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UPSC Mains 2020 – JULY 2019 CURRENT AFFAIRS

IAS JUNIOR CURRENT AFFAIRS MAGAZINE

AUGUST 2019 CURRENT AFFAIRS

Important Editorials Summary

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Contents

Topic in Syllabus: Ecology & Environment .................................................................................................................................... 34

Topic : Water Governance ............................................................................................................................................. 34

Topic in Syllabus : International Affairs ......................................................................................................................................... 36

Topic : Trade talks with EU ........................................................................................................................................... 36

Topic : Regional Comprehensive Economic partnership (RCEP) and India ............................................................ 37

Topic : Taking a ‘Far East’ turn to deepen a friendship ............................................................................................. 39

Topic : Boosting growth in a protectionist world ........................................................................................................ 41

Topic in Syllabus : Indian Society - Health Issues .......................................................................................................................... 43

Topic : HIV/AIDS Outreach .......................................................................................................................................... 43

Topic: Skewed sex ratio in India .................................................................................................................................... 44

Topic in Syllabus : Indian Economy ............................................................................................................................................... 46

Topic :Amalgamation of National Banks .......................................................................................................................... 46

Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) ...................................................................................................................................... 49

Topic : From Plate to Plough: In the shade of solar trees ........................................................................................... 52

Topic : Fiscal wheels must also roll in order to make monetary policy effective ...................................................... 54

Topic : Renewable hybrid energy systems as a game changer .................................................................................... 55

Topic in syllabus: Indian Polity ...................................................................................................................................................... 58

Topic : Right to Privacy .................................................................................................................................................. 58

Topic : Article 370 Abrogated ........................................................................................................................................ 60

Topic : Delimitation of Constituencies ......................................................................................................................... 62

Topic in syllabus: Indian Governance ............................................................................................................................................ 64

Topic : Aviation Market in India ................................................................................................................................... 64

Topic : Left-Wing Extremism in India .......................................................................................................................... 66

Topic : Inter-State River Water Disputes (Amendment) Bill, 2019 ........................................................................... 68

Topic : National Medical Commission Bill ................................................................................................................... 70

Topic : Surrogacy regulation Bill .................................................................................................................................. 72

Topic : Sabki Yojana Sabka Vikas ................................................................................................................................ 75

Topic : Space Activities Bill ............................................................................................................................................ 76

Topic in Syllabus : General Studies Paper 3: Science & Technology ............................................................................................. 79

Topic : Genome India Initiative ..................................................................................................................................... 79

Topic in Syllabus: GS Paper 3: Agriculture ..................................................................................................................................... 81

Topic : Seed Certification ............................................................................................................................................... 81

Topic in Syllabus: GS Paper 3: Security Issues................................................................................................................................ 83


Topic : UAPA Bill............................................................................................................................................................. 83

Topic : Chief of Defence Staff ........................................................................................................................................ 85

Topic : Data deprivation makes cyber crime difficult to tackle .................................................................................. 87

Topic in Syllabus: General Studies Paper 1: Indian Geography ..................................................................................................... 90

Topic : Farm Ponds ......................................................................................................................................................... 90

Topic in Syllabus: Schemes & Programs ........................................................................................................................................ 92

Topic : KUSUM scheme ................................................................................................................................................. 92

Topic in Syllabus: Ethics ................................................................................................................................................................. 94

Topic : AI in ethics ................................................................................................................................................................. 94


Infographic Summary


Topic in Syllabus: Ecology & Environment

Topic : Water Governance

Context:

Individual States need to assume the responsibility for managing

water resources in their territories

Concerns:

• India’s cities are running out of water, coupled with

Chennai’s drinking water woes, made the ‘crisis’ viral, raising

questions about the quality of the discourse and choice of water

governance strategies in India.

• Indian cities are running out of groundwater

• A delayed monsoon or a drought, combined with compelling images of parched lands and queues for water in

urban areas raise an alarm in the minds of the public.

Statistics:

• Niti Aayog report says that 21 major cities are expected to run out of groundwater as soon as 2020, affecting

[nearly] 100 million people

• The report’s central goal was to propose a tool, an index, to monitor the States’ water resource management

strategies and provide the necessary course-shift, beyond supply augmentation approaches.

• The report may have had a lofty goal of promoting ‘cooperative and competitive federalism’ but was, in

reality, a desperate move to engage with the States, in the absence of any substantive leverage to influence

their approaches to water resources management.

• For almost two decades, the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) has been reporting on the increasing

number of over-exploited blocks across India, the ‘dark’ category blocks.

• The recent annual book of CGWB has reported 1,034 units, out of the 6,584 units it monitors, as over-

exploited.

• Similarly, a recent report by the Central Water Commission, prepared in collaboration with the Indian Space

Research Organisation (ISRO), asserted that India is not yet in “water scarcity condition”. But it is certainly

in a “water-stressed condition”, with reducing per capita water availability.

Challenges:

• India needs to reconsider the institutional processes for dissemination of knowledge about water resource

management. There is a certain amount of danger inherent in the casual manner in which knowledge about

water resources is legitimised and consumed, particularly in these days of ‘viral’ information

• We need to recognise the crisis is not as much of scarcity as of delivery. The challenge is to ensure an

adequate access to quality water, more so in urban areas where inequities over space and time are acute.

• We need to also realise that with the country’s rapid urbanisation, demand cannot be met by groundwater

reserves alone.

• The urban needs, which underpin much reporting on ‘water crises’, need to be met by robust long-term

planning and preparation for droughts and other contingencies.


Responsibility lies with States

• We need to reconsider our approaches to water governance.

• We must recognise that the fulcrum of change and action is with the States.

• For long, water resource departments in States have continued to follow the conventional approaches of

supply augmentation.

• The challenge is that of reorienting themselves towards deploying strategies of demand management,

conservation and regulation.

• The Centre has to work with States towards an institutional change for the necessary course-shift.

Solutions:

‘Composite Water Management Index’:This index is an attempt to budge States and UTs towards efficient and

optimal utilization of water and recycling thereof with a sense of urgency. The Index and this associated report are

expected to:

Establish a clear baseline and benchmark for state-level performance on key water indicators

Uncover and explain how states have progressed on water issues over time, including identifying high-performers

and under-performers, thereby inculcating a culture of constructive competition among states

Identify areas for deeper engagement and investment on the part of the states.

Major Issue: Data and centre-state and inter-state cooperation are some of the key levers that can help address the

crisis. Data systems related to water in the country are limited in their coverage, robustness, and efficiency.

Limited coverage: Detailed data is not available for several critical sectors such as for domestic and industrial use,

for which data is only available at the aggregate level and lacks the level of detail required to inform policies and

allocations.

Unreliable data: The data that is available can often be of inferior quality, inconsistent, and unreliable due to the use

of outdated methodologies in data collection. For example, estimates on groundwater are mostly based on

observation data from 55,000 wells, while there are 12 million wells in the country.

Limited coordination and sharing: Data in the water sectors exists in silos, with very little inter-state or centre-

state sharing, thereby reducing efficiencies.

The Composite Water Management Index (CWMI) is a major step towards creating a culture of data based decision-

making for water in India, which can encourage ‘competitive and cooperative federalism’ in the country’s water

governance and management.

Some other methods to reduce water usage in Agriculture

• System of Rice Intensification (SRI) has been adopted by several farmers especially in Bihar and Andhra

Pradesh as a water-conserving method of paddy cultivation. The technique needs a bigger push from the

Centre to make it a universal concept.

• Conservation techniques like zero-tillage, raised-bed planting, precision farming and drip or sprinkler

irrigation have shown good results in soil and water conservation but needs further improvement in

technology for wider acceptance.


• Organic and nature based farming: Studies have shown that organic farming conserves water by requiring

less water in irrigation and also helps in improving water-storage capacity of soil by improving its health.

Way Forward:

• There is a need for a paradigm shift. We urgently require a transition from this 'supply-and-supply-more

water' provision to measures which lead towards improving water use efficiency, reducing leakages,

recharging/restoring local water bodies as well as applying for higher tariffs and ownership by various

stakeholders.

• The formation of the Jal Shakti ministry is a promising step in the right direction.

• Aquifer recharge and rainwater conservation through community ponds and recharge wells should be

promoted with involvement of gram sabhas.Lessons can also be drawn from the work of Sankalpa Rural

Development Society (SRDS) which has been training farmers of Karnataka on revival of defunct borewells.

• Participatory Governance is needed to govern water resources. India’s rivers and groundwater can be

protected only if the integral interconnectedness of catchment areas.

Sample Question:

“Water Crisis in India is also a result of excessive and rampant use of water in agriculture. Analyse. Also suggest

some measures to improve water-use efficiency in Agriculture.”

Topic in Syllabus : International Affairs

Topic : Trade talks with EU

Context:

As the economy begins to suffer from the U.S.-China trade war, it is

imperative for India to pursue a free trade agreement with the

European Union (EU).

Why EU:

• Moving beyond the U.S. and China, this is the right time for

India to engage the EU.

• It as an indispensable democratic partner to craft a favourable

geo-economic order.

• India risks being left behind amidst a collapsing global

trade architecture, rising protectionism and a new emphasis

on bilateral FTAs.

• India is the only major power lacking an FTA with any of its

top trade partners, including the EU, the U.S., China, and Gulf

economies. This is a problem as most trade is now driven either by

FTAs or global value chains.

• EU’s revived focus on FTAs could exacerbate this risk for India. EU concluded a trade deal with Vietnam and an FTA

with the Mercorsur countries in South America. India is hanging on to its Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status.

• India’s status under the EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) will face rising competition from Pakistan or

Sri Lanka, who enjoy GSP+ benefits.


• India will struggle to keep exports competitive for Europe, which is its largest trade partner and where 20% of its

exports land up.

• Concerns about the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership are not resolved yet.

• The collapse of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership and concerns about excessive economic reliance on

China have propelled the EU to become a little more pragmatic.

• EU India a unique regulatory model that balances growth, privacy, and standards.

Steps Taken:

• From agriculture to intellectual property, the EU and India have been exchanging and aligning views on many issues.

• New areas like e-commerce have seen convergence because India’s position on data privacy is not that different from

the EU’s.

• India can delay discussions about the free flow of data and freeze differences on the tax moratorium issue or

data localisation while committing to liberalise in other areas.

Way Forward:

• Beyond mere economic cost-benefit analysis, India must approach EU FTA from a geostrategic perspective.

• EU negotiators are now more willing to make concessions on labour or environmental regulations.

• India’s governance framework shares the European norms of democratic transparency and multi-stakeholder

participation in a variety of new technological domains.

Conclusion:

When New Delhi speaks of Europe as a strategic partner to uphold a multipolar order, it must go beyond security and begin

with the business of trade and technology.

Sample Question:

Despite issues concerning convergence, the WTO needs to be sustained as an international platform to formulate trade

rules and bring convergence on divergent matters. Comment.(250 words)

Topic : Regional Comprehensive Economic partnership (RCEP) and India

Context

Australia is leading diplomats from various countries involved in

the negotiations for the 16-member Regional Comprehensive

Economic Partnership (RCEP) free trade agreement to convince

India to commit to the deal by the end of the year.

Concerns:

• Serious concerns, including worries over the flooding of the

market with Chinese goods

• The lack of access for Indian services in the RCEP countries

What is RCEP?

• The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is a proposed mega-regional Free Trade

Agreement (FTA) between 16 Asia-Pacific countries.

• Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) was established in order to broaden and deepen the

engagement among parties and to enhance parties’ participation in economic development of the region.

• It was established by the leaders of 16 participating countries on November 12, 2012 at Phnom Penh summit.


• The RCEP will include all the nations with which the ASEAN has trade deals — New Zealand, Australia,

China, India, Japan and South Korea.

• The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has free trade agreements with six partners namely

People’s Republic of China (ACFTA), Republic of Korea (AKFTA), Japan (AJCEP), India (AIFTA) as well

as Australia and New Zealand (AANZFTA).

• The Partnership will account for nearly 45 % of the global population with a combined gross domestic

product of $21.3 trillion

How RCEP benefits India?

• It is expected to provide market access for India’s goods and services exports and encourage greater

investments and technology into India.

• It would also facilitate India’s MSMEs to effectively integrate into the regional value and supply chains.

• On the other hand, India is not a member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) which is a

grouping of twenty-one countries in the Asia Pacific region with an aim to deepen and strengthen economic

and technological cooperation amongst APEC member countries.

• The RCEP negotiation includes: trade in goods, trade in services, investment, economic and technical

cooperation, intellectual property, competition, dispute settlement, e-commerce, small and medium

enterprises (SMEs) and other issues.

• India has consistently focused on services trade norms, such as those allowing the free movement of trained

professionals across national boundaries.

• This would effectively allow Indian professionals — such as chartered accountants, teachers and nurses — to

practice in other RCEP nations without the need for bilateral mutual recognition agreements.

• Since India has an abundance of trained labor that is interested in migrating while sending remittances back

home, this is a prime focus area for the country.

What are the hurdles where the India got stuck?

• The talks have seen little movement since partner nations have been unwilling to concede on crucial issues

under planning since 2012.

• The crucial issues of goods, services including easier movement of professionals and, investment are also the

areas of negotiation.

• The main bone of contention is market access for foreign goods and reduction of import duties on them.

• This is the discussion area where India is gravely cautious since manufacturing powerhouse China is part of

the arrangement.

• India fears the RCEP pact will allow China to push its products at lower prices and finally capture the market.

• At present, India’s import barriers remain high to Chinese products.

• The $63 billion trade deficit with China remains a burning political issue for the government and security

concerns have also arisen over Chinese conglomerates dictating market trends in sectors such as

telecommunication.

• On the other hand, richer nations like Australia and New Zealand have remained adamant on issues such as

seeking more leeway in selling specific products such as dairy and fruits in India.

• India has also moved slowly on investment norms, especially dispute settlement guidelines.

The Australian High Commissioner to India :

• It was the industry’s responsibility to use the FTAs well.

• Australia is leading diplomats from various countries to convince India to commit to the deal by the end of

the year.

• Indian negotiators like any good negotiators can get the best deal in their own country’s interests.


• But the second part is that industry has to use the access that they gain from the agreement to extend their

reach

Conclusion:

• Despite the challenges to be faced by industry, the government is keen to be part of the pact as once

implemented the RCEP could be the largest free trade zone in the world as member countries account for 25

per cent of global GDP, 30 per cent of global trade, 26 per cent of global foreign direct investment (FDI)

flows and 45 per cent of the total population.

Sample Question:

Examine the significance of ASEAN for India’s comprehensive growth?(250 words)

Topic : Taking a ‘Far East’ turn to deepen a friendship

Context:

During Modi’s visit to Vladivostok, India should signal more willingness to

invest in a less-developed part of Russia. When Prime Minister Narendra

Modi visits the city as the guest of honour at Eastern Economic Forum

(EEF) in September, he would be announcing India’s plans to invest in

Russia’s Far East, thus, paying back the long-held Indian debt to

Vladivostok.

Background:

• Some 48 years ago, when the U.S. and British Navies tried to

threaten Indian security during the India-Pakistan war in 1971, the Soviet

Union dispatched nuclear-armed flotilla from its Pacific Fleet in support of

India.

• Ever since then, the city of Vladivostok, located in Russia’s Far

East, has had a special place in the hearts of Indians.

About Far East:

• The Far East lies in the Asian part of Russia and is less developed than the country’s European areas.

• As part of his ‘Pivot to Asia’ strategy, President Vladimir Putin is inviting foreign countries to invest in this

region.

• The country’s outreach to Asian nations has especially gained momentum after the 2014 Crimea crisis

spoiled its relations with the West.

Why Russia is concerned?

• The idea of an ‘Indo-Pacific region’, which signals India’s willingness to work with the U.S. mainly to

counter China’s assertive maritime rise, left Russia concerned


• Moscow is apprehensive that the U.S. would exert pressure on India’s foreign policy choices and that it could

lose a friendly country and one of the biggest buyers of Russian military hardware.

India’s stance for a multipolar Indo-Pacific

• New Delhi, on its part, has maintained that Indo-Pacific is not targeted against any country and stands for

inclusiveness and stability.

• Indo-Pacific is not a club of limited members and that New Delhi wants to have inclusive engagement with

all the relevant stakeholders.

• India has also been able to convince Russia that its engagement with the U.S. is not going to come against

Russian interests.

Far East can be a game changer for India

• The Far East has the potential to become an anchor in deepening India-Russia cooperation; more so

considering that New Delhi has expanded the scope of its ‘Act East policy’ to also include Moscow.

