1. What numbers don’t tell us READ MORE
2. HEALTHcare in TIER II & III CITIES READ MORE
3. India’s low HDI rank reflects poverty, inequality READ MORE
4. The gender pay gap, hard truths and actions needed READ MORE

1. How govt’s essential medicines list ensures supply, keeps prices in check READ MORE
2. Improve the quality of legal aid services READ MORE

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. Typhoon Nanmadol Makes Landfall In Japan, Millions Asked To Evacuate READ MORE
2. Chhattisgarh’s Sawar, Sawara and Saunra: one and the same tribe now READ MORE
3. New rules for child welfare panel members READ MORE
4. USTR convenes meeting to discuss WTO’s dispute settlement reforms in Bali on Sep 21; Piyush Goyal to attend READ MORE
5. ‘Organic demand in India for semiconductors … domestic manufacturing a necessity’ READ MORE
6. Centre, states tussle over a centralised market for electricity READ MORE
7. Devas-Antrix deal: Bengaluru court okays serving fugitive economic offender notice to Devas CEO READ MORE
8. Andhra Pradesh government files SLP in Supreme Court against High Court verdict on three capitals READ MORE

Main Exam

GS Paper- 1

1. How climate change is altering Indian monsoon READ MORE
2. Water-forest relations need to be respected READ MORE
3. The gender pay gap, hard truths and actions needed READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. How govt’s essential medicines list ensures supply, keeps prices in check READ MORE
2. Improve the quality of legal aid services READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. What numbers don’t tell us READ MORE
2. HEALTHcare in TIER II & III CITIES READ MORE
3. India’s low HDI rank reflects poverty, inequality READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. Explained | Will the future of the Commonwealth change? READ MORE  
2. Geopolitics without geoeconomics, a fool’s errand: India’s current policy of pursuing geopolitical ends without geoeconomic ballast is a regressive step READ MORE
3. India needs a holistic and effective ‘techplomacy’ strategy READ MORE
4. Make UNGA meaningful: World leaders must realise that it is high time to tackle global problems together READ MORE
5. INDIAN DIPLOMACY on the fast track READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Matching ecology with agricultural economics READ MORE
2. What explains the divergence between the RBI and govt on monetary policy? READ MORE
3. Can India realise its economic potential? READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Ravi Chellam writes: There are better ways than cheetahs to revive ecosystems READ MORE

SECURITY

1. A disruptive nexus of China and Pakistan: There is little doubt that China uses Pakistan as a proxy military and nuclear power against India READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Weaponization of nationalism poses a threat to peace READ MORE
2. No shortcuts to the state of liberation READ MORE
3. Cosmic Perceptibility READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. ‘Developing countries are entering a divergent social, political and economic period with sharp downside risks for the most vulnerable and regression in gender equality’. Critically examine.
2. ‘Changes and reforms, howsoever well-intentioned, will deliver beneficial results only if the implementing laws and machinery are appropriate’. In the light of the statement, enumerates the reasons for the failure of the government to attract FDI and Indian private sector investment for Make in India?
3. ‘The Indian state needs to address the ability to utilise technology as a credible foreign policy and diplomacy tool’. Analyse the statement in the light of recent developments.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Common interest may always be reckoned upon as the surest bond of sympathy.
• Since forests are the primary source of almost 75 per cent of freshwater in the world, there’s a need for concerted global efforts to conserve these.
• The United Nations HDI Report must warn the policy makers in India of growing inequality and stress among people.
• Developing countries are entering a divergent social, political and economic period with sharp downside risks for the most vulnerable and regression in gender equality.
• Advanced technology and digitalization have opened doors for healthcare workers to grasp information about the latest inventions every day and this is another plus point for such cities to emerge as a major healthcare hub in the country.
• It is unfortunate though that UNGA, being one of the biggest world bodies, doesn’t have any real powers to implement its resolutions which are still controlled by the five countries with the veto power. India had rightly pointed that out last year.
• The Indian economy is operating much below its potential. We need governance, judiciary & economy reforms to catapult India to the top.
• Changes and reforms, howsoever well-intentioned, will deliver beneficial results only if the implementing laws and machinery are appropriate. These are the very reasons for the failure of the government to attract FDI and Indian private sector investment for Make in India.
• The Indian state must address the ability to utilise technology as a credible foreign policy and diplomacy tool.
• The scientific foundation of the plan to introduce African cheetahs in India is flawed. It also disregards our national conservation priorities, makes exaggerated conservation claims.
• Asymmetries abound in India’s labour market and closing the gap is key to achieving social justice for working women.
• India’s current policy of pursuing geopolitical ends without geoeconomic ballast is a regressive step.

50-WORD TALK

• Besides discussions on extremism, terrorism and the situation in Afghanistan, the SCO agenda seems to be in continual expansion mode as climate change, technology issues, security of supply chains, energy and food and connectivity were some of the other agenda items that were discussed. The SCO has gained enhanced attention in the context of the West and some of its allies being uneasy with China and Russia, particularly with regard to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and China’s bellicosity vis-à-vis Taiwan.

Things to Remember:

• For prelims-related news try to understand the context of the news and relate with its concepts so that it will be easier for you to answer (or eliminate) from given options.
• Whenever any international place will be in news, you should do map work (marking those areas in maps and exploring other geographical locations nearby including mountains, rivers, etc. same applies to the national places.)
• For economy-related news (banking, agriculture, etc.) you should focus on terms and how these are related to various economic aspects, for example, if inflation has been mentioned, try to relate with prevailing price rises, shortage of essential supplies, banking rates, etc.
• For main exam-related topics, you should focus on the various dimensions of the given topic, the most important topics which occur frequently and are important from the mains point of view will be covered in ED.
• Try to use the given content in your answer. Regular use of this content will bring more enrichment to your writing.

[WpProQuiz 335]

“Now I am careful about the kind of roles that I do.”

-Rajendra Prasad

THE CONTEXT: In July 2022, Droupadi Murmu took oath as the 15th President of India. Chief Justice N. V. Ramana administered the oath of office to Murmu. She is the first tribal of India. Apart from it, she is the second women president of India after Pratibha Devisingh Patil. In this article, we will know the election, functions and powers of the president of India.

ABOUT DROUPADI MURMU

• Hailing from Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district and coming from a Santals Tribal Community, Murmu started as a teacher and then entered into Odisha politics; here’s everything you need to know about India’s first president from the tribal community.
• In 2015, Murmu was sworn in as the first woman Governor of Jharkhand.
• She was also the first Odia woman and tribal leader to be named governor of an Indian state and serve for the entire term of her office.
• A two-term former MLA from Rairangpur, Murmu, held on to her assembly seat in 2009 when the BJD had snapped ties with the BJP weeks ahead of the state elections swept by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
• Having been born into a tribal family that was battling poverty in one of the country’s most remote and underdeveloped districts, her childhood had been full of challenges.
• Overcoming all odds, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Arts from Ramadevi Women’s College in Bhubaneswar. She served as a junior assistant in the irrigation and power department in the Odisha government.
• She began her political career as the vice-chairman of the Rairangpur NAC. In addition, the Odisha Legislative Assembly honoured her with its Best MLA of the Year 2007 award.
• She has diverse administrative experience, having handled ministries such as transport, commerce, fisheries and animal husbandry in the Odisha government.

CONCEPT OF THE PRESIDENT: THE BACKGROUND

Constituent Assembly, while debated in Constituent Assembly, gave weightage to the parliamentary form of government over the Presidential form of government due to:

• Familiarity with the system under two centuries of British rule.
• Our forefathers prefer ‘responsible government’ over ‘stable government’.

CONSTITUTIONAL POSITION OF THE PRESIDENT

• Article 52 to 78 in Part V of the constitution deals with the Union executive. The President is the head of the Indian state. He is the first citizen of India and acts as the symbol of unity, integrity and solidarity in the nation.
• The Constitution of India has provided for a parliamentary form of government. Consequently, the President has been made only a nominal executive, the real executive being the council of ministers headed by the prime minister.

PROCEDURE OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

VOTES OF MEMBERS OF

• The Electoral College, which elects the President through the system of proportional representation, comprises elected MPs and members of state legislative assemblies — a total of 4,896 voters, including 4,120 MLAs and 776 elected MPs.
• While 233 are elected members of the Rajya Sabha, 543 are from the Lok Sabha.

METHOD TO ASCERTAIN THE VALUE OF VOTE

 HOW IT WORKS OUT

• The winning candidate needs to secure a certain quota of votes which is 50% of the valid votes polled +1.
• Each MP and MLA indicates his/her choices in the case of multiple candidates in order of preference.
• Each vote cast is given a value based on various factors such as the first preference order, value of the vote of each electorate, etc.

NEED TO KNOW

All doubts and disputes in connection with the election of the President are inquired into and decided by the Supreme Court whose decision is final.

DISCRETIONARY POWERS OF THE PRESIDENT

Though the President has no constitutional discretion, he has some situational discretion. In other words, the President can act on his discretion (that is, without the advice of the ministers) under the following situations:

• Appointment of Prime Minister when no party has a clear majority in the Lok Sabha (Hung Parliament) or when the Prime Minister in office dies suddenly and there is no obvious successor.
• Dismissal of the council of ministers when it cannot prove the confidence of the Lok Sabha.
• Dissolution of Lok Sabha if the council of ministers has lost its majority.

OTHER POWERS OF THE PRESIDENT

EXECUTIVE POWERS

Article 53(1) vests the executive power of the union in the president. All executive actions of the Government of India and all contracts and assurances of the property made by the Government of India are formally taken in the president’s name.

The President of India makes an appointment to other constitutional officers and other important members of the union government. These include:

• Prime Minister
• Other ministers, on the advice of Prime Minister
• Chief Justice of India
• Other Judges of the Supreme Court, on the advice of the Chief Justice
• Chief Justice and other judges of high courts
• Chairman and other members of UPSC and Joint Public Service Commissions, etc.

The executive powers vested in the president have to be exercised in accordance with the advice of the Council of Ministers as per Article 74(1). However, he has the power to send back the advice to the council of Ministers for reconsideration. If the council of Ministers adheres to the previous advice, the president has to act as per this advice.

LEGISLATIVE POWERS OF THE PRESIDENT

As a part of Parliament, President has the power to summon or prorogue the two houses of parliament.

The President may dissolve the Lok Sabha.

After the General Elections, the president addresses both the houses of the parliament.

He may address either House or a joint sitting.

He also nominates 12 members of the Rajya Sabha.

PARLIAMENT BILLS

The bills passed by the parliament become acts only after the assent of the president. When a bill is sent to President after it is passed in parliament, President has the following options:

• can either give his assent (he must give assent in case of Constitution Amendment bill),
• withhold his assent if it is not a Constitution amendment bill,
• Return the bill to the parliament for reconsideration if it is not a money bill.
• When Parliament passes again a bill sent to it with or without amendments, the president has to give assent to that bill.

STATE BILLS

Governor has been given the power to reserve a bill for consideration of the president, provided the such bill is not a money bill of that state. When the governor sends the such bill to the president, the president has the following options:

• give his assent to the bill
• withhold his assent to the bill
• Direct the governor to return the bill for reconsideration by the state legislature.
• If the state legislature again passes the bill with or without amendments; and
• If the governor again sent to the president, it is NOT obligatory for the president to give assent to the such bill.

POCKET VETO

In the case of an ordinary bill or a bill got introduced by a private member and passed by both houses, the president can just keep the bill in his pocket and forget it.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT BILL

After the 24^th amendment in 1971, it was made clear that once passed by parliament, the president has to give his assent to Constitutional Amendment Bill.

While the president cannot block a constitution amendment bill, such bills are subject to judicial scrutiny. They can be nullified by Supreme Court if they are violative of basic structure doctrine.

MONEY BILLS

Money bills can be introduced in the Parliament only with the prior recommendation of the President. Due to this President can agree to that bill or withhold his assent but can NOT return a money bill to the house for reconsideration.

THE BILLS THAT NEED PRIOR RECOMMENDATION OF THE PRESIDENT

The bills that need the prior recommendation of the president for introduction in parliament are as follows:

• Any bill that seeks to alter the boundaries of the states and names of the states. (Article 3)
• Money Bill (as per Article 110)
• Any bill which affects the taxation in which the states are interested (Article 274)
• State Bills impose a restriction on freedom of trade (Article 304).

ORDINANCE MAKING POWERS OF PRESIDENT

When both or any house of Parliament is not in session, the constitution via article 123 provides the power to the president to issue ordinances if he is satisfied with the circumstances of issuing a such ordinance.  Ordinances are promulgated when parliament is not in session.

The ordinance has a similar effect to an act of parliament. However, every ordinance must be laid before both houses of the parliament within six weeks from the reassembling of the parliament; if not, it lapses.

However, it may be withdrawn by the president at any time on the aid and advice of the CoM headed by the PM.

JUDICIAL POWERS / POWER TO PARDON

Article 72 says that the President shall have the power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites or remissions of punishment or to suspend, remit or commute the sentence of any person convicted of any offence. The meaning of these terms is as follows:

• Pardon: Complete pardon
• Reprieve: Temporary suspension of sentence
• Respite: awarding fewer sentence
• Remission: Reducing amount of sentence
• Commutation: Changing one punishment to another

The power to grant pardon is not absolute and is exercised by the President on the advice of the Council of Ministers like any other power. Further, the power to pardon is subject to judicial review.

MILITARY POWERS OF THE PRESIDENT

Article 53 vests the supreme command of the Armed Forces of India in the President.

The President of India can declare war or conclude peace, under the regulation of the parliament.

DIPLOMATIC POWERS OF THE PRESIDENT

India is represented in an International forum by the President of India. He sends and receives ambassadors.

All international treaties and agreements are concluded on behalf of the President, subject to ratification by the parliament.

EMERGENCY POWERS

President has been conferred extraordinary powers in case of national emergency (Article 352), President’s rule (Article 356 & 365) and financial emergency (article 360).

THE CONCLUSION: Though the President of India is a nominal head, he has, along with some situational discretion, played a very important role in upholding Constitutional rule. Article 53 says endowed the executive power of the Union shall be vested in President and shall be exercised by him either directly or through officers subordinate to him in accordance with the Constitution.

1. ‘Executive power of the Union shall be vested in President and shall be exercised directly or through officers subordinate to him by the constitution’. Discuss the essence of the statement.
2. Discuss the role of the President at the time of hung parliament and also other discretionary powers that constitution endowed to him.

