[Mission 2024] Insights SECURE SYNOPSIS: 17 October 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 Indian Society, Diversity of India.

1. What are the key factors contributing to the gender pay gap, and how does this wage disparity impact both gender equality and economic growth? Discuss the steps that are needed to close the gender pay gap in the country. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Easy

Reference: The Hindu

Why the question:

The article discusses the issue of the gender pay gap in the workforce.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the causes of gender wage gap prevalent in India, its impact, and suggest suitable measures to overcome them.

Directive:

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

Structure of the answer:

Introduction:

Begin by giving background of the issue and relevant statistics.

Body:

First, write about the Factors leading to gender gap viz. – The primary industries in the state and the opportunities they create; Demographics such as race/ethnicity, age, and education level; Regional differences in attitudes and beliefs about work and gender; and Differences in the scope and strength of state pay discrimination laws and policies.

Next, mention the impact of the above.

Next, write about the steps that are needed to overcome the above issues and address the pay gap.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward.

Introduction

India is among the most important countries when it comes to the global economic growth and structural transformation story. However, asymmetries still abound in the country’s labour market.

India has made significant progress, rising from 135th (in 2022) to 127th out of 146 countries in the report’s 2023 edition, indicating an improvement in its ranking.

The pandemic has caused a disproportionate impact on women jeopardises rolling back the little progress made in the last decades—forcing more women to drop off the workforce and leaving them vulnerable to domestic violence.

Body

Gender gap and factors contributing to wage disparity

• High gender divide: The gender gap in the country has widened, with only 62.5% of it closed and especially low gender parity in political empowerment and economic participation and opportunity.
• Wage gap: Women are paid considerably less than men, with some research showing that the gender pay gap between women and men in the same jobs with equivalent qualifications can be as much as 34%.
• Labour force participation: India, as of 2020, has the lowest female labour force participation rate among South Asian nations, with four out of five women neither working nor looking for jobs.
• High Job loss: According to Oxfam, 17 million women in India lost their jobs in April 2020, with their unemployment rate rising far higher than that among men.
• Lesser opportunities for women: Women were found to be seven times more likely to lose their jobs during the lockdown phases, and if rendered unemployed, were 11 times more likely to remain jobless than their male counterparts.
• Uneven domestic responsibility: Potential reasons for this include the increased burden of domestic responsibilities that Indian women typically had to bear, in terms of not just household chores but extra time needed for elderly care and children’s studies, with schools shut.
• Even pre-pandemic, a Time Use Survey conducted by the National Sample Survey Office showed that women spent nearly 4.5 hours on childcare and other care-giving responsibilities, in contrast with the meagre 0.88 hours for men.

Impact of wage disparity on gender equality and economic growth

Gender Equality:

• Income Disparities: When there is a significant wage gap between genders, it directly contributes to income inequality. This means that women, on average, have less economic power and resources compared to men. This can lead to reduced financial independence, limited access to education and healthcare, and fewer opportunities for personal and professional development.
• Empowerment and Decision-Making: Lower wages for women can limit their ability to participate in decision-making processes, both within their households and in broader societal contexts. This can perpetuate gender stereotypes and reinforce traditional gender roles, further entrenching inequality.
• Reduced Economic Security: Wage disparities can result in greater economic insecurity for women. They may be more vulnerable to poverty, especially in cases of divorce, separation, or widowhood, or if they are the primary breadwinners in their families.
• Intergenerational Impact: When women earn less, it can have a ripple effect on future generations. Children raised in households with limited financial resources may face educational and developmental challenges.
• Impact on Career Advancement: Lower wages can discourage women from pursuing certain career paths or from seeking leadership positions, perpetuating the underrepresentation of women in higher-paying fields and in positions of power.

Economic Growth

• Lost Economic Potential: When women are paid less for equal work, it means that a significant portion of the population is not able to fully contribute to the economy. This represents a waste of talent, skills, and productivity.
• Reduced Consumer Spending: When women earn less, they have less disposable income, which can lead to reduced consumer spending. This can have a negative impact on businesses and the overall economy.
• Lower Tax Revenue: Lower wages for women can lead to reduced tax revenue for governments. This can impact the ability of governments to invest in public goods and services, including education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
• Inequality Hampers Innovation: When a substantial portion of the population is systematically excluded from certain sectors or opportunities, it limits the diversity of perspectives and experiences in those fields. This can hinder innovation and the development of new ideas.
• Negative Societal Impact: Wage disparities can lead to social unrest and discontent. When people perceive that the system is inherently unfair, it can erode trust in institutions and lead to broader societal issues.

