[Mission 2024] Insights SECURE SYNOPSIS: 10 August 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: Salient features of world’s physical geography.

1. The Himalayan and Peninsular drainage systems exhibit distinct characteristics shaped by their geographical origins, age, and local climatic factors. Examine. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Easy

Reference:  Insights on India , 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 differences between Himalayan drainage system and the Peninsular drainage system as well as its similarities.

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 a brief about the drainage system of India.

Body:

First, write the differences between the both on the basis of evolution, nature, type of flow etc.

Next, explain some similarities between both the river systems.

Conclusion:

Conclude by summarising.

Introduction

The flow of water through well-defined channels is known as ‘drainage’ and the network of such channels is called a ‘drainage system’.

Body

The catchment area of large rivers or river system is called a river basin while those of small rivers, a lake, a tank is often referred to as a watershed. There is, however, a slight difference between a river basin and a watershed. Watersheds are small in area, generally less than 1000 ha.

Key Differences Between Himalayan and Peninsular Rivers System

• Himalayan Rivers are the water bodies that emanate from the north of Himalayan mountain ranges. On the other extreme, Peninsular Rivers include those watercourses that arise from, Western Ghats or Central Highlands.
• The Himalayan rivers are perennial, i.e. they have water all around the year. As against, Peninsular rivers are seasonal, in the sense that they have water during a particular period only.
• Big deltas are formed by Himalayan Rivers. On the other extreme, some peninsular rivers like the Mahanadi, the Godavari, the Krishna and the Cauvery form deltas, while the Narmada and the Tapi form estuaries.
• While Himalayan rivers form meanders, there is an absence of meanders in case of Peninsular rivers.
• The bedrocks of Himalayan rivers are soft, sedimentary and easily erodible. Conversely, bedrocks of Peninsular rivers are hard, resistant and not easily erodible.
• Himalayan rivers get water from snow and rain, whereas Peninsular rivers are fed by rain only.
• The drainage basin of Himalayan rivers is comparatively larger than the Peninsular rivers.
• Himalayan rivers water helps in the irrigation of Northern Plains. In contrast, Peninsular rivers irrigate Deccan Plateau.
• Himalayan rivers form a V-shaped valley, while Peninsular watercourses form valley having a U-shape

Conclusion        

The channel and valley length of the Himalayan River system is larger in comparison to the Peninsular River system. While in case of Himalayan Rivers, water is added by the underground sources also, but in case of Peninsular rivers due to hard lithology, no underground water is added to the river.

Topic: Salient features of world’s physical geography.

2. The Indian monsoon is crucial to the country’s well-being, impacting agriculture, economy, water resources, and livelihoods. Variations in the monsoon are influenced by a multitude of factors, both regional and global, making its prediction and management a challenging endeavour. 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:

To write about importance of monsoon for India and causes for its variation.

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: 

Start by introducing Indian monsoon and its importance briefly.

Body:

First, write in detail about the overall importance of Indian monsoon.

Start by briefly mentioning about mechanism of the monsoon and the reasons for fluctuations in Indian monsoon according to the seasons. Divide the answer in to various months and how monsoon varies with it. Use a diagram to explain it more systematically. Do include the Western Disturbances, Somali Jet Streams, Easterly Jet streams etc, climate change. Write about its impact.

Conclusion:

Conclude with a way forward to deal with excess and well as deficit of monsoonal rain.

Introduction

Monsoons are seasonal winds which reverse their direction with the change of season. The monsoon is a double system of seasonal winds. They flow from sea to land during the summer and from land to sea during winter. Monsoons are peculiar to Indian Subcontinent, South East Asia, parts of Central Western Africa etc. Indian Monsoons are Convection cells on a very large scale. They are periodic or secondary winds which seasonal reversal in wind direction.

