[Mission 2024] Insights SECURE SYNOPSIS: 29 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: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.

1.  Sufi saints’ teachings and practices resonated with people from various religious backgrounds, contributing to a cultural and spiritual tapestry that emphasized the shared humanity of all individuals. Explain. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Indian Express , Insights on India.

Why the question:

The article discusses the life and teachings of Punjabi Sufi poet Bulle Shah.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the features of Sufi movement and its impact.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Begin by giving context of the origin and rise of Sufi movement

Body:

First, write about the various features of the Sufi movement – nature, austerity, liberalism, tolerance etc.

Next, write about the detailed impact of Sufi movement and contribution of Sufi saints on the various aspects of society.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing about the legacy of the Sufi movement.

Introduction

Sufis were a group of religious-minded people who turned to asceticism and mysticism in protest against the growing materialism of the Caliphate as a religious and political institution. Sufism entered India in the 12th century with Muslim invaders and became popular in the 13th century. The socio-religious movement saw many mystic Sufis, who were unorthodox Muslim saints. These Sufis had a deep study of vedantic philosophy and had come in contact with great sages and seers of India.  Sufism emphasizes upon leading a simple life. Sufi saints preached in Arabic, Persian and Urdu etc. The Sufis were divided into 12 orders each under a mystic Sufi saint like Khwaja Moinuddin Chisthi, Fariuddin Ganj-i-Shakar, Nizam-ud-din Auliya etc.

Body

The word ‘Sufi’ derives its name from another Arabic word ‘Suf which means wool. The Muslim saints who wore garments of coarse wool began to be called Sufi saints. The Sufi saints lived and worked in the midst of the common people. They needed to reach out to common people in order to spread their socio-religious and philosophical messages. They did everything to establish brotherhood, love and friendship between the Hindus and Muslims.

Features of Sufism in India

• Sufism derives is inspiration from Islam.
• While the orthodox Muslims depend upon external conduct and blind observance of religious rituals, the Sufi saints seek inner purity.
• They were critical of the dogmatic definitions and scholastic methods of interpreting the Qur’an and sunna (traditions of the Prophet) adopted by theologians.
• Instead, they laid emphasis on seeking salvation through intense devotion and love for God by following His commands, and by following the example of the Prophet Muhammad whom they regarded as a perfect human being.
• The sufis thus sought an interpretation of the Qur’an on the basis of their personal experience
• Devotion is more important than fast (Roza) or prayer (Namaz).
• Sufis bridged the communal divide as is evidenced by the reverence the Subcontinent’s non-Muslim population exhibited for Sufi saints. Sufism around the world and in the Subcontinent had the depth to connect beyond caste, creed and gender

Impact of Sufism:

• Sufism does not believe in caste system.
• They broke all societal rules and stereotypes, and lived their lives as they pleased.
• They awakened a new sense of confidence and attempted to redefine social and religious values. Saints like Kabir and Nanak stressed upon the reordering of society along egalitarian lines. Their call to social equality attracted many a downtrodden.
• The efforts of Sufi saints helped to lessen religious fanaticism in India.
• Their stress on social welfare led to the establishment of works of charitable naturee. opening of orphanages and women service centres.
• A notable contribution of the Sufis was their service to the poorer and downtrodden sections of society. Nizamuddin Auliya was famous for distributing gifts amongst the needy irrespective of religion or caste.
• The efforts of Sufi saints helped to promote equality and lessen the evils of casteism. They also tried to infuse a spirit of piety and morality.
• Sufism also inculcated a spirit of tolerance among its followers.
• At a time when struggle for political power was the prevailing madness, the Sufi saints reminded men of their moral obligations. To a world torn by strife and conflict they tried to bring peace and harmony.
• Other ideas emphasised by Sufism are meditation, good actions, repentance for sins, performance of prayers and pilgrimages, fasting, charity and suppression of passions by ascetic practices.