Measures to overcome gender gap

• Behavioural Nudge: For instance, by using taxes to incentivize fairly sharing child-care responsibilities, or by encouraging women and girls to enter traditionally male-dominated sectors such as the armed forces and information technology. , Supreme Court in India declared that women could now hold commanding positions in Army.
• Paternity leaves for men, to share the responsibility of child rearing.
• Incentivizing companies to employ women and reach 50% target.
• Strong laws and policies wrt equal pay for equal work, maternity benefits are needed to promote women’s representation in economy.
• Maternity and paternity: An amendment to the Act in 2017 increased paid maternity leave from 12 to 26 weeks. Though well-meaning, this unfortunately fortifies notions of caregiving being primarily the onus of the woman, and thus reinforces and raises the risk of women being subject to the motherhood penalty.
• An explicit law for mandatory paternity benefits will go a long way towards equalizing gender roles and reducing employer bias
• Better work conditions: The provision and strengthening of childcare facilities for working mothers are very important.
• The Maternity Benefit Act mandates the setting up of creche facilities for organizations with over 50 employees.
• A better policy measure would be to provide mothers in need of childcare with a monthly allowance. This will also help mothers working from home.
• Political Representation: India has provided now provided 33% reservation for women in the Parliament (to be implemented shortly) Panchayats and Local Bodies. Capacity Building and training can increase their capabilities further.

Conclusion

Wage disparities based on gender have far-reaching consequences. They hinder progress towards gender equality, limit economic potential, and can impede overall economic growth. Closing the gender pay gap is not only a matter of social justice, but it also makes economic sense by unlocking the full potential of the workforce. It requires concerted efforts from governments, businesses, and society as a whole.

Value addition

Initiatives/Schemes for women in India

• Beti Bachao Beti Padhao: It ensures the protection, survival and education of the girl child.
• Mahila Shakti Kendra: Aims to empower rural women with opportunities for skill development and employment.
• Mahila Police Volunteers: It envisages engagement of Mahila Police Volunteers in States/UTs who act as a link between police and community and facilitates women in distress.
• Rashtriya Mahila Kosh: It is an apex micro-finance organization that provides micro-credit at concessional terms to poor women for various livelihood and income generating activities.
• Sukanya Samriddhi Yojna: Under this scheme girls have been economically empowered by opening their bank accounts.
• Female Entrepreneurship: To promote female entrepreneurship, the Government has initiated Programmes like Stand-Up India and Mahila e-Haat (online marketing platform to support women entrepreneurs/ SHGs/NGOs), Entrepreneurship and Skill Development Programme (ESSDP).
• Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya: They have been opened in Educationally Backward Blocks (EBBs).

General Studies – 2

Topic: Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary—Ministries and Departments of the Government;

2. The delay in appointing judges has led to vacancies in high courts and the Supreme Court, which has affected the administration of justice. Analyse. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: The Hindu

Why the question:

The article discusses the issue of delay tactics in the relationship between the Indian government and the judiciary’s Collegium system regarding the appointment of judges. It emphasizes the need for a more transparent and efficient process to ensure timely appointments and maintain the independence of the judiciary.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about various causes for pendency of cases in India, its impact and suggest measures to overcome this issue.

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 giving vital statistics to substantiate on the judicial pendency of cases.

Body:

First, write the causes for it – Friction between government and collegium in appointing, The cumulative effect of persisting vacancies, strained budgets, inadequate infrastructure combined with the continuous inflow of cases inevitably impacts mounting pendency and the time taken for cases to resolve.

Next bring out the impact of it – faith in the justice system, under trial prisoners their due of justice, impact on Economic reforms and foreign investors, Judiciary becomes overworked and lose its efficiency.

Suggest measures to overcome the above.

Conclusion:

Conclude writing a way forward.

Introduction

According to the India Justice Report (IJR) 2022, as of December 2022, against a sanctioned strength of 1,108 judges, the High Courts were functioning with only 778 judges

The Indian Judiciary plays an increasingly important role in the life and the governance of this country. A measure of the justice delivery system is the pendency of cases in courts across the country. There has been a significant deterioration in this aspect. The problem of pendency of cases is “intensifying” due to a lack of the sufficient number of judges.

Body

Vacancies in the Indian Judiciary at various levels

• The courts are operating at a fraction of their authorised capacity.
• High Courts have 380 seats vacant (out of 1,108) and district and subordinate courts have 5,342 vacant seats (out of 24,631).
• Out of 1,100 judges in various high courts in the country, there are about 400 to 500 posts vacant all the time.
• The lower judiciary presently has around 5,300 seats vacant – over 20% of its capacity.
• These vacancies are important as around 4.1 crore pending cases are before these courts.
• One of the main problems is the lack of data about vacancies in district courts.
• While the Union Ministry of Law and Justice publishes a comprehensive dataset every month noting vacancies in the Supreme Court and High Courts, it has no similar mechanism for the lower courts.

