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UPSC Mains Paper - 1 [1]

1. Early Buddhist Stupa-art, while depicting folk motifs and narratives successfully expoundsBuddhist ideals, Elucidate.

2. Krishnadeva Raya, the King of Vijayanagar, was not only an accomplished scholar himself butwas also a great patron of learning and literature. Discuss.

3. Explain how the Uprising of 1857 constitutes an important watershed in the evolution of Britishpolicies towards colonial India.

4. Discuss the role of women in the freedom struggle especially during the Gandhian phase.

5. Highlight the difference in the approach of Subhash Chandra Bose and Mahatma Gandhi in thestruggle for freedom.

6. Has the formation of linguistic States strengthened the cause of Indian Unity?

7. The anti-colonial struggles in West Africa were led by the new elite of Western-educatedAfricans. Examine.

8. To what extent globalization has influenced the core of cultural diversity in India? Explain.

9. "An essential condition to eradicate poverty is to liberate the poor from the process of deprivation."Substantiate this statement with suitable examples.

10. Why are the tribals in India referred to as 'the Scheduled Tribes'? Indicate the major provisionsenshrined in the Constitution of India for their upliftment.

11. With a brief background of quality of urban life in India, introduce the objectives and strategyof the 'Smart City Programmes'.

12. What is the basis of regionalism? Is it that unequal distribution of benefits of development onregional basis eventually promotes regionally? Substantiate your answer.

13. Discuss the concept of air mass and explain its role in macro-climatic changes.

14. "The Himalayas are highly prone to landslides." Discuss the causes and suggest suitable measuresof mitigation.

15. The effective management of land and water resources will drastically reduce the humanmiseries. Explain.

16. South China Sea has assumed great geopolitical significance in the present context. Comment.

17. Major cities of India are becoming more vulnerable to flood conditions. Discuss.

18. Present an account of the Indus Water Treaty and examine its ecological, economic and politicalimplications in the context of changing bilateral relations.

UPSC MAINS 2016

GS PAPER - 1Time Allowed: 3 hr. Max. Marks: 250



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[ 2 ] UPSC Mains Paper - 1

19. Enumerate the problems and prospects of inland water transport in India.

20. In what way micro-watershed development projects help in water conservation in drought-prone and semi-arid regions of India?



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Hints: UPSC Mains Paper - 1 [1]

1. Early Buddhist Stupa-art, while depicting folk motifs and narratives successfully expounds Buddhistideals, Elucidate.

Hints:

• In Buddhism, the earliest stupas contained portions of the Buddha’s ashes, and as a result, the stupa

began to be associated with the body of the Buddha.

• Buddha had asked pupils to place the relics “where four roads meet”. This is probably to indicate

the openness and universality of the Buddhist teaching, which invites all to come and try its path,and also to radiate loving-kindness to beings in all four directions.

• Stupas contain intricate lotus designs which symbolises the potential for spiritual growth latent in

all beings, and the complete non-attachment of the enlightened mind, which stands beyond all

defilements

• Stupa is an image of the creation of the universe (the archetype of regeneration), with the stupa

axis founded on the waters and rising through the earth, atmosphere and heavens so as to unite

them and form a communicating link between them.

• The shape of the stupa represents the Buddha, crowned and sitting in meditation posture on a lion

throne.

• While stupas have changed in form over the years, their function remains essentially unchanged.Stupas remind the Buddhist practitioner of the Buddha and his teachings almost 2,500 years after

his death.

• The most elaborate stupa in Java contained Buddha images symbolizing Arûpajhâna, the sphere of

formlessness. The main stupa itself is empty, symbolizing complete perfection of enlightenment.

• Thus the art and architecture associated with Buddhism symbolized the Buddhist ideals.

2. Krishnadeva Raya, the King of Vijayanagar, was not only an accomplished scholar himself but wasalso a great patron of learning and literature. Discuss.

Hints:

• Historians consider Krishnadevaraya as the greatest ruler of the Vijayanagara kingdom.His greatest

achievement is of the broad tolerance that existed during his rule in his empire.

• His reign marked a new era in Telugu literature when imitation of Sanskrit works gave way to

independent works.

• His rule was an age of prolific literature in many languages ,although it is also known as a golden

age of Telugu literature.

• He was a gifted scholar of Telugu and Sanskrit and wrote many works in these languages.

UPSC GS MAINS PAPER - 1

HINTS



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[ 2 ] Hints: UPSC Mains Paper - 1

• Sanskrit plays "JambavatiKalyanam", "Ushaparinayam", Madalasacharitha, Rasamanjari,Satyavaduparinaya and a Telugu poem "Amuktamalyada" were written by him. This workbeautifully subscribed the agony of separation suffered by Sri Andal for her lover Lord Vishnu.

• He was fluent in many languages including his mother tongue "Tulu".

• He extended his patronage to Telugu,Kannada and Tamil poets alike.

• He patronised many famous posts like Haridasu, Nanditimmana, Kannada poet mallanaraya etc.

• His court BhuvanaVijayamu was adorned by eight literary giants called as "Astadiggajas". The mostcelebrated of them were Allasanipeddana (father of Telugu poetry), Dhurjati, Tenali Ramakrishna.

• His munificence for scholars earned for him the title "Andhra Bhoja".

3. Explain how the Uprising of 1857 constitutes an important watershed in the evolution of Britishpolicies towards colonial India.

Hints:

• One of the important events of Indian history is the 'Revolt of 1857' or 'India's first war ofIndependence' or 'The Sepoy Mutiny'. It was the first rebellion against the East India Companywhich took the massive form. It showed resentment towards British policies thus it acted as thewatershed in the evolution of British policies towards colonial India.

• Britishers felt that the efforts to westernize the Indian society were one of the reasons which causedthe mutiny, after the revolt they tried to integrate Indian higher castes and rulers into the governmentand abolished any attempts of westernisation. Similarly the government distanced itself furtherfrom the Christian missionaries.

• The revolt depicted the Hindu-Muslin unity thus Britishers started to appease one community overthe other giving rise to the divide and rule policy.

• It led to the dissolution of the east India company in 1858 with the passage of government of Indiaact and was there after directly governed by the crown.

• A new post named Secretary of State was created to govern India and formulate Indian policy. TheGovernor General from now on called as viceroy implemented the policies.

• Doctrine of lapse policy was one of the main causes of the revolt was ended.

• Administrative changes were made in the executive, legislative and judicial arenas with greaterparticipation of Indians .This change was visible in the Indian Council Act 1861, the Indian Highcourt act 1861 and the Indian Civil Services Act 1861.

• After the rebellion British reorganized the army and brought changes in the financial system andadministration as well. These troops were replaced by new units recruited from castes hithertounder-utilized by the British and from the so-called "Martial Races", such as the Sikhs and theGorkhas, which were not part of mainstream Indian culture.

• The British increased the ratio of British to Indian soldiers within India. From 1861 Indian artillerywas replaced by British units.

4. Discuss the role of women in the freedom struggle especially during the Gandhian phase.

Hints:

• Woman's participation in India's freedom struggle began as early as in 1817. Bhima Bai Holkarfought bravely against the British colonel Malcolm and defeated him in guerilla warfare.

• The role of Rani of Ramgarh, Rani Lakshmi Bai, Tapasvini Maharani in the War of Independence(the Great Revolt) of 1857 was commendable.

• While women were involved in the political arena since the foundation of Indian national congressdays (Annie Besant started Home Rule League) and especially during the Swadeshi movement butit was Gandhiji who initiated for mass participation of women in freedom struggle.



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• In 1920, Sarojini Naidu joined the non-cooperation movement. Many women participated in thismovement by performing their domestic and social roles. Sarla Devi, Muthulaxmi Reddy, SusheelaNair, Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, Sucheta Kripalani and Aruna Asaf Ali,Vijay LaxmiPandit are somethe women who participated in the Non - violent Noncooperation movement. They participatedin political protests, picketed shops selling foreign goods and organized Prabhat Pheri (singingpatriotic songs).

• Women's participation in the national movement helped in breaking several of the old barriers oftradition and custom. Women's organization side by side raised their voices for removal of socialand legal disabilities.

• Role of few women have been discussed below:

a) Arun Asaf Ali was a radical nationalist played an outstanding role in the historic Quit IndiaMovement launched by Mahatma Gandhi on August 9, 1942, and was a prominent leader of theunderground movement.

b) Vijay Lakshmi Pandit represented India in many of the Conferences abroad. She attended numerouspublic lectures and challenged the British dominated delegate's rights to represent India therein. Shewas a great fighter and took parts in many of the freedom movement.

c) Women like Kalpana Dutt, Preeti Lathawaddedar have been actively involved in revolutionaryactivities as well like the Hindustan republic socialist association, Chittagong uprising, etc.

5. Highlight the difference in the approach of Subhash Chandra Bose and Mahatma Gandhi in thestruggle for freedom.

Hints:

• Although Subhash Chandra was a follower of Gandhi during the initial days, the later part of the1930s witnessed a growing radicalization of his thoughts and Bose became increasingly frustratedwith the lack of momentum in the independence movement. This caused increasing differences intheir approaches.

• Differences are as follows:

a) Basic Ideology:

o Bose was a nationalist who believed in the tradition of Tilak and Aurobindo (Extremists). Gandhi,on the contrary, was a nationalist who belonged to the tradition of his mentor Gokhale (Moderates)and Tagore.

o Bose’s strong revolutionary urge for the emancipation of his motherland made him critical of manyof Gandhiji’s techniques.

b) Strategy to achieve independence:

o Netaji’s demand for complete freedom of India from the British in contrast to Gandhi’s want forindependence in phases through dominion status.

o Bose has also been unambiguous that he would seek political emancipation through the mostefficacious means which could involve armed conflict or even a total war.

c) Future of India post independence:

o Gandhi was hostile to industrialization, while Bose saw it as the only route to making India strongand self-sufficient.

o Gandhi advocated a back to the roots vision comprising of spinning, khadi and local self-sufficiencyat village level while Bose held steadfast to a futuristic vision of large scale industrialization anda politics devoid of irrationality and religiosity.

o Bose was influenced by the success of the five-year plans in the Soviet Union and he advocatedfor a socialist nation with an industrialized economy.



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o Bose wanted to develop free India as a modern, industrialized nation with focus on advances inscience, livelihood, and education for the masses.

d) Idea about freedom:

o Bose believed that freedom is never given; it is taken, while Gandhi on the other hand sought toattain his Swaraj through loyalty to the empire and a change of heart on their part.

e) Non cooperation movement:

o Gandhi wanted a mass non-violent movement. Putting pressure on British raj by non-violent meanssuch as fasting .However when Chauri Chaura incident occurred Gandhi ended the non cooperationmovement abruptly but Bose thought that was the right time for mass movement against British.

f) Second World War:

o Bose wanted to strike down the enemy when it was vulnerable. During the second world war Bosewanted to take action against British which was opposed by Gandhi as he thought it was notethically right

g) Military:

o Bose wanted a organized military campaign and he dint mind being included in a lot of internationalpolitics. Bose’s Azad Hind force joined axis powers in WW2 against British.

6. Has the formation of linguistic States strengthened the cause of Indian Unity?

Hints:

• Language is closely related to culture and therefore to the customs of people. Besides, the massivespread of education and growth of mass literacy can only occur through the medium of the mothertongue. Democracy can become real to the common people only when politics and administrationare conducted through the language they can understand.

• Thus States Reorganization Commission recommended a division of India based on dominance andgeographical concentration of ethno-linguistic communities.

• Accepting linguistic diversity helped each state to officially patronize its language. It gave theassurance of respecting different culture and language.

• By accepting diversity India had indirectly strengthened the federal fabric of the nation. Regionalrepresentation ensured that all genuine grievances are channelized through democratic means andaddressed.

• Government’s focus on Jnanapith awards, Classical language status to languages further encouragedscholar to do research in respective language and make Indians aware of the governments support.

• But on the flip side, it has also promoted local identity. It has created distinctiveness among people.The regional differences have come in the way of national integration. Extreme sense of regionalismhas resulted in parochialism and ethno centricism; instances like Inter-state water disputes, boundarydisputes have also increased.

• Hence steps should be taken to place language as a source of unity of the country by recognizinglinguistic diversity and initiating tolerance for each culture.

7. The anti-colonial struggles in West Africa were led by the new elite of Western-educated Africans.Examine.

Hints:

• Independence movements in Africa often were led by individuals who had attended Westernschools (either in Africa or abroad).

• These Western educated Africans spoke the language of the colonizers and knew the types ofpolitical activities and organizations which the colonizers understood; therefore, they were in abetter position to communicate with the colonizers in their efforts to gain the independence which



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their fellow Africans without European education appreciated, desired and often sacrificed theirlives for.

• Some of them were: Kwame Nkrumah (Gold Coast, now Ghana), Léopold Sédar Senghor (Senegal),Nnamdi Azikiwe (Nigeria), and Félix Houphouët-Boigny (Côte d’Ivoire).

• They with the help of their counterparts in other continents, protested against the colonial order bypublicizing the corruption and injustice perpetrated by the colonial master.

• However the independence achieved by these colonies has not been very fruitful because:

a) Since independence, West Africa has suffered from the same problems as much of the Africancontinent, particularly dictatorships, political corruption and military coups.

b) The region of West Africa has seen a number of civil wars in its recent past including the NigerianCivil War (1967–1970), two civil wars in Liberia in 1989 and 1999, a decade of fighting in SierraLeone from 1991–2002, the Guinea-Bissau Civil War.

c) The socio economic development in the African countries did not improve much even afterindependence and they still remain as the poorest countries in the world.

8. To what extent globalization has influenced the core of cultural diversity in India? Explain.

Hints:

• Globalization in its basic economic sense refers to the adoption of open and unfettered tradingmarkets (through lowering of trade barriers, removal of capital controls, and liberalization of foreignexchange restrictions). There is also a significant movement of people from one country to anotherfor trade and work.

• The impact of globalization on local culture and the changing role of the nation-state can beexamined by observing the particularities of the social and cultural patterns and their local, nationaland transnational manifestations in India. These social and cultural realities have a plural characterin terms of language, geography, ethnicity, religion and culture. Thus globalisation impacts theculture of the region. Some of them are:

a) Family disruption and social and domestic violence are increasing.

b) Concepts of national identity, and of family, job and tradition are changing rapidly and significantly.

c) There is concern that competitiveness introduced by globalization is leading to more individualisticsocieties.

d) Loss of tolerance for differences in religion and culture.

e) The nation state is losing influence relative to global economic pressures, and in some countriesthere is a failure or hesitation to develop social policies. All of these changes increase the likelihoodthat vulnerable people will be exploited, and threats to the human rights of less able people willincrease.

• However globalization has made the local culture more assertive in demanding their identity. Theyhave, in fact, consolidated their strength. Apart from such empowering impact, the local communitiesand cultures are also inspired by the new telecommunication media to re-assert their culturalidentity and reinforce their residence. It helps them maintain their identity by accessing themselvesto cultural meanings and values rather selectively through an adaptive mechanism.

• Thus globalization with its intending consequences has revolutionised the societal dynamics andintroduced functional/dysfunctional dimensions.

9. "An essential condition to eradicate poverty is to liberate the poor from the process of deprivation."Substantiate this statement with suitable examples.

Hints:

• Poverty is pronounced deprivation in wellbeing. High poverty levels are synonymous with poorquality of life, deprivation, malnutrition, illiteracy and low human resource development.



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• Economic growth is not the solution for eradicating poverty. Economic growth provides greatercommand over goods and services however, this does not necessarily imply higher wellbeing for

everyone; the benefits of economic growth are never shared equally. Income allows an individualto purchase commodities with which he or she generates various functioning. But all individualscannot convert commodities into functioning to the same degree.

• Thus, poverty should be viewed as the deprivation of basic capabilities rather than merely as lowlevel of income. Poverty encompasses not only material deprivation (measured by income orconsumption) but also many other forms of deprivations in different aspects of life such asunemployment, ill health, lack of education, vulnerability, powerlessness, social exclusion and so on.

Poverty is present when basic capability failure arises.

• Therefore, Anti-poverty strategy should comprise of a wide range of programmes aimed to strengthenand to generate more employment, create productive assets, impart technical and entrepreneurial

skills and raise the income level of the poor.

• Government should focus on improvement of Human infrastructure by means of the provision ofbasic education and basic health care. Further, public investment in physical infrastructure shouldbe supplemented with it to improve the access to the resources to form the vicious cycle ofdevelopment.

10. Why are the tribals in India referred to as 'the Scheduled Tribes'? Indicate the major provisionsenshrined in the Constitution of India for their upliftment.

Hints:

• Schedule Tribes are community of people who lived in tribal areas (mainly forest). They make upto 7-8% of Indian population. They have traditionally been marginalized and not in the mainstream

of the society. They are also known as Adivasis.

• The criterion followed for specification of a community, as scheduled tribes are indications of

primitive traits, distinctive culture, geographical isolation, shyness of contact with the communityat large, and backwardness. This criterion is not spelt out in the Constitution but has become well

established.

• Constitutional Provisions / Safeguards for Scheduled Tribes; can be divided into two ProtectiveProvisions and Developmental and upliftment provisions.

• The constitutional provisions are:

a) Article 15(4): Promotion of Social, Economic and Educational interests:

This article empowers “the state to make any special provision for the advancement of socially and

educationally backward classes of citizens or for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes”.

b) Article 19(5): Safeguard of Tribal Interests:

While the rights of free movement and residence throughout the territory of India and of acquisitionand disposition of property are guaranteed to every citizen, special restrictions may be imposed by“the state for the protection of the interests of any Scheduled Tribe “.

c) Cultural and Educational Rights:

A cultural or linguistic minority has right to conserve its language or culture. ‘The state shall notimpose upon it any culture other than the community’s own culture.

d) Articles 330, 332 and 334:

Seats shall be reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in legislative bodies. There are

provisions for reservations of seats in the parliament as well as legislative Assembly of every state(Article 330,332).Such reservations were cease to be effective after a period of 10 years from thecommencement of the constitution (Article 334) but after every ten years it’s being extended throughconstitutional amendments.



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e) Article 338:

It says that there shall be a special officer for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes to beappointed by the President. National Commission for Scheduled Tribes has been established under338A.

• The Government of India has also enacted progressive legislation, programmes and schemes for thedevelopment and empowerment of the SCs and STs. The Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional ForestDwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (FRA); The Provision of the Panchayats (Extension tothe Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996; Minor Forest Produce Act 2005; and the Tribal Sub-Plan Strategy.

• The Government of India has also enacted special schemes to enable access to opportunities includingscholarships for education, financial support and skill building for setting up enterprises, reservationsin jobs, and special courts to address instances of atrocities and violence.

11. With a brief background of quality of urban life in India, introduce the objectives and strategy ofthe 'Smart City Programmes'.

Hints:

• Urbanization has been an instrument of economic, social and political progress, but due to haphazardurbanization in the recent time, the situation relating to civic amenities such as water supply,electricity, public toilets, garbage disposal, etc. has worsened in particular.

• According to the 2011 Census, amenities available with the households has been listed as follows:87% of households are using tap, tube well, hand pump and covered well as the main source ofdrinking water while 43.5 percent use tap water. Only 47% of households have source of waterwithin the premises while 36% of households have to fetch water from a source located within 500m in rural areas/100 m in urban areas and 17% still fetch drinking water from a source locatedmore than 500 m away in rural areas or 100 m in urban area.

• This has increased due to rural-urban migration; financial crunch which affects the provision ofcivic amenities both in qualitative and quantitative manner; lack of autonomy of ULBs in generatingrevenues; inadequate user charges for civic amenities to cover the expenses for its provision andpolitics of populism.

• Against this backdrop it can be said that the concept of smart cities would be able to handle thiscrisis of civic amenities.

• Smart city mission is an urban renewal and retrofitting programme by Government of India witha mission to develop 100 cities to all over the country. INR 48,000 Crore to be spent over the nextfive year to build 100 smart cities. Each selected city is to be receiving assistance of 100 Crore peryear for five year. Important cities located in hilly area, major and minor tourist spots are to betransformed into smart cities. Each city will receive special purpose vehicle to implement the scheme.

• Smart City Mission envisages the bottom up approach i.e. planning and implementation both atlocal level. The conceptualization of Smart City, therefore, varies from city to city and country tocountry, depending on the level of development, willingness to change and reform, resources andaspirations of the city residents.

• However for the development of smart cities formation of smart villages is also important to reducerural-urban migration and burden on urban resources.

12. What is the basis of regionalism? Is it that unequal distribution of benefits of development onregional basis eventually promotes regionally? Substantiate your answer.

Hints:

• Roots of regionalism in India are manifold, ranging from diversity of languages, cultures, ethnicgroups, communities, religions and so on, and encouraged by the regional concentration of thoseidentity markers, and fuelled by a sense of regional deprivation. But for many centuries, Indiaremained the land of many lands, regions, cultures and traditions even with this sense of diversity.

• However the unequal development of states, discrimination by state administration and concentrationof development activities, administrative power and political power to a particular region have been



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the main reason for demand of new states and emergence for secessionist movement in North-EastIndia.

• There are certain regions in the country where industries and factories have been concentrated,educational and health facilities are sufficiently provided, communication net work has beendeveloped, rapid agricultural development has been made possible. But there are also certain areaswhere the worth of independence is yet to be realized in terms of socio-economic development.

• Further the economy’s failure to create enough employment opportunities for the educated youthscreated an acute scarcity of jobs, and led to intense competition for the available jobs.

• This disparity has caused the feeling of relative deprivation among the inhabitants of economicallyneglected regions.

• Thus, the need of the hour is to develop a realistic perception of regionalism at the conceptual levelfocusing on righteousness and judicious outlook maintaining unity in diversity

• With the promotion of cooperative federalism, establishment of NITI AAYOG, interstate council thenegative connotation of regionalism can be further diluted and more inclusive and faster growthcan be achieved.

13. Discuss the concept of air mass and explain its role in macro-climatic changes.

Hints:

• An air mass is a large body of air whose physical properties, especially temperature, moisturecontent and lapse rate are more or less uniform horizontally for hundreds of kilometres.

• The nature and degree of homogeneity of an airmass are determined by properties of the sourcearea and the direction of its movement and changes introduced in the airmass during its journeyaway from the sources area and age of the air mass.

• The interaction of air-mass of different regions plays an important role in determining the temperatureand precipitation of temperate regions in following ways:

a) Laurential type of climate: Continental polar air-mass moves in southerly and south-easterly directionpicks up moisture from great-lakes region of north American produces lake-effect snow and heavysnowfall in Appalachians.

b) China type of climate: Maritime tropical pacific air-mass when enters the mainland china producescyclones in the region of Yellow sea and Japan sea.

c) Maritime tropical Atlantic air mass control the weather conditions of vast areas of USA near theGulf of Mexico region producing thunderstorms, cyclones etc. Ex Hurricanes in USA.

d) The interaction of polar continental cold air-mass and temperature air mass produces extreme coldconditions in winter causing heavy snowfall in temperate latitudes.

e) According to Halley, the monsoon in Indian subcontinent is nothing but movement of maritimeairmass (high moisture content) into Indian landmass.

f) Convergence of African hot airmass and European cold airmass over Mediterranean producestemperate cyclones ,which is a major determinant of weather condition of temperate latitude.(alsocauses western disturbance over Pakistan and India, good for winter wheat)

• Hence Air masses play an important role in microclimatic changes, especially in temperate latitudes.

14. "The Himalayas are highly prone to landslides." Discuss the causes and suggest suitable measuresof mitigation.

Hints:

• A landslide is a downward and outward movement of slope materials like rocks, soil and so onunder the influence of gravity. It is a natural process that removes materials from the hill slopes andcoastline.



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• Gravity and accumulation of soft soil, debris and rocks on a steep slope are the primary reason fora landslide, There are various other factors that could increase the risk. For instance, erosion byrivers, weakening of rocks and soils by heavy rains, earthquakes, volcanic eruption, stockpiling ofrocks and ores and deforestation could increase a region’s susceptibility to landslides.

• Himalayas are more prone to landslides because the earth’s structure consists of an outer silicatesolid crust (about 30km from the surface), a viscous mantle (2,900 km thick) and the core (3,500km diameter). The uppermost part of the mantle and crust is broken into seven major tectonicplates- African, Australian, Eurasian, North American, South American, and Pacific. These platescan move over the low viscous region below them. The Himalayas are created by the collision ofthe Indian landmass with the Eurasian plate. The landscape in the Himalaya and the north east ishighly susceptible to landslides. The slopes of the mountains have immature and rugged topography,high seismicity and high rainfall, all contributing to the region’s high vulnerability to landslides.

• Measures to control landslides are:

a) Hazard mapping: locate areas prone to slope failure. Identifying areas prone to landslides andavoidance of areas for building settlements

b) Land use: preservation of vegetal cover. Denuded path slopes provoke landslides and muse bereforested with suitable tree species. Terrace farming, construction of bunds, etc

c) Slope stabilisation: Afforestration, retaining walls, use of jute geotextiles, plastic geogrids to increaseslope stability.

d) Control human activities: prevent people from deforestration, urbanization, mining or infrastructuralprojects.*

e) The presence of water within a rocky hillside is one of the major factors leading to instability.Knowledge of the water pressure and of the runoff mode is important to stability analysis, and toplanning measures to improve hillside stability. Care must be taken to avoid blockage of naturaldrainage while constructing roads, buildings and canals.

f) On community lands, fuel or fodder trees should be grown to increase forest cover to reducelandslide hazard in India.

g) Grazing should be restricted and better grass must be grown on the surface previously grazed toincrease the hold on soil by plant roots

h) Reinforcement measures generally consist of the introduction of metal elements which increase theshear strength of the rock and to reduce the stress release created when the rock is cut.

15. The effective management of land and water resources will drastically reduce the human miseries.Explain.

Hints:

• Human settlements, unsustainable agriculture, commerce, industry and tourism development havehistorically been competing for the limited land and water resources.

• As human needs and population grow, the pressure on land and water continue to increase andthis competing demand has led to skewed resource distribution resulting in poverty, hunger, lackof equitable distribution of water, land and other social resources.

• Lack of institutional capacity to properly negotiate rights to exploit socio-economic activities continuesto exert pressure on these critical resources.

• Various ways through which effective land and water resources management can reduce humanmisery are:

A. Land management:

- Land capability classification to determine the different uses of land.

- Land not capable for cultivation can be used for construction activities, infrastructure projects,settlements, industry, etc.



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[ 1 0 ] Hints: UPSC Mains Paper - 1

- The area set aside for forest cover needs to be utilised for afforestration, sacred groves etc.

- Land suitable for agriculture should be used to grow crops based on agro-climatic conditions toensure effective land use and ensure optimum productivity of the produce to help reduce hungerand famine conditions and ensure food security.

- Some of the effective land use practises are agro-forestry, social forestry, plantation of trees alongnational highways etc.

- Land record management with proper legislation for land lease and land tenancy, mutation ordersand limited accessibility etc so that land is effectively utilised in the land market.

- Geospatial technologies facilitate the mapping of land parcels, valuation of land, and the integrationof data sets from multiple departments to realize a strategic land suitability assessment.

- Data integration from multiple sources, displaying the results on a map integrated with satelliteimages will help in effective decision making.

B. Water management practices that help in effective water usage to reduce human misery:

- water conservation harvesting using some of the traditional water harvesting techniques like Zingin Ladakh, Kere in Karnataka, Tankas,etc help in water storage that would help in water use inlean seasons, utilize water for multiple purposes like drinking water, agriculture, use for cattle,small hydropower generation etc. this water helps in fighting droughts

- water use efficiency using micro-irrigation practices like sprinkler and drip irrigation can reduceindiscriminate water use and increase the efficiency of irrigation for agricultural crops

- As per national water policy the water use must be prioritized – drinking water, water use foragriculture, household activities, women needs and industries etc can help in reducing humanmisery and ensure equitable distribution of water resources.

• The land and water management techniques should aim at: Economic efficiency in water use;Equity and Environmental and ecological sustainability.

16. South China Sea has assumed great geopolitical significance in the present context. Comment.

Hints:

• The South China Sea is a marginal sea that is part of the Pacific Ocean, encompassing an area fromthe Karimata and Malacca Straits to the Strait of Taiwan of around 3,500,000 square kilometres.

• The South China Sea is ringed by Brunei, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, andVietnam, and dotted with hundreds of small islands, shoals and reefs, many of them occupied bythe disputants.

• Geopolitical significance of South China Sea is due to the competing demands and interests ofvarious littoral states and other world countries in the region.

• Economic reasons:

a) The SCS is a busy international waterway, being one of the main arteries of the global economy andtrade. More than $5 trillion of world trade ships pass through the SCS every year.

b) The SCS is also resource rich, with numerous offshore oil and gas blocks.

c) Fishing presents another potential source of conflict. The South China Sea is the largest source offish, an important foodstock, in each of the claimant countries. The fishing industries of each of thedisputants include large numbers of vessels which travel increasingly farther from their home coastsdue to overfishing in coastal waters, bringing them into disputed waters. This has led to frequentincidents of harassment of vessels, confiscation of catches and equipment, and sometimes imprisonmentof fishermen.

• Political reason:

a) The fundamental issue in the South China Sea is one of territorial sovereignty, that is, which statehas sovereignty over the islands and their adjacent waters. Presently six countries are having



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territorial claims in the South China Sea waters for trade, transport, hydrocarbons, freedom ofnavigation etc.

b) Given the ambiguities of international law over the Spratly and Paracel islands, countries in the

region have occupied various islets, reefs, rocks and outcrops over the decades

c) China’s increased presence in the region by deployment of deep-sea rigs and drilling in the disputedarea also raises many political issues.

• Growth of naval power in the region as joint military exercises has also increased.

• Hence the geopolitical significance of the South China Sea has increased in the present era.

17. Major cities of India are becoming more vulnerable to flood conditions. Discuss.

Hints:

• Urban flooding has become a common phenomenon in recent times with every city sees flooding

during the monsoon or during heavy rainfall times. There is a complete disconnect between geologicaland hydrogeological cycle and urban planning.

• The problem of floods in urban areas became so acute that in 2010, the National Disaster Management

Authority (NDMA) recognised urban floods as different from riverine floods. It said urban floods“happen in a relatively short period of time and can inundate an area with several feet of water”.

• Some of the reasons for urban flooding include:

a) Destruction of wetlands: Lakes and wetlands are an important part of urban ecosystem. Theyperform significant environmental, social and economic functions, ranging from being a source of

drinking water, recharging groundwater to acting as sponges, supporting biodiversity and providinglivelihoods. Destruction of wetlands leads to decreased absorbing capacity leading to floods. Ex

Hyderabad has lost 3,245 ha of its wetlands. The vast network of lakes in the city had allowed theexcess water from one lake to follow into another and eventually into the Musi River. With thedestruction of this network any amount of heavy rains leads to flooding of the city as seen in 2016.

b) Concretization: Management of Urban Flooding report, published by the National Disaster

Management Authority (NDMA) in 2010, says that concretisation is a major problem in many cities

and towns. Concrete jungles obstruct and encroach upon the natural flow of water bodies andcreate pockets that trap water, which increases the flood intensity.

c) Destruction of river basin area of rivers flowing in the cities: Natural streams and watercourses,formed over thousands of years due to the forces of flowing water in the respective watersheds,

have been altered/reduced because of urbanization. There have been large scale encroachments onthe natural drains and the river flood plains. Consequently, the capacity of natural drains hasdecreased, resulting in flooding during heavy rains. Ex three rivers in the Chennai city are highlyencroached upon and that has reduced the amount of water runoff into the Bay of Bengal. Kashmirfloods of 2014 is the result of unplanned urbanization and encroachment of Jhelum flood plains

decreasing its carrying capacity

d) Migration: Explosive increase in the urban population without corresponding expansion of civic

facilities such as adequate infrastructure for the disposal of waste. The sewerage generated by thepeople gets mixed with the water and clogs the natural channels and storm water drains leadingto flooding when it receives excessive water. Guwahati’s Deeporbeel lake is used by the municipalcorporation to dump solid waste since 2006.

e) Construction of dams on the river beds: Increased water that is released from these dams floods the

low lying areas as in Kashmir the deluge was the result of the dam at Srinagar, its floodgates wereopened without warning and the water carried all the debris from the dam site to the city.

f) Unmindful sand mining from the catchment areas and river beds also reduce the river absorbingcapacity of excess water leading to floods during heavy rains. Vembanad Lake on the outskirts ofKochi has water level halved its intial level after the mining activity.



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• Steps needed are:

a) Urban planners should undertake a detailed mapping of waterbodies, natural drainage and flood-prone areas in cities using remote sensing. And then integrate the drainage system of the cityincluding rivers, rivulets, ponds, lakes and other natural drainage systems.

b) Policymakers to relook the development plans approved by city authorities and find out whetherthey violate the hydrological cycle of the city.

• This calls for stronger laws to protect urban lakes and the setting up of a single authority for themanagement and restoration of water bodies.

18. Present an account of the Indus Water Treaty and examine its ecological, economic and politicalimplications in the context of changing bilateral relations.

Hints:

• The Indus Waters Treaty is a water-distribution treaty of Indus river system between India andPakistan. The treaty was signed in Karachi on September 19, 1960 by Prime Minister of IndiaJawaharlal Nehru and President of Pakistan Ayub Khan. According to this agreement, control overthe three “eastern” rivers — the Beas, the Ravi and the Sutlej — was given to India, while controlover the three “western” rivers — the Indus, the Chenab and the Jhelum — to Pakistan.

• The treaty allowed India to use Pakistan’s rivers for irrigation, transport and power generation,while laying down precise regulations for Indian building projects along the way. The treaty isconsidered to be one of the most successful water-sharing endeavors in the world today.

• The changing bilateral equation between India and Pakistan over issues like border dispute,Siachen,Kashmir and terrorist attack such as Uri, has significant implication on Indus water treaty (recentlyIndian government’s consideration of optimizing Indus water use).

• The implications will be:

A. Ecological:

i. Competitive and ecologically unsustainable constructions of big hydel power dam, can disturb thefragile ever ecosystem. (According to world bank both country have to maintain a threshold levelof water flow for natural cleansing).

ii. Bilateral rivalry can be a significant hurdle in putting joint effort for conservation of the riverecosystem and associated flora and fauna.

B. Economic:

i. India and Pakistan have used the waters for irrigation purposes like agriculture in Jammu andKashmir, paddy in Pakistan, tourism, electricity generation based on run of the river hydro-powergeneration, flood storage capacity ex.Baglihar project, Kishenganga project. Hence any misuse,overuseand unscientific use against the spirit of IWT can seriously affect local economies and runs the riskof aggravating conflict.

C. Political:

i. As India enjoys respect and support for its adherence to global institutional arrangements (recentNew Moore island with Bangladesh, Barkar river sharing,etc), any unilateral action may turn globalcommunity against India.

ii. Again countries like China will use this(any breach of IWT) as a pretext to divert water from theinternational rivers like the Brahmaputra and Mekong, leading to regional political instability.

• IWT acts as a confidence building measure(CBM) between India and Pakistan.It plays a big role inIndia Pakistan cooperation and peace

• Therefore Ecological sustainability and economic demands of the local people should be the corepriority, while using water of Indus.Rather than turning it into a point of conflict; it must betransformed into a conduit of cooperation by strengthening the IWT.



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19. Enumerate the problems and prospects of inland water transport in India.

Hints:

• India has about 14,500 km of navigable waterways which comprise rivers, canals, backwaters,creeks, etc. The systematic development of waterways will create progressive economic opportunitiesin the country.

• However, the potential of water transport is underutilized in India. The share of inland watertransport is only 3.5% compared to 40% in western countries.

• Inland waterways are the most fuel efficient, cost saving and environmental friendly mode oftransport. It will reduce the burden on road and rail transport which are comparatively less efficient.The cargo conveyance too is cheaper will little energy requirements.

• But the inland water transport in India faces folllowing issues:

a) Competing demands on the stressed water levels with existing users, between centre and state,human use and ecological need of the river particularly farmers who need water for irrigation,drinking water and use for industries , fisheries-based livelihoods, pilgrimage, or rights for localnavigation remain unresolved.

b) Accidental spillage of hazardous fuels could directly affect the health of millions of people in Indiathat still depend on rivers for drinking, domestic uses, commerce, and livelihoods, and present life-threatening risks to aquatic species.

c) Environmental and ecological concerns: Dynamic flow, flooding, changing river courses seen inmost of the rivers are essential to maintain the river productivity and ecology of the rivers. The highsedimentation deposition and erosion patterns make navigation risky.

d) The need for huge private investments in maintaining the dredging work. Ex Farrakha barrage isa case in point.

e) Diversion of river water for irrigation canals has reduced the flow of water and declined thenavigation capacity of the rivers.

f) The presence of waterfalls, cataracts and sharp bends hinders the development of waterways.

g) Silting of river bed reduces the depth of water and creates problem for navigation.

h) Insufficient depth throughout the stretch of navigable waters.

i) Non availability of low draft high technology vessels.

j) Non availability of navigational aids resulted in restricted sailing over a long period.

k) Most of the large rivers of the country enter the sea through shallow sand chocked delta channels.Thus navigation is hampered unless dredging is done.

• In other to increase the significance of inland waterways and to improve their efficiency, thegovernment has identified important waterways and designated them as national waterways ofIndia.

• The Government is also developing National Waterway-1 (NW-1) under the Jal Marg Vikas Project,with assistance from the World Bank. NW-1 refers to 1620 km Haldia-Allahabad stretch of RiverGanga.

20. In what way micro-watershed development projects help in water conservation in drought-proneand semi-arid regions of India?

Hints:

• The watershed is a natural hydrological entity that covers a specific aerial expanse of land surfacefrom which the rainfall runoff flows to a defined drain, channel, stream or river at any particularpoint.



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• Water collected from all the sources is stored in lakes, ponds, subsurface soil, soil moisture andgeological formation and building of check-dams, tankas,etc help in storage of water for leanseasons.

• Micro-watershed is a strategy towards achieving inclusive growth with the objective of givingimpetus to treatment of degraded watersheds, augmentation of drinking water, agricultural growthand spreading the benefits of growth to all sections of population.

