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 – 2
Topic: Role of women and women’s organization
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: The Print
Why the question:
The ‘NaMo Drone Didi Initiative’ was announced by PM Modi on 15 August last year to train 15,000 women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in the use of agricultural drones.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the role of technology in SHGs performance improvement.
Directive word:
Analyse – When asked to analyse, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them in a summary.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by giving context of ‘NaMo Drone Didi Initiative’.
Body:
First, write about ‘NaMo Drone Didi Initiative’ – mention the key features of it and how it has empowered SHGs.
Next, write about the various factors which have constrained SHGs from realising their full potential e.g. use of funds for personal use, lack of awareness, digital divide, and lack of financial literacy and how technology can help bridge that gap
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward.
Introduction
The ‘NaMo Drone Didi Initiative’ was announced by PM Modi on 15 August last year to train 15,000 women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in the use of agricultural drones. The idea is to offer farmers assistance in agricultural operations, such as crop monitoring, spraying fertilizers, and sowing seeds, thus helping rural women achieve self-sufficiency while simultaneously making the sector less labour-intensive.
Body
Objective of NaMo drone Didi
- The scheme is aimed at training and equipping 15,000 women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs) with agricultural drones.
- The idea is to offer farmers assistance in agricultural operations, such as crop monitoring, spraying fertilizers, and sowing seeds.
- This scheme will help rural women achieve self-sufficiency while simultaneously making the sector less labour-intensive.
About the scheme
- This scheme was launched under the flagship Lakhpati Didi project, with an investment of Rs. 1261 crore.
- Drones will be given to female Self-Help Groups (SHGs)so they can use this technology to support their livelihoods.
- Currently, there are 81 drone training centres,imparting basic drone operating skills to women.
- District authorities such as local collectors help handpick the women who could be recommended for training.
- The National Rural Livelihood Mission, under which these women self-groups come, also recommends candidates.
- Once they finish the course, these women get the Remote Pilot Certificate(RPC), the certification required to fly drones, from the DGCA and can take up assignments as ‘Drone Didis’.
- Since its official launch, the central government bears 80 percent cost of these drones while the trainees pay the rest.
- In the interim budget announced this year, the government earmarked Rs 500 crore for the ‘NaMo Drone Didi’ initiative.
Benefits and positive impact of the scheme on SHGs
- Empowerment of Rural Women: It enables women’s Self-Help Groups, to rent these drones to farmers for agricultural purposes, thus playing a key role in rural economies.
- Modernizing Agriculture:It introduces advanced technology in agriculture. For example, the use of drones for the foliar application of innovative liquid fertilizers like Nano Urea and Nano DAP.
- Employment Opportunities:Creates jobs for rural women in drone operation and maintenance, supporting the government’s push for indigenous drone aeronautics development.
- Safety and Efficiency in Farming: Replaces traditional, hazardous methods like hand-held pumps for spraying pesticides and fertilizers, reducing risks and increasing efficiency. This’ll enhance crop yield and reduce cost of operation for the benefit of farmers.
- Reduced Physical Hardship for Farmers:The use of drones for agricultural tasks alleviates the physical strain traditionally associated with farming activities.
Conclusion
To ensure the success of the NAMO Drone Didi Scheme, continuous training for women in drone technology is crucial. Strengthening rural infrastructure and providing financial support to SHGs will also be key. Furthermore, fostering partnerships with tech companies can enhance the scheme’s technological aspect.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Role of civil services in a democracy
Difficulty level: Easy
Reference: Insights on India
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 2 and mentioned as part of Mission-2024 Secure timetable.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the various functions performed by the civil services in for the effective functioning of the government.
Directive:
Explain – Clarify the topic by giving a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the context. You must be defining key terms wherever appropriate and substantiate with relevant associated facts.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin the answer by giving context of civil services as the steel frame.
Body:
Frist, write about the various functions performed by the bureaucracy – implementing public policies, maintaining public trust, ensuring continuity, managing crises etc. Cite examples and statistics to substantiate.
