[Mission 2024] Insights SECURE SYNOPSIS: 18 January 2024

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: The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.

1. The Government of India Act of 1935 fell short of meeting the aspirations of many Indian leaders for complete independence. However, it did lay the groundwork for subsequent constitutional developments. Examine. (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 the features and impact of The Government of India Act of 1935.

Directive word: 

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

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Start by giving the context for the introduction of the Government of India Act,1935.

Body:

First, write about the major proposals in the act – federal structure, granting provincial autonomy and limited electoral reforms.

Next, write about the points supporting the Indian leaders to resent the Government of India Act,1935 such as the concept of federation with Provinces to join the imperial power and have a reserved representation, promoting feudal despotism, communally divisive approach and economic control of federal budget. Stress on the point that as much as the Indian leaders resented it, they were appealed by the constitutional means involved and participated in the elections.

Next, write about the impact of the act.

Conclusion:

Conclude by giving a balanced opinion.

Introduction

The Government of India Act 1935 was an important act in the history of India. As a result of several previous Governments of India Act and Round Table Conferences, the Government of India Act 1935 was introduced. It changed the Federation of India in the aspects of the structure of government, legislation and so on. It granted Indian provinces autonomy and provided for the establishment of Indian Federation. The Government of India Act, 1935, which acted as a framework did lay out some federal features.

Body

Features of Government of India Act 1935

This Act gives many salient features out of which some has been considered as the major ones and some as the minor ones. These salient features are given below:

• This Act shows the dominance power of the British Parliament or its superiority.
• This Act had proposed to establish an All-India Federation and this federation should consist of provinces and Princely states considering both as one unit.
• This Act introduced a system of Provincial Autonomy into the provinces in place of the dyarchy system. This time dyarchy was not introduced at the state level it only introduced at the central level.
• A federal court was established after the recommendation of this Act. This court was introduced after two years of the passing of this Act, i.e., 1937.
• This Act provides the recommendation for the establishment of the Reserve Bank of India to control the regulation of currencies and credits of this country.
• After the establishment of this Act, the Council of India that was established by the Government of India Act, 1858 was abolished.
• Muslims, Sikhs, and others except depressed classes were provided separate electorates after the implementation of this Act.
• This Act proposed the expansion of Universal Adult Franchise from 3% of the population to 14% of the population.
• This Act gave Governor the Critical emergency powers that were only enjoyed by him.

Shortcomings of the GOI,1935 Act

• Numerous ‘safeguards’ and ‘special responsibilities’ of the governor-general worked as brakes in proper functioning of the Act.
• The process of constitutional advance in India is determined by the need to attract, Indian support for British Raj.
  • In provinces, the governor still had extensive powers.
  • The Act enfranchised 14 per cent of British Indian population.
  • The extension of the system of communal electorates and representation of various interests promoted separatist tendencies which culminated in partition of India.
• The Act provided a rigid Constitution with no possibility of internal growth.
• Right of amendment was reserved with the British Parliament.
• Suppression could only be a short-term tactic. in the long run, the strategy was to weaken the movement and integrate large segments of the movement into colonial, constitutional and administrative structure.
• Reforms would revive political standing of constitutionalist liberals and Moderates who had lost public support during the Civil Disobedience Movement.
• Repression earlier and reforms now would convince a large section of Congressmen of the ineffectiveness of an extra-legal struggle.
  • Once Congressmen tasted power, they would be reluctant to go back to politics of sacrifice.
  • Reforms could be used to create dissensions within Congress—right wing to be placated through constitutional concessions and radical leftists to be crushed through police measures.
• Provincial autonomy would create powerful provincial leaders who would gradually become autonomous centres of political power. Congress would thus be provincialized and central leadership would get weakened.

Conclusion

The 1935 Act was condemned by nearly all sections and unanimously rejected by the Congress. The Congress demanded, instead, convening of a Constituent Assembly elected on the basis of adult franchise to frame a constitution for independent India. For a brief period till the start of 1942 Quit India Movement, Congress fought the provincial elections on the basis of the Act and won in majority provinces.

Topic: The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.

2. Quit India Movement symbolizes India’s determination to break free from colonial rule. Its significance lies not only in the immediate context of the movement but also in its lasting impact on the subsequent trajectory of the Indian independence movement. Explain. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Easy

Reference: Insights on India

Why the question:

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

Key Demand of the question:

To write how Quit India movement was different from the previous mass movements and how it more anti-imperialist than others.

Directive word: 

Explain – Clarify the topic by giving a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the context. You must be defining key terms wherever appropriate and substantiate with relevant associated facts.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Give the context of political scene of the country that led to the launch of Quit India movement

Body:

Write about the factors that made the movement stand apart from other struggles or movements against the Imperial rule, on lines of, Gandhi’s strategy, emergence of new leaders, Violence, Princely States, new developments and mass involvement etc and the way it aligned the local interest with that of national interest.