• Micro-watershed strategy includes:

a) Development of waste lands in non-forest areas, checking of land degradation, agro-forestry andsocial forestry helps in conservation of soil moisture, recharge of ground water.

b) Watershed development for improving water use efficiency for agriculture and also provides waterin regular intervals that will help improve productivity ex Bamboo drip irrigation of Meghalaya.

• The outcomes are prevention of soil erosion, regeneration of natural vegetation, rain water harvestingand recharging of the ground water table. This enables multi-cropping and the introduction ofdiverse agro-based activities, which help to provide sustainable livelihoods to the people residing inthe watershed area.

• Thus concept of watershed development improve community resilience for semi-arid and droughtprone area which may lead to development of alternate livelihood activities, allied agriculturalactivities, cottage industry.



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GS SCORE - IAS MAINS TEST SERIES (Test No. 10; Question No. 8; Dated - 05 June 2016)

Q. The long process of Indian national movement secured the active role of women in the society aswell. Comment.

Hints:

• The Indian national movement actively saw the participation of women. They participated in largenumbers in various movements and organizations. Their participation helped them to strengthentheir position in the society and secure an active role.

• The sacrifice made by the women of India occupies a significant place. The women during freedomstruggle fought with true spirit and undaunted courage and faced various tortures, exploitations andhardships to earn freedom for the country.

How Nationalist Movement Secured active role of women in Society?

• Due to the empowerment granted by nationalist Movement Women's participation in movementsrelated to social, economic and political rights like tribals, peasants and industrial workers, improvementin conditions of work and autonomy to women, equal remuneration for work etc increased significantly.

• Indian national movement worked for liberation or uplift of women through propagation of need forreform in the current social practices so as to enable women to play a more important and constructiverole in society; It also propagated equal rights for men and women, i.e., extension of civil rightsenjoyed by men in the political, economic and familial spheres to women also. All of this Nobel ideasof our nationalist movement helped women to secure a active place in society.

• A large number of women participated in India's struggle for independence. Women could take partin the movements such as CDM, and were in fact encouraged to do so, since the methods for strugglewere mainly non-cooperation and non-violence.

• They were active in participating in the Swadeshi movement, or the boycott of foreign goods, non-payment of taxes, picketing of liquor shops, and so on. There was mass participation of women inthe non-cooperation movement of 1921 and the Civil Disobedience Movement of 1930. All of thishelped women to break the shackles of seclusion and helped them to be an active contributor in thebetterment of the society.

• Most of the nationalist Leaders focused on Women Education which led to creation of educationalopportunities for the Women, Which ultimately increased the number of educated women and thusenhanced there social status in the society.

• The aim of our Nationalist Movement was to give universal Adult Franchise to all including womenwhich ultimately led to adoption of Universal Adult Franchise in 1947 this single step made womenequal Political partner and citizen in the Democracy and significantly increased their social status.

• Thus As a result of being associated with, and participating in the freedom struggle, Indian womenrealized the importance of living life as conscious human beings. They started breaking barriers andearned a respectable position in the world.

GS Score Test Series/QIP Comparison withUPSC GS Mains 2016

PAPER - I

Discuss the role of women in the freedom struggle especially during the Gandhian phase.

UPSC Ques. - 4



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GS SCORE - GS MAINS TEST SERIES (Test No. 5; Question No. 5; Dated - 12 November 2016)

Q. To what extent you agree, that the contribution of Subhas Chandra Bose to India's freedomstruggle is not less than any other leader of Indian freedom movement. Elaborate.

Hints:

Popularly called Netaji, Subhas Chandra Bose, stands aloft among the many freedom fighters that Indiahas produced. His contribution towards India's Freedom struggle was of a revolutionary.

• He had cleared the Indian Civil Services, but he left civil Services apprenticeship and joined India'sfreedom struggle.

• During non-cooperation movement he organized national schools and colleges and worked for HinduMuslim Unity. He was appointed the principal of National College in Calcutta.

• During the Simon commission protests, he along with Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru emerged as the leadersof new generation of youth and students, set up Left wing of congress and were instrumental inspreading the ideas of socialism that reflected in the emergence of groups such as Punjab NaujawanBharat Sabha, workers and peasants parties etc

• He stressed upon the need to combine nationalism with anti-imperialism and complete independence.

• He was a member of Nehru (Motilal Nehru)constitution drafting committee, but he along with Nehruand Satyamurthy was dissatisfied with the dominion status proposal in report and called for completeindependence. He along with Nehru rejected the congress's modified goal and jointly set upIndependence for India League. They were instrumental in mobilising the idea of completeindependence and not only the dominion status.

• Under his congress presidentship, efforts were taken on planning under National Planning committee.Bose initiated the concept of the "National Planning Committee" in 1938.

• While the whole nation was engaged in the Quit India movement, the struggle for independence wascarried on by Subhash Chandra Bose from outside India.

• The Indian National Army and Subhash Chandra Bose played their significant role in the freedomstruggle of India.

• The Indian National Congress, the main instrument of Indian nationalism, praised Bose's patriotismbut distanced itself from his means and ideology, especially his collaboration with Germany andJapan.

• Bose was an Indian nationalist and prominent figure of the Indian independence movement, whoseattempt during World War II to rid India of British rule with the help of Nazi Germany and Japanleft a troubled legacy.

• However his contribution to the Indian freedom struggle is no less than any other great leader of histimes.

Highlight is the difference in the approach of Subhash Chandra Bose and Mahatma Gandhi in thestruggle for freedom.

UPSC Ques. - 5

GS SCORE - GS MAINS TEST SERIES (Test No. 10; Question No. 6; Dated - 30 October 2016)

Q. How does globalization influence culture; elaborate with suitable illustrations about its bad andgood influence on local culture in Indian context?

To what extent globalization has influence the core of cultural diversity in India? Explain.

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Hints:

Globalization provides both positive and negative influences on cultural diversity which can have far

reaching impacts. Globalization has led to hybridization, homogenisation and sometimes conflict

intensification as a reaction to cultural dominance.

Effects of globalisation can be:

(a) Culture of consumption: globalisation has led to growth of shopping malls, multiplex cinema halls,

amusement parks etc. Money is no longer a virtue. Advertisements and media in general promote a

culture where spending is more important. Shopping is a pass time actively encouraged.

(b) Food habits: visible aspect of cultural globalization is the diffusion of certain cuisines such as fast food

chains. ex, the coming of American fast food chains like McDonald, coca colaor the Indian chain like

café coffee day etc. It has made the world cuisines available to the local people. While at the same

time Indian cuisines have got the attention of world population. Many restaurants in Europe and

USA offer Indian food like Dosa, parathas etc.

(c) Indigenous arts and crafts: - and literary traditions and knowledge systems are vanishing due to the

influence of televisions, computers, etc.Ex, the profession of Dombari community who livelihood

depended on performing acrobatics is dying because of lack of audience. Example, Migration of the

traditional weavers of sircilla village of karimnagar due to lack of money in investing in new technology

and unable to adapt to changing consumer tastes and competition from power looms or synthetic

fabrics.

o On the other hand the increased informational technology and social networking like Facebook,

twitter and e-commerce coupled with geographical indication tags have also led to their promotion.

Example, the Indian handloom textiles and handicrafts promoted in other countries. Example,

Banarasi and kancheevaram sarees, Madhubani and Pattachitra paintings, Meerut scissors, etc.

(d) Languages: - globalisation has made English a predator language. English is getting replacing others

as the language of communication at household and the younger generations do not speak their

mother tongues. It has reduced the amount of literary works published in local languages and also

their audience who read it.

(e) Diseases: diseases that originate in one part of the world spread to other because of increased

mobility and interaction of people. Ex, In the HIV/AIDS and recent time Ebola and Zika Virus.

(f) Conflict intensification: - cultural shyness has led to marginalisation of some cultures however with

increased jingoism and anxiety to protect their cultures has led to cultural nationalism and in extreme

cases chauvinism attacking the ideas of other cultures. Ex the religious fringe elements being increasingly

vocal about celebration of New Year’s, valentine day etc.

(g) Music: - while it has bought a large number of International pop music to India, it has also seen the

growth of popularity of fusion music like Bhangra pop, Indi pop or even remixes etc. one the other

hand it has led to marginalisation of traditional music of different areas.

(h) Commodification of services: - Globalisation has drawn the elements of culture that were earlier

outside the market system into it. Example, the presence of Indian spirituality and knowledge systems

like, Yoga and Ayurveda in the west which have led to increased soft power of India in the world.

Growing market of international tourists in the local festivals.

• Example, while Pushkar fair still continues to be a major social and economic event for local people,

it is marketed internationally as a major tourist attraction. However globalisation with increased

transportation facilities within the country has led to more people to people contacts, increased

international tourism especially spiritual, wellness and cultural tourism.

• The globalisation has both positive and negative effects on culture. The cultural intermingling and

exchanges have been so pervasive that today it is difficult to distinguish between indigenous or

imported cultures leading to a hybrid culture – accept of foreign culture, universal values, liberal

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GS SCORE - IAS MAINS TEST SERIES (Test No. 9; Question No. 10; Dated - 29 May 2016)

Q. The poor are not simply lacking resources, but they also acquire a poverty-perpetuating valuesystem. Do you agree? Explain your stance with examples from Indian society.

Hints:

• Many argue that poor are not simply lack resources, but also acquire a poverty-perpetuating valuesystem because of what happens to the worldview, aspirations, and character of the children whogrow up in it.

• The people in the culture of poverty have a strong feeling of marginality, of helplessness & hopelessnessand dependency. They think that the existing institutions do not serve their interests and needs.Along with this feeling of powerlessness there is a widespread feeling of inferiority and personalunworthiness. Thus they don't make any effort to come out of poverty.

• People with a culture of poverty have very little sense of history. They are a marginal people whoknow only their own troubles, their own local conditions, their own neighborhood, and their ownway of life. Usually, they have neither the knowledge, vision nor the ideology.

• They have a tendency to have short term approach, which leads to focus on consumption with littleinterest in education and other investment in human capital.

• But this is not completely true. It has been argued that living in conditions of prevalent poverty leadsto the development of a culture or sub-culture adapted to those conditions, and characterized byprevalent feelings of vulnerability, dependency, marginality, and feebleness.

• This approach also characterizes the psyche of "blaming-the-victim" of those involved in policymaking. They fail to see that many have been able to come out of poverty when provided withappropriate support system in the form of education, employment etc.

• It serves as a political tool of not providing assistance to vulnerable sections of society and divertingthose resources for the benefit of rich. For example historically land acquisition has taken place atvery low rates and those who have been disposed of their lands have been forced to migrate and livein slums in urban areas. Whereas, those who acquired land with government support have becomerich. So such instances of poverty are not because of sub-culture but exploitation by the system.

• Therefore it is false to say that it is because of their value system that poor remain poor, but it isbecause of absence of efforts on the part of institutions to support such people that they are poor.For example the step of online price discovery of minor forest produce is of no relevance to ST peoplewho don't have access to internet. Therefore there is a need to change the culture of policy makingthis will change the culture of poverty stricken people.

GS SCORE - GS MAINS TEST SERIES (Test No. 9; Question No. 14; Dated - 23 April 2016)

Q. Discuss the problems related to civic amenities in Indian urban areas. Will the concept of Smart

Cities be able to handle the crisis?

Hints:

• Urban areas are the ‘engines of economic growth’ in a developing country like ours. According to

Census 2011, approximately 31 % of the population lives in urban areas.

"An essential condition to eradicate poverty is to liberate the poor from the process of deprivation."Substantiate this statement with suitable examples.

UPSC Ques. - 9

With a brief background of quality of urban life in India, introduce the objectives and strategyof the 'Smart City Programmes'.

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• Due to haphazard urbanisation in the recent time, the situation relating to civic amenities has

worsened in particular. The civic amenities are the facilities provided by the governments and municipal

corporations for common people like water supply, electricity, public toilets, garbage disposal, etc.

• According to the 2011 Census, amenities available with the households has been listed as follows:

87% of households are using tap, tube well, hand pump and covered well as the main source of

drinking water while 43.5 percent use tap water. Only 47% of households have source of water

within the premises while 36% of households have to fetch water from a source located within 500

m in rural areas/100 m in urban areas and 17% still fetch drinking water from a source located more

than 500 m away in rural areas or 100 m in urban area.

• This has increased due to rural-urban migration; financial crunch which affects the provision of civic

amenities both in qualitative and quantitative manner; lack of autonomy of ULBs in generating

revenues; inadequate user charges for civic amenities to cover the expenses for its provision and

politics of populism.

• Against this backdrop it can be said that the concept of smart cities would be able to handle this crisis

of civic amenities. The notion of smart cities or habitations is a process rather than a goal. It will work

for development of institutional infrastructure, physical infrastructure and social infrastructure in the

cities.

• The core infrastructure elements in a smart city includes adequate water supply, assured electricity

supply, sanitation, including solid waste management, efficient urban mobility and public transport,

affordable housing, especially for the poor, robust IT connectivity and digitalization, good governance,

especially citizen participation, sustainable environment, safety and security of citizens, particularly

women, children and the elderly, and health and education, etc.

• The smart city would address the crisis of civic amenities in following way:

a) E-governance & citizen services: These would include public information & grievance redressal,

electronic service delivery that would bring in transparency & hold the government accountable.

b) Waste management: This includes recycling, reuse and reduction of waste & waste to energy initiatives

bringing sustainability of the cities into the mainstream of planning process.

c) Water management: This would be consisting of water meter installation, water quality monitoring

& leakage information.

d) Urban mobility: This would include intelligent traffic management, integrated multi-modal transport

with a mission statement of moving people & not vehicles.

• Thus, smart city mission would improve the availability of basic amenities in the cities if implemented

properly.

GS SCORE - IAS MAINS TEST SERIES (Test No. 9; Question No. 9; Dated - 29 May 2016)

Q. Lack of employment in India is leading to growth of regionalism in India than the affiliation to

particular region. Do you agree with the statement?

Hints:

• Regionalism describes situations in which different religious or ethnic groups with distinctive identitiescoexist within the same state boundaries, often concentrated within a particular region and sharingstrong feelings of collective identity. Regionalism stands for the love of a particular region or an area

in preference to the nation or any other region. It often involves ethnic groups whose aims includeindependence from a nation-state and the development of their own political power.

What is the basis of regionalism? Is it that unequal distribution of benefits of development onregional basis eventually promotes regionally? Substantiate your answer.

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• In Indian context, regionalism refers to assertion of distinct ethnic, linguistic or economic interests byvarious groups within the nation. Since the roots of regionalism lie in linguistic, ethnic, economic andcultural identities of the people living in specific geographical area, political scholars have treatedvarious forms of regionalism which include economic regionalism, linguistic regionalism, politicalregionalism and even sub-regional movements in the general frame of regionalism.

• In other words, it is the manifestation of those neglected socio-political elements which fail to findexpression in the mainstream polity and culture. These feelings of frustration and anger resultingfrom exclusion and neglect find expression in regionalism.

• This is leading to rise of conflicts within the society more because of unequal regional developmentrather than affiliation for particular region.

• The friction has been more intense in states and cities where 'outsiders' have greater access to highereducation and occupied more middle-class positions in government service, professions and industryand engaged in small businesses, such as small-scale industry and shop keeping.

• The economy's failure to create enough employment opportunities for the recently educated createdan acute scarcity of jobs, and led to intense competition for the available jobs during the sixties andseventies. The major job opportunities that opened up after 1952 were in government service and thepublic sector enterprises. Popular mobilization and the democratic political process could therefore beused by the majority linguistic group to put pressure on the government to appropriate employmentand educational avenues and opportunities. Some groups could then take advantage of 'the sons ofthe soil' sentiment for gaining political power.

• The problem was aggravated in a number of cities or regions because the speakers of the statelanguage were in a minority or had a bare majority. For example, in Mumbai, in 1961, the Marathi-speakers constituted 42.8 per cent of the population. In Bangalore, the Kannada speakers were lessthan 25 per cent. In Calcutta, the Bengalis formed a bare majority. In the urban areas of Assam,barely 33 per cent were Assamese. After 1951 the rate of migration into the cities accelerated.

• Thus, the need of the hour is to develop a realistic perception of regionalism at the conceptual levelfocusing on righteousness and judicious outlook maintaining unity in diversity.


Q. Why Himalayas are more prone to earthquakes than Western Ghats? Locate the various seismic

highways in India by drawing a map of India & discuss the mechanism of propagation of

earthquake inside the earth surface.

Hints:

• An earthquake can be defined as a sudden violent shaking of the ground as a result of movements

in the earth’s crust or volcanic action. These earthquakes result from a series of earth movements

brought about by a sudden release of energy during the tectonic activities in the earth’s crust.

• India is prone to almost all natural disasters ranging from earthquakes, landslides, tsunami, drought,

floods, and cyclones due to its varied physiography.

• The Himalayas and the Western Ghats have been formed by the plate movements and are prone to

a variety of disasters including earthquakes and landslides. However, the Himalayas have more

chances of earthquakes when compared to Western Ghats. The reasons are:

a) The Himalayas are Young – tertiary mountains whereas Western Ghats are Older-block mountain.

b) Himalayas has not yet reached its isostatic equilibrium which makes it more prone to frequent earth

quakes but on the other hand Western Ghats are located on stable part of Indian plate and the

chances of colliding of plates in this region are less when compared to Himalayas.

"The Himalayas are highly prone to landslides." Discuss the causes and suggest suitable measuresof mitigation.

UPSC Ques. - 14



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c) Indian plate is moving northwards and subsiding

under Eurasian plate, 5-10 cm a year. This leads

to rising of Himalayas every year whereas

Moving of Indian plate does not affect Western

Ghats. This also affects the earthquakes that come

in the region.

d) Unplanned growth of houses in the hill areasincreases the damage and the loss that occursdue to the disasters in the region whereas limitingthe damage in Western Ghats.

• Thus, the main reason for more earthquakes in

the Himalayas is due to proneness to more plate

movements and due to instability of the

Himalayan mountains.

Supplementary Notes

Mechanism of propagation of earthquake insidethe earth surface

• Earthquake waves are basically of two types —body waves and surface waves.

• Body waves are generated due to the release ofenergy at the focus and move in all directionstravelling through the body of the earth. Thebody waves interact with the surface rocks andgenerate new set of waves called surface waves.These waves move along the surface. The velocityof waves changes as they travel through materials with different densities. The denser the material,the higher is the velocity. Their direction also changes as they reflect or refract when coming acrossmaterials with different densities.

• As the waves move or propagate, they cause vibration in the body of the rocks through which theypass. P-waves vibrate parallel to the direction of the wave. This exerts pressure on the material in thedirection of the propagation. As a result, it creates density differences in the material leading tostretching and squeezing of the material. Other three waves vibrate perpendicular to the direction ofpropagation. The direction of vibrations of S-waves is perpendicular to the wave direction in thevertical plane. Hence, they create troughs and crests in the material through which they pass. Surfacewaves are considered to be the most damaging waves.

• The propagation of different waves is shown below:

Subterranean rifts which have potential ofbecoming seismically active

Different seismic zonesof India.



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Q. In the past few years, urban floods are becoming regular and increasingly devastating and are

largely due to human factors. Discuss with suitable examples.

Hints:

The reasons are:

(a) Destruction of wetlands: Lakes and wetlands are an important part of urban ecosystem. Theyperform significant environmental, social and economic functions, ranging from being a source ofdrinking water, recharging groundwater to acting as sponges, supporting biodiversity and providinglivelihoods. Destruction of wetlands leads to decreased absorbing capacity leading to floods. Ex,Hyderabad has lost 3,245 ha of its wetlands. The vast network of lakes in the city had allowed theexcess water from one lake to follow into another and eventually into the Musi River. With thedestruction of this network any amount of heavy rains leads to flooding of the city as seen in 2016.

o Bengaluru, which had 262 lakes in the 1960s, has only 10 lakes that can be called healthy.

(b) Concretization: Management of Urban Flooding report, published by the National Disaster ManagementAuthority (NDMA) in 2010, says that concretisation is a major problem in many cities and towns.Concrete jungles obstruct and encroach upon the natural flow of water bodies and create pocketsthat trap water, which increases the flood intensity.

(c) Destruction of river basin area of rivers flowing in the cities: Natural streams and watercourses,formed over thousands of years due to the forces of flowing water in the respective watersheds, havebeen altered/reduced because of urbanization. There have been large scale encroachments on thenatural drains and the river flood plains. Consequently, the capacity of natural drains has decreased,resulting in flooding during heavy rains. Ex three rivers in the Chennai city—Cooum, Adyar andKosathalaiyar—are highly encroached upon and that has reduced the amount of water runoff intothe Bay of Bengal.

o Kashmir floods of 2014 is the result of unplanned urbanization and encroachment of Jhelum

flood plains decreasing its carrying capacity

(d) Migration: - Explosive increase in the urban population without corresponding expansion of civic

facilities such as adequate infrastructure for the disposal of waste. The sewerage generated by the

people gets mixed with the water and clogs the natural channels and storm water drains leading to

flooding when it receives excessive water. Guwahati’s Deepor beel lake is used by the municipal

corporation to dump solid waste since 2006.

(e) Construction of dams on the river beds: increased water that is released from these dams floods the

low lying areas in Kashmir, The deluge was the result of the dam at Srinagar, its floodgates were

opened without warning and the water carried all the debris from the dam site to the city.

(f) Unmindful sand mining from the catchment areas and river beds also reduce the river absorbing

capacity of excess water leading to floods during heavy rains. Vembanad Lake on the outskirts of

Kochi has water level halved its initial level after the mining activity.

• According to the Union Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD), 31 per cent of the country wasurbanised in 2011. The ministry says almost 50 per cent of the country will be urbanised by 2050.MoUD data also suggests a 54 per cent increase in the number of cities and towns between 2001 and2011.There is a complete disconnect between geological and hydrogeological cycle and urban planning.

• The problem of floods in urban areas became so acute that in 2010, the National Disaster ManagementAuthority (NDMA) recognised urban floods as different from riverine floods. It said urban floods“happen in a relatively short period of time and can inundate an area with several feet of water”.

Major cities of India are becoming more vulnerable to flood conditions. Discuss.

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What needs to be done:-

(a) Urban planners should undertake a detailed mapping of water bodies, natural drainage and flood-prone areas in cities using remote sensing. And then integrate the drainage system of the city includingrivers, rivulets, ponds, lakes and other natural drainage systems.

(b) Policymakers to relook the development plans approved by city authorities and find out whether theyviolate the hydrological cycle of the city.

(c) This calls for stronger laws to protect urban lakes and the setting up of a single authority for themanagement and restoration of water bodies.

South China Sea has assumed great geopolitical significance in the present context. Content.

UPSC Ques. - 16

GSSCORE QIP: Geopolitics importance of South China Sea.

South China Sea Dispute

The three million square kilometers South China Sea is the maritime heart of Southeast Asia but also adisputable property. Maritime boundaries in the South China Sea are particularly problematic because theyinvolve six separate claimants in a mostly enclosed body of water with a large number of disputed landfeatures. The South China Sea is ringed by Brunei, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, andVietnam, and dotted with hundreds of small islands, shoals and reefs, many of them occupied by thedisputants.

The fundamental issue in the South China Sea is one of territorial sovereignty, that is, which state hassovereignty over the islands and their adjacent waters. UNCLOS has no provisions on how to determinesovereignty over offshore islands. As there is no treaty that governs the issue of sovereignty, states have tolook for guidance to the rules of customary international law on the acquisition and loss of territory.

The main disputes are:

a) The Spratly Islands are claimed in their entirety by China, Taiwan, and Viet Nam, while some islandsand other features are claimed by Malaysia and the Philippines.

b) The Paracel Islands are claimed by China, Taiwan and Viet Nam. China forcibly ejected SouthVietnamese troops from the Paracels in 1974, and they are now occupied exclusively by China.

Woody Island, the largest island in the Paracels, is 2.1 km2, which is about the same land area as allof the Spratly Islands combined. Woody Island is the location of Sansha City, a prefecture-level city

established by China in June 2012 as its administrative centre for its claims in the South China Sea.

c) Scarborough Reef is a major source of tension between China and the Philippines since the Philippinesattempted arrest of Chinese fishermen in June 2012.

d) The Pratas Islands are located just over 200 miles southwest of Hong Kong. They are occupied byTaiwan, and are also claimed by China.

e) Macclesfield Bank, a large sunken reef that is completely submerged at low tide, is located betweenScarborough Reef and the Paracels. It is claimed by China and Taiwan.

Why South China Sea (SCS) is considered so important?

The SCS is a busy international waterway, being one of the main arteries of the global economy and trade.More than $5 trillion of world trade ships pass through the SCS every year.

The SCS is also resource rich, with numerous offshore oil and gas blocks.

Fishing presents another potential source of conflict. The South China Sea is the largest source of fish, animportant foodstock, in each of the claimant countries. The fishing industries of each of the disputants includelarge numbers of vessels which travel increasingly farther from their home coasts due to overfishing in coastalwaters, bringing them into disputed waters. This has led to frequent incidents of harassment of vessels,

confiscation of catches and equipment, and sometimes imprisonment of fishermen.



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What is the Hague-ruling ?

The arbitration was between the Republic of the Philippines and the People’s Republic of China.

The Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruled that China’s claims over the waters enclosedby the ‘Nine-Dash Line’ had no legal basis under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea(UNCLOS).

It ruled that China had no claim to historic rights to resources there, and that it had aggravated thedispute by building an artificial island on Mischief Reef, besides violating the Philippines’s sovereign rightswithin its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), including its fisheries and petroleum exploitation.

The (PCA) further held that Entitlement to islands and the EEZ must be based on natural conditions, andnot as the result of artificial augmentation by building and reclaiming land.

The tribunal further ruled that the disputed Spratly islands “cannot generate maritime zones collectivelyas unit” as claimed by China.

Has the formation of linguistic states strengthened the cause of Indian Unity?

UPSC Ques. - 6

GSSCORE QIP: Linguistic regionalism in India.

State Reorganization Commission

India faced its first serious federal crisis in the year 1952. The natural tensions surfaced with renewedvigor. The floodgates of linguism had opened, challenging the unitary intent of the founding leaders.

In December 1952, Potti Sriramulu fasted unto death over the issue of a separate state for Telugu speakingpeople. Bowing to popular pressures, the government created a separate state for Telugu people - AndhraPradesh. Andhra’s victory boosted demands in other provinces.

Government appointed a three man States Reorganization Commission (SRC) charged with ‘preservationof unity and security of India’. In its findings the SRC recommended a division of India based on dominanceand geographical concentration of ethno-linguistic communities.

Parliament called for a reorganization of India into 14 states, based on the criteria laid down by the SRC.At that time, the SRC refrained from dividing the provinces of Bombay and Punjab, as no neat divisionscould be made along linguistic lines in these two provinces.

Government Policy

The first reorganization acknowledged India as a federation of ethnic subunits. The design for governancewas based on two connected objectives:

• Relational control (guided regional policies) &

• Interlocking balances. (guided domestic politics)

The principle of interlocking balances was to secure balance among its diverse sub-nationalities. Indiaincluded several nations within its borders. Therefore, the objective was to create a series of interlockingbalances between proximate cultural communities (i.e., between Punjabi and Hindi speaking communitiesin Punjab), the homelands of such communities, and the central state (i.e., Punjab and the central government),and between the central state and its adversaries with whom it shared ethnic and religious minorities (i.e.India and Pakistan; India and Sri Lanka; India and Bangladesh).

To maintain the balances the central government was forced to yield linguistic states that would thereafterorganize politics on the basis of their distinctive cultural and political identity. The linguistic reorganizationof 1955-56 was an antidote to the unitary tendencies embedded in the Constitution. Once the principle oflinguistic states had been accepted in 1956, the separation of Gujarati and Marathi speaking communities inBombay, and Punjabi and Hindi speaking people in Punjab, was only a matter of time.



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1. Discuss the essentials of the 69th Constitutional Amendment Act and anomalies, if any thathave led to recent reported conflicts between the elected representatives and the institution ofthe Lieutenant Governor in the administration of Delhi. Do you think that this will give riseto a new trend in the functioning of the Indian federal politics?

2. To what extent is Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, bearing marginal note "Temporaryprovision with respect to the State of Jammu and Kashmir", temporary? Discuss the futureprospects of this provision in the context of Indian polity.

3. The Indian party system is passing through a phase of transition which looks to be full ofcontradictions and paradoxes." Discuss.

4. Exercise of CAG's powers in relation to the accounts of the Union and the States is derivedfrom Article 149 of the Indian Constitution. Discuss whether audit of the Government's Policyimplementation could amount to overstepping its own (CAG) jurisdiction.

5. Discuss each adjective attached to the word 'Republic' in the preamble. Are they defendablein the present circumstances stances?

6. What was held in the Coelho case? In this context, can you say that judicial review is of keyimportance amongst the basic features of the Constitution?

7. Did the Government of India Act, 1935 lay down a federal constitution? Discuss.

8. What is a quasi-judicial body? Explain with the help of concrete examples.

9. Professor Amartya Sen has advocated important reforms in the realms of primary education andprimary health care. What are your suggestions to improve their status and performance?

10. "In the Indian governance system, the role of non-state actors has been only marginal." Criticallyexamine this statement.

11. "Effectiveness of the government system at various levels and people's participation in thegovernance system are inter-dependent." Discuss their relationship with each other in contextof India.

12. In the integrity index of Transparency International, India stands very low. Discuss briefly thelegal, political, economic, social and cultural factors that have caused the decline of publicmorality in India.

13. Has the Indian governmental system responded adequately to the demands of Liberalization,Privatization and Globalization started in 1991? What can the government do to be responsiveto this important change?

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14. "Traditional bureaucratic structure and culture have hampered the process of socio-economicdevelopment in India." Comment.

15. Examine the main provisions of the National Child Policy and throw light on the status of itsimplementation.

16. "Demographic Dividend in India will remain only theoretical unless our manpower becomesmore educated, aware, skilled and creative." What measures have been taken by the governmentto enhance the capacity of our population to be more productive and employable?

17. "The broader aims and objectives of WTO are to manage and promote international trade in theera of globalization. But the Doha round of negotiations seem doomed due to differencesbetween the developed and the developing countries." Discuss in the Indian perspective.

18. Evaluate the economic and strategic dimensions of India's Look East Policy in the context of thepost-Cold War international scenario.

19. "Increasing cross-border terrorist attacks in India and growing interference in the internalaffairs of several member-states by Pakistan are not conducive for the future of SAARC (SouthAsian Association for Regional Cooperation)." Explain with suitable>

20. What are the aims and objectives of the McBride Commission of the UNESCO? What is India'sposition on these?



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1. Discuss the essentials of the 69th Constitutional Amendment Act and anomalies, if any that haveled to recent reported conflicts between the elected representatives and the institution of the

Lieutenant Governor in the administration of Delhi. Do you think that this will give rise to a new

trend in the functioning of the Indian federal politics?

Hints:

The Government of NCT of Delhi Act, included as the 69th amendment to the constitution in 1991, beforecoming to Article 239 AA of the constitution, we should consider the matter from historical perspective.

The principle of democracy and parliamentary sovereignty has been firmly established in England andelsewhere. Now it is not the king, but the people who are supreme, and they exercise their ‘general will’ andthus, the role of appointed officers have declined compared to that of elected.

In case of India, apex court held the President and Governor in India are like British king. They have to acton the advice of the council of ministers, and not on their discretion.

The British king still has 3 rights-(1) right to be consulted, (2) the right to encourage, and (3) the right to warn.But apart from these limited rights, he has to act in accordance with the advice of the Council of Ministers.

This was the legal position even before the 42nd constitutional amendment which amended Article 74 byadding the words “who shall act on the advice of the Council of Ministers.”

However, the expression ‘aid and advise’ is only a term of article, and it does not mean that the Presidentor Governor has any discretion in the matter. It is true Delhi is not a fully fledged state, and certain powere.g., related to police and land is with the central Government. But Delhi is not a Union Territory, the 69thAmendment which introduced Article-239AA, provides a Legislature and a Council of Ministers.

“There shall be a Council of Minister with Chief Minister at the head to aid and advise the Lt. Governorin the exercise of his function in reference to matter with respect to which the Lt Governor has power tomake laws, except insofar as he is, by or under law required to act his discretion.” Here, term ‘aid and advise’has not a literally meaning but a term of article, otherwise democracy will be subverted.

The unique status of Delhi and multiplicity of authorities have always been a cause of trouble in administrativeaffairs. The recent various tussles between Delhi CM and Lt Governor is rooted in the clause of NCT Act,because both have interpreted differently to defend their stand points. Undoubtedly, there is some ambiguity-that is the reason in recent the Home ministry’s notification, while hearing Delhi’s Government petition,termed it “suspected” and ruled that Delhi Government has no authority to probe central Governmentofficials.

Further, the observation by Apex court added that Delhi HC ruling is tentative and would not be binding.The observation by Apex Court has complicated the legal conflict further.

Since Delhi is a special case, which doesn’t get replicated in case of other states or UTs; along with the factor,that the several legislations by the Delhi Government have clearly exceeded the constitutional powers of theGovernment, such as the authority to Delhi lokayukt to be able to inspect central ministers and officials, havebrought matters to standstill. However, the fear of happening the same in other states doesn’t have solidfoundation.


HINTS



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2. To what extent is Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, bearing marginal note "Temporaryprovision with respect to the State of Jammu and Kashmir", temporary? Discuss the future prospectsof this provision in the context of Indian polity.

Hints:

In 1947, the princely state ‘ J&K’ became a part of India by ‘the Instrument of Accession’. At that time,Ayyangar, (Constitutional Assembly Member) argued that for a variety of reasons Kashmir, unlikely otherprincely states, was yet not ripe for complete integration. Moreover he argued, “Will of the people throughthe instrument of the (J&K) Constituent Assembly will determine the Constitution of the State as well asthe sphere of the Union jurisdiction over state”.

Belief was that it would one day integrate like other states of union. Assuming this could happen only whenthere was real peace and only when people of the state acquiesced to such an arrangement. Hence, the useof term “temporary provision” is used in the title of the article and Article-370 was incorporated.

Article-370 was and is about providing space, in matter of governance, to the people of state who felt deeplyvulnerable about their identity and insecure about the future.

Article-1 of Indian Constitution states India is not a confederation but a ‘Union of State’. Hence no statehas a right to secede from it, and union is indissoluble. Supporting this statement J&K Constitution itselfclaim that J&K state is and shall continue to be the integral part of India.

Article-370, in its true nature not intact- A series of Presidential Order has eroded it substantially and mademost Union laws applicable to the state. In this context, half a century back in 1963, Nehru remarked, “Theprocess of erosion of Article 370 has began, many things have been done in last few years which made therelationship closer between Union and J&K.”

In fact today the autonomy enjoyed by the state is a shadow of its former self, and virtually there is noinstitution of the Republic of India that does not include J&K within its scope of jurisdiction.

The only substantial differences from other states—(1) related to permanent residents and their rights. (2) Thenon-applicability of emergency provision on the ground of “internal disturbance” without the concurrenceof the state.

Article-370 cannot be revoked unilaterally, revoked only if a new Constituent Assembly of J&K is convenedand willingly to recommend its revocation.

Parliament has the power to amend the Constitution to change 370’s provision, but this could be subject tojudicial review.

Future Prospects-

1. It has been a tendency whatever party in Delhi and Kashmir parties are running away from debate. Itshould not be treated as suit and scoot policy.

2. It should be debated and discussed on more serious note eventually consensus and trust matters inpolitical democracy.

3. Its time to review from both the Sides (union and j&k)—in last 66 years what has been net balance sheetof the gains and losses to the J&K and the Union of India.

4. The People who was or are in the Power only there vested interested have been served by this provision.

3. The Indian party system is passing through a phase of transition which looks to be full ofcontradictions and paradoxes." Discuss.

Hints:

There are several factors which have undergone a seachange in recent years and most important of them are,leadership selection or change, ideological stand-point, etc.

The party system in India has taken a strong change in recent years, this was particularly evident, when inmost political parties, with the exception of BJP, the second or third generation of the founder is still ruling



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the party. In other words, political power has become like wealth, which passes on to the successor, whichapart from exception belongs to the family of ideological founder of the party.

There were large number of smaller regional and national parties that came to prominence in years since and

they were against the dynasty politics initially, however, now in most of them second generation leadershiphas come up with a reckoning that dynasty politics is perhaps going to last much more.

Ideological standpoints have strongly diluted, for example, a party which was initially meant to be representative

of backward classes, gave more tickets to upper castes in past elections. Similarly in most cases, the ideology

has diluted so much that support or opposition to issues has become a matter of political gain, rather thanideological preference.

Another big change is decisive verdicts in elections, which has affected the fortunes of many smaller players

and independent candidates. Regional Parties, whose, major plank of contesting Lok Sabha elections with

huge resources was not, because they could form government, but because they could gain from politicalhorse-trading later on, in case of fractured mandate. Now with decisive mandates in recent elections, they

have lost their power significantly.

Another change is Communication strategy and Social media such as, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and

political blogs have changed every aspect of communication in modern Indian politics. This also has connectedIndian youth to the politics.

4. Exercise of CAG's powers in relation to the accounts of the Union and the States is derived from

Article 149 of the Indian Constitution. Discuss whether audit of the Government's Policy

implementation could amount to overstepping its own (CAG) jurisdiction.

Hints:

The CAG is the constitutional institute through which the accountability of the Government and other publicauthorities— all those who spend public money—to Parliament and State legislatures and through them to

the people is ensured.

The executive is answerable to Parliament and to the people for all its decisions, but the answerability is

enforced through the CAG where it involves finance and account.

1. If the CAG were merely an auditor, why should DR. B.R. Ambedkar, during debate in Constituent

Assembly, describe The CAG as the most important functionary in the constitution, more important

than even Judiciary?

2. The point is-CAG is bound by his oath of the office to uphold the constitution; can he refrain from

commenting on something that prima facie seems unconstitutional? If the Government is to formulating

a policy that selectively confers benefits from public fund on an individual or group to the exclusion of

others on no status grounds/ on grounds which seems questionable, Is it not the duty to point out?