Next, write about role played by civil servants in upholding democracy and importance of upholding democratic values while leveraging the expertise of civil servants to achieve efficient and transparent governance.
Conclusion:
Conclude by summarising.
Introduction
The role of Civil Servants across the domains of policy making and policy implementation is critical to the development process. They assist in identifying major policy areas such as preparing major policy proposals, analysing various alternatives and solutions to societal problems requiring urgent attention, dividing the major policies into sub-policies, determining program of action and suggesting modification in the existing policy on the basis of its experience on the implementation front.
Body
Civil service as engine room of modern government
- They engage in collection of relevant data and information in order to identify core issues. The type of information required, the extent of substance in the information so collected and assimilation of the information is the task of the Civil Servants.
- They then assist the government in terms of providing relevant data for substantiating policy proposals.
- Owing to their enormous administrative expertise and capability of the civil services, they are privy to various problems and issues facing the country.
- Their knowledge and experience so acquired is then put to use by assuming the role of the ‘think-tank’ of the government.
- The Civil Servants assist the political executive in identifying policy issues by suggesting the nature of problems and the need for taking them up for consideration at higher levels.
- The civil service engages itself in examining the issue taken up for policy formulation, it frames and reframes policy proposals keeping in view its viability, future prospects, resources available, acceptability, etc.
- It is also the responsibility of the civil services to analyze policy proposals in relation to the provisions of the Constitution, the laws framed by the Parliament, and other existing rules and regulations.
- In this way the civil services help in framing sound and effective policies.
- Civil servants are responsible for implementing the laws and policies of government. By carrying out laws, it regulates the behaviour of the people in society.
- The ideals and objectives of government may be very popular, the plans for national development may be extremely progressive and the resources of the country may be abundant, but without civil services, not much can be achieved.
- An efficient civil service can avoid waste, correct errors, limit the consequences of incompetence or irresponsibility while implementing laws and public policies
Various roles and responsibilities
- Setting right developmental goals and priorities in areas of education, health, communications etc. Formulation and implementation of strategies and programmes for the development and modernisation of the nation. E.g., Formulation of plans at district, state and national levels.
- Creation of new administrative organisations and improving the capacity of the existing ones for the developmental purposes.
- To develop agriculture, civil servants have to properly manage community resources such as land, water resources, forests, wetlands and wasteland development. E.g. the District Collector of Dewas, Umakant Umrao helped the farmers in Madhya Pradesh to fight against drought by constructing over 16,000 ponds.
- To facilitate industrial development, infrastructural facilities such as roads, electricity, communications, market centres etc. have to be provided. In these countries, the civil service manages government owned business, industrial enterprises and public utility services.g. IAS officer Ritu Maheshwari, installed new electricity smart meters to tackle the prevalent electricity theft in Kanpur.
- Development and mobilisation of natural, human and financial resources and their proper utilization for accomplishing developmental objectives. g. P Narahari, as district collector in Madhya Pradesh, worked towards building a barrier-free environment that ensures that people with disabilities can move about safely and independently.
- Securing the support of the people for developmental activities by involving them in the process of development by creating appropriate attitude towards the socio-economic changes that are taking place in society. g. IAS Officer, Smita Sabharwal, popularly known as ‘the people’s officer’, launched a campaign called “Fund Your City” in Warangal. She appealed to residents to help her build the infrastructure of Naxal-affected areas, which resulted in the construction of traffic junctions and foot over-bridges.
Conclusion
The citizen has become the focal point of the administrative and development discourse. As one of the foremost agents of governance, the Civil Services form the connecting bridge between state and the society. This interface is critical to both administration of programs and acquiring inputs as feedback.
This gains currency especially since policy areas are interlinked in multiple ways and citizen has become the core focus. Most government programs are today managed by the civil services and allow citizens access to quick and personalized grievance redressal mechanisms. Hence, they assume importance particularly in terms of eliminating the gulf between expectations of the electorate and the outcomes of government initiatives.
Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Insights on India
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 2 and mentioned as part of Mission-2024 Secure timetable.
Key Demand of the question:
To analyse Namami Gange Program, write about its successes and limitations.
Directive word:
Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must investigate the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by writing about aims and objectives of Namami Gange Program.
Body:
First, write about the various features of Namami Gange Program. Write about the achievements and limitations of the same.
Next, suggest ways to overcome the above limitations.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.
Introduction
In June 2014, the Namami Gange Program was launched to rejuvenate the River Ganga and its tributaries. The program had a budget of Rs.20,000 crore. Due to the extensive reach and necessity of the program, the Government of India has approved Namami Gange Mission-II with a budget of Rs.22,500 crore until 2026.
The program aims to accomplish the twin objectives of effective abatement of pollution and conservation and rejuvenation of the National River Ganga.
Body
Namani Gange program
- Namami Gange Programme is an Integrated Conservation Mission, approved as a ‘Flagship Programme’ by the Union Government in June 2014 to accomplish the twin objectives of effective abatement of pollution and conservation and rejuvenation of National River Ganga.
- It is being operated under the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti.
- The program is being implemented by the NMCG and its state counterpart organizations i.e State Program Management Groups (SPMGs).
- In phase 2 of Namami Gange Programme (2021-26), the states will focus on expeditious completion of projects and preparation of bankable Detailed Project Report (DPR) for projects in Ganga tributary towns, cutting down delays.
- Focus is also being given to the revival of small rivers and wetlands.
- For future, each Ganga district is to develop scientific plan and health card for at least 10 wetlands and adopt policies for reuse of treated water and other by products.
- Main Pillars:
- Sewage Treatment Infrastructure
- River-Front Development
- River-Surface Cleaning
- Biodiversity
- Afforestation
- Public Awareness
- Industrial Effluent Monitoring
- Ganga Gram
Progress so far
- Current and Future Sewage Treatment Capacity: As of now, NMCG treats about 20% of sewage generated in the Ganga river basin.
- The treatment capacity is projected to reach 33% by 2024 and 60% by December 2026.
- Sewage generation is estimated at 11,765 million litres per day (MLD) across five states: Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.
- Role of NMCG
- NMCG aims to prevent untreated sewage from flowing into the Ganga River.
- The 11,765 MLD projection includes sewage generated within the states but not necessarily flowing into the river.
- NMCG’s plan includes setting up 7,000 MLD sewage treatment capacity by 2026.
- Projects and Progress
- STPs and sewerage networks constitute about 80% of the NMCG project.
- By July 2023, functional STPs treat 2,665 MLD, with 1,455 MLD added in the last financial year.
- Delayed projects resulted from land acquisition issues and revisions in Detailed Project Reports.
- State-wise Distribution
- Most STPs are in Uttarakhand (36), followed by Uttar Pradesh (35) and West Bengal (11).
- Despite NMCG’s ₹20,000 crore budget, in-principle approval has been given for projects worth ₹37,396 crore, with ₹14,745 crore released for infrastructure work by June 2023.
Challenges
Despite the significant efforts and achievements under the Namami Gange Program, there are several challenges associated with its implementation. Some of the major challenges are:
- Limited funding: Although the program has a substantial budget of Rs. 20,000 crores, it may not be sufficient to address all the issues related to the pollution of the Ganges River.
- Lack of infrastructure: Inadequate sewage treatment plants and outdated technologies used in sewage treatment are significant challenges. Also, the construction of new infrastructure faces issues such as land acquisition and environmental clearances.
- Lack of cooperation from states: The Ganges River flows through several states, and the cooperation of all states is essential to implement the program successfully.
- Industrial pollution: Several industries, including paper mills, tanneries, and chemical factories, contribute significantly to pollution in the Ganges River. Bringing them under the ambit of the program is challenging.
- Involvement of local communities: Creating awareness among local communities and involving them in the implementation of the program is crucial for its success.