Conclusion:

Conclude by mentioning that the much-needed impetus towards conclusion to the national freedom struggle can be credited to the Quit India movement.

Introduction

The failure of the Cripps Mission in April 1942 made it clear that Britain was unwilling to offer an honourable settlement and a real constitutional advance during the War. Consequently, Gandhiji drafted a resolution for the Congress Working Committee calling for Britain’s withdrawal and nation edged towards Quit India Movement or August Kranti. Mahatma Gandhi’s clarion call of ‘Do or Die’ inspired thousands of party workers but also created frenzy among the British who rushed to imprison the entire Congress leadership.

Body

The Quit India Movement has rightly been described as the most massive anti-imperialist struggle on the eve of Partition and Independence:

• Social radicalism of Gandhi:
  • In a sharp contrast to Non-cooperation movement, where Gandhi withdrew after Chauri Chaura incident, in Quit India movement he not only refused to condemn the people’s resort to violence but unequivocally held government responsible for it.
  • Though the need for non-violence was always reiterated, Gandhi’s mantra of Do or Die represents the militant mood of Gandhi.
  • Gandhi also gave a call to all sections of the people, the princes, the Jagirdars, the Zamindars, the propertied and moneyed classes, who derive their wealth and property from the workers in the fields and factories and elsewhere, to whom eventually power and authority belong.
  • This  indicates Gandhi’s social radicalism and shift in the philosophy of the Congress, by now people with the goals of socialism and communism have become a part of the broad-based Congress organization.
• Violent at some places:
  • The Quit India Movement was mainly a non-violent movement. However, it became violent at some places.Rails were uprooted, post offices were set on fire and offices were destroyed.
• Leaderless movement:
  • Even before the formal launching of the movement, the government in a single sweep arrested all the top leaders of the Congress. This led to spontaneous outburst of mass anger against the arrest of leaders. 
  • The spontaneous participation of the massesin the Quit India movement made it one of the most popular mass movements.
• Demand for independence:
  • This historic movement placed the demand for independence on the immediate agendaof the national movement.
  • The spirit unleashed was carried further by Indian National Army of Subhas Chandra Bose. After ‘Quit India’ there could be no retreat. Independence was no longer a matter of bargain.
  • It accelerated and sustained the urge for freedom and enabled India to achieve freedom in 1947.
• Establishment of Parallel Governments:
  • Parallel governments were established at many places.
  • Ballia under Chittu Pandey, got many Congress leaders released.
  • In Tamluk and Contai subdivisions of Midnapore in West Bengal, the local populace were successful in establishing Jatiya Sarkar, which undertook cyclone relief work, sanctioned grants to schools, supplied paddy from the rich to the poor, organised Vidyut Vahinis, etc.
  • In Satara (Maharashtra), “Prati Sarkar”, was organised under leaders like Y.B. Chavan, Nana Patil, etc. Village libraries and Nyayadan Mandals were organised
• Underground Activity:
  • Many nationalists went underground and took to subversive activities.
  • The participants in these activities were the Socialists, Forward Bloc members, Gandhi ashramites, revolutionary nationalists and local organisations in Bombay, Poona, Satara, Baroda and other parts of Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra, United Provinces, Bihar and Delhi.
  • The main personalities taking up underground activity were Rammanohar Lohia, Jayaprakash Narayan, Aruna Asaf Ali, Usha Mehta, Biju Patnaik, Chhotubhai Puranik, Achyut Patwardhan, Sucheta Kripalani and R.P. Goenka.
  • Usha Mehta started an underground radio in Bombay.
  • This phase of underground activity was meant to keep up popular morale by continuing to provide a line of command and guidance to distribute arms and ammunition
• Strong women participation:
  • Quit India movement was unique in the sense that it saw women participation where they not only participated as equals but also led the movement.
  • Women, especially school and college girls, actively participated, and included Aruna Asaf Ali, Sucheta Kripalani and Usha Mehta.
  • There was Matangini Hazra, who lead a procession of 6,000 people, mostly women, to ransack a local police station.
• Extent of Mass Participation
  • The participation was on many levels.
  • Youth, especially the students of schools and colleges, remained in the forefront.
  • Workers went on strikes and faced repression.
  • Peasants of all strata were at the heart of the movement.
  • Even some zamindars
  • Government officials, especially those belonging to lower levels in police and administration, participated resulting in erosion of government loyalty.
  • Muslims helped by giving shelter to underground activists. There were no communal clashes during the movement.