Conclusion

Sufi movement a deep-rooted change came about to lay the foundations of a liberal and composite Indian society. The Sufi movement is a characteristics feature of the medieval Indian Period. As the Sufi saints’ holiness, asceticism and relatively open hospices appealed to the masses and numerous followers thronged to them

Topic: History of the world will include events from 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc.— their forms and effect on the society.

2. The Second World War was caused by several interconnected factors that contributed to the outbreak of the war. Elaborate. (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 in detail the factors that caused the Second World War

Directive word: 

Elaborate – Give 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: 

Begin by giving context.

Body:

First, Mention the causes of world war-II – Harsh conditions imposed on Germany by the Treaty of Versailles after World War I, Rise of totalitarian regimes with aggressive foreign policies (Hitler, Mussolini, Hirohito), Policy of appeasement by Western democracies and Failure of the League of Nations etc.

Next, write about its impact.

Conclusion:

Conclude by summarising.

Introduction

The instability created in Europe by the First World War (1914-18) set the stage for another international conflict—World War II—which broke out two decades later and would prove even more devastating. Rising to power in an economically and politically unstable Germany, Adolf Hitler, leader of the Nazi Party, rearmed the nation and signed strategic treaties with Italy and Japan to further his ambitions of world domination.

Body:

Factors responsible for Second World war:

Treaty of Versailles

• Following World War, I, the victorious Allied Powers met to decide Germany’s future. Germany was forced to sign the Treaty of Versailles.
• Under this treaty, Germany had to accept guilt for the war and to pay reparations. Germany lost territory and was prohibited from having a large military.
• The humiliation faced by Germany under this treaty, paved the way for the spread of Ultra-Nationalism in Germany.

Failure of the League of Nations

• The League of Nations was an international organization set up in 1919 to keep world peace.
• It was intended that all countries would be members and that if there were disputes between countries, they could be settled by negotiation rather than by force.
• The League of Nations was a good idea, but ultimately a failure, as not all countries joined the league.
• Also, the League had no army to prevent military aggression such as Italy’s invasion of Ethiopia in Africa or Japan’s invasion of Manchuria in China.

Rise of Fascism

• Victors’ stated aims in World War I had been “to make the world safe for democracy,” and post-war Germany was made to adopt a democratic constitution, as did most of the other states restored or created after the war.
• In the 1920s, however, the wave of nationalistic, militaristic totalitarianism known by its Italian name, fascism.
• It promised to minister to peoples’ wants more effectively than democracy and presented itself as the one sure defence against communism.
• Benito Mussolini established the first Fascist, European dictatorship during the interwar period in Italy in 1922.

Rise of Nazism

• Adolf Hitler, the Leader of the German National Socialist (Nazi) party, preached a racist brand of fascism.
• Hitler promised to overturn the Versailles Treaty, restore German wealth & glory and secure additional Lebensraum (“living space”) for the German people, who he contended deserve more as members of a superior race.
• In 1933 Hitler became the German Chancellor, and in a series of subsequent moves established himself as dictator.
• Moreover, in 1941 the Nazi regime unleashed a war of extermination against Slavs, Jews, and other elements deemed inferior by Hitler’s ideology.

Policy of Appeasement

• Hitler openly denounced the Treaty of Versailles and began secretly building up Germany’s army and weapons.
• Although Britain and France knew of Hitler’s actions, they thought a stronger Germany would stop the spread of Communism from Russia.
• An example of appeasement was the Munich Agreement of September 1938. In the Agreement, Britain and France allowed Germany to annex areas in Czechoslovakia where German-speakers lived.
  • Germany agreed not to invade the rest of Czechoslovakia or any other country. However, in March 1939, Germany broke its promise and invaded the rest of Czechoslovakia.
  • Even then, neither Britain nor France was prepared to take military action.

Great Depression of 1929

• The worldwide economic depression of the 1930s took its toll in different ways in Europe and Asia.
• In Europe, political power shifted to totalitarian and imperialist governments in several countries, including Germany, Italy, and Spain.
• In Asia, a resource-starved Japan began to expand aggressively, invading China and manoeuvring to control a sphere of influence in the Pacific.

