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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: Social empowerment
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
As disabled people, many of us are familiar with the ordeal we must face in getting our additional needs met for giving regular or competitive exams. These challenges range from obtaining timely approvals to use a scribe to getting exam questions in an accessible format and being granted compensatory/extra time. One such issue was at the forefront of a recent Supreme Court judgment delivered by Justice D Y Chandrachud in Avni Prakash v National Testing Agency and Ors.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about literary advancement during Vijayanagar period.
Directive word:
Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must investigate 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.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by writing about the aims and objectives of Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
Body:
First, mention the major provisions of Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 and mention how it was a landmark step to boost inclusivity and accessibility.
Next, write about various shortcomings of Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 and also additional barriers the disabled face in India.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward to achieve inclusivity.
Introduction
According to Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, “Person with disability” means a person with long term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairment which, in interaction with barriers, hinders his full and effective participation in society equally with others. According to Census 2011, India is home to 26.8 million people with disabilities and that is a huge underestimation.
The Supreme Court, in Avni Prakash v National Testing Agency and Ors. judgment ruled that, reasonable accommodations, such as compensatory time to enable them to finish an exam, should be made.
Body:
Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016: A landmark step for disabled
- It becomes the duty of the Union, states as well as Union Territories to take up the matter.
- It is also important to ensure that all government buses are disabled friendly in accordance with the harmonized guidelines.
- Disability has been defined based on an evolving and dynamic concept.
- The types of disabilities have been increased from 7 to 21. The act added mental illness, autism, spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, chronic neurological conditions, speech and language disability, thalassemia, haemophilia, sickle cell disease, multiple disabilities including deaf blindness, acid attack victims and Parkinson’s disease which were largely ignored in earlier act. In addition, the Government has been authorized to notify any other category of specified disability.
- It increases the quantum of reservationfor people suffering from disabilities from 3% to 4% in government jobs and from 3% to 5% in higher education institutes.
- Every child with benchmark disability between the age group of 6 and 18 years shall have the right to free education.
- Government funded educational institutions as well as the government recognized institutions will have to provide inclusive education.
- Stress has been given to ensure accessibility in public buildingsin a prescribed time frame along with Accessible India Campaign.
- The Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities and the State Commissioners will act as regulatory bodies and Grievance Redressal agencies, monitoring implementation of the Act.
- A separate National and State Fundbe created to provide financial support to the persons with disabilities.
Shortcomings of the act
- The Bill strangely makes the clauses on non-discrimination in employment mandatory only in government establishments.
- The Bill continues with the 1995 act’s provision of having a chief commissioner and state commissioners. Neither the commissioners nor any of the members of their advisory committees are required to be Persons with Disabilities.
- Despite a Supreme Court judgment in 2013 that reservations should be decided on the basis of the total number of vacancies in a particular cadre, rather than the posts identified by the government to be filled by persons with benchmark disabilities, the bill has stuck to the latter.
- Also, like it does for the institutions wanting to be registered as ones for PWDs, the bill does not specify the time frame for a certificate of disability to be issued. This gives PWDs no way to address the trials and tribulations they face when tackling the bureaucracy in receiving what has been their right for years now.
- The amended bill does define public buildings and public facilities and services towards making such infrastructure accessible to PWDs in a “barrier-free” manner. However, for all the benefits that this bill strives to provide, basic issues of accessibility, including to information and communication technology, and certification of disability remain a distant unfulfilled dream in the absence of any political will.
Way forward
- Although RPWD Act, 2016 is a rights-based legislation, the success of the statute will largely depend on the proactive measures taken by the respective state governments on its implementation.
- It is time to leverage this vast human capital. It is hoped that the proposed new law, a robust rights-based legislation with a strong institutional mechanism, shall ensure enjoyment of rights by persons with disabilities on an equal basis with the non-disabled citizens of India.
- Many disability certificates can now be issued by primary health care doctors after specific training, which will be a boon to many disabled patients in rural areas. However, the disability guidelines should have also given the power of certification to the private practising doctors, so that the shortage of human resources could have been taken care of, with adequate checks and balances.
