[Mission 2022] SECURE SYNOPSIS: 01 April 2022 – INSIGHTSIAS

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General Studies – 1

Topic: The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.

 

1. The revolutionary nationalist movement evolved under Bhagat Singh as the emphasis shifted away from militancy and heroic action to creation of a mass-based struggle. Elaborate. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Tough

Reference: IndianExpress 

Why the question: With Delhi government allocating Rs 10 crore budget to activities relating to Bhagat Singh in a year, Bhagat Singh Archives and Resource Centre hopes to get some regular funding and minimum regular staff, to continue and expand its scope and activities.

Key Demand of the question: To write about how the scope and nature of revolution evolved under Bhagat Singh and his comrades.

Directive word: 

Elaborate – Give 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 a brief about the ideology of Bhagat Singh and his associates.

Body:

Mention how their ideology evolved. From the belief in violence and heroic action towards national liberation and then the building of a new socialist society.

Mention the features of the new revolution they believed in. Preventing exploitation of all forms, Freedom, justice, ending communalism, scientific temper etc.

Conclusion:

Write about how these were ideals were incorporated in our constitution.

 

Introduction

Bhagat Singh, an iconic revolutionary, thinker, voracious reader and one of the well-read of political leaders at that time, was a giant of an intellectual. He pursued his passion for reading and writing relentlessly, despite fighting violently against Britishers. He studied to arm himself with arguments in favour of his cult of patriotism and enabled himself to face the arguments advanced by opposition.

Body:

A new idea and interpretation of revolution:

  • Revolution was no longer equated with militancy and violence.
  • Its objective was to be national liberation—imperialism was to be overthrown but beyond that a new socialist order was to be achieved, ending “exploitation of man by man”.
  • As Bhagat Singh said in the court, “Revolution does not necessarily involve sanguinary strife, nor is there a place in it for personal vendetta. It is not the cult of bomb and pistol. By revolution we mean the present order of things, which is based on manifest injustice, must change.”
  • Bhagat fully accepted Marxism and the class approach to society—”Peasants have to free themselves not only from the foreign yoke, but also from the yoke of landlords and capitalists.”
  • He also said, “The struggle in India will continue, so long as a handful of exploiters continue to exploit labour of common people to further their own interests.
  • It matters little whether these exploiters are British capitalists, British and Indian capitalists in alliance, or even purely Indians.”
  • He defined socialism scientifically as abolition of capitalism and class domination.
  • Bhagat was fully and consciously secular—two of the six rules drafted by Bhagat for the Punjab Naujawan Bharat Sabha were that its members would have nothing to do with communal bodies and that they would propagate a general feeling of tolerance among people, considering religion to be a matter of personal belief.
  • Bhagat Singh also saw the importance of freeing people from the mental bondage of religion and superstition—”to be a revolutionary, one required immense moral strength, but one also required criticism and independent thinking”

Conclusion:

Bhagat Singh and his comrades  made an abiding contribution to the national freedom movement. Their deep patriotism, courage and determination, and sense of sacrifice stirred the Indian people. They helped spread nationalist consciousness in the land.

Value addition:

Vision of Bhagat Singh:

At tender age he realised the larger goals of life rather than being circumscribed to accomplishing personal goals. He transformed the revolution ‘terrorism’ movement to a socialist one. He was a great innovator in two areas of politics

  • Raised the serious issues and threats of communalism
  • Raised the conscience of people in freeing them from mental bondage of religion and superstition.

Revolutionary ideology and goals of revolution:

