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NOTE: Please remember that following ‘answers’ are NOT ‘model answers’. They are NOT synopsis too if we go by definition of the term. What we are providing is content that both meets demand of the question and at the same time gives you extra points in the form of background information.
General Studies – 1
Topic: The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Chapter 35- India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra.
Key Demand of the question:
To write how Quit India movement was different from the previous mass movements.
Directive word:
Explain – Clarify the topic by giving a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the context. You must be defining key terms wherever appropriate and substantiate with relevant associated facts.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Give the context of political scene of the country that led to the launch of Quit India movement
Body:
Write about the factors that made the movement stand apart from other struggles or movements against the Imperial rule, on lines of, Gandhi’s strategy, emergence of new leaders, Violence, Princely States, new developments and mass involvement etc and the way it aligned the local interest with that of national interest.
Conclusion:
Conclude by mentioning that the much-needed impetus towards conclusion to the national freedom struggle can be credited to the Quit India movement.
Introduction
The failure of the Cripps Mission in April 1942 made it clear that Britain was unwilling to offer an honourable settlement and a real constitutional advance during the War. Consequently, Gandhiji drafted a resolution for the Congress Working Committee calling for Britain’s withdrawal and nation edged towards Quit India Movement or August Kranti. Mahatma Gandhi’s clarion call of ‘Do or Die’ inspired thousands of party workers but also created frenzy among the British who rushed to imprison the entire Congress leadership.
Body
Quit India Movement: Paradigm shift in nature of mass movement in India’s freedom struggle
- Social radicalism of Gandhi:
- In a sharp contrast to Non-cooperation movement, where Gandhi withdrew after Chauri Chaura incident, in Quit India movement he not only refused to condemn the people’s resort to violence but unequivocally held government responsible for it.
- Though the need for non-violence was always reiterated, Gandhi’s mantra of Do or Die represents the militant mood of Gandhi.
- Gandhi also gave a call to all sections of the people, the princes, the Jagirdars, the Zamindars, the propertied and moneyed classes, who derive their wealth and property from the workers in the fields and factories and elsewhere, to whom eventually power and authority belong.
- This indicates Gandhi’s social radicalism and shift in the philosophy of the Congress, by now people with the goals of socialism and communism have become a part of the broad-based Congress organization.
- Violent at some places:
- The Quit India Movement was mainly a non-violent movement. However, it became violent at some places.Rails were uprooted, post offices were set on fire and offices were destroyed.
- Leaderless movement:
- Even before the formal launching of the movement, the government in a single sweep arrested all the top leaders of the Congress. This led to spontaneous outburst of mass anger against the arrest of leaders.
- The spontaneous participation of the massesin the Quit India movement made it one of the most popular mass movements.
- Demand for independence:
- This historic movement placed the demand for independence on the immediate agendaof the national movement.
- The spirit unleashed was carried further by Indian National Army of Subhas Chandra Bose. After ‘Quit India’ there could be no retreat. Independence was no longer a matter of bargain.
- It accelerated and sustained the urge for freedom and enabled India to achieve freedom in 1947.
- Establishment of Parallel Governments:
- Parallel governments were established at many places.
- Ballia under Chittu Pandey, got many Congress leaders released.
- In Tamluk and Contai subdivisions of Midnapore in West Bengal, the local populace were successful in establishing Jatiya Sarkar, which undertook cyclone relief work, sanctioned grants to schools, supplied paddy from the rich to the poor, organised Vidyut Vahinis, etc.
- In Satara (Maharashtra), “Prati Sarkar”, was organised under leaders like Y.B. Chavan, Nana Patil, etc. Village libraries and Nyayadan Mandals were organised
- Underground Activity:
- Many nationalists went underground and took to subversive activities.
- The participants in these activities were the Socialists, Forward Bloc members, Gandhi ashramites, revolutionary nationalists and local organisations in Bombay, Poona, Satara, Baroda and other parts of Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra, United Provinces, Bihar and Delhi.
- The main personalities taking up underground activity were Rammanohar Lohia, Jayaprakash Narayan, Aruna Asaf Ali, Usha Mehta, Biju Patnaik, Chhotubhai Puranik, Achyut Patwardhan, Sucheta Kripalani and R.P. Goenka.