Body

Seasonal variation in the India monsoons

Significance of Monsoon on Indian economy: 

• The monsoon is important for India’s farm-dependent $2 trillion economy.
• It is a crucial source of water supply necessary for agriculture, industry and households in the country.
• India gets around 70 percent of its annual rainfall during the monsoon season.
• This affects the yield of some key kharif crops like rice, pulses and oilseeds such as soybeans.
• Around 50% of India’s total food output comes in the form of Kharif crops.
• India is primarily an agrarian economy—agriculture contributes 16% of India’s GDP.
• It is also crucial for rabi crops as monsoon has an impact on the ground water and also reservoirs which are critical for rabi crops irrigation.
• Bumper farm output keeps food prices under control and keep inflation in check.
• This boosts demand for consumer goods as well as income of rural people.
• All of this leads to a stronger economic outlook that in turn help lift equities, especially of companies selling goods in rural areas.
• Monsoon rains also replenish reservoirs and groundwater that helps in improving irrigation and also boosts hydropower production.
• Good Monsoon can reduce demand for subsidized diesel used for pumping water for irrigation.
• Good monsoon also checks government spending.
• Industries use raw materials like cotton, sugarcane, vegetable oils and natural rubber. The prices of these raw material fall in times of good monsoons.
• The loan portfolio of banks rises and banks net interest margins also rise.
• Easy interest rates prevail in the economy and bank stocks rise in value.
• A good monsoon will mean more farm related employment leading to a higher cash flow into the economy, all with a positive impact on the overall GDP.

Effects of poor monsoon on Indian economy:

• A poor monsoon season can have a rippling effect on India’s economy and overall GDP growth of India.
• A delayed monsoon can lead to supply issues and even accelerate food inflation.
• Higher food inflation translates into higher interest rates, which in turn raises the borrowing cost across the country and impacts profitability.
• Below normal monsoon can also lead to drought-like situation, thereby affecting the rural household incomes.
• Other sectors affected by the health of the rural economy are banking, NBFCs and microfinance institutions.
• Droughts result in NPAs, as farmers are unable to repay loans.
• Groundwater levels will continue to fall dangerously.
• This affects the farm sector which employs over half of the total population of India.
• Crop failure and/or deficient rainfall is one big reason for mass farmer suicides across the country.
• A poor monsoon weakens demand for Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) products, tractors, two-wheelers and rural housing.
• It forces the government to spend on the import of food as well as take measures like farm loan waivers. These widen fiscal deficit.
• This not only results in banks facing losses, it also disturbs the credit discipline of borrowers.
• The impact even ripples overseas, as commodity markets are starved of Indian sugar and rice.
• States like Kerala, Karnataka, MP and Maharashtra -could face challenges from a deficit monsoon, as they have poor irrigation availability.

Way forward:

• Monsoon does play a big role in India. It has social, political, as well as economic implications.
• Thus monsoon doesn’t only affect the crops but all the industries in the country.
• The monsoon-dependent Indian economy needs climate-sensitive budgeting.
• The excessive dependence on monsoon may be mitigated by the construction of modern irrigation canals, afforestation, and diversification of Indian industries.
• Farmers, especially smallholder farmers, need advance warning of emergent weather conditions at a local level.
• Develop climate-smart agriculture practices.
• Build adaptive capacities to climate variability and strengthen the sustainability of farming systems.
• Preventive measures for drought that include growing of pulses and oilseeds instead of rice.
• Mobile telecommunication systems are increasingly cost-effective and an efficient way of delivering weather-based agro-advisories to farmers at a large scale.

Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

3. Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) has played a crucial part in providing a safety net for healthcare expenses and promoting financial inclusivity. However, it also highlights challenges such as uneven access to healthcare services, gaps in quality assurance, and limitations in addressing non-communicable diseases. Critically examine. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Indian Express

Why the question:

The article discusses the strengths and limitations of India’s Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) health insurance scheme.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the successes and limitations PM-JAY

Directive word: 

Critically examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we have to look into the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a fair judgment.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Begin by citing the aims and objectives Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY).

Body:

First, write about the Salient features of Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY).

Next, write about the successes of the above – Reducing Out-of-Pocket Expenditure, Technology Integration, Coverage etc.

Next, write about the limitations of the same.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward.

Introduction

The Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission touted as “India’s largest scheme to scale-up health infrastructure” was launched by Prime Minister recently. It is aimed at ensuring a robust public health infrastructure in both urban and rural areas, capable of responding to public health emergencies or disease outbreak.

Healthcare provisions in India is grossly inadequate and access to healthcare is highly inequitable. Lack of efficient public healthcare and burden of out-of-pocket health expenditures reduces people’s capacity or disables them from investing in the human capital of their children.

In India, a large portion of the population is below the poverty line, therefore, they do not have easy access to primary health and education. There is growing inequality across social groups and income groups which translates itself into poor socio-economic mobility.