Conclusion

Quit India Movement was a watershed movement in the sense, that it prepared the ground for future politics in India. It is in the Quit India Movement that freedom struggle was owned by “We the People” who fought for India’s freedom.

Topic: urbanization, their problems and their remedies.

3. Conserving groundwater and ensuring its sustainable use is crucial for maintaining water security and preventing the depletion of this vital resource. Discuss. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Easy

Reference: Indian Express , Insights on India

Why the question:

The With climate change now a reality, ecological experts should come up with multiple solutions to ensure that rainwater is effectively harvested and dependence on groundwater is reduced.

Key Demand of the question:

To write importance of ground water, the limitations in the present approach of its utilisation and changes required to it.

Directive word: 

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

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Begin the answer by writing about the importance of groundwater.

Body:

First, write about the issues in the present approach towards utilisation of ground water – Overexploitation of groundwater and intensive irrigation in major canal commands has posed serious problems for groundwater managers in India. Depletion of water tables, saltwater encroachment, drying of aquifers, groundwater pollution, water logging and salinity, etc. are major consequences of overexploitation and intensive irrigation.

Next, write about the changes that are needed to be taken in the new approach in order to ensure sustainable use of groundwater.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward.

Introduction

Today, India is the largest user of the groundwater in the world with almost 90% being used for drinking water and around 85% for irrigation. Current statistics also show that nearly 50% of urban water supply comes from groundwater. India is the largest groundwater-user globally, at an estimated 251 cubic kilometres per year, followed by China and Pakistan, according to the report. India is on the threshold of a very serious groundwater crisis, which needs mitigation both in the fields and at the policy corridors of the country.

With climate change now a reality, ecological experts should come up with multiple solutions to ensure that rainwater is effectively harvested and dependence on groundwater is reduced.

Body

Problems with groundwater depletion

• Lowering of the water table
• Reduction of water in streams and lakes
• Land subsidence: A lack of groundwater limits biodiversity and dangerous sinkholes result from depleted aquifers.
• Increased costs for the user
• Deterioration of water quality
• Saltwater contamination can occur.
• Crop production decrease from lack of water availability (40% of global food production relies on groundwater).
• Groundwater depletion interrupts the ‘natural’ water cycle putting disproportionately more water into the sea.
• As large aquifers are depleted, food supply and people will suffer.

Measures needed

• The government should develop policies to determine which crops should be grown in which region according to the water availability, which “has not been the focus.” For instance, Punjab has a semi-arid climate but it grows rice, which depletes groundwater and is “highly unsustainable.”
• The traditional flood irrigation in India accounts for huge water loss through evapotranspiration. Drip irrigation and sprinkler irrigation must be used for efficient utilisation of water.
• There should be restrictions to cut off the access to groundwater in areas identified as “critical” and “dark zones”, where the water table is overused or very low.
• There is a need to treat water as common resource rather than private property to prevent its overexploitation
• Problems and issues such as water logging, salinity, agricultural toxins, and industrial effluents, all need to be properly looked into.
• Government has initiated schemes like DRIP programme, more drop per crop, Krishi Sinchai Yojana to ensure economical water use practices in agriculture.
• Bottom-up approach by empowering the local community to become active participants in managing groundwater.
• Creating regulatory options at the community level such as panchayat is also one among the feasible solutions.
• Traditional methods of water conservation should be encouraged to minimize the depletion of water resources.
• Artificial recharge of tube wells, water reuse, afforestation, scientific methods of agriculture should also be done.

Conclusion

Sustainable management of groundwater in India is vital for tackling growing challenges related to water availability. The effective answer to the groundwater crisis is to integrate conservation and development activities, from water extraction to water management, at the local level; making communities aware and involving them fully is therefore critical for success.

General Studies – 2

Topic: Issues relating to poverty and hunger.

4. Critically examine the trends in poverty in India over the past decade and assess whether the poverty alleviation efforts have yielded dividends. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Tough

Reference: Live Mint

Why the question:

The Niti Aayog has published a discussion paper titled ‘Multidimensional Poverty in India since 2005-06.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the trends in poverty and successes and limitations of poverty alleviation measures in the country.

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 giving context.

Body:

First, write about the major trends in poverty in the past decade. Write about various statistic and reports which highlight poverty in the country. Cite major observations.

Next, write about the various poverty alleviation undertaken – their successes and shortcomings.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward to end poverty in the country.

Introduction

According to World Bank, Poverty is pronounced deprivation in well-being, and comprises many dimensions. It includes low incomes and the inability to acquire the basic goods and services necessary for survival with dignity. Poverty also encompasses low levels of health and education, poor access to clean water and sanitation, inadequate physical security, lack of voice, and insufficient capacity and opportunity to better one’s life.