3. As India emerging as a major hub of economic activities, Government policies are taking wider place

for fulfilling the aspiration of development goals. Therefore, it is quite natural that while implementing

policies there may be some losses occur so commenting on it by CAG, shall not be considered as

overstepping its own jurisdiction, but it’s a check and balance, which should be taken as rational economic

thinking on cost-benefit analysis.

4. If the above understanding is correct, then various activities that the CAG has been undertaking such

as propriety, performance evaluations, and so on, are clearly well within its ambit.

5. It is necessary that audit reports be more widely known and discussed. The people have a right to know

their concerns. For example The CWG, 2G and PPP model controversies reports are now better known

than before; this is a good development.

Parliament votes funds to the Executive and those funds have to be accounted for. However, answerability

is more than that: it also means exercising prudence, avoiding waste, not incurring infructuous expenditure,

showing results for moneys spent, and achieving those results at least cost. If the CAG is our prime

accountability-ensuring institution, that institution must go into all these matters.



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5. Discuss each adjective attached to the word 'Republic' in the preamble. Are they defendable in thepresent circumstances stances?

Hints:

THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, PREAMBLE- Starts with,

WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having

Solemnly resolved to constitute India into a

SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC

SOVEREIGN–India is neither a dependency nor a dominion of any other nation, It is an Independent state.In the present times, the term ‘sovereignty’ may be losing rigid connotations of “supreme and absolute poweracknowledging no superior” -no modern state can be considered sovereign in that sense. However, throughthe words of the Preamble, what is sought to be established is the oneness of the people of India (not thepeople of different states but of one nation), that the sovereignty vests in the collectivity, and the that thepeople of India are not subordinate to any external authority. With the enactment of the Constitution Indiawas no longer a ‘dominion’ it was a ‘republic’.

SOCIALIST–The founding father did not want the constitution to be wedded to any particular politicalideology or ism or to be limited by any economic doctrine. it was the constitution (42nd amendment,1976)that introduction this word socialist to qualify our Republic. Socialism to mean “free forms of exploitation-social, economic and political.” In limited sense It is difficult to define. As the supreme court says,’ Democraticsocialism aims to end poverty, ignorance, disease and inequality of opportunity. Indian socialism is a blendof Marxism and Gandhism, leaning heavily towards gandhian socialism’.

SECULAR–This term ‘secular’ too was added by the 42nd amendments of 1976. A secular state deals withthe individual as a citizen irrespective of his religion, is not connected to particular religion nor does it seesto promote or interfere with religion. Secular state must have nothing to do with religious affairs except whentheir management involves crime, fraud or becomes a threat to unity and integrity of the state.

DEMOCRATIC–The Constitution provides for representative parliamentary democracy under which theexecutive is responsible to the legislature for all its policies and action. universal adult franchise, periodicelection, rule of law, independent of judiciary, and absence of discrimination on certain ground. in broadersense it includes not only political democracy but social and economic too.

DR. Ambedkar remarked, “Parliamentary democracy cannot last unless there lies at the base of its socialdemocracy. What does social democracy means? It means a way of life which recognize liberty, equality andfraternity.”

Present status on defendability-

The Indian constitution the right to equality to all person and says that no citizen can be discriminated onthe ground of race, race caste, gender and place of birth. Usually the record of India, when it comes topolitical rights is very good among the emerging nations.

The judiciary plays an important role in overseeing the implementation of constitutional guarantees.

The developments in India, particularly give me confidence that in the new millennium, we will not face theWorld empty-handed whether in terms of civilization attainments or economic strength.

We need to feel proud, not in narrow nationalistic sense, which in itself is significant but in wider sense ofvalues that the constitution provided to their citizen, fraternity, tolerance for other point of view, spiritualquest and respect for cultural diversity.

6. What was held in the Coelho case? In this context, can you say that judicial review is of key

importance amongst the basic features of the Constitution?

Hints:

• In the case, a 9 member bench of SC argued that all amendments to the constitution made on or after1973 by with the 9th schedule has been amended by inclusion of various laws therein shall have to be



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tested on the touchstone of the basic structure of the constitution. Further, after is placed in the 9thschedule, its validity has to be tasted on the touchstone of the basic structure doctrine.

• The bench held that judicial review of laws to judge its constitutionality and fundamental rights are thepart of the basic structure of the constitution. Since no law should violate the basic structure as per theKeshavananda Bharati case, any law/ act put under the ninth schedule are thus, not immune from judicialreview.

• It says that the objective behind Article 31-B is to remove difficulties and not to wipe out judicial review.Therefore every amendment to the constitution whether it is in the form of amendment of any articleor amendment by insertion of an article in 9th schedule, has to be tasted by reference to the basicstructure.

• Laws included in 9th schedule do not become part the constitution, because they derived their validityon account of the exercise undertaken by parliament to include them in 9th schedule and that has tobe tasted every time.

• It questions that can parliament increase the amending power by amending Article-386 but to whatextent. Is it not possible that the ultimate power of amendment, destroy damage the fundamentals ofconstitution.

• Article 368, does not vest such a power in parliament. it cannot lift all restriction placed on amendingpower, It is not unlimited. The power of amendment has to be compatible with the limits on the powerof amendment.(Kesvananda Bharti case)

• Parliament has power to amend the provision of PART 3 to abridge or take away fundamental rightsbut subject to limitation of the basic structure doctrine.

• The golden triangle of article. 14, 19, and 21 as it stand for equality and rule of law, along with article.15, 20, and 32, etc clearly from part of the basic Structure and cannot be abrogated.

• Of course, judicial review is the cornerstone phenomenon which protects itself first to protect theessence of constitution as a basic structure doctrine. Thus, full judicial review is an integral part of theconstitutional scheme and no law can dilute its powers.

7. Did the Government of India Act, 1935 lay down a federal constitution? Discuss.

Hints:

Government of India Act, 1935 mark a point of no return in the history of constitutional development inIndia. The Constitution of India with or without some modification adopted some important provisions fromthis 1935 Act,

• As it provides the establishment of All India federation including all provinces at that time under theparamountcy of the British Crown, Our Constitution of India provides the same mechanism under thePresident of India.

• The Act derived the powers between the Centre and units in terms of 3 lists—federal , provincial, andthe Concurrent List as we adopted the same manner as Union , State and Concurrent List.

• This act introduced Responsible Government, which is same in our Constitution also. The Concept ofDyarchy, the type of Government, which was established in the provinces by the Act of 1935, itremains same in the constitution of India, Provinces were made autonomous in their respective subject.Out states are autonomous too now by the authority under constitution.

• It provides a Federal Court at Delhi. Now the Supreme Court of India is established under Constitutionwhich has the same power and functions as of Federal Court.

• The establishment of RBI under this Act, it remains same in Independent India to control regardingmonetary policy and currency creation.

• It introduced bicameralism which yet to be continued in many of the state.

• The Concept of Union Public Service Commission and State service commission also derived from thislaw.



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Thus, while the 1935 act had some federal features, federalism in true spirit was established later-on, onlywith the passing of constitution.

8. What is a quasi-judicial body? Explain with the help of concrete examples.

Hints:

• A quasi-judicial body is an entity which has powers and procedures resembling those of a courtof law or judge, and which is obliged to objectively determine facts and draw conclusions fromthem so as to provide the basis of an official action. Such actions are able to remedy a situation orimpose legal penalties, and may affect the legal rights, duties or privileges of specific parties.

• These organizations generally have authorities of settlement in matters like breach of discipline,conduct rules, and trust in the matters of money or otherwise. Their powers are usually limited toa particular area of expertise, such as financial markets, employment laws, public standards,immigration, or regulation.

• Some of the quasi judicial bodies in India are National Human Rights Commission; State HumanRights Commission; Central Information Commission; National Consumer Disputes RedressalCommission, etc.

9. Professor Amartya Sen has advocated important reforms in the realms of primary education and

primary health care. What are your suggestions to improve their status and performance?

Hints:

According to the United Nations, education is a right to which all human beings are entitled. Since 2000, theUN has been promoting the Millennium Development Goal to achieve free universal primary education forall, regardless of gender, by 2015.

India is the only country in the world which is trying to become a global economic power with an uneducatedand unhealthy labour force.

Prof. Sen regretted that primary education had insufficient coverage; there were a huge number of out-of-school children and the quality of education was low. “India needs to widen its education base radically.

He has made a strong case for the need for a radical reform in primary school curriculum. This would reducethe curriculum overload in primary education in the country, making “home tasks redundant and privatetuition unnecessary”.

Interpreting Article 21 of the constitution, Supreme Court has brought ‘Right to health’ and ‘right to primaryeducation’ (21A) under fundamental rights. So there’s no reason to believe that health care is lesser importantthat these things. There should be minimum standard preventive, curative, diagnostic and emergency care foreveryone.

The health status of the people in the country is an important flag-post to evaluate the success of the statepolicy. Health of the individual impacts the growth of the nation in a very material sense. It has beenestimated that the differences in the growth performance of many countries can be attributed to the healthstatus of the people.

The point is that, need to improve school education is vital, first because the need to have a properly schooleducated workforce is urgent and second because school education is the base for higher education and mustbe put into proper shape before we go about increasing enrolment in higher education.

It is a matter of common knowledge that primary education acts as a resource for secondary education,which in turn acts as a resource for higher education. Thus, all the three sectors create the final demand forand output of education for the country as a whole.

1. Following the Constitutional commitment to education, the Government aids schools financially. Only80 percent of the schools in the country take this aid. By their own choice the remaining 20 percentremain unaided Government aided schools, serving the low and middle income population.

2. The Centre bears only one fourth of the total government spending on education, whereas the rest three-fourth of the spending comes from the State Governments. Hence, the Government needs to take alarger responsibility towards provisioning of financial resources for education.



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3. The problems of utilization of the funds arising from procedural and institutional bottlenecks, deficienciesin decentralized planning and systemic weaknesses -as the main obstacles. So there is need to properutilization of funds.

4. Drawing inspiration from the Yashpal Committee Report, it seeks to make learning more meaningful andenjoyable by relating formal education to the lived world of the children.

5. Poverty is the major factor for a very high drop-out of girls at primary and secondary levels.

6. Need to assess the appropriate role of the private and public sectors in the context of increasedgovernment financial contributions to the health sector

7. The organization of primary care and hospital care needs improvement.

8. Expanding the reach of health services to rural and remote areas is hindered by the limited availabilityof providers there

9. Primary health care (PHC) is on essential part of health care and its main principles are equity, healthpromotion and disease prevention, community participation, appropriate health technology and multisectoral approach. Organizational and management key elements of PHC are strategic management,decentralization, coordination and development of strategic systems.

The empowered, educated, skilled and highly productive workforce of 700 million Indians including 200university graduates, in 2020 and industries worldwide competing to hire them-this is what India dreams tobe at 75- post-independence.

The development of millions of youth in such a short span of time is astounding in its scale IndianGovernment is taking proactive steps to fill skill gaps in order to leverage its position as a supplier of skilledworkforce to the aging world. Effective implementation of existing policies for skill development, fundamentaleducation reforms across elementary, secondary and higher education, strong interface between educators andemployers, public private partnership and international collaborations can lead nation to become superpower.

10. "In the Indian governance system, the role of non-state actors has been only marginal." Criticallyexamine this statement.

Hints:

The concept of ‘non-state actors’ refers to “a wide range of non-governmental development actors like civilsociety in all its diversity, economic and social partners, including trade union organizations and the privatesector”.

Today, non-state actors are actively engaged in community mobilization, economic development and societaltransformation. They work at international, national and local levels and play different roles like capacitybuilding, asset creation, representation, lobbying, advocacy, service delivery etc. These organizations andinstitutions have taken many forms based on their goals and purpose of involvement in the developmentalprocess as described in the definition above. Essentially, they are instruments of people’s action and themeans of protecting and promoting vital rights of citizens.

The role of governance in India has remained confined to “steel frame” which carried colonial legacy. Inpolicy formation, execution, awareness generation the role of non-state actors is important due to itsunderstanding of ground realities but we see many instances where the role of non-state actors has remainedmarginal such as:

1. In policy formulation the wide opinion of stacks holder is necessary but government follows top-downapproach.

2. In execution of government schemes, programs participation of local people, NGOs is important butthey have given very limited role.

3. Non-state actors are fundamental agents in helping to achieve both national and international developmentgoals, such as those around climate change. This contribute significantly towards filling the greenhousegas emissions gap left by non-ambitious or poorly executed national climate policies.

Non-State Actors (NSA’s) continue to play a crucial role in the democratic process of any country. Civilsociety movements can significantly influences the government policies as well as social attitude. It mustperform some roles to maintain and strengthen the democracy. They are:



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• Non-state actors empower the citizens about their rights and duties and the necessity of them. It alsoencourages the traditionally excluded groups such as women, dalits and minorities to utilize their rightsand the access to power.

• Civil society checks the political abuses and violations of law. An empowered non-state actor will be ableto hold the state accountable in case of abuse of political power.

• Conflicts are not very uncommon in the democratic institutions constituting wide range of interests. Awell established civil society mitigates the main differences and will help state in ensuring that the bestinterests are addressed.

• Non-state actors promote the democratic attributes amongst its citizens such as tolerance, willingness tocompromise and respect for the conflicting views.

• It allows political parties and other organizations to represent their interests. This improves the qualityof democracy.

• Without the support of public and the legislature, political and economic reforms cannot succeed. Civilsociety performs this role and paves way for reforms.

• If the state fails to represent the society’s best interests and if its interests are narrow and stagnant, non-state actors help in identifying and training the new political leaders to revitalize their government.

• Mechanism like social auditing should be promoted which will improve the participation of people ingovernment.

• In many states, non-partisan volunteer organizations monitored elections to check the legitimacy of theprocess and the result. This enhances public trust in the government.

• NGOs like Akshay Patra, SEWA has played important role in marginalized society. Thus, governmentshould regulate properly and accredited such NGOs which will benefit society.

By doing its duties, civil society can represent citizen interests while forming policies and can make theirsociety more democratic. However, state should give fundamental liberties to its citizens, because civil societycan function well in the democratic institutions. A non-state actor that is civil society plays an important rolein building and maintaining the democracy.

11. "Effectiveness of the government system at various levels and people's participation in the

governance system are inter-dependent." Discuss their relationship with each other in context ofIndia.

Hints:

The basic objective of government is to evolve a system of democratic decentralization and devolution witha view to ensuring rapid socio-economic progress and speedier and inexpensive justice.

Effective Governance is defined to include pro-people agenda’s, People’s participation, women empowerment,transparency, equal opportunity to youth. It includes economically and socially weaker section of society indecision making. It emphasizes in providing support to small businesses to strengthen the economy.

The essence of effective governance is making an impact of the lives of the people through effectiveutilization of government services, policies and regulation of the private sector trough transparent proceduresfor optimum impact.

Effective governance is comprehensive governance mechanism encompassing in itself inclusive growth anddevelopment of disparaged sections, citizen participation in decision making, women empowerment andequitable opportunity to all.

India’s middle class and neo-middle class is unique in terms of size and purchasing power. Policy makingneeds to focus on this economically vibrant section, which included almost all the subgroups of sections thatcompletes the idea of Effective Governance.

India is a Participatory democratic country. The Indian Constitution believes in the doctrine of separation ofpower as basic structure of Constitution. The Constitution ensures that people’s participation at various levelsis a fundamental for good governance.



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According to father of nation, M. Gandhi, self Government is better than even good Governance. Unlessself-government is ensured by clear devolution of power from the centre to the periphery, people are prevented

from participation in Governance.

By the 73rd & 74th Constitutional amendment act our Constitution assured the people’s participation at

various levels in governance. Being a participatory democracy it regards people’s political participation is basicprinciple for effective governance.

A strong sense of public duty comes from empowerment. People’s attitude changes from one of obedience

to authority to active participation in governance. A citizen as a political and social unit could alone takeresponsibility for transformation of the state of the society.

It encourages an active sense of public duty, replacing emphasis from authority and obedience to activeparticipation. The system can deliver the goods through devolution, decentralization and democratization,thereby narrowing the gap between the base of the polity and its super-structure.

Government effectiveness captures perceptions of the quality of public services, the quality of the civilservice and the degree of its independence from political pressures, the quality of policy formulation andimplementation, and the credibility of the government’s commitment to such policies which is interpretedas a design of social inclusion confined by people’s participation.

Thus, the goal of inclusive growth, as envisaged by the government cannot be achieved without the activeparticipation and effectiveness of government should be considered as integral to the governance of thecountry.

12. In the integrity index of Transparency International, India stands very low. Discuss briefly thelegal, political, economic, social and cultural factors that have caused the decline of public morality

in India.

Hints:

Corruption is widespread in India. India was placed at 76th position out of 168 countries with a score of 38out of a possible 100 in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index 2015. Corruption hastaken the role of a pervasive aspect of Indian Politics and Bureaucracy.

Corruption is a global phenomenon and it is omnipotent. It has progressively increased and is now rampantin our society. Corruption in India has wings, not wheels. As the nation grows, the corrupt also grow to inventnew methods of cheating the government and public. The causes of corruption are many and complex. The

following are some other causes of corruption:

• Socio-Cultural:

1. The long history of corrupt practices from ancient time which was strengthened during Mughal and

British time in form of Baksheesh and gifts etc.

2. Tolerance of people’s towards corruption, complete lack of intense public outcry against corruption andthe absence of a strong public forum to oppose corruption allow corruption to rein our people.

3. Most Indians will immediately recognize facilitative corruption from their regular interaction with thestate machinery.

Ex. officials demanding bribes to perform or expedite the basic functions of their job, like issuing passportsor ration cards

• Political:

1. Emergence of political elite which believes in interest oriented rather than nation oriented programs and

policies.

2. Inadequate regulation of political finance

3. Corruption is caused as well as increased because of the change in the value system and ethical qualitiesof men who administer



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4. Election time is a time when corruption is at its peak. Big industrialists fund politicians to meet highcost of election and ultimately to seek personal favor. Bribery to politicians buys influences and bribery

by politicians buys votes. In order to get elected, politicians bribe poor, illiterate people.

5. Amoral politics, self-aggrandizement, disregard of the constitutional norms in the pursuit of power,

political survival at any cost is other main cause of corruption.

• Legal:

1. The lack of enforcement capacity and regulatory complexity are deep causes, or foundational characteristics

of India’s institutions.

2. Complex laws and procedures deter common people from seeking help from the Government.

3. Cumbersome and dilatory administrative procedures and practices are other major causes of corruptionin India.

4. Many laws and rules have become obsolete and breeds corruption, long delay in judicial proceedings andless severity of punishment, multiple investigative agencies with overlapping jurisdiction such as Lokpal,CVC, CAG etc

5. Those in hierarchy vested with disciplinary powers shirk their duties and so unwillingness to use theirpowers against corrupt practices.

6. Collusive corruption involves bribes paid to circumvent regulations, kickbacks from government

procurement, and bribes paid to illegitimately obtain government contracts or licenses.

• Economical:

1. Artificial scarcity created by people with malevolent intention wrecks the fabrics of the economy.

2. Shortcomings in public sector recruitment and postings are more proximate offshoots of India’s institutionalinfirmities.

3. Vast size of population coupled with widespread illiteracy and the poor economic infrastructure lead toendemic corruption in public life.

4. Extractive corruption comprises diverse crimes, from embezzlement and harassment bribery to shirking

and simply not showing up to work.

5. In a highly inflationary economy, low salaries of government officials compel them to resort to corruption.

Graduates from Indian institutes of management with no experience draw a far handsome salary thanwhat government secretaries draw.

Endemic and deep rooted corruption is a major factor for most social and political ills. It is a serious threat

not just too sustainable economic growth, but also to the sociopolitical fabric of the country.

Jose Ugaz, the chairman of Berlin-based Transparency International argued that “the Corruption can bebeaten if we work together. To stamp out the abuse of power, bribery and shed light on secret deals, citizensmust together tell their governments they have had enough.”

13. Has the Indian governmental system responded adequately to the demands of Liberalization,Privatization and Globalization started in 1991? What can the government do to be responsive tothis important change?

Hints:

The 1991 economic crisis, essentially a balance of payments problem, is generally seen as the overridingfactor that led to the dismantling of the license/quota raj, but that is only partly true. The lacunae of theindustrial and trade policies were well documented both within and outside the government. Contrary to theperception of reforms being foisted on the government by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), these

reforms were entirely “made in India”. Following are the some areas where government responded adequately:

1. Private sector has excelled & created world class facility but government services remain poor.



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2. The government focused more on financial reforms but no reforms in administration like police, education,judicial, labour, etc. they remain substandard

3. New controls & regulations have come up which further lead to resources-Raj, still government have acontrol in allocating resources, pricing for gases, etc.

4. There are thousands of project which are stuck in red tapism, the lack of clarity over the reservationof industries from deregulation

5. Infrastructural development is still below expectation, Indian industries are still suffering from lack of

competitiveness

6. Political resistance to reform was strong and that was reflected in the official recommendations, if notthe analysis

7. The growth is not inclusive there are many inequalities & unbalanced regional growth and it remained

confined to pockets of few.

8. Subsidies are not well targeted and profit to usurped by non deserving people

9. Disturbed the social fabric of society by transformed it into a profit based existence from trust basedone. More work pressures and other aspects like urban migrations divided families and reduced socialresponsibilities.

10. International level organizations like WTO, IMFs rules & regulations of policies are in favor of developed

world. This showed that India’s diplomatic failure in achieving required status.

In our zeal and enthusiasm of reaping benefits from these economic reforms, we need to keep in mind thatstill there is a part of population which is living under abject poverty in the country. We need to bring themin sync and further integrate them with these reforms. For tackling this government can focus on following

areas:

• Creation of opportunities for skill development/formation of the unemployed and putting more focus

on unorganized sector of the economy. For this government initiated programs like skill India, Make inIndia.

• Focus needs to be shifted towards social sector like irrigation, rural electrification, better communicationfacilities in villages, education. Government tackling this issue with Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan, Mid-day

meal Scheme and health NRHM, National Sanitation Campaign.

• Employment opportunities for the masses providing livelihood, means of income, increasing purchasingpower to reduce absolute poverty levels. This problem can be curbed with schemes like MNREGA,

UDAAN, etc.

• Increase agro-based industries in the country. For this government started initiatives like Make in India,Start up India, Stand up India, etc.

• Labour reforms and increase in their wages as the labour laws were framed much before independenceand today’s scenario has changed drastically.

The reform process is still continuous. For success of reforms need wider popular acceptance which willensure all stake holders pulled together in the same direction for ensuring India’s emergence as the leader ofthe 3rd world & fastest growing economy.

14. "Traditional bureaucratic structure and culture have hampered the process of socio-economicdevelopment in India." Comment.

Hints:

Sardar Patel famously called the Indian Administrative Service the “steel frame” of India’s government

machinery. He, and many others, viewed the IAS as the solid foundation upon which the rest of thebureaucracy rested, a bastion of the nation’s best and brightest providing unfailing support to others ingovernment.



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To this day, even with vastly increased opportunities in the private sector, the IAS continues to attract India’sbest and brightest. Yet, despite the exceptional talent within the IAS, the institution no longer serves thegreater interest of the country. Instead, there are reasons to believe that it might be hampering the country’sdevelopment.

1. Bureaucracy refers to a hierarchical organization in which functions and powers are divided as per formalrules and regulations. There is a hierarchy system and the lower ones are working under the uppermanagement.

2. Officials remain unattached and are only concerned with their job without becoming personally involved.The British, of course, designed ICS and the rest of the government machinery around it with theexplicit goal of allowing a very small number of men to control a very large population. To this end,they concentrated all power and authority in the hands of these very few men with the rest of governmentacting as a support structure.

3. Being a permanent executive not directly responsible to the popular demands and ensuring the systemto work in a proper manner, irrespective of the elections results is seen as a prime work. Success of theschemes /initiatives depends upon the proper implementation on the ground level, and the implementationpart rests with the bureaucrats.

4. The local political interference and the cold-war btw the local political representatives and the covetedadministrator are not new, and it also gives wrong signal to the public in general when such things comein open.

5. Bureaucracy encourages the evil work of government into a number of isolated and self dependentsections each pursuing its own needs without any adequate correlation with the rest

6. The discretionary power which rests in the hand of the bureaucrats makes him look like the soleauthority in the eyes of common masses. Such powers have been used by the ranks very fruitfully alsoas well as selfishly. So, it was referred as steel frame means whatever the mortar comes off, the structureand working of system will not get changed for the disadvantages of the people.

7. In recent times the red-tapism and policy paralysis has been pointed out by the Government. As wellas Civil society as a cause of non- decisiveness and lack of works visible on the ground. Officials arebound by rules and these rules regulate the office conduct. Rules become more important at times thanthe goal of the organization leading to red tapism.

8. The Planning Commission has highlighted how the short tenures of civil servants have led to a far lesseffective management system for civil servants in India than in China. Very often, it leads to theelevation of ineffective civil servants in key administrative positions. This happens because pliantbureaucrats are much more acceptable to the political executive even if the effects of such postings arepositively harmful for governance.

It is a mix of both being a steel frame and caged, former because it steel enjoys the immunity and discretionarypower. It has been provided the constitutional immunity as well and it works joining the shoulder withshoulder of the other wings of the “state”. It is caged because everything where it is rule of law is boundedby that cage, even in the case where other cages are not there.

Bureaucracy loves tradition and stands for conservatism which develops a negative psychology that breedsnon-transparency and stoppage to information.

Arvind Panagariya, economic advisor of PM, Professor of economics and an expert on the Indian civilservice has two sensible suggestions for improvement of bureaucracy:

• More top positions in government should be opened up to competition from candidates outside the IAS.At a minimum, all top secretary level positions should be opened up to competition from at least thestate services, if not to outside candidates. In any democracy, ministers should be allowed to choose theirtop deputies. Going further and opening up all positions at the joint secretary level is also worthconsidering.

• Specialization should be encouraged because today Indian bureaucrats must oversee the administrationof a vastly complicated government apparatus and regulate an equally complicated private sector. In thiscontext, specialized skills are an absolute necessity for an effective civil service.



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Lloyd George called it “the steel frame on which the whole structure of our government and of ouradministration in India rests”, and the IAS has kept the steel frame pretty much intact.

15. Examine the main provisions of the National Child Policy and throw light on the status of its

implementation.

Hints:

India is a young nation; children constitute 39 per cent of the country’s population (Census 2011). Recognizedby policy-makers as a supreme national asset, children deserve the best in national investment, for theirsurvival, good heath, development opportunity, security and dignity.

The Constitution of India provides that the State shall direct its policy towards ensuring “that childhood isprotected from exploitation and moral and material abandonment.”

This directive clearly positions children as deserving of the highest priority in national realization of theFundamental Rights and the special provisions for those most vulnerable to discrimination and exclusion.

The adoption of the National Policy for Children (NPC) in 1974 was the first such major comprehensiveinitiative taken by the government.

The National Policy for Children, 2013 aims to protect and encourage the rights of the children to survival,health & nutrition; education & development; protection & participation for focused attention. It adheres tothe Constitutional mandate and guiding principles of UN CRC and reflects a paradigm shift from a “need-based” to a “rights-based” approach. The Policy recognizes every person below the age of eighteen years asa child and covers all children within the territory and jurisdiction of the country.

It emphasizes that the State is committed to take affirmative measures to promote equal opportunities forall children, and to enable all children in its jurisdiction to exercise all the constitutional rights.

The salient features of the children’s policy include the following:

1. Ensure equitable access to comprehensive and essential preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitativehealth care of the highest standard, for all children before, during and after birth, and throughout theperiod of their growth and development.

2. Secure the right of every child to learning, knowledge, education, and development opportunity, with dueregard for special needs, through access, provision and promotion of required environment, information,infrastructure, services and supports, for the development of the child’s fullest potential.

3. Create a caring, protective and safe environment for all children, to reduce their vulnerability in allsituations and to keep them safe at all places, especially public spaces.

4. Enable children to be actively involved in their own development and in all matters concerning andaffecting them.

5. It is the first policy document in India that specifically highlights “disability” as a ground for discriminationthat must be countered.

Though some suggestions of the civil society did not make it to the final draft, still, these provisions are agood reflection of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which emphasizesthe rights of children with disabilities to express their views freely on all matters affecting them, on an equalbasis with other children. Though it is yet to be seen how this translates into real practice, still it gives thehope that children in our country can look forward to a future without discrimination.

16. "Demographic Dividend in India will remain only theoretical unless our manpower becomes more

educated, aware, skilled and creative." What measures have been taken by the government to

enhance the capacity of our population to be more productive and employable?

Hints:

With one of the youngest populations in the world and a large pool of young English-speaking people,population demographics favor India. By 2022, the average Indian’s age would be 29, compared to 37 forChina and the US, and 45 for Western Europe.



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When the proportion of working people in the total population is high which indicates that more people havethe potential to be productive and contribute to growth of the economy, called demographic dividend. Indiahas the potential not only to meet its own manpower needs but it can also cater to the manpower demandof other nations.

Despite a vast majority of population in the productive age group, India has not been able to realize itsdemographic dividend since a good amount of working population are not employable and most industriesare currently struggling with scarcity of skilled workforce.

Economic growth in India has, in the last few years, picked up considerable momentum with services and,recently, the manufacturing sector showing a great deal of buoyancy. While the jury is out on whether thecountry can sustain a GDP growth of 9% per annum, it is generally agreed that much greater attention wouldhave to be paid to the area of skill development.

According to survey of Labour Bureau, “trend of employment generation in India has been declining. In2015, employment generated in core industries was only 1.3 lakh jobs & it is the lowest jobs generation inlast 6 years.”

There has been a lot of talk, not all of it well informed, about India’s becoming a Knowledge Power but,given our comparatively young population, we have a long way to go before we realize our full potential.

Countries with high skill capital tend to be prosperous from the perspectives of both GDP and per capitaincome. Higher national prosperity also manifests in better quality of life for citizens. As Indian economyevolves from being commodity-centric to knowledge-centric, growth becomes increasingly dependent on theavailability of skills.

However, skills have to be marketable and relevant, resulting in economic value, otherwise there may beabundance of skilled people with sub-optimal employment, resulting in the ‘skilled unemployed’ conundrum.Thus, government takes following steps to enhance the capacity of peoples to become employable:

1. The government has been emphasizing on providing vocational education and training to the workforce.It formulated the National Policy on Skill Development and has set a target for providing skills to 500million people by 2022. Providing a mechanism to acquire skills, empowering the disadvantaged sectionsof the society with skilling opportunities, and creating a skill growth program for continuous improvementis the surest way of achieving inclusive and sustainable growth.

2. The government has also professed skill development as a national priority over the next 10 years. The11th Five-Year Plan had a detailed road-map for skill development and favored the formation of SkillDevelopment Missions, both at the state and national levels. In addition, the government aims to setup 1,500 new ITIs and 5,000 skill development centers across the country as well a National VocationalQualification Framework (NVQF) for affiliations and accreditation in vocational, educational and trainingsystems.

3. The National Skill Development Mission aims to impart employment-oriented vocational training to 8crore people over the next five years by working with State governments/State Skill Missions andincorporating the private sector through PPPs and for profit vocational training and NGOs. Basic educationis also an important input for enhancing human capital.

4. PMKVY is a unique initiative of Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship where it focuseson industry relevant training & certifications for Indian youth so that they can have better careeropportunities.

5. DDUGKY is a special placement linked scheme for poor rural youth. Implemented through accreditedtraining providers, the scheme focuses on the placement of at least 75% of the youth. It focuses onpoverty alleviation of rural youth through its market-led placement initiative.

6. Udaan is a initiative for addressing the economic issues in J&K that is based on developing the humancapital of the region and helping the youth getting gainfully employed

7. The Indian government has embarked on the right path with initiatives like Skill India, Ease of DoingBusiness, Smart Cities and Industrial Corridors to facilitate demographic dividends to flow through.”



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In order to reap the benefits of demographic dividend there is need to increase productivity of work force.Hence, the workforce needs to be educated, equipped with required skills and healthy. The dreams of hugeincome flow and resultant economic growth due to demographic dividend could be realized only when weinculcate the required skills in the work force to make it as competent as its counterparts in the developedworld.

If India’s working-age population, its so-called demographic dividend, is productively employed, India’seconomic growth prospects will brighten.

17. "The broader aims and objectives of WTO are to manage and promote international trade in the

era of globalization. But the Doha round of negotiations seem doomed due to differences between

the developed and the developing countries." Discuss in the Indian perspective.

Hints:

• WTO is a multilateral platform that allows smaller and developing countries to make concerted effortsat integrating trade and development by allowing these countries to negotiate international trade issuesin blocks and together withstand the relentless demand of developed countries to open their marketswithout reciprocal benefits.

• The goal of any trade talks is to make it easier for goods and services to be bought and sold acrossnational borders.

• The basic objectives of the Doha round was to lower trade barriers around the world, and thus facilitateincreased global trade.

• However the progress in negotiations stalled due to issue between developed and developing nations overagriculture, industrial tariffs and non-tariff barriers, services, and trade remedies.

The reality was while Doha was a development agenda, domestic agriculture and industry interests in the U.S.(and in other developed countries) showed no appetite for making necessary concessions. Instead, the gamemoved towards ensuring that when emerging economies were showing signs of rapid growth, developedcountries did not lose the lead.

It was time to demand a more enduring value for technology and IPR. Also Enforcement of higher environmentand labour standards was sought to be made a norm even on a trade platform. More assured access for tradeand investment was demanded with firm commitments about reform.

Developed countries should work on FTA's such that it doesn't weaken the relevance of other multilateralorganisations or grouping of developing and also least developed countries.

• Doha ministerial Conference of WTO was one such instance where developed nation wanted to furthertheir domestic interest and thus introduced subsidies under Green Box, Blue Box and Amber Box. Tohighlight the discrepancy, US and Europe's subsidy to their farmers lies in Green Box to the extent of90% whereas for India the ratio is 42%. Though under WTO Green Box does not come under monitoring,developing nations subsidies are monitored as they fall under other categories.

• This when contested developing nation of Special Product and Special Safeguard Measures. Though SPwas adopted in HK Conference 2005, SSM (which deals with raising import duties in case of excessivehike in import volumes and resultant dip in prices) has not seen the light of the day.

• India negotiated and secured a re-affirmative Ministerial Decision on Public Stockholding for FoodSecurity Purposes honouring both the Bali Ministerial and General Council Decisions. The decisioncommits Members to engage constructively in finding a permanent solution to this issue.

• India negotiated a Ministerial Decision on another very important issue which recognizes that developingcountries will have the right to have recourse to an agricultural Special Safeguard Mechanism (SSM) asenvisaged in the Doha mandate. Members will continue to negotiate the mechanism in dedicated sessionsof the Committee on Agriculture in Special Session. The WTO General Council has been mandated toregularly review the progress of these negotiations.

• Members also agreed to the elimination of agricultural export subsidies subject to the preservation ofspecial and differential treatment for developing countries such as a longer phase-out period fortransportation and marketing subsidies for exporting agricultural products.



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• The Ministerial Decision also contains disciplines to ensure that other export policies are not used as a

disguised form of subsidies. These disciplines include terms to limit the benefits of financing support

to agriculture exporters, rules on state enterprises engaging in agriculture trade, and disciplines to ensure

that food aid does not negatively affect domestic production. Developing countries have been given a

longer time to implement these rules.

• Ministerial decision extends the relevant provision to prevent 'evergreening' of patents in the

pharmaceuticals sector. This decision would help in maintaining affordable as well as accessible supply

of generic medicines.

• India supported outcomes on issues of interest to LDCs including enhanced preferential rules of origin

for LDCs and preferential treatment for LDC services providers. India already provides substantial

preferences in these areas to LDCs.

• Rule of fishery subsidy Like India, several other countries had strong reservations on this issue due to

the lack of clarity. This was in tune with India's position. There was no outcome in this area of the

negotiations. A group of 53 WTO members, including both developed and developing countries, also

agreed on a timetable for implementing a deal to eliminate tariffs on 201 Information Technology

products. Duty-free market access to the markets of the members eliminating tariffs on these products

will be available to all WTO members. Though not a party to the Agreement, its benefits will also be

available to India.

• Given the continuation of Development round agenda would only hurt Developed nations interest as

they would loose market for their agriculture products they are insisting on dropping the agenda all

together itself. Moreover, subsidies given to the farmers in developed world (300-400%) are also trade

distortionary by its very nature. However they are unwilling to concede to this demand as well as it

would hurt their interest. Permanent solution to food stockholding by government is another loose end

which developed nation are reluctant to tie even when the major beneficiaries are poor.

• Having nothing to gain and only to concede in Doha development round, they are pushing hard to move

to bring in a 'new' agenda which involves Labour norms, environmental standards, E-commerce, global

value chain among others. Though these issues have their own International fora like ILO and UNFCCC,

the insistence to include them in WTO is primarily to harmonize (lower) them worldwide to suit their

interest and thus being aggressively pursued.

• However, G33 group including India and China are pushing to not concede and stick to the already

unresolved issues of Doha round as the lives of millions of farmers are at stake.

• India and China provide that 'makeshift bat' to developing nations and are thus, viewed as 'obstructionist'

by Developed world and thus there are attempts to isolate them.

• In this perceptive of geopolitics aimed at furthering economic interests it is important that all the nations

unite against the bullying ones and don't give up on their legitimate right to play.

• India offer proposals of our own that further our interests as, offering little in exchange while asking a

lot of others is a sure way of becoming a marginal player with negligible influence on the outcome of

negotiations. Since unilaterally opening our markets to international competition is in our own interest

regardless of whether our access to markets of others is enhanced, getting such enhanced access in return

in negotiations is a bonus. India's defensive posture is longstanding.

• Besides articulating a coherent position, India needs to remove the domestic constraints on our international

competitiveness and attractiveness to foreign capital, and improve our domestic investment climate.

• The need to bring down India's fiscal deficits to manageable levels, address festering problems in our

energy, transport and telecommunications infrastructures, and remove legal obstacles to exit from

unprofitable activities and to smoothly functioning labour markets.