- Considering the sociocultural prejudices against them, and the inability, rather the refusal, to keep in mind the needs of PWDs, this bill, as was the fate of the 1995 act, will go only so far to ensure for them the rights that should have been a given. Till they are treated as second-class citizens, and not recognised as capable individuals in their own right, India will continue to be an unjust and inequitable society.
Conclusion
Until each of us is firmly committed to the idea of implementing the two fundamental changes sketched above, we will continue to live in an environment in which, even as we sing praises of the disabled who achieve success despite the obstacles placed on their path, we do not pause to reflect on what it is that makes it so hard for them to succeed in the first place and what we can do to reverse this state of affairs.
Value addition
Major provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016:
- Disabilities covered:
- Disability has been defined based on an evolving and dynamic concept.
- The types of disabilities have been increased from existing 7 to 21 and the Central Government will have the power to add more types of disabilities.
- Persons with “benchmark disabilities” are defined as those certified to have at least 40 per cent of the disabilities specified above.
- Rights and entitlements
- Responsibility has been cast upon the appropriate governments to take effective measures to ensure that the persons with disabilities enjoy their rights equally with others.
- Additional benefits such as reservation in higher education (not less than 5%), government jobs (not less than 4 %), reservation in allocation of land, poverty alleviation schemes (5% allotment) etc. have been provided for persons with benchmark disabilities and those with high support needs.
- Every child with benchmark disability between the age group of 6 and 18 years shall have the right to free education.
- Government funded educational institutions as well as the government recognized institutions will have to provide inclusive education to the children with disabilities.
- For strengthening the Prime Minister’s Accessible India Campaign, stress has been given to ensure accessibility in public buildings (both Government and private) in a prescribed time-frame.
- Guardianship
- The Act provides for grant of guardianship by District Court under which there will be joint decision – making between the guardian and the persons with disabilities.
- Establishment of Authorities
- Broad based Central & State Advisory Boards on Disability are to be set up to serve as apex policy making bodies at the Central and State level.
- Office of Chief Commissioner of Persons with Disabilities has been strengthened who will now be assisted by 2 Commissioners and an Advisory Committee comprising of not more than 11 members drawn from experts in various disabilities.
- Similarly, the office of State Commissioners of Disabilities has been strengthened who will be assisted by an Advisory Committee comprising of not more than 5 members drawn from experts in various disabilities.
- The Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities and the State Commissioners will act as regulatory bodies and Grievance Redressal agencies and also monitor implementation of the Act.
- District level committees will be constituted by the State Governments to address local concerns of PwDs. Details of their constitution and the functions of such committees would be prescribed by the State Governments in the rules.
- Creation of National and State Fund will be created to provide financial support to the persons with disabilities. The existing National Fund for Persons with Disabilities and the Trust Fund for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities will be subsumed with the National Fund.
- Penalties for offences
- The Act provides for penalties for offences committed against persons with disabilities and also violation of the provisions of the new law.
- Any person who violates provisions of the Act, or any rule or regulation made under it, shall be punishable with imprisonment up to six months and/ or a fine of Rs 10,000, or both. For any subsequent violation, imprisonment of up to two years and/or a fine of Rs 50,000 to Rs five lakh can be awarded.
- Whoever intentionally insults or intimidates a person with disability, or sexually exploits a woman or child with disability, shall be punishable with imprisonment between six months to five years and fine.
- Special Courts will be designated in each district to handle cases concerning violation of rights of PwDs.
General Studies – 2
Topic: issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
Prior to the pandemic, a series of steps by the Union government undermined the principles of federalism. Today, amid the pandemic, some elements resonate quite strongly with the States with some of them raising complaints about the Union government’s anti-federal moves.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the centralising tendency witnessed in India and to suggests steps to overcome it.
Directive word:
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:
Begin by defining federalism.
Body:
First, mention the centralising tendencies witnessed in India prior to the pandemic – monetary share of the States in Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS), the terms of reference of the 15th Finance Commission, imposition of demonetisation without adequate consultation with the States, institutionalisation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), outsourcing of the statutory functions under the Smart Cities Mission, a delay in transfer of GST compensation, ‘One Nation One Ration’,
Next, write about how the pandemic response further exacerbated centralising tendencies in India. Bring outs impact.