• At least 17 countries have already invested in the Far East which, with its investment-friendly approach.

• Vast reserves of natural resources, has the potential to strengthen India-Russia economic partnership in

areas like energy, tourism, agriculture, diamond mining and alternative energy.

• A lack of manpower is one of the main problems faced by the Far East and Indian professionals like

doctors, engineers and teachers can help in the region’s development.

• Presence of Indian manpower will also help in balancing Russian concerns over Chinese migration into the

region.

• India, one of the largest importers of timber, can find ample resources in the region

• Japan and South Korea have also been investing and New Delhi may explore areas of joint collaboration.

India-Russia Co-operation:

• New Delhi and Moscow have been drawing up the plan to cooperate in the region in the last few years.

• A bilateral business dialogue was included in the business programme of EEF in 2017 and, in 2018, India

was one of the 18 countries for which Russia simplified electronic visas to encourage tourism in the Far

East.

• New Delhi will also provide an annual grant of $10,000 to fund the study of Indology at the Centre of

Regional and International Studies at Far Eastern Federal University.

• Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between Amity University and Far Eastern Federal

University to intensify cultural and academic exchanges in the areas of research and education.

• State-to-province ties

o Mr. Modi has also given due importance to ‘paradiplomacy’ where Indian States are being encouraged to develop

relations with foreign countries.

o States like Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Haryana and Goa would be collaborating with Russian Provinces

to increase trade and investments.

o The two countries are also looking at the feasibility of Chennai-Vladivostok sea route.

o This route would allow India access to Russia’s Far East in 24 days, compared to the 40 days taken by the current

route via Suez Canal and Europe.

o This route would potentially add the required balance to peace and prosperity in South China Sea and could open


new vistas for India, like the India-Russia-Vietnam trilateral cooperation.

Way forward:

• Great power rivalry is back in international politics, making it more unpredictable.

• In times when U.S. President Trump is interested in ‘deglobalisation’ and China is promoting

‘globalisation 2.0 .

• It makes sense for India and Russia to increase their areas of cooperation and trade in order to hedge

against disruptive forces and make their ties sustainable.

Sample Question

Deepening friendship with’ Far East’can hedge India and Russia against disruptive forces and make their ties

sustainable.Elucidate.

Topic : Boosting growth in a protectionist world

Context

• In recent times, governments across the world are focussed

more on protectionist economic policies as a measure to boost their

domestic economy.

• US-China trade waris an evidence of the growing

phenomenon of protectionist trade and economic policies.

• The US, under Trump presidency, has already withdrawn

itself from Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and also looking

cynically on other multilateral engagements.

• In the meantime, India has set an ambitious goal of

becoming a USD 5 trillion economy by 2024-25.

• Economic Survey 2018-19calls for a sustained 8% growth

rate for India to become a USD 5 trillion economy by 2024-25.

Background:

What is Protectionism?

• Protectionism is the economic policy of restricting imports from other countries through methods such as

tariffs on imported goods, import quotas, and a variety of other government regulations.

• Proponents claim that protectionist policies shield the producers, businesses, and workers of the import-

competing sector in the country from foreign competitors.

• However, they also reduce trade and adversely affect consumers in general (by raising the cost of imported

goods), and harm the producers and workers in export sectors, both in the country implementing protectionist

policies, and in the countries protected against.

• There is a universal consensus among economists that protectionism has a negative effect on economic

growth and economic welfare, while free trade, deregulation, and the reduction of trade barriers has a positive

effect on economic growth.


• However, trade liberalization can sometimes result in large and unequally distributed losses and gains, and

can, in the short run, cause significant economic dislocation of workers in import-competing sectors.

Challenges for Economic Growth in a Protectionist World

• India requires a high growth of exportsto boost its economy, which is a huge challenge in the prevalent

situation.

o India’s merchandise exports have been hovering around $300 billion for the last five to six years and

have not been able to boost economic growth.

o India is losing its competitive edge in traditional industries like textiles, to countries like Bangladesh

and Vietnam.

o India’s service exports, spearheaded by information technology, however, rose from $137 billion in

2011-12 to $205 billion in 2018-19.

• Uncertainty regarding US unilateral actions:India is among the group of countries that has been subjected

to tariffs of 25% on steel and 10% on aluminum imports by the US. While this may not make a big dent to

India’s exports of these products as India accounts for only 2% of the US’ steel and aluminum imports and

the US accounts for less than 5% of India’s exports of these products, the US’ unilateral steps are a matter of

concern. There is a risk that such protectionism might be extended to products which matter for India.

• Dumping:US tariffs may lead to excess supply of steel and aluminum products in the world market and

dumping in large consumer markets like India, increasing competition for domestic manufacturers.

• An environment of restrictive global trade has an adverse impact on profit growth of Indian

companies.Higher import tariffs can have a negative impact on earnings, by increasing the cost of inputs.

• Increased Fiscal Commitment :Decline in trade openness has seen India responding with protectionism

coupled with inward-looking policies, including increasing role of government in driving demand, supporting

farm & rural sectors, job creation, housing for all and prioritising MSME lending for public sector banks

(PSBs). This trend is expected to continue. Hence, it will also imply higher fiscal commitment.

Ways to boost economic growth?

• Improving Ease of Doing Business:India has improved a lot in World Bank’s Doing Business Report

(DBR) in the last four years. It has improved 65 positions in the last four years from 142 in 2015 to 77 in

2019.

o However, it is still ranked very low on two major parameters- Starting a Businessand Enforcing

Contracts- that are vital for attracting FDI.

• Electronic Manufacturing:India cannot become a significant, modern economic power unless it develops

a vibrant electronics industry, with an indigenous capability for research and development and a substantial

manufacturing capability to produce crucial items like semiconductors and computer chips.

o Of the country’s total demand for electronics, between 50-60% of the products and 70-80% of the

components are imported.

o Expenses on electronics imports could surpass those on oil imports by 2020.

o The industry has the potential to provide millions of jobs, directly and indirectly.

• Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) :India needs to effectively utilise FTAs, especially with East Asian nations

(ASEAN), Japan, South Korea to its advantage to boost investments, exports and technology transfers to and

from these nations.

• Joining Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)is an option. But, the Chinese dominance

in this partnership is a concern for India which needs to be carefully studied given the growing regional

security and geo-politics concerns.

• Boosting Private investment:Economic Survey 2018-19 termed Private Investment as the Key Driver of

Growth, Jobs, Exports and Demand.

• Deriving opportunity out of the Trade warscenario between the US and China.


o The ongoing trade war between the US and China will help India tap export opportunities in both the

countries in areas such as garments, agriculture, automobiles and machinery.

o China is also more willing than ever before to provide better market access to India on a wide range

of agriculture and processed food products.

Way Forward

• Resolving trade issues with the US at the earliest to eliminate investors doubts in Indian trade regime.

• Drawing a fine balance between the interests of domestic industry and giving trade concessions to

multinationals to attract foreign investment in the form of FDI.

• With enthusiasm for post Cold War style “globalisation” declining in Europe and the US, India now faces

serious choices it has to make, given the security and diplomatic challenges it faces, from an increasingly

assertive China.

• India needs to show leadership role in bringing the world order towards a liberal trade regime where

prosperity in trade brings benefit to the the people equitably and sustainably.

• The goal of $5 trillion economy by 2025 needs a comprehensive multidimensional and multi-sectoral efforts

to achieve a more than 8% growth rate annually that requires to meet the goal.

Sample Question

Improving ‘ease of doing business’ apart, India needs to develop a vibrant electronics sector and leverage the

FTAs better to achieve a $5 trillion economy. Comment.

Topic in Syllabus : Indian Society - Health Issues

Topic : HIV/AIDS Outreach

Context:

• The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the

Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) for enhanced HIV/AIDS outreach.

• The MoU signing ceremony took place between the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) and the

Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (DoSJE).

Objective:

To reduce the incidence of social stigma and discrimination

against victims of drug abuse and Children and People Living

with HIV/AIDS.

Expected Outcome:

The MoU will help in developing specific strategies and action

plans for HIV and AIDS prevention and mechanisms for drug

addiction treatment and extending social protection schemes to

the vulnerable populations.


Situation in India

• The National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) is a division of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

that provides leadership to HIV/AIDS control programme in India through 35 HIV/AIDS Prevention and

Control Societies.

• NACO has played a very big role in significantly reducing the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the country and

that too faster than the global rates.

• More than 80% decline in estimated new infections from the peak of epidemic in 1995.

• Estimated AIDS-related deaths declined by 71% since its peak in 2005.

• As per the UNAIDS 2018 report, the global average for the decline in new infections and AIDS-related

deaths from peak has been 47% and 51% respectively.

• Established in 1996, UNAIDS has been leading and inspiring global, regional, national and local leadership,

innovation and partnership to consign HIV to history. It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.

India’s Role in the Global Fight against AIDS

• are 2 million new AIDS infections every year, and about 66% of the world population currently on

antiretroviral therapy consumes drugs manufactured in India.

• Globally, the ART market is valued at .48 billion (in 2018) and is expected to reach .83 billion by 2025.

• Thus, Indian pharmaceutical companies, with their ability to manufacture high-quality, affordable

medicines are very important in the global battle against AIDS.

Antiretroviral Therapy

• With neither a vaccine nor a cure in sight, Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) is the only option available for

people living with HIV-AIDS.

• HIV is a type of virus called a retrovirus, and the combination of drugs used to treat it is called Antiretroviral

Therapy (ART).

• According to the World Health Organization, standard ART consists of a combination of at least three

antiretroviral drugs to suppress the HIV virus and stop the progression of the disease.

• Significant reductions have been seen in rates of death and suffering by the use of potent ART regimen,

particularly in the early stages of the disease.

Sample Question:

If the goal of ending HIV/AIDS in India by 2030 is to become reality, what should India do? Discuss. (200

Words)

Topic: Skewed sex ratio in India

Sample Registration System (SRS):

• Registration of births and deaths is

an important source for demographic data

for socio-economic development and

population control in developing

countries. The data on population growth,

fertility and mortality serves as the

starting point for population projections.


• Apart from these vital indicators, an adequate evaluation of a number of programs in the health sector,

including family planning, maternal and reproductive health, immunization programs, is dependent upon the

availability of accurate, up-to-date fertility and mortality data.

• With a view to generate reliable and continuous data on these indicators, the Office of the Registrar General,

India, initiated the scheme of sample registration of births and deaths in India popularly known as Sample

Registration System (SRS) in 1964-65 on a pilot basis and on full scale from 1969-70. The SRS since then

has been providing data on regular basis.

• The main objective of SRS is to provide reliable estimates of birth rate, death rate and infant mortality rate

at the natural division level for the rural areas and at the state level for the urban areas. Natural divisions are

National Sample Survey (NSS) classified group of contiguous administrative districts with distinct

geographical and other natural characteristics. It also provides data for other measures of fertility and

mortality including total fertility, infant and child mortality rate at higher geographical levels.

Health Management Information Systems (HMIS):

HMIS are one of the six building blocks essential for

health system strengthening. HMIS is a data collection

system specifically designed to support planning,

management, and decision making in health facilities and

organizations.

Sex Ratio:

• Sex ratio is used to describe the number of females

per 1000 of males.

• In the Population Census of 2011 it was revealed

that the population ratio in India 2011 is 940 females per 1000 of males.

• At the same time Child Sex ratio (Age group 0-6 years) has reduced from 927 in census2001 to 914 in census

2011.

Recent Data findings by SRS:

• The sex ratio at birth (SRB) has been dropping continuously since Census 2011, coming down from 909 girls

per thousand boys in 2011-2013 to 896 girls in 2015-2017.

• In the 2014-2016 period, of the 21 large States, only two Kerala and Chhattisgarh had an SRB of above 950

girls per 1000 boys.

• At present, about 5% of girls are ‘eliminated’ before they are born, despite the promises of the Beti Bachao

Beti Padhao scheme.

• An analysis of the NFHS-4 data also revealed a bias when it comes to the first-born child, the SRB is among

first-born children was 927, meaning that 2.5% of first-born girls are eliminated before birth.

Problem:

• Of the 2.5 lakh reported births in the 2010-2014 period, the distribution of births at home, government

hospitals and private hospitals was 21%, 52% and 27% respectively and the corresponding SRB figures were

969, 930 and 851. Thus, private hospitals had a disproportionate excess of male children births, which the

HMIS sample excludes.


• There are flaws in HMIS data. These are mostly incomplete and not representative of the country as a whole

as births happening in private institutions are under-reported. This is one of the reasons that NITI Aayog used

SRS data in its report ‘Performance of health outcomes’ in December 2016.

• It is criminal to use public funds to privilege boy births and facilitate discrimination against girl right from

birth. However, for years, in the special neonatal care units (SNCU) set up by the government, there was an

excess of about 8% male children in several States.

• There is problem with the implementation of PCPNDT Act. With the reach of technology to the core of

Indian society, the sex ratio is in decline even in rural areas.

Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act (PCPNDT Act):

• The Census data indicate that the female ratio has been declining at an alarming rate and would lead to

serious socio-cultural problem including violence and population imbalances. The Child Sex Ratio (CSR) for

the age group of 0-6 years as per the 2011 Census has declined to 914 girls as against 927 per thousand boys

(Census 2001).

• The issue of survival of the girl child is a critical one, especially in the conservative Indian Society. This

therefore, needs a systematic effort in mobilizing the community. In order to check gender biased sex

selection, the Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulations and Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1994 was

enacted and brought into execution from 1st January, 1996.

• Main objective: The main purpose of enacting the act is to ban the use of sex selection techniques before or

after conception and prevent the misuse of a prenatal diagnostic technique for sex-selective abortion.

• Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1994 (PNDT), was amended in

2003 to The Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act

(PCPNDT Act) to improve the regulation of the technology used in sex selection. The Act was amended to

bring the technique of pre conception sex selection and ultrasound technique within the ambit of the act. The

amendment also empowered the central supervisory board and state level supervisory board was constituted.

Conclusion:

Gender bias and deep-rooted prejudice and discrimination against the girl child and preference of the male child

have led to the misuse of technology for gender biased sex selection leading to demographic imbalance in the last

two decades. The declining child sex ratio in India is a major concern for all. The government has prioritized an

expansion of SNCUs rather than deal with the issue of the ‘missing girls’. Protecting the integrity of birth statistics

will help the people, governments and health professionals to focus on improving the known gender gaps at birth

rather than be just showing off with dubious claims.

Sample Question:

Discuss the causes for the low child sex ratio and its effects on the Indian society.

Topic in Syllabus : Indian Economy

Topic :Amalgamation of National Banks

Context:


The Finance Minister has announced the biggest consolidation plan of Public sector Banks (PSBs)- merging 10 of

them into just 4.

New Banks After the Merger

Sr. No. Amalgamated Banks Anchor Banks

1 Punjab National Bank (PNB), Oriental Bank of Commerce (OBC), and United Bank of

India PNB

2 Canara Bank and Syndicate Bank Canara Bank

3 Union Bank of India, Andhra Bank, and Corporation Bank Union Bank of India

4 Indian Bank and Allahabad Bank Indian Bank

Now, the total number of PSBs after consolidation has come down to

12 from 27 in 2017. The earlier mergers were:

Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank with Bank of Baroda (BoB) – effective

from April 01, 2019.

State Bank of India absorbed five of its associates and the Bharatiya

Mahila Bank in 2017.

Current Scenario of PSBs:

After entire merger exercises, the next-generation PSBs of India can now be ranked according to their business size,

as follows:

Sr. No. Bank Name PSB Rank by size

1 State Bank of India Largest

2 Punjab National Bank 2nd largest

3 Bank of Baroda 3rd largest

4 Canara Bank 4th largest

5 Union Bank of India 5th largest

6 Bank of India 6th largest

7 Indian Bank 7th largest

8 Central Bank of India 8th largest

9 Indian Overseas Bank 9th largest

10 UCO Bank 10th largest

11 Bank of Maharashtra 11th largest

12 Punjab & Sind Bank 12th largest

Benefits of Merger

Competitive: The consolidation of PSBs helps in strengthening its presence globally, nationally and regionally.


Capital and Governance: The government's intention is not just to give capital but also give good governance.

Hence, post-consolidation, boards will be given the flexibility to introduce the chief general manager level as per

business needs. They will also recruit chief risk officer at market-linked compensation to attract the best talent.

Efficiency: It has the potential to reduce operational costs due to the presence of shared overlapping networks. And

this enhanced operational efficiency will reduce the lending costs of the banks.

