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: Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues.
Difficulty level: Easy
Reference: Insights on India
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the reasons for decline of Indian handicrafts under British rule.
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 about flourishing Indian handicrafts before arrival of British.
Body:
Write the reasons for collapse of handicrafts under colonial rule – introduction of British made goods and ignorance of Indian Handicrafts Industries, policy of De-industrialization, transformed India to a mere exporter of raw materials for the upcoming modern industries in Britain etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude by summarising long term impact of ruining of Indian handicraft.
Introduction
The systemic ruin of Indian handicraft industries at the expense of Industrially revolutionizing Britain in which political force was misused to cause economic misery via discriminatory taxation, forceful coercion of artisans and market capturing via mercantalistic policies caused the demise of traditional Handicraft industries. Paul Bairoch, the economic historian estimated that India’s share of manufacturing output in the world was as high as 19.7% in 1800. In a span of 60 years, it plummeted to 8.6% (in 1860) and to 1.4% in 1913.
Body
Reasons for collapse of Indian handicrafts during colonial rule
- Impact of Industrial Revolution: Machine made textile goods of Britain, did the great damage to this Indian industry since 1750. Consequent upon industrial revolution in textile industry there had been massive growth of British imports in India and the domination of British cloth in the Indian market did the havoc; it created large scale unemployment as well as unbelievable drop in wages among the spinners and weavers. Cotton industry, jute handloom weaving of Bengal, woolen manufactures of Kashmir, silk manufacture of Bengal, hand-paper industry, glass industry, lac, bangles, etc.
- Raw Material Shortage: The process of de-industrialization of India began with the gradual disappearance of raw material for Indian artisans which was taken away to feed English machines and consequently moving manufactured products from the list of India’s exports and the remarkable growth of manufactures in the list of her imports mainly from Britain. That is why it is said that Britain “inundated the very mother country of cotton with cottons”, thereby eclipsing India’s traditional handicraft industries.
- For example the British exported raw materials, like cotton, indigo for the textile industries in Lancashire. As a result, the prices of the raw materials soared high and cost of the handicrafts increased.
- Discriminatory Taxation: C. Dutt held that the tariff policy pursued by the British Government as the leading cause or ‘the first among equals’ towards the decay of handicrafts. This tariff policy came to be known as ‘one-way free trade’ policy which preached that what was good for England was considered to be good for India. To put her manufacturing industries on a sound footing at home, England pursued the policy of protection through the imposition of import duties. But for India, she preached the gospel of free trade.
- g.: British manufacturers were levied an 85% tax for importing Indian hand woven calico (chintz) and 44% for importing Indian muslin under the British Raj. On the other hand, British textiles were only imposed with a 5% import tax in India.
- Loss of Native states: The main source or rather the entire source of demandfor the products of these handicrafts came from the royal courts, and the urban aristocrats. With the abolition of the royal court, one source of demand for the products of these crafts dried up. The new ‘aristocracy’ preferred imported goods.
- Competition from machine-made goods: In terms of quality, though machine-made goods could not compete in quality with the products of the urban weaver, in the matter of lower priceand deep respect for goods bearing foreign trademark (i.e., change in tastes) he was hopelessly beaten by machine-made goods.
- Price fixing and buyer monopolies:They bound local weaver into contracts and that made them sell exclusively to British. The prices were low and exploitative and artisans could recover only 80% cost of production. It pushed the artisans toward indebtedness and eventual poverty.
- Coercing the artisans:The services and the labour of the craftsmen were hired at very low wages. It was impossible for the craftsmen to adopt their traditional profession. So they were force to abandon those crafts. The worst affected were the weavers of Bengal and textile industry of Bengal was virtually closed. It was said that the thumbs of the weavers were cut off. Actually it meant that thousands of weavers were made jobless due to closure of weaving industry.
- Acceleration of ruin by railways: Introduction of railways opened a new era for the transport system in India. But the railways served the political and economic interest of the British to a larger extent. Through railways the machine products of Britain found it much easier to enter into the rural India.
- No efforts to re-industrialise India:There was no attempt for growth of modern industry to take the place of the cottage Industries. As a result, the handicraftsman and artisans had no scope to find suitable employment according to their skill. Rather, they were compelled to switch over to agriculture for employment.