  • A real breakthrough was made by Bhagat Singh and his comrades in terms of revolutionary ideology, forms of revolutionary struggle and the goals of revolution.
  • The Hindustan republican association’s (HRA) Manifesto (1925) declared that the it stood for abolition of all systems which made exploitation of man by man possible. Its founding council had decided to preach social revolutionary and communistic principles.
  • The HRA had also decided to start labour and peasant organizations and to work for an organized and armed revolution.
  • Emphasizing the role of ideas in the making of  revolution, Bhagat Singh declared that the sword of revolution is sharpened on the whetting-stone of ideas. This atmosphere of wide reading and deep thinking pervaded the ranks of the HSRA leadership. 
  • Punjab Naujawan Bharat Sabha:
    • Singh had turned to Marxism and had come to believe that popular broad-based mass movements alone could lead to a successful revolution.
    • That is why Bhagat Singh helped  establish the Punjab Naujawan Bharat Sabha in 1926 as the open wing of the revolutionaries. 
    • The Sabha was to carry out open political work among the youth, peasants and workers. 
  • Bhagat Singh and Sukhdev also organized the Lahore Students Union for open, legal work  among the students. 
  • Patient intellectual and political work appealed to be too slow and too akin to the Congress style of politics which the revolutionaries wanted to transcend. 
  • Effective acquisition of new ideology is a prolonged and historical process whereas the need of the time was a quick change in the way of thinking.
  • These young intellectuals faced the classic dilemma of how to mobilise people and recruit them. Here, they decided to opt for propaganda by deed, i.e., through individual heroic action and by using courts as a forum for revolutionary propaganda.

Bhagat Singh: a hero of the masses:

  • He was revered by the youth, loathed by British Raj and opposed by none other than Mahatma Gandhi, like other revolutionaries he dreamt of freedom for motherland.
  • As much as he was involved in violence against the government, he exercised his conscience and used non-violence and fasting as a tool to break the hegemony of British power.
  • He always vouched for human dignity and rights beyond sectarian divide.

 

 

General Studies – 2

Topic: India and its neighborhood- relations.

2. India-Nepal relations are in need of a rebalancing. This can be achieved by India emphasising on Neighbourhood First Policy and Nepal reciprocating India’s efforts. Analyse. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Easy

Reference: the Hindu

 

Why the question: The visit of Nepal’s Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba to India, beginning April 1 — four years after a Nepali leader visited New Delhi — is significant. It is the first bilateral visit abroad for Mr. Deuba who leads an election government

Key Demand of the question: To bring out the changing landscape of Indo-Nepal relation in light of recent developments between the two countries and need for rebalancing,

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: 

In brief, give a historical perspective of Indo-Nepal relations.

Body:

Present a timeline that depicts major events between India and Nepal and highlights the controversies around their relations. Elaborate upon the recent boundary issue as well he internal strife being witnessed in Nepal.

Discuss the underlying factors responsible for unchanging perspectives for each other. Bring out their impacts on the relations of the both countries. Discuss ties at different levels between the two – people to people ties, government to government ties, the China factor etc.

Bring out the present picture of the Indo-Nepal ties.

Conclusion:

Mention a way forward to recalibrate the ties and ensure mutual prosperity between the two countries.

 

Introduction

Nepal is an important neighbour of India and occupies special significance in its foreign policy because of the geographic, historical, cultural and economic linkages/ties that span centuries. India and Nepal share similar ties in terms of Hinduism and Buddhism with Buddha’s birthplace Lumbini located in present day Nepal. Over the past few years, we have been witness to the deteriorating India-Nepal relations. Reserves of goodwill which India had accumulated is fast depleting in Nepal.

 

The visit of Nepal’s Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba to India, beginning April 1 — four years after a Nepali leader visited New Delhi — is significant. It is the first bilateral visit abroad for Mr. Deuba who leads an election government

 

Body

Need of a rebalancing India Nepal ties

  • Nepal shares borders with 5 Indian states- Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Sikkim and Bihar and with free movement of people and thereby acting as an important point of cultural and economic exchange in India-Nepal relations.
  • Nepal unveiled a new political map that claimed strategically important land Kalapani, Limpiyadhura and Lipulekh of Uttarakhand as part of its sovereign territory.
  • The misunderstanding created during the constitution framing / Madhesi agitation changed the entire gamut of relations between India and Nepal.
  • Internal Security is a major concern for India; Indo-Nepal border is virtually open and lightly policed which is exploited by terrorist outfits and insurgent groups from North Eastern part of India eg. supply of trained cadres, fake Indian currency.
  • Nepal over the years has witnessed chronic political instability, including a 10-year violent insurgency, damaging Nepal’s development and economy.
  • There is anti-India feeling among certain ethnic groups in Nepal which emanates from the perception that India indulges too much in Nepal and tinkers with their political sovereignty.
  • The establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and China and its growing influence in Nepal has resulted in declining traditional leverage of India in Nepal.
  • Overtime trust deficit has widened between India-Nepal because of the Indian reputation for delaying implementation of various projects.
  • The Mahakali agreement has remained in limbo for over two decades. In 2008, the collapse of Koshi’s embankment unleashed massive flooding, highlighting India’s failure to take precautionary measures and its refusal to take responsibility.