The Niti Aayog has published a discussion paper titled ‘Multidimensional Poverty in India since 2005-06.’ It is a technical paper that examines our poverty trend over the past two decades. It estimates that nearly 250 million people escaped multidimensional poverty in the last nine years. This estimation is done by interpolating poverty numbers for 2013-14 and 2022-23, based on data extracted from National Family Health Survey rounds 3, 4 and 5 (i.e. from 2005 till 2021).

Body

Achievements in poverty alleviation over the years

• Decline in Extreme Poverty: Extreme poverty in India was 3% points lower in 2019 compared with 2011,as poverty headcount rate declined from 22.5% in 2011 to 10.2% in 2019, with a comparatively sharper decline in rural areas.
  • Slight moderation in consumption inequality since 2011, but by a margin smaller than what is reported in the unreleased National Sample Survey -2017.
  • The extent of poverty reduction during 2015-2019 is estimated to be notably lower than earlier projections based on growth in private final consumption expenditure reported in national account statistics.
  • The World Bank defines “extreme poverty” as living on less than USD 1.90 per person per day.
• Rural vs Urban Poverty: Poverty reduction washigher in rural areas compared with urban Indiaas rural poverty declined from 26.3% in 2011 to 11.6% in 2019, while in urban areas the decline was from 14.2% to 6.3% in the corresponding period.
  • Rural and urban poverty dropped by 7 and 7.9% points during 2011-2019.
  • Urban poverty in India rose by 2% in 2016, coinciding with the demonetisation, and rural poverty rose by 10% in 2019.
• Small Farmers: Smallholder farmers have experienced higher income growth.Real incomes for farmers with the smallest landholdings have grown by 10% in annualized terms between the two survey rounds (2013 and 2019) compared to a 2% growth for farmers with the largest landholding.
  • The growth in incomes of smallest landholders in rural areas provides more evidence of moderation in income disparity in rural areas.
  • Smallest landholders comprise a larger share of the poor population.This income includes wages, net receipt from crop production, net receipt from farming of animal farming and net receipt from non-farm business. Income from leasing out land has been exempted.

Various poverty alleviation programs in India since Independence:

• Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP): It was introduced in 1978-79 and universalized from 2nd October, 1980, aimed at providing assistance to the rural poor in the form of subsidy and bank credit for productive employment opportunities through successive plan periods.
• Jawahar Rozgar Yojana/Jawahar Gram Samriddhi Yojana: The JRY was meant to generate meaningful employment opportunities for the unemployed and underemployed in rural areas through the creation of economic infrastructure and community and social assets.
• Rural Housing – Indira Awaas Yojana: The Indira Awaas Yojana (LAY) programme aims at providing free housing to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families in rural areas and main targets would be the households of SC/STs.
• Food for Work Programme: It aims at enhancing food security through wage employment. Food grains are supplied to states free of cost, however, the supply of food grains from the Food Corporation of India (FCI) godowns has been slow.
• National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS):This pension is given by the central government. The job of implementation of this scheme in states and union territories is given to panchayats and municipalities. The states contribution may vary depending on the state. The amount of old age pension is ₹200 per month for applicants aged 60–79. For applicants aged above 80 years, the amount has been revised to ₹500 a month according to the 2011–2012 Budget. It is a successful venture.
• Annapurna:This scheme was started by the government in 1999–2000 to provide food to senior citizens who cannot take care of themselves and are not under the National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS), and who have no one to take care of them in their village. This scheme would provide 10 kg of free food grains a month for the eligible senior citizens. They mostly target groups of ‘poorest of the poor’ and ‘indigent senior citizens’.
• Sampoorna Gramin Rozgar Yojana (SGRY):The main objective of the scheme continues to be the generation of wage employment, creation of durable economic infrastructure in rural areas and provision of food and nutrition security for the poor.
• Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) 2005:The Act provides 100 days assured employment every year to every rural household. One-third of the proposed jobs would be reserved for women.  The central government will also establish National Employment Guarantee Funds. Similarly, state governments will establish State Employment Guarantee Funds for implementation of the scheme. Under the programme, if an applicant is not provided employment within 15 days s/he will be entitled to a daily unemployment allowance.
• National Rural Livelihood Mission: Ajeevika (2011):It evolves out the need to diversify the needs of the rural poor and provide them jobs with regular income on monthly basis. Self Help groups are formed at the village level to help the needy.
• National Urban Livelihood Mission:The NULM focuses on organizing urban poor in Self Help Groups, creating opportunities for skill development leading to market-based employment and helping them to set up self-employment ventures by ensuring easy access to credit.
• Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana: It will focus on fresh entrant to the labour market, especially labour market and class X and XII dropouts.
• Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana:It aimed at direct benefit transfer of subsidy, pension, insurance etc. and attained the target of opening 1.5 crore bank accounts. The scheme particularly targets the unbanked poor.