Next, suggest measures to overcome the same. Give examples from the pandemic response to substantiate.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.
Introduction
Article 1 of the Indian Constitution states, “India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States”. While the Constitution doesn’t mention the term “federal”, it does provide for a governance structure primarily federal in nature. India is a federal state where the Centre and the State are the Cooperating units of the polity. Yet India is an asymmetrical federalism, with the balance of power tilting in the favour of the Centre. Changing dynamics of the party system is increasingly determining the kind of federalism in India.
Body
Background
- Prior to the pandemic, a series of steps by the Union government undermined the principles of federalism, especially fiscal federalism.
- This manifested in the increasing monetary share of the States in Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS), the terms of reference of the 15th Finance Commission, imposition of demonetisation without adequate consultation with the States among others.
- The institutionalisation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), outsourcing of the statutory functions under the Smart Cities Mission, a delay in transfer of GST compensation, ‘One Nation One Ration’, etc were also major issues.
Federalism during pandemic: Challenges
- State’s dwindling resources: The findings suggest that recent changes in India’s fiscal architecture, including the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime, and increase in state shares for the Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSSs) had placed state finances in a precarious position, even prior to the crisis.
- Lockdown without prior notice: There was no prior consultation with states before the lockdown was imposed on 25th March. It caused serious supply chains breakdown and importantly migrant workers chaos.
- Struggling for fiscal space: The announcement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the Rs 20-lakh crore Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan (Self-reliant India Campaign) package left many scrambling with the fiscal maths
- Increasing dependency on Centre: The dependency of states on the Centre for revenues has increased, with the share of the revenue from own sources declining from 55% in 2014-15 to 50.5% in 2020-21.
- While part of this is inherent in India’s fiscal structure, wherein states are the big spenders and the Centre controls the purse strings, the situation has been exacerbated by the introduction of the GST.
- Barring a few exceptions, such as petroleum products, property tax, and alcohol excise, indirect taxes have, to a large degree, been subsumed under the GST regime, eroding the ability of states to raise their own revenues.
- Shortfall in devolution: Adding to state woes is the significant divergence in past periods between the amount of GST compensation owed and the actual payments made, including for states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand that need greater fiscal support.
- Even before Covid-19 hit, 11 states estimated a revenue growth rate below the estimated 14% level, implying higher amounts will be owed as GST compensation.
- With the bulk of the states’ GST coming from goods such as electronics, fashion, and entertainment — all of which have been impacted by the pandemic — these revenues are likely to decline further.
- Different Post-lockdown agenda: For instance, when Kerala took a decision to allow restaurants to open based on its own risk assessment, the state was pressured by the Centre to cancel such permit.
However, it is India’s elastic federal structural that has made the pandemic fight stronger, with all the states working as a united force under the guidelines of the Centre at apex.
Way forward and conclusion
- When compared with other large federal countries such as the US, the country has done very well to minimize the frictions and provide a sense of direction to the states.
- However, tackling Covid-19 as seen from the experience of other countries would require a differential and agile response across states and the Centre has at best to play the role of a mentor in providing leadership and resource support.
- The rigid approach as evident in lockdown phase would prove a major hurdle. States must be cleared their dues and be given ample fiscal space to ensure economy is revived.
- States must be allowed to lead in terms of reviving economy, generating income support, jobs while contain the virus at the same time.
- The next big change will come when the current Centre-state relationship gets redefined in a way that enables the 28 states to become federal in the true sense – as self-sustaining economic territories in matters of energy, water, food production and waste recycling.
- Our economic geography of production, transport and communication has to change – it has to become distributive rather than being focused towards the Centre.
- Centrally distributed funds will need to be directed specifically to build the capacities of each state.
- The instruments will enable them to embark on a sustainable economic recovery whose base is widely distributed across the various panchayats and districts of each state.
- Driving distributive recovery will be energy, transport, supply chains, public administration, rule of law, agriculture and rural development.