Ideological Conflict:

• Dictatorship vs. Democracy.
• Another cause of World War II was the ideological conflict between dictatorships on the one hand and democracies on the other.
• Germany, Italy and Japan (Axis states) stood for dictatorship, war and imperialism, while Britain, France and the U.S.A. stood for democracy, peace and status quo.
• The ideological conflict between the former and the latter prevented the adoption of a peaceful and balanced approach to the settlement of their disputes.

Problem of National Minorities:

• The Paris Peace Conference failed to solve the problem of settling the minorities.
• US President Wilson had advocated the need to base the peace treaty on the principle of self-determination.
• But due to several social, cultural, religious, economic and military factors, it was found difficult to operationalize this principle.
• Consequently, in many states minorities opposed to each other were left under an alien rule.
• For example, a large number of Germans were left in Poland, Czechoslovakia and Austria.

Conclusion:

After the end of the war, a conference was held in Potsdam, Germany, to set up peace treaties. The countries that fought with Hitler lost territory and had to pay reparations to the Allies. Germany and its capital Berlin were divided into four parts. The zones were to be controlled by Great Britain, the United States, France and the Soviet Union. The three western Allies and the Soviet Union disagreed on many things and as time went on Germany was divided into two separate countries: East Germany, which had a Communist government and West Germany, which was a democratic state. This laid the foundation of the Cold War.

Topic: History of the world will include events from 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc.— their forms and effect on the society.

3. World War I acted as a catalyst for the Russian Revolution by exacerbating economic difficulties, leading to military failures, and fostering social unrest. Analyse. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Insights on India

Why the question:

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

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the causes of Russian revolution and how world war I influenced the revolution in Russia.

Directive word: 

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

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Write about the outbreak of Russian revolution during the course of World War-I.

Body:

In the first part, mention the causes of the Russian Revolution – Political, Administrative, Economic and ideological – Link how the world war exacerbated these causes which made the revolution inevitable.

Next, write in detail, the role of World War-I in the outbreak of the revolution.

Conclusion:

Summarise that chain of events led to the collapse of monarchy in Russia and marked the demise of Romanov dynasty.

Introduction

In 1913, Tsar Nicholas II celebrated the tercentenary of Romanov rule in Russia. He and his dynasty ruled over a huge empire, stretching from central Europe to the Pacific Ocean and from the Arctic to the borders of Afghanistan.

Just five years after the celebrations, Nicholas and his family would be dead, executed by the Bolsheviks, while his empire would be defeated in the World War and wracked by revolutions, civil wars and foreign interventions.

Body

World War I fuelled the Russian revolution

During the war: 1914-1916

• At Tannenberg and the First Battle of the Masurian Lakes, in 1914, Russia lost two entire armies (over 250,000 men).
• This failed Russian advance into East Prussia did disrupt Germany’s Schlieffen Plan and thus probably prevented the fall of Paris, but it also signalled the beginning of an unrelenting Russian retreat on the northern sector of the Eastern Front.
• By the middle of 1915 all of Russian Poland and Lithuania, and most of Latvia, were overrun by the German army.
• Fortunately for the Russians, they did better in 1916. The supply of rifles and artillery shells to the Eastern Front was vastly improved, and in the Brusilov Offensive of June 1916, Russia achieved significant victories over the Austrians
• However, the country’s political and economic problems were greatly exacerbated by the war. Many factors – including the militarisation of industry and crises in food supply – threatened disaster on the home front.
• Added to this cocktail were rumours that the tsarina, Alexandra, and her favourite, the infamous Rasputin, were German spies.
• The rumours were unfounded, but by November 1916 influential critics of the regime were asking whether Russia’s misfortunes – including 1,700,000 military dead and 5,000,000 wounded – were a consequence of ‘stupidity or treason’.