Issues due to vacancy

• The number of cases a judge has to deal with has also steadily increased. Between 2018 and 2022, the caseload per judge increased in 22 States and Union Territories, the report revealed.
• At High Court level, Uttar Pradesh has the highest average pendency; cases remain pending for an average of 11.34 years, and in West Bengal for 9.9 years. The lowest average High Court pendency is in Tripura [1 year], Sikkim [1.9 years] and Meghalaya [2.1 years].
• The case clearance rate (CCR), or the number of cases disposed of in a year, measured against the number filed in that year is a common metric used to determine the rate at which cases are disposed of. A CCR of more than 100% indicates that the number of pending cases is reducing.
• The IJR report found that High Courts are increasingly clearing more cases annually than subordinate courts.
• Between 2018-19 and 2022, the national average improved by six percentage points (88.5% to 94.6%) in High Courts, but declined by 3.6 points in lower courts (93% to 89.4%)
• At the same period, Tripura is the only State where the CCR in district courts remained above 100%, with the exception of 2020 — the year of the pandemic.

 Rise in number of judges alone will not help reduce the pendency:

• From 1950 to 1921, the number of Supreme Court judges has increased nearly four times. Even then, case pendency has steadily kept rising.
• The key reason for the mounting of pending cases can be attributed to shifting the role of the Supreme Court from adjudicating cases of constitutional significance into a regular court of appeals.
• According to legal experts, most of the cases that the Supreme Court was handling daily are either appeals from various high courts or cases of gross violation of individual’s fundamental rights. But this role was never meant for the apex court.
• It is because of frivolous PILs and various government policies which are challenged by the people that takes up most of judiciary’s time.

Other measures needed to reduce pendency of cases:

• Improving infrastructure for quality justice:
  • The Parliamentary Standing Committee which presented its report on Infrastructure Development and Strengthening of Subordinate Courts, suggested:
  • States should provide suitable land for construction of court buildings etc. It should undertake vertical construction considering shortage of land.
  • Timeline set out for computerization of all the courts, as a necessary step towards setting up of e- courts.
• Addressing the Issue of Vacancies:
  • Ensure the appointments of the judges be done in an efficient way by arriving at an optimal judge strength to handle the cases pending in the system.
  • The 120th Law Commission of India report for the first time, suggested a judge strength fixation formula.
  • Supreme Court and High Courts should appoint efficient and experienced judges as Ad-hoc judges in accordance with the Constitution.
  • All India Judicial Service, which would benefit the subordinate judiciary by increasing quality of judges and help reduce the pendency.
• Timeframe to dispose of cases:
  • Having a definite time frame to dispose the cases by setting annual targets and action plans for the subordinate judiciary and the High Courts. The judicial officers could be issued a strict code of conduct, to ensure that the duties are adequately performed by the officials.
  • Strict regulation of adjournments and imposition of exemplary costs for seeking it on flimsy grounds especially at the trial stage and not permitting dilution of time frames specified in Civil Procedure Code.
• Better Court Management System & Reliable Data Collection:
  • For this categorization of cases on the basis of urgency and priority along with bunching of cases should be done.
  • Use of Information technology (IT) solutions:
  • The use of technology for tracking and monitoring cases and in providing relevant information to make justice litigant friendly. A greater impetus should be given to
• Process reengineering:
  • Involves redesigning of core business processes to achieve dramatic improvements in productivity and quality by incorporating the use of technology in court rules. It will include:
  • Electronic filing of cases: e-Courts are a welcome step in this direction, as they give case status and case history of all the pending cases across High courts and Subordinate courts bringing ease of access to information.
  • Revamping of National Judicial Data Grid by introducing a new type of search known as elastic search, which is closer to the artificial intelligence.
• Alternate dispute resolution (ADR):
  • As stated in the Conference on National Initiative to Reduce Pendency and Delay in Judicial System- Legal Services Authorities should undertake pre-litigation mediation so that the inflow of cases into courts can be regulated.
  • The Lok Adalat should be organized regularly for settling civil and family matters.
  • Gram Nyayalayas, as an effective way to manage small claim disputes from rural areas which will help in decreasing the workload of the judicial institution.
  • Village Legal Care & Support Centre can also be established by the High Courts to work at grass root level to make the State litigation friendly.

Conclusion:

The fundamental requirement of a good judicial administration is accessibility, affordability and speedy justice, which will not be realized until and unless the justice delivery system is made within the reach of the individual in a time bound manner and within a reasonable cost. Therefore, continuous formative assessment is the key to strengthen and reinforce the justice delivery system in India.

General Studies – 3

Topic: issues relating to intellectual property rights

3. Critically analyse the National Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Policy, aimed to promote creativity and innovation in the country while protecting intellectual property rights. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Tough

Reference:  Insights on India

Why the question:

The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 3 and mentioned as part of Mission-2024 Secure timetable.

