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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: History of the world will include events from 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc.— their forms and effect on the society.
Difficulty level: Tough
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
Russia’s attack on Ukraine, which began from the third week of February, shows no sign of ending. It has, in the meantime, led to a humanitarian crisis of gigantic proportions.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the impact of Crimean war.
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 giving context Crimean war and who its wass fought between.
Body:
First, write about regarding the turmoil in the Crimean Peninsula starting from 19th century until recent times.
Next, write about the impact of Crimean war – Ottoman empires integrity, Russia’s waning influence over black sea, Opening up of Danube, Indirect impact on Unification of Italy, improvements in battlefield medicine.
Conclusion:
Conclude by summarising and linking it with current developments in the region.
Introduction
The Crimean War which had begun in October 1853 lasted eighteen months. It was fought between Britain, France, the Ottoman Empire and Sardinia on one side and Russia on the other. On 30th March 1856, the Crimean War was formally brought to an end with the signing of the Treaty of Paris. This formal recognition signed at the Congress of Paris came after Russia accepted a humiliating defeat
Body
Crimean war and turmoil
- The Crimean war escalated into a series of fragmented battles and sieges, causing huge loss of life and highlighting wider issues and failures pertaining to leadership, military intervention, mortality rates, medicine and mismanagement.
- The war itself garnered a great deal of attention and proved to be a significant and defining moment for Europe.
- It was first and foremost the embodiment of a ‘modern war’, using new technologies that would later characterise the wars of the next century.
Impact on Europe and Russia in particular
- Whilst the Treaty of Paris marked an important step, with all sides recognising the need for a peaceful solution, the logistics of competing interests in negotiations made it more difficult to put into practice.
- The main agreement did manage to create some tangible guidelines which included forcing Russia to demilitarise the Black Sea.
- This agreement was between the Tsar and the Sultan who maintained that no arsenal could be established on the coastline.
- For Russia this clause in particular proved to be a major blow, weakening its power base as it no longer could threaten the Ottoman Empire via its navy.
- This was thus an important step in scaling down the potential for escalating violence.
- Ottoman empire inclusion in Europe: In addition, the treaty agreed the inclusion of the Ottoman Empire into the Concert of Europe which was essentially a representation of the balance of power on the continent, instigated back in 1815 by the Congress of Vienna.
- Reigning Russia: Russia on the other hand was forced to return the city of Kars and all other Ottoman territory which it had taken into its possession.
- The principalities of Wallachia and Moldovia were thus returned as Ottoman territory, later granted independence and eventually turned into modern-day Romania.
- Russia was forced by the treaty to abandon its claim of a protectorate for Christians living in the Ottoman Empire, thus discarding the very premise which engaged Russia in war in the first place.
- In exchange, the alliance of powers agreed to restore the towns of Sevastpol, Balaklava, Kerch, Kinburn and many other areas back to Russia which had been occupied by the Allied troops during the war.
- Black sea: A major consequence of this agreement was the reopening of the Black Sea for international trade and commerce.
- The importance of resuming trade was a major consideration for all involved.
Consequences and future prospect as a result of Crimea war
- The Crimean War saw the balance of power change hands in Europe.
- Whilst Russia suffered a major defeat, Austria, which had chosen to remain neutral, would find itself in the coming years at the mercy of a new rising star, Germany.
- Under the leadership of Bismarck, who took advantage of fraught relations, new strategy for survival emerged. Austria would end up uniting with Hungary in a monarchical empire. Meanwhile, Sardinia, a participant in the alliance at Crimea would intervene in Italian affairs, ensuring that a united nation of Italy would emerge out of the territorial chasms of Europe.
- Traditional empires were now under threat, with Britain and France sensing the urgency and need to maintain a grip on affairs.
Conclusion
The Crimean War highlighted how difficult it was to keep a balance of power in Europe. The end of the war resulted in a new era of relations, a new way of doing things; the old traditional empires stretched over continents gave way in Europe to the nation-state. Change was coming.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.