Assessment

• However, none resulted in any radical change in the ownership of assets, process of production and improvement of basic amenities to the needy.
• Scholars, while assessing these programmes, state three major areas of concern which prevent their successful implementation. Due to unequal distribution of land and other assets, the benefits from direct poverty alleviation programmes have been appropriated by the non-poor.
• Compared to the magnitude of poverty, the amount of resources allocated for these programmes is not sufficient. Moreover, these programmes depend mainly on government and bank officials for their implementation.
• Since such officials are ill motivated, inadequately trained, corruption prone and vulnerable to pressure from a variety of local elites, the resources are inefficiently used and wasted. There is also non-participation of local level institutions in programme implementation.
• Government policies have also failed to address the vast majority of vulnerable people who are living on or just above the poverty line. It also reveals that high growth alone is not sufficient to reduce poverty.
• Without the active participation of the poor, successful implementation of any programme is not possible

Measures needed

• Immediate support package will need to quickly reach both the existing and new poor.
  • While existing safety net programs can be mobilized to get cash into the pockets of some of the existing poor relatively quickly, this is not the case for the new poor.
  • In fact, the new poor are likely to look different from the existing poor, particularly in their location (mostly urban) and employment (mostly informal services, construction, and manufacturing).
  • the identification of poor and vulnerable groups is need of the hour.
  • India should consider fixing a universal basic income in the post-Covid period through a combination of cash transfers, expansion of MGNREGA, and introduction of an urban employment guarantee scheme
• Employment generation for the masses:
  • A large fiscal stimulus along with intermediate informal employment insurgency through MGNREGA and other employment generation programmes are urgent to rein the adverse impact of covid-19 on the welfare of the masses.
• Multilateral global institutions must support the developing nations:
  • Oxfam is calling on world leaders to agree on an Emergency Rescue Package of 2.5 trillion USD paid for through the immediate cancellation or postponement of 1 trillion in debt repayments, a 1 trillion increase in IMF Special Drawing Rights (international financial reserves), and an additional 500 billion in aid.
• An effective response in support of poor and vulnerable households will require significant additional fiscal resources.
  • Providing all the existing and new extreme poor with a cash transfer of $1/day (about half the value of the international extreme poverty line) for a month would amount to $20 billion —or $665 million per day over 30 days.
  • Given that impacts are likely to be felt by many non-poor households as well and that many households are likely to need support for much longer than a month, the sum needed for effective protection could be far higher.
• Decision-makers need timely and policy-relevant information on impacts and the effectiveness of policy responses.
  • This can be done using existing, publicly available data to monitor the unfolding economic and social impacts of the crisis, including prices, service delivery, and economic activity, as well as social sentiment and behaviours.
  • In addition, governments can use mobile technology to safely gather information from a representative sample of households or individuals.
  • Phone surveys can collect information on health and employment status, food security, coping strategies, access to basic services and safety nets and other outcomes closely related to the risk of falling (further) into poverty.

Conclusion and way forward

• The Global Multidimensional Poverty Index-2018released by the UN noted that 271 million people moved out of poverty between 2005-06 and 2015-16 in India. The poverty rate in the country has nearly halved, falling from 55% to 28% over the ten-year period. Still a big part of the population in India is living Below the Poverty Line.
• Rapid economic growth and the use of technology for social sector programs have helped make a significant dent in extreme poverty in the country.
• Despite rapid growth and development, an unacceptably high proportion of our population continues to suffer from severe and multidimensional deprivation. Thus, a more comprehensive and inclusive approach is required to eradicate poverty in India.

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

5. Phygital education, blending physical and digital education systems, holds great promise for improving learning outcomes in the country. Discuss. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Indian Express

Why the question:

ASER survey results show gaps in learning persist, but access to tech offers avenues beyond physical school.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the potential of Phygital education in improving learning outcomes and steps needs to make it a success.

Directive word: 

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

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Begin the defining Phygital education and giving its context.

Body:

In the first part, write about the potential of Phygital education in the country and how covid-19 was a boost for it. This hybrid approach combines the strengths of traditional classroom settings with the advantages offered by digital technologies.

Next, write about the limitations of the above.

Next, in detail write about steps that are required to create enabling infrastructure for Phygital education in India – making it multi-lingual and accessible, reate engaging, immersive learning experiences, create strong learning communities and Improve the quality of instruction on digital platforms etc.

Conclusion:

Conclude with a way forward.