- In short, the real cooperative federalism which the Centre has been espousing for many years is now put on test and the Centre must ensure states are given full cooperation to battle the challenge in post pandemic phase.
Conclusion
While in certain areas, it might warrant greater powers to the Union(defense, currency etc.), on the development front (education, health etc.) the Centre should respect the autonomy of the other two levels of government and consciously avoid the tendency to centralize powers and functions. Its role should be limited in laying down policies, devolving funds and facilitating co-ordination leaving implementation entirely to States and Local Bodies.
Value addition
Cooperative Federalism
Cooperative federalism is the concept which reflects the relationship between center and state where they both come together and resolve the common problems with each other’s’ cooperation.
- With the collaborative efforts and cooperation, different level of governments in an amicable manner, contributes towards the growth of the country.
- It shows the horizontal relationship between union and states and shows neither is above the other.
- To ensure this relationship between center and state, Indian constitution has incorporated certain instruments like inter-state council, Zonal council, 7th schedule etc.
Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Indian Express , The Hindu
Why the question:
The third India-Central Asia Dialogue convened by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Sunday is one in a series of timely connections to the region by New Delhi this year, spurred in some measure by events in Afghanistan.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about strategic importance of central asia to India to deal with the recent changes in Afghanistan.
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 of historical context of India’s relations with central Asia.
Body:
In the first part, mention the economic considerations of India in that region – India for priority development projects in energy, healthcare, connectivity, IT, agriculture, education, etc. India’s ‘Connect Central Asia Policy’, role of INSTC and Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in the above-mentioned aspects.
Next, write about long-term security threats emanating out of the region especially in regard to the recent changes witnessed in Afghanistan.
Next, write about the various geopolitical currents in the region and steps that are needed to make central Asian countries a key partner to tide over Afghan crisis.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward to strengthening of India-Central Asia ties.
Introduction
The meeting of the foreign ministers of India and five Central Asian countries for the third edition of their dialogue in Delhi has underscored the consensus for peace and stability in Afghanistan. Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan share land borders with Afghanistan, and instability in that country affects them directly, as it has already done.
India seeks to work with Central Asian nations to help provide aid to Afghanistan and ensure a more representative government is in place there as per the Foreign Minister’s statement.
Body
Long term security threats and issues emanating out of the region
- Minorities affected: Ethnic Tajik, Turk and Uzbek are significant minorities in Afghanistan, and the first to be impacted by Taliban’s exclusionary ideology.
- Radical ideology and terrorism: Including Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic, the Central Asian Republics fear the impact of the export of radical Islam, terrorism and drugs into their own territories. India shares these worries.
- Human rights: A meeting of national security advisers hosted by India a month ago had also drawn attention to these shared concerns.
- The joint statement by the foreign ministers called on the Taliban to form an inclusive and representative government, respect women and minority rights, combat terrorism and drug trafficking, and also urged immediate humanitarian aid to Afghanistan.
- Lack of engagement: India’s ability to influence international discussions on Afghanistan despite legitimate stakes remains suspect due to its lack of engagement with the Taliban.
- Concerns of security: The Indian government is concerned about how Taliban rule could impact security in the region, especially in India’s restive northern state of Jammu and Kashmir
Engaging with Central Asia leveraging common threats
- Trade: Recognising the accentuated strategic importance of Central Asia, India should ideally take an aggressive approach towards trade with the region by not only trying to ensure the execution of pending connectivity projects, but also identifying other areas such as digital infrastructure and education that provide scope to improve regional presence.
- Defence cooperation: Since security is a common concern for both India and the CARs, defence cooperation should be another domain to explore beyond what exists currently, much like the currently ongoing joint-military exercise “KAZIND” between India and Kazakhstan.
- Roping in Russia: India could also look to utilise its longstanding friendship with Russia, one of the most influential players in Central Asia, to make more headway in the region.
- A positive step to this end has been the recent conversation between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin, where the two leaders extensively spoke about expanding cooperation in Central Asia, amongst other issues.
- Connectivity: New Delhi, which invested $3 billion in Afghanistan, has been expanding its ties with energy-rich Central Asian nations.