Prospects of India-Nepal Relations:

  • Trade and economy:
    • India is Nepal’s largest trade partner and the largest source of foreign investments, besides providing transit for almost the entire third country trade of Nepal.
    • Indian firms engage in manufacturing, services (banking, insurance, dry port), power sector and tourism industries etc.
  • Connectivity:
    • Nepal being a landlocked country, it is surrounded by India from three sides and one side is open towards Tibet which has very limited vehicular access.
    • India-Nepal has undertaken various connectivity programs to enhance people-to-people linkages and promote economic growth and development.
    • MOUs have been signed between both the governments for laying electric rail track linking Kathmandu with Raxaul in India.
    • India is looking to develop the inland waterways for the movement of cargo, within the framework of trade and transit arrangements, providing additional access to sea for Nepal calling it linking Sagarmath (Mt. Everest) with Sagar (Indian Ocean).
  • Development Assistance:
    • Government of India provides development assistance to Nepal, focusing on creation of infrastructure at the grass-root level.
    • The areas assistance include infrastructure, health, water resources, and education and rural & community development.
  • Defence Cooperation:
    • Bilateral defence cooperation includes assistance to Nepalese Army in its modernization through provision of equipment and training.
    • The Gorkha Regiments of the Indian Army are raised partly by recruitment from hill districts of Nepal.
    • India from 2011, every year undertakes joint military exercise with Nepal known as Surya Kiran.
  • Cultural:
    • There have been initiatives to promote people-to-people contacts in the area of art & culture, academics and media with different local bodies of Nepal.
    • India has signed three sister-city agreements for twinning of Kathmandu-Varanasi, Lumbini-Bodhgaya and Janakpur-Ayodhya.
  • Humanitarian Assistance:
    • Nepal lies in sensitive ecological fragile zone which is prone to earthquakes, floods causing massive damage to both life and money, whereby it remains the biggest recipient of India’s humanitarian assistance.
  • Indian Community:
    • Huge number of Indians lives in Nepal, these include businessmen, traders, doctors, engineers and labourers (including seasonal/migratory in the construction sector).
  • Multilateral Partnership:
    • India and Nepal shares multiple multilateral forums such as BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal), BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) NAM, and SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) etc.

Way forward

  • On border issue:
    • The two countries have managed to settle about 98% of the common border.
    • More than 8,500 boundary pillars have been installed reflecting the agreed alignment.
    • As both countries are laying claim to the same piece of land, the time has come for both countries to sit for talks to solve this issue.
  • Completion of the ongoing process of updating the 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship:
    • India must recognise that as in all other developing economies, Nepal’s aspirational young population is also looking beyond the open Indian border for opportunities, and its desire to turn his “land-locked” country into a “land-linked” country with a merchant navy must be considered positively.
  • People-to-people inter-dependence must lead the relationship along with civil society and business-commercial level interactions.
  • India’s major foray should be in innovation and technology transfer, multidisciplinary dialogues, educational and technical institutions, local and global migration management and skills and capacity-building.
  • India needs to finish the infrastructure projects on time for instance Pancheswar project has been pending for over 20 years now.
  • Nepal could be the fountainhead of climate change knowledge and connect to India’s larger dynamics of the management of the ecology of hills and mountains.
  • Effective delivery on the pending projects, the remaining ICPs, the five railway connections, postal road network in the Terai and the petroleum pipeline so that connectivity is enhanced and the idea of ‘inclusive development and prosperity’ assumes reality.
  • Negotiate diplomatically to resolve the boundary dispute with Nepal under the aegis of International law on Trans-Boundary Water Disputes.In this case, boundary dispute resolution between India and Bangladesh should serve as a model for this.
  • India should maintain a policy of keeping away from the internal affairs of Nepal, while at the same time, in the spirit of friendship, India should guide the nation towards a more inclusive democracy.
  • With its immense strategic relevance in the Indian context as Indian security concern, stable and secure Nepal is one requisite which India can’t afford to overlook.
  • India needs to formulate a comprehensive and long-term Nepal policy.
  • India should stop looking at Nepal purely through a security prism, and at bilateral relations only as transactional and part of a zero-sum game with China.
  • Focus on working towards multifaceted relationshipsto the advantage of both nations.