The above mentioned factors point to the nature of British rule and their mercantilist policies which caused the ruining of industries in India. However there are others factors as well that led to their decline such as:
- No efforts were made to explore markets for products. India’s foreign trade was in the hands of foreigners. This meant that the Indian artisans and producers were at the mercy of foreign merchants so far as sales or demand propagation in overseas markets were concerned.
- Guild organization in India was definitely very weak. Finally, she did not possess a class of industrial entrepreneurs.
Conclusion
Though there are some internal factors the led to de-industrialization of India, but the Indian economy had been systematically slaughtered by the British Government and in the process, traditional handicraft industries slipped away to their demise and the process of de-industrialization proved to be a process of pure immiseriation for the several million persons. The only bright side to it was that the ruin coupled with other miseries heaped upon India led to the emergency of economic nationalism India and economic critique becomes a potent weapon in the arsenal of the nationalists.
Topic: Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
Difficulty level: Tough
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
The collective wisdom accumulated by tribal communities over centuries can help us move forward on an ecologically sustainable, ethically desirable and socially justifiable path
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the importance of the role of tribal communities in forest preservation.
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 giving context.
Body:
First, write about the role of tribal communities in forest preservation – communities possess generations of experience in managing forests in ways that enhance biodiversity and ecological health. Integrating their traditional knowledge with modern science fosters innovative approaches to forest management.
Next, write about the ways to effectively utilise the above – Recognizing their land rights and involving them in conservation efforts can lead to more effective and sustainable outcomes
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.
Introduction
Tribal communities, often referred to as indigenous or aboriginal peoples, have a profound role in forest preservation. Their deep connection to the environment, rooted in generations of experience, contributes significantly to enhancing biodiversity and ecological health. Integrating their traditional knowledge with modern scientific approaches can lead to innovative and sustainable forest management practices.
The collective wisdom accumulated by tribal communities over centuries can help us move forward on an ecologically sustainable, ethically desirable and socially justifiable path.
Body
India is home to a significant number of tribal communities, also known as Scheduled Tribes (STs). According to the 2011 Census of India, there are over 700 scheduled tribes in the country, representing about 8.6% of the total population. These tribes have unique cultures, languages, traditions, and ways of life.
role of tribal communities in forest preservation
- Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK):
- Generations of Wisdom:
- Tribal communities have inhabited forests for centuries, developing intricate knowledge about local ecosystems.
- Their understanding of plant species, animal behavior, and ecological processes is invaluable.
- Holistic Approach:
- TEK encompasses not only biological aspects but also cultural, spiritual, and social dimensions.
- It considers the interconnectedness of all life forms and emphasizes harmony with nature.
- Enhancing Biodiversity:
- Forest Guardians:
- Tribals act as custodians of forests, safeguarding them from overexploitation.
- Their sustainable practices promote diverse habitats for flora and fauna.
- Sacred Groves:
- Many tribal communities conserve sacred groves—small forest patches protected due to religious beliefs.
- These groves harbor unique biodiversity and serve as genetic reservoirs.
- Innovative Approaches:
- Agroforestry Techniques:
- Tribals combine traditional crop cultivation with tree planting.
- This agroforestry model enhances soil fertility, provides food, and sequesters carbon.
- Miyawaki Method:
- Inspired by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, this technique involves planting native species densely.
- Tribals’ knowledge of local species can enhance its effectiveness.
- Utilizing Traditional Practices:
- Fire Management:
- Controlled burning, a tribal practice, maintains forest health.
- It prevents catastrophic wildfires and encourages new growth.
- Seed Banks and Nurseries:
- Tribals collect and preserve seeds of native plants.
- Establishing community nurseries ensures a continuous supply of saplings.
- Recognizing Land Rights:
- Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006:
- Recognizes the rights of forest-dwelling communities over ancestral lands.
- Title deeds empower tribals to protect and manage forests sustainably.
- Community Forest Resource Rights (CFR):
- CFR grants tribals control over forest resources.
- In Maharashtra and Gujarat, secure land rights have led to successful conservation efforts.
- Involving Tribals in Conservation Efforts:
- Joint Forest Management (JFM):
- Collaborative efforts between tribals and forest departments.
- Tribals participate in planning, protection, and regeneration activities.