Technological Synergy: All merged banks in a particular bucket share common Core Banking Solutions

(CBS)platform synergizing them technologically.

Core Banking Solutions

Core Banking Solutions (CBS) can be defined as a solution that enables banks to offer a multitude of customer-

centric services on a 24x7 basis from a single location, supporting retail as well as corporate banking activities.

The centralisation thus makes a “one-stop” shop for financial services a reality. Using CBS, customers can access

their accounts from any branch, anywhere, irrespective of where they have physically opened their accounts. The

customer is no more the customer of a Branch. He becomes the Bank’s Customer.

Self-Sufficiency: Larger banks have a better ability to raise resources from the market rather than relying on State

exchequer.

Recovery: The loan tracking mechanism in PSU banks is being improved for the benefit of customers.

Monitoring: With the number of PSBs coming down after the process of merger – capital allocation, performance

milestones, and monitoring would become easier for the government.

Challenges

Decision Making: The banks that are getting merged are expected to see a slowdown in decision making at the top

level as senior officials of such banks would put all the decisions on the back-burner and it will lead to a drop in

credit delivery in the system.

Geographical Synergy: During the process of merger, the geographical synergy between the merged banks

is somewhat missing. In three of the four merger cases, the merged banks serve only one specific region of the

country.

However, the merger of Allahabad Bank (having a presence in East & North region) with the Indian Bank (having a

presence in South) increases its geographical spread.

Slowdown in Economy: The move is a good one but the timings are not just apt. There is already a slowdown in the

economy, and private consumption and investments are on a declining trend. Hence, there is a need to lift the

economy and increase the credit flow in the short-term, & this decision will block that credit in the short-term.

Weak Banks: A complex merger with a weaker and under-capitalized PSB would stall the bank’s recovery efforts

as the weaknesses of one bank may get transferred and the merged entity may become weak.

Sample Question:


Critically analyse the issues plaguing aviation sector in India. What needs to be done to overcome these issues

and concerns? Discuss.(250 words)

Non-Performing Assets (NPAs)

According to the Economic Survey 2018-2019, the functioning of

the banking sector has improved due to the decrease in the Non-

performing assets (NPAs) and an increase in credit growth. The

gross NPAs of the public sector banks have declined from 11.5% to

10.1%, between March 2018 and December 2018.

NPA:

• To banks, loans given by it are called assets.

• Non-performing assets are those loans/advances which are in

default or arrears on scheduled payments of principal or interests.

• This means that the assets are termed to be NPAs if the interests/principles are unpaid more than the specified

time

When does an asset become a Non-performing Asset?

• The banks do not immediately classify their assets as NPAs.

• The banks usually allow a certain grace period before terming the NPA.

• Usually, for commercial loans, the grace period is more than 90 days. For consumer loans, it is more than 180

days and as for agricultural loans, if the interest/principal remains at overdue for more than 2 harvest seasons,

it is termed as NPA.

Impacts of NPAs ?

• *Lack of confidence in the banking sector*: If there is an increase in the NPAs the banks will be unwilling

to invest in new assets and ideas. This, in turn, will reduce economic progress.

• *A loss for the shareholders:* The assets of the shareholders will give little returns from the banks as the

latter struggle to obtain returns from the assets.

• *Increase in the interest rate:* The rate of interest will increase. This, in turn, will lead to a decrease in the

demand for the loans, a decrease in the returns for the limited assets and a decrease in economic growth and

development.

• *Inflation:* The economy will face inflation because of the increase in the cost of the capital.

NPAs status in India:

• In March 2018, the commercial banks accounted for about Rs. 10.3 Trillion of NPA. This is 11.2% of the

loans/advances.

• In the same period, the public sector banks (PSBs) accounted for about 86% of the NPAs.

• This indicates that there was a banking crisis in the country.

• According to the Economic Survey 2019, the stressed assets’ ratio has declined from 12.1% in March 2018 to

10.5% in December 2018.

• The NPAs have declined and the credit growth has increased.


• However, there are still concerns over the liquidity conditions of the economy. The financial flow is

pressured due to a decline in the amount of equity finance obtained from the capital market and stress faced

by the Non-Banking Financial Corporations

• According to the Financial Stability Report released by RBI on 25^th July this year, the bad loans as a

percentage of total loans is expected to fall to 9% by March 2020.

• The gross NPAs as a percentage of total loans is at 9.3% as of March this year.

• According to the report, the gross NPA ratio of the public sector banks may reduce to 12% by March 2020.

• As for the private sector banks, the gross NPAs may fall from 3.7% to 3.2% during the same period.

• This assessment was done based on stress tests. This was done by testing the resilience of the banks against

the macroeconomic shocks.

• According to the recent Crisil Report, there will be an 8% reduction of the NPAs by March 2020.

• According to the same report, the Public Sector Banks, which account for about 80% of the NPAs may see

the decline of the same from 14.6% on March 2018 to 10.6% by March 2020.

Why previous rise in the NPAs ?

* According to the Economic Survey 2016-17, the cause for rising NPAs are as follows:

1. *Delaying of projects:* There was difficulty in acquiring lands, environmental clearances, etc.

2. *Global Financial Crisis of 2008-09* has also significantly contributed to the increase of NPAs.

3. *Economic slowdown after 2011-12* has caused a negative impact on the economy.

4. The *depreciation in the rupee value* has increased the rate of interest of the loans borrowed from overseas.

* *Increase in the banks’ provisions*: A provision is an amount of money put aside by the banks to cover the future

liabilities. The increase in the NPAs has made them increase their provisions. This, in turn, created losses for the

banks, especially for the Public Sector Banks.

* *Asset Quality Review (AQR):* The RBI, feeling that the NPAs were understated by the banks, has introduced

Asset Quality Review to estimate and recognize the NPAs. This has increased the number of NPAs.

Causes for NPA decline:

* *SARFAESI Act*: Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interests,

2002 played a significant role as it had legal provisions that allowed lenders to get possession of the mortgaged

property within 30 days and 3 years imprisonment to the borrower if he/she does not provide the details of the

assets.

* *Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code:* According to the Central Bank, under the National Company Law Tribunal,

out of the 701 cases admitted, claims admitted on 21 accounts for an amount of Rs.99 Billion, the recovery has been

49 Billion. Despite the little progress, it has played a crucial role in the recovery of the bad assets.

* *Strategic Debt Restructuring (SDR): *A scheme introduced by RBI, it aims at helping banks recover their loans

by taking control of their stressed companies.

* *Corporate Debt Restructuring:* Financial institutions and banks come together under this non-statutory

mechanism to restructure the debts faced by the companies with financial difficulties caused either due to external or

internal factors and provide support for these companies. In this scheme, the promoter who is facing debt is delinked

and the ownership is changed.

* *Scheme for Sustainable Structuring of the Stressed Assets (S4A*): This was introduced to address the large


stressed assets in the corporate sector. It is different from SDR as it allows existing promoter to continue within the

management as a minority shareholder.

* *5/25 scheme:* For projects that require a long gestation period, a short repayment period of loans is not viable.

Therefore this scheme help banks provide longer and more flexible repayment period for these loans.

* *Asset Reconstruction Company: *ARCs are a type of financial institutions that buys debtors of the banks and

take effort to mend the debts by itself. The ARCs are registered under RBI and regulated under the SARFAESI Act.

* *Debt Recovery Tribunal:* DRTs were established under Recovery of Debt due to Banks and Financial

Institutions Act (RDBFI), 1993. It is aimed at recovering loans of the banks and other financial institutions with their

customers.

* *Mission Indradhanush:* It is the plan by the government to resolve the problems related to the Public Sector

Banks. This is a 7 pronged plan that focuses on appointments, Bank Boards Bureau, capitalization, de-stressing,

empowerment, the framework for accountability and government reforms.

* *Merger of banks .

* *Joint Lenders’ forum*: JLF is a forum that comprises of banks to take decisions related to stressed assets which

are 100 crores or more. These groupings are formed under the guidelines of RBI.

* *Prompt Corrective Actions (PCA) Framework: *Under the PCA framework, the RBI monitors key

performance indicators of the banks to prevent any future financial crisis. It is an early warning exercise undertaken

by the RBI by monitoring profitability, asset quality and the capital of the banks. If any banks come under this

framework, they face lending and other restrictions.

* *Government’s 4Rs Strategy*: According to the government, due to its 4Rs strategy (recognition, resolution,

recapitalisation and reform strategy), there has been a significant decline of the NPAs. According to RBI data, the

Gross NPAs have risen from Rs. 2.7 lakh crore in FY15 to Rs.8.95 lakh crore in FY18 mainly due to the recognition

of stressed assets as bad loans in the country. The government has undertaken the 4Rs strategy to recognize the

NPAs, resolving and recovering stressed assets, recapitalizing PSBs and implementing government reforms in banks

and financial ecosystems.

* *Project Sashakt*: It is a 5-pronged strategy to deal with NPAs. The larger stressed assets will be dealt with by

alternative investment fund (AIF) or asset management company (AMC). Bad loans up to Rs.50 crore will be

managed within the bank with 90 days deadline. Bad loans between 50 crores and 500 crores will be referred by

National Company Law Tribunal or enter into an inter-creditor agreement that allows the lead bank to implement a

resolution plan in 180 days. For stressed assets above 500 crores, an independent AMC with the support of AIF will

deal with these cases.

Way forward:

Though the NPAs have reduced, there are still the concerns of the liquidity flow within the economy due to low

capital obtained from equity finance and also the *problem of NBFCs’ crisis. The credit growth rate of NBFCs has

declined from 30% in March 2018 to 9% in March 2019. This will prove to be a liability for the economy and RBI

intervention is essential to curb the crisis.

Sample Question:


In the light of NPA problems being faced by the Indian banking sector, suggest ways to strengthen the banking

sector. (200 Words)

Topic : From Plate to Plough: In the shade of solar trees

Context:

Recently, the minister of the state of agriculture admitted that

current policies will fall short of the goal of doubling farmer's

income by 2022. In this context, the narrative of turning Annadata

(farmer) into Urjadata (producer of solar power) as highlighted

by Finance Minister in Budget 2019, can provide multidimensional

benefits.

Background:

Annadata becoming the urjadata – This one policy has the potential

to double farmers incomes within a year or two.Helping farmers

produce solar energy can help realise the government’s target of

doubling farmers’ incomes.

How this policy has the potential to double farmers incomes?

The policy has two models.

· Model 1:

• One, replace all pump-sets, especially diesel ones, with solar pumps.

• The excess power generated through solar panels can be purchased by state governments at a price that gives


the farmer a good margin over his cost of producing solar power.

· Model 2:

• Second, encourage farmers to grow “solar trees” on their lands at a height of about 10-12 feet in a manner

that enough sunlight keeps coming to plants below.

• Under this variant, the farmer can keep growing two irrigated crops as he has been doing,

• The power generated under the second variant is multiple times more than under the first variant, and

therefore the income augmentation can also be several times more than under the first variant.

· The alternative model is to help farmers produce solar power on their lands, making annadata an urjadata.

Advantages

• The economic calculations suggest that farmers can be given Rs one lakh/acre per annum as net income, with

a six per cent increase every year for the next 25 years. This cans easily double their income.

• In one acre you can have 500 solar trees in such a manner that even tractors can move through those and

farmers can keep growing their normal two crops.

• It does not impact their productivity as there is ample sunlight coming from the sides for photosynthesis.

• Farmer does not have to mobilise capital for solar panels. That is done by other businesses, who also make

profit in the process.

• Solar energy is renewable and clean in nature and presents a better alternative over other methods of

electricity production. However, the availability of land of installing solar panels on a large scale is often

a hurdle in the progress of renewable energy.

• The Solar Tree is much like that of a real tree, where solar panels(act like leaves) connected through

metal branches using sunlight to make energy.

• Solar trees need nearly 100 times less space to produce the same amount of electricity as a horizontal solar

plant.

• As power consumption per hectare in Indian agriculture is still very low, this holds great promise for several

poorer states.

Challenges:

• Mobilising enough capitalto install these Solar Trees remains one of the problems.

• The second pre-condition is that the state should be ready to do the power purchase agreement.

Conclusion:

Global survey on this and found that it is being practised in many countries from Japan to China to Germany, and

India is ripe for this. Given that power consumption per hectare in Indian agriculture is still very low, this holds great

promise for several poorer states.

Sample Question

Discuss the role of solar energy in resolving the arduous challenge of supplying accessible and affordable energy

to help alleviate poverty and meet energy demands that are necessary for economic growth. Also, highlight how

solar trees can help to double farmers’ incomes within a year or two?


Topic : Fiscal wheels must also roll in order to make monetary policy effective

Context :

Through four successive reductions in this calendar year, RBI has

reduced the repo rate by 110 basis points to 5.4%.

Background:

Repo Rate

• Repo rate is the rate at which the RBI lends money to

commercial banks. 100 bps make a full percentage point.

• As such, if the repo falls, all interest rates in the economy

should fall. And that is why common people should be interested in RBI’s monetary policy.

Fiscal policy:

In economics fiscal policy is the use of government revenue collection (mainly taxes) and expenditure (spending) to

monitor and influence a nation's economy.

Monetary policy:

Monetary policy is the process by which the monetary authority of a country, typically the central bank or currency

board, controls either the cost of very short-term borrowing or the money supply, often targeting inflation or the

interest rate to ensure price stability and general trust in the currency.

Why economy has been slow to respond to incremental monetary stimuli?

• Quarterly growth data show a continuing slowdown, mainly driven by sluggish demand, due to both external

and domestic factors.

• There is substantial excess capacity in the manufacturing sector.

• With unutilized capacity, temporary and casual employees are being laid off and wage hikes are being

postponed, reducing levels of aggregate disposable income, which is further reducing demand, particularly

for consumer durables.

• Unless capacity utilization improves, investment demand from the private sector is not likely to improve.

• Repo rate reductions only provide enabling conditions to reduce the cost of borrowing. To be effective,

adequate transmission needs to take place.

Effects of slowdown:

The sectors which are mainly affected are

• Employment-intensive

• Real estate

• Automobile sectors.

Why fiscal side also important for effective monetary policy?


• The central government’s capital expenditure to gross domestic product (GDP) has stagnated at 1.6% for

2018-19, and 2019-20 as budgeted. The state government’s capital expenditure to GDP has also been

stagnating at close to 2% of GDP for some time. The public sector as a whole has an investment rate of close

to 7%.

• Demand for investment and consumer durables has to increase, which is a function of income, much more

than the cost of borrowing.

• To uplift investment sentiments, adequate momentum has to be generated at the fiscal side.

• However, given revenue constraints and legislative limits on government borrowing, suitable countercyclical

fiscal measures have not yet been taken.

• Without a demand push from the public sector, monetary policy alone would not be effective.

What the government should do

• The countercyclical policy is primarily the responsibility of the central government.

• A one-year departure from the budgeted fiscal deficit of 3.3% of GDP for 2019-20 can be justified at the

current juncture.

• It should be ensured that the entire additional borrowing above the budgeted level is spent on capital

expenditure.

• It is established fact that increases in government capital expenditures have much larger multiplier effects, as

compared to increases in government revenue expenditures.

• State governments and the central and state public enterprises should come on board and undertake additional

investment spending on infrastructure.

• This will push investment from the private sector, uplifting the infrastructure and construction sectors, and

later spreading out to other sectors.

• Once a virtuous cycle is triggered with increased public sector investment, particularly focused on the

employment-intensive infrastructure and construction sectors, private disposable incomes would increase,

reversing the ongoing demand slow down.

• As the magnitude of private borrowing grows, the transmission would improve.

• In order to protect savings, particularly of small investors, some additional margin may continue to be

provided to the depositors in small savings and other similar instruments.

Conclusion:

Together, the joint impact of the fiscal and monetary stimuli is expected to uplift the country’s growth from its

present low level to levels comfortably above 7% and, eventually, closer to 8.5-9%. Sustaining growth at these levels

is required if India were to become a $5-trillion economy by the end of FY25.

Sample Question

Together, the joint impact of the fiscal and monetary stimuli is expected to uplift the country’s growth from its

present low level. Comment.

Topic : Renewable hybrid energy systems as a game changer

Context:


Two recent auctions for wind/solar hybrid projects conducted were

under-subscribed. However, we can believe that renewable hybrids

can play a key role in helping India accelerate the decarbonization

of power generation and lowering the cost of electricity in the

medium term.

Background:

Hybrid power system:

A combination of different but complementary energy generation

systems based on renewable energies or mixed (RES- with a backup

of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)1/ diesel/gasoline genset), is

known as a hybrid power system (“hybrid system”).