Key Demand of the question:

To evaluate the performance of IPR regime in India and to suggest changes to IPR policy to balance protecting patents while prioritising national interest.

Directive word: 

Critically analyze – 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. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a balanced judgment on the topic.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Start the answer by giving an overview of IPR regime in India. Give stats with respect to applied and approved IPR’s.

Body:

In the first part, give brief overview of National IPR Policy, 2016 and mention the challenges in enforcing Intellectual property rights (IPR) in India – procedural and substantive constraints, legal aspects, conflict with competition law, low awareness, counterfeiting and piracy, IP Financing, etc.

Mention IPR regime has gained further significance in light of the Government’s focus on ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and Covid-19 pandemic.

Next write about changes that are needed to National IPR Policy in order balance between protecting the rights of the IPR holders and national interest.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward.

Introduction

Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) are legal rights, which result from intellectual invention, innovation and discovery in the industrial, scientific, literary and artistic fields. These rights entitle an individual or group to the moral and economic rights of creators in their creation. The National IPR Policy (2016) is a vision document that aims to create and exploit synergies between all forms of intellectual property (IP), concerned statutes and agencies. It sets in place an institutional mechanism for implementation, monitoring and review. It aims to incorporate and adapt global best practices to the Indian scenario.

Body

National IPR Policy, 2016

A comprehensive National IPR policy was adopted in May 2016, to stimulate innovation and creativity across sectors, and provide a clear vision regarding IPR issues. Objectives enshrined in the policy are hereunder:

• IPR Awareness – Outreach and Promotion – To create public awareness about the economic, social and cultural benefits of IPRs among all sections of society;
• Generation of IPRs – To stimulate the generation of IPRs;
• Legal and Legislative Framework – To have strong and effective IPR laws, which balance the interests of rights’ owners with larger public interest
• Administration and Management – To modernize and strengthen service-oriented IPR administration;
• Commercialization of IPRs – Get value for IPRs through commercialization;
• Enforcement and Adjudication – To strengthen the enforcement and adjudicatory mechanisms for combating IPR infringements; and
• Human Capital Development – To strengthen and expand human resources, institutions and capacities for teaching, training, research and skill building in IPRs

Important highlights of National Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Policy

• The Policy aims to push IPRs as a marketable financial asset, promote innovation and entrepreneurship, while protecting public interest.
• To have strong and effective IPR laws, steps would be taken — including review of existing IP laws — to update and improve them or to remove anomalies and inconsistencies.
• The policy is entirely compliant with the WTO’s agreement on TRIPS.
• Special thrust on awareness generation and effective enforcement of IPRs, besides encouragement of IP commercialisation through various incentives.
• India will engage constructively in the negotiation of international treaties and agreements in consultation with stakeholder
• The government will examine accession to some multilateral treaties which are in India’s interest and become a signatory to those treaties which India has de facto implemented to enable it to participate in their decision-making process, the policy said.
• It suggests making the department of industrial policy and promotion (DIPP) the nodal agency for all IPR issues. Copyrights related issues will also come under DIPP’s ambit from that of the Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry.
• Films, music, industrial drawings will be all covered by copyright.
• The Policy also seeks to facilitate domestic IPR filings, for the entire value chain from IPR generation to commercialization. It aims to promote research and development through tax benefits.

Issues with the current policy:

• Policy is aimed at a gold rush towards IPR. A blind rush towards IP could be a deterrent to innovation itself by restricting knowledge flow.
• Policy recommends scientist and professors to convert all their discoveries into IP which in turn has the potential to curb the free flow of knowledge
• IPR policy is driven by the agenda of IP maximalism, where IP owners’ rights will be maximised at the cost of public interest. This (policy) will influence courts and judges who might consider rights of patentees above that on common man in certain cases.
• Connection between patenting and application of patented knowledge is yet to be established. Hence, patenting and not applying the new invention could deter progress
• Policy recommends criminalization of unauthorised copying of movies – which is just a civil wrong.
• Not understanding the modes of creativity and sharing in “shadow economy “, the policy leans towards superimposition of formal IP framework.
• While IP could accelerate innovation in certain technologies it in turn impedes in others. Policy recommends scientist and professors to convert all their discoveries
• According to USTR, Patent applicants face costly and time-consuming patent opposition hurdles, long timelines for receiving patents, and excessive reporting requirements

Measures needed:

• Fostering an environment where innovation flourishes and a knowledge economy is built, is the key idea. Hence, the policy should have a balance.
• It should encourage patenting and at the same time ensure that patentability of a product/process does not deter further innovation and progress.
• Intellectual Property must not be about patents on paper but dearth of application in reality.
• The organisations such as CSIR and others must be encouraged to work upon socially useful applications of their patents.
• Support for innovation has to be accompanied with instruments that guard local companies against the misuse of market power, coercive bargaining and aggressive acquisition strategies.
• India needs to spread awareness on IPR in public and for its traditional industries to enable fair monetisation of IP Rights.
• It needs to safeguard its patents, copyrights and traditional knowledge by ensuring easy IPR rules.