- Usha Mehta started an underground radio in Bombay.
- This phase of underground activity was meant to keep up popular morale by continuing to provide a line of command and guidance to distribute arms and ammunition
- Strong women participation:
- Quit India movement was unique in the sense that it saw women participation where they not only participated as equals but also led the movement.
- Women, especially school and college girls, actively participated, and included Aruna Asaf Ali, Sucheta Kripalani and Usha Mehta.
- There was Matangini Hazra, who lead a procession of 6,000 people, mostly women, to ransack a local police station.
- Extent of Mass Participation
- The participation was on many levels.
- Youth, especially the students of schools and colleges, remained in the forefront.
- Workers went on strikes and faced repression.
- Peasants of all strata were at the heart of the movement.
- Even some zamindars
- Government officials, especially those belonging to lower levels in police and administration, participated resulting in erosion of government loyalty.
- Muslims helped by giving shelter to underground activists. There were no communal clashes during the movement.
Conclusion
Despite its failure, the Quit India movement is considered significant as it made the British Government realize that India was ungovernable in the long run. Post the Second World War, the question that was most prominent for the British was on how to exit India peacefully.
Value addition:
The quit India resolution stated the provisions of the movement as:
- An immediate end to British rule over India.
- Declaration of the commitment of free India to defend itself against all kinds of imperialism and fascism.
- Formation of a provisional government of India after British withdrawal.
- Sanctioning a civil disobedience movement against British rule.
Non-participants:
- The Communists did not join the movement; in the wake of Russia (where the communists were in power) being attacked by Nazi Germany, the communists began to support the British war against Germany and the ‘Imperialist War’ became the ‘People’s War’.
- The Muslim League opposed the movement, fearing that if the British left India at that time, the minorities would be oppressed by the Hindus.
- The Hindu Mahasabha boycotted the movement.
- The Princely states showed a low-key response.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Difficulty level: Moderate.
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
Last week, the Union cabinet approved the creation of a National Land Monetisation Corporation to monetise the surplus land holdings of Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) and other government agencies.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the potential benefits from the National Land Monetisation Corporation.
Directive word:
Analyse – When asked to analyse, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them in a summary.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by giving context regarding setting up of National Land Monetisation Corporation and its aims.
Body:
First, write about as to how National Land Monetisation Corporation will lead to monetisation of surplus land and underutilised assets of the government.
Next, write about how National Land Monetisation Corporation will lead to better management of government lands – comprehensive inventory of the state’s land holding, Database for investment, boundary demarcation and use of technology to settle disputes.
Conclusion:
Conclude writing a way forward.
Introduction
The Union cabinet recently approved the creation of a National Land Monetisation Corporation to monetise the surplus land holdings of Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) and other government agencies. Considering that various arms of the state have considerable land holdings across the country, monetisation of their “surplus, unused and under-used non-core assets in the nature of land and buildings” is a prudent strategy as it will lead to more efficient utilisation of these “under-utilised” assets.
Body
Rationale behind National Land Monetisation Corporation
- Database of land surplus and investors: A detailed and comprehensive inventory of the state’s land holding will not only help it identify the surplus land, and push for monetising it, but will also help create a database for potential investors.
- Clarity to potential investors: A properly marked land parcels with geographical identifiers, with their boundaries clearly demarcated, and with the legality of title well established, will provide greater clarity and certainty to private investors.
- Monetising unused land: Public sector entities hold vast tracts of land that are either unused and underused land.
- As per reports, the total vacant land available with Railways is estimated at around 1.25 lakh acres.
- Similarly, the defence ministry also has considerable land holdings outside of the cantonment boundaries.
- Thus, collating them under a single entity will lead to a more efficient monetisation drive, and better utilisation of these assets.
- Additional resources: The proceeds from the monetisation of these assets will help generate additional resources, boosting government coffers. The land in and around prime areas can possibly generate substantial returns.
- Reduce artificial scarcity of land: Importantly, auctioning off surplus land will increase the supply of land, which may address the issue of the “artificial” scarcity of land that exists in certain areas. This could depress prices and thus have a moderating effect on costs of projects.
- Separate entity to streamline management: Considering that land monetisation is a complex process, entrusting this work to a separate agency is the right way to go about it.