- Inadequate monitoring and enforcement: Despite the establishment of a monitoring mechanism, the enforcement of regulations and laws are inadequate. Lack of effective enforcement of regulations results in industries, municipalities, and individuals discharging untreated waste into the river.
Conclusion
Namami Gange program is a crucial initiative to rejuvenate and conserve the Ganga River, which is a lifeline for millions of people in India. The program has made significant progress since its launch, with various measures being implemented to reduce pollution, improve the flow of the river, and promote public awareness.
The Namami Gange program is not just an environmental initiative, but also an economic and cultural imperative for the country. By taking forward the program with renewed vigor and resolve, India can ensure the sustainable development of the Ganga River and secure a better future for generations to come.
Value addition
Ganga river clean up programs by government
- Ganga Action Plan: It was the first River Action Plan that was taken up by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in 1985, to improve the water quality by the interception, diversion, and treatment of domestic sewage.
- The National River Conservation Plan is an extension to the Ganga Action Plan. It aims at cleaning the Ganga river under Ganga Action Plan phase-2.
- National River Ganga Basin Authority (NRGBA): It was formed by the Government of India in the year 2009 under Section-3 of the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
- It declared the Ganga as the ‘National River’ of India.
- Clean Ganga Fund: In 2014, it was formed for cleaning up of the Ganga, setting up of waste treatment plants, and conservation of biotic diversity of the river.
- Bhuvan-Ganga Web App: It ensures involvement of the public in monitoring of pollution entering into the river Ganga.
- Ban on Waste Disposal: In 2017, the National Green Tribunal banned the disposal of any waste in the Ganga.
Topic: Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.
Difficulty level: Tough
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The anti-corruption movement in India has a disappointing past and a staggering present. The plea for a Lokpal to fight corruption was often linked with the political and electoral interests of the day.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the ways to effectively operationalise Lokapal.
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:
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by writing about the aims and objectives of Lokpal.
Body:
First, write about the various issues concerning Lokpal in India – government has not made rules prescribing the form for filing complaints to the Lokpal, rules regarding asset disclosure by public servants, inquiry and prosecution wings are yet to be set up, not appointment of the Director of Inquiry or Prosecution etc.
Next, write about the various steps needed to rectify the above.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.
Introduction
In order to meet a long-standing demand to establish a mechanism for dealing complaints on corruptions against public functionaries, including corruption at high places, the Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2013 was enacted.
The Lokpal would deal with complaints against ministers and secretaries at Central and state levels, and the lokayukta (one at the Centre and one in every state) would deal with complaints against other specified higher officials. The ARC kept the judiciary outside the purview of Lokpal and lokayukta.
Former Supreme Court judge, Justice A.M. Khanwilkar, has been appointed as the Lokpal chairperson, one and half years after he retired from the apex court. The Rashtrapati Bhavan has also announced the appointment of former high court judges Lingappa Narayana Swamy, Sanjay Yadav and Ritu Raj Awasthi as judicial members of the Lokpal. Non-judicial members Sushil Chandra, Pankaj Kumar and Ajay Tirkey were also appointed.
Body
Salient features of the Act wrt Lokpal
- Establishes Lokpal as an anti-corruption institution or ombudsman at the centre (union) to inquire into cases of corruption involving public functionaries.
- The jurisdiction of Lokpal extends to-
- Anyone who is or has been Pm, minister in union government or a MP as well as officials of the union government under Group A, B, C & D.
- Any board, corporation, society, trust or autonomous body either established by an act of Parliament or wholly/ partially funded by centre.
- Anybody that receives foreign contribution above Rs 10 lakh.
- Exceptions for PM: No inquiry if allegation against PM relates to international relations, ext & internal security, public order, atomic energy & space.
- No complaints against PM to be probed unless full Lokpal bench considers the initiation of inquiry and at least 2/3rd members approve it.
- Inquiry against PM to be held in camera.