 

General Studies – 3

Topic: Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing.

3. Redesigning the PDS supply chain is essential for successful and seamless delivery of food in order to overcome hunger and malnutrition. Examine. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: InstaPedia 

 

Why the question: 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 PDS reforms that are needed.

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 of PDS and its role in delivery of food grains.

Body:

In the first part, mention the various bottlenecks, limitations and the shortcomings with respect to PDS in India. Cite statistics and reports to substantiate your points.

Next, write about the steps that are required to ensure a seamless supply chain to overcome hunger and malnutrition.

Conclusion:

Conclude with a way forward.

Introduction

The Public Distribution System (PDS) is an Indian food security system which evolved as a system for distribution of food grains at affordable prices and management of emergency situations. It distributes subsidized food and non-food items to India’s poor. This scheme was launched in June 1947. It functions through a network of Fair Price Shops at a subsidized price on a recurring basis.

Body

Importance of PDS

  • Food grains to the poor, at prices lower than the price of food grains at private shops.
  • Food grains are directly purchased from farmers, assuring farmers with a greater price.
  • Make goods available to consumers, especially the disadvantaged /vulnerable sections of society at fair prices.
  • Rectify the existing imbalances between the supply and demand for consumer goods. Check and prevent hoarding and black marketing in essential commodities.
  • Ensure social justice in distribution of basic necessities of life.
  • Even out fluctuations in prices and availability of mass consumption goods.
  • Support poverty-alleviation programmes, particularly, rural employment programmes, (SGRY/SGSY/IRDP/ Mid-day meals, ICDS, DWCRA, SHGs and Food for Work and educational feeding programmes.

Challenges faced by PDS

Procurement:

  • Open-ended Procurement: All incoming grains accepted even if buffer stock is filled creating a shortage in the open market.
  • The recent implementation of Nation food security act would only increase the quantum of procurement resulting in higher prices for grains.
  • The gap between required and existing storage capacity.
  • The provision of minimum support price has encouraged farmers to divert land from production of coarse grains that are consumed by poor, to rice and wheat.

Storage:

  • Inadequate storage capacity with FCI.
  • Food grains rotting or damaging on the CAP or Cover & Plinth storage.
  • The storage of food grains inculcates high carrying costs on the government.

Allocation of food grains:

  • Identification of poor by the states is not fool proof. A large number of poor and needy persons are left out and a lot of fake cards are also issued.
  • Illicit Fair Price shops: The shop owners have created a large number of bogus cards or ghost cards (cards for non-existent people) to sell food grains in the open market.

Transportation:

  • Leakage and diversion of food grains during transportation.
  • Uneven distribution of Food generations, procurement and distribution. For example: north eastern states are very far from Punjab and Haryana, from where wheat is procured. To transport food grains from Punjab to far flung areas in North east will entail cost and time both.

Other issues:

  • Many times, good quality food grains are replaced with poor quality cheap food grains.
  • Public distribution system includes only few food grains such as wheat and rice, it does not fulfil the requirement of complete nutrition.
  • Fair Price Shop owner gets fake Ration cards and sell the food grains in the open market.