Body

PM-JAY: Features and Significance

• PM-JAY is the world’s largest health insurance/ assurance scheme fully financed by the government.
  • Launched in February 2018, it offers a sum insured of5 lakh per family for secondary care (which doesn’t involve a super specialist) as well as tertiary care (which involves a super specialist).
  • Under PMJAY, cashless and paperless access to services are provided to the beneficiaries at the point of service, that is, hospital.
  • Health Benefit Packages covers surgery, medical and day care treatments, cost of medicines and diagnostics.
  • Packaged rates (Rates that include everything so that each product or service is not charged for separately).
  • These are flexible but the hospitals can’t charge the beneficiary more once fixed.
• Beneficiaries: It is an entitlement-based scheme that targets the beneficiaries as identified by latest Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) data.
• Once identified by the database, the beneficiary is considered insured and can walk into any empaneled hospital.
• Funding: The funding for the scheme is shared – 60:40 for all states and UTs with their own legislature, 90:10 in Northeast states and Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal and Uttarakhand and 100% Central funding for UTs without legislature.
• Nodal Agency: The National Health Authority (NHA) has been constituted as an autonomous entity under the Society Registration Act, 1860 for effective implementation of PM-JAY in alliance with state governments.
  • The State Health Agency (SHA) is the apex body of the State Government responsible for the implementation of AB PM-JAY in the State.
• Beneficial for Poor: In around the first 200 days of implementation, PM-JAY has benefitted more than 20.8 lakh poor and deprived people who received free treatment worth more than Rs. 5,000 crores.
• During Covid-19: A key design feature of PM-JAY from the beginning of the scheme is portability, which helps to ensure that a PM-JAY-eligible migrant worker can access the scheme’s services in any empanelled hospital across the country, irrespective of their state of residence.

Challenges in healthcare

• Finance: At about 1.3% of the national income, India’s public healthcare spendingbetween 2008 and 2015, has virtually remained stagnant. This is way less than the global average of 6 per cent. It is a herculean task to implement a scheme that could potentially cost Rs 5 lakh per person and benefit 53.7 crore out of India’s 121 crore citizenry, or roughly about 44% of the country’s population. Over 70 per cent of the total healthcare expenditure is accounted for by the private sector.
• Crumbling public health infrastructure:Given the country’s crumbling public healthcare infrastructure, most patients are forced to go to private clinics and hospitals. There is a shortage of PHCs (22%) and sub-health centres (20%), while only 7% sub-health centres and 12% primary health centres meet Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) norms.
• High Out of Pocket Expenditure: Reports suggest that 70% of the medical spending is from the patient’s pockets leading to huge burden and pushing many into poverty. Most consumers complain of rising costs. Hundred days into the PMJAY, it remains to be seen if private hospitals provide knee replacement at Rs 80,000 (current charges Rs 3.5 lakh) bypass surgery at Rs 1.7 lakh (against Rs 4 lakh).
• Insurance:India has one of the lowest per capita healthcare expenditures in the world. Government contribution to insurance stands at roughly 32 percent, as opposed to 83.5 percent in the UK. The high out-of-pocket expenses in India stem from the fact that 76 percent of Indians do not have health insurance.
• Doctor-Density Ratio: The WHOreports the doctor-density ratio in India at 8 per 10,000 people as against one doctor for a population of 1,000. To achieve such access, merely increasing the number of primary and secondary healthcare centres is not enough.
• Shortage of Medical Personnel:Data by IndiaSpend show that there is a staggering shortage of medical and paramedical staff at all levels of care: 10,907 auxiliary nurse midwives and 3,673 doctors are needed at sub-health and primary health centres, while for community health centres the figure is 18,422 specialists.
• Rural-urban disparity:The rural healthcare infrastructure is three-tiered and includes a sub-center, primary health centre (PHC) and CHC. PHCs are short of more than 3,000 doctors, with the shortage up by 200 per cent over the last 10 years to 27,421. Private hospitals don’t have adequate presence in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities and there is a trend towards super specialisation in Tier-1 cities.
• Social Inequality: The growth of health facilities has been highly imbalanced in India. Rural, hilly and remote areas of the country are under served while in urban areas and cities, health facility is well developed. The SC/ST and the poor people are far away from modern health service.
• Poor healthcare ranking:India ranks as low as 145th among 195 countries in healthcare quality and accessibility, behind even Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
• Commercial motive:lack of transparency and unethical practices in the private sector.
• Lack of level playing field between the public and private hospitals: This has been a major concern as public hospitals would continue receiving budgetary support. This would dissuade the private players from actively participating in the scheme.
• Scheme flaws: The overall situation with the National Health Mission, India’s flagship programme in primary health care, continues to be dismal. The NHM’s share in the health budget fell from 73% in 2006 to 50% in 2019 in the absence of uniform and substantial increases in health spending by States.