- As the government itself has acknowledged, it requires “specialised skills and expertise” in areas such as “market research, legal due diligence, valuation, master planning, investment banking and land management.”
- A separate entity, housed with professionals with specialised skills is better suited for this task.
Issues that exist
- First, the estimation of surplus land may be a contentious issue.
- Ministries, departments, and public sector entities may be reluctant to demarcate land parcels as “surplus”.
- Second, the corporation will have to grapple with issues such as the absence of clear titles, ongoing litigation, and muted investor interest.
- Third, there is also the issue of the encroachment of government land to contend with.
- But while this monetisation drive should lead to more efficient outcomes, it does raise questions over the management of commons, and whether public purpose can be better looked after by more effective management of public land by the state.
Way forward
- The success of the infrastructure expansion plan would depend on other stakeholders playing their due role.
- These include State governments and their Public Sector Enterprises and the private sector.
- In this context, the Fifteenth Finance Commission has recommended the setting up of a High-Powered Intergovernmental Group to re-examine the fiscal responsibility legislation of the Centre and States.
- Maintaining transparency is the key to adequate realisation of the asset value.
General Studies – 3
Topic:Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.
Difficulty level: Easy
Reference: Insights on India
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 3 and mentioned as part of Mission-2022 Secure timetable.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about inflation, its impact and measures needed to keep it under control.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by defining inflation.
Body:
First, write about the impact of inflation on various macroeconomic parameters – purchasing power, growth, cost of living, availability of credit and exchange rates etc.
Next, write about the measures that are taken to keep inflation under tolerable limits – the monetary policy measures, fiscal policy measures and price control measures.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.
Introduction
Inflation refers to the rise in the prices of most goods and services of daily or common use, such as food, clothing, housing, recreation, transport, consumer staples, etc. Inflation measures the average price change in a basket of commodities and services over time. The opposite and rare fall in the price index of this basket of items is called ‘deflation’. Inflation is indicative of the decrease in the purchasing power of a unit of a country’s currency. This is measured in percentage.
Body
Impact of Inflation on various macroeconomic parameters
- Inflation is a decrease in the purchasing power of currency due to a rise in prices across the economy.
- For instance, the average price of a cup of coffee was a 50 paisa. Today the price is closer to 25 Rupees.
- The value of currency unit decreases which impacts the cost of living in the country.
- When the rate of inflation is high, the cost of living also increases, which leads to a deceleration in economic growth.
- However, a healthy inflation rate (2-3%) is considered positive because it directly results in increasing wages and corporate profitability and maintains capital flowing in a growing economy.
Factors for the high rate of inflation in the Indian economy
- Fuel prices: The government has increased taxation of energy to raise resources.
- Since energy is used for all production, prices of all goods and services tend to rise and push up the rate of inflation.
- Further, this is an indirect tax, it is regressive and impacts the poor disproportionately It also makes the RBI’s task of controlling inflation difficult.
- Supply shortage: The lockdowns disrupted supplies and that added to shortages and price rise.
- Prices of medicines and medical equipment rose dramatically.
- Prices of items of day-to-day consumption also rose.
- Fruits and vegetable prices rose since these items could not reach the urban markets.
- International factors: Most major economies have recovered and demand for inputs has increased while supplies have remained disrupted (like chips for automobiles).
- So, commodity and input prices have risen (like in the case of metals).
- Businesses claim increase in input costs underlies price rise.
- Data collection and methodology: In April and May 2020, data on production and prices could not be collected due to the strict lockdown.
- So, the current data on prices for April to July 2021 are not comparable with the same months of 2020.
- As such, the official inflation figures for these months in 2021 do not reflect the true picture.
- Weak Rupee: The weakening of the rupee also added to inflation.
Measures to keep the inflation under control
- Monetary policy Measures: Maintaining price stability is the foremost objective of the monetary policy committee of RBI. However, during the pandemic, growth has taken centre stage and RBI has rightly cut interest rates.
- Commodity prices: GoI needs to remove supply side bottlenecks. For example, GoI can immediately offload 10-20% of its pulses stock with NAFED in the open market.
- Fuel prices: Bringing them under GST would reduce the prices by at least 30 rupees. GST council must agree to this with haste.