Introduction

Phygital Education or Blended learning in simple words is the amalgamation of physical learning and digital learning. Covid-19 pandemic made us look into the new way of imparting education that is through “blended learning”. The latest ASER survey results show gaps in learning persist, but access to tech offers avenues beyond physical school.

Body

Potential of phygital education

• Phygital education has been most sought out in the recent times as there is a considerable drop seen students’ interest in learning new things dwindling more than ever.
• This is seconded with insanely high amount of dropout rates being witnessed by educational institutions worldwide.
• The world is evolving today at a breakneck pace and so are the demands to survive in it.
• Phygital education is a kind of learning that not only helps students upskill their soft skills but also explore different career paths to be prepared for tomorrow.
• Phygital learning has the capability to ditch the monotony of regular schooling by reforming education.
• It has the opportunity to foster a lucrative environment that inspires each student to take strides of innovation by upskilling and birthing the much-needed inquisitiveness in them towards everyday learning.
• Gamification of learning a much optimistic way of making students master difficult to grasp concepts has been possible because of phygital education. This approach is especially helpful for young learners who have a shorter attention span and have a natural love for gaming.
• It provides a new edge to the tedious everyday wearisome learning by motivating students as it uses video game design and game elements in traditional learning environments.
• The outcome- maximized enjoyment and engagement in capturing the interest of learners and inspiration added in them to continue learning.

Challenges in Phygital education

• Majority colleges in rural areas: The latest All India Survey on Higher Education (2019-20) report shows that 56% of the 42,343 colleges in India are located in rural areasand 78.6% are privately managed.
• Poor internet penetration:Internet penetration in India is only 45% as of January 2021. This policy will only worsen the existing geographical and digital divide resulting in the exclusion of a large number of rural students.
• All-round development hampered: Phygital learning leaves little room for the all-round formation of the student that includes the development of their intelligent quotient, emotional quotient, social quotient, physical quotient and spiritual quotient.
• Dropout rates might increase: Blended learning mode assumes that all students who enter the arena of higher education have similar learning styles and have a certain amount of digital literacy to cope with the suggested learning strategies of BL. This is far from true.
• Education in India is driven by a teacher-centred approach. Expecting these students to switch over quickly to collaborative and technology-enabled learning will be stressful for them. It may increase the existing dropout rate in higher education.

Way forward

• Equity in access: The government should ensure equity in access to technology and bandwidth for all HEIs across the country free of cost.
• Hassle-free access to students: building their digital literacy through simple, concise learning modules on how to operate a device and engage with a digital platform. Providing on-call support with minimum wait time via call centres, chatbots, etc, will help them overcome teething issues.
• Digital training for teachers: Massive digital training programmes must be arranged for teachers.
• Appointment of new teachers: Even the teacher-student ratio needs to be readjusted to implement BL effectively. This may require the appointment of a greater number of teachers.
• Curriculum design: The design of the curriculum should be decentralized and based on a bottom-up approach.  Curriculum frameworks need to be developed that encourage the creation of competency-based micro modular courses.
• Also, switching over from a teacher-centric mode of learning at schools to the BL mode at the tertiary level will be difficult for learners. Hence, the government must think of overhauling the curriculum at the school level as well.
• More power with state governments: More power in such education-related policymaking should be vested with the State governments.
• Periodic feedback and discussion: Finally, periodical discussions, feedback mechanisms and support services at all levels would revitalize the implementation of the learning programme of the National Education Policy 2020 and BL. It’ll lead to the realization of three fundamental principles of education policy: access, equity and quality.
• The government of our country actively endorsing and initiating steps in the field of Phygital learning makes us believe more in the fact that it is here to stay in India and is the future of learning.
• The government’s vision of a digital university to reach all students across the country, with its promise of personalized teaching at the doorstep, should be considered a landmark step in Indian education.

Conclusion

Phygital education has the potential to transform education in India. It is the future because it contextualizes and reimagines education. Blended education opens up immense opportunities for capacity building among frontline workers. It holds high empowerment potential because it can enable adults, especially women, resume education. Phygital education can serve as an engine of economic growth and a transformative force that empowers every Indian.

General Studies – 3

Topic: Major crops-cropping patterns in various parts of the country, – different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers

6. Climate-resilient systems incorporate adaptive strategies to cope with the changing climate. This includes the use of climate-smart agricultural practices that are responsive to variations in temperature, precipitation, and extreme weather events. Discuss. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: The Hindu

Why the question:

Developing an investment forum in the agriculture sector is the key agenda of the two-day conclave on Advancing Climate Resilient Agri-food Systems in India which is jointly organised by the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog), Ministry of Agriculture, and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO).

Key Demand of the question: 

To bring out the interlinkage between climate change, farming, poverty alleviation and food security in India and the role climate smart agriculture can play in this regard.