Conclusion

Beliefs, attitudes and approaches towards IPRs in India must change for the sake of the ambitions articulated in this government’s many initiatives—from Make in India to Startup India and Smart Cities. Indian policymakers do not adequately appreciate the fundamental reality that IP laws and policies are meant to incentivize innovation by establishing enforceable boundaries to protect new products, processes, and original works of expression. Adequate safeguards though necessary should not cripple innovation or new technology that can come to India and benefit the larger public.

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

4. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) plays a critical role in providing financial assistance and policy advice to countries facing economic challenges. However, as the economic dynamics of developing countries evolve, the IMF must adapt and undergo restructuring and reforms to remain relevant and effective. Comment. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Insights on India

Why the question:

The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 3 and mentioned as part of Mission-2024 Secure timetable.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about how India can cope up to the disruptions in NCD services due the covid-19 pandemic.

Directive word: 

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

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Begin by giving context regarding the role of IMF in the global economy.

Body:

First, write about the various limitations regarding IMF – archaic rules, domination of developed countries, changing economic weight of emerging countries, stressing on completing quota reforms, quota determines its voting power as well as its borrowing capacity, Article IV consultation reports are utilised by credit rating agencies, impacting the fund-raising capacity of countries like India and maintaining data integrity

Write the reforms that are needed in the IMF to acknowledge the emerging markets increasing their share in global output or GDP over the years.

Conclusion:

Conclude with a way forward.

Introduction

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is an international financial institution, headquartered in Washington, D.C. Its stated mission is “working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world.” IMF was formed in 1944, at the Bretton Woods Conference and came into formal existence in 1945 with the goal of reconstructing the International Monetary system. India became a founder member of IMF in December 1945 even before Independence.

Body

Role of IMF

• IMF financial assistance to member countries with balance of payments problems ( E.g. India during 1991), the IMF lends money to replenish international reserves, stabilize currencies and strengthen conditions for economic growth. Countries must embark on structural adjustment policies monitored by the IMF.
• IMF oversees the international monetary system and monitors the economic and financial policies of its 190 member countries.
• IMF also undertake Capacity building of Low Income Countries.
• Capacity Building typically focuses on how LICs can boost domestic revenues, manage public finances and monetary policy, regulate their financial system, and develop statistical systems.
• Capacity building helps IMF member countries to design and implement sound policies and to advance toward the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
• As part of this process, which takes place both at the global level and in individual countries, the IMF highlights possible risks to stability and advises on needed policy adjustments.
• IMF provides technical assistance and training to central banks, finance ministries, tax authorities, and other economic institutions.
• This helps countries raise public revenues, modernize banking systems, develop strong legal frameworks, improve governance, and enhance the reporting of macroeconomic and financial data.
• The IMF also serves as a forum for international economic cooperation and coordination, bringing together policymakers from member countries to discuss global economic issues and develop policies to address them.
• The organization also conducts research and analysis on various economic issues and publishes reports and data on global economic developments.

Critique of IMF in fostering global monetary cooperation

• Structural under-representation of the Global South
  • One of the central criticisms of the IMF relates to the political power imbalances in their governance structures where, as a result of voting shares being based principally on the size and ‘openness’ of countries’ economies, poorer countries – often those receiving assistance from IMF – are structurally under-represented in decision-making processes
• Undermining democratic ownership
  • The issue of political power imbalances is exacerbated by another long-standing critique of IMF is that the economic policy conditions they promote – often attached or ‘recommended’ as part of loans – undermine the sovereignty of borrower nations, limiting their ability to make policy decisions and eroding their ownership of national development strategies
• Weak ability to learn from past mistakes
  • The IMF’s Independent Evaluation Office (IEO)was set up in 2001 to conduct evaluations of the policies and functionalities of the institution with the aim of enhancing the learning culture, strengthening credibility, and supporting institutional governance and oversight
  • However, the IMF has been criticised for failing to implement the recommendations
• Neo-Liberal Criticisms
  • IMF conditionalities have also been widely debated.
  • Critics contend that IMF policy prescriptions provide uniform remedies that are not adequately tailored to each country’s unique circumstances.
  • These standard, austere loan conditions reduce economic growth and deepen and prolong financial crises, creating severe hardships for the poorest people in borrowing countries and strengthening local opposition to the IMF.