1917: From February to October

• Food riots, demonstrations and a mutiny at the Petrograd Garrison in February 1917 forced Nicholas II to abdicate as war still continued.
• A Provisional Government led by liberals and moderate socialists was proclaimed, and its leaders hoped now to pursue the war more effectively.
• Real power in Russia after the February Revolution, however, lay with the socialist leaders of the Petrograd (later All-Russian) Soviet of Workers’ and Soldiers’ Deputies, who were elected by popular mandate (unlike the ministers of the Provisional Government).
• Against this background, the war minister Kerensky of the Provisional Government hoped to strengthen Russia’s hand with a new Russian offensive on the Eastern Front in June.
• Anarchist and Bolshevik agitators played their own part in destroying the Russian Army’s ability to fight.
• Many anti-war radicals, along with the Bolshevik leader, Vladimir Lenin, were ferried home from exile in Switzerland in April 1917, courtesy of the German General Staff.
• The summer offensive was a disaster. Peasant soldiers deserted enmasse to join the revolution, and fraternisation with the enemy became common.
• Meanwhile, in an attempt to restore order and resist the German counter-offensive, most of the generals and forces of the political right threw their weight behind a plan for a military coup, under the Russian Army’s commander-in-chief, General Kornilov.
• The coup failed and the generals and the conservatives who had backed Kornilov felt betrayed by Kerensky
• The only winners were the Bolsheviks, with Lenin at their head, who were able to topple Kerensky and take power in the October Revolution of 1917- without significant resistance from either the government or the army.

Conclusion

Thus, we can see that the turn of events for a liberal rule from 1905 got entangled with the Russia’s entry into WW-1. The events in WW-1 inturn aggravated the Russian revolution.

General Studies – 2

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

4. Uniform Civil Code (UCC) remains a matter of ongoing debate, and any decision on this front would require a delicate balance between principles of equality, cultural sensitivity, and the legal rights of diverse communities. Examine. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Tough

Reference: Indian Express

Why the question:

On Republic Day, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced that the Uniform Civil Code Bill will be passed on February 5.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the UCC and India’s readiness in this regard.

Directive:

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:

Introduce the concept of a Uniform Civil Code.

Body:

First, write about how the UCC can promote gender equality by ensuring equal rights and opportunities for women and men, upholding personal freedoms by respecting individual choices, social harmony by fostering a common legal framework and reducing disparities in personal laws.

Next, write about the limitations of UCC.

Conclusion:

Conclude by giving a balanced opinion.

Introduction

The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in India proposes to replace the personal laws based on the scriptures and customs of each major religious community in the country with a common set of laws governing every citizen.

The constitution has a provision for Uniform Civil Code in Article 44, as a Directive Principle of State Policy which states that “The State shall endeavour to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India.”

On Republic Day, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced that the Uniform Civil Code Bill will be passed on February 5.

Body

Issues with personal laws in India

• Communalism: Different personal laws promote communalism and it leads to discrimination at two levels.
  • First, between people of different religions.
  • Second, between the two sexes
• Gender bias: Another reason why a uniform civil code is needed is gender justice. The rights of women are usually limited under religious law, be it Hindu or Muslim.
  • The practice of triple talaq was a classic example. Even today polygamous marriages are allowed in certain religions which may deny rights to a woman.
• Against fundamental rights: Many practices governed by religious tradition are at odds with the fundamental rights guaranteed in the Indian Constitution.
  • Courts have also often said in their judgements that the government should move towards a uniform civil code including the judgement in the Shah Bano case.
  • The Supreme Court in Shayara Bano case (2017) had declared the practise of Triple Talaq (talaq-e-bidat) as unconstitutional.

Role of UCC to bring a balance in development of the nation

A secular republic needs a common law for all citizens rather than differentiated rules based on religious practices.

• Protection to Vulnerable Section of Society:

• • The UCC aims to provide protection to vulnerable sections as envisaged by Ambedkar including women and religious minorities, while also promoting nationalistic fervour through unity.

• Simplification of Laws:

• • The code will simplify the complex laws around marriage ceremonies, inheritance, succession, adoptions making them one for all. The same civil law will then be applicable to all citizens irrespective of their faith.