Reasons for Lokpal not playing a significant role in tackling corruption in the country
- No suo moto powers:Lokpal cannot suo motu proceed against any public servant. There is more emphasis on form of complaint rather than substance.
- Fear of punishment: Heavy punishment for false and frivolous complaintsagainst public servants may deter complaints being filed to Lokpal.
- No anonymous complaints:Anonymous complaints are not allowed. An individual can’t just make a complaint on plain paper and drop it in a box with supporting documents.
- Legal assistance to public servant is given against whom complaint is filed.
- Limited time frame:Limitation period of 7 years to file complaints. Many big scams take years to come to fray and the time may exceed 7 years. This limitation hinders in investigating such cases under Lokpal.
- Exceptions for PM:Very non-transparent procedure for dealing with complaints against the PM.
Functioning of Lokpal in India
- Non appointment for several years: For more than five years,the chairperson and members of the Lokpal were not appointed.
- The government had claimed that since no one could be recognised as the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) after the 2014 general election, the committee responsible for selecting members of the Lokpal could not be constituted.
- Amending the law: This malady could have been easily remedied by either recognising the leader of the single largest party in Opposition in the Lok Sabha as the LoP,or by amending the Lokpal law to allow the leader of the largest Opposition party to be a member of the committee in the absence of a recognised LoP (this was done for the selection committee of the CBI Director). However, neither recourse was taken.
- Delay in appointment: The chairperson and members of the Lokpal were appointed only in March 2019 after a contempt petition was filed in the Supreme Courtfollowing the failure of the government to comply with the 2017 ruling of the court to initiate the process of making appointments.
- Selection of Chairperson: The four-member selection committee,having a preponderance of representatives of the ruling party with an inherent bias towards recommending candidates favoured by the government, selected the Chair and members of the Lokpal.
- The manner in which the appointments were made raised doubts about the independence of the Lokpal even before it became operational.
- Non-starter:Despite the fracas over appointments, many had hoped that once constituted, the Lokpal would nevertheless be a significant oversight body to check corruption and the arbitrary use of power by the government
- More than 10 months later, however, evidence suggests that the Lokpal is a non-starter.
- Till date, the government has not made rules prescribing the form for filing complaints to the Lokpal.
- The Central government has also failed to formulate rules regarding asset disclosure by public servants.
- No formulation of regulations: Regulations which the Lokpal was obligated to make under the law are yet to be made, including those specifying the manner and procedure of conducting preliminary inquiry and investigation.
- Cases disposed: The website of the Lokpal states that it scrutinised 1,065 complaints received till September 30, 2019 and disposed of 1,000.
- Since necessary procedures to operationalise, the law is yet to be put in place, the legal veracity of the decisions of the Lokpal could potentially be challenged in a court of law.
Way forward
- There is a need for a mechanism that provides for simple, independent, speedy means of delivering justice by redressing the grievances of the people without succumbing to the clutches of the executive.
- The issue of Leader of Opposition in the Selection committee must be resolved by amending the act.
- The jurisdictions must be clear so that there is no overlap in the powers.
- Any new piece of legislation even when implemented becomes lengthy and time consuming and stretched over years.
- The Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) recommended the enacting of the Office of a Lokpal, convinced that such an institution was justified, not only for removing the sense of injustice from the minds of citizens, but also to instil public confidence in the efficiency of the administrative machinery.
- It is rightly said by Publius Cornelius Tecitus that “the more corrupt the state, the more laws”.
Conclusion
Looking at the low ranking of India in Corruption on global level, there is a need to check the corruption by strong institutions. Creation of the institution of Lokpal and Lokayuktas by forming its members to function has come up as a welcome step. But it must function independently of any political influence so that a proper system of checks-and -balance is maintained in the federal and democratic system of India.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
The theme for this year’s National Science Day celebration is “Indigenous Technologies for Viksit Bharat.”
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the importance of indigenous technologies.
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 giving context.
Body:
First, write about the various types of indigenous technologies across the sectors with examples.