Conclusion and way forward

• While reforms in countries are happening in different stages, the global institutions have remained the way they have been for the last several decades
• Going further, there is a desperate need for all IMF to be more transparent, representative and speak for countries which don’t get adequate representation
• The IMF should focus on lower income countries and support other developing countries’ market funds raising activities, as its Article IV consultation reports are utilised by credit rating agencies, impacting the fund raising capacity of countries like India.
• With a continuing trend of emerging markets increasing their share in global output or GDP over the years, many experts have called for alignment of quotas and the accompanying lending windows of the IMF to reflect the changed economic positions of countries.

Value addition

Other issues in IMF

The present structure and power dynamics in IMF is not reflective of the current economic architecture and it is this systemic issue that castes shadows on its relevance because of

• Quotas: The rising clout of developing countries today vis-à-vis the developed ones is not commensurate with their quotas. Moreover the recent announcement of deferring the next round amendments in quota till 2019 could be dampener.
• Appointment:The heads have historically been appointed from a coterie of developed nations leading to discrimination of developing countries tries
• Rise of alternative institutions:Like NDB,AIIB have come up as an alternative to IMF. They look to provide greater credit with more creditor-friendly terms

Topic: Disaster and disaster management.

5. Critically examine the need for a region-specific Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Indian Himalayan region, as the current EIA process does not adequately address the unique ecological and geographical features of the Himalayas. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Tough

Reference: The Hindu

Why the question:

The article highlights the environmental and social vulnerabilities of the region and argues that a tailored EIA framework is essential to protect its delicate ecosystem and ensure sustainable development.

Directive:

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 defining EIA.

Body:

First, write about the current process of EIA -statutorily backed by the Environment Protection Act, 1986 which contains various provisions on EIA methodology and process.

Next, write about the unique intricacies of Himalayan region because of which the conventional EIA process is not applicable. Explain the challenges and concerns associated.

Next, write about the need for more comprehensive and region-specific approach to EIAs in the Indian Himalayan region.  

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward.

Introduction

In light of the recent Teesta dam breach in Sikkim and floods in Himachal Pradesh, the potential negative impact of developmental activities on our ecology, especially in the mountains, is evident.

It is crucial to evaluate the environmental repercussions of significant human endeavors in order to strike a balance between development and ecological preservation.

Body

About EIA

• EIA, or Environment Impact Assessment, is a process defined by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to gauge the environmental, social, and economic impacts of a project before implementation.
• Functions: It contrasts various project alternatives, predicts environmental consequences, and suggests appropriate mitigation strategies.

Problems Associated with India’s EIA Notifications

• Threshold Limits Required are Same Across the Country
  • This notification has categorised projects under various heads such as mining, extraction of natural resources and power generation, and physical infrastructure.
  • Unfortunately, the threshold limits beyond which EIA is warranted for all these projects is the same across the country.
• No Emphasis on Special Needs of Indian Himalayan Region (IHR)
  • Despite all levels of government being acutely aware of the special needs of the IHR, the region’s vulnerabilities and fragility have not been considered separately.
  • While some industries mentioned in the schedule to the notification cannot be set up in the IHR States due to the industrial policies of the respective States, other industries and projects have to meet the same threshold in the rest of the country.
• Even the draft 2020 notification which was floated for public discussion does not treat the IHR differently than the rest of the country and is not cognisant of the special developmental needs of IHR.

Intricacies of Himalayan region and flaws of EIA

• Flawed Graded Approach of EIC Notification, 2006
  • The Indian regulatory system uses a graded approach, a differentiated risk management approach.
  • It depends on whether a project is coming up within a protected forest, a reserved forest, a national park, or a critical tiger habitat.
  • The strictness of environmental conditions proposed in the terms of references at the scoping stage of the EIA process is proportionate to the value and sensitivity of the habitat being impacted by the project.
  • One unfortunate miss from this graded approach for differentiated risk management has been the IHR.
• No Regulator at the National Level
  • There is no regulator at the national level, as suggested by the Supreme Court of India in 2011 in Lafarge Umiam Mining vs Union of India.
  • The Judgement suggested to carry out an independent, objective, and transparent appraisal and approval of the projects for ECs and to monitor the implementation of the conditions laid down in the EC.
• EIA Process is Reactionary
  • The EIA process now reacts to development proposals rather than anticipate them.
  • As they are financed by the project proponent, there is an inclination in favour of the project.
• Does Not Consider Cumulative Impact: The process now does not adequately consider cumulative impacts as far as impacts caused by several projects in the area are concerned.
• Box Ticking Approach
  • In many cases, the EIA is done in a box ticking approach manner as a mere formality that needs to be done for EC before a project can be started.
  • The consequences of all these limitations are amplified in the IHR as on top of the inherent limitations of the process, the EIA process is not at all cognisant of the special needs of the IHR.