- Wildlife Protection and Monitoring:
- Tribals’ traditional knowledge aids in tracking wildlife movements and identifying poaching threats.
- Their involvement ensures effective conservation.
- Joint Forest Management (JFM):
- Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006:
- Fire Management:
- Agroforestry Techniques:
- Forest Guardians:
- Generations of Wisdom:
Way Forward
- Empowerment and Capacity Building:
- Strengthen tribal institutions and provide training.
- Enhance their role as forest stewards.
- Research and Documentation:
- Document TEK systematically.
- Bridge the gap between traditional wisdom and scientific research.
- Policy Integration:
- Integrate tribal perspectives into forest policies.
- Recognize their role as equal partners in conservation.
Conclusion
Tribal communities are not just passive beneficiaries but active contributors to forest preservation. By respecting their land rights, involving them in decision-making, and valuing their traditional knowledge, we can create a harmonious balance between nature and human needs.
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 , Live Mint
Why the question:
A Madhya Pradesh high court ruling has reignited India’s debate on the need to criminalize marital rape.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the need to criminalise marital rape in India.
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 the answer by giving context regarding criminalisation of marital rape.
Body:
First, mention the need to criminalise marital rape – against right to dignity under Article 21, Gender violence, against article 14, marital rape has adverse and long-term consequences on women’s health and well-being etc.
Next, write about the factors which creates obstacles for criminalisation of marital rape.
Suggest reforms to overcome the above issues.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward.
Introduction
Marital rape is the act of sexual intercourse with one’s spouse without the consent of the other spouse. Although it was once widely unrecognized by law and society as wrong or as a crime, it is now recognized as rape by many societies around the world. Criminal Law in India has been amended multiple times for the protection of the women. However, the non-criminalization of marital rape in India undermines the dignity and human rights of women.
A Madhya Pradesh high court ruling has reignited India’s debate on the need to criminalize marital rape.
Body
Current scenario:
- Marital rape has been impeached in more than 100 countries but, unfortunately, India is one of the only 36 countries where marital rape is still not criminalized.
- In 2013, the UN Committee on Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) recommended that the Indian government should criminalize marital rape.
- The JS Verma committee set up in the aftermath of nationwide protests over the December 16, 2012 gang rape case had also recommended the same.
- As per the NCRB report, in India, a woman is raped every 16 minutes, and every four minutes, she experiences cruelty at the hands of her in-laws.
- An analysis of National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 2015-16 data indicates that an estimated 99.1 per cent of sexual violence cases go unreported and that the average Indian woman is 17 times more likely to face sexual violence from her husband than from others.
Marital Rape: inconsistent with the law as well as the constitutional rights of women:
- Rape laws in our country continue with the patriarchal outlook of considering women to be the property of men post marriage, with no autonomy or agency over their bodies.
- They deny married women equal protection of the laws guaranteed by the Indian constitution.
- Lawmakers fail to understand that a marriage should not be viewed as a licence for a husband to forcibly rape his wife with impunity. A married woman has the same right to control her own body as does an unmarried woman.
- The concept of marital rape in India is the epitome of what we call an “implied consent”.
- Marriage between a man and a woman here implies that both have consented to sexual intercourse and it cannot be otherwise.
- The centre argues that criminalising marital rape would destabilise the institution of marriage and be an easy tool for harassing the husbands.
- It has cited the observations of the SC and various HCs on growing misuse of Section 498A (harassment caused to a married woman by her husband and in-laws) of IPC.
- The Indian Penal Code, 1860, also communicates the same. Section 375 defines the offence of rape with the help of six descriptions. One of the exceptions to this offence is “Sexual intercourse or sexual acts by a man with his own wife, the wife not being under 15 years of age, is not rape”.
- Earlier, Section 375 (Exception) created a classification not only between consent given by a married and unmarried woman, but also between married females below 15 years of age and over 15 years old. This was rightfully struck down by SC and made it 18 years.
Need to criminalize Marital Rape in India
- The SC judgment was only a small step towards striking down the legalisation of marital rape.
- It is high time that the legislature should take cognisance of this legal infirmity and bring marital rape within the purview of rape laws by eliminating Section 375 (Exception) of IPC.
- By removing this law, women will be safer from abusive spouses, can receive the help needed to recover from marital rape and can save themselves from domestic violence and sexual abuse.