• India steps towards a firm future date for making the rupee convertible on capital account and immediately

undertake the needed reforms in our financial sector to bring it about. In short, we have to speed up,

extend, deepen and complete the reform process expeditiously if we are to attain our legitimate position.



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18. Evaluate the economic and strategic dimensions of India's Look East Policy in the context of the

post-Cold War international scenario.

Hints:

• India's Look East Policy was initiated during the period of Narasimha Rao in 1992 for better engagement

with East Asian and southeast Asian nations. Such a policy for the first time prioritized our relationship

with countries located to the east of India. Its strategic and economic dimensions can be seen as the

growth and development of the entire region.

1. India-ASEAN FTA raised annual trade from $30 billion to $79 billion in 2012 and FTA in Services and

Investments is expected to raise it to $100 billion by 2015. For example Singapore helping in building

capital of Andhra Pradesh state.

2. Trilateral Highway between INDIA-MYANMAR-THAILAND helps in connecting Indian Highway

system to ASEAN Highways.

3. This policy is driven by cooperation on counter-terrorism, humanitarian relief (Tsunami diplomacy -

2004), maritime and energy security, securing the Sea Lines of Communication (Malacca straits), piracy,

narcotics trade, poaching and balancing of influence of other powers, importantly China. Most of the

ASEAN nations have maritime disputes with China and they want India to counter the influence of

China, which India is reluctant to do so. While staying away from their bilateral disputes, India must

engage with them forcefully in situations where her vital interests are involved such as in Vietnam’s

offshore oil blocks - very important for her energy security.

4. India’s attempt to promote trade with Bangladesh and Myanmar through Preferential Trade Areas has

failed due to undue consideration of the law and order situation of the Northeast and the military and

security establishment having a say in India’s foreign policy with these two countries.

5. There was Systematic institutionalization of economic and trade interactions with East Asian countries.

6. With increase in trade and investment security problems can be tackled simultaneously. It is said that

where goods flow there is no need of guns.

7. India extended $500 million Line of Credit to Vietnam for facilitating deeper defense cooperation. This

defense cooperation will counter China's influence in the region.

8. Coordination- of policies on economy and defense- safe haven for industry to grow with common

concerns of terrorism, black money, trade restrictions etc address on unified platform.

India being a big nation has the capital, labour, and experience potential to lead the way for other nations

and help create a united Southern Asia that serves best interests for all participant countries. Thus the region

would rightly fulfill the economic, strategic and global interests and India stands keen on achieving them.

Also, for India, it is not a matter of choice, with China aggressively increasing its footprint into India’s

neighborhood; it also needs to extend its sphere of influence up to South China Sea and East China Sea and

this is only possible if, India has deep strategic ties in East Asia, including ASEAN and Japan and Korea.

19. "Increasing cross-border terrorist attacks in India and growing interference in the internal affairs

of several member-states by Pakistan are not conducive for the future of SAARC (South Asian

Association for Regional Cooperation)." Explain with suitable>

Hints:

• India's engagement with SAARC has been developmental and focused on increasing people to people

contact to reduce the social tensions in South Asia. This is evident from the following examples.

1. South Asian satellite:

South Asia being a tropical country has been affected by unforeseen torrential rains, drought, cyclone etc.

SAARC satellite which India promised in 2014 at Kathmandu will help in this context.



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2. South Asian University:

Located in DELHI, the degree of this university is recognized by all 8 SAARC countries. Again this is anattempt to bring students and thereby countries together.

3. India has always supported SAFTA.

4. SAARC Disaster Management Centre (SDMC) and SAARC Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS Centre(STAC) are some of the initiatives of SAARC which India is a part of and is actively contributing.

But Pakistan has been a sticking point in SAARC, even here India has tried to manage differences and workfor the better of SAARC as a whole. India’s historic relations with Pakistan have been of a stress and strainfrom both sides. This casts shadow over the regional cooperation and economic integration. IncreasinglySAARC is being seen as SAARC minus Pakistan. This coupled with geopolitical tensions in the region is agrave danger for India. Some of the issues are:

1. The issue of Kashmir is the foremost one which doesn't allow the nations to work jointly. Pakistan'smilitant action in Kashmir raises internal issues in India

2. The offer of SAARC satellite by India has been stalled by Pakistan.

3. Pakistan obstructs the way on any move at Trans border Commercial Corporation with India.

4. South Asian Motor Vehicle Agreement which is not signed as Pakistan's reluctance.

5. Therefore Pakistan should not be indulged in SAARC. ‘SAARC minus Pakistan’ can be a beneficialconcept.

Isolating a member who has a different vision will not affect the development process; infact may help inaccelerating growth in the region by ratifying agreements early. Motor vehicle movement agreement, railwaylinkages, SAARC satellite program, etc are signed up by all SAARC members except Pakistan. Countries canengage bilaterally and over other regional forums such as BIMSTEC, SASEC, etc for heading towards SouthAsian development. It will impact Pakistan as its trade and treaties with SAARC nations will be affected.Terrorism supported by Pakistan too is a challenge for South Asia. Such a move will send a strong messagethat not just India but other countries too are victims of and strictly against terrorism which Pakistansupports.

Although, cooperation of Pakistan could have speeded up the growth in the South Asian region, but theprevailing environment of deep mistrust and tension with Pak renders it imperative to keep it out of SAARC.The sustained hostilities are detrimental for both the nations. In the short run the impact would be marginalbut if this thing continues and escalate, there would be lot of concerns in rest of the world and internationalorganizations that the situation does not go out of hand and is contained.

20. What are the aims and objectives of the McBride Commission of the UNESCO? What is India'sposition on these?

Hints:

• In 1970’s and 1980’s there were concerns from many people about how the then broadcast media wasdominated by the very few developed countries.

• It stated that developing nations saw mostly foreign channels and were influenced by it. Their culturewas not reflected in the media thus there were culture shocks, disparities and trends in developingcountries started aping the ‘west’.

• The UNESCO acknowledged these concerns and set up a commission under Sean MacBride. This wasknown as MacBride Commission.

• It supported the democratisation of communication characterized by equal opportunities of access,dialogue and participation for all including strengthening of national media to avoid dependence onexternal sources.

• It stated that equal opportunities in communication were part of the basic human rights in the same wayas freedom of expression.



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• Today, even in India, modern media technologies, particularly the Internet and satellite communication,have become the infrastructure that has made possible a new global market system and a new contextfor the spread of political, economic and cultural ideas.

• The globalization of information has played both positive and negative role.

• It has increase awareness among the people about the internal and external activities, informed themabout their rights.

• But alongwith the many positive changes these new means of communication violate the dignity andhumanity of others through public deception, economic exploitation, political surveillance and repression,and other abuses of power.



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PAPER - II

Discuss the essentials of the 69th Constitutional Amendment Act and anomalies, if any that haveled to recent reported conflicts between the elected representatives and the institution of theLieutenant Governor in the administration of Delhi. Do you think that this will give rise to a newtrend in the functioning of the Indian federal politics?

UPSC Ques. - 1

GS SCORE - GS MAINS TEST SERIES (Test No. - 2; Question No. 9; Dated - 10 April 2016)

Q. Too much discretionary powers with Governor stifles the governance in states and instead of

promoting co-operative federalism promotes unitary form of government. In light of the above

statement critically examine the needs of discretionary powers of Governor.

Hints:

• Governor in Indian states act as Nominal Head whereas the real power is exercised by Chief Minister

however in order to ensure that state Government run in accordance with the Constitution of India,

the Governor has been given certain discretionary powers, and Governor has been given freedom to

act on its own in those areas.

• But Governor is an agent of the centre therefore since Independence the discretionary power of

Governor have been misused for narrow political gains or to sabotage opposition ruled state governments

by the party in power at the Centre.

• Many times Governors have taken no action on the bills passed by the Assembly which has stifled

governance in States. Similarly many a times Governor has reserved Bills for President even when the

bill contains matter which do not require assent of President.

• On many occasions Governor has also recommended President rule on grounds of lack of majority

without giving chance to CM to prove his majority on the floor of the house as in Uttarakhand.

• In the exercise of their discretion in the appointment of the Chief Minister, Governors have not

followed any uniform practice.

• All of the above mentioned actions are against the basic concept of cooperative federalism instead

these actions promote unitary form of government where states are subservient to the centre.

• Though discretionary power of Governor have been misused many times in recent years, however

scrapping it completely is not a solution because in order to function as guardian of functioning of

constitutional machinery in states he needs to have certain discretionary power.

• However, discretionary power should be amended in order to prevent its misuse. Governors should

not sit on Bills and must decide matters within a four-month period. He may give his accent to the

bill or sent it back for reconsideration or refuse to give its accent.

• Secondly a constitutional amendment be brought about to limit the scope of discretionary powers of

the Governor under Article 163 (2) of the Constitution.

• Grounds under which Article 356 could be imposed should be clearly brought out so that it cannot

be misused.



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"In the Indian governance system, the role of non-state actors has been only marginal." Criticallyexamine this statement.

UPSC Ques. - 10

• Governor should use his discretionary powers only in exceptional and warranted cases. Article 163

does not give the Governor a general discretionary power to act against or without the advice of his

Council of Ministers. The area for the exercise of his discretion is limited. Even this limited area, his

choice of action should not be arbitrary or fanciful. It must be a choice dictated by reason, actuated

by good faith and tempered by caution.

Supplementary Notes

Discretionary powers of the Governor

State Governor has constitutional discretion in the following cases:

i. Reservation of a Bill for the consideration of the President;

ii. Recommendation for the imposition of the President’s Rule in the State;

iii. Exercising his functions as the administrator of an adjoining union territory.

iv. In the States of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram the Governor determines the amount

payable to an autonomous Tribal District Council.

v. Seeking information from the Chief Minister with regard to the administrative and legislative matters

exigencies in the following cases:

(a) Appointing the Chief Minister when no party has acquired clear cut majority in the State Legislative

Assembly and when the Chief Minister dies when in office.

(b) Dismissal of the Council of Ministers when they loose the confidence of the State Legislative Assembly.

There are some other cases where the Governors of specific States may Consult the Council of Minister

headed by the Chief Minister but acts, in his discretion, some of them may be cited as follows

i. Maharashtra – establishment of separate development boards for Vidarbha and Marathwada.

ii. Assam – with respect to the administration of tribal areas.

iii. Establishment of separate development boards of Kutch and Saurashtra in Gujarat.

iv. Nagaland – observance of law and order so long internal disturbance on the Naga Hills continue etc.

These discretionary powers of the Governor make him more than a mere constitutional head and enhance

his powers in the State administration. These powers enable him to act more as an agent of the Centre in

State administration.

GS SCORE - GS MAINS TEST SERIES (Test No. - 9 Question No. 18; Dated - 28 May 2016)

Q. Assess the roles of voluntary organizations in resolving social problem in India. How untapped

potential of voluntary sector could be fully utilized?

Hints:

• Non-Governmental organisations or NGOs in brief, have been engaged in many social development

activities.

• They are organised by a group of people who feel that they have a moral duty to serve the community.

They are organised on a voluntary basis on the principle of service to the socially disadvantaged

classes. Their efforts supplement those of the government.

• Also, they take up many activities, like organising the poor, which the government bureaucracy is not

generally capable of taking up.



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Has the Indian governmental system responded adequately to the demands of Liberalization,Privatization and Globalization started in 1991? What can the government do to be responsiveto this important change?

UPSC Ques. - 13

• In our country, the role of NGOs in development activities is being increasingly emphasised in suchfields as child and woman's development, slums improvement, poverty amelioration, environmentalconservation, educational development and political movements.

• The success of the Rural Development depends upon the active participation and willing co-operationof the rural people through self-help organizations and voluntary agencies.

• In recent years, the voluntary agencies have acquired greater importance and significance than before.

• Many Non-Governmental organizations have been concentrating social mobilization on contemporaryissues of importance such as women empowerment, human rights, and implementation of variouscentral and state government development programmes.

• The NGOs in India have contributed handsomely towards social mobilization and social activismthrough their intensive campaigns, people's mobilization programmes and effective networks.

• Recommendation to tap the potential of Voluntary Organisations are:

a) To have a sectorial identity by weeding out organizations that have stemmed from corporate bodiesto re-emphasize the values of voluntarism.

b) To have a nodal ministry for the voluntary sector based on the guidelines of Steering Committee reportof 2012. This ministry would help foster an enabling environment for the sector and assist in itsregulation and monitoring of effective implementation of social development programs. The ministrywould also facilitate communication between the voluntary sector and the government. It could alsohelp liaise with the corporate sector through CSR

c) To expand pilot study and develop a more in-depth research program to study the contribution of thevoluntary sector in health, sanitation, education, water etc.

d) Proper legislation made exclusively for not-for-profit organizations and is separated from all othertypes of organizations that stem from other profit making bodies

e) The government needs to be careful and sensitive towards the organizations working on the rightsand entitlement issues to safeguard the rights of the poor and marginalized.

GS SCORE - GS MAINS TEST SERIES (Test No. 2 Question No. 3; Dated - 6 November 2016)

Q. The interplay between bureaucracy and globalisation requires civil servants to localize globallyand globalize locally. What does this implies? Discuss the steps needed for achieving theintegration.

Hints:

• Globalization is a global economic movement which involves all national international economicplayers including the all pervasive bureaucracy.

• Under the impact of liberalization, privatization and globalization, the hold of the governments oneconomies is slackening. The influence of international bodies, multinational corporations and externalagencies is on the ascendance.

• Due to this, inequality is on rise and the poor and needy are becoming more destitute. Thus civilservants are required to manage globalization in such a manner that the negative impact of thissystem is minimized to a great extent. They have to be more cautious and vigilant and to act localizeglobally and globalize locally.

• This implies that civil servants have to employ a Global strategy, but also focus on Localized initiativesfor content, commerce, and engagement within citizens.

• They have to initiate decentralization, people’s empowerment through devolution of powers andencourage local self governing institutions to administer and meet collective or social needs whileencouraging markets to meet the individual needs.



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"Traditional bureaucratic structure and culture have hampered the process of socio-economicdevelopment in India." Comment.

UPSC Ques. - 14

"Demographic Dividend in India will remain only theoretical unless our manpower becomesmore educated, aware, skilled and creative." What measures have been taken by the governmentto enhance the capacity of our population to be more productive and employable?

UPSC Ques. - 16

• Steps needed for achieving the integration.

(a) The civil services should protect the people against the market forces and onslaught of multinationals.

(b) The people should be encouraged to manage their affairs through various forms of organizations likeN.G.O.s, cooperatives, self-help groups and institutions working for the welfare of people.

(c) Participatory measures should be taken as an end, as they help the people to enjoy their freedom.

(d) States, collectively or singly, should set the rules of the game, that enter into agreements with otherStates, and that make policies which shape national and global activities, and the agenda of integration.

• Experience has shown that globalization requires strong, not weak States. Thus, one of the mainpreconditions to ensure that the benefits of globalization are evenly spread throughout the developedand the developing world and within a given country is good governance, including an efficient andeffective public administration.

GS SCORE - GS MAINS TEST SERIES (Test No. 2 Question No. 10; Dated - 28 August 2016)

Q. Economic development is a pre-requisite of administrative development whereas, enhancementof bureaucratic capability requires development of the society. Illustrate with suitable example.

Hints:

• Economic development is necessary to provide basic funds and infrastructure for the successfulfunctioning of the administration. In a country with limited economic resources, administrators arenot in a position to implement governmental programmes and policies successfully.

• Modern administration particularly is dependent on ICT and thus, importance of financial aspectsis only increasing over time.

• However it is not the sole criteria for the establishment of good governance.

• Administration is culture-bound. It is shaped by the setting or the environment in which it operates.

• Thus, the Socio-cultural environment affects the administration. There exists casteism, nepotism,favouritism, corruption and other ills in the society.

• A society totally divided by social classes, will also have a divided bureaucracy or a non-representativebureaucracy representing stronger classes only.

• Hence, these ailments reduce the administrative capabilities of the administrators and affect theirrational thinking.

• Thus, for bureaucratic strengthening, social development is a prerequisite.

GS SCORE - GS MAINS TEST SERIES (Test No. 2 Question No. 2; Dated - 16 January 2016)

Q. The demographic dividend is fast becoming a demographic liability in India due to lack ofvocational education, skill formation and employment. Discuss.

Hints:

• “Demographic Dividend” means that as compared to other large developing and developed countries,India has a higher proportion of working age population vis-à-vis is entire population.



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• More than 50% of India’s population is in the age group of 15-59 years. With such a young population,it has a huge demographic dividend waiting to be capitalized. This places India at a huge strategicadvantage against other developed nations and a huge window of opportunity for fuelling economicgrowth. But unfortunately we haven’t been able to harness this capital.

• According to a Mckinsey study, 51% of this working age population, i.e., more than 350 millionpeople require some form of vocational/skill based training in order to make them more employable.

• So while we are growing at an unprecedented rate in few aspects, we are way behind globalstandards in others. A report by FICCI shows that India has fewer than 10,000 vocational traininginstitutes with a capacity of just 1.3 million. Just a tenth of those looking to join the workforce receiveany training, as compared to 60%-96% of workers in developed nations in Asia and the West.

• Because of lack of necessary training facilities, potential workers are either unemployed orunderemployed, while industries are being forced to employ untrained youngsters whose numberand quality doesn’t match their requirements. Automobile, construction, retail, healthcare, banking,electronics hardware, media, tourism and IT are few of the sectors that are in immediate need ofskilled workers.

• As a result, the productivity levels of Indian industrial sector are very low compared to standard ofmajor exporters, such as China, Japan, and Germany. Not only India suffers from Industrial sickness,it also has a much skewed occupational structure, which doesn’t reflect its comparative advantage.

Measures

A solution could be introducing vocational training at the high school level. An important reason for highschool dropout rates after class tenth is disconnect between industry requirements and education. Whenstudents realize that what they study in school will not help them earn a livelihood immediately, they quitschool to take up a job. If instead, they are also trained in income generating activities, they could continueschool while also pursuing a job.

Also, Private Sector needs to ramp up its contribution towards creating a skilled manpower. Presently manyprivate sector companies run Industrial Training Institutes on a small scale as part of their CSR activities. Ifthey form a consortium of industries working in the similar space to scale up such training activities, a largerimpact can be achieved.

Industrial revival and tourism growth are very important source of employment for masses, however, bothof the sectors require huge overhaul in the present education system and mind-set of people.

Supplementary Notes

“Demographic dividend, as defined by the United Nations Population Fund (UNPF) means, “the economicgrowth potential that can result from shifts in a population’s age structure, mainly when the share of theworking-age population (15 to 64) is larger than the non-working-age share of the population (14 andyounger, and 65 and older).” In other words, it is “a boost in economic productivity that occurs when thereare growing numbers of people in the workforce relative to the number of dependents.” UNPF stated that,“A country with both increasing numbers of young people and declining fertility has the potential to reap ademographic dividend.

A 2011 International Monetary Fund Working Paper found that substantial portion of the growth experi-enced by India since the 1980s is attributable to the country’s age structure and changing demographics. TheU.S. Census Bureau predicts that India will surpass China as the world’s largest country by 2025, with alarge proportion of those in the working age category. Over the next two decades the continuing demo-graphic dividend in India could add about two percentage points per annum to India’s per capita GDPgrowth. Extreme actions are needed to take care of future basic minimum living standards including food,water and energy. As per Population Reference Bureau, India’s population in 2050 is projected to be 1.692billion people.

Mechanisms for Growth in the Demographic Dividend: During the course of the demographic dividendthere are four mechanisms through which the benefits are delivered. They are:

1. The first is the increased labour supply. However, the magnitude of this benefit appears to bedependent on the ability of the economy to absorb and productively employ the extra workers ratherthan be a pure demographic gift.



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2. The second mechanism is the increase in savings. As the number of dependents decreases, individualscan save more. This increase in national savings rates increases the stock of capital in developingcountries already facing shortages of capital and leads to higher productivity as the accumulatedcapital is invested.

3. The third mechanism is human capital. Decreases in fertility rates result in healthier women andfewer economic pressures at home. This also allows parents to invest more resources per child,leading to better health and educational outcomes.

4. The fourth mechanism for growth is the increasing domestic demand brought about by the increasingGDP per capita and the decreasing dependency ratio.

Low fertility initially leads to low youth dependency and a high ratio of working age to total population.However, as the relatively large working age cohort grows older, population aging sets in. There is a strate-gic urgency to put in place policies which take advantage of the demographic dividend for most countries.This urgency stems from the relatively small window of opportunity countries have to plan for the demo-graphic dividend when many in their population are still young, prior to entering the work force. Duringthis short opportunity, countries traditionally try to promote investments which will help these young peoplebe more productive during their working year. Failure to provide opportunities to the growing young popu-lation will result in rising unemployment and an increased risk of social upheaval.

The urgency to put in place appropriate policies is magnified by the reality that what follows the “demo-graphic dividend” is a time when the dependency ratio begins to increase again. Inevitably the populationbubble that made its way through the most productive working years creating the “demographic dividend”grows old and retires. With a disproportionate number of old people relying upon a smaller generationfollowing behind them the “demographic dividend” becomes a liability. With each generation having fewerchildren population growth slows, stops, or even goes into reverse. This is currently seen most dramaticallyin Japan with younger generations essentially abandoning many parts of the country. Other regions, nota-bly Europe and North America, will face similar situations in the near future with East Asia to follow afterthat. China’s current independence ratio of 38 is unprecedentedly low. This represents the number of depen-dents, children, and people over 65, per 100 working adults. This implies that there are nearly twice as manyworking age people as the rest of the entire population combined. This historically low dependency ratio hasbeen extremely beneficial for China’s unprecedented period of economic growth. This dramatic shift wasbrought about largely in part due to China’s one-child policy. As a result, China is currently aging at anunprecedented rate. China will be older than the United States by 2020 and by Europe by 2030. Combinedwith the sex-selective abortions widely practiced as a result of the one-child policy – China will have 96.5million men in their 20s in 2025 but only 80.3 million young women – China’s future demography holdsmany challenges for the Communist Party. But, recently keeping in view of the demographic future chal-lenges of their country, China government is quitting one child policy and going to adopt two child policyper family.

Demographic Dividend in India:

• Census 2011 data shows that India’s working age population (15-64 years) is now 63.4% of the totalpopulation, as against just short of 60% in 2001. In 2015, it is 52.45 (per 100populaion 15-64).

• The numbers also show that the ‘dependency ratio’ - the ratio of children (0-14) and the elderly (65-100) to those in the working age - has shrunk further to 0.55.

• India’s median age has risen from around 22 years in 2001 to over 24 years in 2011.

• India is poised to become the world’s youngest country by 2020, with an average age of 29 years,and account for around 28% of the world’s workforce.

• In comparison, during the same period, the average age is expected to be 37 years in China and theUS and 45 years in Western Europe.

• The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has predicted that by 2020, India will have 116 millionworkers in the work-starting age bracket of 20 to 24 years, as compared to China’s 94 million. In 20years the labour force in the industrialized world will decline by 4%, in China by 5%, while in Indiait will increase by 32%.

• IMF, in 2011, reported that India’s demographic dividend has the potential to add 2 percentage

points per annum to India’s per capita GDP growth over the next two decades.



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"The broader aims and objectives of WTO are to manage and promote international trade in theera of globalization. But the Doha round of negotiations seem doomed due to differencesbetween the developed and the developing countries." Discuss in the Indian perspective.

UPSC Ques. - 17

GS SCORE TEST SERIES (Test No. 4 Question No. 15; Dated - 24 April 2016)

Q. The Nairobi Ministerial of the WTO failed to break the deadlock set by the Doha round. Do you

agree? Why?

Hints:

• The topmost decision-making body of the WTO is the Ministerial Conference, which usually meets

every two years. It brings together all members of the WTO, all of which are countries or customs

unions.

• The Ministerial Conference can take decisions on all matters under any of the multilateral trade

agreements.

• The Nairobi Ministerial saw contentions from both Developed Nations and Developing Nations on

Doha Rounds. The Conference could not take further the remaining Issues of Doha Declaration.

Reasons for Failure to Break Doha Deadlock:

• Core Issue: The US and EU wants to launch new negotiations while pursuing unresolved issues in

agriculture and other areas outside the Doha architecture. But a majority of WTO members want to

continue with the Doha negotiations.

Contention of the Developing Countries

• India has expressed disappointment over non-reaffirmation of the long-stalled Doha Round, agreement

on removal of cotton subsidy altogether by 01 January 2017, and a few other provisions related to

phasing out of export subsidies.

• India, China, and Indonesia on behalf of 47 developing countries, demanded comprehensive and

balanced outcomes, particularly deliverables that would help resource-poor farmers in all the three

core negotiating areas, viz., agriculture, non-agricultural market access and services.

Contention of Developed Countries

• The US and its supporters want a finite number of deliverables in which they themselves do not haveto undertake any fresh commitments, including "export competition (in agriculture)", some limitedconcessions for the poorest countries and transparency-related commitments.

• The biggest demand of the developed countries is to abolish agricultural export subsidies, so as toallow developing countries to better integrate themselves into the global market.

Conclusion

• The G-33 has strongly argued the case for an effective Special Safeguard Mechanism (SSM) fordeveloping countries and for changing the rules relating to public stockholding for food securitypurposes, SSM is a trade remedy mechanism that will allow developing countries to hike dutiestemporarily to counter the import surge and price falls in farm products.

• India wants the Nairobi meet to re-affirm the Doha Development Agenda and all MinisterialDeclarations and Decisions taken since 2001, when the Doha Round was launched.

• India is concerned over the fact that the reduction in the massive subsidization of the farm sector indeveloped countries - which was the clear cut mandate of the Doha Round talks- is now not evena subject matter of discussion, leave aside serious negotiations.



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Evaluate the economic and strategic dimensions of India's Look East Policy in the context of thepost-Cold War international scenario.

UPSC Ques. - 18

GS SCORE TEST SERIES (Test No. 2 Question No. 21; Dated - 21 October 2016)

Q. Examine the recent developments in India's "Look East Policy' under the new regime? Also

describe their impact on India's North-eastern region?

Hints:

• The opening up of India’s economy in 1991, also marked the beginning of significant shift in India’s

foreign policy. New focus was given to engagements with all the countries on the basis of geopolitics

and realism rather than based on particular ideology and idealism.

• As a result of this Look East policy was designed with special focus on South East Asian Countries

with which India had historical cultural and trade linkages. As a result of it India become dialogue

partner in ASEAN, started India-ASEAN summit and many more initiatives. Later strategic dimensions

were also added to it.

• With the coming of new government in 2014, there has been a visible shift in India Look East Policy.

Along with rechristened name of Act East Asia, it also has renewed focus on extended neighbourhood

which encompasses Asia-Pacific region including East Asian countries like Japan, South Korea and

small Pacific Island nations etc.

• It is also aimed matching the growing influence of China in the region. Any loss of strategic space

to China will be difficult to cover; therefore the soft power of India has been focused on to establish

strong relationship.

• Focus has been extending the relations to the level of strategic and defence relations. The involvement

of Japan in Malabar exercise, giving navy patrol vessels to Vietnam etc are part of it.

• Energy, IT and physical connectivity have been significantly focused. Focus has been on quick delivery

of results. Increased focus on early completion of Trilateral Highway shows the renewed focus.

• India’s business with ASEAN countries is only 30% of total ASEAN trade, and government is keen

on increasing it.

It’s impact on India’s North East

• India’s north east region has been suffering from lack of development because of poor connectivity

and infrastructure problems. Four of seven north eastern states share border with Myanmar. Increasing

integration with Myanmar and ASEAN will help India in ensuring the development of the north east

states.

• The Kaladan multi-modal, trilateral highway and railway line will boost connectivity with the region

and help in infrastructure development.

• It will open up new economic opportunities for the region in the form of boost in trade etc.

• Establishment of new education, health facilities in India’s North East can help in making this region

educational and medical tourism hub because of increased connectivity.

• With improved economic situation the problem of violence, secessionist movements will subside.

• The new Act East policy if implemented with proper availability of resources and strategic focus can

not only help in improving the HDI indicators of India’s north east, but also can help in better

integration of the whole of East Asia, which will help in improving the health, education and

employment scenario. It will also help in ensuring better co-operation on various issues of global

importance and can further the peace and prosperity of the region.



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Supplementary Notes

New Infrastructure projects in North-east under the Modi Administration

After coming to power Modi Government has started many projects to develop the North East region andprovide citizens residing there with all the modern amenities. A lot still needs to be done before NE states canbe called developed states. However, here is a look at how the North East India is developing:

Assessment of Infrastructural Constraints in N-E Region:

The North Eastern Council has been conducting assessment of the various socio-economic challenges andinfrastructural constraints being faced in the North Eastern Region, from time to time.

Major ones as figured out by the Council are Perspective Transport Plan for Development of North EasternRegion (NER) which became the basis for the Special Accelerated Road Development Programme for NorthEast (SARDP-NE), Feasibility Study on Comprehensive Power Transmission and Distribution in NE whichformed the basis for Comprehensive Scheme for Transmission and Distribution in NE States, the NER Vision-2020 Document, Feasibility Study Report on Poverty Eradication in NER, Comprehensive Tourism MasterPlan for NER, Health Workforce Development Plan for NER and Study on Air Connectivity in NER.

Since its inception the North Eastern Council has invested over Rs. 12,756 crore for development of the NERin sectors such as transport and communication for roads and bridges, bus and truck terminus, airport andair connectivity; power generation and transmission; irrigation and water management; education, commu-nity infrastructure and sports; medical and health; agriculture and allied activities; industries; tourism; sci-ence and technology; and livelihood.

Physical achievement of the North Eastern Council includes construction of 10949 km. of roads of Inter-Statenature and roads of economic importance. 11 Inter-State Bus Terminus and 3 Inter-State Truck Terminus inthe North Eastern States.

The North Eastern Council also funded 60 percent of the project costs for upgradation of twelve airportsthrough Airport Authority of India, namely, Guwahati, Silchar, Jorhat, Dibrugarh, Lilabari, Tezpur, Umroi,Lengpui, Dimapur, Imphal, Agartala and Tezu airports.

Besides, the North Eastern Council is instrumental in establishment or funding of several important institu-tions in the NER that include North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Ltd., (NEEPCO), North EasternHandicraft and Handlooms Development Corporation Ltd., (NEHHDC), North Eastern Regional Institute ofWater and Land Management (NERIWALM), Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Cane and Bam-boo Technology Centre (CBTC).

A livelihood project, the NER Community Resource Management Project (NERCORMP) was initially fundedjointly with International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and subsequently continued with do-mestic funding.

The project covers eleven Districts in four States, namely, Dima Haso and Karbi Anglong in Assam; Senapati,Ukhrul, Chandel and Churachandpur in Manipur; West Khasi Hills and West Garo Hills in Meghalaya; andChanglang, Longding and Tirap in Arunachal Pradesh.

Modern Facilities in Border States of North-East:

Government is taking steps to accelerate the pace of the socio-economic development of the NER. Provisionof modern facilities for all round development of Border States of NE is an ongoing process. ConcernedCentral Ministries or Departments are required to earmark at least 10% of gross budgetary support for NER.The Ministry of DoNER and NEC provide funds for bridging infrastructure gaps in NER.

Ministry of DONER is administering NLCPR Scheme under which a total of 53 projects of Health Sectoramounting to Rs. 63313.36 lakhs and 168 projects in Education Sector amounting to Rs.145416.55 lakhs,have been sanctioned so far.

North Eastern Council (NEC) is also administering schemes under various sectors in North Eastern States. InIndustry sector, NEC have 41 on-going projects with an approved cost of Rs.17322.12 lakhs, Health Sector,it has 58 on-going projects with an approved cost of Rs.40870.85 lakh and in Education sector, NEC has 78on-going projects with an approved cost of Rs.24294.98 lakh.



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"Increasing cross-border terrorist attacks in India and growing interference in the internal affairsof several member-states by Pakistan are not conducive for the future of SAARC (South AsianAssociation for Regional Cooperation)." Explain with suitable examples.

UPSC Ques. - 19

Ministry of Home Affairs releases funds for development of border areas under the Border Area Develop-ment Programme (BADP) scheme. Rs. 27757.86 lakhs has been released in current financial year to meet thespecial developmental needs of the people lying near the international border.

Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Human Resources Development has sanctioned630 new schools and selected 3334 schools for strengthening and enhance the quality of education underRashtriya Madhyamik Shikhsa Abhiyan (RSMA). An amount of Rs.122884.36 lakhs has been released sinceits inception.

NLCPR Funds Allocated to NE States:

Funds available in Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) are allocated to the North EasternStates for bridging infrastructure gaps based on Priority Lists submitted by respective State Governments.

As on 26.02.2016, under NLCPR 1569 projects at a cost of Rs. 14309.23 crores have been sanctioned out ofwhich 890 projects at a cost of Rs. 5846.20 crores have been completed and 679 projects at a cost of Rs.8463.01 crores are ongoing at various stages of completion.

In addition, a total of 247 projects have been retained during last three years at a cost of Rs. 3867.90 crores.

In the current Financial Year, as on 26.02.2016, an amount of Rs. 376.61 crores have been released forcompletion of ongoing projects and 17 new projects have been sanctioned for which Rs. 120.97 crores havebeen released.

GS SCORE TEST SERIES (Test No. 7 Question No. 19; Dated - 26 March 2016)

Q. BIMSTEC as regional organization has more potential and prospects as compared to SAARC.Should India reduce its focus on SAARC and what will be the implications of such change ofapproach on India-Pakistan relations?

Hints:

BIMSTEC and SAARC are two regional groups founded, because of geographical connectivity among themember countries and aimed at ensuring shared prosperity. Both the grouping has some advantages andproblems.

• SAARC covers 3 percent of world’s total area but acquires 21 percent population of the world. Itcould not make India much developed despite of India’s domination over 70 percent of SAARC’sarea.

• Internal trade within the grouping is merely 7%. There are not much complementarity among themember countries.

• The reasons comprising political differences, inequalities between India and its neighbouring countriesand bilateral issues between India and Pakistan affect the functioning of SAARC. The recent exampleof Pakistan not supporting an agreement related to movement of vehicles indicates the hindrancesin the success of SAARC.

All these reasons have negatively affected the growth of region and India. Therefore India should look foropportunities if arrive elsewhere.

In the backdrop, BIMSTEC could prove to be an important opportunity in the transformative journey thatIndia aspires to undertake in near to medium-term future.

• BIMSTEC countries do not have any kind of historical or boundary dispute which can affect negatively.

• Countries like Thailand and Myanmar have huge energy resources which can benefit the groupingand the grouping is planning Trans-BIMSTEC natural gas pipeline.

• The recent initiatives of Tri-latreal Highway, Kaladan Multimodal corridor, BBIN will help in ensuringconnectivity.



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• It offers additional advantages for India’s north east region in the form better economic opportunitiesand prosperity.

• Apart from land connectivity, the connectivity through Bay of Bengal can be a boon for the grouping.

• In recent there has been considerable growth in India’s trade with BIMSTEC countries.

Therefore BIMSTEC offers fresh opportunities and may entice policy makers for shunning SAARC and fo-cusing on it.

What will the negative implications of such a step?

• It will give naysayers a plank to raise their voice against each other.

• It will give message that India is not interested in engagements with Pakistan.

• Afghanistan, which is strategically important for India and important point for access to central Asia

What should be done?

Though BIMSTEC offers additional advantages and SAARC has internal problems, but it does not mean thatwe should dump SAARC.

• The reality is that by changing focus doesn’t lead to change in neighbouring countries, the issues we

confront with them. So there is no point in reducing focus on SAARC.

• Both SAARC and BIMSTEC taken together can result valuable strategic gains in future.

• SAARC can give both India and Pakistan an important strategic leverage to improve relations and

therefore should be focused on.

• BIMSTEC can act as a bridge between the two regional groupings in Asia, viz., SAARC and ASEAN.

• Using SAARC strong interdependence, co-operation and complementarities must be established so

that both India and Pakistan have more stakes in continuing engagements rather than stopping them.

Supplementary Material

BIMSTEC

Formed in 1997. Consists of 7 countries (India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Sri Lanka)

BIMSTEC consists of around 1.5bn people, which constitute around 22 percent of the global population witha combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 2.7tn economy.

Weaknesses of BIMSTEC:

• Intra-regional trade only 2.6%

• Issues of Rohingyas between Myanmar and Bangladesh

• Political issues between India and Bangladesh, Teesta water issue etc.

• Military influence in Myanmar and it impact long term engagements with the country.

"Effectiveness of the government system at various levels and people's participation in thegovernance system are inter-dependent." Discuss their relationship with each other in context ofIndia.

UPSC Ques. - 11

GS SCORE QIP Material: Good Governance and Citizen Centric Administration

Good governance aims at providing an environment in which all citizens irrespective of class, caste andgender can develop to their full potential. In addition, good governance also aims at providing public ser-



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vices effectively, efficiently and equitably to the citizens. The 4 pillars on which the edifice of good gover-nance rests, in essence are:

• Ethos (of service to the citizen),

• Ethics (honesty, integrity and transparency),

• Equity (treating all citizens alike with empathy for the weaker sections), and

• Efficiency (speedy and effective delivery of service without harassment and using ICT increasingly).

Citizens are thus at the core of good governance. Therefore, good governance and citizen centric adminis-tration are inextricably linked.

The endeavour of Government at all levels has, therefore, been to provide for a citizen centric administra-tion. To this end, a robust legal framework has been created. Institutions such as the National Human RightsCommission, National Women's Commission, National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, andLokayuktas, etc. have been set up. Several other measures including affi rmative actions have been initiatedfor the socio-economic empowerment of the weaker sections of society.

Core Principles for Making Governance Citizen Centric

In our country there is a tendency for some enforcement agencies not to rigorously enforce the provisions oflaw. This is particularly evident in case of traffic related violations, civic offences, infringement of pollutioncontrol laws etc. For their part, sometimes, the citizens are equally to blame for fl outing rules with impunityand without regard to public health, safety and consideration for others. A crackdown on these types ofoffences in some cities like Delhi, whether enforced by Courts or otherwise, have tended to operate as cam-paigns and may therefore be unable to create and sustain a long term impact because they are driven bypersonalities or by court verdicts rather than by the institutions themselves.