Conclusion

Making good use of technology and innovation can further reduce the overall cost of healthcare. AI-powered mobile applications can provide high-quality, low-cost, patient-centric, smart wellness solutions. The scalable and inter-operable IT platform for the Ayushman Bharat is a positive step in this direction.

General Studies – 3

Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.

4. What is deflation? Analyse the threat of deflation in China and its potential impact on the global economy. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Tough

Reference: Live Mint

Why the question:

The article emphasizes the need for China to carefully manage its economic policies to prevent the escalation of deflation, as it could contribute to economic stagnation and impact global markets.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the deflation and impact of Chinese deflation on the global economy.

Directive word: 

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

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Begin by defining deflation.

Body:

First, in brief, highlight the major causes of deflation in China.

Next, write about the implications of deflation on the global economy – industries, debt levels, trade, commodity markets, financial stability and economic growth etc.

Next. Mention the steps that can be taken by the Indian government to prevent any negative spillover effects from deflation in China.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward.

Introduction

China’s consumer prices have slipped into deflation for the first time since its peak-pandemic demand lull in early 2021. The consumer price index was down 0.3% in July, according to the latest official data. This comes a day after the country reported a drop in exports as well as imports last month. Broadly, evidence is adding up of a sharp decline in the health of a $16 trillion economy (in constant 2015 dollars), one that’s large enough to have a global impact.

Deflation is an economic phenomenon characterized by a sustained decrease in the general price level of goods and services within an economy. It is the opposite of inflation, where prices tend to rise over time. Deflation occurs when the supply of goods and services exceeds demand, leading to a decrease in consumer spending.

Body

About deflation : Factors and causes of deflation

• Deflation is a decrease in the general level of prices of goods and services. This means that consumers can buy more with their money, but businesses may see their profits decline as they have to sell their products for less.
• Recession: A decrease in aggregate demand, which is the total amount of goods and services that consumers and businesses are willing to buy. This can happen during a recession, when people are less confident about the economy and are less likely to spend money.
• Increased supply over demand: An increase in aggregate supply, which is the total amount of goods and services that businesses are willing to sell. This can happen when businesses become more efficient and are able to produce more goods and services at a lower cost.
• Rising interest rates: A decrease in the money supply, which is the amount of money in circulation. This can happen when central banks raise interest rates or sell government bonds.

Causes of deflation in China

• One is the ongoing turmoil in the real estate sector. The real estate market has been a major driver of growth in China for many years, but it has been hit hard by a combination of factors, including a government crackdown on debt and a slowdown in the global economy.
  • This has led to a sharp decline in property prices, which has in turn dampened consumer spending.
• Another factor contributing to deflation is the weak global economy.
• China’s exports have been hit hard by a decline in demand from overseas markets.
  • This has led to a slowdown in production and investment in China, which has further contributed to deflation.
• The deflationary trend is likely to continue in the coming months.
• For China, the absence of inflation reflects an imbalance in the economy characterized by ample supply and dormant domestic demand, which economists say is partly the result of Beijing’s paltry social security support for households.

Threat of China’s deflation on global economy

• China produces a large proportion of the goods sold around the world.
• A potential positive impact of an extended period of deflation in the country may be that it helps to curb rising prices in other parts of the world, including the UK.
• However, if cut-price Chinese goods flood global markets it could have a negative impact on manufacturers in other countrie That could hit investment by businesses and squeeze employment.
• A period of falling prices in China could also hit company profits and consumer spending. This may then lead to higher unemployment.
• It could result in a fall in demand from the country – the world’s largest marketplace – for energy, raw materials and food, which would hit global exports.

Conclusion

The danger is that if the expectation of falling prices becomes entrenched, it could further sap demand, exacerbate debt burdens and even lock the economy into a trap that will be hard to escape using the stimulus measures Chinese policy makers have traditionally turned to.

Deflation is particularly risky for countries with high debt burdens such as China, since it will add to debt servicing costs for borrowers and likely prompt them to spend and invest less.

Topic: Disaster and disaster management.