Difficulty level: Moderate.
Reference: Live Mint
Why the question:
A blueprint called the ‘India Digital Ecosystem Architecture (IndEA) 2.0, was released recently by the ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY).
Key Demand of the question:
To write about how IndEA will revolutionise
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:
Start by defining digital governance and giving context regarding the launch of IndEA 2.0
Body:
Frist, write about the various features of IndEA 2.0 – InDEA 2.0 is based on 27 principles organized into 5 categories: ecosystem principles, architecture principles, business principles, technology principles, and architecture governance principles. The principles are aimed at strengthening the ecosystem to further drive interoperability and innovation, and it aims to generalize the principles from InDEA 1.0 and further adopt those on which other successful ecosystems like Aadhaar, GSTN and NDHB are built upon etc.
Next, write about how these will provide a new paradigm in digital governance and service delivery.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.
Introduction
The digital ecosystem is defined in the document as “a distributed, adaptive, and open socio-technical system with properties of self-organization, scalability, and sustainability.” Digital governance is leveraging the technology to provide citizen-centric services.
Web 3.0 is the most-hyped technology term in recent times. A blueprint called the ‘India Digital Ecosystem Architecture (IndEA) 2.0, was released recently by the ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY). It outlines how the government should architect its digital infrastructure for the Web 3.0 era.
Body
IndEA 2.0
- India Digital Ecosystem Architecture 2.0 is a framework that enables Governments and private sector enterprises to design IT architectures that can span beyond their organizational boundaries and enable delivery of holistic and integrated services to the customers.
- While InDEA 2.0 builds upon the principles and models recommended in India Enterprise Architecture (IndEA 1.0 – 2018), it adopts a radically different approach to architecture development.
- It addresses the architectural needs of an ecosystem rather than of an enterprise which was the focus of its predecessor.
- InDEA 2.0 is a framework that promotes the evolution of digital ecosystems.
- It consists of a set of principles and architectural patterns that inform, guide, and enable the development of large digital systems, with a focus on the public sector.
Paradigm shift in service delivery
- In addition to the general philosophy of embracing decentralized technology, the report has some specific features that are fresh and noteworthy.
- First, it emphasizes the need for a federated architecture approach to preventing risks that arise with large scale data centralization, such as hacking of data ‘honeypots’ and surveillance.
- Second, it proposed the concept of ‘federated identities’ in order to optimize the number of IDs a citizen needs to have.
- While the details of this need to be understood, the idea that citizens can choose a limited set of IDs that they trust to use for various use cases, is a promising one.
- Third, it recognizes that building capacity within government for a new generation of GovTech requires new competencies and proposes a module-based approach to upgrade skills and change mindsets across government.
Way forward
- While it is a landmark document, the approach outlined in IndEA 2.0 needs deeper thought on some of the ‘non-tech’ elements of governance and community engagement.
- The report talks of participatory design, but this needs to be built out: how might the GovTech systems of the future be designed with citizens rather than for citizens?
- In a similar vein, while the report recognizes the importance of protecting data, the primary framework to enable this is user ‘consent’, which needs holistic improvement.
- Going beyond consent, for example, promoting nudges like privacy ‘star ratings’ and guidelines on real-world implementations of concepts like ‘privacy-by-design’ would help.
- Unlike the decentralized governance approaches of Web 3.0 like DAOs, IndEA 2.0 envisages that a wing of the government, or a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) on the lines of UIDAI (Aadhaar) or NPCI (UPI) should be responsible for handling the technical, domain, legal, commercial and program management aspects of IndEA 2.0.
- Such an approach is welcome, and getting this anchor ‘governance’ institution right – as a professionally run, arms-length and accountable institution – will be critical for the next phase of GovTech to succeed.
- The “Good Digital Public Infrastructure Principles” listed by CoDevelop and MeitY’s white paper on National Open Digital Ecosystems (NODEs) provide useful markers for this.
- Examples of NODEs in India include Aadhaar (or the India Stack project), Unified Payments Interface etc.