Next, write about the importance of the above – developing solutions within the country that address local needs and conditions, economic development, self-reliance, innovation, and sustainability, tailoring solutions to India’s diverse challenges etc.
Next, write about that are needed to further promote indigenous technologies in the country.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward.
Introduction
National Science Day is celebrated to commemorate the discovery of the Raman Effect. National Science Day is observed on February 28 every year across the country to mark and celebrate the contributions of scientists towards the development of India. On February 28, 1928, CV Raman announced the discovery of the Raman Effect and for it, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1930.
The theme for this year’s National Science Day celebration is “Indigenous Technologies for Viksit Bharat.”
Body
India’s indigenous technologies
- Space Technology – ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation):
- Achievements: India’s space program, led by ISRO, has achieved numerous milestones using indigenous technologies. Notable examples include the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) and the Chandrayaan missions to the Moon.
-
- Self-Reliance: ISRO has developed its launch vehicles, satellites, and ground systems, showcasing India’s capability to design, build, and launch space missions independently.
- Renewable Energy – Solar and Wind Power:
- Solar Power: India has made significant strides in harnessing solar energy, with the development of solar panels, solar parks, and solar-powered appliances. Initiatives like the International Solar Alliance (ISA) promote collaboration among solar-rich countries.
- Wind Power: Indigenous manufacturing of wind turbines and components has expanded India’s wind energy capacity. The government’s support for the National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy encourages the integration of both technologies.
- Defense and Security – DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation):
- Missile Technology: DRDO has developed and successfully tested various missile systems, such as the Agni series and the Prithvi series, showcasing India’s capability to build advanced defense technologies.
- Tejas Aircraft: The development of the Tejas, an indigenous light combat aircraft, reflects efforts to enhance self-reliance in the defense sector.
- Information Technology – Software and Startups:
- Software Development: India’s IT industry has been a global leader, with companies like Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), and Wipro providing software solutions and services globally.
- Startups: The startup ecosystem in India, particularly in cities like Bengaluru and Hyderabad, has witnessed the emergence of innovative solutions across various domains, including fintech, health tech, and agritech.
- Biotechnology – Vaccine Development:
- COVID-19 Vaccines: During the COVID-19 pandemic, Indian companies, such as Bharat Biotech and Serum Institute of India, played a crucial role in developing and manufacturing vaccines, showcasing the strength of India’s biotechnology sector.
- Traditional Medicine – Ayurveda and Herbal Products:
- Ayurveda: India has a rich tradition of Ayurveda, and the promotion of Ayurvedic practices and herbal products reflects the country’s commitment to preserving traditional knowledge in healthcare.
Significance of indigenous technologies for self-reliance and sustainability
- Economic Development:
Job Creation: Embracing indigenous technologies leads to the growth of domestic industries, resulting in job creation. This is crucial for a country like India with a large and diverse population.
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- Entrepreneurship: Encouraging indigenous innovation fosters entrepreneurship, as it creates opportunities for individuals and small businesses to develop and commercialize their technological solutions.
- Self-Reliance:
- Reduced Dependency on Imports: Embracing indigenous technologies reduces India’s dependency on foreign imports for critical technologies. This is particularly important for sectors such as defense, where self-reliance is crucial for national security.
- Technology Transfer: Developing and adopting indigenous technologies ensures that India has control over the technology and is not dependent on external entities for updates, maintenance, or advancements.
- Sustainability:
- Environmental Impact: Indigenous technologies can be designed with a focus on environmental sustainability. For instance, clean energy technologies, waste management solutions, and eco-friendly manufacturing processes can contribute to a more sustainable future.
- Resource Efficiency: Utilizing local resources in technology development reduces the ecological footprint associated with transportation and resource extraction, contributing to overall sustainability goals.
- Innovation Ecosystem:
- Research and Development (R&D): Investment in indigenous technologies boosts R&D efforts within the country. This, in turn, leads to a vibrant innovation ecosystem where scientists, researchers, and engineers collaborate to solve local challenges and develop cutting-edge solutions.