- Indian women deserve to be treated equally, and an individual’s human rights do not deserve to be ignored by anyone, including by their spouse.
Conclusion
Rape is rape, irrespective of the identity of the perpetrator, and age of the survivor. A woman who is raped by a stranger, lives with a memory of a horrible attack; a woman who is raped by her husband lives with her rapist. Our penal laws, handed down from the British, have by and large remained untouched even after 73 years of independence. But English laws have been amended and marital rape was criminalised way back in 1991. No Indian government has, however, so far shown an active interest in remedying this problem.
Value Addition: Important cases and Committee reports
- The government defended exception to marital rape in Independent Thought v. Union of India (2017) saying it against the institution of marriage.
- However, rejecting this claim, the Supreme Court observed, “Marriage is not institutional but personal – nothing can destroy the ‘institution’ of marriage except a statute that makes marriage illegal and punishable.”
- In Joseph Shine v. Union of India (2018), the Supreme Court held that the offence of adultery was unconstitutional because it was founded on the principle that a woman is her husband’s property after marriage.
Way forward:
- What constitutes marital rape and marital non-rape needs to be defined precisely before a view on its criminalisation is taken.
- Defining marital rape would call for a broad based consensus of the society.
- States should intervene in the matter, since criminal law is on the concurrent list and implemented by states —and given the vast diversity in cultures across states.
- Factors like literacy, lack of financial empowerment of the majority of females, mindset of the society, vast diversity, poverty, etc., should be considered carefully before taking any decision.
- The need for “moral and social awareness” to stop such an act.
- The recent privacy judgment by the Supreme Court is also set to play an important role. The right to bodily integrity is a crucial facet of Article 21.
- Timely medical care and rehabilitation, skill development and employment for facilitating economic independence of victims.
- Need for undertaking both legal and social reforms to deal with the menace of marital rape
Topic: Role of civil services in a democracy.
Difficulty level: Tough
Reference: Insights on India , Insights on India
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 2.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the issue of frequent transfers of civil servants and if fixed tenure can lead to good governance.
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:
Start by giving context.
Body:
First, write about the drawbacks and impact associated with the frequent transfer of civil servants.
Next, write about the advantages of having a fixed tenure of the civil servants in a particular posting – continuity, impartial decision making, insulation from pressure, increased efficiency etc.
Next, write about the disadvantages of having a fixed tenure of the civil servants – complacency, shrinking accountability etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude by starting your opinion on the above issue and way forward to achieve continuity.
Introduction
An analysis of the executive record (ER) sheets of thousands of IAS officers reveals that the frequent transfers in service are normal. But, frequent transfers have an adverse impact on their morale. This will lead to a decline in productivity and efficacy. Eg: IAS Ashok Khemka has been transferred more than 50 times. Pradeep Kasni has been transferred 65 times.
Body
Frequent transfer of civil servant: Background
- The Civil Services Survey report noted: frequent transfers has been a concern for most respondents as it adversely affected job satisfaction, children’s education, and family togetherness and placed officers at the mercy of corrupt influences.
- A Central government database on transfers of Indian Administrative Services (IAS) officers who sit atop the bureaucracy in the Centre and in states shows that the average duration of their posting in the last five years was 464 days.
- The good part about this reading is that over the last 20 years, this number has improved the most in the last five years, and this improvement has been both at the Centre and in states.
- The bad reading is that a bureaucrat is still averaging only about 15 months in a posting, which is a considerable distance away from the standard of three to five years that is commonly spoken of in organizational and human resource contexts.
- The analysis of the SUPREMO (Single User Platform Related to Employees Online) database of the Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India, shows that the average posting spell of civil servants in India is only about 15 months.
- Job transfers are a huge matter for governments and their employees, a source of constant worry for employees and apparent satisfaction for governments.
Fixed tenure advantages to civil servants for good governance
- Many respondents suggested a fixed tenure of at least 2 to 3 years for all civil servants (except officers of suspect integrity) to ensure accountability and maximise their impact on the job.
- While fixed tenures have not materialised, the reduction in the last five years in the number of transfers, and a corresponding increase in average tenures across both Centre and states, is a silver lining.