Significance of Renewable hybrid energy

• Off grid renewable energy technologies satisfy energy demand directly and avoid the need for long

distribution infrastructures.

• Environmentally friendly power generation technologies will play an important role in future power supply.

The renewable energy technologies include power generation from renewable energy sources, such as wind,

PV(photovoltaic), MH(micro hydro), biomass, ocean wave, geothermal and tides.

• Since the Renewable energy resources are intermittent in nature therefore, hybrid combinations of two or

more power generation technologies, along with storage can improve system performance.

Challenges faced by Renewable energy

• It relies on intermittent sources, producing energy only when the sun is shining or the wind is blowing.

• Its output is constrained to specific hours of the day.

• Its use leads to lower utilization of transmission lines. This can create issues in matching peak power

demand with renewable output and raise the costs of transmission.

• Solar and wind power are not as easy to control as traditional fossil fuel plants, so power grids need to

become flexible enough to handle last-minute changes in power generation.

• Countries with renewable energy penetration of 15% indicate that flexible energy resources that can rapidly

ramp up or down are needed. These could include hydro or gas-based power, or energy storage solutions.

• Distance is also an issue. In India, six states in the western and southern regions account for 80 percent of all

of the country’s currently installed solar capacity, but only 38 percent of power demand.

• Renewable Energy as deployed today helps meet an energy need (kWh), but doesn’t help meet the peak by

contributing capacity (kW) at the right time, which is India’s main challenge.

• Rooftop solar is far, far behind schedule to meet the 40GW goal. While small deployments naturally cost

more than grid-scale farms, we have to dig deeper into who would install such systems.

How Renewable hybrids can be a solution?

• A hybrid system can combine wind, solar with an additional resource of generation or storage.

• In India, solar output is maximum between 11am and 3pm, while wind output is highest in the late evening

and early morning.

o Peak demand for power is reached in the evening hours of 6-9pm, which cannot be catered to by

either wind or solar.


o If we can store some energy during excess renewable generation hours and release it into the grid

during peak demand hours, the combined “hybrid” system can produce 24×7 clean energy as per

varying levels of demand in the day.

• The storage can take many forms, such as batteries, pumped hydro or mechanical storage through the

flywheel.

• Hybrid systems can address limitations in terms of fuel flexibility, efficiency, reliability, emissions and / or

economics.

• Incorporating heat, power, and highly efficient devices (fuel cells, advanced materials, cooling systems, etc.)

can increase overall efficiency.

• An optimal combination of solar, wind and storage can deliver stable round-the-clock power at today’s costs

of around ₹6-7/kWh. Though this is significantly higher compared to baseload coal plants, lithium-ion

battery costs are expected to fall from current $220-240/kWh to below $100 in the next 3-4 years.

• Costs of solar energy have fallen from ₹4.63/kWh in 2016 to ₹2.50/kWh in the latest auctions and may fall

as low as ₹2/kWh in the next 3-5 years.

• McKinsey’s proprietary modeling suggests that if the above improvements are factored in, wind-solar

storage hybrid systems could generate round-the-clock power with cost as well as reliability

levels comparable to existing coal-fired power plants in the next 4-5 years.

• Hybrid systems capture the best features of each energy resource and can provide “grid-quality” electricity,

with a power range between 1 kilo watts (kW) to several hundred kilo watts.

• They can be developed as new integrated designs within small electricity distribution systems (mini-grids)

and can also be retrofitted in diesel based power systems.

• Hybrid systems can provide a steady community-level electricity service, such as village electrification,

offering also the possibility to be upgraded through grid connection in the future.

• Rapid depletion of fossil fuels has necessitated an urgent need for alternative sources of energy to cater the

continuously increasing energy demand. Another key reason to reduce our consumption of fossil fuels is the

growing global warming phenomena.

Role played by Government towards Hybrid energy:

• India’s ministry of new and renewable energy released a solar-wind hybrid policy in 2018.

• This provides a framework to promote grid-connected hybrid energy through set-ups that would use land and

transmission infrastructure optimally and also manage the variability of renewable resources to some extent.

• The Central Electricity Authority and CERC shall formulate necessary standards and regulations including

metering methodology and standards, forecasting and scheduling regulations, REC mechanism, grant of

connectivity and sharing of transmission lines, etc. for wind-solar hybrid systems

• For wind turbines, solar modules and balance of systems, the technical guidelines issued by the Ministry from

time to time for grid connected systems will be followed.

• India has added 65-70GW of wind and solar capacity so far, with wind and solar contributing 9.5% of

generated energy in May 2019. If the government target of 175GW is achieved by 2022, this share could

exceed 15-16%.

Way forward:

• India is not the only country planning hybrid projects; 50-plus hybrid projects of MW-scale have already

been announced or are under construction globally, with Australia and US being the leaders.

• If the economics of hybrid systems do approach the above levels, analysis indicates that they can potentially

be competitive with 30-40% of existing coal-fired stations in India.


• Reaching the non electrified rural population is currently not possible through the extension of the grid, since

the connection is neither economically feasible, nor encouraged by the main actors.

• policy and regulatory changes need to be made so that India can fully capture the potential of this interesting

disruption in the energy sector.

Sample Question

Should India continue to build new coal-fired plants to meet base load requirements, or could renewable hybrids

take a significant share? Elucidate

Topic in syllabus: Indian Polity

Topic : Right to Privacy

Context

It has been two years since the nine-judge Supreme Court bench

delivered the judgment in the Puttaswamy case. It asserted that

Indians have a constitutionally protected fundamental right to

privacy.

Background

It held that privacy is a natural right that inheres in all-natural

persons and that the right may be restricted only by state action that

passes each of the three tests:

1. such state action must have a legislative mandate

2. it must be pursuing a legitimate state purpose

3. it must be proportionate

If the judgment is implemented,

the outcomes would be

• Govt will undertake structural reforms to bring transparency and openness in the process of commissioning

and executing surveillance projects.

• Establishing a mechanism of judicial oversight over surveillance requests.

• Govt demonstrates great care and sensitivity in dealing with the personal information of its citizens.

• Legislating a transformative, rights-oriented data protection law that holds all-powerful entities that deal with

citizens’ personal data accountable.

Data protection law

• with the principle that the state must be a model data controller with a higher standard of observance.

• proscribes the practice of making access to essential services contingent on the citizen parting with irrelevant

personal information.


• establishes an effective privacy commission that is tasked with enforcing, protecting and fulfilling the

fundamental right to privacy implemented through the specific rights under the legislation.

However, that is not the case. Examples of govt’s violation of privacy

• The Ministry of Home Affairs authorized 10 Central agencies to “intercept, monitor and decrypt any

information generated, transmitted, received or stored in any computer in the country”.

• Ministry of Information Broadcasting floated a tender for ‘Social Media Monitoring Hub’ to snoop on all

social media communications, including e-mail. The government had to withdraw the project.

• A similar social media surveillance program was floated in by the UIDAI.

• I-T department has its ‘Project Insight’ which also has similar mass surveillance ends.

• Economic Survey commends the government for having been able to sell and monetize the vehicle owners’

data in the Vahan database

Steps taken by Government to strengthen Privacy Regime

• Government appointed a committee of experts for Data protection under the chairmanship of Justice B N

Srikrishna that submitted its report in July 2018 along with a draft Data Protection Bill

• The Report has a wide range of recommendations to strengthen privacy law in India. Its proposals included

restrictions on processing and collection of data, Data Protection Authority, right to be forgotten, data

localisation, explicit consent requirements for sensitive personal data, etc.

• Information Technology Act, 2000: The IT Act provides for safeguard against certain breaches in relation to

data from computer systems. It contains provisions to prevent the unauthorized use of computers, computer

systems and data stored therein.

Privacy Judgement as a guiding tool

• This landmark judgement fundamentally changed the way in which the government viewed its citizens’

privacy, both in practice and prescription.

• It requires governments to undertake structural reforms and bring transparency and openness in the process of

commissioning and executing its surveillance projects, and build a mechanism of judicial oversight over

surveillance requests.

• It demands from the authorities to demonstrate great care and sensitivity in dealing with personal information

of its citizens.

• It requires to legislate a transformative, rights-oriented data protection law that holds all powerful entities that

deal with citizens’ personal data (data controllers), including the state, accountable.

Data use Vs Privacy:

• The government has shunned a rights-oriented approach in the collection, storage and processing of personal

data and has stuck to its ‘public good’ and ‘data is the new oil’ discourse.

• This is evident from this year’s Economic Survey as it commends the government for having been able to sell

and monetise the vehicle owners’ data in the Vahan database and exhorts it to replicate the success with other

databases.

• The Draft Personal Data Protection Bill that urged for a ‘free and fair digital economy’, has the digital

economy as the end and the notion of privacy merely being a shaper of the means.

Way ahead

• A rights-oriented data protection legislation is the need of the hour.


• Comprehensive surveillance reform and prohibiting mass surveillance

• Institution of a judicial oversight mechanism for targeted surveillance

• State ought to be a model data controller as it deals with its citizens’ personal information.

Sample Question:

Discuss the areas where privacy comes in conflict with the concept of ‘Public Good’ with reference to

Puttaswamy case judgement

Topic : Article 370 Abrogated

On 5th of August 2019, the President of India promulgated the Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir)

Order, 2019.

The order effectively abrogates the special status accorded to Jammu and

Kashmir under the provision of Article 370 - whereby provisions of the

Constitution which were applicable to other states were not applicable

to Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).

According to the Order:

Provisions of the Indian Constitution are now applicable in the State.

A separate Bill - the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill 2019 - was

introduced to bifurcate the State into two separate union territories of

Jammu and Kashmir (with legislature), and Ladakh (without legislature).

Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Second Amendment) Bill, 2019 was also

introduced to extend the reservation for Economically Weaker Sections

(EWS) in educational institutions and government jobs in Jammu and

Kashmir.

A brief timeline:

• August 1947: Partition of the Indian subcontinent along religious lines lead to the formation of India

• and Pakistan.

• October 1947 – The Maharaja of Kashmir signed a treaty of accession with India after attacks by a Pakistani

tribal army. Under the Instrument of Accession, a temporary special status was granted to the State under

article 370 of the Indian Constitution.

• 1947-48: War broke out between India and Pakistan over the region.

• January 1948: India referred the dispute to the United Nations.

• August 1948: UN directed Pakistan to remove its troops, after which India was also to withdraw the bulk of

its forces. Once this happened, a “free and fair” plebiscite was to be held to allow the Kashmiri people to

decide their future. But a plebiscite could not be held, partly because Pakistan would not withdraw its forces

from Pakistan-held Kashmir, and partly because Indo-Pak relations got enmeshed in the Cold War.


• January 1, 1949: A ceasefire was agreed, with 65% of the territory under Indian control and the remainder

with Pakistan. The ceasefire was intended to be temporary but the Line of Control remains the de facto

border between the two countries.

• 1956: The Constituent Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir ratified the accession of the state to India.

• 1965-66 – A brief war between Indian and Pakistan over Kashmir ends in a ceasefire and signing of the

Tashkent agreement.

• 1971-72 – Another Indo-Pakistani war ended in defeat for Pakistan and the formation of the independent

nation of Bangladesh (formerly known as East Pakistan) which lead to the 1972 Simla Agreement. This

turned the Kashmir ceasefire line into the Line of Control, and both sides pledged to settle their differences

through negotiations.

• Kashmir gave impetus to a pro-independence insurgency. India accused Pakistan of fomenting the insurgency

by dispatching ghters across the Line of Control, which Pakistan denied.

• 1990 – India imposed Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Jammu and Kashmir following

escalation of insurgency.

• 1990s – Violence intensified in Kashmir. Islamic militants carried out ethnic cleansing in the Kashmir

Valley, terrorizing non-Muslims, mainly Kashmiri pundits, causing large numbers of people to flee, mainly to

Jammu. The Indian military responded with repression to the terrorism, foreign infiltration, and the domestic

insurgency, which are now all mixed up. There are allegations of serious human rights abuses on all sides.

Article 370 never implemented properly :

Indian federalism is an Asymmetric Federalism which is accommodative of the diverse interests and is part of the

project of national consolidation. As part of this project of Asymmetric Federalism and the respect for the identity of

Kashmiriyat Article 370 was included in Constitution which provides a separate Constitution for Jammu and

Kashmir. The article had been included in the Constitution of India as part of temporary provision to be revoked

when Kashmir is well integrated with India.

But this Constitutional intention was never properly translated into practice as the local institutions never developed

properly. This trend has been continuing even today with the recent example being the dissolution of State

Legislative Assembly by the Governor without conducting a floor test despite demands made by certain parties to

prove their confidence. This was completely against the procedural propriety prescribed by the Constitution.

Article 370 was Temporary:

The Article was introduced to accommodate the apprehensions of Maharaja Hari Singh who would not have acceded

to India without certain concessions.

Territorial integrity was of paramount importance to India post-independence, thus, such a special provision was

inducted in the constitution.

The provision, however, is part of the “Temporary, Transitional and Special Provisions” of our constitution.

Moreover, Article 370 could be interpreted as temporary in the sense that the J&K Constituent Assembly had a right

to modify/delete/retain it; it decided to retain it.

Another interpretation was that accession was temporary until a plebiscite.

Article 35A

Article 35A is a provision incorporated in the Constitution giving the Jammu and Kashmir Legislature a carte


blanche to decide who all are ‘permanent residents’ of the State and confer on them special rights and privileges in

public sector jobs, acquisition of property in the State, scholarships and other public aid and welfare. The provision

mandates that no act of the legislature coming under it can be challenged for violating the Constitution or any other

law of the land.

Impacts of Revoking:

Article 370 is the bedrock of the constitutional relationship between Jammu and Kashmir and the rest of India.

It has been described as a tunnel through which the Constitution is applied to J&K.

India has used Article 370 at least 45 times to extend provisions of the Indian Constitution to J&K. This is the only

way through which, by mere Presidential Orders, India has almost nullified the effect of J&K’s special status.

By the 1954 order, almost the entire Constitution was extended to J&K including most Constitutional amendments.

However, abrogating the article altogether may threaten the peace in the state which is already a hotspot of

conflicts and militancy.

It will completely change the relationship between the state and the rest of India.

It will also clear the path for abrogating Article 35A which would allow Indian citizens to purchase land and settle

permanently in J&K.

Thus, the move is bound to have a significant impact on the demography, culture, and politics of J&K.

Sample Question:

Discuss what effect recent scrapping of article 370 has on the security front in Kashmir

Topic : Delimitation of Constituencies

Context:

Since the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir state into the Union

Territories of J&K and Ladakh, delimitation of their electoral

constituencies has been inevitable. While the government has not

formally notified the Election Commission yet, the EC has

held “internal discussions” on the Jammu and Kashmir

Reorganisation Act, 2019, particularly its provisions on

delimitation

Background:

What is Delimitation?


• Delimitation is the act of redrawing boundaries of Lok Sabha and state Assembly seats to represent changes

in population.

• In this process, the number of seats allocated to different states in Lok Sabha and the total number seats in a

Legislative Assembly may also change.

Objective of delimitation:

• The main objective of delimitation is to provide equal representation to equal segments of a population.

• It also aims at a fair division of geographical areas so that one political party doesn’t have an advantage over

others in an election.

How is delimitation carried out?

• Delimitation is carried out by an independent Delimitation Commission.

• The Constitution mandates that its orders are final and cannot be questioned before any court as it would hold

up an election indefinitely.

• Under Article 82, the Parliament enacts a Delimitation Act after every Census.

• Once the Act is in force, the Union government sets up a Delimitation Commission.

• Composition: The commission is made up of a retired Supreme Court judge, the Chief Election

Commissioner and the respective State Election Commissioners.

• Functions: The Commission is supposed to determine the number and boundaries of constituencies in a way

that the population of all seats, so far as practicable, is the same. The Commission is also tasked with

identifying seats reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes; these are where their population is

relatively large.

• All this is done on the basis of the latest Census and, in case of difference of opinion among members of the

Commission, the opinion of the majority prevails.

• The draft proposals of the Delimitation Commission are published in the Gazette of India, official gazettes of

the states concerned and at least two vernacular papers for public feedback.

• The Commission also holds public sittings. After hearing the public, it considers objections and suggestions,

received in writing or orally during public sittings, and carries out changes, if any, in the draft proposal.

• The final order is published in the Gazette of India and the State Gazette and comes into force on a date

specified by the President.

How often has delimitation been done in the past?

• The first delimitation exercise in 1950-51 was carried out by the President (with the help of the Election

Commission).