• Adhering to Ideal of Secularism:

• • Secularism is the objective enshrined in the Preamble; a secular republic needs a common law for all citizens rather than differentiated rules based on religious practices.

• Gender Justice:

• • If a UCC is enacted, all personal laws will cease to exist. It will do away with gender biases in existing laws.

Arguments against UCC in India

The Law commission made certain sharp observation in this regard as follows.

• According to the 21st Law commission, a uniform civil code “is neither necessary nor desirable at this stage”.
• Commission suggests certainmeasures in marriage and divorce that should be uniformly accepted in the personal laws of all religions.
• Cultural diversity cannot be compromised to the extent that our urge for uniformity itself becomes a reason for threat to the territorial integrity of the nation.
• A unified nation did not necessarilyneed to have “uniformity”. ”Efforts have to be made to reconcile our diversity with universal and indisputable arguments on human rights.
• In fact, term“secularism” has meaning only if it assured the expression of any form of difference. This diversity, both religious and regional, should not get subsumed under the louder voice of the majority.
• At the same time, the Commission said, discriminatory practices within a religionshould not hide behind the cloak of that faith to gain legitimacy.
• It said the way forward may not be a uniform civil code,but the codification of all personal laws so that prejudices and stereotypes in every one of them would come to light and could be tested on the anvil of fundamental rights of the Constitution.
• By codification of different personal laws, one can arrive at certain universal principles that prioritise equity rather than imposition of a uniform code, which would discourage many from using the law altogether, given that matters of marriage and divorce can also be settled extra-judicially.
• Significantly, the Commission suggested that nikahnama s should make it clear that polygamy is a criminal offence and this should apply to “all communities”.
  • This is not recommended owing to merely a moral position on bigamy, or to glorify monogamy, but emanates from the fact that only a man is permitted multiple wives, which is unfair

Way forward

• The social transformation from diverse civil code to uniformity shall be gradual and cannot happen in a day. Therefore, the government must adopt a “Piecemeal” approach.
• Government could bring separateaspects such as marriage, adoption, succession and maintenance into a uniform civil code in stages
• Government must emulate Goan practice of a common civil code, which has been the law since 1867, when the state was under the Portuguese colonial rule.
• Moreover, when constitution espouses the cause of Uniform civil code in its article 44, it shouldn’t be misconstrued to be a “common law”.
• The word uniform here means that all communities must be governed by uniform principles of gender justice and human justice.
• It will mean modernization and humanization of each personal law.
• It would mean, not a common law, but different personal laws based on principles of equality, liberty and justice.
• Government has to take steps towards increasing the awareness among the public, especially minorities, about the importance of having a UCC.

Conclusion

If the framers of the Constitution had intended to have a Uniform Civil Code, they would have given exclusive jurisdiction to Parliament in respect of personal laws, by including this subject in the Union List. Even the law commission has suggested in against of the idea. The government needs to find a moral backing a unanimous support across the sections of the society to undertake such an move.

General Studies – 3

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

5. Managing inflation and its impact on the savings rate requires a coordinated effort from policymakers, central banks, and individuals. Analyse. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Easy

Reference: Business Insider , Insights on India

Why the question:

The article explains the impact of inflation.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about inflation, its impact and measures needed to keep it under control.

Directive word: 

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

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Begin by defining inflation.

Body:

First, write about the impact of inflation on various macroeconomic parameters – savings, purchasing power, growth, cost of living, availability of credit and exchange rates etc.

Next, write about the measures that are taken to keep inflation under tolerable limits – the monetary policy measures, fiscal policy measures and price control measures.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward.

Introduction

Inflation refers to the rise in the prices of most goods and services of daily or common use, such as food, clothing, housing, recreation, transport, consumer staples, etc. Inflation measures the average price change in a basket of commodities and services over time. The opposite and rare fall in the price index of this basket of items is called ‘deflation’. Inflation is indicative of the decrease in the purchasing power of a unit of a country’s currency. This is measured in percentage.