Hence all public agencies should adopt a zero tolerance strategy towards crime, in order to create a climateof compliance with laws leading to maintenance of public order. This strategy should be institutionalized inthe various public agencies by creating appropriate statistical databases, backed up by modern technology,to monitor the level and trends of various types of offences and link these to a system of incentives andpenalties for the officials working in these agencies. It should be combined with initiatives to involve thecommunity in crime prevention measures. The core principles for making governance citizen centric are:

• Making Institutions Vibrant, Responsive and Accountable

• Active Citizens' Participation - Decentralization and Delegation

• Transparency

• Civil Service Reforms

• Ethics in Governance

• Process Reforms

• Periodic & Independent Evaluation of the Quality of Governance

Citizen expects good governance and high quality performance from Government. Good governance bringsprosperity. Instead bad governance, brings conflict result in civil war, as it restricts opportunities of itscitizen which make them frustrated.

Having said all this, it is important to re-iterate that the success of the governance depends on proper policymaking and policy implementation which in turn depends on the successful implementation of differentmethodologies of good governance at the ground level rather than managerial skills of the administrators,mainly because of the in-built variable and dynamic nature of the problems wherein the success of thedecisions more depend on whether the understanding of the administrator is congruent to the nucleus of theproblem as it was perceived by the public at large. Further not only the administrators are expected toidentify the issues but also the relative weights which needs to ascribed to the various issues and their relatedaspects. Lastly the manner in which the issues are addressed again is very organic and fluid which ascribesultimate importance to the sensitivities and perceptions of the clientele in accordance with the situationalfeatures. Thus, participation of all stakeholders as government, judiciary, institutions, civil society and citi-zens are necessary to bring good governance.



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Exercise of CAG's powers in relation to the accounts of the Union and the States is derived fromArticle 149 of the Indian Constitution. Discuss whether audit of the Government's Policyimplementation could amount to overstepping its own (CAG) jurisdiction.

UPSC Ques. - 4

GS SCORE Magazin (August Part - I) Working of Comptroller And Auditor General of India

What is the constitutional position of CAG?

The constitution through articles 148 to 151 in Part V makes provisions for a Comptroller and AuditorGeneral of India for checking the accounts and assessing the soundness of the financial transactions ofthe executive. The fundamental basis of the parliamentary system of the Government is the responsibilityof the executive to the legislature for all its actions. The legislature is able to enforce this responsibility onlyif it is competent to scrutinize the activities of the executive.

Role of CAG in establishment of Good Governance

Good Accounting System refers to the fulfillment of the core purpose of accounting i.e., use of informationintended to improve the state's management and operations, compliance, and accountability. Suchsystem identifies errors, omissions, and inconsistencies. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) ofIndia is an authority, established by the Constitution of India, who audits all receipts and expenditure ofthe Government of India and the state governments including those of bodies and authorities substantiallyfinanced by the government. The CAG is also the external auditor of government-owned companies. Thereports of the CAG are taken into consideration by the Public Accounts Committees, which are specialcommittees in the Parliament of India and the state legislatures.

CAG can bring transparency and accountability by following ways:

a) Participation: To understand contemporary concerns about the developmental interaction undertakenby the government, CAG have increased, and institutionalized their interaction with public and civilsociety for providing inputs for audit prioritization and benchmarks for evaluation. They have builtsynergies with social audit groups and other stakeholders.

b) Transparency: Generally the reports of government agencies are lengthy and technical, which makesthem opaque for general public. But CAG office has made out reports more concurrent and readerfriendly. A reader now has the option to go through our full reports or get a bird's eye view of theirfindings through the slim booklets and brochures prepared by them.

c) Responsiveness: While reporting audit findings they highlight the good practices and innovations ofthe executive and make constructive recommendations for midcourse corrective action in respect ofdeficiencies pointed out.

For example in Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak yojana the performance audit report has highlighted severalirregularities, ranging from -

• Flouting of planning procedures,

• Foor quality control,

• Diversion of funds,

• Extension of undue benefits to contractors,

• Showing road connectivity where there is none,

• Not providing roads to eligible habitations, and

• Pathetic maintenance of roads.

However, in recent times questions have been raised not only with respect to the basis of the office of theCAG, but also the model of the institution of CAG and factual efficacy in the reports.

• The CAG's reports on the Commonwealth Games and the auctioning of 2G Spectrum have been theimmediate triggers behind these utterances. In the CAG's report on the 2G case, the national lossfigure of Rs. 176000 crore has been much criticised. The report in fact makes it clear that it is difficultto arrive at a firm figure of loss, because calculation was made in three different ways through



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different methods, and makes no claim that any of the figures is definitive. The CAG's figures havebeen questioned by various people, and government shrugged of its shoulder by claiming that therewas zero loss.

• It must be remembered that the CAG is concerned with providing a fair and transparent auditleading to credible governance. In its quest to do so, it not only needs to look at the compliance ofsystems, but also go deeper into issues of policy making. This is because systems and policies are notindependent of each other; therefore the effect that policies have on systems need to be looked into.

• Moreover, with changing times, governance has not remained confined only to the State. Not onlythe civil society and media but also the citizens at large have acquired a stake in ensuring that thebest governance practices are followed in India.

• In this context, the independence of the CAG from the executive makes it an appropriate body foroversight on the government expenditure. In the pursuance of its goals, if it needs to question therationale behind policies and whether they confirm to the standards of ethics and fairness, it wouldnot be improper.

• Also, The CAG's reports have suffered from too little much publicity. In India very few of the CAG'sreports are widely known, and that not all of them get discussed in Parliament. Some years ago, pressconferences began to be held after the Audit Reports were placed before Parliament, and thatpractice continues.

Supreme auditory institution of India plays a major role in helping

• Government departments in strengthening internal controls and understanding risks to improvedelivery systems.

• The Finance Commission to gain an informed opinion on State Government's finances.

• The State Governments in putting in place better, transparent accounting systems for Local Bodiesand PRIs.

• Through the Government Accounting Standards Advisory Board (GASAB) in framing GovernmentAccounting Standards for greater transparency.

Conclusion

The role of governance is an integral component of any country's growth and development. In an erawhere India has been plagued by the menace of unprecedented corruption, auditing and scrutiny of thegovernment exchequer assume prime importance. The Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General isbeing increasingly perceived as an institution that can deliver the country from such plight.

However, if the CAG is to become more effective as an institution for the enforcement of accountability,it is necessary that Audit Reports be more widely known and discussed. The people have a right to knowtheir contents. If, as a result of the controversies, the CAG and his reports are now better known thanbefore, it is a very good development. If the CAG manages to enhance the effectiveness of this constitutionalinstitution, it's a positive development towards a democratic nation.



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1. How globalization has led to the reduction of employment in the formal sector of the Indianeconomy? Is increased informalization detrimental to the development of the country?

2. Women empowerment in India needs gender budgeting. What are the requirements and statusof gender budgeting in the Indian context?

3. Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) is necessary for bringing unbanked to the institutionalfinance fold. Do you agree with this for financial inclusion of the poorer section of the Indiansociety? Give arguments to justify your opinion.

4. What are 'Smart Cities'? Examine their relevance for urban development in India. Will it increaserural-urban differences? Give arguments for 'Smart Villages' in the light of PURA and RURBANMission.

5. Justify the need for FDI for the development of the Indian economy. Why there is gap betweenMOUs signed and actual FDIs? Suggest remedial steps to be taken for increasing actual FDIsin India.

6. Comment on the challenges for inclusive growth which include careless and useless manpowerin the Indian context. Suggest measures to be taken for facing these challenges.

7. What is water-use efficiency? Describe the role of micro-irrigation in increasing the water-useefficiency.

8. What is allelopathy? Discuss its role in major cropping systems of irrigated agriculture.

9. Discuss the role of land reforms in agriculture development. Identify the factors that wereresponsible for the success of land reforms in India.

10. Give the vulnerability of Indian agriculture to vagaries of nature, discuss the need for cropinsurance and bring out the salient features of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMGBY).

11. Give an account of the current status and the targets to be achieved pertaining to renewableenergy source in the country. Discuss in brief the importance of National Programme on LightEmitting Diodes (LEDs).

12. Discuss India's achievements in the field of Space Science and Technology. How the applicationof this technology has helped India in its socio-economic development?

13. Why is nanotechnology one of the key technologies of the 21st century? Describe the salientfeatures of Indian Government's Mission on Nanoscience and Technology and the scope of itsapplication in the development process of the country.

14. Rehabilitation of human settlements is one of the important environmental impacts whichalways attracts controversy while planning major projects. Discuss the measures suggest formitigation of this impact while proposing major development projects.

UPSC MAINS 2016




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15. The frequency of urban floods due to high intensity rainfall is increasing over the years.Discussing the reasons for urban floods, highlight the mechanisms for preparedness to reducethe risk during such events.

16. With reference to National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) guidelines, discuss themeasures to be adopted to mitigate the impact of the recent incidents of cloudbursts in manyplaces of Uttarakhand.

17. The terms 'Hot Pursuit' and 'Surgical Strikes' are often used in connection with armed actionagainst terrorist attacks. Discuss the strategic impact of such actions.

18. "Terrorism is emerging as a competitive industry over the last few decades." Analyze the abovestatements.

19. Border management is a complex task due to difficult terrain and hostile relations with somecountries. Elucidate the challenges and strategies for effective border management.

20. Use of Internet and social media by non-state actors for subversive activities is a major securityconcern. How have these been misused in the recent past? Suggest effective guidelines to curbthe above threat.



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1. How globalization has led to the reduction of employment in the formal sector of the Indianeconomy? Is increased informalization detrimental to the development of the country?

Hints:

• Over recent decades, conditions for working people in developing countries have undergone a majortransformation. This has been the substantial rise in the proportion of people engaged in what is termed“informal” employment, generating a broad trend toward “informalization” of labour market conditionsin developing countries.

• Informal forms of employment include, for example, agricultural day labourers, urban street vendors,paid domestic work, or at-home producers of clothing or other manufactured goods. A high proportionof informal workers are self-employed. In most countries, women are disproportionately employed insuch informal jobs.

• The promotion of success in export markets and the ability to attract foreign direct investment is afundamental element of a neoliberal strategy. Maintaining low labor costs is generally regarded as acentral feature—and often the single dominant element—for successfully promoting exports andmultinational investment. Thus, in the name of encouraging trade and foreign investment, the explicitgoal of government policy under this policy regime will be to limit the ability of workers to capture thebenefits of productivity improvements as increases in employment income, to reduce social and legalprotections, and to weaken workers’ bargaining power—that is, to induce workers to accept jobs withlower pay.

• The competitive pressures resulting from increasing an economy’s degree of international integration willfurther strengthen these tendencies. Furthermore, pressures to increase the productivity of currentlyemployed workers will reduce the number of employment opportunities generated by a given level ofoutput growth, thereby limiting the growth of formal employment relative to informal employment.

• With the advent of globalization and resultant reorganization of production chains led to a situationwhere production systems are becoming increasingly atypical and non-standard, involving flexibleworkforce, engaged in temporary and part-time employment, which is seen largely as a measure adoptedby the employers to reduce labour cost in the face of stiff competition. No doubt, it obviously indicatesthat these flexible workers in the new informal economy are highly vulnerable in terms of job securityand social protection, as they are not deriving any of the social protection measures stipulated in theexisting labour legislations. The insecurities and vulnerabilities of these modern informal sector labourare on the rise, as there is a visible absence of worker mobilization and organized collective bargaining.

• Informal work arrangements are able to flourish when workers have few alternative economicopportunities—that is, weak fall-back positions in bargaining situations with employers.

Considering only formal employment situations, the wage at which workers are willing to accept jobs willdepend in large part on the other job opportunities available to them. As such, informalization will also placedownward pressure on wages and working conditions in formal jobs as well. Thus, the process of informalizationproceeds in part through a vicious cycle: a relatively high proportion of informal jobs make it increasinglydifficult for workers to bargain for decent wages, working conditions and social protections, so that what hadonce been formal jobs become increasingly informalized over time.


HINTS



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2. Women empowerment in India needs gender budgeting. What are the requirements and status ofgender budgeting in the Indian context?

Hints:

Gender Budgeting is a method of planning, programming and budgeting at different level of govt. administrationthat helps advance gender equality and women’s right. Every Indian budget since 2005 has a statement thatlists out schemes meant specifically for women and along with that many ministries also issue the GBS(Gender budgeting statement)

Status of Gender Budgeting:

In the last 10 years (2005-2015), if we see the gender budget percentage to the total Budget of the CentralGovernment, it started with the lowest (2.79 per cent) in the year 2005 and increased to the highest levelwith (6.22 per cent) in the year 2011. But from the year 2012, the percentage of the gender budget sawreduction in the total Budget of the Central Government and in the present Budget (it is estimated at 4.5per cent.

The Budget year 2005-06 was very significant for women in the country, as for the first time the ‘GenderResponsive Budgeting’ (GRB) was adopted. The GRB is a method of planning, programming and budgetingthat helps advance gender equality and women’s rights. It serves as an indicator of the government’scommitment towards the above mentioned objectives. So far, 57 government Ministries/departments inIndia have set up Gender Budgeting Cells, which is a positive step and will bring improvement in the livesof the women in society. While the number of ministries and departments reporting in the GBS have reducedfrom 34 to 31 this year.

However, Gender Budgeting has faced many challenges and requires many major changes to make a meaningfulimpact.

1. Over the last ten years the allocations for women as a proportion of the total budget have remainedconstant at approximately 5.5 per cent.

2. It is relatively easy to identify specifically targeted programs for women from the budgets. However,these form less than 1 per cent of total budget. Therefore the real challenge of the gender budgetingexercise lies in the analysis of the remaining 99 per cent budget through a gender lens.

3. Gender disaggregated benefit incidence analysis can be a useful tool for analyzing the distributionalimpacts of public expenditure across gender.

4. The analysis of the revenue side of gender responsive budgeting is at the embryonic stage due to lackof gender disaggregated tax data, namely direct tax, and indirect tax user charges.

5. Effective Gender Budgeting requires data. Hence, it is necessary to put mechanisms in place for mandatorycollection of sex disaggregated data. Further, incorporating gender perspective in expenditure andperformance audit by CAG can prove a crucial steps in achieving the objective of gender budgeting.

The broad conclusion is that gender responsive budgeting, though it began as a promising fiscal innovationin India, has not translated effectively into policies that impact on women. GRB is not primarily an issueof additional resources for gender development, nor is it confined to specifically targeted programmes forwomen. Gender responsive budgeting is making the entire budgetary exercise more responsive to genderissues. India should deepen the gender responsive budgeting process by reprioritising the policies related toplanning and budgeting through a gender lens to effectively translate them into better gender development.

3. Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) is necessary for bringing unbanked to the institutionalfinance fold. Do you agree with this for financial inclusion of the poorer section of the Indiansociety? Give arguments to justify your opinion.

Hints:

• About 40 percent of Indian population still doesn’t have access to formal banking system. In terms ofnumbers, the scheme has become an overnight success with its high-speed implementation even bagginga Guinness record. The government achieved this by pushing all government-owned banks to meet thetargets.



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• Jan Dhan is arguably the biggest-ever bank account opening drive India has ever witnessed and wasdesigned to offer at least one basic bank accounts to every household, besides access to credit, insuranceand pension facilities and offering financial literacy.

• It also promised RuPay Debit card for every account holder, an inbuilt accident insurance cover of Rs1 lakh and life insurance cover of Rs 30,000. Besides, the scheme also envisaged channelling all governmentbenefits to the beneficiaries’ accounts. The scope of the scheme was later expanded to offer otherproducts too.

• The scheme has, so far, managed to open 25 crore accounts, which have mobilized Rs 74,000 croredeposits approximately. Of this, about 14 crore accounts have been linked to Aadhaar numbers and 20crore RuPay debit cards have been achieved issued to these account holders. The numbers indeed signifya remarkable achievement.

• The whole process of subsidy reforms is built on the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) channel, based onthe unique identity number, or Aadhaar awarded to each citizen. It holds particular importance for thegovernment, and the success of its financial inclusion push under the JAM (Jan Dhan, Aadhaar andMobile) trinity.

• For sure, leakage in subsidy has been a grave concern for India's exchequer for years. Hence, linking bankaccounts to a unique social identity number will help plug the spillage.

• However, some other number reveals that financial inclusion may not be achieved by opening accountsalone. As despite Jan Dhan’s record-breaking feats, basic savings account penetration in most states isstill relatively low – 46 per cent on average and above 75 per cent in only 2 states (Madhya Pradeshand Chhattisgarh).

• Comparing the reach of Jan Dhan with that of Aadhaar suggests that the unbanked are more likely toconstrain the spread of JAM than the unidentified.

• However, going by the latest government data, the number of zero-balance accounts has come downsignificantly since the scheme was launched to 24 per cent from about 45 per cent initially. It shows thateven if accounts did received deposits initially, but later on they were mobilized.

• MicroSave’s numbers assess that nearly 56% of JDY customers have signed up for an insurance orpension scheme primarily due to its “excellent value proposition and low cost showing that the schemeis actually leading to financial inclusion, if not fully.

4. What are 'Smart Cities'? Examine their relevance for urban development in India. Will it increaserural-urban differences? Give arguments for 'Smart Villages' in the light of PURA and RURBANMission.

Hints:

Cities accommodate nearly 31% of India's current population and contribute 63% of GDP. Urban areas are

expected to house 40% of India's population and contribute 75% of India's GDP by 2030. This requirescomprehensive development of physical, institutional, social and economic infrastructure. All are importantin improving the quality of life and attracting people and investment, setting in motion a virtuous cycle ofgrowth and development. Development of Smart Cities is a step in that direction.

Smart Cities focus on their most pressing needs and on the greatest opportunities to improve lives. They tap

a range of approaches - digital and information technologies, urban planning best practices, public-privatepartnerships, and policy change - to make a difference.

The share of ‘urban’ in India is expected to grow, both in terms of population and economy. However thereare gaps in attaining the required conditions of liveability, fostering equity and inclusiveness and building

urban resilience.

In terms of economic growth policy making in India, the supply of affordable housing and large enoughpublic transportation networks is central to the growth prospects of any large metropolitan area. States need

to prioritize the long-term development of these areas, with the Centre stepping in wherever they overlapacross states.



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Socio-economic imperatives are the key factors behind the rapid urbanization in India. Livelihood, securityand prosperity are some prime movers. Ironically, cities, which on the one hand are considered the growthengines of economy, also attract poverty (socio-economically marginalized population) in large proportion.Consequently posh urban sprawls in Indian cities exist amidst impoverished habitats called slums where thepoor inhabitants are condemned to live in sub-human condition. Reconciling growing affluence and abjectpoverty in cities is a difficult task too.

Formidable challenges exist in setting the urban trajectory on a path which is sustainable in the long term.The positioning of the Smart Cities Mission can be seized as an opportunity to address these challenges andattain the larger goals of urbanisation in the national development agenda. The areas of interventions thatthe Mission needs to focus on include:

• Establishing an Efficient Urban Management Systems

• Building Adequate Capacity of Urban Institutions and Local Governments

• The technology domain and its application in cities are developing at a fast pace.

• Achieving the Decentralization Agenda

• Minimizing Conflicts in the Urban Environment

• Creating Enabling Conditions for Inclusive and Equitable Urbanization

As discussed earlier, being smart is not just a feature, but a lifestyle aspect and it is deeply affected by therole of technology and its penetration and thus, the areas which are penetrated by the technology would befirst to transform and Indian Rural areas are devoid of basic infrastructure and let alone the access to cuttingedge technology and IT infrastructure. Thus, the given scenario and limited investment funds, it is difficulteven to extend the good infrastructure, such as all-weather roads and 24 hours electricity supply to rural areasand thus, Smart Villages may be an attractive moniker, but not feasible in short-run. Similarly schemes likePURA and Rurban also acknowledge this prima-facie and focuses on providing basic facilities and services.

5. Justify the need for FDI for the development of the Indian economy. Why there is gap betweenMOUs signed and actual FDIs? Suggest remedial steps to be taken for increasing actual FDIs inIndia.

Hints:

Apart from being a critical driver of economic growth, foreign direct investment (FDI) is a major source ofnon-debt financial resource for the economic development of India. Foreign companies invest in India to takeadvantage of relatively lower wages, special investment privileges such as tax exemptions, etc. For a countrywhere foreign investments are being made, it also means achieving technical know-how and generatingemployment.

Similarly, in the current scenario when domestic investment activity is less due to twin balance sheetphenomenoh, FDI can act as a crowding-in factor and can boost investment by India’s private sector too.

The Make in India week in Mumbai in 2016, resulted in investment commitments worth Rs.15.2 trillionacross various Indian states. Of this, about 30% of the investments fall under the foreign direct investment(FDI) category. Similarly, each year in various summits various such very high investment commitments aremade, but, they are far too much compared to the levels of FDI received by the country.

While MoUs (Memorandum of Understanding – a bilateral agreement between two entities expressing commonintention & line of action) close to Rs 21 lakh crore were signed in the 2011 summit, a study by Gujarat stategovernment shows that just above 1% of the promised investments have actually come in so far.

Thus, there is a huge gap between FDI commitments and actual FDI. There can be various factors for that.Promising FDI in each possible destination is a common practise to check government response and specialconsiderations, this boosts FDI commitment several times then are really made.

Number of times, business cycle downturn or financial strain can prevent investment in a intended project,for example, Posco.

However, despite being less than committed, FDI inflows have risen rapidly, from $24 billion in 2012 to $44.2billion in 2015 — a seven-year high. This increase is also fairly broad-based. It is not just the e-commerce



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(trading) sector that has received more inflows; other sectors such as computer software and hardware,construction, services, autos and the telecom sectors also account for a large share of the increase.

Interestingly, even though China continues to attract larger FDI inflows than India in absolute terms, Indiahas started to close the gap, when FDI is measured as a share of GDP. FDI inflows into China havemoderated to 2.3 per cent of GDP in 2015, from 2.6 per cent in 2014. During the same period, FDI inflowsinto India rose to 2.1 per cent from 1.7 per cent.

Additionally, one could also argue that the quality of FDI inflow into India is much better. Over the last decadeor more, China has accumulated a large stock of FDI. As a result, almost half of the FDI inflow into Chinaincludes retained earnings. In contrast, almost three-quarters of FDI inflows into India are fresh equity infusions.

The FDI received by India in 2016 are much higher than other countries and presently highest in the world.According to Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), the total FDI investments India receivedduring April - September 2016 rose 30 per cent year-on-year to US$ 21.6 billion, indicating that government'seffort to improve ease of doing business and relaxation in FDI norms is yielding results.

The current Make in India and other initiatives are addressing the issues, which turns away investors fromIndia.

6. Comment on the challenges for inclusive growth which include careless and useless manpower inthe Indian context. Suggest measures to be taken for facing these challenges.

Hints:

The inclusive growth challenge in front of India is very huge, given the fact that a lot of labour in India isunskilled and malnourished, i.e. less cared for and similarly, many of them have never entered labour forcebecause of disguised unemployment.

To take care of the cared less segments of the Indian society and use the used less manpower in terms ofinclusive growth is a challenge for NITI Aayog as we have lot of less cared and used manpower.

One of the best ways growth can be made more inclusive is to ensure that it creates a sufficient number ofnew employment opportunities to satisfy the aspirations of the new entrants into the labour force, and alsoabsorb some of the labour which should move out of agriculture.

This can be done in many non-agricultural sectors such as transport, tourism health, education etc. but theexperience of other emerging market countries is that a large part of the new employment must be createdin manufacturing.

Manufacturing in India has underperformed in this respect because it has not grown as rapidly as it shouldhave and has been much less labour intensive than might have been hoped.

Another area of policy that is relevant for both the growth of the manufacturing sector and for its employmentgeneration potential is the reform of labour laws. India’s labour laws are generally regarded as more complexthan those of most other countries and also less flexible. Employers do not have the flexibility to reduce thesize of the permanent work force, or to close down an industrial unit, when faced with a decline in demand,except with the permission of the relevant government, which is almost never granted in practice. Thisdiscourages investors from labour intensive areas of production.

Employers also try to get around the law by hiring a large proportion of their labour force in the form ofcontract workers, who are kept on the rolls only temporarily, and rotated out before the time period whenany worker has to be given permanent status. Restrictive labour laws are often cited as one of the factorsthat prevented Indian entrepreneurs from reaping the full benefit of the abolition of the Multi Fibre Agreement,which eliminated quota restrictions on imports of textiles and garments into the industrialized world.

The necessary and most important measures are:

• A national level labour reform code, based on the revised Rajasthan state labour law

• Exit Policy

• Bankruptcy Code

• Very strong focus on Human Resource Development by investment in education and health

• Skill development of labour



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7. What is water-use efficiency? Describe the role of micro-irrigation in increasing the water-use

efficiency.

Hints:

Main Idea and concept of the question:

• Despite India’s rapid development and urbanization, industrial and domestic water users in India consume

10 percent and 8 percent respectively, while the agricultural sector consumes 82 percent of total supply.

• With limited water supply and the continuing importance of agriculture, illustrates the critical need for

improved Water use efficiency in India.

• The answer can be explained by defining water efficiency and explaining the role of micro irrigation in

increasing water use efficiency.

Introduction:

• In a purely hydrological context Water use efficiency has been defined as the ratio of the volume ofwater used productively.

• Water use efficiency (WUE) is the measure of a cropping system’s capacity to convert water into

plant biomass or grain. It includes both the use of water stored in the soil and rainfall during the growing

season.

Role of micro-irrigation in increasing water use efficiency:

• Micro-irrigation (MI) is proved to be an efficient method in saving water and increasing water useefficiency as compared to the conventional surface method of irrigation, where water use efficiency is

only about 35-40 percent.

• The on-farm irrigation efficiency of properly designed and managed drip irrigation system is estimated

to be about 90 percent.

• Productivity gain due to use of micro-irrigation is estimated to be in the range of 20 to 90 percent for

different crops.

• The reduction in water consumption in micro-irrigation also reduces the energy use (electricity) that is

required to lift water from irrigation wells.

• Farmers using a pumping systems to irrigate their fields should ensure that the pump and pipe size are

fitting with their needs, thus avoiding water and energy overuse and consequent leakages.

• Emerging computerized GPS-based precision irrigation technologies for self-propelled sprinklers and

micro-irrigation systems will enable growers to apply water and agrochemicals more precisely and site

specifically to match soil and plant status and needs as provided by wireless sensor networks

• Recent research in Spain shows that the alternative subsurface drip irrigation system (SDI) has improved

the irrigation water use efficiency in comparison with a traditional Drip irrigation system.

– The SDI system provided relevant yield increases for the same irrigation water use. This could bea recommendable option to save water in areas where water resources are particularly scarce without

compromising the crop yield.

• Based on water use efficiency values, it is recommended that potato should be cultivated using furrow

and drip irrigation to achieve the optimum quantity and quality of tuber yield and water use efficiency.

• Drip irrigation systems are often used in arid or semi-arid environments to improve WUE, and are

valuable production tools in areas where water is limiting.

– This irrigation method has several advantages over furrow systems, including reduced water use,

– The increased water efficiency in drip irrigation systems is generally related to reduced soil percolation

and surface evaporation as compared to other irrigation systems.



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8. What is allelopathy? Discuss its role in major cropping systems of irrigated agriculture.

Hints:

Allelopathy:

• Allelopathy is a phenomenon where one species inhibits the growth of another. Through the release ofbio-chemicals termed as allelochemicals, certain species can greatly influence the germination, growth,survival, and reproduction of other organisms.

• Allelopathy is a sub-discipline of chemical ecology that is concerned with the effects of chemicalsproduced by plants or microorganisms on the growth, development and distribution of other plants andmicroorganisms in natural communities or agricultural systems.

• The allelochemicals can have beneficial (positive allelopathy) or detrimental (negative allelopathy) effectson the target organisms and the community.

Role of Allelopathy in major cropping systems of irrigated agriculture:

• Allelopathy is strongly coupled with other stresses of the crop environment, including insects anddisease, temperature extremes, nutrient and moisture variables, radiation, and herbicides.

– These stress conditions often enhance allelochemical production, thus increasing the potential forallelopathic interference. In the paradigm of interactions, the data indicate that crops are moresensitive to allelopathy when moisture, temperature, or nutrient conditions are less than optimal.

• Allelopathy stress interactions also have implications for herbicide and residue management strategies,crop rotations, biological control measures, and tillage practices that can contribute to a more sustainableagriculture.

– Allelopathic interactions between plants and other organisms may become an alternative to herbicides,insecticides and nematicide for weed, disease and insect control.

• Allelochemicals can stimulate or inhibit plant germination and growth, and permit the development ofcrops with low phytotoxic residue amounts in water and soil, thus facilitating wastewater treatment andrecycling

• Crop allelopathy can be effectively used to control weeds in the field, to alleviate allelopathic auto-toxicity and reduce inhibitory influence among allelopathic crops to improve the utilization rate of landand to increase the annual output of the soil by establishing reasonable crop rotation and intercroppingsystems.

– For instance, there was relative abundance and population suppression of plant parasitic nematodesunder c. odorata fallow. Experts suggested that the use of bush fallow with C. odorata might becomean integrated management practice in the management of nematode pests in crop production insouth-western Nigeria.

• Intercropping of sorghum, sesame and soybean in a cotton field produced greater net benefits and asignificant inhibition over purple nutsedge in comparison with a cotton alone field.

• Allelopathic applications, such as straw mulching, provide sustainable weed management further reducingthe negative impact of agriculture on environment.

– The allelochemicals from decomposed straw can suppress weed growth in farmlands, and reduce theincidence of pests and diseases. Moreover, straw mulch can improve the soil organic matter contentand improve soil fertility.

• The structure of allelochemicals can be used as an analogue for the synthesis of new pesticides. Thesebiopesticides will perhaps be far less harmful for the environment as compared to synthetic agrochemicals.

• Allelopathy is a novel approach offering multiple solutions to conundrum of decreasing food availabilityunder rising global population. With vast application in weed management, it can replace hazardouschemical and mechanical approaches being used in crop production.

• Development of crop cultivars with more allelopathic potential may help in better resistance to bioticand abiotic stresses.



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• Research efforts should be focused on screening more allelopathic plants, to search potential cultivarsproducing more allelochemicals and to identify promotory allelochemicals in plant water extracts.

• It would be a luminous direction to proceed in order to achieve agricultural sustainability, environmentalsafety, food security, resource conservation and economic stability.

• By understanding and applying allelopathy we can sustainably maximize crop yields while minimizingdisruptive and costly chemical input.

Concerns:

• When grown in rotation with tobacco the stand establishment and growth of maize were improvedcompared to mung bean. Mungbean stand establishment and growth were suppressed. Therefore, theallelopathic nature of crops must be considered in crop rotation, intercropping and stalk mulching.

• Although there are several promising rice allelochemicals reported to inhibit weed growth and somepathogenic organisms, their direct use as pesticides is not successful due to several reasons, viz. theirstability under natural environment, selectivity and limited activity, effect on non-target organisms.

• Many important crops, such as rice, sugarcane, and Mungbean, are affected by their own toxicexudates or by phytotoxins produced when their residues decompose in the soil.

• For example, in Taiwan the yield of the second annual rice crop is typically 25% lower than that of thefirst, due to phytotoxins produced during the fallowing period between crops.

9. Discuss the role of land reforms in agriculture development. Identify the factors that were responsiblefor the success of land reforms in India.

Hints:

The important land reforms introduced after independence in our country are:

1. Abolition of zamindari system;

2. Accepting the fundamental principle that lands belonged to those who do the tilling;

3. Enacting Land Ceiling Act;

4. Encouraging Bhoodan and Sarvodaya movements; and

5. Devising suitable rational basis for obtaining land revenue. The proposal ‘land belonging to the tiller’ wasmeant to redistribute rural in¬come to the advantage of those who work in the fields and to thedisadvantage of those who do not.

Another effect of this proposal was that control of a very considerable amount of land was to pass fromrent- receivers to tenants, crop-shares and labourers. Major reasons for success (very limited) of land reformsand its role in agricultural development were:

1. It abolished exploitative land tenure systems started by the British under Permanent Settlement System

2. Land transfers across the world have always happened with force; major merit of Indian case was thatit was largely non-violent.

3. In many cases, tenants were also given ownership.

4. rents were fixed in the range of 25-33%

5. Even though these land reforms were met with limited success, they made a significant positive impacton poverty removal.

6. In areas where land reform has not been implemented, the inequalities have persisted; caste oppressionis most acute and has generally experienced low socio-economic development.

7. Brought fundamental changes in the agrarian economy, rural social structure, and rural power structure.Moved India society towards the egalitarian society.

8. Increased democratization of Indian polity and reduction in influence of the dominant sections of thesociety.



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To sum up, Land reforms are major instruments of social transformation in a backward economy based onfeudal and semi-feudal productive relationships. But in India, they met with limited success mainly becauseof the political and bureaucratic apathy.

10. Give the vulnerability of Indian agriculture to vagaries of nature, discuss the need for crop insurance

and bring out the salient features of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMGBY).

Hints:

All over the world, agriculture is synonymous with uncertainty and risks. On an estimate, the agriculturesector contributes around 24 percent to the GDP and any change in the same can have multiple effects onthe economy. The agricultural growth and the economic growth are inevitably linked with each other. Nowadays,the Indian government has also been showing great concern about the risks and uncertainty related toagriculture. We are all aware of the avoidable deaths of farmers in Maharashtra and many other states ofIndia. These farmers got caught in a debt trap that had a disturbing effect on them and their family.

A crop insurance plan assists in the stabilization of crop production and related income of the farmers. Itassists in the best allocation of resources in the production procedure. It becomes more of a necessityconsidering the current scenario of farmers and agricultural-related issues. it is a need or necessity and manyother things. This article will help you understand about crop insurance, what it covers, benefits etc.

Benefits of Crop Insurance in India

Yield Protection: This plan provides required coverage to farmers against a production loss for crops. It alsooffers preventive planting and replant security.

Revenue Protection: It is one of the most common plans. It acts like a tool that allows farmers to managetheir yield and price risks.

Revenue Projection with Harvest Price Exclusion: This is basically the same as a Revenue Protection policy,except that the cost of insurance is based upon the anticipated price only.

Group Risk Protection and Group Risk Income Protection: It protects the farmers and crops from anydisastrous loss.

Salient Features of PMFBY

Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana is a new crop insurance scheme that was announced by the Governmenton 13th January 2016. It was rolled out from June 2016.

• This scheme will let farmers pay a very low premium to insure their crops. Farmers will have to paya premium of only 2% of the sum insured for Kharif crops, 1.5% for Rabi crops and 5% for horticultureand cash crops. The difference between the premium paid by the farmers and the premium fixed by theinsurance companies will be subsidised and there will be no cap on the maximum subsidy paid by theGovernment. The subsidy will be borne equally by central and the respective state Government.

• Currently, farmers pay around as high as 15% of the sum insured as premium under the existing NationalAgricultural Insurance scheme and the modified National Agricultural Insurance scheme. The new schemewill replace all these existing crop insurance schemes.

• Agriculture is the backbone of Indian economy. Though, it contributes to only around 16 % of India'sGDP, it provides employment to around 60% of our population. Hence, the prosperity of the agricultureis linked to the prosperity of the economy. The growth of this sector is an essential prerequisite forinclusive growth as well as reduction of poverty in India.

• But, Indian agriculture suffers from myriad problems and one of them is excessive risk and uncertaintyfaced by the farmers. We lack proper irrigation facilities in India. 56 % of the total cropped area in Indiahas no irrigation facilities at all. This makes agriculture highly dependent on monsoon. Two consecutivemonsoon failures in 2014 and 2015 led to wide-scale crop failure. As per data, 207 districts in 9 stateshave been hit by drought. It led to farmer suicides due to inability to repay their debt. Market pricesof crops like pulses increased due to this supply-shock.

• It is against this backdrop, that a crop insurance scheme to deal with risks associated with weatherfluctuation is imperative for alleviating the distress caused to the farmers.



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• At present, only 23% of cropped area in India has access to insurance. Pradhan Mantri Fasal BimaYojana Scheme envisages covering 50% of the area.

• Apart from lowering premiums, there will be no capping on the sum insured by the farmers. This schemepromises to provide prompt and easy settlement of claims through the use of technology like GPS,smart phones, remote sensing and drones to access actual crop damage. The claim amount will bedirectly transferred to the bank accounts of the farmers.

• The scheme also provides for coverage of post-harvest losses and localised crop losses like hailstones.

• The other benefit of the scheme could be that banks will be willing to lend more to farmers as the riskof lending to them will reduce due to insurance.

All in all, though the scheme will impose burden on the exchequer, it is worth paying for the benefits of thefarmers as well as the economy.

11. Give an account of the current status and the targets to be achieved pertaining to renewable energy

source in the country. Discuss in brief the importance of National Programme on Light EmittingDiodes (LEDs).

Hints:

Main Idea and the concept of the question:

• Renewable energy has been the focus of India’s energy goals especially after India set targets in the lightof the Paris climate agreement.

• The question demands the current status and targets set by India with respect to renewable energy andthe significance of LED programme launched by India.

Introduction:

• India’s quest for green energy has crossed a major milestone, with renewable plants, mainly wind andsolar, surpassing the capacity of large hydroelectricity projects, which were once the countries’ biggestsource of electricity and regarded as “temples of modern India”.

Current status and targets related to renewable energy sources in the country:

• As of September 30, 2016 India’s cumulative grid interactive or grid tied renewable energy capacity(excluding large hydro) reached about 44. 24 GW.

• 61% of the renewable power came from wind, while solar contributed nearly 19%, biomass power (10.6%), small hydro (9. 4%)

• Targets: in (MW) till 2022:

– wind power-60000

– Solar power-100000

– Small hydro-5000

– Bio power- biomass+ waste to power-5000 MW

• Recently the government has set a Rs 6 lakh-crore target of building renewable energy plants. Thisincludes 1lakh mw of solar power capacity by 2022, five times the earlier target of adding 20,000 mw.