• The Constitution at that time was silent on who should undertake the division of states into Lok Sabha seats.

• This delimitation was temporary as the Constitution mandated redrawing of boundaries after every Census.

Hence, another delimitation was due after the 1951 Census.

History of Delimitation in J&K

• Delimitation of J&K’s Lok Sabha seats is governed by the Indian Constitution, but delimitation of its

Assembly seats (until special status was abrogated recently) was governed separately by its Constitution and

J&K Representation of the People Act, 1957.

• As far as delimitation of Lok Sabha seats is concerned, the last DC of 2002 was not entrusted with this task.

Hence, J&K parliamentary seats remain as delimited on the basis of the 1971 Census.


• As for Assembly seats, although the delimitation provisions of the J&K Constitution and the J&K RP Act,

1957, are similar to those of the Indian Constitution and Delimitation Acts.

• They mandate a separate DC for J&K. In actual practice, the same central DC set up for other states was

adopted by J&K in 1963 and 1973.

• While the amendment of 1976 to the Indian Constitution suspended delimitation in the rest of the country till

2001, no corresponding amendment was made to the J&K Constitution.

• Hence, unlike the rest of the country, the Assembly seats of J&K were delimited based on the 1981 Census,

which formed the basis of the state elections in 1996.

• There was no census in the state in 1991 and no DC was set up by the state government after the 2001 Census

as the J&K Assembly passed a law putting a freeze on fresh delimitation until 2026.

Why there has been no delimitation in recent past?

• The Constitution mandates that the number of Lok Sabha seats allotted to a state would be such that the ratio

between that number and the population of the state is, as far as practicable, the same for all states. Although

unintended, this provision implied that states that took little interest in population control could end up with a

greater number of seats in Parliament. The southern states that promoted family planning faced the possibility

of having their seats reduced.

• To allay these fears, the Constitution was amended during Indira Gandhi’s Emergency rule in 1976 to

suspend delimitation until 2001.

• Although the freeze on the number of seats in Lok Sabha and Assemblies should have been lifted after the

2001 Census, another amendment postponed this until 2026. This was justified on the ground that a uniform

population growth rate would be achieved throughout the country by 2026.

• So, the last delimitation exercise — started in July 2002 and completed on May 31, 2008 — was based on

the 2001 Census and only readjusted boundaries of existing Lok Sabha and Assembly seats and reworked the

number of reserved seats.

Sample Question

What is delimitation, why is it needed?Discuss the process of implementation of delimitation.

Topic in syllabus: Indian Governance

Topic : Aviation Market in India

Context:

Very few States in India have active civil aviation departments.

Currently, the penetration of the aviation market in India stands

at 7%. There is potential to be among the global top three nations in

terms of domestic and international passenger traffic.

The passive role of states

• Civil aviation is a Central subject and barely got significant

attention from the States.

• States had a passive role as the Central government continued the development of airports and enhancing air

connectivity.


The increasing role of states

• The cooperation of States is seen as a major factor in the growth of the civil aviation sector.

• Regional Connectivity Scheme, UdeDeshkaAamNaagrik (UDAN) has a built-in mechanism to develop stakes

of State governments in the growth of the sector.

• Thirty states and Union Territories have already signed memoranda of understanding with the Central

government.

• The policies of States and Centre are now being interlinked to make flying accessible and affordable.

Fuel pricing

• For any airline in India, the cost of Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) forms about 40% of the total operational

cost.

• Keeping petroleum products out of GST may be imperative for State governments.

• States have very high rates of VAT on ATF, as high as 25% which has dampened the growth trajectory of

civil aviation.

• Any notional revenue loss can be offset by enhanced economic activities as a result of increased air

connectivity to the region.

• An International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) study has shown that the output multiplier and

employment multiplier of civil aviation are 3.25 and 6.10, respectively.

• UDAN has motivated State governments to reduce the VAT on ATF to 1% for the flights operated under this

scheme.

• Airports such as Jharsuguda (Odisha) and Kolhapur (Maharashtra) have successfully attracted airlines to

connect these hitherto unconnected regions.

Airport development

• There are many regional airports which can be developed by States on their own or in collaboration with the

Airports Authority of India (AAI).

• Different models of public-private-partnership can be leveraged to develop infrastructures.

• Innovative models can be explored to create viable ‘no-frill airports’.

• India had about 70 airports since Independence until recently. Under UDAN, the Union government has

operationalised 24 unserved airports over the past two years; 100 more are to be developed in the next five

years.

Linking the hinterland

• States and the Central government can play a crucial role in supporting airlines to develop air services in

remote regions.

• To reduce the operational cost of airlines and airport operators, incentives from State governments such

as financial support such as VAT reduction; sharing of viability gap funding with airlines, and non-financial

incentives such as providing security and fire services free of cost to airport operators can be considered.

• Union government has declared concessions on excise duty on ATF and made budgetary allocations for

airport development. This has encouraged airlines to operate on regional unconnected routes instead of trunk

routes.

Way ahead

• To attract airlines from regional to remote connectivity, further interventions are necessary.


• Considering the infrastructural constraints and difficult terrain, small aircraft operators need to be

encouraged.

• Areas which cannot be connected meaningfully by road or rail have to be linked by air.

• Air connectivity would not only bring down travel time but also be a boon in emergencies.

• This is also true for northeast India, the islands and also the hilly States.

• States may converge their relevant schemes relating to tourism, health, and insurance for supporting air

connectivity to supplement the objectives of regional connectivity.

• States need to create a conducive business environment to facilitate the aviation sector. Developing airports,

incentivising airlines and pooling resources of both the Union and State governments can accelerate the

growth of the sector.

Sample Question:

Critically analyse the issues plaguing aviation sector in India. What needs to be done to overcome these issues

and concerns? Discuss.(250 words)

Topic : Left-Wing Extremism in India

Context

Naga extremist group has for the first time said a “separate flag and

Constitution” were necessary for an “honorable solution”. NSCN (IM)

said that there has been no progress since the framework was signed on

August 03, 2015 after the latter agreed to give up its long-standing

demand for sovereignty.

Left-Wing Extremism

• LWE organizations are the groups that try to bring change through violent revolution. They are against

democratic institutions and use violence to subvert the democratic processes at ground level.

• These groups prevent the developmental processes in the least developed regions of the country & try to

misguide the people by keeping them ignorant of current happenings.

Declining Numbers

It was because of the never-ending successful efforts of our security forces that the number of related incidents,

deaths & their geographical spread came down in the past decade.

Sr. No. Parameters 2009 2018

1 No. of incidents 2258 833

2 Deaths (Civilians & Security Forces) 1005 240

3 Number of affected districts 96 (in 2010) 60

Government Strategy to Curb LWE

SAMADHAN doctrine is the one-stop solution for the LWE problem. It encompasses the entire strategy of

government from short-term policy to long-term policy formulated at different levels. SAMADHAN stands for-


• S- Smart Leadership,

• A- Aggressive Strategy,

• M- Motivation and Training,

• A - Actionable Intelligence,

• D- Dashboard Based KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) and KRAs (Key Result Areas),

• H- Harnessing Technology,

• A -Action plan for each Theatre,

• N- No access to Financing.

The national strategy to counter LWE was formed in 2015 as a multipronged approach to combat LWE. Its main aim

was to ensure participatory governance and protection of the rights of local tribals, inter alia.

Intelligence sharing and raising of a separate 66 Indian Reserved Battalion (IRBs) was done by the government to

curb the menace of LWE organizations.

Development of LWE Affected Areas

Few schemes being implemented by the government for LWE affected areas are:

• Special Central Assistance (SCA)- for filling critical gaps in public infrastructure and services of emergent

nature.

• Road Connectivity Project- for construction of 5,412 km roads.

• Skill Development- for construction of 47 ITIs (01 ITI per district) and 68 Skill Development Centers (02

SDCs per district) by 2018-19.

• Education Initiatives- for building new Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) & Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas

(JNVs) where they are not present. It is also planned to open more schools under the Eklavya model.

• Installation of Mobile Towers- for endless telecom connectivity.

• Financial inclusion- for ensuring the presence of banking facilities within 5 km to all citizens residing in

LWE affected areas.

Way Forward

• Though the number of incidents of LWE violence has come down in the recent past, continued efforts and

focus are needed in eliminating such groups.

• Innovative measures are required to be employed in preventing IED (Improvised Explosive Device) related

incidents which have caused significant casualties in recent years.

• States play a vital role in maintaining law and order. So, emphasis should be laid on the capacity-building

and modernization of the local police forces. Local forces can efficiently and effectively neutralize the LWE

organizations.

• States should rationalize their surrender policy in order to bring innocent individuals caught in the trap of

LWE in the mainstream.

• States also need to adopt a focused time-bound approach to completely eliminate LWE groups and ensure

all-round development of the affected regions.

• For the holistic last-mile development of “New India”, it is necessary to get rid of the menace of such

radicalized groups, & the synergized efforts of the Centre and the States are crucial in achieving the same.

Sample Question:

Left Wing Extremism (LWE) is showing a downward trend, but still affects many parts of the country. Briefly

explain the Government of India’s approach to counter the challenges posed by LWE.(250 words)


Topic : Inter-State River Water Disputes (Amendment) Bill, 2019

Context:

The Inter-State River Water Disputes (Amendment) Bill, 2019 was recently introduced in the Lok Sabha.

The Bill amends the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956.

What did the Act provide for?

• The Act provides for the adjudication of disputes relating to waters of inter-state rivers and river valleys.

• Under the Act, a state government may request the central government to refer an inter-state river dispute to a

Tribunal for adjudication.

• If the central government is of the opinion that it

cannot be settled through negotiations, it sets up a

Water Disputes Tribunal within a year of receiving

such a complaint.

Effectiveness of the Tribunals:

• Under the 1956 Act, 9 tribunals have so far been set up.

Only 4 of them have given their awards.

• One of these disputes, over Cauvery waters between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, took 28 years to settle.

• The Ravi and Beas Waters Tribunal was set up in 1986 and it is still to give the final award.

• The minimum a tribunal has taken to settle a dispute is 7 years (by the first Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal

in 1976).

• The multiplicity of tribunals has led to an increase in bureaucracy, delays, and possible duplication of work.

What does the Bill aim for?

• The Bill seeks to replace the above mechanism.

• The main purpose of the Bill is to make the process of dispute settlement more efficient and effective.

• The Bill proposes to set up a permanent tribunal to adjudicate on all inter-state disputes over sharing of river

waters.

• The replacement of five existing tribunals with a permanent tribunal is likely to result in a 25% reduction in

staff strength and a saving of Rs 4.27 crore per year.

What is the proposed dispute resolution committee?

• Under the Bill, a state will put in a request regarding any water dispute to the central government.

• The central government will then set up a Disputes Resolution Committee (DRC) to resolve the dispute

amicably.

• Composition - The DRC will comprise of a Chairperson, and experts with at least 15 years of experience in

relevant sectors.

• These will be nominated by the central government.

• It will also comprise one member from each state (at Joint Secretary level), which is a party to the dispute.

• These members will be nominated by the concerned state government.


• Resolution - The DRC will seek to resolve the dispute through negotiations, within one year (extendable by 6

months).

• It will then submit its report to the central government.

• If a dispute cannot be settled by the DRC, the central government will refer it to the Inter-State River Water

Disputes Tribunal.

• Such referral must be made within 3 months from the receipt of the report from the DRC.

• So, now, the current system of dispute resolution would give way to a new two-tier approach with DRC and

the tribunal.

Key provisions on Tribunal:

• The central government will set up an Inter-State River Water Disputes Tribunal, for the adjudication of all

water disputes.

• This Tribunal can have multiple benches.

• All five existing tribunals under the 1956 Act would be dissolved.

• Also, the water disputes pending adjudication before such existing Tribunals will be transferred to the new

Tribunal.

• Composition - The Tribunal will consist of a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, 3 judicial members, and 3

expert members.

• They will be appointed by the central government on the recommendation of a Selection Committee.

• Each Tribunal Bench will consist of a Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson, a judicial member, and an expert

member.

• The central government may also appoint two experts serving in the Central Water Engineering Service as

assessors to advise the Bench in its proceedings.

• The assessor should not be from the state which is a party to the dispute.

• Time-frames - Under the Act, the Tribunal must give its decision within 3 years, which may be extended by 2

years.

• Under the Bill, the proposed Tribunal must give its decision on the dispute within 2 years, which may be

extended by another year.

• Under the Act, the matter may again be referred to the Tribunal by a state for further consideration.

• In such case, the Tribunal was to submit its report to the central government within a period of one year.

• This period can be extended by the central government.

• Under the Bill, this provision is amended, specifying that such extension may be up to a maximum of 6

months.

• So now, all disputes would have to be resolved within a maximum of four-and-a-half years.

• Decision of the Tribunal - Under the Act, the decision of the Tribunal must be published by the central

government in the official gazette.

• This decision has the same force as that of an order of the Supreme Court. There is no provision for appeal.

• [However, the Supreme Court, on Cauvery dispute, had said the decision of the tribunal could be challenged

before it through a Special Leave Petition under Article 136 of the Constitution.]

• The Bill removes the requirement of such publication.

• It adds that the decision of the Bench of the Tribunal will be final and binding on the parties involved in the

dispute.

• The Act provided that the central government ‘may’ make a scheme to give effect to the decision of the

Tribunal.

• The Bill is making it mandatory for the central government to make such scheme.

• Data bank - Under the Act, the central government maintains a data bank and information system at the

national level for each river basin.

• The Bill provides that the central government will appoint or authorise an agency to maintain such data bank.


Sample Question:

Why does river water disputes spun out for such long durations of time in our country? Critically Analyse

Topic : National Medical Commission Bill

Context:

Recently, the National Medical Commission Bill, 2019 was passed

by the parliament. The bill sets up the National Medical

Commission (NMC) which will act as an umbrella regulatory body

in the medical education system.

Also, the NMC will subsume the MCI and will regulate medical

education and practice in India. Apart from this, it also provides for

the reforms in the medical education system.

What are the issues in MCI?

The Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 established The Medical

Council of India (MCI) which till now is responsible for regulating

medical education and practice.

• However, over the years, MCI has been marred by several issues regarding its regulatory role, composition,

allegations of corruption, and lack of accountability.

o In 2009, the Yashpal Committee and the National Knowledge Commission recommended separating

the regulation of medical education and medical practice.

o MCI is an elected body where its members are elected by medical practitioners themselves, i.e., the

regulator is elected by the regulated.

o This creates a conflict of interest.

o MCI is solely dominated by doctors: Since medical education is a diverse stream, MCI should include

diverse stakeholders such as public health experts, social scientists, and health economists.

▪ For example, in the United Kingdom, the General Medical Council (the counterpart of

MCI), consists of 12 medical practitioners and 12 lay members (such as community

health members, administrators from local government).

o As per MCI regulations, a college is required to be inspected 25 times to get final recognition. This

establishes an Inspector Raj.

Salient Features of the Bill

• The Bill establishes the National Medical Commission (NMC)at union level and directs states to establish

State Medical Councils, within three years of the passage of the Bill.

• The NMC will consist of 25 memberspartly nominated by the central government.

• Functions of the National Medical Commission will include:

o Regulating medical institutions and medical professionals

o Assessing the requirements of healthcare-related human resources and infrastructure


o Ensuring compliance by the State Medical Councils

o Framing guidelines for determination of fees for up to 50% of the seats in private medical institutions

and deemed universities

• The Bill sets up autonomous boards under the supervision of the NMC.

o The Under-Graduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) and the Post-Graduate Medical

Education Board (PGMEB).

▪ These will be responsible for formulating standards, curriculum, guidelines, and granting

recognition to medical qualifications at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels

respectively.

o The Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB)

▪ It will levy monetary penalties on medical institutions which fail to maintain the minimum

standards as laid down by the UGMEB and PGMEB.

▪ It will also grant permission for establishing a new medical college, starting any postgraduate

course, or increasing the number of seats.

o The Ethics and Medical Registration Board:

▪ It maintains a National Register of all licensed medical practitioners and regulates professional

conduct.

o Community Health Provider:Under the Bill, the NMC may grant limited license to certain mid-

level practitioners connected with the modern medical profession to practice medicine.

▪ These mid-level medical practitioners may prescribe specified medicines in primary and

preventive healthcare.

o Qualifying examinations:There will be a uniform National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET)

for admission to under-graduate and post-graduate super-speciality medical education in all medical

institutions regulated.

▪ The Bill proposes a common final year undergraduate examination, the National Exit Test, for

the students graduating from medical institutions to obtain the license for the practice.