- Policy measures: Navigating out of this will need a fiscal stimulus to shore up consumer spending, an investment revival to increase the productive capacity of the economy, and a careful management of inflationary expectations.
- Concomitantly, the government will also need to pursue redistribution of income to reduce the widening disparity.
- This also calls for fiscal prudence to cut wasteful spending, find new revenue through asset sales, mining and spectrum auctions, and build investor confidence.
Conclusion
With the rise in inflation amidst a second wave, the balancing acumen of the MPC will now be sorely tested. Factors like rising commodity prices, supply chain disruptions are expected to raise overall domestic inflation. Economists have pointed at India’s K-shaped recovery where a few have benefitted while others have fallen sharply behind. Big companies have benefitted and increased market share, revenues and profits sharply. They have also taken advantage of low interest rates to decrease the cost of their borrowings. Small and medium companies, struggling with falling revenues and cash flows, have not been able to take advantage of the rates. Hence inflation must also be controlled while growth is focussed upon.
Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Insights on India
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 3 and mentioned as part of Mission-2022 Secure timetable.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about steps that are needed to overcome unemployment caused by the pandemic.
Directive word:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you must debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You must give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by giving the context regarding the unemployment caused by the pandemic. Cite a statistic regarding the levels of unemployment.
Body:
Firstly, write about the important causes that led to the increasing the levels of unemployment during the pandemic.
Next, write about the steps that must be taken to reduce the employment levels in the economy – Labour-intensive measures, Accelerating Investment, diversification of agriculture, decentralised development and upskilling etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward.
Introduction
Unemployment issue existed even before the country went into lockdown in 2020 but became exacerbated post covid-19 lockdown. The unemployment rate in India fell to 7% in September 2020 from the record high of 29% since the country went into lockdown from March 2020, says the report of CMIE. However, it later increased to 9.1% in December 2020. The lockdown to contain the coronavirus outbreak has forced many industries to shut down thus increasing unemployment across the country.
Body
Background
Covid-19 and unemployment problem
- A damaging impact on an economy as large as India’s caused due a total lockdown was imminent. Unemployment went up to nearly 24 percent in April 2020.
- This was possibly a result of a decrease in demand as well as the disruption of workforce faced by companies.
- Furthermore, this caused a GVA loss of more than nine percent for the Indian economy that month.
- Between February and April 2020, the share of households that experienced a fall in income shot up to nearly 46 percent.
- Inflation rates on goods and services including food products and fuel were expected to rise later this year.
- Social distancing resulted in the job losses, specifically those Indian society’s lower economic strata. Several households terminated domestic help services – essentially an unorganized monthly-paying job.
- Most Indians spent a large amount of time engaging in household chores themselves, making it the most widely practiced lockdown activity.
Steps needed to overcome
- Shifting to labour intensive industry: Encouraging mobility of the workforce from rural to urban areas.
- There are number of labour-intensive manufacturing sectors in India such as food processing, leather and footwear, wood manufacturers and furniture, textiles and apparel and garments.
- Special packages, individually designed for each industry are needed to create jobs.
- Decentralisation of Industrial activities is necessary so that people of every region get employment.
- Women labour force: Concrete measures aimed at removing the social barriers for women’s entry and their continuous participation in the job market is needed.
- Relief measures to poor: There is now a real danger of structural damage to the economy with the weaker sections, across industry, enterprise and households, becoming even weaker.
- This would hold true for the vulnerable sections of the population in both urban and rural India, with the situation probably worse for the urban poor.
- The government needs to address this distress with a new package of relief measures.
- Rural employment support: Following the outbreak of the pandemic and the consequent lockdown in March 2020, the government had rolled out a series of measures; it upped the allocations for MGNREGA, distributed free food-grains and also transferred cash.
- These measures need to continue until rural employment demand exists and urban unemployment rate decreases.
- Adequate credit to informal sector: While there is every possibility of the key affected sectors hospitality, retail, restaurants, aviation getting back on track, the fact is many of the smaller enterprises and units have been debilitated over the past year.
- It is possible many of the smaller businesses can’t be revived, which, in turn, means the loss of livelihoods.
- Such families must be identified and adequate support must be distributed.
- Interest rates might be at their lowest levels in decades, but most of these units will be unable to access formal credit because banks are turning even more risk-averse.