- In short, taking the blueprint from principles to implementation will require more specific and actionable guidance.
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 the issues in banking and reforms attempted to resolve them.
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 an overview of Indian banking system.
Body:
First, write about the various issues plaguing the banking sector in India – high NPA’s, wilful default, scams, lack of adequate quality personnel etc.
Next, trace the journey of various attempts at banking reforms – Narasimhan-I, Narasimhan-II, 4R’s, Mission Indradhanush, IBC, NARCL etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward of measures needed to further strengthen banking in India.
Introduction
The banking system in India defines banking through the Banking Companies Act of 1949. With the potential to become 3rd largest banking industry by 2025 according to some reports, India’s banking and financial sector is expanding rapidly. The Indian banking industry is currently worth more than 1 trillion dollars and banks are now expanding fast as the present Central Government wants to spread the tentacles of the banking industry far and wide.
Body
The issues affecting the banking sector of India
- Issue of Monetary Transmission:
- Like reduced profits, this is also an off-shoot of burgeoning NPAs in the system.
- With the easing of inflation and moderation in inflationary expectations, the RBI reduced the repo rate by 100 basis points between January and September 2015.
- However, change in the key policy rate was not reflected in lending rates as banks are not willing to transmit the benefits of a low-interest policy regime due to the low availability of liquidity against the backdrop of high NPAs.
- Non-Performing Assets
- Scheduled commercial banks (SCBs) were carrying NPAs worth Rs 8.96 lakh crore on their balance sheet at the end of March 2020.
- With Covid-related stress, Indian banks are expected to see a resurgence in their non-performing loans from 8.34-lakh crore in end-FY21 to ₹10-11 lakh crore by end of this fiscal.
- Corruption:
- Scams in the erstwhile Global Trust Bank (GBT) and the Bank of Baroda show how few officials misuse the freedom they granted under the guise of liberalization for their personal benefit.
- These scams have badly damaged the image of these banks and consequently their profitability.
- Wilful Defaulters:
- The slowdown in the economy in the last few years led to bad loans or NPAs.
- According to IMF Report, 36.9% of the total debt in India is at risk and banks have the capacity to absorb only up to 8-9% loss.
- There are defaulters who despite having sound financial health do not pay their loans back due to a lack of stringent measures.
- Lack of Accountability and Transparency in Key Appointments:
- The functions of the Banks Board Bureau are still not clear.
- Some of them include selection and appointment of managing directors and CEOs as well as non-executive chairman of PSBs, helping banks develop a robust leadership succession plan for critical positions, advising the government on the formulation and enforcement of a code of conduct and ethics for bank executives, and helping banks develop business strategies and capital raising plan, among others.
- But it does not have the final say in key appointments.
- Trade Unions:
- Many of the trade unions these days are losing relevance or are out of focus as they are unable to connect with the majority of the workforce and their demands or professional managers.
- There is a lack of consultation among various stakeholders in the banking sector.
- Crisis in Management:
- Public-sector banks are seeing more employees retire these days.
- So, younger employees are replacing the elder, more experienced employees.
- This, however, happens at junior levels.
- As a result, there would be a virtual vacuum at the middle and senior levels.
- The absence of middle management could lead to an adverse impact on banks’ decision-making process.
Evolution of Bank reforms in India
- The government through the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Ordinance, 1969, and nationalized the 14 largest commercial banks on 19 July 1969.
- Thereafter, in 1980, six more banks that were nationalized included Punjab and Sind Bank, Vijaya Bank, Oriental Bank of India, Corporate Bank, Andhra Bank, and New Bank of India.
- After India liberalized its economy in 1991, then finance minister Dr. Manmohan Singh set up Narasimham Committee – I to analyze India’s banking sector and recommend reforms.
- In 1998, Banking Sector Committee (Narasimham Committee – II) was set up to further bring in reforms. The task of the Committee was to review the progress of the implementation of reforms and to suggest a design for further strengthening of the sector.