- New Delhi has also backed regional infrastructure projects including the North-South corridor that includes highways and railways connecting Chabahar port in Iran with Russia to reduce the time of shipments between Europe and central Asian markets.
Conclusion
Until now, Central Asia has always been perceived by India as a strategically important region because of its geography and natural resources. But India’s limited influence with the Taliban, combined with Central Asia’s importance in navigating the unfolding scenario in Afghanistan elevates the significance of improved ties between the two. To increase its ability to put concerns about Afghanistan on the table with help from the CARs, it would be beneficial for India to take a pro-active approach towards enhancing trade and connectivity with Central Asia while also looking to identify and develop new areas of cooperation.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
Difficulty level: Tough.
Reference: Environment by Shankar
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 the aim and the working of the CITES as well suggest further improvements.
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 mentioning about CITES and its aims and objectives.
Body:
First, Write about working of the CITES works by subjecting international trade in specimens of selected species to certain controls. All import, export, re-export and introduction from the sea of species covered by the Convention has to be authorized through a licensing system. Each Party to the Convention must designate one or more Management Authorities in charge of administering that licensing system and one or more Scientific Authorities to advise them on the effects of trade on the status of the species. Mention three Appendices of CITES.
Next, write about criticism faced by CITES- e.g many of its member countries lack the strong governance needed to effectively enforce CITES restrictions; Treaty is often criticised for being open to influence by political or emotional motives; The “classic” approach to wildlife protection – law enforcement and protected areas – is holding back conservation in developing countries etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.
Introduction
The international trade of animals and plants stands as one of the biggest threats to many endangered species worldwide. Illegal wildlife trade (including illegal logging) is thought to generate up to USD$175bn annually, making it almost as lucrative as drugs-, arms and people trafficking.
The sole global body regulating this trade is the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Body
About CITES
- CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an international agreement between governments.
- CITES was drafted as a result of a resolution adopted in 1963 at a meeting of members of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
- Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.
- Although CITES is legally binding on the Parties it does not take the place of national laws. Rather it provides a framework to be respected by each Party, which has to adopt its own domestic legislation to ensure that CITES is implemented at the national level.
Working of CITES
- CITES works by subjecting international trade in specimens of selected species to certain controls.
- All import, export, re-export and introduction from the sea of species covered by the Convention has to be authorized through a licensing system.
- Each Party to the Convention must designate one or more Management Authorities in charge of administering that licensing system and one or more Scientific Authorities to advise them on the effects of trade on the status of the species.
- The species covered by CITES are listed in three Appendices, according to the degree of protection they need.
- Appendix I includes species threatened with extinction. Trade in specimens of these species is permitted only in exceptional circumstances.
- Appendix II includes species not necessarily threatened with extinction, but in which trade must be controlled in order to avoid utilization incompatible with their survival.
- This Appendix III contains species that are protected in at least one country, which has asked other CITES Parties for assistance in controlling the trade.
- Changes to Appendix III follow a distinct procedure from changes to Appendices I and II, as each Party’s is entitled to make unilateral amendments to it.
- For the most part it is the member nations that must enforce CITES regulations in their own countries, although the CITES Standing Committee does have a mechanism to recommend trade suspensions on countries that are persistent offenders.
- In this year’s CoP member governments were asked to explicitly incorporate corruption into their policies against wildlife trafficking.
- CITES has been widely regarded as one of the most effective international environmental treaties in existence.
- Through a permitting system implemented between its 183 member states, the Treaty protects over 35,000 species of plants and animals.
- A study by TRAFFIC was presented which showcased a 96 per cent drop in the amount of legal ivory openly for sale in Bangkok’s markets subsequent to their inclusion in the CITES-led National Ivory Action Plan process.
Criticism and shortcomings
- Some maintain that the focus of CITES on the classic approach to wildlife protection law enforcement and protected areas is holding back conservation in developing countries.
- In 2014, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) announced a ban of international trade in specimens of five shark species and all manta ray species, including meat, gills and fins. However, the ruling is not enforceable and the trade in shark fin and manta gill-rakers for TCM soups, potions and other absurd concoctions still goes on.