Download PDF

SECTION A

Q1. (a)   Wisdom lies in knowing what to reckon with and what to overlook. An officer being engrossed with the periphery, ignoring the core issues before him, is no rare in the bureaucracy. Do you agree that such preoccupation of an administrator leads to travesty of justice to the cause of effective service delivery and good governance? Critically evaluate. (Answer in 150 words)   10

(b) Apart from intellectual competency and moral qualities, empathy and compassion are some of the other vital attributes that facilitate the civil servants to be more competent in tackling the crucial issues or taking critical decisions. Explain with suitable illustrations. (Answer in 150 words)   10

Q2. (a)  The Rules and Regulations provided to all the civil servants are same, yet there is difference in the performance. Positive minded officers are able to interpret the Rules and Regulations in favour of the case and achieve success, whereas negative minded officers are unable to achieve goals by interpreting the same Rules and Regulations against the case. Discuss with illustrations. (Answer in 150 words)   10

(b) It is believed that adherence to ethics in human actions would ensure in smooth functioning of an organization/system. If so, what does ethics seek to promote in human life? How do ethical values assist in the resolution of conflicts faced by him in his day-to-day functioning? (Answer in 150 words)   10

Q3. What does each of the following mean to you?

(a) “Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have the right to do and what is right to do.”-Potter Stewart. (Answer in 150 words)   10

(b) “If a country is to be corruption free and become a nation of beautiful minds, I strongly feel there are three key societal members who can make a difference. They are the father, the mother and the teacher.” – Abdul Kalam. (Answer in 150 words)   10

(c) “Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.” – Dalai Lama.
(Answer in 150 words)   10

Q4. (a)  What do you understand by term ‘good governance’? How far recent initiatives in terms of e-Governance steps taken by the State have helped the beneficiaries? Discuss with suitable examples. (Answer in 150 words)   10

(b) Online methodology is being used for day-to-day meetings, institutional approvals in the administration and for teaching and learning in education sector to the extent telemedicine in the health sector is getting popular with the approvals of the competent authority. No doubt it has advantages and disadvantages for both the beneficiaries and system at large. Describe and discuss the ethical issues involved in the use of online method particularly to vulnerable section of society. (Answer in 150 words)  10

Q5. (a) Russia and Ukraine war has been going on for the last seven months. Different countries have taken independent stands and actions keeping in view their own national interests. We are all aware that war has its own impact on the different aspects of society, including human tragedy. What are those ethical issues that are crucial to be considered while launching the war and its continuation so far? Illustrate with justification the ethical issues involved in the given state of affair.(Answer in 150 words)   10

(b) Write short notes on the following in 30 words each :                                     2×5=10

(i)    Constitutional morality

(ii)   Conflict of interest

(iii) Probity in public life

(iv) Challenges of digitalization

(v)   Devotion to duty

Q6. (a) Whistle blower, who reports corruption and illegal activities, wrongdoing and misconduct to the concerned authorities, runs the risk of being exposed to grave danger, physical harm and victimization by the vested interests, accused persons and his team. What policy measures would you suggest to strengthen protection mechanism to safeguard the whistle blower? (Answer in 150 words)   10

(b) In contemporary world, corporate sector’s contribution in generating wealth and employment is increasing. In doing so, they are bringing in unprecedented onslaught on the climate, environmental sustainability and living conditions of human beings. In this background, do you Responsibility (CSR) is efficient and sufficient enough to fulfill the social roles and responsibilities needed in the corporate work mandated? Critically examine. (Answer in 150 words)   10

SECTION B

Q7. Prabhat was working as Vice President (Marketing) at Sterling Electric Ltd., a reputed multinational company. But presently the company was passing through the difficult times as the sales were continuously showing downward trend in the last two quarters. His division, which hitherto had been a major revenue contributor to the company’s financial health, was now desperately trying to procure some big government order for them. But their best efforts did not yield any positive success or breakthrough.

His was a professional company and his local bosses were under pressure from their London-based HO to show some positive results. In the last performance review meeting taken by the Executive Director (India Head), he was reprimanded for his poor performance. He assured them that his division is working on a special contract from the Ministry of Defence for a secret installation near Gwalior and tender is being submitted shortly.

He was under extreme pressure and he was deeply perturbed. What aggravated the situation further was a warning from the top that if the deal is not clinched in favour of the company, his division might have to be closed and he may have to quit his lucrative job.

There was another dimension which was causing him deep mental torture and agony. This pertained to his personal precarious financial health. He was a single earner in the family with two school-college going children and his old ailing mother. The heavy expenditure on education and medical was causing a big strain to his monthly pay packet. Regular EMI for housing loan taken from bank unavoidable and any default would render him liable for severe legal action.

In the above backdrop, he was hoping for some miracle to happen. There was sudden turn of events. His Secretary informed that a gentleman Subhas Verma wanted to see him as he was interested in the position of Manager which was to be filled by him in the company. He further brought to his notice that his CV has been received through the office of the Minister of Defence.

During interview of the candidate-Subhash Verma, he found him technically sound, resourceful and experienced marketeer. He seemed to be well-conversant with tendering procedures and having knack of follow-up and liaising in this regard Prabhat felt that he was better choice than the rest of the candidates who were recently interviewed by him in the last few days.

Subhash Verma also indicated that he was in possession of the copies of the bid documents that the Unique Electronics Ltd. would be submitting the next day to the Defence Ministry for their tender. He offered to hand over those documents subject to his employment in the company on suitable terms and conditions. He made it clear that in the process, the Sterling Electric Ltd. could outbid their rival company and get the bid and hefty Defence Ministry order. He indicated that it will be win-win situation for both-him and the company.

Prabhat was absolutely stunned. It was a mixed feeling of shock and thrill. He was uncomfortable and perspiring. If accepted, all his problems would vanish instantly and he may be rewarded for securing the much awaited tender and thereby boosting company’s sales and financial health. He was in a fix as to the future course of action. He was wonder-struck at the guts of Subhash Verma in having surreptitiously removing his own company papers and offering to the rival company for a job. Being an experienced person, he was examining the pros and cons of the proposal/situation and he asked him to come the next day.

(a) Discuss the ethical issues involved in the case.

(b)  Critically examine the options available to Prabhat in the above situation.

(c)  Which of the above would be the most appropriate for Prabhat and why? (Answer in 250 words)    20

Q8. Ramesh is State Civil Services Officer who got the opportunity of getting posted to the capital of a border State after rendering 20 years of service. Ramesh’s mother has recently been detected cancer and has been admitted in the leading cancer hospital of the city. His two adolescent children have also got admission in one of the best public schools of the town. After settling down in his appointment as Director in the Home Department of the State, Ramesh got confidential report through intelligence sources that illegal migrants are infiltrating in the State from the neighbouring country. He decided to personally carry out surprise check of the border posts along with his Home Department team. To his surprise, he caught red-handed two families of 12 members infiltrated with the connivance of the security personnel at the border posts. On further inquiry and investigation, it was found that after the migrants from neighbouring country infiltrate, their documentation like Aadhaar Card, Ration Card and Voter Card are also forged and they are made to settle down in a particular area of the State. Ramesh prepared the detailed and comprehensive report and submitted to the Additional Secretary of the State. However, he has summoned by the Additional Home Secretary after a week and was instructed to withdraw the report. The Additional Home Secretary informed Ramesh that the report submitted by him has not been appreciated by the higher authorities. He further cautioned him that if he fails to withdraw the confidential ort, he will not only be posted out from the prestigious appointment from the State capital but his further promotion which is due in near future will also get in jeopardy.

(a) What are the options available to Ramesh as the Director of the Home Department of the bordering State?

(b) What option should Ramesh adopt and why?

(c) Critically evaluate each of the options.

(d) What are the ethical dilemmas being faced by Ramesh?

(e)  What policy measures would you suggest to combat the menace of infiltration of illegal migrants from the neighbouring country?(Answer in 250 words)    20

Q9. The Supreme Court has banned mining in the Aravalli Hills to stop degradation the forest cover and to maintain ecological balance. However, the stone mining to still prevalent in the border district of the affected State with connivance of certain corrupt forest officials and politicians. Young and dynamic SP who was recently posted in the affected district promised to himself to stop this menace. In one of his surprise checks with his team, he found loaded truck with stone trying to escape the mining area. He tried to stop the truck but the truck driver overrun the police officer, killing him on the spot and thereafter managed to flee. Police filed FIR but no breakthrough was achieved in the case for almost three months. Ashok who was the Investigative Journalist working with leading TV channel, suo moto started investigating the case. Within one month, Ashok got breakthrough by interacting with local people, stone mining masia and government officials. He prepared his investigative story and presented to the CMD of the TV channel. He exposed in his investigative report the complete nexus of stone mafia working with blessing of corrupt police and civil officials and politicians. The politician who was involved in the mafia was no one else but local MLA who was considered to be very close to the Chief Minister. After going through the investigative report, the CMD advised Ashok to drop the idea of making the story public through electronic media. He informed that the local MLA was not only the relative of the owner of the TV channel but also had unofficially 20 percent share in the channel. The CMD further informed Ashok that his further promotion and hike in pay will be taken care of in addition the soft loan of 10 lakhs which he has taken from the TV channel for his son’s chronic disease will be suitably adjusted if he hands over the investigative report to him.

(a) What are the options available with Ashok to cope up with the situation?

(b) Critically evaluate/examine each of the options identified by Ashok.

(c)  What are the ethical dilemmas being faced by Ashok?

(d) Which of the options, do you think, would be the most appropriate for Ashok to adopt and why?

(e) In the above scenario, what type of training would you suggest for police officers posted to such districts where stone mining illegal activities are rampant? (Answer in 250 words)    20

Q 10. You have done MBA from a reputed institution three years back but could not get campus placement due to COVID-19 generated recession. However, after a lot of persuasion and series of competitive tests including written and interview, you managed to get a job in a leading shoe company. You have ageur parents who are dependent and staying with you. You also recently got married after getting this decent job. You were allotted the Inspection Section which is responsible for clearing the final product. In first one year, you learnt your job well and was appreciated for your performance by the management. The company is doing good business for last five years in domestic market and this year it is decided even to export to Europe and Gulf countries. However, one large consignment to Europe was rejected by their Inspecting Team due to certain poor quality and was sent back. The top management ordered that ibid consignment to be cleared for the domestic market. As a part of Inspecting Team, you observed the glaring poor quality and brought to the knowledge of the Team Commander. However, the top management advised all the members of the team to overlook these defects as the management cannot bear such a huge loss. Rest of the team members except you promptly signed and cleared the consignment for domestic market, overlooking glaring defects. You again brought to the knowledge of the Team Commander that such consignment, if cleared even for domestic market, will tarnish the image and reputation of the company and will be counter-productive in the long run. However, you were further advised by the top management that if you do not clear the consignment, the company will not hesitate to terminate your services citing certain innocuous reasons.

(a)  Under the given conditions, what are the options available to you as a member of the Inspecting Team?

(b)  Critically evaluate each of the options listed by you.

(c)  What option would you adopt and why?

(d) What are the ethical dilemmas being faced by you?

(e)  What can be the consequences of overlooking the observations raised by the Inspecting Team? (Answer in 250 words)    20

Q11. Rakesh was working as a Joint Commissioner in Transport department of a city. As a part of his job profile, among others, he was entrusted with the task of overseeing the control and functioning of City Transport Department. A case strike by drivers’ union of City Transport Department over the issue of compensation to a driver who died on duty while driving the bus came up before him for decision in the matter.

He gathered that the driver (deceased) was plying Bus No. 528 which passed through busy and congested roads of the city. It so happened that near an intersection on the way, there was an accident involving the a middle-aged man. It was found that there was altercation between the driver and the car driver. Heated arguments between them led to fight and the driver gave him a a blow. Lot of passerbys had gathered and tried to intervene but without success. Eventually, both of them were badly injured and profusely bleeding and were taken to the nearby hospital. The driver succumbed to the injuries and could not be saved. The middle-aged driver’s condition was also critical but after a day, he recovered and was discharged. Police had immediately come to the spot and FIR was registered. Police investigation revealed that the quarrel in was started by the bus driver and he had resorted to physical violence. There exchange of blows between them.

The City Transport Department management is considering of not giving any extra compensation to the driver’s (deceased) family. The family is very aggrieved. depressed and agitated against the discriminatory and non-sympathetic approach of the City Transport Department management. The bus driver (deceased) was 52 years of age, was survived by his wife and two school-college going daughters. He was the sole earner of the family. The City Transport Department workers’ union took up this case and when found no favourable response from the management, decided to go on strike. The union’s demand was two fold. First was full extra compensation as given to other drivers who died on duty and secondly employment to one family member. The strike has continued for 10 days and the deadlock remains.

(a)  What are the options available to Rakesh to meet the above situation?

(b)  Critically examine each of the options identified by Rakesh

(c) What are the ethical dilemmas being faced by Rakesh?

(d)  What course of action would Rakesh adopt to diffuse the above situation?(Answer in 250 words)    20

Q12. You are appointed as an officer heading the section in Environment Pollution Control Board to ensure compliance and its follow-up. In that region, there were large number of small and medium industries which had been granted clearance. You learnt that these industries provide employment to many migrant worker. Most of the industrial units have got environmental clearance certificate in their possession. The environmental clearance seeks to curb industries and projects that supposedly hamper environment and living species in the region, But in practice. most of these units remain to be polluting units in several ways like air, water and soil pollution. As such, local people encountered persistent health problems.

It was confirmed that majority of the industries were violating environmental compliance. You issued notice to all the industrial units to apply for fresh environmental clearance certificate from the competent authority. However, your action met with hostile response from a section of the industrial units, other vested interest persons and a section of the local politicians. The workers also became hostile to you as they felt that your action would lead to the closure of these industrial units, and the resultant unemployment will lead to insecurity uncertainty in their livelihood. Many owners of the industries approached you with the plea that you should not initiate harsh action as it would compel them their units, and cause huge financial loss, shortage of their products in the market. These would obviously add to the sufferings of the labourers and the consumers alike. The labour union also sent you representation requesting against the closure of the units. You simultaneously started receiving threats from unknown corners. You however received supports from some of your colleagues, who advised you to act freely to ensure environmental compliance. Local NGOs also came to your support and they demanded the closure of the polluting units immediately.

(a) What are the options available to you under the given situation?

(b) Critically examine the options listed by you.

(c)  What type of mechanism would you suggest to ensure environmental compliance?

(d)  What are the ethical dilemmas you faced in exercising your option?(Answer in 250 words)    20

DOWNLOAD PDF

https://youtu.be/mw9MNcuUxTYhttps://youtu.be/4BXQo5M83jc

Q1. Why is Public Private Partnership (PPP) required in infrastructural projects? Examine the role of PPP model in the redevelopment of Railway Stations in India.

(Answer in 150 words) 10

Q2. Is inclusive growth possible under market economy? State the significance of financial inclusion in achieving economic growth in India.

(Answer in 150 words) 10 

Q3. What are the major challenges of Public Distribution System (PDS) in India? How can it be made effective and transparent?

(Answer in 150 words ) 10                                                                                                             

Q4.  Elaborate the scope and significance of the food processing industry in India.

 (Answer in 150 words) 10                                                                                                     

Q5. The increase in life expectancy in the country has led to newer health challenges in the community. What are those challenges and what steps need to be taken to meet them ?