- Knowledge Creation: Promoting indigenous technologies contributes to the creation of knowledge repositories within the country, fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation.
- Global Competitiveness:
- International Recognition: Successful indigenous technologies enhance India’s global standing. As the country becomes a hub for innovation, it gains recognition and competitiveness on the international stage.
- Exports: Developing indigenous technologies opens avenues for export, contributing to economic growth and creating a positive trade balance.
- Cultural Preservation:
- Preservation of Traditional Knowledge: Indigenous technologies often integrate traditional knowledge and practices, preserving cultural heritage. This ensures that valuable traditional skills are not lost and can be passed on to future generations.
Conclusion
Promoting indigenous technologies in India is a multifaceted approach that not only stimulates economic growth but also ensures self-reliance, sustainability, and cultural preservation. A concerted effort involving government support, private sector collaboration, and academic institutions is essential to realize the full potential of indigenous technologies in India’s development journey.
Topic: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
Difficulty level: Tough
Reference: The Hindu , Times of India , Insights on India
Why the question:
The editorial discusses the progress of India’s human spaceflight mission, highlighting that the nation is moving forward with its ambitious project.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the Gaganyaan mission, challenges in it and its relevance.
Directive word:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you must debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You must give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by giving context of Gaganyaan mission as first manned space mission of India.
Body:
First, write the major aims and objectives of Gaganyaan mission.
Next, write about the relevance of manned spaced mission for India – Boost to industries, Technological development, Spurs research and development, National Prestige and economic opportunities etc.
Next, write about the challenges in the mission and steps that are needed to overcome them
Conclusion:
Conclude by summarising.
Introduction
Mission Gaganyaan is India’s first Human Space Flight Programme which aims to make India the fourth nation in the world to launch a Human Spaceflight Mission. So far, only the USA, Russia and China have launched human spaceflight missions.
Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, Ajit Krishnan, Angad Pratap and Shubhanshu Shukla — these Air Force pilots constitute the final shortlist of candidates from among whom India’s astronauts for its human spaceflight mission, a.k.a. Gaganyaan, will be selected. The announcement, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during an official visit to Kerala, fills the last real unknown about the ambitious mission, which aims to send an Indian crew to low-earth orbit onboard an Indian rocket.
Body
Aims & Objectives of the Mission:
- Enhancement of science and technology levels in the country
- A national project involving several institutes, academia and industry
- Improvement of industrial growth
- Inspiring youth
- Development of technology for social benefits
- Improving international collaboration
Relevance of a Manned Space Mission for India:
- Boost to industries: The Indian industry will find large opportunities through participation in the highly demanding Space missions. Gaganyaan Mission is expected will source nearly 60% of its equipment from the Indian private sector.
- Employment: According to the ISRO chief, the Gaganyaan mission would create 15,000 new employment opportunities, 13,000 of them in private industry and the space organisation would need an additional manpower of 900.
- Technological development: Human Space flights are frontier field in the science and technology. The challenges the Human Space Flights provide to India, and the benefits accruing from taking up those missions will be very high and will lead to further thrust for technological developments in India
- Spurs research and development: It will boost good research and technology development. With a large number of researchers with proper equipment involved, HSF will thrust significant research in areas such as materials processing, astro-biology, resources mining, planetary chemistry, planetary orbital calculus and many other areas
- Motivation: Human space flight will provide that inspiration to the youth and also the national public mainstream. It would inspire young generation into notable achievements and enable them to play their legitimate role in challenging future activities
- Prestige: India will be the fourth country to launch human space mission. The Gaganyaan will not only bring about prestige to the nation but also establish India’s role as a key player in the space industry
Challenges:
- For a manned mission, the key distinguishing capabilities that ISRO has had to develop include the ability
- to bring the spacecraft back to Earth after flight
- to build a spacecraft in which astronauts can live in Earth-like conditions in space
- India is yet to perfect fool-proof launch vehicle technology, the basic requirement for a manned space mission.