PDS Reforms undertaken by Government

  • Aadhaar Linked and digitized ration cards: This allows online entry and verification of beneficiary data. It also enables online tracking of monthly entitlements and off-take of food grains by beneficiaries.
  • Computerized Fair Price Shops: FPS automated by installing ‘Point of Sale’ device to swap the ration card. It authenticates the beneficiaries and records the quantity of subsidized grains given to a family.
  • DBT: Under the Direct Benefit Transfer scheme, cash is transferred to the beneficiaries’ account in lieu of food grains subsidy component. They will be free to buy food grains from anywhere in the market. For taking up this model, pre-requisites for the States/UTs would be to complete digitization of beneficiary data and seed Aadhaar and bank account details of beneficiaries. It is estimated that cash transfers alone could save the exchequer Rs. 30,000 crores every year.
  • Use of GPS technology: Use of Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to track the movement of trucks carrying food grains from state depots to FPS which can help to prevent diversion.
  • SMS-based monitoring: Allows monitoring by citizens so they can register their mobile numbers and send/receive SMS alerts during dispatch and arrival of TPDS commodities
  • Use of web-based citizens’ portal: Public Grievance Redressal Machineries, such as a toll-free number for call centres to register complaints or suggestions.

Way forward

  • Primacy should be given to ensuring that the functioning of FCI is streamlined and fast paced as per recommendations of the Shanta Kumar Committee.
  • 100 lakh ton silo storage capacity must be created in the country. For this, RITES has been assigned the task of changing the silo model and they will give their recommendations in 90 days to FCI.
  • At present, there are 3 types of labourers in FCI namely Departmental, Daily Payment System (DPS) and No work no pay workers along with contractual labour. Government of India is deliberating to finish the 3 different arrangements and bring all workers of FCI under a single, uniform system which will bring stability of tenure and secured wages for all.
  • To improve the usage of Information Technology in FCI, a Human Resource Management System (HRMS) must be implemented.

Conclusion

PDS has helped bring about the socio-economic justice by helping alleviate hunger, malnutrition, anaemia among poorest of the poor, BPL citizens, women and children. The use of ICT to reduce the touch-points will further increase the efficiency of PDS.

 

 

Topic: Major crops-cropping patterns in various parts of the country, – different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints.

4. National Mission on Edible Oils and Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) may achieve the much-desired self-reliance in palm oil but it has many underlying political, socio-economic and ecological concerns. Critically Analyse. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

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 drawbacks of the National Mission on Edible Oils and Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) with respect to overzealous push on cultivation of oil palm.

Directive word: 

Critically 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. 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: 

Write about National Mission on Edible Oils and Oil Palm (NMEO-OP), its aims and objectives.

Body:

Mention the recent push by the government towards cultivation of palm in India. The areas chosen for its cultivation.

Next, mention benefits India will accrue from achieving self-reliance in palm oil.

Write about potential pitfalls and negative outcome of this mission with respect to Oil palm. Deforestation, damaging effects on the environment and human rights violation etc.

Conclusion:

Conclude with a way forward.

 

Introduction

India needs 25 million tonnes of edible oils to meet its requirement at current consumption level of 19 kg per person per year. India is dependent on imported edible oils, with nearly 15 million tonnes (MT) of edible oils getting imported to meet the country’s annual requirement of about 22 mt. Of the total 15 MT of import, about 9 MT (or nearly 60 per cent) is palm oil and its derivatives.

Aimed at making India self-sufficient in edible oils, National Mission on Edible Oils and Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) involves an investment of over ₹11,000 crore towards palm oil development.

Body

NMEO – OP will help achieve the much-desired self-reliance in palm oil:

  • NMEO covering three Sub-Missions to increase production of oilseeds and edible oils from
    • Primary Sources (Annual Crops, Plantation Crops and Edible TBOs),
    • Secondary Sources (Rice bran oil and Cotton seed oil) and
    • Consumer Awareness for maintaining edible oil consumption constant at 00 kg per person per annum.
  • The proposed mission will aim to increase production from 30.88 to 47.80 million tonnes of oilseeds which will produce 7.00 to 11.00 million tonnes of edible oils from Primary Sources by 2024-25.
  • Similarly edible oils from secondary sources will be doubled from 3.50 to 7.00 million tonnes.
  • As per the roadmap, the government will work towards shooting up the cultivation of oil palm to 10 lakh hectares and 16.7 lakh hectares by 2025-26 and 2029-30 respectively.
  • It is expected to incentivise production of palm oil to reduce dependence on imports and help farmers cash in on the huge market.
  • The special emphasis of the scheme will be in India’s north-eastern states and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands due to the conducive weather conditions in the regions.
  • Under the scheme, oil palm farmers will be provided financial assistance and will get remuneration under a price and viability formula.
  • Along with promoting the cultivation of oil palm, this mission will also expand the cultivation of our other traditional oilseed crops.
  • The following action points will be initiated for increasing production and productivity of oilseeds and promotion of Secondary Sources of Edible oils:
    • Increasing seed replacement rate and varietal replacement rate
    • Promotion of oilseed in rice fallow/ potato areas
    • Promotion of oilseeds through intercropping
    • Extending oilseed cultivation in non-traditional area
    • Targeting 100 low productivity districts
    • Crop diversification in different regions
    • Promotion of community-based oil extraction unit
    • Value addition and promotion of export
    • Promotion of rice bran and cotton seed oil
    • Consumer awareness for judicious consumption of oils for good health

Concerns which NMEO-OP poses:

Environmental Consequences:

  • Studies on agrarian change in Southeast Asia have shown that increasing oil palm plantations is a major reason for the region’s declining biodiversity. Indonesia has seen a loss of 1,15,495 hectares of forest cover in 2020, mainly to oil palm plantation.
  • From 2002-18, Indonesia lost 91,54,000 hectares of its primary forest cover.
  • Along with adversely impacting the country’s biodiversity, it has led to increasing water pollution.
  • The decreasing forest cover has significant implications with respect to increasing carbon emission levels and contributing to climate change.
  • The Northeast is recognised as the home of around 850 bird species.
  • The region is home to citrus fruits, it is rich in medicinal plants and harbours rare plants and herbs.
  • Above all, it has 51 types of forests. Studies conducted by the government have also highlighted the Northeast’s rich biodiversity.
  • The palm oil policy could destroy this richness of the region.
  • The policy also contradicts the government’s commitments under the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture: “Making agriculture more productive, sustainable, remunerative and climate resilient by promoting location specific integrated/composite farming systems.” The palm oil mission, instead, aims at achieving complete transformation of the farming system of Northeast India.

Political Consequences:

  • Palm oil plantations have stoked conflict between government policies and customary land rights.
  • Such rights are major livelihood sources for forest-dependent communities.
  • Legislation allowing the clearing of tree cover and cutting forests for growing palm trees has led to increasing land-related tussles between government officials, locals and agro-business groups in Malaysia and Indonesia.
  • The North-eastern states of India are politically sensitive areas, and the oil palm initiative could breed tension there.

Socio-Economic Consequences:

  • Such initiatives are also against the notion of community self-reliance: The initial state support for such a crop results in a major and quick shift in the existing cropping pattern that are not always in sync with the agro-ecological conditions and food requirements of the region.
  • Studies have shown that in case of variations in global palm oil prices, households dependent on palm oil cultivation become vulnerable – they manage to sustain themselves with help of proactive state intervention.
  • A sizable number of small landholders continues to depend upon other sources of income.
  • In other words, such an agricultural shift is not self-sustaining and makes local communities vulnerable and exposes them to external factors.