5. The increasing frequency of forest fires across the world can be attributed to a combination of natural and human factors, with climate change playing a significant role in it. Examine. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Down to Earth

Why the question:

The article discusses the occurrence of deadly wildfires on Maui, highlighting the increasing threat these fires pose to communities that were once considered safe.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about causes of forest fires, role of climate change and measures need to mitigate them.

Directive word: 

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

Structure of the answer:

Introduction:

Start by defining forest fires and statistic regarding rising instances of forest fires in India.

Body:

Draw a small illustrative diagram showing major forest fire prone areas.

Discuss first the reasons of forest fires; Thunderstorms are the most likely natural cause for forest fires. Slash and burn techniques etc. Write about the role of climate change in rising instances of forest fires.

Next, explain the concerns posed by it. Explain why they are difficult to control.

Next, discuss the efforts that are needed to be taken in this direction.

Conclusion:

Conclude with way forward.

Introduction

Forest fires are considered as one of the most widespread hazards in a forested landscape. They have a serious threat to forest and its flora and fauna. Forest fires essentially are ‘quasi-natural’, which means that they are not entirely caused by natural reasons (like volcanoes, earthquakes and tropical storms), but are caused by human activities as well. In India’s case, a combination of hot weather, oxygen and dry vegetation is a potent recipe for forest fires.

A forest department probe into the bushfires that impacted an area of about 4 sq km in Goa in the first half of March is learnt to have concluded that the fires were largely triggered by natural causes, confirming the central government’s submission to Parliament last month that a “prolonged dry spell, unprecedented high temperatures, and low humidity” caused “sporadic” fire incidents in the state.

Body

Reasons for Increasing frequency of forest fires

• Forest fires can be caused by a number of natural causes, but officials say many major fires in India are triggered mainly by human activities.
• Natural: Such as lightning, high atmospheric temperatures, and dryness (low humidity) offer favourable circumstances.
• Man-made: When a source of fire like naked flame, cigarette, or bidi comes into contact with inflammable material.
• Emerging studies link climate change to rising instances of fires globally, especially the massive fires of the Amazon forests in Brazil and in Australia in the last two years.
• Fires of longer duration, increasing intensity, higher frequency and highly inflammable nature are all being linked to climate change.
• In India, forest fires are most commonly reported during March and April, when the ground has large quantities of dry wood, logs, dead leaves, stumps, dry grass and weeds that can make forests easily go up in flames if there is a trigger.
• Under natural circumstances, extreme heat and dryness, friction created by rubbing of branches with each other also have been known to initiate fire.
• In Uttarakhand, the lack of soil moisture too is being seen as a key factor.
• In two consecutive monsoon seasons (2019 and 2020), rainfall has been deficient by 18% and 20% of the seasonal average, respectively.

the role of climate change in exacerbating the forest fire risk

• Climate change has been a key factor in increasing the risk and extent of wildfires.
• Research shows that changes in climate create warmer, drier conditions.
• Climate change induced increasing global temperature and variability in rainfall results in more dried vegetation, which works as fuel for the fire.
• Thus climate change, in addition to human population pressure is one of the main causes of the increased number of forest fires and their increased intensities.
• Since the beginning of the Industrial period, the Earth’s temperature has increased by almost 20C.
• This increasing heat is contributing to two main components for forest fire, i.e. heat and the availability of fuel in the form of dry vegetation.
• Increased drought, and a longer fire season are boosting these increases in wildfire risk.

Measures to control forest fires

• Forest fire line:Successive Five-Year Plans have provided funds for forests fighting. During the British period, fire was prevented in the summer through removal of forest litter all along the forest boundary. This was called “Forest Fire Line”.
  • This line used to prevent fire breaking into the forest from one compartment to another.
  • The collected litter was burnt in isolation.
• Firebreaks: Generally, the fire spreads only if there is continuous supply of fuel (Dry vegetation) along its path. The best way to control a forest fire is therefore, to prevent it from spreading, which can be done by creating firebreaksin the shape of small clearings of ditches in the forests.
• Forest Survey of India monitors forest fire events through satellites on two platforms– MODIS and SNPP-VIIRS, both in collaboration with the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).
  • While the SNPP-VIIRS identifies, alerts and tracks fire incidents on real time data at 375X375 sq meter pixel, the older version MODIS detects it in the range of 1kmX1km.
  • Forest fire suppression relies very heavily on “dry” firefighting techniques because of poor water availability.
• Integrated forest protection: The main objective is to control forest fires and strengthen the forest protection. The works like Fireline clearing,assistance to Joint Forest Management committees, creating water bodies, purchase of vehicles and communication equipment, purchase of firefighting tools, etc., needs to be undertaken.
• Prevention of human-caused firesthrough education and environmental modification. It will include silvicultural activities, engineering works, people participation, and education and enforcement. It is proposed that more emphasis be given to people participation through Joint Forest Fire Management for fire prevention.
• Prompt detectionof fires through a well-coordinated network of observation points, efficient ground patrolling, and communication networks. Remote sensing technology is to be given due importance in fire detection. For successful fire management and administration, a National Fire Danger Rating System (NFDRS) and Fire Forecasting System are to be developed in the country.
• Introducing a forest fuel modification system at strategic points.
• National Action Plan on Forest Fires (NAPFF): It was launched in 2018 to minimize forest fires by informing, enabling and empowering forest fringe communities and incentivizing them to work with the State Forest Departments.