(Answer in 150 words ) 10

Q6. Each year a large amount of plant material, cellulose, is deposited on the surface of Planet Earth.What are the natural processes this cellulose undergoes before yielding carbon dioxide, water and other end products?                                                                             

(Answer in 150 words) 10

Q7. Discuss in detail the photochemical smog emphasizing its formation, effects and mitigation, Explain the 1999 Gothenburg Protocol.

(Answer in 150 words) 10                                                     

Q8. Explain the mechanism and occurrence of cloudburst in the context of the Indian subcontinent. Discuss two recent examples.

(Answer in 150 words) 10                                

Q9. Discuss the types of organised crimes. Describe the linkages between terrorists and organised crime that exist at the national and transnational levels.

(Answer in 150 words)10                     

Q10. What are the maritime security challenges in India? Discuss the organisational, technical and procedural initiatives taken to improve the maritime security.

(Answer in 150 words ) 10

Q11. “Economic growth in the recent past has been led by increase in labour productivity.” Explain this statement. Suggest the growth pattern that will lead to creation of more jobs without compromising labour productivity.

(Answer in 250 words) 15                                                                         

Q12. Do you think India will meet 50 percent of its energy needs from renewable energy by 2030 ? Justify your answer. How will the shift of subsidies from fossil fuels to renewables help achieve the above objective? Explain.

(Answer in 250 words) 15                                                                           

Q13. What are the main bottlenecks in upstream and downstream process of marketing of agricultural products in India ?

(Answer in 250 words) 15                                                                           

Q14. What is Integrated Farming System? How is it helpful to small and marginal farmers in India ?

(Answer in 250 words) 15                                                                                                            

Q15. Launched on 25th December, 2021, James Webb Space Telescope has been much in the news since then. What are its unique features which make it superior to its predecessor Space Telescopes? What are the key goals of this mission? What potential benefits does it hold for the human race?

(Answer in 250 words) 15                                                                                                            

Q16. What is the basic principle behind vaccine development? How do vaccines work? What approaches were adopted by the Indian vaccine manufacturers to produce COVID-19 vaccines?

(Answer in 250 words) 15                                                                                                                                       

Q17. Discuss global warming and mention its effects on the global climate. Explain the control measures to bring down the level of greenhouse gases which cause global warming, in the light of the Kyoto Protocol, 1997.

(Answer in 250 words) 15                                                                                

Q18. Explain the causes and effects of coastal erosion in India. What are the available coastal management techniques for combating the hazard?

(Answer in 250 words) 15                 

Q19. What are the different elements of cyber security? Keeping in view the challenges in cyber security, examine the extent to which India has successfully developed a comprehensive National Cyber Security Strategy.

(Answer in 250 words) 15                                                                             

Q20. Naxalism is a social, economic and developmental issue manifesting as a violent internal security threat. In this context, discuss the emerging issues and suggest a multilayered strategy to tackle the menace of Naxalism.

(Answer in 250 words) 15                                                                     

DOWNLOAD PDF

THE POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. KARNATAKA RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF RELIGION BILL

THE CONTEXT: The ‘Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Bill’ was recently passed by the state legislative council.

THE EXPLANATION:

• Karnataka’s anti-conversion bill was passed by the legislative assembly in December 2021.
• The bill bans forced religious conversions by direct or indirect means.
• It gives specific procedures for undertaking a religious conversion.
• This bill gives penalty to anyone who forcibly convert minor, woman, SC/ST, or a person of unsound mind with 3 to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of Rs.50,000.
• Mass conversion (two or more people) could result in 3 to 10 years of imprisonment and Rs.1 lakh fine.
• Under this legislation, any individual seeking to convert their religion must submit a declaration at least 30 days before the conversion to the District Magistrate.
• The religious convertor is also required to submit a form to the DM at least 30 days before the intended conversion.
• After these submissions, the DM would notify the proposed religious conversion on the notice board of the offices of DM and Tehsildar.
• Within 30 days of the public notice, anyone can file an objection to the conversion.
• If any such objection occurs, the DM is required to conduct an inquiry to investigate the intension, purpose and cause of the proposed conversion.
• Any conversion that occurs while not following the procedure will be considered illegal and void.

Anti-conversion bills

Besides Karnataka, other states have also passed similar legislations. Their purpose is to ban unlawful religious conversions, protect those who are forced to convert from one religion to another through misinterpretation, force, undue influence, coercion, allurement, promise of marriage or any other fraudulent means. Other states that introduced anti-conversion bills are Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jharkhand.

THE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

2. EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: HUNGARY NO LONGER A FULL DEMOCRACY

THE CONTEXT: The European Parliament has adopted a report that declared Hungary to be no longer a democracy.

THE EXPLANATION:

• The European Parliament has recently adopted a parliamentary report that declared Hungary to be “a hybrid regime of electoral autocracy”.
• It concluded that the European values are currently under threat in Hungary and thus, it is no longer a democratic country.
• The recent motion at the European Parliament is symbolic disapproval from the EU towards Hungary, that has witnessed years of opprobrium over the rule-of-law issues under the regime of the current populist Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
• However, this adoption may not lead to any specific punishment targeting Hungary.
• The recently adopted report listed a range of concerns about the country’s electoral system, judicial independence, academic and religious freedom and the overall rights of the vulnerable population.
• In 2018, the European Parliament had launched a procedure against the risk posed by Hungary to EU’s democratic values.
• In theory, this mechanism could result in Hungary losing its right to vote in the EU Council, where the critical decision-making takes place for the European bloc.
• However, it requires action from rest of the 26 EU members, who have shown little interest in antagonizing Hungary.
• The EU countries are wary of such a move since Hungary’s approval is critical for major decisions.
• Hungary is currently having close ties with Russia and it is involved in blocking further European sanctions on Moscow for its involvement in Ukraine crisis.
• The European parliament’s recognition of Hungary as electoral autocracy comes based reports from bodies belonging to the Council of Europe as well as case law from the EU’s court of justice and others.
• The verdict by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) was also cited for this conclusion.
• In April 2022, the OSCE held that Hungary’s election that returned Orban to power for the fourth consecutive term was tainted by the lack of level playing field.
• It had sent a full-fledged mission to Hungary, an almost unprecedented step for an EU member state.

THE ENVIRONMENT, ECOLOGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

3. INTERNATIONAL TREATY ON PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

THE CONTEXT: India to host 9th Session of Governing Body of the ITPGRFA in New Delhi.

THE EXPLANATION:

• The organization of 9th session of International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) will provide a common platform for all the participating countries to deliberate upon the pivotal issues related to the development, conservation and protection of Plant Genetic Resources for the benefit of farming community.
• The scientific exchange of technological advancement among the countries will help mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change and food security globally.
• The plant genetic resources available with different countries will act as base material for development of new varieties to ensure better quality and higher productivity of crops.
• The GB9 is being held under the theme “Celebrating the Guardians of Crop Diversity: Towards an Inclusive Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework”.
• The theme aims to acknowledge the contribution of the world’s small-holder farmers to the effective management of PGRFA.

About ITPGRFA:

• ITPGRFA is a legally binding comprehensive agreement adopted in November, 2001 at Rome during the 31st session of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
• It entered into force on June 29, 2004 and currently has 149 Contracting Parties, including India.
• The treaty provides solutions to achieve food and nutritional security as well as climate resilient agriculture.
• Countries are inter-dependent for PGRFA and consequently a global order is essential to facilitate access and benefit sharing.

Relevance for India:

• India is endowed with rich crop genetic resources.
• It has successfully established legal, institutional and scholastic infrastructure to utilize the genetic diversity for breeding new varieties.
• With this unique status and as GB9 host, India is expected to play a crucial role in minimizing the dissonance between technology-rich developed and gene-rich developing countries to achieve functional resolutions on critical agenda items.
• The GB9 provides an excellent opportunity to convey the steadfast commitment of India to conservation and sustainable utilization of plant genetic diversity as well as farmers’ rights.

4. THE ANGAN 2022

THE CONTEXT: Recently a three-day international conference ANGAN 2022 is organized by Indo-Swiss Building Energy Efficiency Project (BEEP).

THE EXPLANATION:

• ANGAN 2022 (Augmenting Nature by Green Affordable New-habitat) is an international conference organized by Indo-Swiss Building Energy Efficiency Project (BEEP).
• It is organized based on the theme “Making the Zero-Carbon Transition in Buildings”.
• It is the second edition of the Augmenting Nature by Green Affordable New-habitat.
• Around 75 eminent speakers, representing more than 15 countries and international organizations, have come together to discuss ways to reduce carbon emission and improve energy efficiency in buildings.
• More than 500 delegates consisting of architects, engineers, builders, building material industries, teachers, students, researchers, central and state government officials are participating in this conference.
• Discussions were held on critical issues such as “Unlocking Finance for Low-Carbon Buildings and “Thermal Comfort and Climate Resilience in Residential buildings”.
• It had special session on “Women in the Resource Efficiency Conversation”.
• The purpose of this conference is to promote a healthy ecosystem as mentioned at the COP26 by Prime Minister on LiFE (Lifestyle And Environment) and Panchamrit, which aims to make India Net Zero by 2070.
• The conference promoted various low carbon products, technologies and innovations that can be used in the building sector.
• This conference-cum-exhibition event is expected to boost international and national strategic collaboration, partnership, network and information exchange for the creation of low carbon, energy efficient habitat.

BEEP

Indo-Swiss Building Energy Efficiency Project (BEEP) is a collaborative project between the Indian Government and the Swiss Government. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), which comes under the Indian Government’s Ministry of Power, is providing the technical support for this project. It had helped formulate Eco-Niwas Samhita (energy conservation building code for residential buildings), designed around 50 buildings and trained more than 5,000 building sector professionals.

THE GOVERNMENT SCHEMES/INITIATIVES IN NEWS

5. E-BAAL NIDAN PORTAL REVAMPED

THE CONTEXT: The NCPCR has revamped the E-Baal Nidan portal to include more features that would ease the tasks of complainants as well as NCPCR and SCPCRs in dealing with the complaints.

THE EXPLANATION:

What is E-Baal Nidan Portal?

• “E-Baal Nidan” is an online complaint mechanism launched in 2015 to enable individuals to report violations committed against a child and track the progress of the redressal of the complaint in the Commission.
• The portal eases the process of making a complaint to the NCPCR and ensures transparency in the redressal process.
• It ensures a timely disposal of cases by the NCPCR.
• Currently, the NCPCR is providing access to all State Commission for Protection of Child Rights.
• It will be providing user IDs and passwords for the State Commissions to enable them to view complaints registered on the portal and take necessary steps as mandated by the law.
• The portal also provides an option to transfer the registered complaints from the NCPCR to the concerned State Commission.
• It also gives option of joint inquiry if the State Commission wants the NCPCR to be involved.
• The portal segregates complaints based their subject matters like juvenile justice, PSCSO, child labour, education etc.

NCPCR

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) is a statutory body of the Indian Government set up under Section 3 of the Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (CPCR) Act, 2005. Its purpose is to protect the child rights and other related matters in India. It is also involved in the monitoring of the implementation of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012; Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 and Right to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009. It is also involved in examining and reviewing the safeguards provided by and under any law for the protection of child rights and recommend ways to improve their implementation.

THE PRELIMS PERSPECTIVE

6. WORLD’S LARGEST MUSEUM OF HARAPPAN CULTURE IN RAKHIGARHI

THE CONTEXT: The world’s largest museum on Harappan culture is currently being set up in Rakhigarhi, Haryana.

THE EXPLANATION:

• The museum on Harappan culture in Rakhigarhi would showcase some 5,000-year-old artefacts belonging to the Indus Valley Civilization.
• This world class museum would display photographs depicting Rakhigarhi’s history.
• The museum, which is currently under construction, would give recognition to Rakhigarhi at the international and national levels and increase job opportunities for the local communities.
• A special zone is being created in the museum for children to make them aware of the history in a recreational manner.
• The museum would also house an open-air theatre and a library.

About Rakhigarhi

• The village of Rakhigarhi was part of the Indus Valley Civilization from 2600 to 1900 BC. The two villages Rakhi Khas and Rakhi Shahpur currently host the archeological remains of the Indus Valley site. It was excavated for the first time in 1969. It is currently the largest settlement of the Indus Valley Civilization.
• Since 1998, 56 skeletons have been discovered in the site. Among them, two women were found in mound number 7. They are estimated to be 7,000 years old.
• The presence of shell bangles in the site provides evidence of trade links to faraway places such as Afghanistan, Baluchistan, Gujarat and Rajasthan. Jewelry trade is among the most prominent in this site. People in this civilization are known to melt precious metals like copper, carnelian, agate and gold to make garlands of beads.

Development of 5 Iconic Sites

During the Union Budget 2020, the Central Government announced the development of five iconic sites – Rakhigarhi (Haryana), Hastinapur (Uttar Pradesh), Shiva sagar (Assam), Dholavira (Gujarat) and Adichanallur (Tamil Nadu). Museums will be developed in these sites with a total outlay of Rs.2,500 crore.

DOWNLOAD PDF

Q.1 “The most significant achievement of modern law in India is the constitutionalization of environmental problems by the Supreme Court.” Discuss this statement with the help of relevant case laws.

(Answer in 150 words ) 10

Q.2 “Right of movement and residence throughout the territory of India are freely available to the Indian citizens, but these rights are not absolute. “ Comment.

(Answer in 150 words ) 10

Q.3 To what extent, in your opinion, has the decentralisation of power in India changed the governance  landscape at the grassroots?

(Answer in 150 words ) 10

Q.4 Discuss the role of the Vice –President of India as the Chairman of the Rajyasabha.

(Answer in 150 words ) 10

Q.5 Discuss the role of the National Commission for Backward Classes in the wake of its transformation from a statutory body to a constitutional body.

(Answer in 150 words ) 10

Q.6 The Gati-Shakti Yojana needs meticulous coordination between the government and the private sector to achieve the goal of connectivity. Discuss.

(Answer in 150 words ) 10

Q.7 The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 remains only a legal document without intense sensitisation of government functionaries and citizens regarding disability. Comment.

(Answer in 150 words ) 10

Q.8 Reforming the government delivery system through the Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme is a progressive step, but it has its limitations too. Comment.

(Answer in 150 words ) 10

Q.9 ‘India is an age-old friend of Sri Lanka.’ Discuss India’s role in the recent crisis in Sri Lanka in the light of the preceding statement.

(Answer in 150 words ) 10

Q.10 Do you think that BIMSTEC is a parallel organisation like the SAARC ? What are the similarities and dissimilarities between the two ? How are Indian foreign policy objectives realized by forming this new organisation ?

(Answer in 150 words ) 10

Q.11 Discuss the procedures to decide the disputes arising out of the election of a Member of the Parliament or State Legislature under The Representation of the People Act, 1951. What are the grounds on which the election of any returned candidate may be declared void? What remedy is available to the aggrieved party against the decision ? Refer to the case laws.