- But true, and lasting gains, calls for systemic reforms, and that is not visible at the moment. The undermining of transfer guidelines has been a major shortcoming of personnel administration in India. The Second Administrative Reforms Commission has highlighted it.
- The Fifth Pay Commission had recommended that no premature transfer should be allowed and that there should be fixation of a minimum tenure for each post. This would ensure longevity in schemes and reforms and impact at grassroots level in case of reforms taken.
- Less transfers also mean, more motivation to show real progress by civil servants and thus working towards betterment and welfare of people.
Conclusion
Good governance and better administration of development is often offered as a plausible solution to conflict management. At the heart of this solution are public administrators. Civil servants, no matter how dedicated, innovative and efficient they may be, need a stability of tenure to govern well.
A healthy working relationship between Ministers, MPs, MLAs and civil servants is critical for good governance. Therefore, the state needs to take every stakeholder of governance in confidence.
Topic: impact assessment
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Down to Earth , Insights on India
Why the question:
A recent global assessment by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has painted a grim picture for the world’s mangrove forests. The analysis revealed that more than 50 per cent of these vital ecosystems are on the verge of collapse due to a combination of human activities and climate change.
Key Demand of the question:
To explain the importance of mangroves and to bring out the various threats faced by them.
Directive:
Comment- here we have to express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an overall opinion thereupon.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin the answer by briefly writing about mangroves and their ecosystem.
Body:
You can draw simple and illustrative of map showing important mangroves.
Write about the role of mangroves as the first line of defence against erosion and flooding. Also mention about the other ecological benefits of mangroves as well as its unique flora and fauna.
Next, write about the various threats that mangroves are facing which is making them ecologically fragile and climatically vulnerable such as Coastal development, clearing for agriculture, excessive Aquaculture &Salt Production, River changes: Dams and irrigation, Destruction of coral reefs, Pollution and Climate change etc. Cite necessary examples, facts and figures to substantiate your point.
Conclusion:
Write a way forward to protect the Mangrove ecosystem of India.
Introduction
Mangroves are the characteristic littoral plant formation of tropical and subtropical sheltered coastlines. They exhibit remarkable capacity for salt water tolerance, strong wind velocity, varying tides and high temperature. E.g.: Rhizophora, Avicenia, Bruguiera etc. Total cover of Mangroves in India is about 4,975 sq km as per latest State of Forest Report 2019.
A recent global assessment by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has painted a grim picture for the world’s mangrove forests. The analysis revealed that more than 50 per cent of these vital ecosystems are on the verge of collapse due to a combination of human activities and climate change.
Body
Ecological Services by Mangroves:
- Mangrove plants have (additional) special roots such as prop roots, pneumatophoreswhich help to impede water flow and thereby enhance the deposition of sediment in areas (where it is already occurring), stabilize the coastal shores, provide breeding ground for fishes.
- Mangroves moderate monsoonal tidal floods and reduce inundation of coastal lowlands.
- They prevent coastal soil erosion.
- They protect coastal lands from tsunami, hurricanes and floods.
- Mangroves enhance natural recycling of nutrients.
- Mangrove supports numerous flora, avifauna and wild life.
- Provide a safe and favourable environment for breeding, spawning, rearing of several fishes.
- They supply woods, fire wood, medicinal plants and edible plants to local people.
- They provide numerous employment opportunities to local communities and augments their livelihood.
A scientific study reported that 100 per cent of mangrove species, 92 per cent of mangrove associates, 60.8 per cent of algae, 23.8 per cent of invertebrates and 21.1 per cent of fish are under threat.
Natural forces due to climate change:
- Sea-level rise:Mangrove systems do not keep pace with changing sea-level and fall
- Extreme high-water events: affect the position and health including through altered sediment elevation and sulphide soil toxicity
- Storms:increase damage to mangroves through defoliation and tree mortality and they collapse
- Precipitation:decreased rainfall and increased evaporation will increase salinity, decreasing net primary productivity, growth
- Temperature: Changing species composition, Changing phenological patterns (e.g., timing of flowering and fruiting)
- Ocean circulation patterns:affect mangrove propagule dispersal and the genetic structure of mangrove populations, with concomitant effects on mangrove community structure.
Anthropogenic activities:
- Mangroves are being destroyed and facing severe threats due to urbanization, industrialization, and discharge of domestic sewage, industrial effluents and pesticides.