- CITES simply cannot force member countries to take necessary action to combat a highly organised criminal system worth tens of billions of dollars.
- The recent CITES meeting at Johannesburg did not implement a recommendation to impose sanctions on Madagascar, instead gave the country more time to clean up its act.
- Many of its member countries lack the strong governance needed to effectively enforce CITES restrictions.
- The decisions made by the Parties of CITES are intended to be based on scientific evidence, but the Treaty is often criticised for being open to influence by political or emotional motives.
- In 2010, for example, the commercially valuable Atlantic Bluefin tuna was denied CITES protection, a decision widely believed to have been influenced by economic self-interest and politics.
- CITES has rarely produced results for protected populations on its own. On the occasions where CITES protected species have shown significant improvement, it has almost always been part of a combination of efforts such as habitat restoration, captive breeding, community engagement in species and habitat management and law enforcement.
Conclusion
CITES as a body and group of governments must act with urgency especially with levels of legal and illegal trade at all-time highs, coupled with massive habitat loss, a burgeoning human population, and a seemingly endless number of threats to all species. Poaching of wildlife is still rampant as wildlife trade and demand exists especially in south-east Asian countries and China. This requires a collective effort on part of governments and CITES must aid in encouraging nations to take more binding and tough measures to prevent destruction of wildlife.
Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
Difficulty level: Easy
Reference: Environment by Shankar
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 the achievements of Montreal protocol.
Directive:
Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must investigate 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.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin the answer by writing about the Vienna Convention and subsequent Montreal Protocol.
Body:
In the first part, write the reasons which make Montreal protocol most successful global climate treaty – negotiations, funds, universal ratification, clear articulation and innovation in substitutes etc.
Next, write about the India’s performance – phasing out Chlorofluorocarbon, Ratifying Kigali Amendment to Montreal Protocol, Hydrochlorofluorocarbons Phase out Management Plan (HPMP) etc. Cite stats with respect to India’s performance and mention its shortcomings.
Conclusion:
Conclude by mentioning the need to learn from the success of Montreal and emulate elsewhere.
Introduction
The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is the landmark multilateral environmental agreement that regulates the production and consumption of nearly 100 ozone depleting substances (ODS). The Montreal Protocol sits under the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer. It phases down the consumption and production of the different ODS in a step-wise manner, with different timetables for developed and developing countries. Developing and developed countries have equal but differentiated responsibilities, but most importantly, both groups of countries have binding, time-targeted and measurable commitments.
Body
Montreal protocol: Accomplishments of the most successful global climate treaty
- The Montreal Protocol mandated the complete phase-out of CFCs and other ozone-depleting substances (ODS), which it has successfully managed to do in the last three decades.
- The protocol was adopted in 1987, becoming the only United Nations treaty to be ratified by its 198 member-states.
- The Montreal Protocol has led to the phase-out of 99 per cent of ozone-depleting chemicals in refrigerators, air-conditioners and many other products.
- From 1989–2013, the protocol’s ban on certain chemicals reduced cumulative CO2-equivalent emissions by 135 billion tons.
- This effort has led to the healing of the ozone layer hole which, in turn, protects humans, economies, and ecosystems.
- Researchers believe that the size of the ozone hole has shrunk by around 4 million sq. km since 2000 and is not as deep as it used to be, thanks to the collective efforts of nations to cut the use of chlorofluorocarbons and other dangerous gases.
- At projected rates, Northern Hemisphere and mid-latitude ozone will heal completely by the 2030s. The Southern Hemisphere will follow in the 2050s and Polar Regions by 2060.
- The Montreal Protocol offers a model of a successful environmental treaty that brought nations together to act swiftly on protecting the ozone layer.
- In 2016, Nations that were party to the protocol got together in Kigali, Rwanda, to discuss the phasing down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) as the next step towards addressing ozone depletion, also necessary to curb global warming.
- Kigali Amendment to Montreal Protocol came into effect in 2019.
Key takeaways from Montreal protocol which acts as an example for other global initiatives
- Comprehensive negotiations: From the start, negotiation relied heavily on leadership and innovative approaches. Much negotiation was held in small, informal groups. This enabled a genuine exchange of views and the opportunity to take some issues on trust, such as the subsequent development of the Multilateral Fund. The people negotiating the treaty also included scientists, which lent credibility.
