It pervades every social media and messaging platform, but Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp are the ones especially culpable.

Abuse is linked to an individual’s name and online profile, and can remain on the Internet forever. Many survivors experience depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. There are tangible consequences to online abuse too such as a loss of academic or career prospects, social isolation, and violence and ostracisation by one’s own family. Meanwhile, abusers hide behind anonymity.

Body

Background

• India’s IT Act of 2000 criminalises some forms of TFSV, but ambiguities in the law can deter survivors from reporting.
• Although the law has coaxed some safety improvements, technology giants such as Meta are unmotivated to overhaul their safety features beyond the bare minimum.
• India has the most Facebook users in the world, yet Meta has not optimised its platforms for an Indian context.

Factors contributing to the rise of technology-facilitated sexual violence

• Increased Internet and Smartphone Usage: The widespread availability of the internet and smartphones has made it easier for students to access and use technology, including social media platforms, where instances of TFSV and online abuse often occur.
• Anonymity and Disinhibition: Online anonymity allows perpetrators to hide their identities, making it easier for them to engage in harmful behaviors without facing immediate consequences. The lack of face-to-face interaction can also lead to disinhibition, encouraging individuals to act more aggressively online than they would in person.
• Cyberbullying and Peer Pressure: Cyberbullying and peer pressure can contribute to the perpetuation of TFSV and online abuse in educational institutions. Students may feel compelled to participate in harmful online activities to gain acceptance or avoid becoming targets themselves.
• Lack of Digital Literacy and Awareness: Many educational institutions have not fully integrated digital literacy and awareness programs into their curricula. As a result, students may not fully understand the consequences of their online actions or how to protect themselves from TFSV and online abuse.
• Privacy and Security Concerns: Privacy and security issues related to the sharing of personal information online can lead to incidents of TFSV. Digital platforms that lack proper security measures can make students vulnerable to online abuse.
• Online Grooming and Exploitation: Perpetrators may use online platforms to groom and exploit students, taking advantage of their trust and vulnerability.

Potential measures to combat the same

• Comprehensive Digital Literacy Programs: Educational institutions should implement comprehensive digital literacy programs that educate students about online safety, responsible internet usage, and the consequences of engaging in harmful behaviors online.
• Establish Clear Policies and Reporting Mechanisms: Educational institutions must have clear and well-communicated policies against TFSV and online abuse. They should also establish confidential reporting mechanisms, allowing victims to report incidents without fear of retaliation.
• Training for Staff and Teachers: Faculty and staff members should receive training on identifying signs of TFSV and online abuse and how to respond appropriately to such incidents.
• Cyberbullying Prevention Initiatives: Implementing targeted cyberbullying prevention initiatives can help reduce instances of TFSV and online abuse. These initiatives can involve awareness campaigns, peer support groups, and workshops.
• Collaboration with Tech Companies: Educational institutions can collaborate with tech companies and social media platforms to develop tools and features that enhance online safety and reporting mechanisms.
• Counseling and Support Services: Providing counseling and support services to victims of TFSV and online abuse is crucial. These services can help victims cope with trauma and navigate the process of reporting incidents.
• Community Engagement and Parental Involvement: Involving parents and the broader community in addressing TFSV and online abuse can create a supportive environment and promote responsible online behavior.
• Legal and Judicial Measures: Strengthening laws related to online harassment and TFSV and ensuring effective enforcement can act as a deterrent and provide justice to victims.

Conclusion

Addressing the rise of technology-facilitated sexual violence and online abuse in educational institutions requires a multi-faceted approach involving educational, technological, legal, and societal efforts to create safer digital environments for students.

General Studies – 4

Topic: Utilization of public funds;

7. Transparent utilization of public funds builds public trust in the government and its institutions. Citizens are more likely to have confidence in their leaders and government when they can see how funds are used for the benefit of society. Explain. (150 words)

Difficulty level: Easy

Reference: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude by Lexicon Publications.

Why the question:

The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4.

Key Demand of the question:

To explain how transparency associated with utilization of public funds of the country will improve it efficacy.

Directive:

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.

sStructure of the answer:

Introduction:

Discuss the importance of transparency and accountability in public funds.

Body:

Explain the lacunae in the country with respect to utilization of public funds such as corruption, nepotism, incomplete works, bad quality work, siphoning funds etc.

Discuss the significance of Transparency and efficiency as tools for monitoring and supervising distribution of public fund.

Explain various mechanisms through which it can be done – Public Fund Management System, Auditing agencies – CAG, Budgeting – Outcome based budgeting, zero base budgeting, Participation and transparency – Social Auditing, Financial Prudence etc.

Conclusion:

Summarize of this will aid in the developmental process of the country as well as reduce corrupt practices.

Introduction

Transparency is a fundamental requirement for the reliability and integrity of public institutions in order to promote public trust and public support. Transparency in public administration guarantees legal assurance and increases the level of legitimacy in decision making process.

‘Public money ought to be touched with the most scrupulous conscientiousness of honour. It is not the produce of riches only, but of the hard earnings of labour and poverty.’ – Thomas Paine

Kautilya also wrote extensively on handling public funds in Arthashastra which remains relevant even today. Government and public funds are riddled with corruption and only complete accountability and transparency can rid us of this situation.

Body

Importance of Transparency in the utilisation of public funds

• It is vital to uphold the ‘social contract’. Citizens must be confident that they are protected by the law and that public institutions and servants will act in accordance with it.
• Public institutions with operational independence from political control are more likely to be trusted to act in the public interest.
• A well-informed population is far more likely to be confident about investing for the future. This means both providing appropriate information in ways that are accessible and easy to understand, and educating citizens as well as inviting them to participate in decision making.
• Effective public financial management requires that decision-makers, citizens and other stakeholders, are able to ‘follow the money’ to see how taxes were raised, why decisions to spend it were made, how the money was actually spent and what was bought.
• Where government plans and activities are measured against expected outputs and outcomes, citizens and other stakeholders will be able to judge the performance of government. This, in turn, provides the basis for feedback and continuous improvement mechanisms.
• For the public to believe that public officials will do the right thing, a range of controls to promote integrity and ethical behaviour and to tackle fraud and corruption are required.
• Most importantly, the public must believe that individuals will be held responsible for their actions, no matter who they are.
• A climate for investment is created when investors believe a state is stable, well run and that political and fiscal risks will be managed effectively.

Conclusion

Only transparency and accountability can ensure that public funds are being used for the greater welfare and benefit of the people and society. Weeding out corruption is also necessary to ensure funds are not underutilised or siphoned off illegally. Only when we bring in more openness in working of government can there be real productivity and good governance.

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