Way forward

• Place the IHR’s Vulnerability and Fragility at the Centre of EIA
  • While categorising projects it is important that the impacts of all such projects and activities are seen in the IHR in the context of this region’s fragility and vulnerability.
  • Himalayas are inherently vulnerable to extreme weather conditions such as heavy rains, flash floods, and landslides and are seismically active.
  • Climate change has added another layer of vulnerability to this ecosystem.
• Address the Special Needs of IHR
  • The needs of these mountains could be addressed at all four stages of the EIA (screening, scoping, public consultation, and appraisal).
  • The four stages will be effective if projects and activities requiring EC in mountainous regions are made proportionate with the ecological needs of this region.
• Introduction of a Liability Clause for Projects in IHR
  • General conditions mandated for all projects at the end of the notification could also have had a clause about the IHR or mountains above a certain altitude, or with some specified characteristics that could increase the liability of the project proponent.

Conclusion

The increasing frequency with which the Himalayan States are witnessing devastation every year after extreme weather conditions shows that the region is already paying a heavy price for this indifference.

If used diligently, the EIA could be the most potent regulatory tool in the arsenal of environmental governance to further the vision of sustainable development in the country.

Value addition

EIA evolution in India

• Precursor to the EIA
  • In India, a precursor to the EIA began in 1976-77 when the Planning Commission directed the Department of Science and Technology to assess the river valley projects from the environmental point of view.
  • It was later extended for all those projects that required approval from the Public Investment Board.
  • Environment clearance then was just an administrative decision of the central government.
• First EIA Notification
  • On January 27, 1994, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) under the Environment (Protection) Act 1986 (EPA), promulgated the first EIA notification.
  • It made Environmental Clearance (EC) mandatory for setting up some specified new projects and also for expansion or modernisation of some specific activities.
• EIA Notification, 2006
  • The notification of 1994 saw 12 amendments in 11 years before it was replaced by the EIA 2006 notification.
  • The hallmark of the 2006 notification was the decentralisation of the process of EC.
  • State governments were also given powers to issue EC in certain cases. The 2006 notification has also been amended, in the name of fine-tuning the process several times.
• The EIA 2006 notification lays down the procedure as well as institutional set-up to give environmental clearance for the projects that need such clearance as per this notification.
  • Only projects enumerated in the schedule attached to the notification require prior EC.
• Draft 2020 Notification
  • The MoEF&CC floated a draft EIA in 2020 for public comments.
  • The draft faced backlash and was criticised as it was perceived to be pro industry and compromising the ecological concerns.

General Studies – 4

Topic: Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and nonpartisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker- sections.

6.  To deal with these challenging circumstances prevailing across the world in the recent past, the world requires compassion, cooperation and complete solidarity. Discuss. (150 Words)

Difficulty level: Easy

Why the question:

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

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the importance compassion, cooperation and complete solidarity in dealing with contemporary challenges.

Directive:

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

Structure of the answer:

Introduction:

Begin by giving context.

Body:

First, write about the challenging circumstances prevailing across the world in recent past – pandemic, extreme weather events, wars, social strife etc.

Next, write how compassion, cooperation and solidarity can play a part in overcoming the above-mentioned challenges. Substantiate with examples.

Conclusion:

Complete by summarising.

Introduction

The world is witnessing two active wars simultaneously. The Hamas attack on Israel and subsequent retaliation which has resulted in killing of innocent civilians is a gruesome reminder that war does not benefit anyone. War based on identity, religion, ethinicity which are all man-made constructs will lead to ruin of mankind.

In the face of global challenges, such as pandemics, climate change, economic crises, and social unrest, compassion, cooperation, and solidarity are essential. These values are not only important for addressing immediate issues but also for building a more resilient and interconnected world in the long run. When individuals, communities, and nations come together with empathy and a shared sense of purpose, it becomes possible to find effective solutions and support those who are most vulnerable. This collaborative spirit is key to creating a better future for all of humanity.

Body

Compassion is our first guiding star to advance humanity in crisis settings. Without compassion, which literally means ‘suffering together,’ we would not be able to put ourselves into each other’s shoes, or see a crisis through the eyes of a child and realise that other human lives are worth saving, sometimes by taking risks.

Solidarity comes next. Countless times I have seen solidarity shape into a collective force to do good. Solidarity does not always have to be heroic: sometimes, it can mean giving voice to the powerless, protesting injustice, or not letting others suffer alone. Other times, it can make the difference between life and death.

Eg: In India, people came together to go the extra mile and lend a hand during covid-19 pandemic. Several initiatives- from distributing food to migrant workers to buying protective gear for healthcare workers – brought a sense of solidarity among the society.