- Universal consensus:The Montreal Protocol is the only universal UN Agreement, signed by 196 states and the EU. It has more signatories than any other international agreement or body, including the United Nations itself.
- The Montreal Protocol also called for Multilateral Fund, established in 1990, which was “basically money contributed by developed countries and renewed periodically that paid developing countries and developing country industries to make the switches to the new generations of chemicals,
- The idea of using trade policy as a punishment mechanism: Due to this readily definable cause and effect relationship, the Montreal Protocol was able to establish strong enforcement provisions as well as strong commitments.
- Adjustment provision:The science was not definite at the time of adoption of the Montreal protocol, so the negotiators developed a highly flexible instrument which could increase or decrease controls as the science became clearer. This flexibility meant the protocol could be amended to include stricter controls: more ozone-depleting substances added to the control list and total phase-out, rather than partial phase-out, called for.
- Developing countries are given more time tocomply with the phase out decisions, and also they receive funding from the Multilateral Fund to facilitate compliance with the Protocol’s provisions.
Conclusion
The Montreal Protocol provides us with a good model of the future, showing a successful execution of international environmental policy. Sure, the Montreal Protocol differs from the Paris Agreement, but we can only stand to gain from studying the former’s success. There’s still time to reach a manageable and sustainable future, but to do that, we must pull out all the stops. That includes learning from our past.
General Studies – 4
Topic: Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in-human actions
Difficulty level: Easy.
Reference: A Practical Approach to Ethics Integrity and Aptitude by D.K Balaji.
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4 and part of ‘Conceptual Tuesdays’ in Mission-2022 Secure.
Key Demand of the question:
To write in detail about the determinants of Morality of human action.
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:
Begin by saying that Human action is not at free will but determined by various factors.
Body:
Describe how morality of a person’s action varies situationally. Mention various determinants such as object, circumstances such as person/place/time involved and intention(malafide/bonafide) with an example each.
Use a flow chart for better presentation of the above.
Conclusion:
Conclude by saying that there are many obstacles that a person with a fixed moral construct must go through, which may change his action altogether.
Introduction
Morality concerns the fundamental reason why some actions are good and others are evil. It is a test to find out what acts are good and what acts are evil. It is a search for criteria to assess the goodness or badness of human action. There are several schools of thought on this issue.
Body
Analysing the morality of the human act is said to be a complex enterprise since it is affected by so many conditions which are within and without. Most of the moralists agree that to judge the goodness or badness of any particular human act, three elements must be weighed from which every act derives its morality. They are: the Object of the act, the Circumstances surrounding the act, and the End or Intention that the one performing the act has in mind.
- Object:
- It is that which the action of its very nature tends to produce.
- Or in other words it refers to the effect which an action primarily and directly causes.
- It is necessarily the result of the act without taking into account the circumstances or the end.
- For example the object of setting fire to hut of a slum-dweller is to burn whereas the end might be revenge.
- The object is usually regarded as the primary factor for moral judgement of a human
- From the viewpoint of object an act is generally classified as morally good, bad or indifferent.
- For a morally good act, the object of it must be good
- Circumstances:
- These include all the particulars of the concrete human action which are capable of affecting its morality.
- They are such things as the person involved, the time, the place, the occasion, which are distinct from the object, but can change or at times even completely alter its moral
- Circumstances can make an otherwise good action better for e.g. giving food to a person who is almost dying of
- They can make good an act which is otherwise indifferent, for g. sitting with a person who is feeling lonely.
- But they can also make worse an act which is evil in its object for g. robbing a beggar from his/her only meal of the day.
- Since all human actions occur in a particular context i.e. at a certain time and at a certain place, the circumstances must always be considered in evaluating the moral quality of any human act.
- Intent:
- The end or intention of a human act is the purpose that prompts one to perform such an
- Every human act, no matter how trivial, is done with some It is the reason for which the agent performs a particular act.