(Answer in 250 words) 15

Q.12 Discuss the essential conditions for exercise of the legislative powers by ne Governor. Discuss the legality of re-promulgation of ordinances by the Governor without placing them before the Legislature.

(Answer in 250 words) 15

Q.13 While the national political parties in India favour centralisation, the regional parties are in favour of State autonomy.” Comment.

(Answer in 250 words) 15

Q.14 Critically examine the procedures through which the Presidents of India and France are elected.

(Answer in 250 words) 15

Q.15 Discuss the role of the Election Commission of India in the light of the evolution of the Model Code of Conduct.

(Answer in 250 words) 15

Q.16 Besides the welfare schemes, India needs deft management of inflation and unemployment to serve the poor and the underprivileged sections of the society. Discuss.

(Answer in 250 words) 15

Q.17 Do you agree with the view that increasing dependence on donor agencies for development reduces the importance of community participation in the development process ? Justify your answer.

(Answer in 250 words) 15

Q.18 The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 remains inadequate in promoting incentive-based system for children’s education without generating awareness about the importance of schooling. Analyse

(Answer in 250 words) 15

Q.19 How will I2U2 (India, Israel, UAE and USA) grouping transform India’s position in global politics?

(Answer in 250 words) 15

Q.20 Clean energy is the order of the day.’ Describe briefly India’s changing policy towards climate change in various international fora in the context of geopolitics.

(Answer in 250 words) 15

DOWNLOAD PDF

https://youtu.be/xI_rHAKweHQhttps://youtu.be/66y_B3bFyPUhttps://youtu.be/yqlmdWsnEzs

Q.1.  How will you explain that medieval Indian temple sculptures represent the social life of those days ?

 (Answer in 150 words ) 10

Q.2  Why did the armies of the British East India Company- mostly comprising of Indian soldiers-win consistently against the more numerous and better equipped armies of the then Indian rulers ? Give reasons.

 (Answer in 150 words) 10

Q.3  Why was there a sudden spurt in famines in colonial India since the mid-eighteenth century? Give reasons.

(Answer in 150 words) 10

Q.4  Describe the characteristics and types of primary rocks.

 (Answer in 150 words ) 10

Q.5  Discuss the meaning of colour-coded weather warnings for cyclone prone areas given by India Meteorological Department.  

(Answer in 150 words) 10

Q.6 Discuss the natural resource potentials of ‘Deccan Trap’

(Answer in 150 words ) 10

Q.7 Examine the potential of wind energy in India and explain the reasons for their limited spatial spread.

 (Answer in 150 words) 10

Q.8  Explore and evaluate the impact of ‘Work From Home’ on family relationships.

(Answer in 150 words ) 10

Q.9  How is the growth of Tier 2 cities related to the rise of a new middle class with an emphasis on the culture of consumption ?

 (Answer in 150 words) 10

Q.10  Given the diversities among tribal communities in India, in which specific contexts should they be considered as a single category ?  

(Answer in 150 words ) 10

Q.11 The political and administrative reorganization of states and territories has been a continuous ongoing process since the mid-nineteenth century. Discuss with examples.

(Answer in 250 words) 15

Q.12 Discuss the main contributions of Gupta period and Chola period to Indian heritage and culture.  

(Answer in 250 words) 15

Q.13 Discuss the significance of the lion and bull figures in Indian mythology, art and architecture.        

(Answer in 250 words) 15

 Q.14 What are the forces that influence ocean currents? Describe their role in fishing industry of the world.  

(Answer in 250 words) 15

Q.15 Describing the distribution of rubber producing countries, indicate the major environmental issues faced by them.

(Answer in 250 words) 15                                                                                                

Q.16  Mention the significance of straits and isthmus in international trade.

(Answer in 250 words ) 15

Q.17 Troposphere is a very significant atmospheric layer that determines weather processes How?

(Answer in 250 words) 15

Q.18  Analyse the salience of ‘sect’ in Indian society vis-a-vis caste, region and religion.

(Answer in 250 words) 15

Q.19  Are tolerance, assimilation and pluralism the key elements in the making of an Indian form of secularism ? Justify your answer.

(Answer in 250 words ) 15

Q.20  Elucidate the relationship between globalization and new technology in a world of scarce resources, with special reference to India.

(Answer in 250 words) 15

DOWNLOAD PDF

THE CONTEXT: The Supreme Court judgement recently held protected land in Aravalli ranges as forests, guarding it against non-forest use. This article will analyse the implications of this judgement from the UPSC perspective.

BASICS ABOUT THE ARAVALLIS

LOCATION & FORMATION

• They stretch for a distance of about 720 km from Himmatnagar in Gujarat to Delhi, spanning Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Delhi.
• The Aravallis date back to millions of years when a pre-Indian subcontinent collided with the mainland Eurasian Plate.
• The Aravallis of Northwestern India, one of the oldest fold mountains of the world, now form residual mountains with an elevation of 300m to 900m. Guru Shikhar Peak on Mount Abu is the highest peak in the Aravalli Range (1,722 m).
• It has been formed primarily of folded crust when two convergent plates move towards each other by the process called orogenic movement.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ARAVALLIS

ACTING AS A GREEN BARRIER

• The Aravallis act as a barrier between the fertile plains in the east and the sandy desert in the west.
• Historically, it is said that the Aravalli range checked the spread of the Thar desert towards the Indo-Gangetic plains, serving as a catchment of rivers and plains.

INFLUENCING CLIMATE & RAINFALL

• During monsoons, it forms a parallel wall to monsoon clouds moving eastwards, thus helping nurture the sub-Himalayan rivers and feeding the north Indian plains.
• In the winter months, it protects the fertile alluvial river valleys from the cold westerly winds from Central Asia.

HABITAT FOR DIVERSITY

• The Aravallis provides habitat to 300 native plant species, 120 bird species and many exclusive animals like the jackal and mongoose.

PROVIDING BREATHING SPACE

• This Aravalli range is considered the “lungs” for the polluted air of Delhi–National Capital Region (NCR).
• For Haryana, having the lowest forest cover at around 3.59% of the total forest cover in India, the Aravalli range is the only saving grace, providing the major portion of its forest cover (2017 Forest Survey Report).

PROTECTING THE ARAVALLIS: OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENTS & RULINGS

OFFICIAL DEFINITION OF THE ARAVALLIS `ARAVALLI NOTIFICATION’ (1992)

• In 1992, to protect the ecologically sensitive Aravallis, the ministry of environment and forests (MOEFCC) introduced what is colloquially called the Aravalli notification.
• It says that apart from reserved forests or places already classified as `forest’ in government records, areas categorised as gair mumkin pahar (uncultivable hill), gair mumkin rada (foothills, pastures), gair mumkin be hed (ravined foothills), Banjar beed (cultivable grassy foothills) and round (rocky areas between two hills) will be treated as Aravallis.
• The same status is also to be given now to any land classified under sections 4 and 5 of the Punjab Land Preservation Act. All such areas in NCR will be protected and identified as Aravallis; the MoEFCC has told the green court.
• The immediate implication is that it extends a protective cover to large swathes of land in NCR, especially in Gurgaon and Faridabad.
• Before this notification, the Haryana government claimed that the status of such land was not yet been decided, leaving them open to real estate projects. Before this, the Aravali notification was applicable only to Gurgaon and Alwar (Rajasthan).

EVOLUTION OF THE ARAVALLI ISSUE

IMPORTANT SUPREME COURT JUDGEMENTS

TN GODAVARMAN THIRUMULPAD ‘VS UNION OF INDIA (1996)

• Clarified definition of the forest: ‘Forest’ must be understood according to its ‘dictionary meaning’. The ‘SC asks states to identify accordingly.
• COMPLIANCE: Haryana hasn’t identified areas that fulfil the dictionary meaning of forest.

MC MEHTA VS UNION OF INDIA & OTHERS (2002)

• Ban on groundwater extraction and mining: The SC bans drawing groundwater in ‘an area within 5km radius of Delhi border on Haryana side
• and in the Aravalli hills. Also, mining in 448 sq km area of Aravallis in Faridabad, Gurgaon and Mewat.
• COMPLIANCE: Borewells are still active. Mining has reduced but not stopped altogether.

LAFARGE CASE (2011)

• The SC directs all states to complete the process of identifying forests.
• COMPLIANCE: Haryana has Not initiated the process yet.

ANSAL CASE (2012)

• Any change in revenue records to sell land invalid: Some areas recorded as ‘gair mumkin pahar’ were converted to ‘gair mumkin farmhouse’.
• The SC says these are not to be accepted

2018 KANT ENCLAVE CASE

• The SC said that area notified under PLPA in Haryana must be treated as ‘forest’ and ‘forest land’. The judgment regarding construction in the Aravalli hills of Haryana holds serious implications for the ongoing litigations and preservation of the entire Aravallis in Haryana.
• COMPLIANCE: The Haryana Assembly passed the controversial Punjab Land Preservation (Haryana Amendment) Act, 2019, which opens up nearly 30,000 hectares of protected land for development.

2022 JUDGEMENT BY SC

• The Supreme Court held that all land covered by the special orders issued under Section 4 of the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA) in Haryana would be treated as forests and be entitled to protection under the 1980 Forest Conservation Act.
• Such land covered under Section 4 can see no commercial activity or non-forest use without the consent of the central government.
• It also stated that land covered by the special orders issued under Section 4 of PLPA has all the trappings of forest lands within the meaning of Section 2 of the Forest Act.
• The court directed the state government to clear any non-forest activity from such land in three months and report compliance.
• The bench considered a September 2018 judgment (Kant Enclave case) which held all land under PLPA could be treated as forest.
• The recent verdict clarified that the previous judgment failed to closely examine the scheme of Section 4 of PLPA and its legal effect in relation to Section 2 of the Forest Act.

SECTION 4 OF PLPA & SECTION 2 OF FOREST ACT: THE CAUSES OF CONCERN

Section 4 of the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA):

• Special orders under Section 4 of PLPA are the restrictive provisions issued by the state government to prevent deforestation of a specified area that could lead to soil erosion.
• When the state government is satisfied that deforestation of a forest area forming part of a larger area is likely to lead to erosion of soil, the power under Section 4 can be exercised.
• Therefore, the specific land which a special order under Section 4 of PLPA has been issued will have all the trappings of a forest governed by the Forest Act.
• While the land notified under the special orders of Section 4 of PLPA shall be forest lands, not all land under PLPA will ipso facto become forest lands within the meaning of the Forest Act.

Section 2 of the Forest Act:

• Section 2 of the Forest Act imposes prohibitions on the de-reservation of forests or use of forest land for non-forest purposes without prior approval of the central government.
• Once land is covered under Section 2 of the Forest Act, whether the special orders under Section 4 continue to be in force or not, it shall continue to remain forest land.

Plans to override SC judgements: Analysing Government Steps

• Environmentalists fear the ruling may fast-track amendments to Forest (Conservation) Act (FCA), 1980. The amendments are likely to be tabled in the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament as the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2022.
• As per FCA, activities like the felling of trees or activities like construction, mining and others are considered non-forest use. However, there is no clarity on whether afforestation or planting trees is a forest activity or a non-forest activity.
• The amendment bill aims to clarify the applicability of the Act in various types of land and to streamline the process of approvals. Changing forest conservation rules regarding clearance to projects and ease of business will have major ramifications.
• The forest Act draft proposed in 2021 wanted to remove the forest labels for a deemed wasteland or private forests.
• Under the new amendments, permissions will be granted by the state government instead of the Gram Sabhas. The government’s plan to create land banks by scrapping non-forest areas is just a step away from handing it over to commercial entities.
• While many ‘forests’ are proposed to be de-notified, Gram Sabhas and local communities are not being empowered to protect their rights.

THE WAY FORWARD

• Adhering to SC’s directives: Mining in the Aravalli region has been banned since 2002 under the Supreme Court orders unless expressly permitted by the Union Environment Ministry. However, mining continues illegally. The government should, thus, take immediate steps to follow SC’s directive regarding mining as well as encroachments, as mentioned in its other judgements.
• The Centre is contemplating an ambitious plan to create a 1,400km long and 5km wide green belt from Gujarat to the Delhi-Haryana border. Such projects need to be further upheld and supported by the states sharing the Aravalli ecology.
• There must be increased devolution of decision-making powers to gram sabhas.

THE CONCLUSION: The ethical dilemma of choosing between preserving the environment and the economic growth of the country is persistent for a developing nation like ours. For this, the policymakers must take into consideration the Constitutional morality, the commitments to Sustainable Development goals and the effective consensus of the local community for sustainable and inclusive policy formulations.

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

• “The ethical dilemma of choosing between preserving the environment and economic growth of the country is a persistent issue.” In the light of the statement, analyse the recent ruling of the Supreme Court, which considered protected land in Aravalli ranges as ‘forests.’

THE GEOGRAPHY: CLIMATOLOGY

1. ‘TRIPLE DIP’ LA NINA AND ITS IMPACT ON INDIA’S MONSOON

THE CONTEXT: Recently, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology confirmed the occurrence of La Niña phenomenon for the third consecutive year in the Pacific Ocean.
THE EXPLANATION:
• The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) on August 31 had stated that the oceanic and atmospheric phenomenon would last until at least the end of the year, and for the first time this century, span three consecutive northern hemisphere winters to become a ‘triple dip’ La Nina.
• The WMO predicted that the current La Nina, which began in September 2020, would continue for six months, with a 70 per cent chance of lasting till September-November 2022, and 55 per cent chance of lasting till December-February 2022/2023.

What are El Nino and La Nina?
• El Nino and La Nina, which mean ‘the boy’ and ‘the girl’ in Spanish, are mutually opposite phenomena, during which an abnormal warming or cooling of sea surface temperatures is observed in the Pacific Ocean along the equator, off the coast of South America. Together they constitute what is known as the El Niño-Southern Oscillation system, or ENSO for short.
• ENSO conditions can alter both temperatures and rainfall globally, due to their strong interference on global atmospheric circulations.
• It is a recurring phenomenon and the change in temperature is accompanied by changes in the patterns of upper and lower level winds, sea level pressure, and tropical rainfall across the Pacific Basin.
• Normally, El Nino and La Nina occur every four to five years. El Nino is more frequent than La Nina.

How does La Nina impact India’s monsoon?
• El Niño years in India have witnessed extreme heat and below normal rainfall levels during monsoon, even though El Niño might not be the only factor or even have direct links to them. In 2014, a El Niño year, India received 12 per cent deficient rainfall from June to September.
• On the other hand, La Nina years are known to favour the Indian summer monsoon. This year, India has received 740.3 mm of rainfall, quantitatively 7 per cent higher than the seasonal average till August 30. Among the 36 states and union territories, 30 have received rainfall that is categorised as either ‘normal,’ ‘excess’ or ‘large excess.’
• Uttar Pradesh, Manipur (-44 per cent each), and Bihar (-39 per cent), however, remain the worst affected states this season.