- Since 2014, the banking sector has witnessed the adoption of the JAM (Jan-Dhan, Aadhaar, and Mobile) trinity, and the issuance of licenses to Payments Banks and Small Finance Banks (SFBs) to achieve last-mile connectivity in the financial inclusion drive.
- In October 2015, the Government announced Mission Indradhanush under which 7 key strategies were proposed to reform public sector banks (PSBs).
- The Ministry of Finance in its Economic Survey 2015-16 suggested four R’s – Recognition, Recapitalization, Resolution, and Reform to address the problem of NPAs.
- The Government in 2018 announced its intention to introduce a comprehensive Insolvency and Bankruptcy Bill in the Parliament based on the recommendations of the Dr. T K Viswanathan-headed Bankruptcy Law Reforms Committee (BLRC).
- The Union Government unveiled plans to infuse 70000 crore rupees in the next few years, but PSU banks would need at least 1.8 lakh crore rupees by 2019-20.
- The government recently announced new banking reforms, involving the establishment of a Development Finance Institution (DFI) for infrastructure, creation of a Bad Bank to address the problem of chronic non-performing assets (NPAs), and privatization of public sector banks (PSBs) to ease its burden in terms of mobilizing additional capital.
Conclusion
Thus, Banking sector in India has had multiple issues and is undergoing sea changes through timely reforms to further serve the goal of socio-economic development of India..
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 the potential of NARCL to solve the NPA issues in India.
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 defining National Asset Reconstruction Company Limited (NARCL) and its purpose.
Body:
First, describe the structuring of the NARCL and also mention its mandate that makes it a bad bank.
Next, write about the potential of NARCL – high capital, backing of the government, reduce the burden on taxpayers, revival or reclamation of assets etc.
Next, write about its limitations – presence of private ARC’s, issues with restructuring and write off, corruption etc.
suggest need of] right incentive structure and an innovative approach in handling assets for an effective performance of NARCL.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.
Introduction
The Reserve Bank of India on October 4, 2021 gave licence to the Rs 6,000 crore National Asset Reconstruction Company Ltd (NARCL), a move that will help kickstart operations of the bad bank. K V Kamath Committee also suggested setting up Bad bank to revive sectors such as Trade, Textile, NBFCs, Steel and construction, etc.
Body
Potential of NARCL
- While there are 28 ARCs in the private sector, there was a need for government-backed receipts for big ticket resolutions.
- The government guarantee for the proposed security receipts is a positive stepping stone for unlocking stressed assets’ value.
- The upfront cash payment by the NARCL to banks will immediately be accretive for the profitability and capital of the banks, however the ability of the NARCL to resolve these assets in a time-bound manner will be critical for future provision writeback by banks
- The whole idea is to ensure that these assets for which this whole set-up is being created, and the value that is locked in the assets is realised and comes back to the banks; they use it as a growth capital and the banking system becomes more robust
- From the perspective of a commercial bank saddled with high NPA levels, it will help.
- That’s because such a bank will get rid of all its toxic assets, which were eating up its profits, in one quick move.
- When the recovery money is paid back, it will further improve the bank’s position.
- Meanwhile, it can start lending again.
- From the perspective of the government and the taxpayer, the situation is a little more muddled.
- After all, whether it is recapitalising PSBs laden with bad loans or giving guarantees for security receipts, the money is coming from the taxpayers’ pocket.
- While recapitalisation and such guarantees are often designated as “reforms”, they are band aids at best.
- The only sustainable solution is to improve the lending operation in PSBs.
- Lastly, the plan of bailing out commercial banks will collapse if the bad bank is unable to sell such impaired assets in the market.
Challenges
- NARCL will be owned largely by public sector banksand have its management drawn mostly from them, which is one of the biggest challenge. It is understandable that if the banks could not dispose of the bad debt easily under them, the NARCL will face similar results.
- The PSBs will be both shareholders and customers, which would lead to the danger of the bad bank being nothing more than a means to shift some bad debt from one book to another.