Importance of National Programme on Light Emitting Diodes:

• In order to conserve energy and decrease energy consumption”. Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs forAll (UJALA)” the National LED programme was launched in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. The schemewas initially labelled DELP (Domestic Efficient Lighting Program) and was relaunched as UJALA.

• The scheme is being implemented by Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a joint venture ofPSUs under the Union Ministry of Power.

• It will be implemented across the country by 2019



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• It aims to install LED bulbs for domestic and street-lighting in 100 cities across India

• The government plans to replace 77 crore incandescent bulbs and 3. 5 crore street with energy efficientLED bulbs

• UJALA scheme aims to promote efficient use of energy at the residential level; enhance the awarenessof consumers about the efficacy of using energy efficient appliances and aggregating demand to reducethe high initial costs thus facilitating higher uptake of LED lights by residential users.

• UJALA is a flagship project of the Government of India where it wants every home in India to use LEDbulbs so that the net power or energy consumption rate comes down and the carbon emission ratescan also be checked

– In the era of climate change Lesser consumption of power also means lesser emission of CO2, andthus reduced carbon footprints.

– This programme will help in mitigating the climate change by reducing the CO2 emission by 85million tonnes annually

– National LED programme will also facilitate India’s commitment towards reducing its emissionintensity per unit of GDP by 33-35 per cent by 2030 under its Intended Nationally DeterminedContribution (INDC).

• UJALA will not only help reduce consumers their electricity bills but also contribute to the energysecurity of India.

• It is an effort by the government to spread the message of energy efficiency

• AS LED bulbs have a long life and therefore they provide both cost and energy savings in the mediumto long term.

– As per the Economic Survey 2015-16, this change will see a savings of Rs 45, 500 crore by reducing21, 500 MW electricity demand

• At present LED bulbs are only assembled in India. The chips and other essential parts are imported fromother nations. The Government of India, consistent with the make in India campaign, plans to encouragethe manufacture of LED light fixtures in India.

12. Discuss India's achievements in the field of Space Science and Technology. How the application of

this technology has helped India in its socio-economic development?

Hints:


• Space science and technology under the supreme guidance of ISRO has heralded India into the worldmap.

• The question expects the India’s achievements in this particular field and how far this technology hasbeen beneficial to the development of the country and impacted the common man.

India’s achievements in the field of Space Science and Technology:

Aryabhatta, 1975:

Indian National Satellite system, 1983:

PSLV: India produced one of the most reliable launch vehicles in the form of PSLV. With the successfullaunch of the PSLV C28, the heaviest commercial mission undertaken by the Indian space agency, added toits credibility.

Chandrayaan

Mangalyaan

GLSL MK3: With GSLV MK3, by 2020 India will be in a special group of space cruising nations capableof taking humans to space.



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Reusable Launch Vehicle, 2016: Recently, India successfully tested the Reusable Launch Vehicle TechnologyDemonstrator (RLV-TD) that was built for Rs 95 crore.

NAVIC:

• IRNSS is an ingeniously built constellation of seven satellites which has been now given an operationalname of NAVIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation).

• The satellites can provide accurate real-time positioning and timing services and extend its service toregions 1500 km around India.

• will provide services in marine navigation, disaster management, vehicle tracking and fleet management,and navigation aide for drivers

• will reduce the country’s dependency on US Global Positioning System (GPS).

India achieved a milestone in its space exploration programme recently when it successfully launched multiplesatellites from one rocket into two different orbits.

How does Space technology help India’s socio economic development:

General Applications:

• Space technology can be used to monitor crops, provide precise location, linking remote areas, map watercourses to determine water storage locations, develop risk maps for areas prone to floods or droughts etc.

INSAT:

• The Indian national satellite (INSAT) system, commissioned in 1983, is a multipurpose satellitecommunications system used for a range of functions including television broadcasting and meteorologicalimaging.

• It plays a vital role in delivering cyclone warnings and is used in search and rescue operations.

• Growing applications like DTH, Satellite News Gathering, VSATs, Internet services etc.

• Use of INSAT for e-governance and developmental communication applications is also fast expanding.

TELEMEDICINE:

• The satellites are also used for “telemedicine”, connecting speciality hospitals in India’s major cities tohundreds of hospitals in rural and remote areas of the country,

REMOTE SENSING:

• The data is used for several applications covering agriculture, water resources, urban development,mineral prospecting, Environment, Forestry, drought and flood forecasting, Ocean resources , Infrastructuredevelopment, Rural development, and forecasting of potential fishing zones and disaster management.

Culture:

• Inventory and site management plans for 4000 heritage enabling ease of business

Earth science:

• Space derived inputs for operational weather forecast, tropical cyclone tracking & Ocean State forecast

• Potential Fishing Zone Advisory.

GPS:

• Productivity enhancements and quality of life improvements from the above, such as: Efficient trackingand positioning using GPS.

Economic benefit:

• The Mangalyaan mission made India gain spotlight in the international arena as it was the cheapest Marsmission ever made.



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Weather:

• ISRO has designed and developed indigenous systems for ground based observations of weather parameters.It includes:

– Automatic Weather Station (AWS) to providing hourly information on critical weather parameterssuch as pressure, temperature, humidity, rainfall, wind and radiation from remote and inaccessibleareas

– Agro Metrological (AGROMET) Towers to measure soil temperature, soil moisture, soil heat andnet radiation, wind speed, wind direction, pressure and humidity

– Flux Tower for multi-level micrometeorological observation as well as subsurface observations onsoil temperature and moisture over the vegetative surfaces

– Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) to monitor severe weather events such as cyclone and heavyrainfall.

13. Why is nanotechnology one of the key technologies of the 21st century? Describe the salientfeatures of Indian Government's Mission on Nanoscience and Technology and the scope of itsapplication in the development process of the country.

Hints:


• Along with Genetics, Biotechnology Nano technology is considered as one of the key technologies ofthe 21st century.

• The question demands the reasons why this technology is considered as a key technology of this century.Explain the salient features of the Nano mission and how far the applications of this technology helpthe development process of India.

Introduction:

• Nanotechnology primarily refers to the use and/or creation of particles that are smaller than 100nanometres in at least one dimension.

• A consequence of the small size is that particles and structures created this way exhibit new physicalproperty because they often have a new surface-to-mass ratio.

• The result is, that one can sometimes significantly alter a product‘s properties by using nanoparticleswhile keeping the same overall chemical composition unchanged.

Reasons why Nano technology is one of the key technologies of the 21 St century:

• Because nanotechnology can be applied in many different areas.

– In recent years, the use of nanotechnology in the general economy has become increasingly common.This way, nanotechnology is slowly developing from a pure science to a real and tangible improvementin all applicable areas; and these are very diverse.

• Also many other branches of science and technology have now reached their limits.

Mission on nanoscience and technology:

• The Government of India launched a Mission on Nano Science and Technology (Nano Mission) in May2007.

• The government sanctioned a sum of Rs. 1000 crore for a period of five years for the mission.

• Recognizing the success of Nano Mission, the Union Cabinet accorded approval for continuation of theNano Mission in its Phase-II during the 12th Plan period with an allocation of Rs. 650 crore.

• The Department of Science and Technology is the nodal agency for implementing the Nano Mission

• Salient features and thrust areas of the mission are:



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• capacity-building in research in nanoscience and technology

• training and creation of a large skilled manpower base

• development of products and processes for national development especially in the fields such as materialsdevelopment, drug delivery and safe drinking water, etc

• establishment of linkages between industry and research and educational institutions and promotingpublic private partnerships (PPPs)

• promoting foreign collaboration in nanotechnology programmes.

• The 12th Plan aims to take this initiative forward with the lofty ambition of making India a “globalknowledge hub” in nanotechnology. To this end, a dedicated institute of Nano science and technologyis being set up, and post-graduation programmes (M Sc and M Tech) in 16 universities and institutionsacross the country will be launched.

• Besides, the mission is funding about 235 individual scientist-centric research projects on fundamentalresearch in Nano-systems.

• To encourage industries to take up projects in Nano technology, the Nano Mission launched by theGovernment of India plans to provide loans to start-up firms up to Rs. 10 crore

Scope:

• Huge scope in the upcoming generations. It is the third highest booming field when compared with ITand Internet.

Applications:

• Nanotechnology can be applied to every item humans use in day-to-day life to make it more userfriendly and intelligent.

• Centres of Excellence for Nanoscience and Technology set up by the DST help students and scientiststo test their materials for minimal price

Agriculture:

• When inputs such as water, fertiliser and pesticides are delivered in nanoscale at appropriate spots in thesoil or plants, they yield far better results than those obtained from their normal bulk application.

• slow release and efficient delivery of water, plant nutrients, pesticides and livestock drugs; monitoringof soil and plant health through nano-sensors; detection of pests; and removal of soil and watercontaminants with nano-magnets.

Medicine:

• The same is true for the use of nano drugs on farm animals or human beings since the active ingredientsof these drugs strike precisely at targeted pathogens.

• These instruments will be used to identify and kill cancer cells, deliver oxygen in diseased tissues, createartificial RBCs and map DNA structure and repair them in case of genetic disorder.

• ‘Nanodrug’ and ‘Nanocoat’ are two recently developed nanotech proprietary drug delivery technologieswhich can produce improved pharmaceuticals with high yield.

• A new nanotechnology-based drug delivery system, Nanoxel, has been made available in India for theanti-cancer drug paclitaxel. Introduced by Dabur Pharma Ltd. , the new system marks the first time thats nanotechnology based pharmaceutical product is being commercialised outside of the USA.

Computing:

• Nanoscale computing is all set to usher in tremendous changes in personal and industrial data storage.

Military applications could include nano-sized sensors to speed the detection of chemical and biologicalweapons



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Others:

• Nanoparticles of titanium dioxide have been added to some suntan lotions and cosmetics. These tinyparticles are transparent on the skin and can absorb and reflect ultra-violet rays.

• Nano-membranes have been produced that are portable and easily- cleaned systems that purify, detoxifyand desalinate water meaning that third-world countries could get clean water.

Concerns:

• Biosafety has to be the watchword in nanotechnology research and its application. If mishandled, nanoproducts and processes may pose health and environmental risks.

• Time taken for a nano-product to enter into the market is significantly higher which in turn deters thefunding agencies

• Facilities required for research are expensive and become quickly out-dated due to technological advances

• Lack of proper policy that governs the technology transfer from universities to industry

• Environmental effects of nanomaterials are not receiving due attention

• Insufficient attention to toxicological studies of nanomaterials.

14. Rehabilitation of human settlements is one of the important environmental impacts which alwaysattracts controversy while planning major projects. Discuss the measures suggest for mitigationof this impact while proposing major development projects.

Hints:

The magnitude of challenge that major projects poses a rehabilitation challenge for thousands and lakhspeople displaced.

The Tehri Dam, Sardar Sarovar Dam and related Rehabilitation issue were a classical case of developmentthat did not materialize, but it snatched away the livelihood of hundreds of villagers and faced displacement.

• Tehri still faces the problem of land-slides; villages on the slopes are threatened by increasing landslides.Geologist suggests that the nature of land slip is a direct result of changed hydrology.

• In case of POSCO, by the time of Government completed the land acquisition POSCO scaled downits land requirement. The project did not take-off, the damage had already been done because during landacquisition, thousands of trees were cut down which earlier acted as a barrier against sea erosion andhigh Tides.

• SEZs projects had also been part of controversy where land meant for industrial development was usedfor other purposes. The most known conflicts relate to the chemical industry based Nandigram SEZ inWB and Paradip SEZ in Odisha for POSCO.

• In many cases, in urban as well as rural areas due to Infrastructural project many slums and unorganisedcolonies evacuated without proper rehabilitation.

In all above observation, one of the main grievances against the Government /agency is the failure to provideplaned provision for proper rehabilitation/ in a proper way and promise of fair compensation before the evacuationdrive carried out. The evacuation without proper rehabilitation is a violation of Article 21 of the Constitution.

Suggested Measures

• Set up a mechanism to understand local ecology, society and culture.

• Conservation and rehabilitation of historical and cultural heritage

• Promote the integration of land use, communication, and transport planning in way that reduce thedemand for transport

• Focus on integrated coastal zone management programme to ensure proper development and coastalconservation

• Empower local authorities which can contract, operate and maintain economic, social and environmentalinfrastructure.



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15. The frequency of urban floods due to high intensity rainfall is increasing over the years. Discussingthe reasons for urban floods, highlight the mechanisms for preparedness to reduce the risk duringsuch events.

Hints:

• There are two types of climatic events related to rains, high intensity rainfall and drought. Both areincreasing and we are experiencing, both these events simultaneously. High intensity rainfall has increasedin last 20-30 years. Monsoon pattern has changed in northern region with increasing possibility of floodsin September, but increasing water scarcity in April.

• Due to climate change frequency of heavy rainfall events are decreasing in major part of central India,east and north India while increasing in peninsular India that is the region extreme rainfall and flood riskincreasing significantly in Urban cities except some part of central India.

• The tropical monsoon zone is having spatial variation in rainfall and its frequencies. CC factors likerainfall availability, snowmelt or glacier retreat in river catchment and evapotranspiration.

• The northeast Monsoon (winter) caused by retreating monsoon winds that attain moisture from Bay ofBengal on the way back south from the northeastern direction, would be stronger. These winds areresponsible for the rains in southern States of AP, TN, Kerala and parts of Karnataka. The IMD forecastdid little to prepare the states for situation.

• Chennai and its neighbouring areas have witness unplanned urbanization in recent years that has destroyedthe city's natural flood sink such marshland and river channels. Storm water drains are either clogged orjust don't exist.

• Same in case of J&K floods are not because of only unusually rainfall, but due to destroyed drainage.Following pattern in Delhi, Bengaluru City municipality is mindless about drainage. Most of the lake,ponds have been eaten away by real estate.

Mechanism for preparedness to reduce the risk

• First and most important is to upgrade the drainage system in urban areas

• The outreach of public healthcare centers in urban area is limited, which hinders rehabilitation work insuch case is to minimize mitigation public healthcare should be revamped for fast response.

• Need more investment for logistical support in latest equipment for disaster management team

• Efforts to decarbonize electricity production, Focus on clean energy

• policies to promote public transport, promote walking and cycling, reduce private cars that will increaseair quality

• Abandoning the use of biomass fuel or coal to reduce emission.

16. With reference to National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) guidelines, discuss themeasures to be adopted to mitigate the impact of the recent incidents of cloudbursts in manyplaces of Uttarakhand.

Hints:

The unusually heavy cloudbursts that stuck in many places in Uttarakhand, is an example of how extremeweather events can have severe consequences for our society and a new challenge to Disaster ManagementAgency.

NDMA guidelines are:

The hilly regions of India are susceptible to landslides, avalanches and cloudbursts from Himalayan Mountainfollowed by North-Eastern hills; the very reason is unplanned and unscientific development activity,deforestation, urbanization and increasing population.

India is identified as one of the six major disaster prone countries in the world, about 2 percent of GDPlosses, because of natural disaster. 27 out of 35 states and UT are prone to such hazard. Among all thedisaster, River Floods are the most extensive and devastating. From the overall pattern of incidence ofhazard and its impact across the country, it can be noted that 95 per cent of the people are affected due to



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hydro-meteorological events such as FLOODS and TOO LESS WATER CC increases the frequency andintensity.

MEASURE

A paradigm shift in 'NDMA' approach is focus on community based disaster management (CBMD), as apart of globally prevalent trend.

Use Community's ability to cooperate and organize, their knowledge, their means and resources that is criticalin the immediate aftermath.

Under UN Convention" Hyogo Framework for Action"; focus on 5 priorities (1) formulating national policy,(2) building capabilities at local level, (3) Across the country increasing awareness, (4) putting communitiesat the centre of disaster risk and (5) Management

Special attention to vulnerable groups to person to disability, Pregnant women, Women , old person andchildren and emphasize on training, simulation and mock drills and stakeholders participation includingNGOs, GRAM SABHA, URBAN BODY.

Financial devolution keeping in mind (PRIs) through a tiered structure from the district downward to GramSabha and same in Urban self-Government

It also recognizes the animal care at the time of disaster.

SUGGESTIONS

• Research and Strengthen early warning mechanism on cloud bursting

• Managing waste water over ground and control it through suitable stream, it may be natural and artificial(As Copenhagen experimented well)

• Light rescue helicopter should be incorporated for fast delivery of services.

• Food dropping system by helicopter need to make it more functional through design and innovation.

• while focusing on smart city need to align with holistic approach (Dharamshala as chosen for smart city)

• Houses shall be located and designed as per a disaster severity map.

17. The terms 'Hot Pursuit' and 'Surgical Strikes' are often used in connection with armed actionagainst terrorist attacks. Discuss the strategic impact of such actions.

Hints:

A surgical strike is essentially a swift and targeted attack on specific target that aims to neutralize them whileensuring minimum collateral damage to the surrounding areas and civilians. Neutralization of targets withsurgical strikes also prevents escalation to a full blown war. Similarly Hot pursuit is chasing the enemy evenup to their own turf and it is an indicator of zero tolerance for terrorists.

Impact of such actions:

• India realizes that dropping the policy of ‘strategic restraint’ might ignite another spiral of violence inKashmir. However, the following of the same has not worked either and perhaps there may be abreakthrough with new approach.

• The jihadist element will pressurize the other state to go for a similar strike. India had factored-in thismove, and therefore villagers within 10 kms of punjab border were evacuated.

• It was not a strategic strike, but a tactical strike, where strike itself was not so important, but a breakfrom previous approach was most important and thus, it made big news. Given that governmentsuccessfully pulled it off, may encourage it to adopt a more offensive approach.

Sometimes too much peaceful nature is assumed to be a sign of weakness and thus, from time to time, Indianeeds to shrug-off this issue and pose a credible threat for the terrorists, i. e. fear of repercussions. Thus, hotpursuit of northeast rebels was also necessary, as they thought that due to porous border they could alwaysrush to other country, Government of India would not be able to do anything.

The success of Russia and Israel in preventing major terrorist attacks in recent past has been because of theiroffensive approach.



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18. "Terrorism is emerging as a competitive industry over the last few decades." Analyze the abovestatements.

Hints:

Terrorism is the unlawful use of force or violence against person or Property to intimidate or coerce ogovernment, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives.

There are many dimensions to terrorism, such as, soft Terrorism such as Cyber terrorism, Cultural terrorism,Intellectual terrorism etc. And as far as Hardcore or violent form of terrorism it is very much tangible to seethe world around that how ideology of terrorism has not spared a single country on the Planet.

Terrorism is no longer a very isolated or concealed activity, particularly after the popularity of internet, thereare virtual universities training people in hardcore doctrines and ideologies.

Similarly, there seems to be a competition among terrorists, as who would be most cruel or how far and howsoon they can take responsibility of terrorist events globally.

Internet is utilized by terrorist groups for two purposes: propagation of ideas and communication. Communicationis end to end encrypted now and there is no practical way for any intelligence agency to decrypt thesecommunications in real time.

Organizations prefer for decentralized planning of terrorist attacks and the reason lies in the fact that if theplanning is done from one centre or in centralized manner, they can be easily targeted by those against them.It is easier to open a franchise operation for them because it gives the attacker a sense of belongingness andidentity that they are working on terrorist organization’s behalf and serving its purpose.

Also there is a competition among the terrorists groups, as who can attract most recruits and attract mostfunding and donations (through Hawala channels). Thus, they work like an organization, with finite and fixedaims and a mechanism of working.

19. Border management is a complex task due to difficult terrain and hostile relations with somecountries. Elucidate the challenges and strategies for effective border management.

Hints:

• The term border management must be interpreted in its widest sense and should imply co-ordination andconcerted action by political leadership and administrative, diplomatic, security, intelligence, legal, regulatoryand economic agencies of the country to secure our frontiers and sub serve the best interests of thecountry.

• Border management in India, which is responsibility of Border Security Force (BSF), is a very challengingtask, given that the BSF has to guard so many different climatic conditions, varying from coasts, to hotdeserts and Marshland and harsh cold in trans-Himalayas.

• India has 14, 880 kms of land border running through 92 districts in 17 States and a coastline of 5, 422kms touching 12 States and Union Territories (UTs). India also has a total of 1, 197 islands accountingfor 2, 094 kms of additional coastline.

• In fact, barring Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Delhi and Haryana, all other States in thecountry have one or more international borders or a coastline and can be regarded as frontline Statesfrom the point of view of border management.

• The dynamic nature of the problems concerning management of borders is brought out by the mannerin which the sensitivity of India-Nepal border has changed over a period of time. This border, which hasbeen an open one, was once peaceful and trouble-free. However, with the increasing activities of Pakistan’sInter-Services Intelligence (ISI) in Nepal, the nature of the border has changed completely.

• The concept of border security has undergone a sea change with the growing vulnerability of thecoastline and also of the airspace. In response to the gradual expansion and strengthening of security sofar, mainly along what has long been perceived as a sensitive land border, the transgressor is already onthe look-out for soft gaps, either on the land or along the coast and if need be, from the air.

• Insurgent groups in different parts of the country are receiving foreign support and encouragement.Illegal infiltration and smuggling of arms and explosives, narcotics and counterfeit currency are pressing



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problems. The porosity of our borders in many parts, makes the task of the anti-national forces mucheasier. All this underscores the need for utmost vigilance on the borders and strengthening the borderguarding forces.

• Some of the main problems currently afflicting the management of our borders include maritimeboundaries. Some of our maritime boundaries are still undefined and much of our land borders are notdemarcated on the ground. The disputed and unsettled nature of our boundaries has made them a sourceof tension with their policing much more difficult.

• Since many of our borders are man-made artificial boundaries and not based on natural features suchas rivers and watersheds, they are extremely porous and easy to cross. Multiplicity of forces on the sameborders has inevitably led to the lack of accountability as well as problems of command and control.

• Border Guarding Forces need to be distinguished from central police organizations. Being more akin tothe Army and different from central police organizations which are called in aid of civil power from timeto time, they need to be appropriately strengthened both in terms of equipment and manpower.

• The forces hostile to India have tended to occupy the vacuum created by inadequate reach of thenational media. For combating terrorism and insurgency, quite often security forces are called upon totake tough measures.

• These measures may sometime cause inconvenience and annoyance to the local people. This sense ofdiscontent is exploited by hostile elements to create a feeling of ill will against the security forces andthe Government.

• Timely release of information to the media would help in combating such invidious propaganda of theelements hostile to India. Due to the sensitive nature of their duties, the interaction of the officials ofthe security agencies and security forces with the media has necessarily to remain restricted. However,specialized officers, properly equipped and trained may impart information to the media, particularlyafter the reporting blunder during 2008 Mumbai Attack.

20. Use of Internet and social media by non-state actors for subversive activities is a major securityconcern. How have these been misused in the recent past? Suggest effective guidelines to curb theabove threat.

Hints:

The Internet provides non-state actors such as terrorists with access to audience worldwide, where users haveimmediate access to propaganda, information, and recent events. The issue arises when terrorist groups,supporters, and sympathizers use social media platforms such as, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, andprivate messaging to conduct terrorist-related activities.

For instance, youth can become violently radicalized or recruited via the Internet and travel abroad to furtherthe aims of extremist organizations, or returns home imbued with knowledge, skills, and experience, andrecruits and encourage aspiring extremists to commit domestic attacks. Moreover, via the Internet theseindividuals can provide funding to terrorist organizations and radicalize others by disseminating propaganda.

The purpose of using the Internet for terrorist activities is two-fold – it can be used for communicative orinstrumental activities. This includes: psychological warfare, data mining, publicity and propaganda, fundraising,recruitment and mobilization, networking, sharing information, and planning and coordinating attacks.

Social media sites connect like-minded individuals together, creates in-group identification, and increasesthere animosity towards specific issues. The rapidity with which media can be disseminated, coupled withits capacity for extremely targeted messaging and hash tags makes it an ideal place for violent extremists tooperate.

However, online propaganda is not the sole agent of radicalization, let alone the means by which vulnerableindividuals are radicalized. The Internet is a very powerful and effective accelerant that plays a role in theradicalization process, but does not necessarily increase the opportunities for self-radicalization. The Internetis not a substitute for in-person gatherings, but instead complements in-person communications.

To eradicate Internet and social media use by terrorists and its supporters there must be enhanced internationalcooperation, in conjunction with increased information sharing between domestic and foreign intelligenceagencies, and local and national law enforcements. Furthermore, the information should be used used to



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thwart suspected terrorist plots and identify radicalized individuals, along with pertinent information such as,where they live, who they associate with, and what terrorist activities they have conducted.

Law enforcement should continue working alongside social media corporations to shut down pro-ISIS accountsand posts. However, the problem lies in the global nature of social media and the reliance upon self-policingby users to identify objectionable content. For instance, Facebook has long been a place where users couldexpect to have content that did not fit the status quo to be removed. This includes profiles, pages, or groupsthat support terrorism extremist beliefs and messages. Twitter’s terms of service also condemn the promotionof terrorism and will suspend accounts that engage in the threatening or promotion of terrorist acts. Although,Twitter continues to strongly support freedom of expression and diverse perspectives.

The challenge for sites like Facebook and Twitter goes beyond identifying terrorist accounts, but insteaddefining and determining what content “promotes terrorism”, in addition to defining key terms such as“graphic content”, and “malicious or violent extremist speech”. These definitions should correspond to thegovernment’s legal language, ensuring the exact material law enforcement deem as “extremism” is removed.

Unfortunately, social media corporations do not explicitly define these terms, however content that is consideredoffensive or disturbing, or gets reported by other users as violating some law will be removed. These corporationsmust veer away from a blanket policy banning all material that is seen as inciting violence, as this could leadto questions of censorship and freedom of expression. The Internet and social media will continue to be usedby terrorist groups, supporters, and sympathizers. It is crucial for the Government to acknowledge this issueand develop a means to successfully reduce and deter this activity, before radicals exclusively use the “darknet” to achieve their terrorist goals, thus, making it even more difficult to police and censor.



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Q. Financial inclusion is not merely about opening more and more bank accounts, but is rather about

developing a habit among people to deposits their small savings into banks. Discuss the importance

of financial inclusion in context of resource mobilization efforts of government? Also evaluate the

PradhanMantri Jan DhanYojana in the context of the statement?

Hints:

• Well developed and widely spread financial system extends credit facility to those who do not have

adequate finance themselves but have business ideas and zeal to carry entrepreneurial activities

resulting in acceleration of growth.

• On the contrary, absence of financial penetration and deepening results in absence of debt leverage

to micro enterprises and they have to either borrow at very high rates of interest or have to be

contented with their own capital. This leads to restricted growth in economic activities.

• Financial Inclusion is indeed about bringing a large section of people within formal monetary system,

so that overtime they would get integrated with the rest of the economy. Similarly, another objective

is to boost the financial flows in economy.

• In Indian context, financial inclusion is further important to reduce leakages from the financial flows

from government, whether its subsidy benefits or the NREGS payments.

• The small savings by people into formal banking or post-offices further brings new funds in market

and increase the availability of money. This helps not only the corporate sector to borrow at reduced

costs, it also enables Government to borrow funds without crowding-out the private sector investments.

• As small savings accounts in post offices and increased SLR funds are available for it exclusively and

don't reduce the supply of credit in market. Thus, financial deepening can have a considerable impact

on the resource mobilization efforts of government.

Performance of Jan Dhan Yojana

• At present, only 58% of Indian households have access to banking services, which means more than

40% of households lack access to formal credit and finance system and therefore, are forced to

depend on usurious money-lenders. Furthermore, potential investors among them have no option but

to put money in shady Ponzi schemes.

• A formal bank account becoming the norm will also help the government to directly pay all subsidies

into the accounts of the poor and help plug the leaks. An efficient, transparent and sleek system of

subsidy disbursal will help the government to better assess and implement its social welfare schemes.


PAPER - III

PradhanMantri Jan-DhanYojana (PMJDY) is necessary for bringing unbanked to the institutionalfinance fold. Do you agree with this for financial inclusion of the poorer section of the Indiansociety? Give arguments to justify your opinion.

UPSC Ques. - 3



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• The PMJDY scheme, wishes to bring such people within formal finance and aims for expansion of

financial services to hitherto unexplored territories. It has also been successful in creating a world

record in terms of creating new accounts.

• As per an assessment by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the scheme has improved over the

previous financial inclusion scheme, the concept of Bank Mitr was introduced much before the

PMJDY, however, their availability was issue, but now as per the study, the availability has improved

significantly and the intent among banks to make this scheme is clearly visible.

• It is, however, too early to declare the program an unqualified success. A few points deserve a

mention here. Out of the total 136.8 million accounts, 85.9 million (63%) are still zero balance

accounts. Account access alone does not create financial inclusion, which requires regular use of

accounts. There is however, a high hope for that, because government is increasingly linking those

accounts for subsidy transfer and pension payments leading to their increasing use as per JAM trinity

objective.

Pros

• Expand banking, financial & insurance sectors

• Allow direct cash transfer to targeted beneficiaries

• Plug the leaks in subsidy system

• Ensure transparency, weed out corruption

• Cut avenues for black money generation

• Remove the influence of money lenders & Ponzi schemes

• Better data collection & assessment

Cons

• Another social welfare scheme

• Questionable viability of banking, insurance accounts

• Priority versus freebies banking

• Burden on the taxpayer

Give the vulnerability of Indian agriculture to vagaries of nature, discuss the need for cropinsurance and bring out the salient features of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal BimaYojana (PMGBY).

UPSC Ques. - 10


Q. Discuss, why the government's efforts towards establishing a successful crop insurance system

have failed so far? Can the newly launched Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana reverse the

existing dismal state of affairs; analyze the scheme on parameters of stability, inclusiveness and

fiscal burden?

Hints:

• Though India has launched various crop insurance schemes such as First Individual Approach

Scheme 1972-1978, Pilot Crop Insurance Scheme (PCIS) 1979-1984, Comprehensive Crop Insurance

Scheme (CCIS) 1985-99 which was modified in 1999 as National Agricultural Insurance Scheme

(NAIS) followed by Modified National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (MNAIS), Pilot Weather Based

Crop Insurance Scheme (WBCIS), and National Crop Insurance Programme (NCIP), but still the

farmers have not derived benefits from insurance schemes commensurate with the cost of the premiums

they have had to pay (despite government subsidy) due to various reasons:



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a) Procedures for taking out the policies and claiming compensation have been cumbersome.

b) Delay in receiving crop claim- limited data and quality and reliability of such data due to outdated

collection models.

c) Availability of suitable data to assess the crop loss- India does not have a suitable weather data to

assess the crop loss which results in low claims being paid to the farmers.

d) Crop insurance premium being too meager in amount- the amount that is received is too low to

compensate for the loss of the crop.

e) Other major problem is that of limited land titles-leading to limited farmers' access to crop insurance,

given the poor records and the frequent need to bribe officialdom to prove title even when legality

is unquestioned.

f) Big and influential generally corner most of the claims due to political influence and better information

about how such schemes work.

• Due to above mentioned Problems, barely 23 per cent of cultivators have till date opted for insurance

cover.

How can Pradhan Mantri Fasal bima Yojana improve the situation?

• PMFBY has a potential to reverse the above dismal situation because it has following elements:

a) Presently farmers have been required to pay a premium share of as high as 15 per cent in several

areas in the country; this crop insurance scheme would cap the premium at 2% for kharif crops and

1.5% for rabi crop. This would make it affordable for the farmers to buy crop insurances and

therefore this scheme would bring Financial Inclusion as even small Farmers will be able to buy

Agriculture Insurance due to meager contribution in Premiums.

b) Secondly in Earlier schemes there was a provision of capping the premium rate which resulted in low

claims being paid to farmers This capping has now been removed and farmers will get claim against

full sum insured without any reduction.

c) Thirdly, under this scheme use of technology will be encouraged and smart phones will be used to

capture and upload data of crop cutting to reduce the delays in claim payment to farmers.

d) Another unique feature is that this insurance scheme will provide localized risk coverage and has

added a number of natural calamities. For instance, given that last year, unseasonal rains during

March and April had destroyed crops during the harvest season in several states, the insurance plan

will now provide coverage for post-harvest losses caused owing to rain and hailstorm across India.

Earlier, this was applicable only to cyclone-prone regions.

• Though PMFBY is a sound scheme if we take the Parameters of Inclusion and Stability, however,

many critics believe that implementation of the scheme could lead to fiscal burden of whopping Rs

8,800 crore once the target of bringing 50 per cent crop under insurance is achieved in three years,

as the Centre's financial liability goes up, the bill of the states where the scheme gets implemented

will also go up correspondingly. This could have negative effect on the fiscal consolidation process

of the incumbent government.

• Though it would have negative implication on the government finances, however, that price may still

be worth paying for a country where only a fifth of farmers have crop insurance coverage. Subsidized

premiums and prompt claims settlement enabled by remote sensing and GPS technology - as opposed

to patwaris and crop-cutting experiments - should help substantially expand coverage. An increase

in the area insured should also bring down premium rates, through spreading of risks across more

farmers. That would also help contain the government's subsidy burden.



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Q. How urbanization in India is itself a cause of urban floods? Suggest measures to address the

urban flood problem in Indian cities.

Hints:

Urbanization represents the higher level of living standards, secure living and enhanced availability of

public services; however Indian urbanization which mostly unplanned, haphazard unregulated and

overcrowded has created many challenges. Urban floods have emerged as a repetitive phenomenon in many

Indian cities.

Urbanization cause of Urban floods:

• Flooding in urban areas can be caused by flash floods, or coastal floods, or river floods however,

Urban flooding is specific in the fact that the cause is a lack of drainage and low sewerage capacity

in an urban area. as there is little open soil that can be used for water storage nearly all the

precipitation needs to be transport to surface water or the sewage system. High intensity rainfall

causes flooding when the city sewage system and draining canals do not have the necessary capacity

to drain away the amounts of rain that are falling. Water may even enter the sewage system in one

place and then get deposited somewhere else in the city on the streets. Sometimes you see dancing

drain covers.

• Encroachments on the natural drains and the river flood plains: has decreased the capacity of natural

drains and resulting in flooding. These urban water bodies are no more acknowledged for their

ecosystem services. Charkop Lake in Maharashtra, Ousteri Lake in Puducherry, Deepor beel in

Guwahati are well known examples of encroachment.

• Clogging of stormwater drains: due to lack of proper cleaning and timing maintenance.

• Illegal mining activities: extremely damaging impact on the water body and causes uneven flow of

water

• Absence of administrative framework: government apathy towards water bodies, unpreparedness for

uneven rainfall and identified risk relation to pollution of wetlands, encroachment to floods.

• Too much concretization of city floor also affected the natural water cycle

Steps to be taken:

• Construction of well networked, efficient and effective drainage system to address over surface runoff

in cities.

• Protection and conservation of wetlands in cities.

• Resettlement of people from flood plains of rivers and wetland areas to other places and high

penalties on encroachments.

• Keeping adequate open space for subsurface recharge and land management.

• Rainwater harvesting.

• Recycling and reuse discharged water after treatment.

Better planning, robust infrastructure, comprehensive policies and vigilant administration would be the

key to tackle urban floods in India.

The frequency of urban floods due to high intensity rainfall is increasing over the years. Discussingthe reasons for urban floods, highlight the mechanisms for preparedness to reduce the risk duringsuch events.

UPSC Ques. - 15



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GS SCORE - GS MAINS TEST SERIES (Test No. 12; Question No. 12; Dated - 4 June 2016)

Q. "The echo of words written on social media is greater than spoken in public and therefore needs

greater regulation". In light of the above statement examine the need and feasibility of such

regulations. Does India need a separate social media policy?

Hints:

• Social media has become a major influence especially on the minds of young people and has captured

their imagination. Its reach has increased tremendously touching the lives of millions of people at one

go.

It no doubt, helps in connecting the people and has revolutionized the communication but it has also led

to a lot of downfalls. It is being used in radicalization of youth by ISIS. The recent riots in Bangalore due to a

fake viral video on internet of North East region, its role in Muzzafarnagar riots etc, show the powerful and

draconian face of social media. It can be used to invoke extreme sentiments among vulnerable people and

twisted to suit a particular line of thought.

It needs to be regulated because of the following reasons :-

• Anonymity of the uploader makes it conducive to be used by wrong forces for their benefit

• Whether a report or video is true or not, it can’t be said. But people usually tend to take all the

content online to be true which results in wrong consequences.

• The speed with which a content is circulated is also very high. E.g., the content of hate speeches

instigating caste violence is very common.

• It endangers the security of the nation as a whole.

However, owing to the large data transmitted over internet; the speed with which it circulates; the absence

of sources of internet in India; the global nature of internet and social media makes it very difficult to manage.

Supreme Court while quashing the article 66A, also asked government to come up with a new law, as

there is a need for some mechanism to put checks and balances on online media.

Due to the above mentioned reasons, the Government of India has decided to come up with a National

Social Media Policy to encounter the cyber security threat. which will do a round the clock monitoring of

social media to remove the anti-social and provoking content.

Use of Internet and social media by non-state actors for subversive activities is a major securityconcern. How have these been misused in the recent past? Suggest effective guidelines to curbthe above threat.

UPSC Ques. - 20

What are 'Smart Cities'? Examine their relevance for urban development in India. Will it increaserural-urban differences? Give arguments for 'Smart Villages' in the light of PURA and RURBANMission.

UPSC Ques. - 4

GSSCORE QIP: Analysis of Smart city Mission with respect to village development

Analysis of Smart City Mission

What is a smart city?

Smart city may mean different things for different people and different cities, but conceptually it focus onoverall urban ecosystem covering development-institutional, physical, social and economic infrastructure.The objective is to provide core infrastructure and decent quality of life by application of smart solutions.



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Some features of smart city could be:

Area

electricity supply

sanitation, including solidwaste Management,

Urban mobility

Housing

Health & education

environment

Governance

Law and order

Economic development

Feature

Assured, quality and environmentallysustainable

Minimum distance, optimal speed, safe,cost-effective

Affordable, universal

Affordable, universal and quality

Clean air, preserving open spaces,

Participative, transparent, accountableetc

Quick, responsive, deterrent,

Equitable, inclusive, according tocarrying capacity and transformativewith linkages

Smart Solution

Smart metering, solar electricitygeneration

Waste water treatment, waste to energyetc.