La Nina conditions and cyclone formation
• Intense hurricanes and cyclones have frequently occurred in the Atlantic Ocean and the Bay of Bengal during La Nina years.
• Over the North Indian Ocean as well, the chances of an increased number of cyclones are due to multiple contributing factors, including high relative moisture and relatively low wind shear over the Bay of Bengal.

THE HEALTH ISSUES

2. NEW RESEARCH: COVID-19 INCREASES ALZHEIMER’S RISK IN OLDER ADULTS

THE CONTEXT: The researchers, recently published their findings in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease found that people aged 65 and above who developed Covid-19 were at a 50-80% higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s, expanding upon the little we currently know about the long-term consequences of the pandemic.
THE EXPLANATION:
• Older adults who were once infected with Covid-19 are at a much higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease within a year, with women above the age of 85 occupying the highest risk group, a new study of more than 6 million patients has found.
• However, the researchers have maintained that it is unclear “whether Covid-19 might trigger new onset of Alzheimer’s disease or accelerate its emergence.”
• The research team analysed the anonymous electronic health records of 6.2 million people who were 65 and older in the US, and who had visited healthcare organisations between February 2020 and May 2021. Those studied had not been previously diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
• They were then divided into two groups: one composed of people who had contracted Covid-19 during the period of study, and another group which had no documented cases of the infectious disease. There were more than 400,000 people enrolled in the Covid-19 study group, while the non-infected group contained 5.8 million people.
• The findings indicated that over the one-year period following the infection, older adults in the Covid-19 cohort faced a risk of 0.68%, nearly double that of the non-Covid-19 cohort, which faced a risk of 0.35%.

ABOUT ALZHEIMER DISEASE:
What is Alzheimer’s disease?
• It is the most common type of dementia.
Discovery:
• The disease was discovered after Dr Alois Alzheimer examined a memory-loss patient’s brain after her death in 1906 and found abnormal clumps (beta-amyloid plaque) and bundles of fibres (neurofibrillary tangles).
• It is a progressive disease beginning with mild memory loss and possibly leading to loss of the ability to carry on a conversation and respond to the environment.
• It involves parts of the brain that control thought, memory, and language.
• It can seriously affect a person’s ability to carry out daily activities.

What is the India scenario?
• In India, only 1 in 10 people with dementia receive any diagnosis, treatment or care for the disease, according to the World Alzheimer’s Report, 2021.

THE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

3. THE EASTERN ECONOMIC FORUM AND INDIA’S BALANCING ACT

THE CONTEXT: Recently, Russia hosted the seventh Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) Vladivostok from September 5 to 8 2022. The four-day forum is a platform for entrepreneurs to expand their businesses into Russia’s Far East (RFE).
THE EXPLANATION:

What is the Eastern Economic Forum?
The EEF was established in 2015 to encourage foreign investments in the RFE. The EEF displays the economic potential, suitable business conditions and investment opportunities in the region. Agreements signed at the EEF increased from 217 in 2017 to 380 agreements in 2021, worth 3.6 trillion roubles. As of 2022, almost 2,729 investment projects are being planned in the region. The agreements focus on infrastructure, transportation projects, mineral excavations, construction, industry and agriculture.

Who are the major actors in the Forum? What are their interests?
• This year, the Forum aimed at connecting the Far East with the Asia Pacific region. China is the biggest investor in the region as it sees potential in promoting the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative and the Polar Sea Route in the RFE.
• China’s investments in the region account for 90% of the total investments. Russia has been welcoming Chinese investments since 2015; more now than ever due to the economic pressures caused by the war in Ukraine.
• The Trans-Siberian Railway has further helped Russia and China in advancing trade ties. The countries share a 4000-kilometer-long border, which enables them to tap into each other’s resources with some infrastructural assistance. China is also looking to develop its Heilongjiang province which connects with the RFE.
• Besides China, South Korea has also been gradually increasing its investments in the region. South Korea has invested in shipbuilding projects, manufacturing of electrical equipment, gas-liquefying plants, agricultural production and fisheries. In 2017, the Export-Import Bank of Korea and the Far East Development Fund announced their intention to inject $2 billion in the RFE in a span of three years.
• Japan is another key trading partner in the Far East. In 2017, Japanese investments through 21 projects amounted to $16 billion. Under Shinzo Abe’s leadership, Japan identified eight areas of economic cooperation and pushed private businesses to invest in the development of the RFE. Japan seeks to depend on Russian oil and gas resources after the 2011 meltdown in Fukushima which led the government to pull out of nuclear energy.
• Japan also sees a market for its agro-technologies which have the potential to flourish in the RFE, given similar climatic conditions. However, the momentum of trade that existed with Shinzo Abe was lost with the leadership of Yoshihide Suga and Fumio Kishida. The trade ties between Japan and Russia are hindered by the Kuril Islands dispute as they are claimed by both countries.
• India seeks to expand its influence in the RFE. During the forum, Prime Minister expressed the country’s readiness in expanding trade, connectivity and investments in Russia. India is keen to deepen its cooperation in energy, pharmaceuticals, maritime connectivity, healthcare, tourism, the diamond industry and the Arctic.
• In 2019, India also offered a $1 billion line of credit to develop infrastructure in the region. Through the EEF, India aims to establish a strong inter-state interaction with Russia. Business representatives of Gujarat and the Republic of Sakha have launched agreements in the diamond and pharmaceuticals industry.

Will India be able to achieve a balance between the EEF and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF)?
• The U.S.-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) and the EEF are incomparable based on its geographic coverage and the partnership with the host-countries. India has vested interests in both the forums and has worked towards balancing its involvement. India has not shied away from investing in the Russia-initiated EEF despite the current international conditions.
• At the same time, India has given its confirmation and acceptance to three of the four pillars in the IPEF. The country understands the benefits of being involved in the development in the RFE but it also perceives the IPEF as a vital platform to strengthen its presence in the Indo-Pacific region. The IPEF also presents an ideal opportunity for India to act in the region, without being part of the China-led Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership or other regional grouping like the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
• The IPEF will also play a key role in building resilient supply chains. India’s participation in the forum will help in disengaging from supply chains that are dependent on China and will also make it a part of the global supply chain network. Additionally, the IPEF partners will act as new sources of raw material and other essential products, further reducing India’s reliance on China for raw materials. Although, the Indian Prime Minister has refrained from full participation in the trade pillar of the IPEF, it does not signify an end to India’s role in the forum.

4. THE AZERBAIJAN-ARMENIA BORDER CLASHES, AND THE RISING FEAR OF ANOTHER WAR

THE CONTEXT: Recently, Dozens of Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers have reportedly been killed in renewed border clashes between Armenia and Azerbaijan, in the worst round of hostilities since 2020.
THE EXPLANATION:
After several hours of fighting, the Armenian government appealed to world leaders for help, saying that Azerbaijani forces were trying to advance into its territory. The conflict is decades old with its repercussions potentially engulfing all of the Caucasus.

About the Conflict
• Protestors are demanding the resignation of Prime Minister (PM) Nikol Pashinyan and are taking the means of strike like, chanting anti-government slogans, blocking metro from moving etc.
• Location: Nagorno-Karabakh is a mountainous and heavily forested region that under international law is recognised as part of Azerbaijan.

Latest developments:
• Armenia has been witnessing domestic unrest since April this year related to Pashniyan’s handling of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
• There have been plans to oust their government or at least increase street pressure to prevent the PM from providing further concessions to Azerbaijan and Turkey when it comes to the security and right of self-determination of Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh (called Artsakh) and the recognition of Armenian Genocide.

Criticism against Armenian PM:
• In Armenia, Pashinyan’s handling of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict received criticism after he agreed to hand over Armenian control of several territories to Azerbaijan.
• Pashinyan increased the salaries of the country’s security forces, in an attempt to win their loyalty.
• The ongoing protests in Armenia have been marked by police brutality and the detaining of protestors, activists as well as Parliament members.
• Pashinyan’s stance on Nagorno-Karabakh: There has been a clear shift in Pashinyan’s views on Nagorno-Karabakh post May 2018, when he was elected leader of Armenia. Much of Pashinyan’s rhetoric was aimed at winning nationalist support.

Challenges of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
• In this disputed region, there are hundreds of civilian settlements, residents of which would be directly impacted and potentially displaced if any large-scale war were to break out between the two countries.
• Any military escalation would draw regional powers like Turkey and Russia more deeply into the conflict.
• The energy-rich Azerbaijan has built several gas and oil pipelines across the Caucasus (the region between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea) to Turkey and Europe.
• This includes the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline (with a capacity of transporting 1.2 billion barrels a day), the Western Route Export oil pipeline, the Trans-Anatolian gas pipeline and the South Caucasus gas pipeline.
• Some of these pipelines pass close to the conflict zone (within 16 km of the border) and in an open war between the two countries, the pipelines could be targeted, which would impact energy supplies.
• For both nations, these would create immediate challenges and war would not be in the interest of both countries.

5. NORTH KOREA’S NEW ‘IRREVERSIBLE’ LAW ON NUCLEAR ARMS USE

THE CONTEXT: North Korea has recently passed a law enshrining the right to ‘automatically’ use preemptive nuclear strikes to protect itself. According to North Korea’s state media, leader Kim Jong Un has said this new law makes the country’s nuclear status ‘irreversible’ and bars any talks of denuclearization.
THE EXPLANATION:
• North Korea’s parliament passed the legislation replacing a 2013 law that had first outlined the country’s nuclear status.
• The KCNA quoted Kim as addressing the assembly: “The utmost significance of legislating nuclear weapons policy is to draw an irretrievable line so that there can be no bargaining over our nuclear weapons.”

Why has North Korea taken this step?
• This move comes as Pyongyang is seemingly preparing to resume nuclear testing for the first time since 2017, according to the Reuters report, after summits with former US President and other diplomatic meetings failed to persuade North Korea to abandon nuclear weapons development.

What is the new law?
• North Korea’s new law is important because, very simply, it authorises preemptive nuclear strikes. That means this law could be implemented if Pyongyang thinks there is an impending nuclear attack or if Pyongyang believes that its state’s existence faced threats or the command organisation of its nuclear forces were threatened.
• According to a Reuters report, the last point may be a “reference to South Korea’s ‘Kill Chain’ strategy, which calls for preemptively striking North Korea’s nuclear infrastructure and command system if an imminent attack is suspected.
• The report states that under the provisions of this new law, Kim has “all decisive powers” over nuclear weapons, but in case that command-and-control system were to be threatened, then nuclear weapons may be launched “automatically”.
• The law also bans the sharing of nuclear arms or technology with other countries, and is aimed at reducing the danger of a nuclear war by preventing miscalculations among nuclear weapons states and misuse of nuclear weapons.

How have others responded?
• Over the past few months, North Korea’s rhetoric has been increasingly critical of the US and its allies. In the past year, Pyongyang has carried out more than 30 long-range missile tests, involving ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and hypersonic missiles.
• According to data reported Russia’s Foreign Ministry as saying it was “closely monitoring” military activity on the Korean peninsula. While not addressing the new law, China’s Foreign Ministry said the country’s position on the Korean peninsula “had not changed”, which is denuclearization of North Korea.

THE GOVERNMENT SCHEMES IN NEWS

6. TAMIL NADU’S NEW BREAKFAST SCHEME IN SCHOOLS

THE CONTEXT: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister at the Madurai Corporation Primary School at Madurai, launched the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme for students of Class I to V in government schools.
THE EXPLANATION:
The scheme covers around 1.14 lakh students in 1,545 schools which include 417 municipal corporation schools, 163 municipality schools and 728 taluk and village panchayat-level schools. A sum of ₹33.56 crore has been set apart for the scheme. The inauguration of the scheme marks an important milestone in the State’s history of providing free meals to school students.

How has the idea evolved?
• In November 1920, the Madras (now Chennai) Corporation Council approved a proposal for providing tiffin to the students of a Corporation School at Thousand Lights at a cost not exceeding one anna per student per day. P. Theagaraya Chetty, the then President of the Corporation (the modern-day equivalent of Mayor) and one of the stalwarts of the Justice Party, said the boys studying at the school were poor, which affected the strength of the institution ‘greatly’. The scheme, which was extended to four more schools and facilitated higher enrollment of students, suffered a setback in 1925 when the British government disallowed the expenditure on the supply of mid-day meals to students from the Elementary Education Fund. It was revived two years later, benefitting around 1,000 poor students in 25 schools.
• The concept saw a State-wide application in 1956 when the then Chief Minister K. Kamaraj decided to provide free noon meal to poor children in all primary schools across the State. The Budget for 1956-57 contained a provision for supplying mid-day meals to schoolchildren for 200 days a year, initially covering 65,000 students in 1,300 feeding centres.
• In July 1982, it was left to the then Chief Minister M. G. Ramachandran to extend the programme to children in the 2-5 age group in Anganwadis and those in 5-9 age group in primary schools in rural areas. Subsequently, the scheme — now called Puratchi Thalaivar M.G.R. Nutritious Meal Programme — was extended to urban areas as well. Since September 1984, students of standards VI to X have been covered under the scheme.
• Over the years, there have been improvements to the programme. M. Karunanidhi, as Chief Minister during the short-lived Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Ministry (1989-91), introduced the provision of boiled eggs once every fortnight, starting June 1989. His successor, Jayalalithaa, in March 2013, extended the scheme by including variety meals along with masala eggs as per the children’s choice.

What are the number of beneficiaries of the programme?
• As of now, there are nearly 46.7 lakh beneficiaries spread over 43,190 nutritious meal centres. This includes around 3,500 students of National Child Labour Project (NCLP) special schools. The State budget for 2022-23 has provided around ₹2,077 crore for the nutritious meal programme.
• Besides, as a consequence of the collaborative implementation of the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) and the nutritious meal programme, around 15.8 lakh children in the age group of 2+ to 5+ years receive nutritious meals.

What was the impact of the mid-day meal scheme on school education ?
• After the improved version of the mid-day meal scheme in 1982, the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) at primary level (standards I to V) went up by 10% during July-September, 1982 as compared to the corresponding period in 1981.
• The rise in boys’ enrollment was 12% and in the case of girls, 7%, according to a publication brought out by the Tamil Nadu government on the occasion of the launch of the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme.
• Likewise, attendance during July-September 1982 rose by 33% over the previous year’s figure.
• Kamaraj – An Era (2008), a biography authored by senior Congress functionary A. Gopanna, states that after the inauguration of the mid-day meal scheme in 1956, the number of primary schools went up from 15,800 in 1957 to 29,000 in 1962.

Where should the programme focus more?
• Anaemia is a major health problem in Tamil Nadu, especially among women and children, says the 2019-21 National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-5’s report. From 50% during the period of the 2015-16 NFHS-4, the prevalence of anaemia in children now went up to 57%. This and many other health issues can be addressed through the combined efforts of the departments of School Education, Public Health and Social Welfare and Women Empowerment.
• Based on expert advice, those in charge of the implementation of the ICDS and the nutritious meal programme can enhance the component of nutrition to those children having specific problems. The latest Breakfast Scheme is a step in this direction.
• Besides, a continuous and rigorous review of the progress of the scheme and nutritious meal programme should be carried out in a sustained manner.