- Saltpans and aquaculturealso pose major threat to the mangroves.
- 40% of mangrove forests in West Coast of India have been converted into farmlands and housing colonies over the last three decades.
- Some of the mangrove species like Bruguiera cylindrica and Sonneratia acida are at the verge of extinction.
- Due to shrimp farming, about 35,000 ha of mangroves have been lostin India.
Scientific Management of Mangroves
- Nationwide mapping of the mangrove areas, by remote sensing techniques coupled with land surveys, and time series to assess the rate of degradation of the ecosystems.
- Quantitative surveys of area, climatic regime, rate of growth of forest trees and seasonal variations of environmental parameters.
- Inclusion of mangrove species under threat in the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red list. Sonneratia griffithii in India
- Assessment of suitable sites for reserve forests. : Artificial regeneration through mangrove nurseries or aerial seeding.
- Joint management of mangroves with local community participation.
- Disease and pest control. :Crab cuts are prevented by painting hypocotyls in yellow or Placing seedlings inside bamboo containers.
- Afforestation of degraded mangrove areas;
- Study of management methods, the ecology of mangroves, their flora and fauna, their microbiology and the biochemistry of organic matter and sediments.
- Mangroves for Future is a unique partner-led initiative for coastal ecosystem conservation. This project is being coordinated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) covering, initially, eight countries (including India) in South Asia, South East Asia and Western Indian Ocean, for the protection of the mangroves.
- The mangroves have been afforded protection under Category I (ecologically sensitive) of the CRZ.
Conclusion:
An increase of 54 sq. km in mangrove cover has been observed as notes in SFR 2019. There is a need to build on this progress for stabilization of low-lying coastal lands. Mangroves being natural filters of pollutants from water, it becomes even more necessary to conserve them.
Value addition
Characteristics:
- Mangroves are salt tolerant trees, also called halophytes, which survive high salinity, tidal regimes, strong wind velocity, high temperature and muddy anaerobic soil – a combination of conditions hostile for other plants.
- The mangrove ecosystems constitute a symbiotic link or bridge between terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
- They are found in the inter-tidal zones of sheltered shore, estuaries, creeks, backwaters, lagoons, marshes and mud-flats.
Topic: Disaster and disaster management.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Down to Earth
Why the question:
Forecasting cyclone tracks, speed & accompanying rainfall becomes challenging due to data gaps and rapidly warming oceans.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the role of forecasting and early warning systems in disaster preparedness and management of cyclones in India.
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.
Introduction:
Start by giving context.
Body:
In the first part, write about how the location of India makes it vulnerable to the tropical cyclone and issues in it.
Next, write about role of better forecasting and early warning systems – Technological advancements, better meteorological research, and effective communication channels are key to accurate and timely warnings. Community education, resilient infrastructure, and efficient emergency response plans further enhance preparedness and reduce cyclone impact etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.
Introduction
Cyclone is a region of low atmospheric pressure surrounded by high atmospheric pressure resulting in swirling atmospheric disturbance accompanied by powerful winds. They occur mainly in the tropical and temperate regions of the world.
Forecasting cyclone tracks, speed & accompanying rainfall becomes challenging due to data gaps and rapidly warming oceans.
Body
India’s preparedness to handle cyclones
- National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has responsibility of formulating National Guidelines for Management of Cyclonesand India Meteorological Department (IMD) is the nodal agency for providing cyclone warning services to communities and important officials in affected areas.
- The National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP), to be implemented with financial assistance from the World Bank, is envisaged to have four major components:
- Component A: Improvement of early warning dissemination system by strengthening the Last Mile Connectivity (LMC) of cyclone warnings and advisories.
- Component B: Cyclone risk mitigation investments.
- Component C: Technical assistance for hazard risk management and capacity-building.
- Component D: Project management and institutional support.
- These components are highly interdependent and have to be implemented in a coherent manner.
- Its aim is to undertake suitable structural and non-structural measures to mitigate the effects of cyclones in the coastal states and UTs of India.
- The NDMA had come up with its National Guidelines of Management of Cyclones in 2008. The basic premise of these guidelines is that the mitigation has to be multi-sectoral.