- The price at which NARCL buys the stressed loans from the banks might prove to be challenging, even though the transaction involves the public sector as both buyer and seller.
- The government guarantee mentioned earlier may ensure an 18% minimum recovery, but it is not free. Banks will have to pay a fee to the government for it. Adjusted for this, it remains to be seen how much recovery banks can make using NARCL.
- Banks though will have the freedom to sell the security receipts. But to what extent a secondary market for such securities evolves is debatable.
- Physical assets tend to deteriorate soon. This has been a recurring problem in the IBC process, where pressing the bankruptcy solution too late has meant that there is little value left that will attract bidders. The NPAsthat the NARCL will handle are all old, legacy assets and probably there is little residual value left in them.
- It is not clear whether the bad bank has a finite end date—that is, it is a one-time solution—or whether it will continue to exist forever as another option for banks.
- Only by reforming the banking systemin India, especially the public sector banks, can the financial system be made more efficient. The underlying cause remains unaddressed by the latest reform.
- Many economists including the former RBI Governor have opposed the establishment of Bad Bank in India citing above reasons.
Way forward
- For PSBs to avoid the possibility of conflict of interest, the processes must be transparent and independent market professionalsare employed to avoid conflicts.
- It is seen that banks typically recover only 10-15 paise to a rupee against their fully provisioned bad loans, entailing substantial haircuts of 85-90 per cent. Thus, it is important that banks transfer bad loans to NARCL at realistic valuations that factor in such haircuts.
- The success of the bad loan experiment will require a talented management team of IDRCL and the incentive structure for its employees. If best talent is taken up from the market and is offered liberal incentives for recovery of loans above 18 per cent, it could generate more than what the industry is estimating now.
- While the objective of NARCL is a novel one, the success lies in its implementation and downstream reforms in banks in lending.
- The NARCL will have to deliver on the recovery front or risk being a dump yard. Dump yards do not facilitate redistribution of capital in an economy and therefore have a cost.
Value addition
About National Asset Reconstruction Company Ltd (NARCL)
- It will be a five-year guarantee for the National Asset Reconstruction Company Limited (NARCL)-issued security receipts to banks.
- Under the proposed mechanism, the NARCL will acquire assets by making an offer to the lead bank.
- Private sector asset reconstruction firms (ARCs) may also be allowed to outbid the NARCL.
- Separately, public and private lenders will combine forces to set up an India Debt Resolution Company (IDRC) that will manage these assets and try to raise their value for final resolution.
- A 15% cash payment would be made to the banks based on some valuation and the rest will be given as security receipts.
- Once the NARCL and the IDRC have finally resolved the asset, the balance 85% held as security receipts would be given to the banks.
- If the bad bank is unable to sell the bad loan, or has to sell it at a loss, then the government guarantee will be invoked and the difference between what the commercial bank was supposed to get and what the bad bank was able to raise will be paid from the Rs 6000 crore that has been provided by the government
Overview on Non-Performing Assets and need for bad bank
- Scheduled commercial banks (SCBs) were carrying NPAs worth Rs 8.96 lakh crore on their balance sheet at the end of March 2020.
- Likely resurgence in NPAs: With Covid-related stress, Indian banks are expected to see a resurgence in their non-performing loans from 8.34-lakh crore in end-FY21 to ₹10-11 lakh crore by end of this fiscal.
- Declining performance of IBC: The IBC of late is following the law of diminishing returns—after the initial success of selling a few big steel mills and other good assets, where the lenders recovered well over 50% of their dues, things have gone downhill.
- In some high-profile cases, such as Videocon, Ruchi Soya and Jet Airways, the lenders have hardly recovered 5-6% of their dues.
- Pending cases: Also, too many cases and too few NCLT judges have meant pile-ups and most resolutions taking twice the time limit originally set under the IBC.
- Problem with existing ARCs: Also, the asset construction route has also run into issues. Here too the recoveries have slowed and the ARCs are also facing capital issues.
- Their security receipts are being downgraded by rating agencies as the recovery expectations move downwards.
Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Insights on India
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the causes for landlsiles and ways to mitigate it.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by defining a Landslide.
Body:
First, write about the natural causes of Landslides – gravity, slope, slow weathering of rocks, soil erosion, earthquakes and volcanic activity etc.
Next, write about the anthropogenic causes of Landslides – deforestation, explosions and unplanned construction etc.
Next, write ways to mitigate the impact of landslides.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.
Introduction
A landslide is defined as the movement of a mass of rock, debris, or earth down a slope. Landslides are a type of “mass wasting,” which denotes any down-slope movement of soil and rock under the direct influence of gravity.
The Himalayas are highly prone to landslides during the monsoon season from June to September. The landslides usually occur in the altitudes between 500m to 3500m. Himalayan mountains are a result of complex geological, geomorphological and geohydrological factors.
Body
The causes of the landslides can be studied under the following heads.
- Natural Causes:
- Earthquakes: Himalayas are situated at the convergent plate boundary zone of two continental plates viz. Indo-Australian plate in the south and Eurasian plate in the north. Thus geologically Himalayas are highly active seismic zone and Orogenesis is still in process. The earthquakes loosen the soil, which trigger the landslides.
- Rainfall: Himalayan region receives quite heavy rainfall that leads to percolation of water in the lower layers, soil erosion, solifluction & landslides.
- Slope: The steep slopes of Himalayan Mountains are one of the major reasons of frequent landslides than any other mountain ranges in India.
- Structure: large portion of Himalayas is made up of sedimentary Rock which is more fragile.
- Anthropogenic Causes:
- Jhum Cultivation: popularly known as slash & burn type of cultivation practiced particularly in the Himalayan region.
- Deforestation & Grazing: Himalayan region is centre of huge diversity when it comes to trees & this diversity has led to indiscriminate chopping of trees. The trees help in holding the soil together, curbing the erosion and landslides to maximum extent. Increased grazing has led to wiping out of many grassland areas causing soil erosion and easy prey for landslides.
- Illegal mining & Industrial activities: The rampant commercial activities have huge impact on the sensitive zones of Himalayas. The constant blasting of rocks, increased vibrations due to drilling, boring etc. lead to loosening of rocks and soil particles in turn causing landslides when there is enough fluidity.
- Infrastructure projects: Himalayas being source of many rivers has led to construction of multipurpose dam projects like Tehri. This has affected the already fragile Himalayas. There has been increase in number of developmental projects of highways, tunnels through hills which cause stress and sheer in the surrounding regions. Example: Chenani-Nashri tunnel project.
- Unsustained Urbanization and Tourism: Increasing migration to cities has led to urban sprawl clearing the forest areas. Increased vehicular traffic, clearing of forest land to build infrastructure like roads, hotels etc. have affected the geography of the region.
- Climate change: Global warming has led to quicker melting of snow and more percolation of water within the underlying surface of hill.
The impacts of the landslides are:
- Every year, landslides in the region kill dozens of people and cause widespread damage to several villages such that they have now become almost unfit for habitation.
- They create blockades in the road network and river system, which in turn, cause floods.
- The terraced farm fields have been destroyed that cannot be easily renovated or made productive again.
- The road network remains closed for long periods causing indescribable hardship to the villagers who get their basic supplies and provisions from the neighbouring areas.
- Water sources are disrupted and choked by debris from landslides.
- The river sediment load is increased considerably, causing irregular courses and frequent breaching of the banks- resulting into unexpected floods.
- The water channels are affected from the up hillside due to which the villagers are devoid of water for irrigation purposes. This adversely affects agriculture production in the region.
The measures to control landslides are
- Structural measures:
- Stopping Jhum cultivation.
- Store Excess water in catchments areas to reduce the fury of flash floods, recharge the ground water and improve the environment. Dig runoff collection ponds in the catchments.
- Grow fuel / fodder trees in all of the common lands.
- Plantation in barren areas, especially on slopes, with grass cover is an important component of integrated watershed management programme.