Section A

• 1. Forests are the best case studies for economic excellence
• 2. Poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world
• 3. History is a series of victories won by the scientific man over the romantic man
• 4. A ship in harbour is safe, but that is not what ship is for

Section B

• 5. The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining
• 6. You cannot step twice in the same river
• 7. A smile is the chosen vehicle for all ambiguities
• 8. Just because you have a choice, it does not mean that any of them has to be right

DOWNLOAD PDF

[WpProQuiz 334]

THE CONTEXT: The Reserve Bank of India has recently introduced a mechanism to facilitate international trade in rupees. Now the import and export payments may be settled through a special Vostro account, while banks, with prior approval from the RBI, can act as authorised dealers for such transactions. This article intends to analyze the implications of rupee internationalization from the UPSC perspective.

INTERNATIONALIZATION OF RUPEE: UNDERSTANDING BASICS

DEFINING CURRENCY INTERNATIONALIZATION

• Currency internationalization is the widespread use of a currency outside the borders of its original country of issue.
• The level of currency internationalization for a currency is determined by the demand that users in other countries have for that currency.
• This demand can be driven by the use of the currency to settle international trade, to be held as a reserve currency or a safe-haven currency, or in general use as a medium of indirect exchange in other countries’ domestic economies via currency substitution.

ORIGIN OF THE DEBATE

OUTBREAK OF GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS (GFC) OF 2008

• The global financial crisis (GFC) of 2008, for a variety of complex reasons, prompted emerging markets (EMs) to reconsider the role of their currencies as global alternatives to the “big four” currencies (US dollar, Yen, Euro, Pound).
• The outbreak of the GFC and its spillover to the entire world reflected the inherent vulnerabilities and systemic risks in the existing international monetary system.
• This was an indirect assertion that the US was taking advantage of the reserve currency status of the US dollar and dollar liquidity shortages were a real problem for EMs during the GFC.

EMERGENCE OF THE RENMINBI

• China in response, embarked on an ambitious project of “Renminbi internationalization” with the coupled goals of international monetary reform and diversification of global currency risk through internationalizing its currency.

IMPLICATIONS ON INDIAN RUPEE

• China’s policy pivot prompted policymakers in India to consider the possibility of internationalizing the Indian Rupee (INR). The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) commissioned two studies in 2010 and 2011 (Ranjan and Prakash, 2010; Gopinath, 2011) to examine the issues surrounding the internationalization of the INR.
• Both studies recommended a cautious approach towards currency internationalization given the size of the Indian GDP, lower presence in global trade and partial capital account convertibility.
• They also added that while the Rupee is a natural contender for transitioning into a global currency, policymakers should start by increasing the role of the INR in its local region, where the Renminbi has taken the lead over the Rupee.
• In spite of an early interest in pursuing a policy of currency internationalization, both the Indian government and the RBI do not consider it to be a priority in the short to medium term.

LATEST DEVELOPMENT

• The recent push of RBI for rupee internationalization is a great step in the right direction, considering the limitation for using the US dollar as a medium of international transactions, especially with counties under sanctions.
• This would also help reduce exchange rate risk on traders and pressure on the Indian rupees.

PROCESS OF INTERNATIONALIZATION OF A CURRENCY

There are certain necessary preconditions which are as follows:

• The government must remove all restrictions on the freedom of any entity, domestic or foreign, to buy or sell its country’s currency, whether in the spot or forward market.
• Domestic firms are able to invoice some, if not all, of their exports in their country’s currency, and foreign firms are likewise able to invoice their exports in that country’s currency, whether to the country itself or to third countries.
• Foreign firms, financial institutions, official institutions and individuals are able to hold the country’s currency and financial instruments denominated in it in amounts that they deem useful and prudent.
• Foreign firms and financial institutions, including official institutions, are able to issue marketable instruments in the country’s currency.
• The issuing country’s own financial institutions and non-financial firms are able to issue on foreign markets instruments denominated in their country’s own currency.
• International financial institutions, such as the World Bank and regional development banks, are able to issue debt instruments in a country’s market and use its currency in their financial operations.
• The currency may be included in the “currency baskets” of other countries, which they use in governing their own exchange rate policies.

ANALYZING RUPEE INTERNATIONALIZATION

CHALLENGES FOR INDIA: CRITICAL ANALYSIS

ATTAINING SUFFICIENT SCALE

• The issuing country must have sufficient scale, both in terms of nominal gross domestic product and volume of international transactions. For instance, while China is a $10.36 trillion economy, India is roughly at $2 trillion.
• For India to attain sufficient scale, the economy needs to grow at a sustainable average rate of 7-8% for the next five years or so. India’s current share of global trade is also relatively small, and the bulk of it is invoiced in US dollars.
• Improvements in scale are linked to macroeconomic fundamentals, which cannot be changed through an internationalization-driven agenda.

STABILITY OF THE RUPEE

• The value of the currency must be stable over time. A currency is considered stable when the general level of prices does not vary too much. Stability has multiple aspects: macroeconomic, financial and political.
• On macroeconomic stability, earlier this year, India undertook an important reform in the form of the Monetary Policy Framework Agreement that formally lays down inflation targeting as the objective of monetary policy in India. But recent high inflations showed limited outreach of MPC.
• The banking system continues to be overburdened with burgeoning non-performing assets.
• In terms of political stability, the fact that India is a democracy, like issuers of most international currencies in the 19th and 20th centuries, goes in its favour.

ENSURING LIQUIDITY OF THE RUPEE

• A currency is liquid if significant quantities of assets can be bought and sold in the currency without noticeably affecting its price.
• This requires depth in financial markets, a large stock of domestic currency-denominated bonds and adequate options to hedge currency risk exposures.
• India lacks a deep, liquid and well-functioning corporate bond market. Hedging opportunities for foreign investors are limited.
• India has one of the least open capital accounts among emerging economies. Relaxing capital controls to attract foreign investor participation is crucial for enhancing rupee liquidity.

THE WAY FORWARD

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has made a strong case for the internationalization of the rupee and sought to differentiate it from capital account convertibility. According to RBI, countries that can borrow in their own currency are less susceptible to the international crisis.
• As the currency risks are born by the lenders and not by the borrowers back in India, this is always a safer option for the Indian economy; hence, it must be promoted.
• Democracy and associated checks and balances on the executive instil confidence in foreign investors about the policy credibility of the government, thereby imparting stability to the national currency. Thus, India can explore the option of controlled internationalization of the rupee.

THE CONCLUSION: Any possibility of conversation on rupee internationalization must be backed by a sustained and stable position of the Indian Rupee. Scale, stability and liquidity can be achieved through strong economic fundamentals and a process-driven regulatory environment. These, by themselves, are important policy goals to achieve for India. It is possible that once these are achieved, the rupee will come to be accepted as an international currency.

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

1. “Only if scale, stability and liquidity of Indian Rupee are achieved, will it be accepted as an international currency.” Examine critically in the light of the recent push by RBI for the internationalization of the rupee.

2. What do you understand by ‘internationalization of currency? Discuss the positives and negatives of the internationalization of the currency.

THE POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. THE INCLUSION OF TRIBES FROM 5 STATES IN ST CATEGORY

THE CONTEXT: The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister recently gave nod for the inclusion of tribes of five states in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) category.
THE EXPLANATION:
• The Union Cabinet has approved the inclusion of tribes from Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh in the ST category.
• It has included 12 communities to the ST list.
• Among them is the Hattee Community living in the Trans-Giri region in Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh.
• This community is named based on its traditional occupation of selling home-grown crops, vegetables, meat and wool at small-town markets called haats.
• It has been demanding ST status since 1967, when the status was granted to people living in Jaunsar Bawar area in Uttarakhand, which shares a border with the Sirmaur district.
• Other communities that were recently granted ST status were Gond along with their five sub-castes in Bhadohi District of Uttar Pradesh, Betta-Kuruba community in Karnataka, Binjhia in Chhattisgarh and Narikuravan and Kuruvikaran in Tamil Nadu.
• The Narikuravans and Kuruvikarans in Tamil Nadu have been demanding ST status since 1965 based the recommendations by the Lokur Panel. They were earlier recognized as the Most Backward Community.
• This community is mostly involved in traditional occupation of hunter-gathering and selling of bead necklaces.
• The Union Cabinet has included the Betta-Kuruba community as synonym of “Kadu Kuruba” in the ST list.
• Betta-Kuruba tribe in Karnataka’s Chamarajanagar, Kodagu and Mysuru districts have been demanding ST status for the past 3 decades but have not been granted because of spelling errors and similar sounding names.
• The newly listed communities in the ST list would benefit from existing schemes targeting the Scheduled Tribes in the country.
• Some of these benefits include post-matric scholarship, overseas scholarship and the national fellowship, concessional loans from the National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation, and hostels for students.
• Members of these communities would also benefit from reservations in services and admissions in educational institutions.

2. UP BUILDS HIGHEST NUMBER OF AMRIT SAROVARS

THE CONTEXT: Recently, Uttar Pradesh has constructed largest number of lakes under the Indian Government’s ambitious Mission Amrit Sarovar.
THE EXPLANATION:
• Uttar Pradesh has constructed 8,462 Amrit Sarovars (lakes) under the Modi Government’s ambitious Mission Amrit Sarovar, which aims to conserve water for the future generation.
• The other top performers under this mission are Madhya Pradesh (1,668 lakes), Jammu and Kashmir (1,458 lakes), Rajasthan (898 lakes) and Tamil Nadu (818 lakes).
• Within Uttar Pradesh, Lakhimpur Kheri was the top performer with the construction of 256 Amrit Sarovars.
• This is followed by Pratapgarh (244 lakes) and Pratapgarh (231 lakes).
• Currently, Uttar Pradesh is planning to construct 1.20 lakh Amrit Sarovars.
• The state had developed 7,500 Amrit Sarovars as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
• Under the first phase of Mission Amrit Sarovar, the UP Government sought to develop 75 Amrit Sarovars in 75 districts of the state under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.
• This goal was completed ahead of the schedule.
• In the second phase, the government is planning to develop a minimum of 2 Amrit Sarovars in 58 gram panchayats, which is a total of about 1.20 lakh lakes.
• The large-scale construction of Amrit Sarovars is providing jobs for a large section of the rural population in the state and increased their income as well.
• It had minimised the irrigation issues faced by farmers in the state.
• Currently, the fully completed Amrit Sarovars are being used by farmers for fish farming as an additional source of income.
VALUE ADDITION:
Amrit Sarovar Mission
The Amrit Sarovar Mission was launched by the Indian Government on April 24, 2022 to promote water conservation by developing and rejuvenating water bodies in all districts across India. Under this initiative, 50,000 water bodies of the size of about an acre will be created. The overall mission is expected to be completed by August 15, 2023. Each of the Amrit Sarovar would be around 1 acre with 10,000 cubic meters of water capacity.

THE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

3. THE EXERCISE KAKADU 2022

THE CONTEXT: Recently,Exercise Kakadu 2022 commenced in Australia’s Darwin on September 12, 2022.

THE EXPLANATION:
• The Exercise Kakadu 2022 (KA22) is a multinational exercise hosted by the Australian Navy in Darwin – the capital of Australia’s Northern Territory.
• It will be held from September 12 to 24 this year by the Royal Australian Navy with the support from the Royal Australian Air Force.
• This two-week long biennial maritime exercise brings together around 3,000 personnel, 15 warships and more than 30 aircraft from 22 countries.
• The Indian Navy is being represented by INS Satpura and P8 I Maritime Patrol Aircraft.
• The theme of this international exercise is ‘partnership, leadership and friendship’.
• The inaugural edition of the Exercise Kakadu was held in 1993.
• Over the past 3 decades, countries that have participated in this exercise are Singapore, New Zealand, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Japan, South Korea, France, India, Pakistan, Brunei, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Hong Kong (UK), Canada, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Vietnam, Fiji, US, UAE, Cook Islands, Sri Lanka, Chile, China and Vanuatu.
• The KA22 kicked off less than a week after the conclusion of Exercise Pitch Black – a biennial exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). It featured 100 aircraft and 2,500 military personnel from 17 countries.
• Exercise Pitch Black 2022 witnessed the largest international contingent for the first time, with the involvement of Canada, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand, UAE, the UK, and the USA.
INS Satpura
INS Satpura is a Shivalik-class stealth multi-role frigate that has better stealth and land attack capabilities than the Talwar-class frigates. The stealth frigate was built at the Mazagon Dock Limited in Mumbai. It was inducted the Eastern Naval Command headquartered at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS

4. THE NORWAY’S CENTRAL BANK DIGITAL CURRENCY

THE CONTEXT: Norway’s central bank – Norges Bank – recently hit a major milestone in its digital currency development efforts by releasing the open source code for the country’s CBDC sandbox based on the Ethereum technology.
THE EXPLANATION:
• Norway’s CBDC sandbox, which is accessible on GitHub, was created to provide user interface (UI) for engaging with the test network.
• It has features like minting, burning and transferring ERC-20 tokens.
• The current version of the open code is only accessible to people with necessary credentials.
• It does not support popular Ethereum wallet Meta Mask.
• The second phase of the project would involve making the source code accessible to the public.
• The sandbox has a unique frontend, necessary smart contracts and access controls and network monitoring tools such as BlockScout and Grafana.
• The frontend displays a filterable overview of the network transactions.
• The usage of Ethereum cryptocurrency system provided the basic infrastructure required for the creation, transfer and destruction of digital central bank money (DSP).
• In November last year, the Norges Bank released a working paper referring to possible CBDC designs, including those based on blockchains like Ethereum, Bitcoin and Bitcoin SV.
• One of the key issues faced by the bank was the interoperability while considering various technical solutions.
• The main objective of Norges Bank’s current testing is to study whether DSP is required to ensure that the payment system in Norwegian kroner is secure, efficient and attractive for the local population.
CBDCs
The Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) are an electronic form of central bank-backed fiat money. They work based on blockchain networks. However, they do not need to be on a blockchain. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), 97 countries or more than 50 per cent of all global central banks are developing CBDCs. Presently, only Nigeria and The Bahamans have fully launched the CBDCs.