Challenges posing the Cyclone Management in India
- India has a coastline of about 7,516 km, 5,400 km along the mainland, 132 km in Lakshadweep and 1,900 km in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
- On an average, five to six tropical cyclones form every year, of which two or three could be severe.
- More cyclones occur in the Bay of Bengal than the Arabian Sea and the ratio is approximately 4:1. This is now changing due to impact of climate change.
- There is an over-emphasis on a total evacuee figure, particularly in states such as Odisha.
- There exists an inadequate focus on response aspects other than evacuation, such as measures to minimise crop damage, assistance for quick harvest, adequate relief and timely distribution of post-cyclone assistance such as for damaged houses, etc.
Way forward
Short term measures:
- provide cyclone forecasting, tracking and warning systems
- Construction of cyclone shelters, cyclone resistant buildings, road links, bridges, canals, drains etc.
- Establishing Early Warning Dissemination System (EWDS), and Capacity building for coastal communities.
- Mock drills, and training of local population and police by NDRF and SDRF
- Plantations of strong rooted trees, canopies, mangroves and proper vegetation cover which act as first line of defence.
- Proper drainage system throughout the city to discharge the water as soon as possible to avoid flood like conditions
- Use of NAVIC and RESOURCESAT-2 for disseminating coastal information and helping in disaster management.
- Implementation of National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project
Long term measures:
- The National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP) should be implemented with financial assistance from the World Bank
- The NDMA had come up with its National Guidelines of Management of Cyclones in 2008. The basic premise of these guidelines is that the mitigation has to be multi-sectoral.
- Developing Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) frameworks for addressing the sustainability and optimal utilisation of coastal resources as also cyclone impact minimisation plans.
- Ensuring cyclone resistant design standards are incorporated in the rural/ urban housing schemes in coastal areas
- Implementing coastal flood zoning, flood plain development and flood inundation management and regulatory plans.
- Coastal bio-shields spread, preservation and restoration/ regeneration plans.
- There is a need for private sector participation in designing and implementing policies, plans, and standards.
- Need of Disaster Management program to be inclusive including women, civil society, and academia.
Conclusion
Cyclone Disaster Management encompasses mitigation and preparedness measures for cyclones. Installing disaster-resilient power infrastructure in the coastal districts, providing concrete houses to poor and vulnerable households, and creating massive community awareness campaigns are essential.
Topic: strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance
Difficulty level: Easy
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4 and part of ‘Philosophical Mondays’ in Mission-2022 Secure.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the ways to strengthen moral character among civil servants.
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 moral character.
Body:
With examples, write ways to strengthen moral characters in civil servants – training, creating a value system, rewards and punishment etc.
Conclusion:
Mention the importance of having civil servants of high moral character in administration.
Introduction
Moral character is perhaps best described as the totality of a person’s dispositions or characteristics that play a role in how the person, morally speaking, behaves. To put it another way, to have a particular moral character is to have or to lack certain virtues and vices of character.
Body
Ways of strengthening and improving the moral character of civil servants
- Avoid conflict of interests-Setting accountability clearly demarcates area of one’s actions where he or she is required to act.
- Civil Servant needs to take pride in integrity such as procedural integrity where there is a lot of discretion. This will help in valuing taxpayer’s hard-earned money and ensure proper utilisation of funds.
- There is need to create a sense of responsibility amongst Civil Servants, wherein they understand that power is not a privilege and need to keep away from usurpation of power.
- There is also a need to promote values learned from the lives of great leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa and Swami Vivekananda, to become the true steel frame of the country.
- Civil Servant also needs to follow the principle of sustainable development and trusteeship so as to help India achieve ‘common future’ or ‘sustainable future’ targets.
- The techniques of attitude and behavioural change like cognitive appeal, emotional appeal needs to be adopted.
- Further, serving Civil Servant need to be advised to practice code of ethics and code of conduct. Training in this regard must be given due importance.
- Improve the emotional intelligence quotient of an officer by more field visits and understanding the hardships of the people.
Conclusion
Ethics, whether in an entire society, or in a social sub-system, evolves over a long period of time. Different institutions impact the ethical behaviour of individuals in different manner. Thus, value based education, good governance, self-realization, just laws, code of ethics and code of conducts are essential to build an ethically just society and state.
racter in administration.
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