- It is the effect that the agent subjectively wills in his/her
- At times it can so happen that the intention of the agent coincides with the object of the human act, for e.g. offering a glass of water to a thirsty person to quench thirst.
- However at other times both of them might be
- For g. a captured spy may commit suicide in order to safeguard the secrets of the country.
- A human act to be morally good the agent or doer must have a good intention—he must want to accomplish something that is good in one way or another.
- The end too can affect the morality of the human act just as circumstances do.
- A good intention can make better an act which is good in its object, for e.g. helping a poor person to start a small business with the intention of making him independent.
- Also the end can worsen an act which is already evil in its object, for e.g. killing the father, who is the only breadwinner in the family, so that his children might be on the street.
- To a great extent many of the actions that we do which otherwise might be indifferent morally in themselves, but they receive their moral quality from the intention behind them.
According to the moralists a human act is said to be morally good when it is good in its object, circumstances and also in the intention, for it is believed that an action is good when each of these three factors is conformed to order (Bonum ex integra causa). If even one of these determinants is contrary to order, the action will be bad, at least in part (Malum ex quocumque defectu).
Conclusion
Ethics, whether in an entire society, or in a social sub-system, evolves over a long period of time. Different institutions impact the ethical behaviour of individuals in different manner. Thus, value-based education, good governance, self-realization, just laws, code of ethics and code of conducts are essential to build an ethically just society and state.
Topic: Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and the world to the concepts of morality;
7. What do you understand by crisis of conscience? Elaborate with examples. (150 Words)
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4 and part of ‘Conceptual Tuesdays’ in Mission-2022 Secure.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about crisis of conscience.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by defining crisis of conscience.
Body:
Next, elaborate upon ‘Crisis of conscience’ is a time when people are worrying because they think that they have done something unfair or morally wrong. It is about a person’s moral sense of right and wrong which acts as a guide to his or her behaviour reaches a crisis point when a difficult or important decision must be made.
Cite examples of substantiate.
Conclusion:
Conclude by stressing on the way to manage crisis of conscience.
Introduction
Conscience is inner moral sense of a person which guides him/her to regulate his behaviour. It is a cognitive process that elicits emotion and rational associations based on an individual’s moral philosophy or value system. Often Conscience is related to religious text and supreme command to be followed by one’s inner self. Conscience comes to play when a person is in moral dilemma and need deep assessment of scenario and his behaviour.
Body
Crisis of conscience:
- It is a situation in which it is very difficult to decide what is the right thing to do.
- It is also a time when people are worrying because they think that they have done something unfair or morally wrong.
- It is a case of ethical dilemma, but often in a stronger sense.
- When there is a crisis of conscience, the individual fear that his action may be against the voice of conscience and hence ethically wrong.
- For example, a municipality official has been ordered to forcefully evict illegal shelters constructed by squatters on government land. The official observes that the occupants are poor people who have small infants to take care of. In such case the official has to choose between his/her conscience of giving them time to vacate or follow government order and perform his duty.
- In health care, conscientious objection involves practitioners not providing certain treatments to their patients, based on reasons of morality or “conscience.”
- ‘Crisis of conscience’ and its effect on individual is visible in the form of ‘whistle blowing’, where an individual brings out irregularities happening inside the organisation out into the public domain.
- Ex: Public official in the revenue department observes that some colleagues have conspired to illegally sell a government land which has been allocated to an orphanage. They have offered him a huge sum of money to keep quiet. ‘Crisis of conscience’ will force the official to bring out this information into the public domain, even if it is anonymously.
- A public official is forced to resort to public activism if he/she is unable to do what his conscience expects him/her to do so. In this case he may follow a path of political activism or social activism.
- Ex: An officer is trying hard to sanction drinking water project to a poor residential area but there is ignorance on the part of concerned officials. He/she is forced to file petition with court in order to implement the project.
Conclusion
To quote Gandhiji, “There is a higher court than courts of justice and that is the court of conscience. It supersedes all other courts.” Thus, the voice of conscience guides a person in treading the moral highway. For a public servant faced with crisis of conscience, Gandhi’s Talisman is the best source of solution to overcome the crisis.
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