Conclusion

It is important to prevent the lungs of the nation from ravages of fire. With climate change and global warming on the rise, India must prevent human-made disaster to ensure our carbon sinks are protected.

General Studies – 4

Topic: Citizen’s Charters,

6. Citizen charters would benefit from a more strategic or systematic preparation that incorporates the views and expertise of a wide range of stakeholders before being introduced and for the initiative to become an integral part of the approach to standards of service thereafter. Analyse. (150 Words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude by Lexicon Publications.

Why the question:

The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4 and part of ‘Abstract Thursdays’ in Mission-2024 Secure.

Key Demand of the question:

trace the link between non-partisanship in public administration and equality amongst citizens.

Directive:

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

Structure of the answer:

Introduction:

Begin by defining a citizen charter.

Body:

First, write about the various issues in the functioning of citizen charters

Next, write about the importance of consultation with various stakeholders and improving standards of services to solve various issues with citizen charters.

Conclusion:

Complete the answer by suggesting ways for effective utilisation of charters.

Introduction

A Citizens’ Charter represents the commitment of the Organisation towards standard, quality and time frame of service delivery, grievance redress mechanism, transparency and accountability. The concept of Citizens Charter enshrines the trust between the service provider and its users.

 Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances in Government of India (DARPG) initiated the task of coordinating, formulating and operationalising Citizen’s Charters.

Body

The basic objective of the Citizens Charter is to empower the citizen in relation to public service delivery.

Importance of Citizen’s charter in the Governance of developing nation like India:

• To make administration accountable and citizen friendly.
• To ensure transparency.
• To take measures to improve customer service.
• To adopt a stakeholder approach.
• To save time of both Administration and the citizen

Problems faced in implementation of Citizen’s charter:

• One size fits all: Tendency to have a uniform CC for all offices under the parent organization. CC have still not been adopted by all Ministries/Departments. This overlooks local issues.
• Silo operations: Devoid of participative mechanisms in a majority of cases, not formulated through a consultative process with cutting edge staff who will finally implement it.
• Non-Dynamic: Charters are rarely updated making it a one-time exercise, frozen in time.
• Poor design and content: lack of meaningful and succinct CC, absence of critical information that end-users need to hold agencies accountable.
• Lack of public awareness: only a small percentage of end-users are aware of the commitments made in the CC since effective efforts of communicating and educating the public about the standards of delivery promise have not been undertaken.
• Stakeholders not consulted: End-users, Civil society organizations and NGOs are not consulted when CCs are drafted. Since a CC’s primary purpose is to make public service delivery more citizen-centric, consultation with stakeholders is a must.
• Measurable standards of delivery are rarely defined: making it difficult to assess whether the desired level of service has been achieved or not.
• Poor adherence: Little interest shown by the organizations in adhering to their CC. since there is no citizen friendly mechanism to compensate the citizen if the organization defaults.

Way forward:

• Wide consultation process: CC be formulated after extensive consultations within the organization followed by a meaningful dialogue with civil society.
• Participatory process: Include Civil Society in the process: to assist in improvement in the contents of the Charter, its adherence as well as educating the citizens about the importance of this vital mechanism.
• Firm commitments to be made: CC must be precise and make firm commitments of service delivery standards to the citizens/consumers in quantifiable terms wherever possible.
• Redressal mechanism in case of default: clearly lay down the relief which the organization is bound to provide if it has defaulted on the promised standards of delivery.
• One size does not fit all: formulation of CC should be a decentralized activity with the head office providing only broad guidelines.
• Periodic updation of CC: preferably through an external agency.
• Fix responsibility: Hold officers accountable for results: fix specific responsibility in cases where there is a default in adhering to the CC.