Body

Impact of Inflation on various macroeconomic parameters

• Inflation is a decrease in the purchasing power of currency due to a rise in prices across the economy.
  • For instance, the average price of a cup of coffee was a 50 paisa. Today the price is closer to 25 Rupees.
• The value of currency unit decreases which impacts the cost of living in the country.
• When the rate of inflation is high, the cost of living also increases, which leads to a deceleration in economic growth.
• However, a healthy inflation rate (2-3%) is considered positive because it directly results in increasing wages and corporate profitability and maintains capital flowing in a growing economy.

Factors for the high rate of inflation in the Indian economy

• Fuel prices: The government has increased taxation of energy to raise resources.
  • Since energy is used for all production, prices of all goods and services tend to rise and push up the rate of inflation.
  • Further, this is an indirect tax, it is regressive and impacts the poor disproportionately It also makes the RBI’s task of controlling inflation difficult.
• Supply shortage: The lockdowns disrupted supplies and that added to shortages and price rise.

• • Prices of medicines and medical equipment rose dramatically.
  • Prices of items of day-to-day consumption also rose.
  • Fruits and vegetable prices rose since these items could not reach the urban markets.

• International factors: Most major economies have recovered and demand for inputs has increased while supplies have remained disrupted (like chips for automobiles).

• • So, commodity and input prices have risen (like in the case of metals).
  • Businesses claim increase in input costs underlies price rise.

• Data collection and methodology: In April and May 2020, data on production and prices could not be collected due to the strict lockdown.

• • So, the current data on prices for April to July 2021 are not comparable with the same months of 2020.
  • As such, the official inflation figures for these months in 2021 do not reflect the true picture.

• Weak Rupee: The weakening of the rupee also added to inflation.

Measures to keep the inflation under control

• Monetary policy Measures: Maintaining price stability is the foremost objective of the monetary policy committee of RBI. However, during the pandemic, growth has taken centre stage and RBI has rightly cut interest rates.
• Commodity prices: GoI needs to remove supply side bottlenecks. For example, GoI can immediately offload 10-20% of its pulses stock with NAFED in the open market.
• Fuel prices: Bringing them under GST would reduce the prices by at least 30 rupees. GST council must agree to this with haste.
• Policy measures: Navigating out of this will need a fiscal stimulus to shore up consumer spending, an investment revival to increase the productive capacity of the economy, and a careful management of inflationary expectations.
• Concomitantly, the government will also need to pursue redistribution of income to reduce the widening disparity.
• This also calls for fiscal prudence to cut wasteful spending, find new revenue through asset sales, mining and spectrum auctions, and build investor confidence.

Conclusion

With the rise in inflation amidst a second wave, the balancing acumen of the MPC will now be sorely tested. Factors like rising commodity prices, supply chain disruptions are expected to raise overall domestic inflation. Economists have pointed at India’s K-shaped recovery where a few have benefitted while others have fallen sharply behind. Big companies have benefitted and increased market share, revenues and profits sharply. They have also taken advantage of low interest rates to decrease the cost of their borrowings. Small and medium companies, struggling with falling revenues and cash flows, have not been able to take advantage of the rates. Hence inflation must also be controlled while growth is focussed upon.

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

6. “Make in India” initiative was launched with an aim to promote manufacturing and boost economic growth by encouraging domestic production within the country. Critically examine its performance. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Tough

Reference: Live Mint

Why the question:

The ‘Make in India’ initiative has played a pivotal role in expanding India’s manufacturing capacity, attracting significant investments across several industries.

Key Demand of the question: 

To write about the successes of Make in India and its limitations.

Directive word: 

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

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Start by writing about aims and objectives of Make in India.

Body:

Firstly, in detail, mention the various achievements of the initiative. Cite facts and figures to substantiate.

Next, write about the limitations of the scheme and suggest improvements to it.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward.

Introduction

Make in India aims to transform the country into a leading global manufacturing and investment destination. It is being led by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. It is an open invitation to potential investors and partners across the globe to participate in the growth story of ‘New India’. Make In India has substantial accomplishments across 27 sectors under Make in India 2.0 which include strategic sectors of manufacturing and services as well.