- Grazing should be restricted. The grasses of industrial importance should also be planted so that there is some economic return to the farmers as well.
- Use the surface vegetative cover to protect the land from raindrop’s beating action, bind the soil particles and decrease the velocity of flowing water.
- Construction of engineering structures like buttress beams, retaining walls, geogids, nailings, anchors to stabilise the slopes.
- Non-structural measures:
- Environmental Impact Assessment of the infrastructure projects before commencing the work.
- Declaration of eco-sensitive zones where mining and other industrial activities are banned. Eco-tourism should be promoted.
- Hazard mapping of the region to identify the most vulnerable zones and take measures to safeguard it.
- Local Disaster Management force for quick relief and safety of the people affected by landslides.
- Teaching people about landslides & ways to mitigate.
- Constructing a permanent assessment team comprising scientists & geologists for better mitigation and adaptation techniques.
- Involving the local people for sustainable development of Himalayas
Conclusion
Himalayas are of vital importance to India in terms of climate, monsoon, water source and a natural barrier safeguarding the peninsula. The National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem under NAPCC is a step ahead to address a variety of issues Himalayas is facing today.
General Studies – 4
Topic: social influence and persuasion.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4.
Directive:
Debate – Weigh up to what extent something is true. Persuade the reader of your argument by citing relevant research but also remember to point out any flaws and counter- arguments as well. Conclude by stating clearly how far you agree with the original proposition.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by giving context and importance of organ donation.
Body:
Write about the various methods that can be used to persuade people to become organ donors – using logic, emotion of altruism, being a life saver and role modelling etc.
Conclusion:
Mention that with persuasion we can overcome the shortage of organ donors in the country.
Introduction
Organ donation is founded on the pillars of altruism. Despite many obstacles, the era of transplantation has begun and was everywhere hailed as an extraordinary leap in medicine and surgery. Yet, almost immediately, ethical problems are noticed lurking in the miracle.
Body
Reasons for hesitancy among people regarding organ donation
- Social values, death taboo, ignorance and procrastination are often issues that can influence the act of organ donation.
- There are lot of myths related to organ donation. Eg.: Doctors will not try to save my life if they know I want to be a donor, People can recover from brain death.
- Illusion of lingering life, protection of the individual’s value, distrust, anxiety and alienation are some other examples of attitudes towards dying and organ donation and transplantation
- Organ trafficking, where Organs are sold illegally with enormous profits, has made people lose confidence about organ donation.
- There has been a false negative perception growing against private hospitals of their nexus related to organ transplant.
- It is a common misconception that organ donation disfigures the deceased donor’s body, which prevents people from enrolling into the donation.
- There are huge scarcity of Organ Transplant and Retrieval Centres in the country.
- A majority of donors are from the lower middle class and below,while the majority of organ recipients are from the small number of persons who can afford transplant surgery and costly lifetime medication thereafter.
- Minorities refuse to donate because organ distribution discriminates by race.
Methods needed to persuade people to donate organs post death
- Awareness should be increased about the benefits of organ donations through the means of mass communication and superstitions among people should be fought by the way of religious injunctions.
- Enhanced education and better knowledge of the system correlates with increased willingness to donate, greater efforts in education among general public seems an important policy initiative.
- Public communication campaigns should include strategies to provoke interpersonal communication about brain death, organ donation, as a means of creating social representations able to promote behaviours that support organ donation and transplantation.
- A collaborative work with religious leaders regarding organ donation among religious communities and debates to ensure an active commitment with organ donation must be considered at national and local levels.
- Involvement of medical staff with specific professional training, promoting interpersonal communication among community members, campaigns aiming to create a more accurate perception of the entire medical act, the legal and ethical framework are essential elements for a good development of the whole process of organ donation and transplantation.
- Applying ethical principles, transparency, identifying and fighting the main concerns with the utmost professionalism can bring changes in the attitude towards organ donation.
Conclusion
Although organ transplantation helps human beings but there are other issues involved in it. Organ donation can help light up lives of many disadvantaged persons.