- MSME credit guarantees: In June 2020, CRISIL had observed that MSMEs were facing an existential crisis and suggested lenders use new credit assessment paradigms;
- Given these small and micro units collectively employ in large numbers, the government needs to follow up its earlier credit guarantee scheme with another one to help them.
- Upskilling: There is a need to upskill workers and provide them with needed support to find better remunerative jobs.
Conclusion
A collaborative effort is needed by government and industry to nudge an inclusive growth by supporting new sectors. There is a need for National Employment Policy (NEP) that would encompass a set of multidimensional interventions covering a whole range of social and economic issues affecting many policy spheres and not just the areas of labour and employment. The policy would be a critical tool to contribute significantly to achieve the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Topic: Disaster and disaster management.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
Nuclear technology is hazardous. The world was reminded of this on March 3, when a fire broke out near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraine (Europe’s largest) during the course of a military battle. Had the fire affected the cooling system, the plant’s power supply, or its spent fuel pool, a major disaster could have occurred. Luckily, this did not happen.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about potential and limitations of nuclear energy in India.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start with prospects of Nuclear energy in general.
Body:
First, write about the potential of nuclear energy in India and India’s progress so far with respect to it as well its role in energy security of India.
Next, write about risks associated with nuclear energy and highlight with examples why we shouldn’t depend completely on nuclear. Cite examples to substantiate.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.
Introduction
Nuclear Energy plays a critical role in achieving sustainable economic and social development. Modern civilization heavily depends on energy for daily activities. Energy is like a lifeline for the sustenance and progress of the entire world. Nuclear energy plays a vital role in the world economy by generating jobs, income and facilitating trade on a massive scale.
Recently, a fire broke out near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraine (Europe’s largest) during the course of a military battle between Russia and Ukraine
Body
Some nuclear disasters across globe:
- In 2011, multiple reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant suffered severe accidents after an earthquake and a tsunami.
- The Chernobyl disaster in Ukraine in 1986 is the worst nuclear power plant accident ever in terms of death toll and cost.
- The Kyshtym Nuclear disaster was a radiation contamination incident that occurred on 29 September 1957 at Mayak, a Nuclear fuel reprocessing plant in the Soviet Union. It measured as a Level 6 disaster on the INES, making it the third most serious Nuclear disaster ever recorded behind the Chernobyl Disaster and Fukushima Daiichi Disaster (both Level 7).
Potential of nuclear energy as a source of clean energy:
- Thorium and Uranium reserves: India has vast reserves of Thorium that can fuel India’s nuclear energy provided appropriate technology. India’s thorium deposits, estimated at 360,000 tonnes, and natural uranium deposits at 70,000 tonnes. The country’s thorium reserves make up 25% of the global reserves.
- Energy poverty: Although India is the 3rdlargest producer of electricity, about 20 % of the population of the country does not have access to electricity today. The per capita consumption of electricity is very low at about 1,181 kWh per annum, about half of the world average and way below that of advanced countries. There exist shortages in energy and peak power in the range 10-15%.
- Energy demand:Nuclear energy is a critical part for India’s future energy security. As we know India’s annual energy demand is expected to rise to 800 GW by 2032, it is very important to consider every source of energy in the optimum energy mix.
- Energy efficiency: Quantities of nuclear fuel needed are considerably less than thermal power plants. For instance, 10000 MW generation by coal will need 30-35 million tons of coal, but nuclear fuel needed will be only 300-350 tons.
- Economic growth:Rapid economic growth is also critical to achieve developmental objectives and poverty alleviation. A sustained economic growth of about 8 to 10% is needed over the next few decades. As electricity is a key driver for economic growth, it is necessary that there is a massive augmentation in electricity capacity, apart from transmissions and distribution systems.
- Decrease in Energy Supply:Energy supply has been negatively affected by changing weather patterns. As water reservoirs decreases due to lower precipitation and increased evaporation, capacity for electricity production from hydropower and other water-intensive generation technologies may decline.
- Climate change:Due to its emission-free nature, nuclear energy can contribute to global efforts under the Paris Agreement. India’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has outlined goals to reduce the carbon emissions intensity of its economy by 33-35% by 2030 as well as increase the clean energy electricity capacity to 40% of the total installed capacity in the same period.