Body

Objectives:

• To attract foreign investment fornew industrialisation and develop the already existing industry base in India to surpass that of China.
• Target of anincrease in manufacturing sector growth to 12-14% per annum over the medium term
• Toincrease the share of manufacturing sector in the country’s Gross Domestic Product from 16% to 25% by 2022
• Tocreate 100 million additional jobs by 2022.
• Topromote export-led growth.

Four Pillars:

• New Processes
• New Infrastructure
• New Sectors
• New Mindsets

Focus sectors:

Successes of Make in India

• FDI inflows in India stood at USD 45.15 billion in 2014-2015 and have since consecutively reached record FDI inflows for eight years.
  • The year 2021-22 recorded thehighest ever FDI at USD 83.6 billion.
  • On the back of economic reforms and Ease of Doing Business in recent years, India is on track to attract USD 100 Billion in FDIin the current Financial Year (2022-23).
• The import of toys in FY21-22 has reduced by 70% to USD 110 Mn (Rs. 877.8 cr.). India’s export of toys registers tremendous growth of 636% in April-August 2022 over the same period in 2013
• Production Linked Incentive (PLI): TheProduction Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme across 14 key manufacturing sectors, was launched in 2020-21 as a big boost to the Make in India initiative.

Issues With Make in India(MII):

• Make in India (MII) does not, bring back recollectionsof the license raj, self-sufficiency, import-substituting industrialisation.
  • Fears have been raised about the manner in which MII is being implemented in some sectors
  • particularly by raising tariff dutiesto provide protection to encourage the setting up of domestic industry.
• Fears of protectionist tendency spreading to other sectors may be exaggerated.
• On average, a mobile phone made on our shores has around 80-85 percentof imported content (India Cellular and Electronics Association, 2022).
• India’s labor market researchpoints towards the presence of low-paying, subdued productivity, and mostly informal jobs in the unorganized sector
• The productivity of Indian factories is low and workers have insufficient skills. McKinsey report states that Indian workers in the manufacturing sector are, on average, almost four and five times less productive than their counterparts in Thailand and China.
• The size of the industrial units is small for attaining the desired economies of scale, investing in modern equipment and developing supply chains.
• Average speeds in China are about 100 km per hour, while in India, they are about 60 km per hour. Indian railways have saturated and Indian ports have been outperformed by a lot of Asian countries.
• The 2018 World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index (LPI) ranked India 44th among 160 countries. Singapore was ranked seventh, China 26th and Malaysia 41th. The average ship turnaround time in Singapore was less than a day and in India, it was 2.04 days.
• Bureaucratic procedures and corruptionmake India less attractive for investors.

Measures needed:

• A large home market is not a substitutefor being competitive in exports.
  • Every country that has “taken off” before us has been export competitive.
• Made in India is a branding strategy to promote manufacturers born out of Indian factors of production — land, labor, capital, entrepreneurship, technology, etc.
  • It can only succeed on the back of an effective MII operation.
• Industrial policy over and above PLI for sectorssuch as toys, readymade garments and footwear, to name a few, needs articulation as well.
• Industrial policy in a labor abundant countrywith mediocre educational attainments and skills is necessary to shape productive job creation for the abundant factor.
• Job creation for our abundant factor, especially women, is key, and that is only possible with labor-intensive manufacturing.

National Manufacturing Policy (NMP, 2011) and MII:

• It sought to raise the contribution of manufacturing in GDPfrom the stagnant 15 percent since the beginning of the 1980s to at least 25 percent and to create 100 million additional jobs.
• It aimed “to transform India into a global design and manufacturing export hub”. In other words, MII for the world.

MII and production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme:

• PLI scheme is to attract investments in key sectors and cutting-edge technology
• It ensures efficiency and brings economies of size and scale in the manufacturing sector
• It makes Indian companies and manufacturers globally competitive”.