Advantages of National Medical Commission Bill, 2019

• The NMC has the potential to link the disease burden and the specialties being produced.

o In the UK, for example, it is the government that lays down how many specialists of which discipline

need to be produced, which the British Medical Council then adheres to.

o In India, the MCI has so far been operating independently. This gap can be bridged by the NMC.

• By introducing qualifying exams like NEET and NEXT, NMC can instill uniformity in the standard of

competenceand skills.

o It can reduce the burden of taking multiple exams, ensure a minimum level of knowledge in science,

and reduce corruption by restricting student admission to those qualifying these exams.

• The State Medical Council will act as a grievance redressal bodyfor any complaints relating to professional

or ethical misconduct against a registered medical practitioner.

o This will protect the interest of the patients and checks the corrosive impact of the process

of commercialisation of medical services.

• The differential pricing of medical education can benefit the economically weaker sections of society.

o NMC will have a final say in the determination of fees for up to 50% of the seatsin private medical

institutions and deemed universities.

• NMC can encourage and incentivise innovation and promote research by laying down rules that make

research a prerequisite in medical colleges.

Concerns


• The composition of the members of NMC which are to be nominated by the Union government can possibly

lead to favouritism and bureaucratic interference.

o The extensive discretionary powers that the Bill provides to government reduce the accountability of

NMC and make it virtually an advisory body.

• The NMC Bill provides for licensing of 3.5 lakhs non-medical persons to practise modern medicine.

However, the term Community Health Provider has been vaguely defined.

• The capping of the fees of 50% of seats in private medical colleges is dubbed to be anti-poor, as the

remaining 50% of seats which is called the management quota, will witness a high rise in fees.

o This can deny admission to poor students on 50% seats.

Way Forward

India has suffered from the problem of inappropriately trained doctors of varying quality since a very long time.

Decades back, the Mudaliar Committee Report (1959) pointed out that doctors had neither the skills nor the

knowledge to handle primary care and infectious diseases that were a high priority concern at the time. In recent

times, the excessive reliance on a battery of diagnostic tests is reflective of commercial considerations and weak

knowledge.

While NMC can help in improving the medical education and practice in the country, the government must

thoroughly focus on addressing much bigger issues like Antibiotic resistance, crunch in public expenditure in health

etc.

Sample Question:

Discuss in what way the newly passed National Medical Commission Bill, 2019 can new thrust to medical care in

India?

Topic : Surrogacy regulation Bill

Context:

The Lok has passed the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2019 by a

voice vote. The Bill seeks to ban commercial surrogacy and

provides for constituting a National Surrogacy Board, State

Surrogacy Boards, and the appointment of authorities for its

regulation of practice and processes.

Back ground:

What is surrogacy?

• Surrogacy is the practice where by one woman carries the child for anotherwith the intention that the child

should be handed over after birth.

• Such a surrogacy arrangement may be altruistic or commercialin nature.

o Altruistic surrogacyinvolves an arrangement where the couple does not pay the surrogate mother

any compensation other than the medical and insurance expenses related to the pregnancy.

o Commercial surrogacy includes compensation (in cash or kind) paid to the surrogate mother,

which exceeds the reasonable medical expenses associated with the pregnancy.


Need for regulation:

• India has emerged as a surrogacy hub for couples from other countries and there have been reports

concerning unethical practices, exploitation of surrogate mothers, abandonment of children born out of

surrogacy, and rackets involving intermediaries importing human embryos and gametes.

• The 228th report of the Law Commission of India has recommended prohibiting commercial surrogacy

and allowing altruistic surrogacy by enacting suitable legislation.

Features of surrogacy regulation bill.

• The bill seeks to ban commercial surrogacy.

• The Bill aimed at ending the exploitation of women who are lending their womb for surrogacy, and

protecting the rights of children born through this.

• Constituting a National Surrogacy Board, State Surrogacy Boards, and the appointment of appropriate

authorities for the regulation of the practice and process of surrogacy.

• The Bill seeks to allow only altruistic surrogacyby infertile Indian couples from a “close relative”,

while prohibiting foreigners, NRIs and PIOs from commissioningsurrogacy in the country.

• Even singles, homosexuals and live-in couples cannot apply for surrogacy.

Eligibility criteria for surrogacy

• For intending couple:

o The intending couple should have a ‘certificate of essentiality’ and a ‘certificate of eligibility’ issued

by the appropriate authority.

o A certificate of essentiality will be issued upon fulfilment of the following conditions:

• A certificate of proven infertility of one or both members of the intending couple from a District Medical

Board

• An order of parentage and custody of the surrogate child passed by a Magistrate’s court; and

• Insurance coverage for a period of 16 months covering postpartum delivery complications for the surrogate.

• The certificate of eligibility to the intending couple is issued upon fulfilment of the following

conditions:

• The couple being Indian citizens and married for at least five years

• Between 23 to 50 years old (wife) and 26 to 55 years old (husband);

• They do not have any surviving child (biological, adopted or surrogate); this would not include a child who is

mentally or physically challenged or suffers from life threatening disorder or fatal illness; and

• Other conditions that may be specified by regulations

• Eligibility criteria for surrogate mother:

To obtain a certificate of eligibility from the appropriate authority, the surrogate mother has to be:

• A close relative of the intending couple;

• A married woman having a child of her own;

• 25 to 35 years old;

• A surrogate only once in her lifetime; and


• Possess a certificate of medical and psychological fitness for surrogacy. Further, the surrogate mother cannot

provide her own gametes for surrogacy.

Appropriate authority

The central and state governments shall appoint one or more appropriate authorities within 90 days of the Bill

becoming an Act

• The functions of the appropriate authority include;

• granting, suspending or cancelling registration of surrogacy clinics;

• enforcing standards for surrogacy clinics;

• investigating and taking action against breach of the provisions of the Bill;

• recommending modifications to the rules and regulations.

• Registration of surrogacy clinics

Surrogacy clinics cannot undertake surrogacy related procedures unless they are registered by the appropriate

authority

o Clinics must apply for registration within a period of 60 days from the date of appointment of the

appropriate authority.

• National and State Surrogacy Boards

The central and the state governments shall constitute the National Surrogacy Board (NSB) and the State

Surrogacy Boards (SSB), respectively.

• Functions of the NSB include,

(i) advising the central government on policy matters relating to surrogacy; (ii) laying down the code of conduct of

surrogacy clinics; and (iii) supervising the functioning of SSBs.

• Parentage and abortion of surrogate child

A child born out of a surrogacy procedure will be deemed to be the biological child of the intending couple.

• An abortion of the surrogate child requires the written consent of the surrogate mother and the authorisation

of the appropriate authority.

• This authorisation must be compliant with the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971

• Further, the surrogate mother will have an option to withdraw from surrogacy before the embryo is implanted

in her womb

Offences and penalties

The offences under the Bill include

• undertaking or advertising commercial surrogacy;

• exploiting the surrogate mother;

• abandoning, exploiting or disowning a surrogate child;

• selling or importing human embryo or gametes for surrogacy.

• The penalty for such offences is imprisonment up to 10 years and a fine up to 10 lakh rupees.

• The Bill specifies a range of offences and penalties for other contraventions of the provisions of the Bill.

Concerns:


• The Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill 2019 cements the ban on commercial surrogacy, but it fails to effectively

tackle the larger social, physical, psychological, emotional and economic issues that continue to challenge the

welfare and safety of both the surrogate mother and the child.

• The bill passed has not addressed the cases like a women who is able to conceive but cannot carry full

pregnancy.

• The bill does not provide a definition of a ‘close relative’ leaving room for unwarranted manipulations and

inclusions.

• Just the removal of the commercial aspects in the current surrogacy arrangements does not remove the

chances of exploitation. So the rights of surrogate mother and child born must comprehensively be

formulated, along with that ART must be regulated thoroughly.

Sample Question

Discuss the provisions and challenges of surrogacy regulation bill 2019.

Topic : Sabki Yojana Sabka Vikas

Context:

The central government has decided to launch the People's Plan

Campaign, also known as “Sabki Yojana Sabka Vikas” from

September 2019.

Aim:

It aims to draw up Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs) in the country and place them on a website where

anyone can see the status of the various government’s flagship schemes.

Background:

• A pilot exercise conducted in 2018 suggests that a majority of the GPs scored between 41% and 50% on a

scale of 100, showing glaring deficiencies.

• Merely 0.1% and 0.6% GPs fell in the high 91-100 and 81-90 score respectively.

• A comparison of the performance among the larger states shows that Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra

Pradesh, in that order, were the top scorers, while GPs in Jharkhand, Assam, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh

were at the bottom.

• A recent study of 100 randomly chosen GPs by National Institute of Rural Development has shown that

several GP has reported improvements while others have slipped down over the past year. A fresh survey is,

therefore, significant.

Gram Panchayat Development Plans:

• Gram Panchayats have been mandated for the preparation of GPDP for economic development and social

justice utilizing the resources available to them.

• The GPDP planning process will be comprehensive and participatory by involving full convergence with the

schemes of all related Central Ministries / Line Departments.


• The People's Plan Campaign initiated under "Sabki Yojana Sabka Vikas" is an intensive and structured

exercise for planning at Gram Sabha through convergence between Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and

concerned departments of the State.

Process:

• Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs) will include 48 indicators covering various aspects such as

health and sanitation, education etc.

• After each GP is scored out of 100 — with 30 marks for infrastructure, 30 marks for human development,

and 40 marks for economic activity— the GPs will be ranked.

• The data on the 48 indicators would come from Census 2011 (for physical infrastructure), Socio-Economic

Caste Census 2011 (for Household-level deprivation data), and fresh survey starting in September 2019 that

will be carried out by local facilitators.

• The score for each GP will reflect the local needs and priorities.

Example:

For a drought-prone area, water conservation would be accorded the highest priority.Within this ranking, households

suffering the worst deprivations would be prioritised further.The entire ranking exercise is meant to identify the gaps

at the GP level, make an assessment of where it stands, and accordingly plan the interventions.

National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj

• The National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRD&PR) is an autonomous organisation

under the Union Ministry of Rural Development.

• It is recognized internationally as one of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and

the Pacific (UNESCAP) Centres of Excellence.

• It builds capacities of rural development functionaries, elected representatives of PRIs, bankers, NGOs and

other stakeholders through interrelated activities of training, research and consultancy.

• Establishment in 1958, the Institute is located at Hyderabad in Telangana.

• In addition to the main campus at Hyderabad, this Institute has North-Eastern Regional Centre at Guwahati,

Assamto meet the NE-regional needs.

Sample Question:

How can Sabki Yojana Sabka Vikas Campaign bring in efficiency in rural development planning processes? (150

words)

Topic : Space Activities Bill

Context:

India has successfully demonstrated its space prowess for a while now. However, the Indian Space Research

Organisation (ISRO) has monopolized this sector for a very long time.


• For India to become a global space power, it is essential to bring

in the private players on board for a higher success rate.

• Currently, the new start-ups are emerging in the space sector for

undertaking ambitious projects like launching palm-sized

satellites and propulsion of satellites using cleaner fuels.

• With the promise of high returns of the investment in this sector,

there is an increased inflow of investments into these start-ups.

• For the success of these new companies, it is essential for the

Indian Government to provide a law that assures ease of doing

business and faster promotion of these aspiring projects.

• The Space Activities Bill, 2017 is a major leap forward in this

direction.

Space Activities Bill, 2017:

• It is a proposed pre-legislative bill that seeks to promote and

regulate the space activities of India and also to encourage and

regulate the domestic private space and satellite companies to provide services to both the Indian and Global

costumers.

• This new bill seeks to encourage start-ups in the space sector by providing them with guidance and

authorization from the Government through the Department of Space.

Salient features:

• Its provisions shall apply to all the Indian Citizens and sectors that may engage in space sector within or

outside India.

• The government will maintain an official record of all the space objects (any object launched or intended to

be launched around the earth) and create a blueprint for more future space activities of the country.

• The Central Government will be in charge of creating a mechanism to provide licences, eligibility criteria and

the fees for the licence.

• The non-transferable licences will be provided by the Central Government to any Indian citizen undertaking

Space activity.

• Technical and professional support will be provided to the commercial space activity by the Central

Government.

• These activities will be regulated by the government to ensure the safety and supervision of the procedures

and conduct of the space activities of the nation.

• Any incidents/accidents that may arise in connection with the space activities will be investigated under this

bill.

• The bill will share details on the pricing of the products created through space activity and technology with

any individual or agency as per the terms and conditions.

• If any individual indulges in any commercial space activity without the authorization, then he/she will be

punished with imprisonment up to 3 years or be fined more than Rs.1crore or both.

• It also has provisions for theprotection of IPR;created through space activity.

Why do we need this law?

• Despite the increasing success of the ISRO for the past five decades since its establishments, the future looks

complicated for the Indian space growth. This is because the ISRO is currently facing a critical situation in

bearing the full burden of capacity building, space research, and technological development in this field.


• For decades since the establishment, ISRO had to justify the spending of the limited precious resources on

space when the Indian economy was facing a crisis. Therefore, ISRO was always involved in developmental

projects like launching communications satellite, weather forecasting, and remote sensing technologies.

• Since then, ISRO has become one of the cost-effective Space agencies in the world. However, to improve

ISRO’s performance in the space sector, it should be much more proactive in seeking new deals in the

foreign market.

• Currently, India's importance in international politics is increasing exponentially. Therefore, India must make

use of this scenario to increase the consumer base to bring in the much-needed revenue for the Department of

Space.

• Also, ISRO has to increase its number of space missions per year to remain competitive in the global market.

There is also an urgent need to increase the launch infrastructure like launch pads and satellite manufacturing

capabilities to improve ISRO’s performance.

• For all this to happen, partnering up with the private space agencies is the need of the hour. It is a practical

and ready solution to help ISRO solve the capacity crisis. If this bill is made into law, the private space

enterprises will be able to bear some of the burdens of the global demands and bolster India’s economic

position in the global arena.

• It will also help ISRO pass on the common commercial launch activities to the private players and focus on

far ambitious missions like Gaganyaan. Also, investors predict that there may be high returns in this sector.

• The Outer Space treaty prohibits the sovereign nations from exploiting the space resources and the

colonisation in space. It considers celestial objects as common heritage of mankind;. However, under the

Obama Administration, a law was signed that allowed the private firms of the US to own asteroids and mine

resources out of it.

• This shows that the US has overcome the international laws that forbid the exploitation of space resources.

India, through this bill, seeks to do the same. If this bill is made into law, the Indian government can

encourage private players to invest in this sector. This bill will enable India to become a commercial hub for

space activities and also generate new jobs.

What are the arguments against the bill?

Too much regulation: The private space agencies are under the constant watch by the central government. All the

activities, research, technological development, etc., are being watched by the government. This may scare away the

investors.

Clarity on the term:: The bill does not provide clarity on the term \"space objects\". It is broad and ambiguous.

Private Sector Investment:

Currently, there is an increase in private space investments in India.

Bellatrix Aerospace, a Bengaluru-based research, and development company is currently working on launching

satellites using electric and non-toxic chemical thrusters. This company was able to raise an investment of USD 3

million from a group of investors.

Kawa Space, Mumbai based company that designs and operates earth observation satellites has also been funded by

many investors.

These above-mentioned companies are two among the dozen start-ups that are involved in space activities like

developing satellites, rockets, etc., in India. The boom of investments in these start-up companies shows the growing

importance of these firms in the space sector.


Way Forward

• For India to remain competitive in the space sector, it is essential to pass the well thought out law that

provides ease of doing business in the space sector.

• Also, space is becoming a new domain of warfare. Currently, the US and France are developing their own

space military forces = India must safeguard its strategic interests in the space to prevent any future threat

that may arise in this domain.

• For this to happen, the government must spread out space developmental activities to the private players to

ensure a higher and faster probability of success. Therefore, this bill, if made into law will promote India

stature in global politics.

Sample Question:

What are the salient features of the Space Activities Bill, 2017? Examine how the use of outer space by ISRO has

helped common man in India. (250 Words)

Topic in Syllabus : General Studies Paper 3: Science & Technology

Topic : Genome India Initiative

Context:

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) plans to scan nearly

20,000 Indian genomes over the next five years, in a two-phase

exercise, and develop diagnostic tests that can be used to test for

cancer.

Background:

What is Genome Sequencing?

• A genome is an organism’s complete set of DNA, including

all of its genes.

• Genome sequencing is figuring out the order of DNA nucleotides, or bases, in a genome—the order of As,

Cs, Gs, and Ts that make up an organism’s DNA.