Vulnerabilities of nuclear energy and nuclear reactors:
- In the case of Nuclear Reactors, there is a concern over their safety. The 2011 Fukushima Daiichi accident in Japan is a testimony to the havoc that can be created by a nuclear leak.
- A nuclear disaster might leave large swathes of land uninhabitable — as in Chernobyl — or require a prohibitively expensive clean-up — as in Fukushima, where the final costs may eventually exceed $600 billion.
- Nuclear power generation is not as clean as it is often considered. This is demonstrated in the case of Kudankulam. People have been protesting for decades as they worry that the hot water dispatched from the plant will affect the marine life of the surrounding water sources and subsequently their livelihood.
- Nuclear power plants are capital intensive and recent nuclear builds have suffered major cost overruns. An illustrative example is the V.C. Summer nuclear project in South Carolina (U.S.) where costs rose so sharply that the project was abandoned — after an expenditure of over $9 billion.
- Also, to build nuclear reactors, it requires huge amounts of land. This would displace local communities who may not want to leave. Further, it is not easy to rehabilitate them and provide them with appropriate compensation.
- Pursuant to this, the nuclear industry came to a standstill except in Russia, China and India. However, a revival was seen with global warming becoming ever more apparent.
- In 2020, a windstorm caused the Duane Arnold nuclear plantin the U.S. to cease operations. The frequency of such extreme weather events is likely to increase in the future.
- The commercial nuclear supply can lead to proliferation of Nuclear weapons. The fast breeder reactors have a risk of the turning of inert uranium to plutonium, and then using the plutonium as fuel. However, plutonium is a nuclear explosive which can be used for developing a bomb.
- The recent reports that China is building two more fast reactors have immediately provoked international concerns about China’s possible weapons plutonium production.
Conclusion
Nuclear power can help to improve energy security. For a rapidly developing economy such as India, it can make a vitally important contribution to growth. Besides, nuclear power can also reduce the impact of volatile fossil fuel prices and mitigate the effects of climate change. India needs to come up with a durable energy strategy to meet present and future energy demands of its population and industries.
Topic: Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Live Mint
Why the question:
A dangerous mishap took place last week. An unarmed Indian missile was accidentally fired into Pakistan. Expressing deep regret, India’s government ascribed it to a technical malfunction during routine maintenance and expressed relief that there was no loss of life.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about practicality of India’s no first use policy.
Directive word:
Critically examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we have to look into the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a fair judgment.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by describing India’s ‘No first use’ policy.
Body:
Firstly, in brief, write about the evolution of India’s nuclear policy.
Next, write about why India’s ‘No first use’ policy is practical and pragmatic – helped India secure crucial international deals, NSG waiver, Nuclear weapons as deterrent, cooperation with countries in safe use of nuclear power etc,
Next, write the limitations of the above – defensive policy, changing geopolitics, hostile neighbourhood etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a balanced opinion regarding India’s ‘No first use’ policy.
Introduction
No First Use (NFU) is a pledge by a nuclear power not to use nuclear weapons unless it is attacked by an adversary with the use of nuclear weapons. India has always held its commitment to NFU policy as proof of it being a responsible nuclear power. No first use is a reflection of our cultural inheritance.
An unarmed Indian missile was accidentally fired into Pakistan. Expressing deep regret, India’s government ascribed it to a technical malfunction during routine maintenance. India’s stated stance of ‘no first use’ has proven itself valuable, as seen in Pakistan’s response.
Body
Pros of a Non First Use policy
- A ‘no first use’ nuclear weapons policy suits India’s interest. Shifting to a first-use policy would mark a shift from deterrence towards nuclear war fighting
- These weapons are enormously destructive and should not be used.
- Since there is no first use alert requirement, the chances of reacting to a false alarm are nullified
- A first use would result in international dishonour and weigh heavily on a country with a first use posture.
- NFU doctrine is cheaper to implement; for India, which has many economic targets to achieve, this is a very important factor.
- NFU policy is just right for India as it ensures security for the nation and does not detract it from its march towards better prosperity for its people.
- India’s NFU policy which has kept the nuclear arsenal in both India and Pakistan in a de-mated posture, which means that the nuclear warheads are not mated with the delivery systems.
Challenges posed due to NFU
- The conventional criticism against a ‘no first use’ policy is that India would have to suffer a first strike before it retaliated.