Cooperation is needed to provide a mindset and solid anchor to compassion and solidarity; it is also what enables us to ‘make things happen’. In wars, disasters and emergencies, there are a hundred jobs to be done, and it is natural that we may get paralysed. Only cooperation can save the day and humanity.

More than ever, it is imperative to stand up against stigma, hate speech, xenophobia, racism, war and all forms of discrimination that are an affront to universal human values and rights

Conclusion

“If we want societies to be inclusive, cohesive and peaceful, this is the time to foster an alliance between cultures, civilizations, and people”. Global fraternity and global village must become a reality to save humankind from an impending apocalypse which is man-made.

Value Addition

Compassion

• Compassion is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. It involves recognizing someone else’s suffering or hardship and having a desire to alleviate it. Compassion is often associated with empathy, which is the capacity to put oneself in another person’s shoes and understand their perspective.

• Empathy: Empathy is the foundation of compassion. It allows individuals to connect with others on an emotional level. When we empathize, we not only understand the challenges someone is facing, but we also feel a desire to help them.
• Kindness and Understanding: Compassion manifests through acts of kindness and understanding. It can be expressed through simple gestures like offering a listening ear, providing support, or offering a helping hand.
• Reducing Suffering: Compassion aims to alleviate suffering, whether it’s physical, emotional, or social. This can be done through various means, such as offering comfort, providing resources, or advocating for change.
• Promoting Well-being: Compassion contributes to the overall well-being of individuals and communities. When people feel understood and supported, it can lead to a greater sense of belonging and mental health.

Solidarity

• Solidarity is the unity and mutual support among individuals or groups, especially in difficult times. It involves recognizing that we are all part of a larger community, and when one person or group suffers, it affects us all.

• Unity in Diversity: Solidarity transcends differences in race, nationality, religion, or any other categorization. It acknowledges the shared humanity that binds us together.
• Collective Action: Solidarity often leads to collective action. It empowers people to work together toward common goals, whether it’s advocating for social justice, addressing a crisis, or striving for positive change.
• Advocacy and Activism: Solidarity often fuels advocacy efforts. When people come together in solidarity, they amplify their voices and are more likely to effect meaningful change.
• Resilience and Support: Knowing that others stand with you in times of difficulty can provide a tremendous sense of strength and resilience. It lessens the feeling of isolation and empowers individuals to face challenges head-on.
• Building Trust and Community: Solidarity builds trust within communities and fosters a sense of belonging. It creates a foundation of support that can be relied upon in times of need.

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

7. Do you think the concept of moonlighting is ethical in your opinion? (150 Words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Why the question:

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

Key Demand of the question:

To form an opinion on ethicality of moonlighting.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction:

Begin by defining the concept of moonlighting.

Body:

First, give reasons as to why there is need of moonlighting and cite reasons as to why it maybe considered ethical.

Next, given reasons as to why moonlighting maybe considered unethical.

Conclusion:

Conclude by giving a balanced opinion the issue.

Introduction

The practice of working for one organisation while also taking up extra responsibilities and jobs, typically without the employer’s knowledge, is referred to as moonlighting. It is called so the side employment is typically performed at night or on the weekends. The phrase became well-known when Americans began looking for second jobs in addition to their regular 9-to-5 jobs to supplement their income.

Body

Need for moonlighting and its ethical basis

• While moonlighting is often considered wrong, “Ethical moonlighting” is a win-win concept in which individuals can monetize their skills in more than one place or role and in the most ethical manner within the data governing principles of such a practice.
• This helps in creating a positive position for all three parties involved: the individual, the primary employer, and the secondary employer that takes the additional services.
• As the pandemic hit in 2020, many gainfully employed professionals lost their jobs at every level—the layoffs were not restricted to fresher’s and middle management, but impacted CxO level roles too.
• Companies downscaled their working staff and even rolled out pay cuts as severe as 60%-75%.
• This left many highly skilled, experienced and talented professionals with a meagre primary source of income and bills to pay that were aligned with their original salaries.
• The only way to bridge the gap and meet their expenses was to take up a second job.

Ethical issues that may arise

• A person may work more than one job in India without breaking the law.
• However, a person with a similar set of jobs could give rise to concerns about a violation of confidentiality because many employers include such restrictions in their employment agreements in addition to prohibitions against holding down multiple jobs.
• Eg: Same person working for google and Microsoft and risk of sharing trade secret.
• Moonlighting could be considered cheating if an employee’s contract calls for non-compete and single employment, which is the situation with the majority of conventional employment contracts.
• However, it is not cheating if the employment contracts do not have such a clause or provide relaxations.

Conclusion

No longer a stop-gap measure, many companies and employees have embraced the benefits of moonlighting, as long as it is done ethically. There must be a water-tight contract hiring which can alleviate problems related to confidentiality. This can lead to gig economy for organised sectors too.

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