Conclusion

Citizen’s Charter is playing a prominent part in ensuring “minimum government & maximum governance”, changing the nature of charters from non-justiciable to justiciable & adopting penalty measures that will make it more efficient & citizen friendly. The Sevottam model proposed by 2nd Administrative Reforms Commission for public Service Delivery can be regarded as a standard model for providing services in citizen centric governance.

Topic: Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in-human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics – in private and public relationships.

7. Administrators must strike a balance between moral values and practical considerations, ensuring that ethical principles guide decision-making while taking into account the complexities of the present-day environment. Critically examine. (150 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude by Lexicon Publications.

Why the question:

The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4 and part of ‘Abstract Thursdays’ in Mission-2024 Secure.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the efficacy of being fearlessly morally upright and taking practical decisions.

Directive:

Directive word: 

Critically examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we have to look into the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a fair judgment.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction:

Start by writing what you understand by being fearlessly morally upright.

Body:

Write about the various ethical issues involved in being fearlessly morally upright.

Next, analyse the pros and cons of being fearlessly morally upright and how its affects the administration and the civil servant. Substantiate with examples.

Next, write about being practical along with upholding morality.

Conclusion:

Conclude by giving your view being fearlessly morally upright.

Introduction

An individual who has a personal history of honesty, fairness, respect for the rights of others and for the law is considered a person of good moral character. He is someone who possesses good moral virtues, and is ethically admirable. In the immigration context, the Immigration and Nationality Act defines good moral character in the negative. A person is deemed to have a good moral character if he has not committed certain violations of the law or committed certain specified acts.

Body

For a civil servant, being fearlessly morally upright serves little purpose in administration of the present day

• It is the lack of probity in public life that resulted in increasing cases of misallocation of public funds like 2G scam, taking grafts for delivery of public services to citizens, inclusion of fake beneficiaries, use of public power for the personal interest and nepotism.
• There is no recognition of good work in civil services.
• Honest and brave officers are threatened with suspension and humiliation.
• Today, our bureaucracy is twenty times more bureaucratic, our deference to the chain of command more cringing and decorous, our worship of paper more entrenched.
• To quote Hyman Rickover, “If you are going to sin, sin against God, not the bureaucracy. God will forgive you but the bureaucracy won’t.”
• An administration certainly needs guardrails in the form of non-negotiable rules. Without such rails, the system can stray badly. But necessitating a dozen signatures where a few can do, is a criminal surfeit of supervisory controls.
• Similarly, we have a colossal army of paper-pushing subordinates churning out work of frivolous value leading to redtapism.
• Corruption, favouritism, criminalisation of governance, self-centred functionaries etc. are on the rise.

Measures to ensure probity

• Statutory Code of Values and Ethics for Public Services– It should be expressed in simple language, easily understandable and should lay down fundamental values that ought to govern the conduct of public servants. For example, British Civil Services Code.
• Ethical framework –Need for an ethical framework that should provide for prevention and guidance, investigation, disciplinary action, and prosecution.
• Ethical Guidance –It should include training in ethics, awareness and development of essential skill for ethical analysis and moral judgement.
• Sanction and punishment –Violation and breaches of the Code of Ethics should invite sanction and punishment under the disciplinary rules. A simplified disciplinary regime should be put in place which, while following the principle of natural justice, may speedily and summarily decide cases and take punitive action against delinquent employees.
• Independent office of Ethics Commissioner– Need to create such an independent office on the US pattern to provide leadership in ethics and values. Ethics Commissioner should issue and interpret rules which govern standards of conduct and conflict of interest.

Conclusion

Integrity and probity in public life demand that those elected or appointed to public office are themselves imbued with a sense of responsibility to the society that puts them there; that the decisions they take should always be solely in terms of the public interest and not to gain benefits for themselves, family, friends or associates; that they act with honesty and integrity by not allowing their private interests to conflict with their public responsibilities; and that the behaviour must always be able to stand up to the closest public scrutiny. Similarly, civil society and institutions have a crucial role to play by calling to account those who will flout the rules and by refusing to tolerate any but the highest standard of behaviour in those who they elect or appoint to serve the public interest.

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