Value addition
Ethical principles involved in organ donation:
- Medical integrity: Patients and the public must be able to trust their doctors not to sacrifice the interest of one to that of another, from whatever
- Scientific validity: the basic biology and technology must be sufficiently assured to offer a probability of beneficial outcome, case by case.
- The ethical basis of donation is in consent, based upon information adequately presented, weighed and understood, and unbought, unforced. The adjective ‘informed’ is often used with ‘consent’ but the term is differently interpreted.
- State governments, which have responsibility for health care provision, are expected to ensure that the organs that are altruistically donated by families of brain-dead people are given to recipients ethically, and as mandated by law.
- Priority for citizens enrolled in the State and national waiting lists over foreign nationals is laid down in the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Rules.
- There should be no invasion of a healthy body to obtain an organ for another, this goes against the bodily integrity of a human.
Topic: Case Study
Evaluate all of them and suggest the best course of action, giving your reasons for it. (250 Words)
Difficulty level: Moderate
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4 and part of ‘Case Study Fridays’ in Mission-2022 Secure.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start with giving the facts of the case and the hindrances to honest behaviour.
Body:
One by one evaluate the different options in front of that are provided. Using logic and various ethical theories to analyse their pros and cons of each option.
Next, write the course of action which you will take in the above situations. Analyse the pros and cons of that action. If there are any cons, write about how you will overcome/deal with those. Cite reasons for taking such path.
Conclusion:
Conclude by summarising the writing about cost one has to pay for being honest.
Introduction
The case involves various ethical issues like rogue behaviour of employees and openly defying the authority. There is also gross injustice to the authority premised on false allegations, which can seriously damage the reputation and career of the officer. It is classic case where, good work is disincentivised by fabricated allegations that are grave.
Body
- Option #1: Give your explanation to the Commission and go soft on the disciplinary action
Merits: My explanation will be given and it may clear the doubts in this regard. Since I go soft on disciplinary action, the allegation may be taken back. It’ll reinstate my reputation. It will also show that there is transparency in handling such cases.
Demerits: Going soft on disciplinary action will mean the employees have a leverage over me and they can dominate me to do anything. It will lead to more inefficiencies amongst them and this is a win for injustice. It will only promote and encourage more inefficiency and wrongful means to defy authority in future. Giving in to wrong means used by the section of employees to thwart the enquiry.
- Ignore the commission and proceed firmly with the disciplinary action
Merits: Doing the duty to maintain departmental efficiency by continuing with the departmental enquiry. I will not give in to wrong means used by the employees. It will show them that nothing can make me afraid or stop me from taking right action. It will become an example for other employees to not do such immoral actions.
Demerits: Not replying would reinforce the allegation. Reputation is harmed and may not be reinstated. May lead to some action upon myself if I don’t explain myself. Transparency and accountability is lost. It shows insensitivity towards issues pertaining to women.
- Brief your higher-ups, seek directions from them and act accordingly
Merits: Ensuring effective communication with seniors- honouring lines of authority; will help seek their guidance and experience in such matters; taking the seniors into confidence on the matter could prevent/reduce personal harm later.
Demerits: Shows less initiative from my side, especially towards the allegation. Higher ups may not want to get involved when harassment case is there.
Course of action
One is to gather evidence and prove myself innocent and follow the guidelines in such cases. Second is to reply to the commission regarding the veracity of claims and come clean. Next, I would not go soft on employees and further continue with the disciplinary action. Further, I would seek help of higher-ups and their guidance in this regard. I will keep them in loop regarding every step and also do as directed.
This will lead to better efficiency at work by other employees and set a future precedent for others who try to cause disruption at work. I can also take seniors into confidence and find employees who can vouch for my integrity. It is the most holistic solution with less demerits.
Conclusion
Truth will always prevail and triumph if one is always in pursuit of it. We cannot leave our moral ground even if immoral means are used against us. We can take refuge under truth as Gandhiji said, because it alone will lead to justice and fairness.
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