• It is method of isolating and identifying variable elements within the base-pair sequence of DNA

(deoxyribonucleic acid) as it shows high degree of polymorphism (variation) at genetic level.

• Polymorphism forms the basis of genome sequencing since DNA from every tissue (such as blood, hair-

follicle, skin, bone, saliva, sperm etc.) from an individual show the same degree of polymorphism.

• Genomics is an interdisciplinary field of science focusing on the structure, function, evolution, mapping, and

editing of genomes.

• Genomics also involves the sequencing and analysis of genomes through uses of high throughput DNA

sequencing.

• Advances in genomics have triggered a revolution in discovery-based research and systems biology to

facilitate understanding of even the most complex biological systems such as the brain.


• It can be noted that a group of Indian scientists and companies are already involved with a 100k Genome

Asia project, which aims to sequence the whole genomes of 100k Asians, including 50,000 Indians.

Why genome sequencing?

• Ever since the human genome was first sequenced in 2003, it opened a fresh perspective on the link between

disease and the unique genetic make-up of each individual.

• Nearly 10,000 diseases — including cystic fibrosis, thalassemia — are known to be the result of a single gene

malfunctioning. While genes may render some insensitive to certain drugs, genome sequencing has shown

that cancer too can be understood from the viewpoint of genetics, rather than being seen as a disease of

certain organs.

Genome Initiative Implementation

The project is to be carried out in two phases:

• The first phase of the project involves sequencing the complete genomesof 10,000 healthy Indians.

• Second phase, involves genome sequencing of 10,000 diseased individuals.

• Data on human sequencing would be accessible to researchers through a proposed National Biological Data

Centreenvisaged in Biological Data Storage, Access and Sharing Policy.

• National Centre for Cell Scienceswill collect samples of the microbiome from the human gut.

Significance:

• The data generated would be accessible to researchers anywhere for analysis. This would be through a

proposed National Biological Data Centre envisaged in a policy called the ‘Biological Data Storage, Access

and Sharing Policy’.

• As the genetic landscape differs across the world, it is necessary that genetic data is shared in order to derive

greater knowledge from information and serve the purpose of enabling better treatment outcomes.

• The GenomeIndia initiative will pave the way for identifying genes and genetic variations for common

diseases, treating Mendelian disorders, enabling the transformation of the Precision Medicine landscape in

India, and thus improving the healthcare of the general population in our country.

• The genome project may answer questions regarding evolution by comparing human DNA with primate

DNA.

Concerns

• Discrimination:Discrimination based on genotype is a possible consequence of genome sequencing.

o For example, employers may obtain genetic information on employees prior to hiring them. If a

certain employee is shown to be genetically susceptible to undesirable workforce traits they may be

discriminated against their genotype.

• Ownership and Control:Apart from the issue of privacy and confidentiality, questions of ownership and

control of genetic information becomes critical.

• Fair Use of Genetic Data is necessary for insurance, employment, criminal justice, education, adoption, and

military.

Sample Question


What do you mean by Genome sequencing? Explain the role of it in finding cures for human diseases.

Topic in Syllabus: GS Paper 3: Agriculture

Topic : Seed Certification

Context:

The Centre is planning to mandate uniform certification of

seed by amending the Seeds Act, 1966.

Objectives:

• To bring uniformity to the process of quality

regulation.

• To brought planting materials such as cuttings,

grafting and tissue culture under the ambit of the law.

• To regulate the quality of all seeds sold in the country

as well as exported and imported seeds.

Provisions:

1.Bringing uniformity in the quality regulation

Currently, about 30% of seeds are saved by farmers from his crop which he may re-plant or sell it locally. The

remaining seeds which are bought and sold commercially, 45% come through the ICAR system and have gone

through the mandated certification process.

The other 55% seeds called ‘truthful label seeds ‘are sold by private companies, most of which are not certified. That

is, they are simply self-certified by the company.

The new legislation will remove that category with the new law and mandate certification through a proper lab

process for all seeds.

2. Increased fine

The new Bill will also raise the stakes by increasing penalties for non-compliance by private companies in selling

low quality seeds.

Currently, the fine ranges from ₹500 to ₹5,000. The Bill intend to raise that to a maximum of ₹5 lakhs.

Need:

More than half of all seeds sold in India are not certified by any proper testing agency, and are often of poor quality.

Significance:


It can increase overall agricultural productivity by up to 25%.

Definition of seed classes:

Nuclear seed:

This is genetically pure seed with physical purity and produced by the original breeder/Institute /State Agriculture

University (SAU) from basic nucleus seed stock.

A pedigree certificate is issued by the producing breeder.

Breeder seed:

Breeder seed is seed propagating material directly controlled by the originating or sponsoring plant breeder of the

breeding programme or institution and/or seed whose production is personally supervised by a qualified plant

breeder.

This is also hundred percent physical and genetic pure seed for production of foundation seed.

A golden yellow colour certificate is issued for this category of seed by the producing breeder.

Foundation seed:

The progeny of breeder seed produced by recognized seed producing agencies in public and private sector, under

supervision of seed certification agencies in such a way that its quality is maintained according to prescribed

standards.

A white colour certificate is issued for foundation seed by seed certification agencies.

Registered seed:

Registered seed shall be the progeny of foundation seed that is so handled as to maintain its genetic identity and

purity according to standard specified for the particular crop being certified.

A purple colour certificate is issued for this category of seed.

Certified seed:

The progeny of foundation seed produced by registered seed growers under supervision of seed certification agencies

to maintain the seed quality as per minimum seed certification standards.

A blue colour certificate is issued by seed certification agency for this category of seed.

Difference between certified seed and truthful labelled seed


What is DUS Testing?

• DUS stands for Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability.

• This is a criterion on the basis of which the Plant Breeders’ Rights will be granted to a variety by the

Authority.

• DUS test will be used as main criteria for deciding the novelty of a variety. The formulation of National test

guidelines for DUS testing has been entrusted to Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

Key Facts

• Seed Replacement Rate is the percentage of area sown out of total area of crop planted in the season by using

certified/quality seeds other than the farm saved seed.

• The National Seeds Corporation Ltd.(NSC), a Public Sector Undertaking under the Department of

Agriculture and Cooperation, was established in 1963 for producing and distributing Seeds of high quality to

the farmers.

Sample Question:

Why is uniform certification of seeds needed? How is it going to benefit farmer – consumer chain? (150 words)

Topic in Syllabus: GS Paper 3: Security Issues Topic : UAPA Bill

Context:

The Unlawful Activities Prevention Amendment (UAPA) Bill is an anti-terror legislation that seeks to designate an

individual as a “terrorist”.Both houses of the parliament cleared the changes to the existing law.

Background:

• The original Act dealt with “unlawful” acts related to secession; anti-terror provisions were introduced in 2004.

• The existing UAPA law specifies that only officers of the rank of Deputy Superintendent or Assistant Commissioner of

Police of the NIA shall have the power to investigate offences under the UAPA law.


Who is a “terrorist” in the UAPA Bill?

• UAPA Bill in Section 15 defines a “terrorist act” as any act

committed with intent to threaten or likely to threaten the unity, integrity,

security, economic security, or sovereignty of India

• OR with intent to strike terror or likely to strike terror in the

people or any section of the people in India or in any foreign country.

How individuals are declared terrorists?

• The central government may designate an individual as a terrorist

through a notification in the official gazette, and add his name to the

schedule supplemented to the UAPA Bill.

• The government is not required to give an individual an

opportunity to be heard before such a designation.

What happens when an individual is declared a terrorist?

• The designation of an individual as a global terrorist by the

United Nations is associated with sanctions including travel bans, freezing

of assets and an embargo against procuring arms.

• The UAPA Bill, however, does not provide any such detail. The Bill also does not require the filing of cases or

arresting individuals while designating them as terrorists.

• The Bill also seeks to give the central government the power to remove a name from the schedule when an individual

makes an application.

• The procedure for such an application and the process of decision-making will also be decided by the central

government.

• If an application filed by an individual declared a terrorist is rejected by the government, the Bill gives him the right to

seek a review within one month after the application is rejected.

• Under the amendment Bill, the central government will set up the review committee consisting of a chairperson (a

retired or sitting judge of a High Court) and three other members.

• The review committee will be empowered to order the government to delete the name of the individual from the

schedule that lists “terrorists”, if it considers the order to be flawed.

• Apart from these two avenues, the individual can also move the courts challenging the government’s order.

What are the other major changes proposed in the UAPA Bill?

• The existing UAPA law requires an investigating officer to take prior permission of the Director General of Police of a

state for conducting raids, and seizing properties that are suspected to be linked to terrorist activities.

o The amendment Bill, however, removes this requirement if the investigation is conducted by an officer of the

National Investigation Agency (NIA). The investigating officer, under the Bill, only requires sanction from the

Director General of NIA.

• Central agencies such as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) are required to obtain prior permission from the

state government since law and order is a state subject under the Constitution.

• The existing UAPA law specifies that only officers of the rank of Deputy Superintendent or Assistant Commissioner of

Police of the NIA shall have the power to investigate offences under the UAPA law.

o The Bill seeks to allow NIA officers of Inspector rank to carry out investigations.

Sample Question

Do you think amending UAPA Bill helps tocurbterror related activities in India? Comment.


Topic : Chief of Defence Staff

Context:

Prime Minister announced appointing a Chief of Defence Staff

(CDS). This could have a far-reaching impact on the management of

defence in India.

What is the office of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)?

• The CDS is a high military office that oversees and

coordinates the working of the three Services, and offers seamless

tri-service views and single-point advice to the Executive (in India’s

case, to the Prime Minister) on long-term defence planning and

management, including manpower, equipment and strategy, and

above all, “joints manship” in operations.

• In most democracies, the CDS is seen as being above inter-Service rivalries and the immediate operational

preoccupations of the individual military chiefs. The role of the CDS becomes critical in times of conflict.

• Most countries with advanced militaries have such a post, albeit with varying degrees of power and authority.

The United States Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), for example, is extremely powerful,

with a legislated mandate and sharply delineated powers.

• He is the most senior military officer and military adviser to the President, and his remit extends to the

National Security Council, the Homeland Security Council, and the Defence Secretary.

Why had India not appointed a CDS until now?

• India has had a feeble equivalent known as the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee (CoSC); but this is a

toothless office, given the manner in which it is structured.

• The senior most among the three Service Chiefs is appointed to head the CoSC, an office that lapses with the

incumbent’s retirement.

• The current Chairman CoSC is Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa, who succeeded the former Chief

of the Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba on May 31.

• When ACM Dhanoa retires at the end of September 2019, he would have served as Chairman CoSC for a

mere four months.

• In 2015, then Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had described the CoSC arrangement as “unsatisfactory”,

and its Chairman as a “figurehead”.

• The post did not further tri-service integration, resulting in inefficiency and an expensive duplication of assets

• The CoSC system is a leftover from the colonial era, with only minor changes being carried out over the

years. Apprehensions in the political class about a powerful military leader, along with inter-Services

bickering, have long worked to dis incentivise the upgrade of the post.

Why CDS:

• Long-awaited move– The issue of efficient management of higher defence organisation came into focus

after the Kargil war in 1999 when K. Subrahmanyam task force highlighted the systemic issues affecting our

national security structures; such as poor coordination and technological inadequacies.

• Group of Ministers (GoM) in the early 2000s reviewed national security management. Though many of their

recommendations were implemented, Defence management recommendations were not implemented.


• Decision making process – Armed forces are not formally involved in decision-making on defence planning

and strategy. Service Headquarters are not within the Ministry of Defence; they are treated more like attached

offices.

• New age military conflicts –The concept of military conflict extends beyond land, air and sea, into the

space, cyber, electronic and information. Effective defence preparedness requires a ‘jointness’ of these

forces. It also requires a prioritisation of the weapons requirement and optimisation of their resource

allocations.

• GOM Recommendations – Integrating the armed forces headquarters into the Ministry of Defence (MoD)

Appointment of a CDS

CDS was to administer tri-service institutions such as the Andaman and Nicobar Command

• Strategic advice – CDS would provide coordinated military advice to the Defence Minister. He would

develop the national defence strategy from a national security strategy

• Established institution– Many democracies have the institution of a CDS or its equivalent, with varying

degrees of operational control over their armed forces.

• Accountability – It arises from the greater participation of the military in defence decision-making alongside

the civilian bureaucracy

• Defence acquisition – The CDS can contribute to rational defence acquisition decisions by preventing

redundancy of capacities among the services and making best use of available financial resources.

What are the arguments against?

• Theoretically, the appointment of a CDS is long overdue, but there appears to be no clear blueprint for the

office to ensure its effectiveness. India’s political establishment is seen as being largely ignorant of, or at best

indifferent towards, security matters, and hence incapable of ensuring that a CDS works.

• Militaries by nature tend to resist transformation. In the US, the 1986 Goldwater-Nichols Act elevated the

Chairman from first among equals to the “principal military advisor” to the President and the Secretary of

Defence.

• In the Indian context, critics fear, the absence of foresight and understanding might end up making the CDS

just another case of “jobs for the boys”.

Challenges posed by CDS

• Authority of service chiefs – there is an apprehension that a CDS would undermine the authority of the three

service chiefs over their forces. The establishment of theatre commands under the CDS in many countries

reinforced this fear.

• An all-powerful CDS would distort the civil-military balance in our democracy.

Role of CDS

• Developing multi-domain military strategies

• Strengthening tri-service synergies

• Enabling perspective planning

Significance

• The creation of the CDS will eventually lead to the formation of tri-service theatre commands intended to

create vertical integration of the three forces.


• This is expected to save money by avoiding duplication between the Services, at a time of shrinking capital

expenditure within the defence budget.

• It will help India in Defense diplomacy.

Way ahead

• India should pursue the objective of indigenisation. India is still among the top arms importers.

• There must be procedures to ensure that every acquisition is structured in a way as to strengthen our

indigenous technological capacities.

• Eventually, the three Service headquarters would need to be suitably integrated into the Ministry of Defence.

Sample Question:

Why India needs Chief of Defence Staff? Can it make Indian Military more lethal? (150 Words)

Topic : Data deprivation makes cyber crime difficult to tackle

Context:

In recent times, there have been many instances of the hard-earned

money of Indians being taken out of bank accounts and charges

loaded onto credit cards through online frauds. As a nation making a

huge transition to a cashless economy, public faith in the digital

system needs to be consistently reinforced.

Background:

What is data localization?

• Data localisation is the act of storing dataon any device physically present within the borders of a

country.

• Requirements for local storage and processing of data are commonly referred to as ‘data localization’ or ‘data

residency’ requirements. Data localization can broadly be defined as 'any legal limitation on data moving

globally and compelling it to remain locally.

• Localization policies can take a variety of forms. This could include a specific requirement to locally store

copies of data, local content production requirements, or imposing conditions on cross border data transfers

that in effect act as a localization mandate.

Need for data localization:

• The main intent behind data localisation is to protect the personal and financial informationof the

country’s citizens and residents from foreign surveillance and give local governments and regulators the

jurisdiction to call for the data when required.

• Data localisation is essential to national security.Storing of data locally is expected to help law-enforcement

agencies to access information that is needed for the detection of a crime or to gather evidence.


• Where data is not localised, the agencies need to rely on mutual legal assistance treaties (MLATs)to obtain

access, delaying investigations.

• On-shoring global data could also create domestic jobs and skills in data

• storage and analytics, as the Srikrishna report had pointed out.

• Start-up ecosystem:

•

o Another emerging casualty of such cybercrimes is the emerging “startup" ecosystem. We are

beginning to see multiple cases where customers of genuine startups, unicorns and Indian businesses

have been subjected to online fraud.

Impact of cyber crime:

• It shake people’s faith in digital systems.

• the scepticism vis-a-vis online transactions also hurts the potential of emerging companies, tomorrow’s

successes which could help take India to the $5 trillion economy that the country aspires to.

Steps towards data localization in India.

• Since most search engines and social media platforms have no “permanent establishment" in India, law

enforcement agencies have hit a wall on data access for the purpose of solving cybercrimes. This has often

raised calls for complete data localization.

• The Srikrishna Commission recommended that data be stored in the country either directly or through mirror

servers to serve law enforcement needs.

• The Reserve Bank of India imposed a hard data localisation mandate on payment systems providers to store

payment systems data only in India.

• The draft e-commerce policy also has clauses on cross-border data transfer. For example, it suggests that if

a global entity’s India subsidiary transfers Indian users’ data to its parent, the same cannot be transferred to a

third party, even with the user’s consent.