THE ENVIRONMENT, ECOLOGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

5. THE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FACILITY (GEF) SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM

THE CONTEXT: The Ministry of Environment of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFC), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) have jointly launched the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme.
THE EXPLANATION:
• The GEF Small Grants Programme provides financial and technical assistance to projects focusing on conserving and restoring environment while also enhancing the lives of local communities.
• 2022 marks the 7th operational phase of this programme.
• The grants under this programme are given to non-governmental organizations and other institutions working in specific landscapes.
• The aim of this project is to build local communities’ capacity to take collective action towards conserving the environment and achieving sustainable development.
• It focuses on three regions in India – highlands of the North East, Central semi-arid region and Indian coastal region.
• It would promote participatory landscape planning and management approach that would improve socio-ecological resilience through innovative livelihood opportunities.
• It seeks to strengthen community institutions to promote participatory governance and upscale successful community initiatives.
• It would also promote participatory monitoring and evaluation at the community level.
GEF Small Grants Programme
The GEF Small Grants Programme was launched for the first time in 1992 at the Rio Summit. It works based on the belief that global environment solutions would remain sustainable only if communities are actively involved in it and directly benefit from it. It works based on the principle “thinking globally, acting locally”. It aims to create a balance between human requirements and environment imperatives through community participation. Grants under this initiative are given to local citizens from the civil society organization sector, including non-governmental organizations, academic and scientific institutions, women groups, indigenous groups etc.

THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

6. THE HUGHES-ISRO SATELLITE INTERNET SERVICE

THE CONTEXT: The Hughes Communications India (HCI) and ISRO has jointly launched India’s first high-throughput satellite (HTS) broadband service.
THE EXPLANATION:
• HCI – a joint venture company of US-based Hughes Network Systems and Indian telecom operator Bharati Airtel – launched the first high throughput satellite broadband internet service in India.
• This service would provide satellite internet to remote parts of India by using ISRO’s GSAT-11 and GSAT-29 satellites.
• ISRO launched the GSAT-11 and GSAT-29 in 2018 to provide higher bandwidth satellite connectivity to Indian clients in the space enterprise. The GSAT-11 is capable of providing up to 14 Gbps through satellite network.
• The newly launched HTS broadband service aims to provide high-speed broadband in regions that are inaccessible for terrestrial networks.
• For the past one year, this high-speed internet service was tested in several regions such as Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, which lack terrestrial connectivity because of challenges posed by terrains.
• The newly launched satellite internet service is capable of providing internet connectivity bandwidth of up to 100 Mbps – about 2GB data per day.
• It supports services such as Wi-Fi hotspots for community internet access, SD-WAN solutions, backhaul to extend mobile network reach and satellite internet for small businesses.
• The application of this satellite connectivity is currently limited to fringe markets such as remote locations.
• India currently does not have the market for very high bandwidth satellite internet in such regions and high bandwidth internet are already served by terrestrial network in other places that are having high demands for internet services.
• The Hughes’ HTS service already has clients like Reliance Jio, State Bank of India and others.
• Jio utilizes Hughes’ service for 4G backhaul to provide services to remote locations for its terrestrial telecom networks.
• SBI uses this satellite internet service for providing connectivity to remote bank branches and automated teller machine (ATM) outlets.
High-throughput satellite
High-throughput satellite (HTS) is a satellite connectivity that provides higher bandwidth, which increases the amount of data that can be transferred between a satellite and a ground station. A conventional satellite connectivity has low bandwidth and high latency of connectivity – time taken to transfer data between a sender and receiver. The HTS seeks to address this issue.

1. Examining the Dolo scandal: The story stands on shaky legs, but the controversy lays bare the problem of the pharmaceuticals-doctors nexus READ MORE
2. Aspiration & achievement are backed by good actions READ MORE
3. Education must be student-centric READ MORE

1. India’s growing water crisis, the seen and the unseen: Rural-urban water disputes are very likely to occur as scarcity grows, exacerbated by climate change READ MORE
2. Sea cucumbers most frequently trafficked marine species in India between 2015 and 2021: Analysis READ MORE
3. Shallow-water mining not a ‘silver bullet’ to resolve growing global need for metals: Study READ MORE

1. Education must be student-centric READ MORE
2. The future of old times in India: Near-universal social security pensions would be a good start to a radical expansion of public support for the elderly READ MORE
3. Gender Bias Behind 93% Gap in Earnings Between Men and Women: Oxfam Report READ MORE

1. Bibek Debroy writes: As PM Modi said, the onus for labour reform is on the states READ MORE
2. New telecom law must provide for basic rights READ MORE
3. Examining the Dolo scandal: The story stands on shaky legs, but the controversy lays bare the problem of the pharmaceuticals-doctors nexus READ MORE

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. Shanghai Cooperation Organisation fights ‘anti-West dictators club’ tag READ MORE
2. Cabinet approves addition of four tribes in Himachal, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh to ST list READ MORE
3. After 33 years, Kashmir’s pristine Manasbal Lake opens for NCC cadets again READ MORE
4. Who was activist-author Annabhau Sathe, whose statue Devendra Fadnavis unveiled in Moscow? READ MORE
5. August: Exports inch up, pace of growth in imports slows READ MORE
6. Sea cucumbers most frequently trafficked marine species in India between 2015 and 2021: Analysis READ MORE
7. Shallow-water mining not a ‘silver bullet’ to resolve growing global need for metals: Study READ MORE
8. ISRO and Hughes launch India’s first commercial satellite broadband service READ MORE
9. PM Modi meets Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck; poses for photo READ MORE

Main Exam

GS Paper- 1

1. Gender Bias Behind 93% Gap in Earnings Between Men and Women: Oxfam Report READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Bibek Debroy writes: As PM Modi said, the onus for labour reform is on the states READ MORE
2. New telecom law must provide for basic rights READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Education must be student-centric READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. Engage with caution: The latest disengagement along the LAC is a welcome step, but the border crisis is not over READ MORE  
2. Breaking the impasse on the Teesta water-sharing talks READ MORE
3. Beyond China, why SCO is key READ MORE
4. India should up global presence with leadership of non-aligned READ MORE

 GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. The future of old times in India: Near-universal social security pensions would be a good start to a radical expansion of public support for the elderly READ MORE
2. Tax on the poor: Inflation disproportionately affects the economically weaker sections READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. India’s growing water crisis, the seen and the unseen: Rural-urban water disputes are very likely to occur as scarcity grows, exacerbated by climate change READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. Science in India Is Plagued by Inequities and Needs Democratic Reforms READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Examining the Dolo scandal: The story stands on shaky legs, but the controversy lays bare the problem of the pharmaceuticals-doctors nexus READ MORE
2. Aspiration & achievement are backed by good actions READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. ‘IN a federal system, cooperation, collaboration and coordination are more important and powerful than competition’. Analyse the statement in the light of recent controversies between centre and states.
2. ‘Education must enhance the well-being of students and it must also take into account their psychological and emotional state’. Comment.
3. How far do you agree with this view that in present time sanctions couldn’t be substitute for military operations against any kind of invasion? Justify your view.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Cooperation, collaboration and coordination are more powerful than competition.
• Near-universal social security pensions would be a good start to a radical expansion of public support for the elderly.
• Rural-urban water disputes are very likely to occur as scarcity grows, exacerbated by climate change.
• Missing from the freebie debate are power subsidies, which constitute a significant share of the subsidy expenditure of many States.
• Any absence of constitutional values in telecom laws may further corporate profits and increase tele-connectivity, but hinder equitable access.
• Education must enhance the well-being of students and it must also take into account their psychological and emotional state.
• Non-existent social interaction, heavy dependence on gadgets, absence of practical knowledge, and monotony of life led to withdrawal symptoms with many students becoming reluctant to interact and learn.

50-WORD TALK

• Islamabad soliciting the Taliban’s help to find Masood Azhar Alvi is funny—but the real joke is on the world. Leveraging global fears about a failed nuclear-weapons State, Pakistan is seeking an economic bailout without acting against terrorists. To give it one will reward the jihadi-friendly establishment that inflicted worldwide bloodshed.
• Fierce Armenia-Azerbaijan border skirmishes show what’s happening in Ukraine won’t stay in Ukraine. Russia’s military, which enforces a ceasefire imposed in 2020, is bogged down—and Turkey-backed Azerbaijan is using the opportunity to settle unfinished business. Absent wisdom in superpower capitals, this will prove the first of many coming proxy wars.

Things to Remember:

• For prelims-related news try to understand the context of the news and relate with its concepts so that it will be easier for you to answer (or eliminate) from given options.
• Whenever any international place will be in news, you should do map work (marking those areas in maps and exploring other geographical locations nearby including mountains, rivers, etc. same applies to the national places.)
• For economy-related news (banking, agriculture, etc.) you should focus on terms and how these are related to various economic aspects, for example, if inflation has been mentioned, try to relate with prevailing price rises, shortage of essential supplies, banking rates, etc.
• For main exam-related topics, you should focus on the various dimensions of the given topic, the most important topics which occur frequently and are important from the mains point of view will be covered in ED.
• Try to use the given content in your answer. Regular use of this content will bring more enrichment to your writing.

[WpProQuiz 333]

THE CONTEXT: Recently, the arresting of Alt news Journalist and before that, many arresting around the country raises questions that the content that are posted on social media is not following the community standard (as claimed by these platforms). Although many of these cases are controversial, the development is opined by certain experts to be a start to further elaboration of legislation and government control of these dynamic new media sectors. In this article, we will analyze whether these platforms should be regulated by the government.

RECENT CASES OF ARRESTING FOR SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS

• In June 2022, Altnews Journalist was arrested for a controversial post.
• A tailor in Udaipur was beheaded for a controversial post on the prophet Mohammad.
• for In June 2022, 18 persons from Saharanpur were arrested for social media post
• A man was arrested in Rajasthan’s Alwar for posting objectionable content with communal overtones on social media
• In Chhattisgarh, a 34-year-old was booked under Section 67(A) of the Information Technology Act, which deals with online obscenity.
• In Assam, two-person arrested for allegedly putting up derogatory social media posts.
• In Kerala, 149 cases were registered against several people for allegedly posting objectionable remarks.
• The cybercrime sleuths of Rachakonda arrested three persons for posting obscene content through fake social media accounts to harass known women and a girl.

All these raised the question of whether the government should regulate online content or should give it free hand.

CHALLENGED POSED BY SOCIAL MEDIA IN RECENT TIMES?

• Extreme content: It is one of the major causes of extremism in society. Recently beheading of a tailor in Udaipur shows how extreme content affects society.
• Hate Speech: In India, legal provisions around hate speech have been previously misused to target marginalized communities and dissenting voices. Numerous hate speech cases have been brought against individuals for posts they made on social networking websites.
• Rumour/ Fake news: It has been observed that in the recent cases of Mob lynching, fake news/Rumor about cattle theft/ Child kidnapping was the major cause. Misinformation about the COVID-19 pandemic has been on the rise in India since January 2020.
• Data Piracy: Cambridge Analytica case in 2018 and recent bank fraud raised the concern of data safety.
• Pornography: Pornography, Child pornography is a serious issue.
• Objectionable content: Objectionable content in different shows, especially in web series, has posed a serious challenge to society.

WHAT IS THE PRESENT REGULATION FOR ONLINE CONTENT?

Although there is no specific legislation in India, that deals with social media, and in maximum cases, it is self-regulated. Still, there are several provisions in the existing so-called cyber laws which can be used to seek redress in case of violation of any rights in cyberspace, the Internet and social media. The legislation and the relevant provisions are specifically enumerated as under:

1.The Information Technology Act, 2000

• Sections 65, 66, 66A, 6C, 66D, 66E, 66F, 67, 67A and 67B contain punishments for computer-related offences which can also be committed through social media.
• Section 69 of the Act grants power to the Central or a State Government to issue directions for monitoring of any information.
• Section 69A grants power to issue directions to block public access to any information.
• Section 69B grants power to issue directions to authorize any agency to monitor.
• Section 79 provides for the liability of the intermediary. An intermediary shall not be liable for any third-party information, data or communication link made available or hosted by him in the following cases-
• His function is limited to providing access to a communication system over which such information is transmitted, stored or hosted.
• He does not initiate, select the receiver and select the information contained in the transmission.
• He observes due diligence and other guidelines prescribed by the Central Government while discharging his duties.
• He has conspired, abetted, aided or induced by threats, promises or otherwise in the commission of the unlawful Act.
• He fails to expeditiously remove or disable access to the material which is being used to commit the unlawful Act upon receiving actual knowledge or on being notified by the government.
• If any intermediary fails to assist, comply with the direction and intentionally contravenes provisions under Sections 69, 69A and 69B, respectively, he shall be liable to punishment.
• Section 43A provides that where a body corporate possesses, dealing or handles any sensitive personal data.
• Section 70B provides for an agency of the government to be appointed by the Central Government called the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team, which shall serve as the national agency for performing functions relating to cyber security.

2. The Information Technology Rules, 2009: Procedure and Safeguards of Interception, Monitoring and Decryption of Information- The interception or monitoring or decryption of information under Section 69 shall be carried out by an order issued by the competent authority.

3. The Information Technology Rules, 2009: Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking for Access of Information by Public- The Central Government in the exercise of its powers under Section 87(2) with regard to the procedure and safeguards for blocking access by the public under Section 69A.

4. The Information Technology Rules, 2009: Procedure and Safeguard for Monitoring and Collecting Traffic Data or Information-

• Directions for monitoring
• The competent authority (the Secretary of the Government of India in the Department of Information Technology) may issue directions for monitoring for purposes related to cyber security.

5. The Information Technology Rules, 2011: Intermediaries Guidelines- It is mandatory for the intermediary to inform the users by clearly stating that under the rules and regulations

6. The Information Technology Rules, 2011: Reasonable Security Practices and Procedures and Sensitive Personal Data or Information- The disclosure of sensitive personal data or information by a body corporate to any third party shall require prior permission from the provider of such information.

Ø  Code of Ethics for Social Media: At the time of the general election 2019, social media platforms and the Internet and Mobile Association of India submitted the “Voluntary Code of Ethics for the General Election 2019” to Election Commissioner.

Ø  The companies agreed to create a high-priority dedicated reporting mechanism for the ECI and appoint dedicated teams during the period of General Elections to take expeditious action on any reported violations.

WHY IS THERE A NEED TO REVIEW THE PRESENT REGULATIONS?

1.The challenges posed by the Internet activism

The power of the Internet is precisely the reason that governments want to regulate it.

The fears of governments about the Internet:

• National security (instructions on bomb-making, illegal drug production, terrorist activities);
• Protection of minors (abusive forms of marketing, violence, pornography);
• Protection of human dignity (incitement to racial hatred or racial discrimination);
• Economic security (fraud, instructions on pirating credit cards);
• Information security (malicious hacking);
• Protection of privacy (unauthorized communication of personal data, electronic harassment);
• Protection of reputation (libel, unlawful comparative advertising);
• Intellectual property (unauthorized distribution of copyrighted works, software or music).

2. Misuse of section 66A: Section 66A was inserted through an amendment to the Act in 2008. It provides punishment for sending offensive messages through communication services.