Directive word: 

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

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Begin by defining climate smart agriculture.

Body:

First, write about describing the vagaries of agriculture brought about by climate change such as higher ambient temperatures, less predictable rains, frequent droughts and cyclones.

Next, write about the major features of climate smart agriculture and benefits offered by climate smart agriculture – increase sustainable productivity, strengthen farmers’ resilience, reduce agriculture’s greenhouse gas emissions and increase carbon sequestration. Substantiate with examples.

Next, mention the limitations associated with by climate smart agriculture and ways to overcome it.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward.

Introduction

FAO defines Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) as “agriculture that sustainably increases productivity, enhances resilience (adaptation), reduces/removes GHGs (mitigation) where possible, and enhances achievement of national food security and development goals”

Developing an investment forum in the agriculture sector is the key agenda of the two-day conclave on Advancing Climate Resilient Agri-food Systems in India which is jointly organised by the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog), Ministry of Agriculture, and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO).

Body

Need for Climate-Smart agriculture in India

• India’s agricultural ecosystem is distinguished by high monsoon dependence and with 85% small and marginal landholdings, it is highly sensitive to weather abnormalities.
• There has been less than normal rainfall during the last four years, with 2014 and 2015 declared as drought years.
• There are also reports of an escalation in heat waves, which in turn affecting crops, aquatic systems and livestock.
• The Economic Survey 2017-18 has estimated farm income losses between 15% and 18% on average, which could rise to 20%-25% for unirrigated areas without any policy interventions.
• These projections underline the need for strategic change in dealing with climate change in agriculture.
• There will be an increased risk of pests and diseases due to change in the pattern of host and pathogen interaction. For every two-degree rise in temperature, the agriculture GDP of India will reduce by five percent.
• The recent locust attack is also attributed to climate change, which can have highly disastrous effect on food security.
• Poor agricultural performance can lead to inflation, farmer distress and unrest, and larger political and social disaffection, all of which can hold back the economy. It will force farmers to either adapt to challenges of climate change or face the risk of getting poorer.

Climate Smart Agriculture: Solving food security and climate change problems

• Increased productivity: Produce more food to improve food and nutrition security and boost the incomes of 75 percent of the world’s poor who live in rural areas and mainly rely on agriculture for their livelihoods.
• Enhanced resilience: Reduce vulnerability to drought, pests, disease, and other shocks; and improve capacity to adapt and grow in the face of longer-term stresses like shortened seasons and erratic weather patterns.
• Reduced emissions: Pursue lower emissions for each calorie or kilo of food produced, avoid deforestation from agriculture and identify ways to suck carbon out of the atmosphere.
• The climate-smart agriculture approach seeks to reduce trade-offs to make crop and livestock systems, forestry, and fisheries and aquaculture more productive and more sustainable.
• Climate-smart agriculture explicitly looks for where there are synergies and trade-offs among food security, adaptation and mitigation. Climate smart agriculture works through several dimensions to reorient agricultural development and management to take climate change into account.
• Management of farms, crops, livestock, aquaculture and capture fisheries to balance near-term food security and livelihoods needs with priorities for adaptation and mitigation.
• Ecosystem and landscape management to conserve ecosystem services that are important for food security, agricultural development, adaptation and mitigation.

Way forward and Conclusion

• Farmers, especially smallholder farmers, need handholding during their scaling up to adopt CSA.
• Mobile telecommunication systems are increasingly cost-effective and an efficient way of delivering weather-based agro-advisories to farmers at a large scale (Kisan app).
  Radio (especially community radio), television, newspapers, folk media, and village level public address systems will also need to be used to bridge this “communication divide.”
• Weather-based agro-advisories must be locale-specific, crop-and farmer-specific; need to also recommend soil, water, and biodiversity conservation practices. Integrating this with Soil Health Card scheme will be a good step forward.
• Build adaptive capacities to climate variability and strengthen the sustainability of farming systems.
• On-site training and awareness campaigns, technology demonstrations, farmer-specialist interactions, and engagement with local governance bodies.
• Soil health and need-based irrigation management need to be addressed adequately.
• Closer collaboration between public, civil society, and private technology and financial service providers so that farmers get access to accurate information, and affordable technologies.

Conclusion

Overall, climate-smart agriculture is a crucial approach for ensuring the sustainability and resilience of agricultural systems in the face of climate change, while also contributing to broader environmental and socio-economic goals.

General Studies – 4

Topic: laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance;

7. Rights dominate modern understandings of what actions are morally permissible and which institutions are ethically just. Elaborate. (150 words)

Difficulty level: Tough

Why the question:

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

Key Demand of the question:

To write about how Moral philosophies guide our moral compass to describe conscience, our inner sense of right and wrong offers a framework to guide our actions.