Issues with Protectionist Policy In the 1970s and 1980s:

• It created shortages, black markets, and rampant rent-seeking, all in the name of the poor and distributive justice.
• Licensing of cars, scooters, telephones, and several other sectors only enriched producers and not the target consumers, who had no recourse.
  • The producers who benefitted from the protection actively lobbied for the regime’s longevity.

Way Forward

• The narrative of jobless growth has stuckbecause reasonable quality jobs with some social protection have been a conspicuous absence.
• Over 99 percent of India’s 63 million MSMEsare in the unorganized sector with very little flexibility for productive job creation.
  • Their hand-to-mouth existence is not a recipe for jobs or scale.
• China’s example suggests the influence of scale in manufacturing for more and more jobs.
• In the absence of data, policy making is like shooting darts blindfolded.
• The former Chief Economic Advisor, Kaushik Basu: economic policymaking should contain both an intellect (to interpret data) and a moral compass to shape a better world.
• In the absence of high frequency data on PLI,either on value added or jobs generated, the latter ought to be employed in abundant measure.
• Whenever NIP is next released,it will be well advised, to continue India’s drive to excel in labor-intensive sectors.
• For the masses, the good old manufacturing sector is still the best bet.
  • With industrial policies gaining currency even among erstwhile “freethinking” institutions and individuals, it is an opportunity for us.

General Studies – 4

Topic: dimensions of ethics;

7. What do you understand by ‘environmental integrity? Discuss its importance. (250 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 environmental integrity, its features and its importance.

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 ‘environmental integrity’.

Body:

In the first part, write about the various features of environmental integrity and its dimensions.

Next, write about the importance of environmental integrity and cite examples to substantiate your points.

Conclusion:

Conclude by summarising.

Introduction

Environmental integrity is a condition where the natural processes of a place occur with the strength and frequency expected in the region. Places with environmental integrity experience normal patterns of rainfall, fires, and other processes and contain ecosystems that house the living and non-living species native to the area.

“Environmental integrity” is often used in legal and philosophical writing to refer to an undisturbed state of natural conditions. These are circumstances in which plant, animal, and human life can continue freely. Living beings can receive all of the resources essential to their growth and reproduction, such as water, food, and shelter.

Body

The concept of environmental integrity in philosophy was developed in the early twentieth century by a philosopher and ecologist named Aldo Leopold. His seminal “land ethic” philosophy looked at the holistic relationship between living beings, with homo sapiens as mere members of the land community.

Importance of Environmental integrity

• Food webs, nutrient cycling, natural disturbances, and other natural processes have to be present to allow animal and plant species to thrive, reproduce, and populate the area naturally.
• Any human activity that disturbs the development of a healthy natural system negatively impacts the notion of environmental integrity.
• This very intersection between human activity and environmental integrity is an area of continued contention.
• Humans have exploited the natural environment, particularly in the past few centuries, for their survival at the cost of other plant and animal lives.
• We’ve turned forests into farms and wetlands into housing projects with almost no regard for the health of the environment.
• Environmental integrity is essential for sustainable resource management, ensuring the availability of natural resources for future generations.
• A stable environment supports economic activities such as agriculture, tourism, and fisheries, contributing to livelihoods and economic growth.
• Many cultures and indigenous communities rely on the environment for spiritual, cultural, and traditional practices, emphasizing the importance of environmental integrity for cultural continuity.
• Environmental degradation can lead to conflicts over scarce resources, migration, and geopolitical tensions, highlighting the interconnectedness of environmental integrity with global stability and security.
• Environmental integrity ensures the delicate balance of ecosystems, maintaining biodiversity and resilience to external shocks.
• A healthy environment directly impacts human well-being, providing clean air, water, and soil, reducing the risk of diseases and enhancing overall quality of life.

Conclusion

Establishing a balance between the well-being of humans and other living beings in the environment is the key objective of environmental integrity. As some writers have argued, it’s morally important for the environment to remain intact for all living beings, including humans. Only then can the environment have positive instrumental value for all of its inhabitants.

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