- The Polar Satellite launch vehicle and the Geosynchronous Launch vehicle, the two Indian spacecraft deployed to launch satellites and modules into space, are yet to be man-rated.
- India does not even have the facilities to train astronauts.
- ISRO has not been able to put in place India’s own Global Positioning System in spite of completing the NavIC due to dysfunctional atomic clocks in the satellites, rendering the fleet a dud.
- The launchpad at the Sriharikota spaceport, the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, will have to be enhanced for the human mission.
- While the launch vehicle, crew module, re-entry technology, crew escape system are in place, monitoring and tracking systems, Environmental Control & Life Support System (ELCSS), space suit and crew support systems are still in the developmental phase.
Way forward
- It is important to ensure engagements at political level to obtain long term commitment for India’s human space flight missions
- Financial implications of a long-term human space-flight programme development should be assessed and the returns and benefits should be clearly articulated
- It is important to overcome the technological challenges to ensure a safe, successful manned space mission. International collaboration in this domain can help India ensure a robust technology for its HSF programme.
- Selection of Indians for astronauts will be an important step. Procedures and specifications for astronauts and a rigorous selection process is suggested.
General Studies – 4
Topic: dimensions of ethics;
7. Explain moral relativism in detail with examples. (150 words)
Difficulty level: Easy
Reference: plato.stanford.edu
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4.
Key Demand of the question:
To explain the concept of Moral Relativism using examples.
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:
Begin the answer by defining moral relativism and its aspects
Body:
Write the core argument on which moral relativism is based on, the existing differences in the moralities that people accept and live by. Mention various factors that give rise to Moral relativism.
Give few illustrations in the context of capital punishment, euthanasia, eating meat etc. and the varied constraints and dimensions based on which the morality of a situation or action is judged.
Conclusion:
Conclude by saying often, morality is more relative than absolute.
Introduction
Moral relativism is the idea that there is no universal or absolute set of moral principles. According to moral relativism, there is not a single true morality. It’s a version of morality that advocates “to each her own,” and those who follow it say, “Who am I to judge?”
There are a variety of possible moralities or moral frames of reference, and whether something is morally right or wrong, good or bad, just or unjust, etc. is a relative matter—relative to one or another morality or moral frame of reference. Something can be morally right relative to one moral frame of reference and morally wrong relative to another.
Body
Moral relativism can be captured in two following points
- Moral judgments are true or false and actions are right or wrong only relative to some particular standpoint (usually the moral framework of a specific community).
- No standpoint can be proved objectively superior to any other.
For instance, Different groups of people may play different versions of football. Different societies may have different legal systems. Different people speak different languages. And different people may have different moralities. Moralities accepted at one time may fail to be accepted at another time. Individuals within any given group may have different moralities. A particular person may accept different mutually incompatible moralities at different times and even at the same time.
Various dimensions in which moralities differ
- Moralities differ in what they imply about abortion, capital punishment, euthanasia, religion, etiquette, slavery, caste systems, cannibalism, eating meat, what sorts of experiments on animals are permitted, and what sorts of experiments on human beings are permitted.
- They may differ concerning the relative importance of chastity in men and women, how many wives or husbands people can have, homosexuality, incest, and whether people in their twenties have special obligations toward their parents.
- They differ about whether there is an obligation not to lie to strangers and whether there is an obligation to help strangers who need help.
- They differ concerning the relative importance of equality versus liberty, who gets what, preserving natural beauty, and the acceptability of littering.
Over the years moral relativism has attracted a great deal of criticism, and not just from professional philosophers. One reason for this, of course, is that it is widely perceived to be a way of thinking that is on the rise. Another reason for so much trenchant criticism is that a relativistic view of morality is thought by many to have pernicious consequences.
Conclusion
Moral relativism is a philosophical stance that holds that moral principles are neither absolute or universal, but rather are affected by cultural, social, historical, and individual influences. It questions the concept of objective moral norms and recognises the diversity of moral views and practises across cultures and circumstances.
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