Intelligent traffic management,integrated multi-modal transport, smartparking

Polyclinics, saaransh etc

Pollution monitoring, zero discharge etc

e-governance, public information andgrievance Redressal, participative andchannelized planning process

Community policing, CCTV, e-courts,e-police,

Food processing in food belts, Space foevendors etc.

What are the special features of the mission?

Smart City project focuses on making urban spaces more livable, aesthetically pleasing, socially moreinclusive, environmentally sustainable, economically vibrant and administratively smart by using innovativesolutions to the problems faced with application of latest technology. Some other aspects of this project are:

• It is based on comprehensive planning and people participation. SWOT analysis of the city is to bedone and then projects to be decided based on the inherent potential.

• It is a competition based project in which cities compete with each other for getting selected forfunding.

• Focus is on not only future urban reforms but incentivizing those cities which have undertakenreforms in past under JNNURM. 1/3 weightage has been given to past reforms during selectionstage.

• Participation of all the stakeholders centers, state, Municipal Bodies is ensured.

• Both pan city project and area specific projects are to be taken.

• The area based project will be implemented through retrofitting, redevelopment and Greenfieldstrategies.

• Time bound implementation of the project.

• Financial viability of the project is to be ensured so that the projects don’t suffer from policy changesin future and are self-sustaining.

• Focus on convergence of schemes like Digital India, Swachha Bharat, AMRUT Mission etc.

• A SPV is to be created to ensure co-ordination and implementation of the project.

• PPP mode has been chosen to raise resources and implement the projects

What is unique in this mission?

• Earlier initiatives on urban reform suffered from top down approach, failed to take in to accountthe local aspirations and universalisation without quality syndrome. At the core of smart cityconcept is the uniqueness of the project from selected city.



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• Another important feature is the competition among the cities for selection. This is based on SWOTanalysis and people’s participation. This will give administration, local bodies to undertake properunderstanding of all the positive and negative aspects of the city and will help in other areas also.

• Mission gives cities an opportunity to learn from other selected cities, from their own mistakes madeduring the competition. The selected smart cities can become guiding forces for others.

What are the concerns raised?

• In the development process each step should be organically linked to higher levels and should leadto value addition across the sectors. The linkages between smart cities and other initiatives like skillIndia, Make in India and rurban mission are missing. In absence of these the mission will become aforeign industries and organization led mission and may not result into knowledge gain for India inthe domain.

• Constitution assigns District Planning Committees and Metropolitan Planning Committees with theresponsibilities for planning for the whole district or metropolitan area. Their role in the process ismissing.

• Apprehensions are raised that Smart cities may emerge as exclusive societies or cities catering to theneeds of only well off. Like the retrofit proposal of New Delhi Municipal Corporation has no mentionof street hawkers and vendors in the Cannaught Place area. How can a city be smart without beinginclusive? Selectively smart means unsustainably extravagant on luxuries with millions living in poverty.

• Level of involvement of Indian Educational institutions like IITs and IIMs is not clear. There is toomuch focus on getting handholding support from foreign or multilateral agencies like JICA, KfW.There is no focus on developing indigenous capabilities in the field of urban planning and design.

• Smart cities must contain smart houses, smart offices and smart people. All these require behaviouralchange. There is no mention of these aspects in the mission.

Conclusion

The success of the smart city mission will depend on the ability to smartly solve the issues that will comeduring implementation. It is a step in the unchartered territory, each step must be taken with caution andcalculation but with swiftness and confidence. The success of the mission will give future generations andcities an opportunity to look for inspiration and handholding within the country, rather than outside whichwe have to do in present.

GSSCORE QIP: Land reforms and issues related to it

Agriculture - land reforms from ‘abolition of zamindari to land acquisition’

The Indian Government was committed to land reforms and consequently laws were passed by all the

State Governments during the Fifties with the aim of abolishing landlordism, distributing land through

imposition of ceilings, protection of tenants and consolidation of land-holdings.

Independent India’s most revolutionary land policy was perhaps the abolition of the Zamindari system

(feudal land holding practices).

Land-reform policy in India had two specific objectives:

1. To remove such impediments to increase in agricultural production as arise from the agrarian structure

inherited from the past.

2. To eliminate all elements of exploitation and social injustice within the agrarian system, to provide

security for the tiller of soil and assure equality of status and opportunity to all sections of the rural

population.

Discuss the role of land reforms in agriculture development. Identify the factors that wereresponsible for the success of land reforms in India.

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There are four main categories of reforms:

1. Abolition of intermediaries (Rent collectors under the pre-Independence land revenue system)

2. Tenancy regulation (to improve the contractual terms including security of tenure)

3. A ceiling on landholdings (to redistributing surplus land to the landless)

4. Attempts to consolidate disparate landholdings

After Independence, attempts had been made to alter the pattern of distribution of land holdings on the

basis of four types of experiments -

1. Land reforms through legislation on the lines broadly indicated by the Central Government, enacted

by the State legislators, and finally implemented by the agencies of the State Government.

2. Land reforms as in the case of Telengana and the naxalite movement also to some extent in the case

of the “Land Grab” movement.

3. Land reforms through legislative enactments combined with peasant mobilization, as in the case of

controlled land seizure in West Bengal and protection of poor peasants in Kerala.

4. Land reforms through permission of landlords and peaceful processions by peasants as in the case

of Bhoodan and Gramdan.

The tenancy reform measures were of three kinds -

1. Regulation of rent

2. Security of tenure

3. Conferring ownership to tenants. This weakens the mindset of zamindari and promotes and establish

tenancy foundation in India.

One of the significant achievements of these acts was the abolition of absentee landlordism in several

parts of India. Land reforms brought about a significant change in land relations in so far as self-cultivation,

rather than absentee landlordism, became a predominant mode of production.

The ultimate aim of land reforms in India is to confer the rights of ownership to tenants to the larger

possible extent. Towards this end, the Government has taken three measures:

1. Declaring tenants as owners and requiring them to pay compensation to owners in suitable installments

2. Acquisition of the right of ownership by the State on payment of compensation and transfer of

ownership to tenants and

3. The states’ acquisition of the landlords’ rights bring the tenants into direct relationship with the States.

As a result of all these measures, 92 per cent of the holdings are wholly owned and self-operated in the

country today.

In spite of the progress made in this regard, the tenancy reforms are still plagued by deficiencies some of

which are:

1. The tenancy reforms have excluded the share croppers who form the bulk of the tenant cultivators,

2. Ejection of tenants still takes place on several ground

3. The right or resumption given in the legislation has led to land grabbing by the unscrupulous

4. Fair rents are not uniform and not implemented in various States because of the acute land hunger

existing in the country

5. Ownership rights could not be conferred on a large body of tenants because of the high rates of

compensation to be paid by the tenants. The proof of continuous possession for 12 consecutive years

to get occupancy rights also led to tardy implementation of tenancy reforms.



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The terms 'Hot Pursuit' and 'Surgical Strikes' are often used in connection with armed actionagainst terrorist attacks. Discuss the strategic impact of such actions.

UPSC Ques. - 17

GSSCORE QIP: DOCTRINE OF HOT PURSUIT

Overview

• Hot pursuit means crossing the International Boundary in pursuit of Terror Groups.

• The international law principle of hot pursuit is analogous to the common law principle, but wasprobably conceived independently. It began to coalesce into a general custom of internationalrelations during the early years of the 20th century, although the general principle had been advancedbefore in national legislation such as the British Hovering Acts. The participating states at the Leagueof Nations Codification Conference of 1930 broadly agreed on the validity of the Right of Hot Pursuit,but the proposed convention on territorial waters in which it was included was never ratified. It wasfinally codified as Article (23) of the Geneva Convention on the High Seas in 1958.

• The Geneva Convention on the High Seas was eventually folded into the United Nations Conventionon the Law of the Sea. Article (111) of the latter treaty grants a coastal state the right to pursue andarrest ships escaping to international waters, as long as:

a) The pursuers are competent authorities of the state;

b) They have good reason to believe that the pursued ship has violated the state’s laws or regulations;

c) The pursuit begins while the pursuing ship is in the State’s internal waters or territorial waters;

d) The pursuit is continuous.

• If the foreign ship is within a contiguous zone, the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the ContinentalShelf, and the Safety Zones in the EEZ or the Continental Shelf then the pursuit may only beundertaken if there has been a violation of the rules and regulations (customs, fiscal, immigration orsanitary laws and regulations of the coastal state) as applicable in the respective regimes (areas,zones).

• The right of hot pursuit ceases as soon as the ship pursued enters the territorial sea of a foreign state.

• Where a coastal state, stopping or arresting a foreign ship outside the territorial sea on the basis ofits right of hot pursuit, fails to justify the exercise, it shall be liable to compensate the ship for anyloss or damage cause to it due to the exercise of this right.

• This right is particularly relevant to Fisheries management, Maritime pollution laws, and theSeaborne illegal drug trade.

• In addition, some have proposed translating the Maritime Right of hot pursuit into a comparable rightto pursue criminals over land borders. Although it does not form a settled tenet of international law,the principle has been invoked by the United States regarding Taliban militants crossing into Pakistan,by Turkey regarding its attacks on Kurdistan Workers Party bases in Northern Iraq, and by Colombiaregarding its raid on a Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia camp in Ecuador, which led tothe 2008 Andean diplomatic crisis.

Critical Aspect

• It was in news when in June 2015 after Indian Army crossed into Myanmar territory to raid NSCN(Khaplang) camps without Myanmar’s consent. Now this led to a debate.

• Arguments in Favor

a) It was done in response to attack by militants on the Indian Army in Manipur on June 4, 2015.

b) Every country has the Right to protect its boundary.

c) Myanmar’s relation with NSCN(K) are warming up. It wouldn’t have help us the way Bhutan andBangladesh did.



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d) These terror outfits are taking benefits of the border i.e. after conducting strikes they went back toMyanmar knowing that Indian forces wont cross the border. In this asymmetric warfare they don’thave an option.

e) India has a reputation of respecting the sovereignty of other country, haven’t invaded any till now,so won’t do this unnecessarily.

Arguments Against

a) The doctrine of hot pursuit lacks legal validity on land. It has validity only in high seas. This doctrinehas been codified only for Navy to cross international waters under United Nations Convention onthe Law of the Sea). But no such doctrine has been codified for state to puruse criminals crossingland border.

b) As the term is open-ended/vague thus Armed Forces can use it attack not only militants, but evenarmed forces thus leading to war among the Nations.

c) It will set a bad precedent as other countries can also start using it to cross border.

d) If Myanmar had done the same vis-à-vis India then how would we have reacted?

e) It is more to assert regional dominance and coerce neighbours.

f) Even a possibility of military action justified by hot pursuit can fuel wide-scale humanitarian crisese.g. displacing the innocent people.



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Section A

1. (a) Explain how ethics contributes to social and human well-being.

(b) Why should impartiality and non-partisanship be considered as foundation values in publicservices, especially in the present day socio-political context? Illustrate your answer withexamples.

2. (a) What do you understand by the terms 'governance', 'good governance' and 'ethical governance'?

(b) Discuss Mahatma Gandhi's concept of seven sins.

3. (a) Analyse John Rawls's concept of social justice in the Indian context.

(b) Discuss the Public Service Code as recommended by the 2nd Administrative ReformsCommission.

4. (a) "Corruption cause misuse of government treasury, administrative inefficiency and obstructionin the path of national development." Discuss Kautilya's views.

(b) How could social influence and persuasion contribute to the success of Swachh BharatAbhiyan?

5. Law and ethics are considered to be the two tools for controlling human conduct so as to makeit conducive to civilized social existence.

(a) Discuss how they achieve this objective.

(b) Giving examples, show how the two differ in their approaches.

6. Our attitudes towards life, work, other people and society are generally shaped unconsciouslyby the family and the social surroundings in which we grow up. Some of these unconsciouslyacquired attitudes and values are often undesirable in the citizens of a modern democratic andegalitarian society.

(a) Discuss such undesirable values prevalent in today's educated Indians.

(b) How can such undesirable attitudes be changed and socio-ethical values considered necessary in public services be cultivated in the aspiring and serving civil servants ?

7. Anger is a harmful negative emotion. It is injurious to both personal life and work life.

(a) Discuss how it leads to negative emotions and undesirable behaviours.

(b) How can it be managed and controlled?

8. "Max Weber said that it is not wise to apply to public administration the sort of moral andethical norms we apply to matters of personal conscience. It is important to realise that theState bureaucracy might possess its own independent bureaucratic morality." Critically analysethis statement.

UPSC MAINS 2016




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Section - B

9. A fresh engineering graduate gets a job in a prestigious chemical industry. She likes the work.The salary is also good. However, after a few months she accidentally discovers that a highlytoxic waste is being secretly discharged into a river nearby. This is causing health problems tothe villagers downstream who depend on the river for their water needs. She is perturbed andmentions her concern to her colleagues who have been with the company for longer periods.They advise her to keep quite as anyone who mentions the topic is summarily dismissed. Shecannot risk losing her job as she is the sole bread-winner for her family and has to support herailing parents and siblings. At first, she thinks that if her seniors are keeping quiet, why shouldshe stick out her neck. But her conscience pricks her to do something to save the river and thepeople who depend upon it. At heart she feels that the advice of silence given by her friendsis not correct though she cannot give reasons for it. She thinks you are a wise person and seeksyour advice.

(a) What arguments can you advance to show her that keeping quiet is not morally right?

(b) What course of action would you advise her to adopt and why?

10. Land needed for mining, dams and other large-scale projects is acquired mostly from Adivasis,hill dwellers and rural communities. The displaced persons are paid monetary compensation asper the legal provisions. However, the payment is often tardy. In any case, it cannot sustain thedisplaced families for long. These people do not possess marketable skills to engage in someother occupation. They end up as low paid migrant labourers. Moreover, their traditional waysof community living are destroyed. Thus, the benefits of development go to industries,industrialists and urban communities whereas the costs are passed on to these poor helplesspeople. This unjust distribution of costs and benefits is unethical.

Suppose you have been entrusted with the task of drafting a better compensation-cum-rehabilitation policy for such displaced persons, how you approach the problem and whatwould be the main elements of Your suggested policy ?

11. Suppose you are an officer in-charge of implementing a social service scheme to provide supportto old and destitute women. An old and illiterate woman comes to you to avail the benefits ofthe scheme. However, she has no documents to show that she fulfils the eligibility-criteria. Butafter meeting her and listening to her you feel that she certainly needs support. Your enquiriesalso show that she is really destitute and living in a pitiable condition. You are in a dilemmaas to what to do. Putting her under the scheme without necessary documents would clearly beviolation of rules. But denying her the support would be cruel and inhuman.

(a) Can you think of a rational way to resolve this dilemma?

(b) Give your reasons for it.

12. You are a young, aspiring and sincere employee in a Government office working as an assistantto the director of your department. Since you have joined recently, you need to learn andprogress. Luckily your superior is very kind and ready to train you for your job. He is a veryintelligent and well-informed person having knowledge of various departments. In short, yourespect your boss and are looking forward to learn a lot from him.

Since you have a good tuning with the boss, he started depending on you. One day due to illhealth he invited you at his place for finishing some urgent work.

You reached his house and before you could ring the bell you heard shouting noises. You waitedfor a while. After entering the house the boss greeted you and explained the work. But youwere constantly disturbed by the crying of a woman. At last, you inquired with the boss but hisanswer did not satisfy you.

Next day, you were compelled to inquire further in the office and found out that his behaviouris very bad at home with his wife. He also beats up his wife.



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His wife is not well educated and is a simple woman in comparison to her husband. You seethat though your boss is a nice person in the office, he is engaged in domestic violence at home.

In such a situation, you are left with the following options. Analyse each option with itsconsequences.

(a) Just ignore thinking about it because it is their personal matter.

(b) Report the case to the appropriate authority.

(c) Your own innovative approach towards the situation.

13. ABC Ltd. is a large transnational company having diversified business activities with a hugeshareholder base. The company is continuously expanding and generating employment. Thecompany, in its expansion and diversification programme, decides to establish a new plant atVikaspuri, an area which is underdeveloped. The new plant is designed to use energy efficienttechnology that will help the company to wave production cost by 20%. The company's decisiongoes well with the Government policy of attracting investment to develop such underdevelopedregions. The Government has also announced tax holiday for five years for the companies thatinvest in underdeveloped areas. However, the new plant may bring chaos for the inhabitantsof Vikaspuri region, which is otherwise tranquil. The new plant may result in increased costof living, aliens migrating to the region disturbing the social and economic order. The companysensing the possible protest tried to educate the people of Vikaspuri region and public ingeneral that how its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policy would help overcome thelikely difficulties of the residents of Vikaspuri region. In spite of this the protests begin andsome of the residents decided to approach the judiciary as their plea before the Governmentdid not yield any result.

(a) Identify the issues involved in the case.

(b) What can be suggested to satisfy the company's goal and to address the residents'concerns?

14. Saraswati was a successful IT professional in USA. Moved by the patriotic sense of doingsomething for the country shereturned to India. Together with some other like-minded friends,she formed an NGO to build a school for a poor rural community.

The objective of the school was to provide the best quality modern education at a nominal cost.She soon discovered that she has to seek permission from a number of government agencies.The rules and procedures were quite confusing and cumbersome. What frustrated her most wasthe delays, callous attitude of officials and constant demand for bribes. Her experience and theexperience of many others like her deterred people from taking up social service projects.

A measure of Government control over voluntary social work is necessary. But it should not beexercised in a coercive or corrupt manner. What measures can you suggest to ensure that duecontrol is exercised but well meaning, honest NGO efforts are not thwarted?



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Section-A

1. (a) Explain how ethics contributes to social and human well-being.

Thinking Line:

• Well-being is a state of being with others, where human needs are met, where one can act meaningfullyto pursue one's goals, and where one enjoys a satisfactory quality of life.

• But as human beings live their lives, they acquire a wealth of information about the world. Theseideas keep the human being active to achieve something bigger in life.

• But in the race of Scientific and technological advances, economic realities, and global communicationpattern, life has turned to be materialistic and places us apart from the true meaning of life andhappiness. The concept of well-being attached to being satisfied changes to being materialistic.

• At this point of dilemma Ethics teaches to differentiate between concepts of good and bad in ourmoral life in community. Ethics set some standards to guide behavior, choices and actions".

• Ethics helps a person to look at his own life critically and to evaluate his actions/choices/decisions.It assists a person in knowing what he/she really is and what is best for him/her and what he/she has to do in order to attain it.

• It sharpens general thinking process of the human being.

• Thus ethics contributes to social and human well-being by maintaining peace and stability bothexternal and internal.

(b) Why should impartiality and non-partisanship be considered as foundation values in publicservices, especially in the present day socio-political context? Illustrate your answer withexamples.

Thinking Line:

• The public service plays an indispensable role in ensuring peace, order and good government.Whether they are providing advice to ministers, effectively managing a program or providingservice directly to people, all public servants must ensure impartiality and non partisanship.

• However, due to politicisation of the Public Service with respect to recruitment, hiring, promotionsand terminations, the foundational value of impartiality and non-partisanship is decreasing.

• But Public Officers owe loyalty to the Government of the day. They should always serve theGovernment of the day. Public Officers should observe impartiality in their day-to-day functions.

• They should not, therefore, act in a way that is determined by party political considerations or useofficial resources for party purposes.

• They should maintain non-partisanship so that successive governments can have confidence thatthe public service will provide the support in their ministerial functions and mandate withoutbiasness.


HINTS



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• Similarly in social context public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit,using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.

2. (a) What do you understand by the terms 'governance', 'good governance' and 'ethicalgovernance'?

Thinking Line:

• "Governance" means the process of decision-making and the process by which decisions areimplemented (or not implemented).

• Whereas, Good governance is about the processes for making and implementing decisions. It's notabout making 'correct' decisions, but about the best possible process for making those decisions.

• Good governance share several attributes as being participatory, consensus oriented, accountable,transparent, responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive and follows the rule of law.It assures that corruption gets minimized, the views of minorities are taken into account and thatthe voices of the most vulnerable in society are heard in decision-making. It is also responsive to thepresent and future needs of society.

• But the concept of inclusive growth requires amalgamation of ethical perspective in the decisionmaking process.

• Ethical governance denotes administrative measures, procedures and policies that fulfill criteriarequired for the ethically good or acceptable handling of public affairs, such as in publicadministration, public health care, education, and social security.

• For example government programs and policies related to developmental projects come under theconcept of good governance as it aims at inclusive growth and development with properaccountability and transparency system but it becomes ethical governance only when the peopledisplaced due to land acquisition are rehabilitated properly with required livelihood facilities.

(b) Discuss Mahatma Gandhi's concept of seven sins.

Thinking Line:

• The social sin applies to every action against justice in interpersonal relationship, committed eitherby the individual against the community or by the community against the individual.

• Mahatma Gandhi's concept of seven sins include:

a) Wealth without work: This refers to the practice of getting something for nothing. This includesplaying the stock market; gambling; sweat-shop slavery; over-estimating one's worth, like someheads of corporations drawing exorbitant salaries which are not always commensurate with thework they do.

b) Pleasure without conscience: People find imaginative and dangerous ways of bringing excitementto their otherwise dull lives. Their search for pleasure and excitement often ends up costing societyvery heavily.

c) Knowledge without character: Our obsession with materialism tends to make us more concernedabout acquiring knowledge so that we can get a better job and make more money. A lucrativecareer is preferred to an illustrious character. Our educational centers emphasize career-buildingand not character building.

d) Commerce without morality: When profit making becomes the most important aspect of business,morals and ethics usually go overboard. We cut benefits and even salaries of employees. People getindulge in commerce without morality to make more money by any means possible.

e) Science without humanity: The person due to very little understanding of the higher humanpurposes that the technology is striving to serve, becomes victims of technocracy.

f) Religion without sacrifice: Religion has been reduced to meaningless rituals practiced mindlessly.Temples, churches, synagogues, mosques and those entrusted with the duty of interpreting religionto lay people seek to control through fear of hell, damnation, and purgatory. True religion is basedon spirituality, love, compassion, understanding, and appreciation of each other



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g) Politics without principle: It states that having politics without truth(s) to justly dictate the actioncreates chaos, which ultimately leads to violence.

3. (a) Analyse John Rawls's concept of social justice in the Indian context.

Thinking Line:

• Social justice denotes the equal treatment of all citizens without any social distinction based oncaste, colour, race, religion, sex and so on.

• Social justice principle of John Rawls identifies that each person should have equal rights to themost extensive liberties consistent with other people enjoying the same liberties; and that inequalitiesshould be arranged so that they would be to everyone's advantage and arranged so that no personwould be blocked from occupying any position.

• From these two principles Rawls derives an egalitarian conception of justice that would allow theinequality of conditions implied by equality of opportunity but would also give more attention tothose born with fewer assets and into less favorable social positions.

• He argues that the only way we can arrive at a fair and just rule is if we imagine ourselves to bein a situation in which we have to make decisions about how society should be organised althoughwe do not know which position we would ourselves occupy in that society. Rawls describes thisas thinking under a 'veil of ignorance'.

• He expects that in such a situation of complete ignorance about our possible position and status insociety, each person would decide in the way they generally do, that is, in terms of their owninterests.

• This concept can be used in case of distribution of resources, like education, Food health, shelter,etc., are available to all persons, even if they are not part of the upper class.

• The decision should be taken based on rationality not the benevolence or generosity.

(b) Discuss the Public Service Code as recommended by the 2nd Administrative ReformsCommission.

Thinking Line:

• Civil servants have special obligations because they are responsible for managing resources entrustedto them by the community, because they provide and deliver services to the community and becausethey take important decisions that affect all aspects of a community's life.

• The community has a right to expect that the civil service functions fairly, impartially and efficiently.It is essential that the community must be able to trust and have confidence in the integrity of thecivil service decision-making process. Within the civil service itself, it needs to be ensured that thedecisions and actions of civil servants reflect the policies of the government of the day and thestandards that the community expects from them as government servants.

• In a democracy, an efficient civil service must have a set of values that distinguishes it from otherprofessions. Integrity, dedication to public service, impartiality, political neutrality, anonymity etcare said to be the hallmarks of an efficient civil service.

• The public service code recommended by second ARC includes:

a) At the apex level, there should be a clear and concise statement of the values and ethical standardsthat a civil servant should imbibe. These values should reflect public expectations from a civilservant with reference to political impartiality, maintenance of highest ethical standards andaccountability for actions.

b) At the second level, the broad principles which should govern the behaviour of a civil servant maybe outlined. This would constitute the Code of Ethics.

c) At the third level, there should be a specific Code of Conduct stipulating in a precise andunambiguous manner, a list of acceptable and unacceptable behaviour and actions.



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• The Code of Ethics should be given a statutory backing by including them in the proposed CivilServices Bill.

4. (a) "Corruption cause misuse of government treasury, administrative inefficiency and obstructionin the path of national development." Discuss Kautilya's views.

Thinking Line:

• It has precisely been defined as a deviant human behaviour, associated with the motivation ofprivate gain at public expense and, as such, has persisted for centuries.

• Corruption promotes illegality, unethicalism, subjectivity, inequity, injustice, waste, inefficiency andinconsistency in administrative conduct and behaviour.

• It destroys the moral fabric of society and erodes the faith of the common man in the legitimacyof the politico-administrative set up.

• Kautilya argued that too much of personal interaction or union among the higher executives leadsto departmental goals being compromised and leads to corruption. This is because human emotionsand personal concerns act as impediments to the successful running of an administration, whichis basically a rule-based impersonal affair.

• Similarly, dissension among executives when team effort is required results in a poor outcome.

• Kautilya suggested that the decline in output and corruption can be curbed by promotingprofessionalism at work. The superintendents should execute work with the subordinate officialssuch as accountants, writers, coin-examiners, treasurers and military officers in a team spirit.

• Such an effort creates a sense of belonging among members of the department who start identifyingand synchronising their goals with the larger goals of the organisation, thereby contributing to theeventual success of the state.

• Further Kautilya advocated hefty fines to be imposed apart from the confiscation of ill-earnedhordes. If a functionary was charged and proved even of a single offence, he was made answerablefor all other associated offences related to the case. Since taxes paid by the people are utilised fortheir welfare, any loss of revenue affects the welfare of the society at large.

(b) How could social influence and persuasion contribute to the success of Swachh BharatAbhiyan?

Thinking Line:

• Social influence and persuasion is the change in behavior that one person causes in another,intentionally or unintentionally, as a result of the way the changed person perceives themselves inrelationship to the influencer, other people and society in general.

• As the behavior and attitude of person decides his actions, social influence and persuasion techniquecan be used to change one's actions and participation towards government schemes.

• Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is being an essentially 'Clean India Programe' based on participatoryprocess to achieve considerable success. The foundation of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is to createa chain of people who will work together and inspire others to clean their surroundings.

• But mindset of a major portion of the population habituated to open defecation. Many of themalready have a toilet but prefer to defecate in the open. There is need to change triggering behaviorand involve the citizen in vast section of rural population regarding need to use toilets.

• For social influence several celebrities have been nominated and each would, in turn, nominateothers and the others would nominate accordingly - making the whole of India to come under onefold.

• An army of 'foot soldiers' or 'SwachhataDoots' on sanitation could be developed and activated.

• People can be persuaded towards sanitation by providing Incentives for individual household latrineunits.



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5. Law and ethics are considered to be the two tools for controlling human conduct so as to make

it conducive to civilized social existence.

(a) Discuss how they achieve this objective.

(b) Giving examples, show how the two differ in their approaches.

Thinking Line:

• Law can be defined as a consistent set of rules that are widely published, generally accepted, and

usually enforced. These rules describe the ways in which people are required to act in their

relationships with others in a society. They are requirements to act in a given way, not just expectations

or suggestions to act in that way. Since the government establishes law, the government can use

police powers to enforce laws.

• Ethics is the voluntary framework of guiding principles, which brings order and purpose into what

would otherwise be a void between laws. Ethics are internal obligations on an individual whereas

laws are external obligation.

6. Our attitudes towards life, work, other people and society are generally shaped unconsciously

by the family and the social surroundings in which we grow up. Some of these unconsciously

acquired attitudes and values are often undesirable in the citizens of a modern democratic and

egalitarian society.


Thinking Line:

• Values are standards, rules, criteria, attitudes, guidelines, desirable ideas/beliefs and important

things, which play a crucial role in shaping the life of individuals.

• The values that a person holds have been derived from family, friends, neighbours, teachers, mass

media and so on.

• The undesirable values prevalent in today's educated Indians are:

a) Tendency to consider material possessions and physical comfort as more important than spiritual

values.

b) Intolerance towards recognizing and accepting characteristics that differs from one's own.

c) Insensitivity towards people

d) Lack of integrity and truthfulness in private and public life

(b) How can such undesirable attitudes be changed and socio-ethical values considered

necessary in public services be cultivated in the aspiring and serving civil servants ?

Thinking Line:

• Each person's actions should be guided by following principles:

a) The person should perform one's Duties. This includes the behaviors expected of persons who

occupy certain roles; that is, the obligations taken on when assuming a role or profession.

b) The person should have righteous virtues. It is the qualities that define what a good person is; moral

excellence

c) The person should be guided by principles that form the basis for behavior.

d) The actions of person should be for the benefits to society i.e. the actions that produce the greatest

good for the greatest number.



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7. Anger is a harmful negative emotion. It is injurious to both personal life and work life.



Thinking Line:

• Anger is "an emotional state that varies in intensity from mild irritation to intense fury and rage.The instinctive, natural way to express anger is to respond aggressively and it is a natural outflowof emotions.

• But the anger can be converted or redirected. This happens when person hold in anger, stopthinking about it, and focus on something positive.

• Hence for managing anger following steps are needed:

a) Angry people need to become aware of their demanding nature and translate their expectationsinto desires.

b) Angry people tend to jump to - and act on - conclusions, and some of those conclusions can be veryinaccurate. Hence, listen carefully to what the other person is saying and take time before answering

c) Listen to what is underlying the anger.

d) Find healthier ways to express your anger.

8. "Max Weber said that it is not wise to apply to public administration the sort of moral andethical norms we apply to matters of personal conscience. It is important to realise that the Statebureaucracy might possess its own independent bureaucratic morality." Critically analyse thisstatement.

Thinking Line:Section -

• Weber has characterized bureaucracy by hierarchical organization, delineated lines of authority,action taken on the basis of and recorded in written rules, career advancement depends on technicalqualifications judged by organization, not individuals, etc.

• He has made a clear distinction between the private and official life of a bureaucrat. He stressedthat bureaucrats were personally free as they were subjected to legal rational authority with respectto their impersonal official obligations.

• They have to work under the clear schedule of duties for which they were responsible and thisexcludes them from unlisted duties.

• But there has been an enormous increase in the scope of governmental activity and in the range ofits objectives. This expansion has deposited immense power and authority in the hands of publicofficials, thereby increasing opportunities for abuse of power and authority, as well as incidents ofunethical activities. For example top position holders may prioritise their power and privileges atthe expense of the bureaucracy goals.

• But as they are responsible for managing resources entrusted to them by the community and towork for the betterment of people, thus basic ethical principles have to be maintained to establishethical governance.

Section-B

9. A fresh engineering graduate gets a job in a prestigious chemical industry. She likes the work.The salary is also good. However, after a few months she accidentally discovers that a highlytoxic waste is being secretly discharged into a river nearby. This is causing health problems tothe villagers downstream who depend on the river for their water needs. She is perturbed andmentions her concern to her colleagues who have been with the company for longer periods.They advise her to keep quite as anyone who mentions the topic is summarily dismissed. Shecannot risk losing her job as she is the sole bread-winner for her family and has to support herailing parents and siblings. At first, she thinks that if her seniors are keeping quiet, why should



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she stick out her neck. But her conscience pricks her to do something to save the river and thepeople who depend upon it. At heart she feels that the advice of silence given by her friendsis not correct though she cannot give reasons for it. She thinks you are a wise person and seeksyour advice.


Thinking Line:Secti

• In the above stated case study the dilemma is to whether take the side of villagers who dependson the river for their livelihood and getting affected due to pollution or to keep quiet and save one'sjob.

• It is a case study related to dilemma between job security or working for the greatest good of thepeople. Absolute morality is not feasible and practical also.

• Keeping quiet is not morally right because:

a) Decision of giving a blind eye to the situation is incorrect as water pollution is affecting the livesof many villagers including children.

b) Keeping quiet for the sake of job and salary is incorrect as due to this selfish act many lives are atstake. Other jobs can be persuaded but the impact of water pollution is irreversible.


Thinking Line:Secti

• The course of action can be:

a) Collecting data about the impact of water pollution on the villagers and designing a proper reporton that to depict its negative impact.

b) As stated in the case study seniors are indifferent towards this issue, thus the report can be submittedin government organization (NGT).

c) Other job can be persuaded and the PIL on the above stated issue can be filed in the courtsubmitting proper data and records.

10. Land needed for mining, dams and other large-scale projects is acquired mostly from Adivasis,hill dwellers and rural communities. The displaced persons are paid monetary compensation asper the legal provisions. However, the payment is often tardy. In any case, it cannot sustain thedisplaced families for long. These people do not possess marketable skills to engage in someother occupation. They end up as low paid migrant labourers. Moreover, their traditional waysof community living are destroyed. Thus, the benefits of development go to industries,industrialists and urban communities whereas the costs are passed on to these poor helplesspeople. This unjust distribution of costs and benefits is unethical.

Suppose you have been entrusted with the task of drafting a better compensation-cum-rehabilitation policy for such displaced persons, how you approach the problem and whatwould be the main elements of Your suggested policy ?

Thinking Line:Sect

Compulsory acquisition of land for public purpose including infrastructure projects displaces people, forcingthem to give up their home, assets and means of livelihood. Apart from depriving them of their lands,livelihoods and resource-base, displacement has other traumatic psychological and socio-cultural consequences.

The compensation-cum-rehabilitation policy should be based on the following principles:

a) Rehabilitation of tribals with proper arrangement of basic amenities.

b) Compensation should not be equated only with monetary compensation, proper vocational and skilldevelopment training should be provided.



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c) The cultural structure of the tribals should be preserved while formulating rehabilitation policy.

Thus the steps which can be initiated are:

• Principle of rehabilitation before displacement;

• Skill development support and preference in project jobs ( one person per nuclear family );

• Option for shares in companies implementing projects to affected families;

• Housing benefits to all affected families including the landless;

• Monthly pension to the vulnerable, such as disabled, destitute, orphans, widows, unmarried girls,

Skill development support and preference in project jobs ( one person per nuclear family );

• Necessary infrastructural facilities and amenities at resettlement areas.

• Initiate a livelihood development programmes such as initiation of financial inclusion drive or

formation of self help groups to improve their suitable skills.

• Provide a basic education ground for all people and create awareness about their rights provided

under different laws, programmes and policies.

• Help them in using their indigenous knowledge for improving crop yield to maintain food security

in the long run.

• Provide vocational education.

Compensation is not a replacement for property, it is only indemnification for the losses of the private owner.

So, the right to property cannot be regarded as merely a right to compensation and it cannot be said that a

state has a power to take private property as long as it compensates the owner.

11. Suppose you are an officer in-charge of implementing a social service scheme to provide support

to old and destitute women. An old and illiterate woman comes to you to avail the benefits of

the scheme. However, she has no documents to show that she fulfils the eligibility-criteria. But

after meeting her and listening to her you feel that she certainly needs support. Your enquiries

also show that she is really destitute and living in a pitiable condition. You are in a dilemma

as to what to do. Putting her under the scheme without necessary documents would clearly be

violation of rules. But denying her the support would be cruel and inhuman.



Thinking Line:Sect

In the above case study being an officer in-charge of implementing a social service scheme, it is one's duty

to help the old and destitute women.

But sense of dutifulness should not be swayed by the emotions. Thus as stated above the documents required

for availing the benefits are missing, the steps which can be taken are:

a) The officer in charge after proper verification can send her with reference to the required office for

getting the documents. This will not be violation of rules as identification of beneficiaries and

providing benefits comes under one's duty.

b) He should aware her about the other government schemes (antyodaya scheme, pension scheme) so

that after getting proper documents she can avail other benefits also provided by the government.

c) The campaign can be initiated to identify the beneficiaries for the scheme and to organize camps

for formation of required documents bi-monthly.



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12. You are a young, aspiring and sincere employee in a Government office working as an assistantto the director of your department. Since you have joined recently, you need to learn andprogress. Luckily your superior is very kind and ready to train you for your job. He is a veryintelligent and well-informed person having knowledge of various departments. In short, yourespect your boss and are looking forward to learn a lot from him.


You reached his house and before you could ring the bell you heard shouting noises. You waitedfor a while. After entering the house the boss greeted you and explained the work. But youwere constantly disturbed by the crying of a woman. At last, you inquired with the boss but hisanswer did not satisfy you.

Next day, you were compelled to inquire further in the office and found out that his behaviouris very bad at home with his wife. He also beats up his wife.

His wife is not well educated and is a simple woman in comparison to her husband. You seethat though your boss is a nice person in the office, he is engaged in domestic violence at home.





Thinking Line:S

The above case is related to incident of domestic violence. In the official duty the person is good at behaviorbut at home he is involved in domestic violence. The steps which can be initiated are:

(a) Just ignore thinking about it because it is their personal matter

It is a personal matter and being a subordinate one should not interfere in personal matter of others. But asstated, it is a matter related to domestic violence thus a blind eye cannot be given to that.

Steps need to be taken to resolve the issue.


Reporting a case to the appropriate authority without any evidence will not serve the purpose. It willdeteriorate the relation more between the two and will alert the senior.

Also the judicial laws with respect to family relationships are needs to be accurate and with fair determinationof guilt or innocence. Thus reporting a case should be a last resort. Steps should be initiated to rebuild it.