• Draft Personal Data Protection Bill, 2018 has specific requirements on cross-border data storage.

o The Bill states that every fiduciary shall keep a ‘serving copy’ of all personal data in a server or data

centre located in India.

o The central government may notify certain categories of personal data as exempt from this

requirement on grounds of necessity or strategic interests of the State.

o The central government may also notify certain categories of personal data as ‘critical personal data’,

which may be processed only in servers located in India.

• At the G20 summit 2019, India boycotted the Osaka Track on the digital economy.The Osaka Track

pushed hard for the creation of laws which would allow data flows between countries and the removal of data

localisation.

Concerns Regarding Data Localisation

• Physically locating all data within the territory of a state leads to a significant increase in the capacity of law

enforcement agencies to access that information, and consequently surveillance of domestic residents.

• Localization becomes problematic in this context not just because the data will now be under the physical

access of the state, but also due to the technical measures likely to be implemented to ensure that the data

stays within a country’s boundaries.

• Checks and balances: There is the fact that citizens in countries with poor checks and balances often do not

have any real or effective mechanisms to challenge state surveillance mechanisms.


• Additionally, domestic executive agencies will generally pose a greater threat to an individual than foreign

agencies, due to the relative ease of applying coercive action within a state’s boundaries

• Fundamental rights: Localization could affect expression rights in a number of ways given that the Internet

is built on the principle of easy transfer of information across borders. Localization may also permit greater

censorship of domestic dissident or political voices and affect the extent to which Indian content is accessible

abroad.

• Government perspective: With the growing usage of encryption techniques, localization in itself may not be

a sufficient tool to achieve the desired level of access. As an example, consider the Apple-FBI imbroglio in

the United States.

• Where the company refused government requests for help in decrypting data stored in a device in the

government’s jurisdiction

• Economic cost: One of the main arguments against mandatory localization stems from the cost that it is

likely to impose on businesses and consequently, their consumers and the economy as a whole.

• Widespread localization norms will mean that businesses and other users-both domestic and foreign-will no

longer have the flexibility to choose the most cost-effective or task-specific location to store their data. These

efficiency losses will ultimately be passed onto consumers in the form of higher costs of service.

• Taking into account factors like energy cost, international bandwidth, ease of doing business and taxation

provisions, Cushman & Wakefield (2016) Data Center Risk Index score placed India at thirty sixth position,

with a score of 47.84 (out of a highest score of 100)

• Oppositions from Global Internet Giants: Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg recently expressed apprehension

about nations wanting to store data locally. According to him, it gave rise to possibilities where authoritarian

governments would have access to data for possible misuse.

• Opposition from US: The US Electronic Communications Privacy Act bars US-based service providers

from disclosing electronic communications to law enforcement agencies of any country unless US legal

requirements are met.

o The U.S. criticised India’s proposed norms on data localisation as ‘most discriminatory’ and ‘trade-

distortive’.

• EU concerns:termed data localisation as unnecessary and potentially harmful as they would create

unnecessary costs, difficulties and uncertainties that could hamper business and investments.

• The bilateral mechanism of the India-US Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty is a bit outdated and does not seem

to work. The US Cloud (Clarifying Lawful Overseas Use of Data) Act, however, enables law enforcement

authorities in India to request electronic content directly from US service providers under an executive

agreement with the US government.

Way forward:

• India needs to work out a way to crack cyber frauds and crimes.

• legally-backed framework for a collaborative trigger mechanism that would bind all parties and enable law

enforcers to act quickly and safeguard Indian citizens and businesses from a fast-growing menace.

• All the players involved, including banks, telecom companies, financial service providers, technology

platforms, social media platforms, e-commerce companies and the government, need to play a responsible

rolein ensuring innocent citizens do not undergo the trauma of suffering losses.

• The customer also has a responsibility to maintain basic cyber hygiene,which includes following practices

and taking precautions to keep one’s sensitive information organized, safe and secure.

Sample Question

“Discuss how data deprivation is a challenge to tackle cyber crimes. Also comment whether data localisation will

help in solving cyber crimes in India.”


Topic in Syllabus: General Studies Paper 1: Indian Geography

Topic : Farm Ponds

At a recent NITI Aayog meeting, Prime Minister explicated the

need to implement innovative water management measures,

stressing particularly the importance of rainwater harvesting.

One such intervention that has been tried out in various States, and

needs to be taken up on a bigger scale, is the construction of farm

ponds.

Farm Ponds:

• Farm ponds are small water bodies formed either by the

construction of a small dam or embankment across a waterway or by excavating or dug out.

• The water is usually harvested from a small catchment area and then used for irrigation during prolonged

periods.

Farm Ponds Status:

• In Jharkhand and West Bengal, farm ponds helped in superior water controlthrough the harvesting not just

of rainfall but also of surface run-off and subsurface flows. Some of them contributes to ground water

replenishment.

• They also helped in providing supplemental irrigation in the kharif seasonand an enhanced irrigation

coverage in rabi crop.

• The yield of paddy, which is the most important crop in kharif, was stabilizedcontributing to greater food

security.

• The area used to cultivate vegetables and other commercial crops also increased.

• The ponds were also a financially viable proposition, with a fairly high Internal Rate of Return, of about

19%, over 15 years.

• Farm ponds, retaining water for 8-10 months of the year, enhanced cropping intensityand crop

diversification within and across seasons.

Benefits

• It helps in enhancing water control.

• It contributes to agriculture intensificationand boost farm incomes.

• It collects excess runoffduring rainy period.

• They are cost-effective.

• Stored water can be used for supplemental irrigation to crops.

• It is useful as drinking water for cattle’sduring drought situation.

• It can be used for spraying pesticides.

• It conserves soil and moisture.


Water Crisis:

• Variability of monsoons has increased in India and groundwater tables is rapidly depleting.

• A number of peninsular regions like Bundelkhand, Vidarbha and Marathwada have been facing recurring

drought-like situations.

• The severe drought prevailing in the country has caused distress in more than 250 of 600-plus districts across

11 states, affecting about 330 million people.

Challenges:

• In parts of peninsular India, only some farmers are benefiting from farm pond at an individual level,but

not contributing to water conservation and recharge.

• They are being used as intermediate storage points, accelerating groundwater depletionand increasing

evaporation losses as the groundwater is brought to the surface and stored in relatively shallow structures.

• Most of farm ponds under a flagship programme of Maharashtra that aims to dig over one lakh structures by

offering a subsidy are being constructed without inlet and outlet provisionsand their walls are raised above

the ground level by only a few feet.

• They cannot arrest the excess run-off as there is no inlet, and therefore cannot be used effectively for

rainwater harvesting, further, farmers line them at the bottom with plastic, restricting seepage and converting

the ponds into intermediate storage points.

• The usual practice is to lift water from a dug well and/or a borewell, store it in the pond and then draw it once

again to irrigate the fields, often using micro-irrigation, such farm ponds have an adverse impact on the

water tables and accelerate water loss.

• This practices intensifies competition for extraction of groundwaterfrom the aquifer, which is a common

pool resource.

• In the irrigation area, farmers fill up their farm ponds first when the canal is in rotation.

• This can impede circulation of water, as during canal rotation, the aquifer will get recharged because of the

return flow of water coming from the irrigated fields. But if canals fill up the farm ponds first, it restricts their

benefits only to the pond owners and in the long term, reduces the overall return flow at the system level.

What can be done:

• Due to lack of awareness or their preoccupation with old practices, farmers are generally reluctant to adopt

any new ideas such as farm pond. Hence, awareness programmes need to be carried out to convince the

farmers to join the initiatives.

• Farm ponds should be used as rainwater harvesting structures and not as intermediate storage points for

an increased extraction of groundwater or diversion of canal water.

• Providing operational support like machineries and trained personnel at a nominal fee to keep the

operational costs down for the farmers rather than providing financial help directly to the farmers is the best

way to achieve success.

• The refusal to adopt a grant model, wherein the farmers would passively receive financial assistance, will

make the farm pond programme a social enterprise, achieving scale and impacting a large population.

Way Forward:

• Constructing farm ponds to store and manage water is one of the ways to make farming sustainable by

reducing its dependency on uncertain monsoon.

• Farm ponds can act as effective harvesting structures and also yield healthy financial return but if they are

promoted merely for on-farm storage of groundwater and canal water, they could accelerate, rather than

reduce, the water crisis in India.


Sample Question:

Critically discuss issues regarding the policy of promoting farm ponds and the manner in which farmers are

using these structures in India. (200 Words)

Topic in Syllabus: Schemes & Programs

Topic : KUSUM scheme

Context:

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)

recently rolled out a massive solar-pump programme

called the PM-KUSUM scheme.Here is an overview of

the implications of the scheme and the necessary changes

to be made.

Concern:

The World Bank predicts that around 60% of the aquifers

in India will be in a critical state by 2032 if we do not

change the current practice of overexploitation of

groundwater for irrigation. Large-scale deployment of

solar pumps, without a comprehensive plan to monitor

and control water usage, is likely to make this prediction

a reality.

What is the scheme about?

The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) scheme has a target to set up

25,750 megawatts (MW) solar capacity by 2022 to power irrigation pumps.

The approved scheme comprises of three components:

1. setting up of 10,000 MW of decentralised ground / stilt-mounted grid-connected solar or other renewable

energy based power plants

2. installation of 17.5 lakh standalone solar agriculture pumps

3. solarisation of 10 lakh grid-connected solar agriculture pumps

It comes with central financial support of close to Rs 34,000 crore.

What will be the incremental change?


• 25,750 MW solar capacity can power about 11.5 million 3 HP (horsepower) pumps or 7 million 5 HP pumps.

• [At present, nearly 30 million irrigation pumps are estimated to be operating in India.

• Of this, 21 million are electric and 9 million are diesel-based.]

• The KUSUM scheme can potentially convert one-third to one-fourth of all irrigation pumps into solar-

powered pumps in a short period of 3 years.

• This rapid transition is possible as the scheme makes buying pumps extremely affordable for medium-sized

and large farmers.

• It comes with 30% subsidy from the central and state government each, and there is a provision to take bank

loans for 30% of the cost.

• So, farmers have to shell out only 10% of the cost to buy solar pumps.

Advantages:

• It increases farmers’ income in the short term.

• As solar power is cheaper than diesel, in states like Bihar, where farmers largely use diesel pumps, off-grid

solar pumps will reduce the cost of irrigation significantly.

• This will allow farmers to grow more crops, even the water-intensive ones, at a lower cost of cultivation,

thereby increasing income.

• In Punjab, where electric pumps dominate and the power subsidy to the agricultural sector is about `7000

crore annually, solarisation of agriculture feeders will reduce the subsidy burden significantly.

• Farmers’ income will also be augmented by selling electricity from solar plants on to the discoms.

• The most important part of the solar pump is that the solar cycle matches the irrigation cycle.

• Farmers will get assured irrigation for at least six hours during day time, and they don’t have to remain awake

at night to irrigate their farms (grid supply is more assured at night in most states).

Disadvantages:

• Over exploitation of groundwater: a high possibility of overuse of these pumps, leading to groundwater

depletion.

• The KUSUM scheme fails to promote efficient irrigation and incorporate explicit and strict measures against

groundwater exploitation.

• The scheme only mentions exploring the possibility of its convergence with state-level schemes for

promoting the micro-irrigation systems and energy-efficient pumps instead of mandating the same

• In the case of solarisation of agriculture feeders, the implications can be even more disastrous. Currently,

states like Punjab and Haryana bear a huge burden of agriculture power subsidy.

• With solar power predicted to be at least 30% cheaper, the subsidy burden is likely to reduce significantly.

• This means that the state governments have even less incentive to increase agriculture tariff to conserve water

when the grid is solarised. Thus, the gross overexploitation of groundwater is likely to continue.

Improvements to be made:

• The central government could push massive irrigation reforms in states through the KUSUM scheme.

• It should only be extended to states willing to take strong measures to improve irrigation efficiency and

control exploitation of groundwater.

• Secondly, it must mandate micro-irrigation for solar pump beneficiaries.

• Groundwater extraction must be closely monitored and strict mandates on pump size and bore-well depth

must be set.

• Supporting low water-intensive crops in water-scare regions, too, is crucial.

• Deployment of off-grid solar pumps must be restricted to areas where the grid has not reached and

groundwater is abundant.


• Even in groundwater-abundant areas, off-grid solar pumps must be used for rural electrification.

• Otherwise, it should be developed into community-based water sale models to maximise utilisation and

reduce water wastage.

• Solarisation of rural feeders should be accompanied by a gradual increase in electricity tariffs.

• This is crucial to control groundwater exploitation and reduce the burden of agricultural subsidy.

Conclusion:

Renewable energy is clean energy, but it doesn’t always lead to green solutions. For clean energy to become green,

solutions must be comprehensively designed in an integrated manner.

Sample Question:

Discuss the challenges in implementing KUSUM scheme and suggest the measures for the same. (150 words)

Topic in Syllabus: Ethics

Topic : AI in ethics

Context:

A technology should be evaluated both on the basis of its utility and the intention of its creator.

We can intuitively recognise whether an action is ethical or not.

Example:

A cigarette company wants to decide on launching a new product, whose

primary feature is reduced tar. It plans to tell customers that the lower tar

content is a ‘healthier’ option. This is only half true. In reality, a smoker

may have to inhale more frequently from a cigarette with lower tar to get

the flavour of a regular cigarette.

Analysis:

1. the egoistic perspective states that we take actions that result in the

greatest good for oneself. The cigarette company is likely to sell

more cigarettes, assuming that the new product wins over more new

customers. From an egoistic perspective, hence, the company

should launch the new cigarette.

2. the utilitarian perspective states that we take actions that result in

the greatest good for all. Launching the new cigarette is good for

the company. The new brand of cigarette also provides a ‘healthier’

choice for smokers. And more choice is good for customers. Hence, the company should launch the

product.The egoistic and utilitarian perspectives together form the ‘teleological perspective’, where the

focus is on the results that achieve the greatest good.


3. the ‘deontological perspective’, on the other hand, focuses more on the intention of the maker than the

results. The company deceives the customer when it says that the new cigarette is ‘healthier’. Knowingly

endangering the health of humans is not an ethical intention. So, the company should not launch this

cigarette.

The flawed facial recognition system:

In the context of Artificial Intelligence (AI), most commercially available AI systems are optimised using the

teleological perspectives and not the deontological perspective.

Analysis:

Let us analyse a facial recognition system, a showcase for AI’s success.

• An AI system introduced in 2015 with much fanfare in the U.S. failed to recognise faces of African

Americans with the same accuracy as those of Caucasian Americans.

• Google, the creator of this AI system, quickly took remedial action. However, from a teleological

perspective, this flawed AI system gets a go ahead.

• According to the 2010 census, Caucasian Americans constitute 72.4% of the country’s population. So an AI

system that identifies Caucasian American faces better is useful for a majority of Internet users in the U.S.,

and to Google.

• From a deontological perspective, the system should have been rejected as its intention probably was not to

identify people from all races, which would have been the most ethical aim to have.

• Social media is not the only context where AI facial recognition systems are used today. These systems are

increasingly being used for law enforcement. Imagine the implications of being labelled a threat to public

safety just because limited data based on one’s skin colour was used to train the AI system

Ethical basis of AI:

The ethical basis of AI, for the most part, rests outside the algorithm

The bias is in the data used to train the algorithm. It stems from our own flawed historical and cultural perspectives

— sometimes unconscious — that contaminate the data.

It is also in the way we frame the social and economic problems that the AI algorithm tries to solve.

An ethical basis resting on both teleological and deontological perspectives gives us more faith in a system.

Sometimes, even an inclusive intention may need careful scrutiny.

Example:

Polaroid’s ID-2 camera, introduced in the 1960s, provided quality photographs of people with darker skin. However,

later, reports emerged that the company developed this for use in dompas, an identification document black South

Africans were forced to carry during apartheid.

Significance:

Understanding and discussing the ethical basis of AI is important for India. Reports suggest that the NITI Aayog is

ready with a ₹7,500 crore plan to invest in building a national capability and infrastructure.


The transformative capability of AI in India is huge, and must be rooted in an egalitarian ethical basis.

Any institutional framework for AI should have a multidisciplinary and multi-stakeholder approach, and have an

explicit focus on the ethical basis.

Sample Question:

Is Artificial Intelligence dangerous to humanity? How can we ensure that machines behave ethically and that

they are used ethically? (250 words)

ias junior current affairs magazine august 2019 current … fileupsc mains 2020 – july 2019...

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