Directive:

Elaborate – Give a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the particular context. You must be defining key terms where ever appropriate, and substantiate with relevant associated facts.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction:

Start by describing what you understand by the concept rights in modern day.

Body:

Elaborate on how the moral rights aids in deciding what right from is wrong. Use examples to substantiate your points. Example, Rights Theory that obligates us to respect the rights of others and live up to our obligations towards them.

Conclusion:

Complete by summarising.

Introduction

Rights theory, also known as rights-based ethics or deontological ethics, is a moral framework that emphasizes the importance of individual rights and duties. It asserts that certain actions are inherently right or wrong, regardless of their consequences, and that individuals have fundamental rights that should be respected.

Body

John Locke believed in the concept of natural rights, which he argued were inherent to human beings by virtue of their existence. He identified three primary natural rights: life, liberty, and property. The idea of human rights and universal human rights came from this concept.

Concept of rights

• Inherent Rights: Rights theory posits that individuals possess certain inherent rights simply by virtue of being human. These rights are not contingent on societal or legal recognition; they exist regardless of external factors.
• Universal and Inalienable: Rights are considered universal, meaning they apply to all individuals regardless of their culture, nationality, or any other characteristic. Additionally, they are viewed as inalienable, meaning they cannot be taken away or surrendered, even if an individual desires to do so.
• Negative vs. Positive Rights: Negative rights are rights that impose a duty on others to refrain from interfering with an individual’s freedom (e.g., the right to free speech, the right to privacy). Positive rights, on the other hand, require action to fulfill them (e.g., the right to education, the right to healthcare).
• Duties and Obligations: Rights theory emphasizes that with every right comes a corresponding duty or obligation. For example, if individuals have a right to life, then others have a duty not to intentionally take that life.
• Moral Autonomy: Rights theory respects the autonomy and agency of individuals. It holds that individuals have the capacity to make moral decisions for themselves and should be allowed to exercise their rights within the bounds of a just society.
• Conflict Resolution: In situations where rights conflict, rights theory may require a careful examination to determine which right takes precedence. This can be a complex process, as not all rights are absolute, and some may be subject to reasonable limitations.

Role of Rights in the contemporary moral and ethical framework

• Individual Autonomy and Dignity: Rights recognize the inherent worth and dignity of every individual. They affirm that each person possesses a set of fundamental entitlements that should be respected, irrespective of their social status, identity, or circumstances.
• Moral Foundations of Law: Rights often form the basis of legal systems in democratic societies. Laws are crafted to protect and uphold individual rights, providing a framework for resolving disputes, ensuring fair treatment, and maintaining social order.
• Limiting Government Power: Rights serve as a check on government authority. They establish boundaries on what governments can and cannot do, preventing them from infringing upon the liberties and freedoms of citizens. This limitation is crucial in preventing authoritarianism and safeguarding democracy.
• Balancing Conflicting Interests: Rights provide a framework for resolving conflicts between individuals or groups with competing interests. For instance, when the right to free speech clashes with the right to privacy, ethical deliberation and legal interpretation are necessary to find a just balance.
• Social Justice and Equality: Rights theory forms the basis for discussions on social justice. It prompts questions about the distribution of resources, opportunities, and benefits within a society. This perspective is particularly relevant in addressing issues of inequality and discrimination.
• Ethical Dilemmas: Rights theory helps navigate complex ethical dilemmas. When faced with difficult decisions, considering the rights of all parties involved can guide us towards morally defensible courses of action.
• International Human Rights: The concept of rights has been extended beyond national borders, leading to the development of international human rights frameworks. These agreements, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, provide a global standard for the treatment of individuals and set expectations for states’ behavior.
• Responsibilities and Duties: Alongside rights come responsibilities and duties. Recognizing that individuals have rights implies that others have corresponding obligations to respect and protect those rights. This reciprocal relationship is essential for maintaining a just and stable society.
• Cultural and Moral Pluralism: The notion of rights allows for diverse perspectives and values to coexist within a society. It provides a framework for negotiating differences while upholding the dignity and autonomy of all individuals.
• Dynamic and Evolving Concept: The understanding of rights is not static. It evolves over time in response to changing social, political, and technological landscapes. This adaptability ensures that the concept remains relevant in addressing emerging ethical challenges.

Conclusion

In summary, the concept of rights forms a cornerstone of contemporary moral and ethical frameworks. It anchors discussions on justice, liberty, and the responsibilities we have towards one another. By recognizing and upholding rights, societies strive to create environments that respect individual autonomy, promote fairness, and foster the well-being of all members.

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