As cleared in the case, victim is bearing the pain of domestic violence but has not complained about it. Somoving out and complaining to authorities will not serve the purpose as women might not move against hishusband.

Hence, my innovative approach will focus on rebuilding the relationship. The steps which can be taken inthis direction are:

1. I will develop the informal talks with the senior so that issue can be raised.

2. I will try to persuade the senior by referring him to different incidents or cases and its implicationson reputation and status of individual.

3. The support of colleagues (close to boss) in office can be taken to bring change in the mindset ofthe officer.



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13. ABC Ltd. is a large transnational company having diversified business activities with a hugeshareholder base. The company is continuously expanding and generating employment. The

company, in its expansion and diversification programme, decides to establish a new plant atVikaspuri, an area which is underdeveloped. The new plant is designed to use energy efficienttechnology that will help the company to wave production cost by 20%. The company's decisiongoes well with the Government policy of attracting investment to develop such underdevelopedregions. The Government has also announced tax holiday for five years for the companies thatinvest in underdeveloped areas. However, the new plant may bring chaos for the inhabitantsof Vikaspuri region, which is otherwise tranquil. The new plant may result in increased costof living, aliens migrating to the region disturbing the social and economic order. The companysensing the possible protest tried to educate the people of Vikaspuri region and public in

general that how its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policy would help overcome thelikely difficulties of the residents of Vikaspuri region. In spite of this the protests begin andsome of the residents decided to approach the judiciary as their plea before the Governmentdid not yield any result.


(b) What can be suggested to satisfy the company's goal and to address the residents'

concerns?

Thinking Line:S

The business should include the sense of social responsibility. A social responsibility is an obligation thatbusinesses have to act in ways that benefit the society. It means that businesses have an obligation to helpout the poor, or to help clean up environment.


In the above case study the issues involved are:

• Mistrust between the local people and the company over the intention of goals of the company.

• Influx of people from other region may disturb the socio economic condition and may also affect

the culture.

• As it is underdeveloped region, the employment opportunities for the local will be related to unskilledand resources will move to others who are more skilled and educated.

(b) What can be suggested to satisfy the company's goal and to address the residents' concerns?

• Providing better life opportunities in areas as good schools, better health options under CSR.

• The employment opportunities can be provided with proper skill development mechanism.

• The strategy for management of waste and other environmental issues should be transparent.Participation of local people should be there in designing the strategy.

• Company should invest in enhancing community livelihood by incorporating them into their supply

chain.

• Transparency and proper accountability system should be maintained.

14. Saraswati was a successful IT professional in USA. Moved by the patriotic sense of doingsomething for the country shereturned to India. Together with some other like-minded friends,she formed an NGO to build a school for a poor rural community.

The objective of the school was to provide the best quality modern education at a nominal cost.She soon discovered that she has to seek permission from a number of government agencies.The rules and procedures were quite confusing and cumbersome. What frustrated her most wasthe delays, callous attitude of officials and constant demand for bribes. Her experience and theexperience of many others like her deterred people from taking up social service projects.



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Thinking Line:S

Cases of involvement of NGO in corruption and mis-utilisation of funds are increasing. But there are manygenuine initiatives also which require government support to initiate positive steps for the betterment of themarginalized people.

The steps which can be taken are:

a) Single window clearance mechanism can be established to reduce the registration time.

b) The centralized system can be designed for registration of NGOs and then they can be linked withrespective ministries to improve coordination and transparency in funding pattern.

c) The funding mechanism from the donors should be made accountable and money beyond a certainamount should be disclosed to the government.

d) Third party Audit mechanism should be made mandatory so that genuine efforts can be differentiatedproperly with malpractices.

e) The mechanism for registration for opening schools, health facilities or other social initiatives shouldbe made more people friendly.

f) Changes should be proposed in the management and marketing of the NGOs.



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GS SCORE - ETHICS MOCK TEST SERIES (Test No. 2; Question No. 6; Dated - 15 April 2016)

Q. Do you agree that because of absence of commitment and responsiveness, a wide gap has emerged

between "Government" and "Governance"? Discuss with respect to utilization of public funds in

welfare activities.

Thinking line:

• The Administration is the cutting edge of the public administration system in the country. Be it the

issue of ration or electoral identity cards, procurement of foodgrains, implementation of employment

guarantee schemes, supply of drinking water, mutation of land records, functioning of primary

schools and healthcare centres or control of epidemics in the countryside, it is the instrumentalities

of the administration with which citizens have to interact.

• The requisites moral qualities include not only the willingness to serve the public but also the willingness

to behave competently, efficiently, honestly, responsibly, objectively, fairly and accountably.

• There are laid down rules and procedures for every aspect of the government's functioning and its

interaction with the common man but, due to overemphasis of it, the adequacies of fund utilization

get jeopardized as accountability in the public sector has traditionally been based on compliance with

rules and procedures. It didn't matter what government did as long as it observed the rules.

• The government machinery should not mainly focuses of target completion but on actual impact of

it on the target beneficiary. The commitment and responsiveness to the marganalised persons are also

important.

GS Score Test Series Comparison withUPSC GS Mains 2016

PAPER - IV

What do you understand by the terms 'governance', 'good governance' and 'ethical governance'?

UPSC Ques. - 2 (a)

Discuss Mahatma Gandhi's concept of seven sins.

UPSC Ques. - 2 (b)

GS SCORE - ETHICS TEST SERIES (Test No. 1; Question No. 10; Dated - 26 August 2016)

Q. What is a social sin? Is there any standard definition of it? How can we abstain from social sins?

And if we fail to abstain from so called social sins, what would be the consequences?

Thinking line:

• The social sin applies to every action against justice in interpersonal relationship, committed either bythe individual against the community or by the community against the individual. There is no effectiveand standard definition of social sin till date which explicitly interprets the wider meaning of theterm, however, as per its nature it can be defined as "those actions which are the results of thousandsor even millions of different selfish choices by as many different people and thus is collective, anaspect of our society which doesn't resemble the kingdom of God".



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• A social sin usually involves other people. However in today's changing scenario of the world havechanged the dimensions of social sins which include:

(a) Bioethical violations such as birth control(b) Morally dubious experiments such as stem cell research(c) Drug abuse(d) Polluting the environment(e) Contributing to widening divide between rich and poor(f) Excessive wealth(g) Creating poverty

• For abstaining from the social sin, awareness about the sin and its consequences on oneself andsociety is must. This will help an individual in choosing the right path in life.

• The consequences of social sin can be felt at both the individual level as well as the societal level. Forexample: corruption is one of the biggest social sins in the present era. Money that is meant to benefitthe people is diverted to the pockets of corrupt government officials and their conspirators. It can leadto death and damage of property when corrupt government officials allow corporations to destroythe environment that causes flooding, air pollution, and climate change.

• Similarly use of biotechnology for cloning or stem cell research have ethical implications as it contradictsthe duty to prevent or alleviate suffering, and the duty to respect the value of human life.

• Hence people should abstain from involving in social sins.

How could social influence and persuasion contribute to the success of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan?

GS SCORE - ETHICS TEST SERIES (Test No. 3; Question No. 5; Dated - 4 March 2016)

Q. Persuasion is a potent weapon in hands of civil servants. Critically examine. Illustrate throughone example.

Thinking line:

• Persuasion can be defined as a conscious attempt by an individual to change attitude or behavior ofa group through transmission of some message.

• The civil servants have to work, generally with teams and people belonging to different departments.Persuasion has been perceived as potent weapon in the hands of civil servants through which theycan encourage their team mates to work with more efficiency.

• There may be times when the team may lose its energy level, then the team leader by using hispersuasion skills like appeal to reason, appeal to emotion and communication abilities can persuadehis teammates to work towards their goals.

• Moreover civil servants, by setting personal examples like coming to office on time, working honestlywith integrity can persuade others in the organization also.

• There have been civil servants like Sreedharan, ICS Mangat Rai, Shankaran who have been goodexamples in their field to persuade their co-workers using their skills and abilities.

Law and ethics are considered to be the two tools for controlling human conduct so as to makeit conducive to civilized social existence.

(a) Discuss how they achieve this objective.(b) Giving examples, show how the two differ in their approaches.

UPSC Ques. - 5

GS SCORE - ETHICS TEST SERIES (Test No. 1; Question No. 5; Dated - 26 August 2016)

Q. Is it necessary that 'what is ethical is also legal' and vice versa? Explain with examples.

UPSC Ques. - 4 (b)



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Thinking line:

• Law can be defined as a consistent set of rules that are widely published, generally accepted, and

usually enforced.

• These rules describe the ways in which people are required to act in their relationships with others

in a society. They are requirements to act in a given way, not just expectations or suggestions to act

in that way.

• Since the government establishes law, the government can use police powers to enforce laws.

• Ethics is the voluntary framework of guiding principles, which brings order and purpose into what

would otherwise be a void between laws. Ethics are internal obligations on an individual whereas

laws are external obligation.

• It is ethical to not give capital punishment as it is against the Right to life but according to law it is

correct (mainly for heinous crime) for maintenance of law and order in society.

• Similarly, the law often incorporates ethical standards to which most citizens subscribe. But laws can

deviate from what is ethical. For example the laws made during Britishers were unethical in theme

or the old apartheid laws of South Africa.

• Hence what is ethical is also legal and vice versa are not always correct.

Our attitudes towards life, work, other people and society are generally shaped unconsciously bythe family and the social surroundings in which we grow up. Some of these unconsciouslyacquired attitudes and values are often undesirable in the citizens of a modern democratic andegalitarian society.


(b) How can such undesirable attitudes be changed and socio-ethical values considered necessaryin public services be cultivated in the aspiring and serving civil servants?

UPSC Ques. - 6


Q. People generally teach their children how to read, write, speak but never teach how to developa positive thought process. Discuss the importance of teaching a healthy thinking process. Whygenerally it has taken a back seat in the learning process?

Thinking line:

• Parents are the most influential agents in the child's learning of morals. Mother is the first teacher andHome is the first school". The minds of children develop in the major way through the process of non- formal education at home. Parental attitudes and behavioral responses to right and wrong, goodand evil, acceptable and unacceptable, set the tone and direction of the child's moral development.

• Hence in the whole process of teaching parents teaches how to read, write, speak but forget to teachthe positive thinking that acts a basic ground for development of individual as a morally and ethicallysound individual.

• Positive thinking aims to help people be more aware of the power of their thoughts and moods andhow to manage them in order to lead happier and more successful lives. The central idea is that itis not what happens to individuals, which leads them to be happy, healthy or successful, but howthey interpret what happens to them and the extent to which they believe that it is possible toinfluence such events.

• Whilst positive thinking has traditionally been viewed as a strategy for helping people to deal withproblems, but implementation of positive thinking programmes is needed in order to improve thequality of learning and achievement in young people.



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GS SCORE - ETHICS TEST SERIES (Test No. 5; Question No. 2; Dated - 3 April 2016)

Q. "Anger is just anger. It isn't good. It isn't bad. It just is! What you do with it is what matters." In

light of this statement and the fact that anger comes very naturally to many of us, give ways in

which it can be used constructively and how can it be managed?

Thinking line:

• Anger is "an emotional state that varies in intensity from mild irritation to intense fury and rage. Theinstinctive, natural way to express anger is to respond aggressively and it is a natural outflow ofemotions.

• But the anger can be converted or redirected. This happens when person hold in anger, stop thinkingabout it, and focus on something positive.

• Hence for managing anger following steps are needed:

(a) Angry people need to become aware of their demanding nature and translate their expectations intodesires.

(b) Angry people tend to jump to - and act on - conclusions, and some of those conclusions can be veryinaccurate. Hence, listen carefully to what the other person is saying and take time before answering.

(c) Listen to what is underlying the anger.

(d) Find healthier ways to express your anger.

Anger is a harmful negative emotion. It is injurious to both personal life and work life.



UPSC Ques. - 7

• It generally takes a back seat because children are pushed to the competition arena since childhood.It lays greater emphasis on developing memorization and reproduction abilities rather than developingoneself as a ethical person.

• Parents must guide their children to become practical heroes but not platform heroes.

A fresh engineering graduate gets a job in a prestigious chemical industry. She likes the work. Thesalary is also good. However, after a few months she accidentally discovers that a highly toxic wasteis being secretly discharged into a river nearby. This is causing health problems to the villagersdownstream who depend on the river for their water needs. She is perturbed and mentions herconcern to her colleagues who have been with the company , for longer periods. They advise her tokeep quite as anyone who mentions the topic is summarily dismissed. She cannot risk losing her jobas she is the sole bread-winner for her family and has to support her ailing parents and siblings. Atfirst, she thinks that if her seniors are keeping quiet, why should she stick out her neck. But herconscience pricks her to do something to save the river and the people who depend upon it. Atheart she feels that the advice of silence given by her friends is not correct though she cannot givereasons for it. She thinks you are a wise person and seeks your advice.



UPSC Ques. - 9

GS SCORE - ETHICS TEST SERIES (Test No. 1; Question No. 14; Dated - 19 February 2016)

Q. A dispensary has been opened in a rural area. It is the sole hospital in the region and provideshealth care facilities to people. But the dispensary is not following the bio-medical rules and



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disposes the waste in the backyard which is affecting the health of the people and also impactingthe animal husbandry. You are health inspector of the region and got the complaint related to it.Answer the following:

(A) What are the options available to you?

Thinking line:

• Dispensaries generate various kinds of wastes from wards, operation theatres and out-patient areas.These wastes include bandages, cotton, soiled linen, body parts, sharps (needle, syringes etc), medicines(discarded or expired), laboratory wastes etc. which carry infection and should be properly collected,segregated, stored, transported, treated and disposed to prevent contamination and infection.

• In the above case the dispensary is not following bio-medical rules while treating the rural people.Hence strict actions cannot be taken against it. Hence the options available are:

(a) Talk to the head of the dispensary and try to analyse the reasons for not following of rules. Thereasons can be - shortage of manpower, shortage of equipment, etc.

(b) Manpower can be allotted for the work by the government or training can be provided to the medicalstaff for its proper disposal.

(c) Alongwith that a separate dumpyard can be built for disposal of bio-medical waste.

(d) Subsidy can be provided for setting up of incinerator for safe disposal of waste.

(e) Awareness campaign can be initiated in the rural area against the adverse health impact of bio-medical waste.

(f) Give a warning to the head of dispensary and if mistake has been repeated strict action can be takenagainst him (but this should be treated as last option).

(B) Do you think that monitoring is more important than formation of rules and regulations? How toensure the effective monitoring?

Thinking line:

• Mere formation of rules and regulations do not lead to their implementation. Time to time monitoringin different areas is must to assure that rules are been followed.

• Monitoring creates an external obligation of the entity for following the rules. As in the above case,government has made bio-medical waste handling rules but whether they are being followed or notrequires monitoring.

• The people who have enlightened conscience do not need monitoring as they are aligned to ethicalrules without external boundation but in the present scenario individualism is increasing and conceptof common good to all is diminishing thus monitoring is must.

• For effective monitoring, firstly the training of government officers is must so that they can identifythe lacunaes easily and can initiate steps to address the issue.

• Secondly public participation is must as in the above case study, Health Monitoring Committee canbe formed consisting of rural people with government head to monitor the working of dispensary(also that of nearby region)

Land needed for mining, dams and other large-scale projects is acquired mostly from Adivasis,hill dwellers and rural communities. The displaced persons are paid monetary compensation asper the legal provisions. However, the payment is often tardy. In any case, it cannot sustain thedisplaced families for long. These people do not possess marketable skills to engage in someother occupation. They end up as low paid migrant labourers. Moreover, their traditional waysof community living are destroyed. Thus, the benefits of development go to industries, industrialistsand urban communities whereas the costs are passed on to these poor helpless people. Thisunjust distribution of costs and benefits is unethical. Suppose you have been entrusted with thetask of drafting a better compensation-cum-rehabilitation policy for such displaced persons, howyou approach the problem and what would be the main elements of your suggested policy?

UPSC Ques. - 10



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GS SCORE - ETHICS TEST SERIES (Test No. 8; Question No. 19; Dated - 14 October 2016)

Q.1 As adviser to the Minister of tribal affairs you have, among others, an “agenda of modernization”

of the tribal people. When giving recommendations to the minister on various steps need to the

taken for modernization of the tribal people what difference of approach would be required in

this case from an agenda of modernization of general population? Enlist five priorities for

modernization of the tribal population that you would like to recommend to the Minister.

Thinking line:

• Tribal development should be viewed not merely in terms of material needs but equally or even more

so in relation to non-material needs such as the right to live with freedom, human dignity and self-

respect. Hence, a multi-dimensional approach to 'tribal development' with the basic concepts of

ecology, environment, human resources and protection of human rights should be incorporated.

• The approach should be such that:

(a) People should develop along the lines of their own genius and we should try to encourage in every

way their own traditional arts and culture.

(b) Tribal rights in land and forest should be respected.

(c) We should try to train and build up a team of their own people to do the work of administration

and development Some technical personnel from outside will, no doubt, be needed especially in the

beginning. But we should avoid introducing too many outsiders into tribe's.

(d) We should not over administer these areas or overwhelm them with a multiplicity of schemes. We

should rather work through, and not on rivalry to, their own social and cultural institutions.

• Thus to meet this approach following steps can be taken:

(a) Initiate a livelihood development programmes such as initiation of financial inclusion drive or formation

of self heals groups to improve their suitable skills.

(b) Provide a basic education ground for all people and create awareness about their rights provided


(c) Help them in using their indigenous knowledge for improving crop yield to maintain food security

in the long run.

(d) Provide vocational education.


Q.2 You are a Tribal officer of Jharkhand. Once you visited a tribal region. You noticed that poverty,

hunger, malnutrition and impoverishment have been the perennial problems for them. With your

team efforts, you initiated a development drive there by providing subsidised foods, primary

education and health facilities.

But you were shocked to see that they had rejected these subsidies and asked for livelihood

amenities to live a respected life, not on charity.

(A) What would be your reaction to the above situation?

Thinking line:

• In the above situation the tribal people want a sustainable livelihood tool rather than charity in form

of subsidies which may help for short term goal but fail to initiate a growth driven society.

• You may call a meeting with the leader of the tribal society to understand their viewpoints. This will

help in understanding the different dimensions of the issue.

(B) What steps would you initiate to improve their livelihoods?

Thinking line:

The steps can be taken are:



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(a) Initiate a livelihood development programmes such as initiation of financial inclusion drive or formation

of self heal groups to improve their suitable skills.

(b) Provide a basic education ground for all people and create awareness about their rights provided


(c) You can help them in using their indigenous knowledge for improving crop yield to maintain foodsecurity in the long run.

(d) You can help them in vocational education related to low level skills so that they can initiate cottageindustries.

(e) You can initiate a process for establishing a village mandi for selling of minor forest produce and caninitiate a process of placing their art and culture in different Melas and trade fairs.

• All the above stated process may help in improving their livelihoods in long term.

Suppose you are an officer in-charge of implementing a social service scheme to provide supportto old and destitute women. An old and illiterate woman comes to you to avail the benefits ofthe scheme. However, she has no documents to show that she fulfils the eligibility-criteria. Butafter meeting her and listening to her you feel that she certainly needs support. Your enquiriesalso show that she is really destitute and living in a pitiable condition. You are in a dilemma asto what to do. Putting her under the scheme without necessary documents would clearly beviolation of rules. But denying her the support would be cruel and inhuman.



UPSC Ques. - 11

GS SCORE QUESTION: (ETHICS WORKBOOK (Test No. 3; Question No. 3)

Q. You are head of an organization which has a large public interface. One day an old man approaches

you and complaints that one asstt. incharge of old age pension scheme is demanding Rs 100=00

from him for clearing his pension claims. He has further revealed that this is a common practice

in this office and those who do not pay the bribe money, are harassed.

You have become very upset with the state of affairs and want to solve the problem of the old

man along with bringing some qualitative changes in the work culture of the organization, for

better service delivery.

(A) What are the options available to you?

(B) Evaluate each of these options and choose the option which you would adopt giving reasons.

Thinking line:

Such wrong practices in any organization of demanding for bribes do not culminate over a day but over

a period of months and years. The various options available with the head to set things right are-

(a) He should try to arrive at the root cause of problem as in such cases there is a nexus within the

organization. Without going to the deeper cause, proper solution cannot be find out.

(b) He can create a vigilance cell to trap the case as to why the things are going wrong but this is a time

taking procedure.

(c) The head can also himself go for the inspection of officials that why such a wrong environment is

prevalent in the organization. This involves a personal investigation on his part.

(d) The pension money can directly by transferred to the accounts of the beneficiaries. But this requires

that they should have a bank account and putting the things, into action for first time is a cumbersome

process. But once it starts function, it will decrease corruption.



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GS SCORE - ETHICS MOCK TEST SERIES (Test No. 1; Question No. 16; Dated - 8 April 2016)

Q.1 A complaint is received in the late night in a local police station of a major city by a woman who

is professionally well placed regarding domestic violence by her husband who is a senior

government official living in a posh apartment. The woman was very scared and she said she was

alone and in a SOS condition and cannot talk more.

(A) The police officer in Charge is reminded of a similar event in which a young but senior police

officer threw his wife from the balcony of a high rise building in a rage of anger and later killed

himself by his service revolver. He is clueless how to act fast. What is the intelligent course of

action for the police officer immediately and in medium term to stop mis-happenings whatsoever?

(B) When both husband and wife are educated and professionally well settled in their careers, the

crisis is more of a moral and ethical nature arising due to lack of flexibility to adjust with each

other. Since such cases are on the rise due to economic empowerment and freedom, what could

be done at institutional level to help such estranged couples?

(C) What is the limitation of legal courses to reduce domestic violence and will it be better and more

effective to resort to counseling by a social and psychiatric clinics to resolve the cases of domestic

violence and why?

Thinking line:

(a) In SOS conditions the first thing that is to be noted is that taking more reaction time can lead to fatalviolence even death; this means that in his talk with the woman, he should first clearly ask about herlocation and address. Thereafter the police officer should rush to the place of occurrence with

(e) The head can consult the beneficiaries, ask them about the problems they are facing.

The suggested course of action for the head should be first to arrive at the root cause as to why such

wrong practices are culminating in the organization. To reduce the cases of corruption and bribe taking,

the suggested step is to transfer the pension directly to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries so that

leakages do not occur. The beneficiaries should be consulted time in between and their cooperation should

be ensured to correct the things.

You are a young, aspiring and sincere employee in a Government office working as an assistantto the director of your department. Since you have joined recently, you need to learn andprogress. Luckily your superior is very kind and ready to train you for your job. He is a veryintelligent and well-informed person having knowledge of various departments. In short, yourespect your boss and are looking forward to learn a lot from him.


You reached his house and before you could ring the bell you heard shouting noises. You waitedfor a while. After entering the house the boss greeted you and explained the work. But you wereconstantly disturbed by the crying of a woman. At last, you inquired with the boss but his answerdid not satisfy you. Next day, you were compelled to inquire further in the office and found outthat his behaviour is very bad at home with his wife. He also beats up his wife.

His wife is not well educated and is a simple woman in comparison to her husband. You see thatthough your boss is a nice person in the office, he is engaged in domestic violence at home.





UPSC Ques. - 12



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sufficient number of supporting police staff and not alone (impulsive and emotional rush for a policeofficer may be counterproductive and fatal). Mean while he must connect with other nearby policeposts to get prepared for additional enforcement if needed. A police officer does not always haveimmediate solutions to a problem, so first he must try to take the victim woman at a safer place inpolice custody to save her life and wait till he is clear about what would be next line of action. Somepolice officers would prefer to take the violent man instead, but then it would require that womanin shock and fear should not be let alone at her residence. One possible action in the medium termis to present the perpetrator of domestic violence in court of justice where suitable remedies wouldbe decided according to the law on domestic violence.

(b) The problem of domestic violence rising in number is because the male dominated society is notaccustomed and fully prepared to deal with empowered and freer women who are educated andeconomically independent. From the women side also, they probably do not know what and howmuch to do with the new found empowerment and freedom. The bond between men and womencan never be weaker or stronger simply because of level of education and earning (career), but alsoon realizing the art of life and living based on interdependence and complementarity in the relationshipand accordingly striking a balance, adjustment, accommodation etc. between the couples. Thus lawcan only punish for domestic violence for deterrence and advice through family courts for reconciliation,but eventually counseling and psychiatric help can go a long way. The education system should alsoequip men and women how to live better with more power and freedom.

(c) About problems arising due to moral and ethical crisis, a police officer has limited scope to rectify theaberrations because such things require longer duration to give good pieces of advice, inculcate andpractice, which a resident welfare association, family courts, counselors and psychiatrists can dobetter. All what a police officer can do efficiently is that he can stop further damage to the life of thevictim and provide her security. If the perpetrator of the domestic violence is an alcoholic or a drugaddict, police should take his case as mental sickness and not solely as crime to decide the futurecourse of action and the degree of harshness of action. If police department in the area has provisionof de-addiction centre, such men should be facilitated to join and get treatment (as Kiran Bedi didduring her tenure in Delhi).


Q.2 It is usually treated that education plays a very important role in life. We are incomplete without

a good education because education makes us right thinker and correct decision maker. Education

is the solution of any problem, it is only education which promotes good habits, values and

awareness towards anything like terrorism, corruption and much more. Then why the cases of

domestic violence or assault of domestic maid or child sexual abuse, etc. are heard in higher

society? What are the faults in the present education system which has made person professionally

sound but personally unsound and decreased their humanity?

Thinking line:

• The erosion of human values in our society today has become a phenomenon. There is a maddeningpursuit to accumulate wealth, power and status to the total exclusion of humanness in us. In the reallife situations people are swayed by narrow parochial considerations and there the situation is markedby violence, greed, thefts, drug addiction and terrorism etc. Our institutions of learning are preparingefficient individuals, but not good citizens or humans.

• The present educational system with all its complexities and intricacies has proved to be deficient inso far as it neglects or does not give the deserving importance to values in human life.

• Each individual stakeholder in the education system - student, teacher, parent, management andsupport staff do not realizes its inherent worth for the well-being of the learners.

• The education system is based on curriculum decided by the higher authority without participationof different stakeholders. Further the autonomy of institutions has been decreased. Due to which thevalue based education has been neglected. Further due to increment in competition at each step thevalues and ethics has taken a back seat and everyone is racing for accumulating fast diminishingresources.

• Parents also access the capabilities of their children in terms of marks and degree and not as anethical individual. The same is with society. Due to this the value system is decreasing in society eventhough education level is increasing in India.



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GS SCORE - ETHICS TEST SERIES (Test No. 2; Question No. 11; Dated - 18 September 2015)

Q.1 Corporate governance can be considered as an environment of trust, ethics, moral values andconfidence - as a synergic effort of all the constituents of society - that is the stakeholders,including government; the general public, etc; professional/service providers - and the corporatesector. One of the consequences of a concern with the actions of an organization, and theconsequences of those actions, has been an increasing concern with corporate governance. Corporategovernance is therefore a current buzzword, the world over. One of the implications of thiscurrent concern however is that this is a new phenomenon - one which has not been of concernpreviously, i.e., the issues of socially responsible behavior. In this light discuss:

(A) The idea of corporate governance.

(B) What is the purpose and limitations of corporate social responsibility?

(C) How corporates’ can be more socially responsible?

Thinking line:

(A) Corporate Governance refers to the way a corporation is governed. It is the technique by whichcompanies are directed and managed. Corporate Governance ensures transparency, which ensuresstrong and balanced economic development.

Benefits of Corporate Governance:

• Good corporate governance ensures corporate success and economic growth.

• Good corporate governance also minimizes wastages, corruption, risks and mismanagement.

• It ensures that organization is managed in a manner that fits the best interests of all.

In another words: Corporate governance refers to the set of systems, principles and processes by whicha company is governed. They provide the guidelines as to how the company can be directed or controlledsuch that it can fulfill its goals and objectives in a manner that adds to the value of the company andis also beneficial for all stakeholders in the long term. Stakeholders in this case would include everyoneranging from the Board of Directors, management, and shareholders to customers, employees and society.The management of the company hence assumes the role of a trustee for all the others.

ABC Ltd. is a large transnational company having diversified business activities with a hugeshareholder base. The company is continuously expanding and generating employment. Thecompany, in its expansion and diversification programme, decides to establish a new plant atVikaspuri, an area which is underdeveloped. The new plant is designed to use energy efficienttechnology that will help the company to wave production cost by 20%. The company's decisiongoes well with the Government policy of attracting investment to develop such underdevelopedregions. The Government has also announced tax holiday for five years for the companies thatinvest in underdeveloped areas. However, the new plant may bring chaos for the inhabitants ofVikaspuri region, which is otherwise tranquil. The new plant may result in increased cost of living,aliens migrating to the region disturbing the social and economic order. The company sensing thepossible protest tried to educate the people of Vikaspuri region and public in general that howits Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policy would help overcome the likely difficulties of theresidents of Vikaspuri region. In spite of this the protests begin and some of the residents decidedto approach the judiciary as their plea before the Government did not yield any result.


(b) What can be suggested to satisfy the company's goal and to address the residents' concerns?

UPSC Ques. - 13

• Parents are the most influential agents in the child's learning of morals. Mother is the first teacherand Home is the first school". Parental attitudes and behavioural responses to right and wrong, goodand evil, acceptable and unacceptable, set the tone and direction of the child's moral development.Hence from his earliest years the child should be introduced to the right behaviour to make him ahumane person.



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(B) Corporate Social Responsibility is a management concept whereby companies integrate social andenvironmental concerns in their business operations and interactions with their stakeholders. CSR isgenerally understood as being the way through which a company achieves a balance of economic,environmental and social imperatives, while at the same time addressing the expectations of shareholdersand stakeholders. In this sense it is important to draw a distinction between CSR, which can be astrategic business management concept, and charity, sponsorships or philanthropy. Even though thelatter can also make a valuable contribution to poverty reduction, will directly enhance the reputationof a company and strengthen its brand, the concept of CSR clearly goes beyond that.

(C) Finding the potential for mutual value creation is not always straightforward. The key is findingsymmetry between the two sides and being open enough to understand issues both from a businessand a societal perspective.


Q.2 There is a distillery unit which is manufacturing one of the best brands of liquor in a remotetribal area. The unit has come into existence after the villagers provided their lands to themanagement at a concessional rate. The unit is earning reasonably good revenue. What type of

social responsibilities and initiatives are expected from the management of the unit?

Thinking line:

• Increasing number of companies are now realizing that they need to be good neighbours for thecommunity where they are located.

• The management of the unit should initiate following actions to take some social responsibility.

(a) The unit can conduct programmes like adult literacy, primary education, family planning, health carefor the poor tribal village communities located around the unit.

(b) It can also set up an Adivasi Centre for culture and sports to preserve the traditional culture of thetribal people.

(c) It can also establish educational institutions for girl child.

(d) The unit could participate in some training activities through which some income generation fortribals could be ensured.

(e) The liquor should not be distributed within the tribal region especially among youngsters.


Q.3 Industries generally have little concern about the environmental consequences of industrial

processes. Industrialists influence the environmental policy-implementation process either directlyor through business lobbies and representatives of the business interests concerned. Hence pressureby industrial associations during consideration of Acts result in a weakening of the penalties fornon-compliance. In the developing nation like India, the elites are allowed to misuse the resources

or change policy formulation and implementation process as per their need, as they contribute forthe growth of nation which in turn leads to poverty alleviation and employment growth. Discussthe issues related to business ethics involved in the above case study.

Thinking line:

• All businesses have impact on the environment: they emit pollution, they produce waste and useresources. Many companies discharge waste into bodies of water, like ponds. Sometimes this isrelatively harmless to the ecosystem, but increasing the amount of waste could become too toxic forsome of the organisms. If the toxins kill certain plants in a pond, then many fish could die. This inturn could frustrate fishermen who make a living by catching fish in the pond. All of the damagedone to the pond, fish, and fishermen are “externalities” or “spillover”—costs to third parties. Businesstransactions aren’t always just transactions between two people during trade. Sometimes other peopleand nonhuman animals are also harmed by business transactions.

Such activities are unethical and immoral.

• Businesses have traditionally shown egregious indifference towards the environment. Environmentalprotection was rarely seen as an issue. A company would harm the environment to whatever extentwas profitable, and they often harmed the environment despite the fact that it was unwarranted todo so.



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• But on the other hand it is almost impossible to do no harm to ecosystems in business because weneed the Earth’s resources to conduct business and sell products, and many companies have nochoice but to dispose of waste and pollute one way or another.

• Hence a balance should be maintained between development and environmental conservation. Butthe industries act as lobby and changes the rules and regulations according to their requirement s ordelay the implementation of rules to meet their ends.

• We can protect the environment by implementing stricter standards on companies and limit theamount of pollution allowed, and we can try to heal the environment and do what is necessary torestore it back to a balanced state. Of course, the costs of protecting and helping the environment canbe expensive, and people don’t want to pay those costs. At this point business ethics come to playan important role.

• The industries can contribute for environmental conservation by offering special credit products forinvestment in energy efficiency, renewable energies and other environmentally-related activities.

Saraswati was a successful IT professional in USA. Moved by the patriotic sense of doing somethingfor the country shereturned to India. Together with some other like-minded friends, she formedan NGO to build a school for a poor rural community.

The objective of the school was to provide the best quality modern education at a nominal cost.She soon discovered that she has to seek permission from a number of government agencies. Therules and procedures were quite confusing and cumbersome. What frustrated her most was thedelays, callous attitude of officials and constant demand for bribes. Her experience and theexperience of many others like her deterred people from taking up social service projects.


UPSC Ques. - 14


Q. You are attached to an NGO related to education as a teacher. With the help of the NGO, you

want to start school for children living on street and of roadside vendors who cannot afford

education. You have started creating awareness about the programme to the people, but you were

shocked to see the response of people as they declined the proposal. They did not trusted you

because of their past experience in which NGO used their names just for getting foreign aid and

did not implemented any welfare activity at the ground level.

The numbers of NGOs are increasing day by day in India but the change that should have

brought is missing.

(A) What are the ethical issues involved in the working of NGOs?

Thinking line:

• NGOs in the country assume a conspicuous role in multifarious developmental programmes and

activities. The achievements and success of NGOs in various fields and the excellent work done by

them in specific areas is no doubt a tremendous task that has helped to meet the changing needs of

the social system. However, inspite of its achievements in various fields, cases of various NGOs have

come up which have worked against the ethical values.

• Some of the unscrupulous elements have made fortunes by floating NGOs for their personnel gains

and managing grants from the government as stated in the above case study. It is a common

experience that there have been serious charges of misuse and misappropriation of funds received as

grants-in-aid form the government, foreign donors and raised through their own resources by the

most of the NGOs.



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• The reasons for the failure of a large number of NGOs to come up to the desired level of expectation

are numerous. The major argument against many NGOs is: they are the creation of funding agencies

and hence ‘their entire existence, not merely dependency, is on donor money, almost always from

above. Being a ‘favoured child’ of western donors, they are capable of exerting pressure on national

governments with enormous power in terms of money, technology and knowledge.

• Further several retired government ofûcial, politicians and people with vested interests have formedNGOs or GONGOs (Government-Operated NGOs). This extraordinary mushrooming hardly enhancesthe ideology of civil society activism as NGOs now are formed ‘to compromise with donor’s likes anddislikes and even to fudge data to suit the clients needs’. It is unfortunate to learn that many of thenew generation of Project NGOs create hypothetical beneûciaries for meeting targets within a stipulatedperiod.

• The patron-client relationship emerging out of such a model of development raises numerous questionsabout the accountability and legitimacy of NGO activity. A ‘puppet’ NGO, in spite of its best records,is bound to betray the very spirit of civil society activism and replace accountability by accountancy.

• It appears that reliability and sustainability of NGO activities, the two distinguishing criteria for theirsuccess, are hardly fulûlled in many instances.

• Due to the above stated ethical issues involved in the functioning of NGOs people are reactingsceptical to the NGOs.

• As in the above case people has denied educational help as with the past experience they know thatthey are just being numbers in databook of NGOs and the change at ground level will be minimum.Further exploitation of people (children and women) by NGOs on name of charity is also widespread.

• It seems that NGOs often indulge in a double standard. Thus, on the one hand, they argue fortransparency and democratic participation while criticizing the state/bureaucracy for their failure todo so. But, while discharging their duties, they themselves fail to observe such norms.

• The need for transparency in dealings, democratic accountability in transactions, and sensitivity tothe concerns and aspirations of the people they serve has forced some to argue for a code of conductfor NGOs. But code of conduct work only on ethical people as they follow the rules and regulationshence ethics at individual level counts more.

(B) Though the purpose of foreign aid is genuine, then also it breeds corruption. Do you agree?Analyse.

Thinking line:

• The foreign aid aims at removing the impediments in developing countries and to provide basicamenities to the people. This purpose looks genuine.

• But mostly the purpose behind it is of influence i.e. using soft power to mould the developing countrytowards their larger goal.

• Further the accountability and transparency of the utilisation of funds are missing which breedscorruption. The donor either gives tied funds (to be used in particular scheme) or untied.

• The outcomes are usually flaunted in the reports to allow flow of foreign aid continuously. Thisfurther reduces the accountability of the field departments of using the fund appropriately.

(C) How the trust deficit between citizen and NGOs can be decreased in the above case study?

Thinking line:

The suggestions are:

(a) A short term training programme for strengthening the managerial capabilities of NGOs will go along way in improving their performance and effectiveness significantly.

(b) The overdependence of NGOs on funding agencies and the syndrome of dependency should bereduced by involving the government directly in funding activities.



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(c) Donor agencies should also take active initiation in selecting the funding projects and even selectingof NGOs too. The working of NGOs relies on the ethical values of the Management hence it shouldbe selected properly.

(d) The NGOs should be given license and fund by government by seeing their past records and missionand vision of organisation.

(e) The donor agencies should go for surveying the viable projects for NGOs and the needs of the peoplemeet the local needs rather than just completing targets.

(f) Proper monitoring the activities of the NGOs and the enterprises run under the umbrella is the needof the hour. Therefore, the NGOs should also accountable for the funds on the one hand and thebeneficiaries on the other.



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