The issue:

• There is an inherent inconsistency between the phraseology of Section 66A and Article 19 (1) (a) of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of speech and expression to every citizen.
• Under Article 19(2), restrictions on freedom of speech and expression are reasonable if they pertain to any of the listed grounds, such as sovereignty and integrity of India, security of the state, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, decency or morality, or in relation to contempt of court, defamation or incitement to an offence.
• But under Section 66A, restrictions have been placed on freedom of speech and expression on several other grounds, apart from those mentioned in the Constitution. To add to the fear that this provision could be hugely misused, several incidents in the recent past bear testimony to the same.
• The Supreme Court found this arbitrary, disproportionate and unreasonable restriction on the right to free speech. The court also said that the speech available online should have the same level of constitutional protection of free speech as that available offline.

GOVERNMENT ATTEMPT FOR THE ONLINE REGULATION

On April 4 2018, the government issued an order seeking to establish content regulations for the Internet, modelled on the ones currently applicable to traditional media like print and television.

Major Timeline:

• April 25, 2018: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, posted a tender online for the creation of a ‘Social Media Communications Hub’. As per this tender, the selected company would be required to monitor Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, internet forums and even e-mail in order to analyze sentiment and identify “fake news”.
• June 16, 2018: The government was planning to get help from social media platforms, including WhatsApp and Facebook, to filter out fake text messages and videos.
• July 3, 2018: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology accused WhatsApp of allowing the circulation of irresponsible and explosive messages.
• August 3, 2018: The central government withdrew the proposal to create a ‘Social Media Communications Hub’ following mainstream media unrest and the filing of a plea before the Supreme Court.
• August 21, 2018: The IT Minister urged Whatsapp to create a mechanism through which the source of fake news could be traced.
• December 24, 2018: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has prepared the draft Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines) Rules 2018 to replace the rules notified in 2011 under the Information Technology Act, 2000. Intermediary refers to platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. There were five major guidelines for intermediate:

• The intermediary was enabled to trace out the originator of information on its platform as may be required by government agencies.
• Any platform with more than five million users in India would be required to register a company and have a permanent registered office in India.
• Platforms would be required to preserve information for at least 180 days for investigation purposes.
• The platforms would be required to “deploy technology-based automated tools” for “proactively identifying and removing or disabling public access to unlawful information or content.”
• The platform informed its users on a monthly basis about the rules and regulations of the platform and warned of immediate termination in case of violation.
• January 7, 2019: The I&B Minister called for self-regulation by social media platforms to deal with fake news.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (INTERMEDIARY GUIDELINES AND DIGITAL MEDIA ETHICS CODE) RULES 2021

• To protect users from incorrect takedowns and account suspensions by social media platforms, the need was felt to institute effective grievance redressal mechanisms (GRM).
• In India, before May 2021, GRMs of social media platforms, if any, were designed as per the concerned platform’s terms of service. There was no standardization, in terms of resolution and timelines, in the design of these GRMs.
• If one was to make a complaint, the process would typically consist of filling out an online form, which would usually solicit an automated response.
• The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules (or IT Rules), 2021, streamlined this by bringing in uniformity.
• Social media platforms now have to appoint a “grievance officer” before whom a user may file a complaint.
• The grievance officer is required to acknowledge the complaint within 24 hours and resolve it within 15 days. If unsatisfied with the officer’s order, the user may approach the high court/Supreme Court.

After that

• Accessing the writ jurisdiction of the court can be a time and cost-intensive process. And all users cannot afford that. In this light, it was important to create an appellate that is not as resource intensive to engage with.
• The government’s motivation behind creating this appellate committee seems to come from other factors as well. According to the government, it created this tier because “currently there is no appellate mechanism provided by intermediaries nor is there any credible self-regulatory mechanism in place”.
• But the government and social media platforms saw convergence on a self-regulatory approach being the most optimal design for an appellate mechanism, even as the bare minimum structure is unclear.

CONCERNS ABOUT A SELF-REGULATORY MODEL AFTER GRM 2021

POLITICAL BIASNESS

• Social media platforms have not been paragons of objectivity in deciding which content they want to host or take down. Their political biases have become visible through their decisions to either amplify or restrict certain kinds of content.
• For example, while Twitter is commonly understood to be more partial to liberal/Leftist views, Facebook has been alleged to be partial to Rightist stances. An internal appellate mechanism will likely toe the line of the organization and carry and reinforce the same biases in deciding whether a piece of speech should be allowed or not.

APPELLATE MECHANISM IS NOT TRULY INDEPENDENT

• Even if a number of social media platforms come together to form an appellate tier instead of individual appellate mechanisms, the members of this appellate tier will not have functional independence.
• As long as social media platforms control the members’ appointments, terms of employment and service conditions, they will be wary of taking decisions that may hurt the platform.

TRUST ISSUE

• A self-regulatory approach to adjudicating speech is likely to be riddled with trust issues. Consider the case of Facebook. The platform’s solution for ensuring transparency and impartiality in its content moderation decisions was to constitute the Oversight Board. Facebook created a $130 million irrevocable trust to maintain the Board’s independence and the latter did overturn many of Facebook’s content moderation decisions. But now, the Board has come under severe criticism that its existence has not substantially improved Facebook’s content moderation practices.

These concerns are amplified if, at a later stage, social media platforms are made subject to penalties for wrongfully suspending or terminating a post or user account. It can hardly be expected that social media platforms will design self-regulatory mechanisms in a manner that will encourage them to be held liable and penalized for their decisions.

THEN, SHOULD THE GOVERNMENT REGULATE ONLINE CONTENT IN INDIA?

There are two ways for the regulation of social media

1.Self-regulation

2.State regulation

Let’s discuss the Pros and Cons of both regulations.

1.SELF REGULATION

Pros

• Moral pressure
• Effective in ensuring freedom of expression.
• No state interference.
• In house regulatory mechanism by every company as per their suitability.
• Unaffected media is necessary for a democratic society.

Cons

• Lack of accountability.
• No transparency.
• No clear roadmap for the content.
• Illegal activities.
• No codification for action against unlawful content.

2.STATE REGULATION

Pros

• A clear roadmap for the content.
• It limits criminal activity.
• It helps protect children.
• It strengthens online security.
• It sets standards for what should not be published.

Cons

• Freedom of freedom will be at stake: the state may use absolute power
• It limits access to important information.
• Limits economic opportunities.
• Freedom of media will be under threat: State interference in every manner will affect the freedom of media.

The above analysis shows that self-regulation is the most suitable mechanism for social media. And online content should be self-regulated, but there is a need for improvement in the present situation, which the following steps can hold:

• There will be a clear codification of moral regulation, and all the stakeholders should follow them.
• All the Websites, Companies and other shareholders should respect the IAMAI initiative norms.
• There should be a proper security mechanism for data security.
• Companies can be aware the people about data security, fake news, hate speech and other dangers.
• Content should be lawful and should be as per the societal norms.
• Companies should develop a strong mechanism against objectionable content.

THE WAY FORWARD:

Although self-regulation is better, but the state should fulfil its duty in some cases, such as:

• Data protection
• Stop rumours
• Stop Cybercrime
• Resolve the issue of IT Act 66A and freedom of expression

1.The issue of IT section 66A and freedom of speech

• Some parts, such as Section 66A, were successfully challenged in court and struck down as unconstitutional in 2015 in the Shreya Singhal case. But the Act still empowers the government to block, filter and take down content online.
• The government is empowered to turn off internet access completely. These are options which are, in fact, exercised by the Indian government on a regular basis (between January 2010 and April 2018, there have been more than 164 incidents of internet shutdowns in different parts of India.).
• Section 66A of the IT Act wanted to ambitiously crackdown on information online which could cause “annoyance, inconvenience, danger, obstruction, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred or ill will.” It imposed a punishment of up to three years along with a fine.

2. Solutions to Tackle Hate Speech:

• Need to amend Information Technology Act 2000 with good implementation.
• There can be an internationally accepted law that places the responsibility on social media companies like Facebook to tackle hate speech by deleting obviously illegal content within 24 hours if there is a request from the government of a particular nation.
• Generating contra-narratives on social networks and raising public awareness through campaigns to tackle extremism.
• Social media platforms need to take responsibility to ensure transparency, accountability and a system of rules and guidelines that users can recognize as standards and which, when enforced in a regularized fashion, can begin to act as precedents.
• The Indian government has been pushing for internet platforms to locate their servers in the country, which might help address dangerous speech in real-time.

3. Solution for data protection: The recommendations of B.N Srikrishna committee should be implemented

• The processing (collection, recording, analysis, disclosure, etc.) of personal data should be done only for “clear, specific and lawful” purposes.
• The government may process the personal data if this is considered necessary for any function of Parliament or State Legislature.
• ‘Right to be forgotten.
• This right is one of several given to data principals, including the right to confirm what information is being held or disclosed about them and to get this corrected if necessary.
• Personal data will need to be stored on servers located within India, and transfers outside the country will need to be subject to safeguards.
• Critical personal data, however, will only be processed in India.
• “Sensitive” personal data should not be processed unless someone gives explicit consent, which factors in the purpose of processing.
• Setting up a Data Protection Authority.

4. For Cybercrime, a Cyber cell should be established:

• The cyber police station in Maharashtra is located every in district SP headquarters under the Police Commissioner.
• The team will investigate all offences related to the Internet, consisting of one police inspector and three sub-inspectors.

Global practices in this regard

AUSTRALIA

• Australia’s government agreed to make the News Media Bargaining Code law.
• Australia passed the Sharing of Abhorrent Violent Material Act in April 2019, introducing criminal penalties for social media companies, possible jail sentences for tech executives for up to three years, and financial penalties worth up to 10% of a company’s global turnover.

USA

• Recently US government released an executive order to revisit a law that gave absolute immunity to social media platforms. The US government is currently in the process of determining what exactly should happen to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act (the federal law that gives internet companies protection from liability for user-generated content disseminated on their platforms).

UK

• Under the new Online Safety Bill by the UK government, social media sites, websites, apps, and other services which host user-generated content or allow people to talk to others online that fail to remove and limit the spread of such harmful content will face fines of up to £18 million ($24 million) or ten percent of their annual global turnover.

GERMANY

• It introduced the NetzDG Law in 2018, which states that social media platforms with more than two million registered German users have to review and remove illegal content within 24 hours of being posted or face fines of up to €50m (£42m).

NEW ZEALAND

• Aotearoa New Zealand Code of Practice for Online Safety and Harms. It is a pact agreed to be signed by tech giants in New Zealand to curb harmful online content. 

THE CONCLUSION: It is clearly evident that social media is a very powerful means of exercising one’s freedom of speech and expression. However, it is also increasingly used for illegal acts, which has given force to the government’s attempts at censoring social media. While, on the one hand, the misuse of social media entails the need for legal censorship, on the other hand, there are legitimate fears of violation of the civil rights of people as an inevitable consequence of censorship.

Keeping all this in mind, it is suggested that the government should form a Committee including technical experts to look into all the possible facets of the use and misuse of social media and recommend a suitable manner in which it can be regulated without hindering the civil rights of citizens.

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

1. “Freedom of expression on social media is integral to a healthy, thriving democracy. We will be stronger by enabling and cultivating it, not curtaining it.” Analyze the statement.
2. “It is imperative for the government to recognize the menace of hate speech and ensure that there is proper regulation in place to tackle the issue”. In the light of the statement, discuss what should be the structure for online content regulation in India.
3. “Regulation of social media content should be best left to the tech companies themselves”. Do you agree with the statement? Justify your view.
4. Should social media be self-regulated or state-regulated? Analyze your opinion.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

GUIDELINES RELATED TO SOCIAL MEDIA ARE TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS, AND IT

Ø  Due Diligence To Be Followed By Intermediaries: The Rules prescribe due diligence that must be followed by intermediaries, including social media intermediaries. In case, due diligence is not followed by the intermediary, safe harbour provisions will not apply to them.

Ø  Grievance Redressal Mechanism: The Rules seek to empower the users by mandating the intermediaries, including social media intermediaries, to establish a grievance redressal mechanism for receiving and resolving complaints from the users or victims. Intermediaries shall appoint a Grievance Officer to deal with such complaints and share the name and contact details of such officer. Grievance Officer shall acknowledge the complaint within twenty four hours and resolve it within fifteen days from its receipt.

Ø  Ensuring Online Safety and Dignity of Users, Specially Women Users: Intermediaries shall remove or disable access within 24 hours of receipt of complaints of contents that exposes the private areas of individuals, show such individuals in full or partial nudity or in sexual Act or is in the nature of impersonation including morphed images etc. Such a complaint can be filed either by the individual or by any other person on his/her behalf.

Ø  Two Categories of Social Media Intermediaries: To encourage innovations and enable the growth of new social media intermediaries without subjecting smaller platforms to significant compliance requirements, the Rules make a distinction between social media intermediaries and significant social media intermediaries. This distinction is based on the number of users on the social media platform. Government is empowered to notify the threshold of user base that will distinguish between social media intermediaries and significant social media intermediaries. The Rules require the significant social media intermediaries to follow certain additional due diligence.

Ø  Additional Due Diligence to Be Followed by Significant Social Media Intermediary:

• Appoint a Chief Compliance Officer who shall be responsible for ensuring compliance with the Act and Rules. Such a person should be a resident in India.
• Appoint a Nodal Contact Person for 24×7 coordination with law enforcement agencies. Such a person shall be a resident in India.
• Appoint a Resident Grievance Officer who shall perform the functions mentioned under Grievance Redressal Mechanism. Such a person shall be a resident in India.
• Publish a monthly compliance report mentioning the details of complaints received and action taken on the complaints as well as details of contents removed proactively by the significant social media intermediary.
• Significant social media intermediaries providing services primarily in the nature of messaging shall enable identification of the first originator of the information that is required only for the purposes of prevention, detection, investigation, prosecution or punishment of an offence related to sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the state, friendly relations with foreign States, or public order or of incitement to an offence relating to the above or in relation with rape, sexually explicit material or child sexual abuse material punishable with imprisonment for a term of not less than five years. Intermediary shall not be required to disclose the contents of any message or any other information to the first originator.
• Significant social media intermediary shall have a physical contact address in India published on its website or mobile app or both.
• Voluntary User Verification Mechanism: Users who wish to verify their accounts voluntarily shall be provided an appropriate mechanism to verify their accounts and provided with a demonstrable and visible mark of verification.
• Giving Users An Opportunity to Be Heard: In cases where significant social media intermediaries removes or disables access to any information on their own accord, then a prior intimation for the same shall be communicated to the user who has shared that information with a notice explaining the grounds and reasons for such action. Users must be provided an adequate and reasonable opportunity to dispute the action taken by the intermediary.

Ø  Removal of Unlawful Information: An intermediary upon receiving actual knowledge in the form of an order by a court or being notified by the Appropriate Govt. or its agencies through authorized officer should not host or publish any information which is prohibited under any law in relation to the interest of the sovereignty and integrity of India, public order, friendly relations with foreign countries etc.

Ø  The Rules will come in effect from the date of their publication in the gazette, except for the additional due diligence for significant social media intermediaries, which shall come in effect 3 months after publication of these Rules.