- Critics of the NFU policy argue that the increasing stockpile of Pakistani nuclear weapons and China’s expansionist designs in the region warrant a change in the doctrine.
- A major worry for India is a two-front war when both China and Pakistan collude and simultaneously launch offensives. In case India faces severe adversity, its traditional nuclear doctrine of NFU may not be ideal
Way forward
- India must ensure that deterrence does not fail, and that there is a clear communication to the adversary of the certainty of punitive nuclear retaliation.
- India’s nuclear doctrine should be periodically reviewed and updated, possibly every decade or so, taking into account technological developments and changes in the security environment.
- Instead of focusing on adopting a first strike policy, India must work towards strengthening its counter strike and second strike capability.
- India’s third leg, its sea based nuclear deterrence, must be strengthened at the earliest
Conclusion
Mature nations always pursue a NFU policy. In the present strategic context, there is no necessity for India to change its existing nuclear doctrine. As India seeks to establish its credentials in the international comity as a responsible nation and a growing economic power, it should also project the same by means of its nuclear doctrine. New Delhi must take the effort of making its neighbours believe in its nuclear doctrine through effective confidence building measures.
Value addition
India’s Nuclear Doctrine
- Building and maintaining a credible minimum deterrent
- Posture of ‘No First Use’, nuclear weapons will only be used in retaliation against a nuclear attack on Indian Territory or on Indian forces anywhere
- Nuclear retaliation to a first strike will be massive and designed to inflict unacceptable damage
- Non-use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon states
- In the event of a major attack against India, or Indian forces anywhere, by biological or chemical weapons, India will retain the option of retaliating with nuclear weapons
General Studies – 4
Topic: dimensions of ethics;
Difficulty level: Tough
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4 and part of ‘Philosophical Mondays’ in Mission-2022 Secure.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the natures of moral norms.
Directive:
Critically analyze – When asked to analyse, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them in a summary. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a balanced judgment on the topic.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by explaining moral norms.
Body:
First, explain as to how moral norms are aspirational and prescriptive – contains ideals, principles and policies which are sensitive to positive outcomes, action-based, and focused on what we should do.
Next, explain as to how moral norms are functional and descriptive – people’s beliefs about as values, which actions are right and wrong, and which characteristics of moral agents are virtuous.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a balanced opinion regarding moral norms.
Introduction
Moral norms are an element of social consciousness. Moral norms are aspirational and prescriptive rather than functional and descriptive—they often paint the “what ought to be” rather than the “what is.” Hence morality becomes an impossible expectation while the reality will be immorality. War and violence are considered as immoral. But Russian attack on Ukraine, the mindless killing of civilians and soldiers defies every moral norm. Hence, they remain aspirational.
Body
Moral norms are a kind of standard by which social behavior is evaluated (positively or negatively). Their obligatory or prohibitive force is based on the influences of social thought and of existing habits and traditions.
There is a stark difference between idealism and realism. Idealistic society is almost unattainable. If every human being abides by moral norms, there would be no need for law, police or government. It is for this reason moral norms are termed aspirational. It prescribes a set of rules, standards, values and beliefs that are right. These norms may vary from society to society. Sometimes they may not conform to the law as well. Eg: Taliban’s difficult conditions over women in Afghanistan seems dysfunctional but it emanated from their moral values.
It is for these reasons; moral norms are said to be functional and descriptive. What can be collectively agreed upon as right or wrong. What is justice or fairness in the society is decided by what can be put into practice. That is, in other words functional. For instance, murder is immoral and illegal. It can go one step further and describe it as killing is illegal except when in self defence. Thus, when moral norms become functional (implementable) and descriptive, they generally are more acceptable by people.
Moral behavior is the mean between two extremes – at one end is excess, at the other deficiency. Find a moderate position between those two extremes, and you will be acting morally. Aristotle’s middle path and golden means prescribes the same.
Conclusion
Moral arguments are not won by ascribing moral motives to one side and evil deeds to another. Moral standing is achieved by understanding difficult choices between competing moral claims and recognizing that trade-offs and uneasy compromises are often necessary. Ideal way is not achievable. Hence pragmatism is desiried. This is why Aristotle said, golden means is the best way forward.
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