Way forward:

  • Farm-level measures
    • Irrigation increases the yield. Example: groundnut oil production swings up and down on a wide basis with just 20-25 per cent of the crop under irrigation. Soybean oil, production of which nearly doubled between 2003-04 and 2013-14, has been able to contribute what it did with just less than 1% of the crop under irrigation cover (in contrast, rapeseed-mustard crops have 70-75 per cent irrigation cover).
    • Targeted focus based on the agro-climatic conditions and incentivisation of farmers to cultivate the suitable crop of region. Example: oil palm cultivation where India imports the maximum from South-east Asian countries.
    • Large scale adoption of agro-ecological methods like System of Crop Intensification, Relay Cropping is needed. This will not only increase productivity but also reduce use of water resources, and reduce cost of cultivation for farmers.
  • Institution-level measures
    • Better extension systems with downward accountability with the last mile extension gaps plugged as is happening with many agro-ecology centred programmes, productivity can be improved. The practising farmers become Community Level Resource Persons (CRPs).
    • Community level planning processes and institutional frameworks have enabled better utilisation of scarce resources like groundwater for emergency irrigation for groundnut cultivation in states like Andhra Pradesh. These need to be replicated on a large scale.
  • Policy-level measures
    • Higher import duties for imported oil, Remunerative prices, Assured procurement, Domestic pricing will enthuse farmers by increasing their net returns.
    • Policies and missions like NMOOP, ISOPOM to incentivise the very cultivation of oilseeds on a per hectare basis.
    • Provide incentives to private sector participation in processing and value addition in oilseed crops. Also, constraints for low-capacity utilization should be addressed.
  • Research and Development
    • There is a need to enlarge the scope of research, technology diffusion and institutional intervention to re-energize the oil sector.
    • This would include increase public research spending in oilseed crops for development of biotic and abiotic stress tolerant varieties.

Conclusion

India must become self-sufficient in edible oil production and this must become a part of India’s Aatmanirbharta. Certain WTO compliant incentives must be given to farmers in increasing the growth of oilseed production in the country to ensure domestic cultivation.

Value addition:

National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO – OP): 

To increase domestic availability and reduce import dependency, a National Mission on Edible Oils (NMEO) is proposed for next five years (2020-21 to 2024-25).

Aims and Objectives of the scheme:

  • Achieve self-reliance in edible oil.
  • Harness domestic edible oil prices that are dictated by expensive palm oil imports.
  • To raise the domestic production of palm oil by three times to 11 lakh MT by 2025-26.

 

  

Topic: Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, Nano-technology, biotechnology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.

 

5. Compare and contrast genome editing with genetic modification. What are the potential applications of genome editing technology? (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Indian Express

 

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 understand the differences between Genetic editing and modification and the applications of genome editing.

Directive word: 

Compare and contrast – provide for a detailed comparison of the two types, their features that are similar as well as different. One must provide for detailed assessment of the two.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Begin by defining Genetic modification (GM) and Gene Editing and highlight the difference between the two.

Body:

First, mention about the various benefits such as drought/salinity resistant, pest resistant, higher yield, better nutrition etc with few examples. Next, mention about the anticipated threats such as expected or harmful genetic changes, inadvertent transfer of genes from one GM plant or animal to another plant or animal etc.

Next, write about the applications of genome editing.

Conclusion:

Conclude by stating that in the context of present Food Security needs, more research and regulations are to be brought out in order to roll out safe GM crops.

 

Introduction

Genetically engineered and genetically modified are often used interchangeably when referring to varieties of crops developed by means other than traditional breeding. Genetic modification refers to a range of methods (such as selection, hybridization, and induced mutation) used to alter the genetic composition of domesticated plants and animals to achieve a desired result. Genetic engineering is one type of genetic modification that involves the intentional introduction of a targeted change in a plant, animal, or microbial gene sequence to achieve a specific result.

Body

 

Difference between Gene Editing and Genetic Modification

  • To create genetically modified crops and animals, scientists will typically remove the preferred gene from one organism and randomly introduce it into another organism.
  • A well-known genetically modified type of crop is Bt corn and cotton, where a bacterial gene was introduced that produces insecticidal toxins into the part of the plant where the insect eats, causing death to the insect.
  • Genome editing (also called gene editing) is a group of technologies that give scientists the ability to change an organism’s DNA. These technologies allow genetic material to be added, removed, or altered at particular locations in the genome.
  • CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat) is a common method, or tool, of gene editing. The science behind CRISPR is detailed and complex, but it is a naturally occurring enzyme in bacteria that allows scientists to edit DNA with precision.
  • Gene editing helps create resilient, high-yield rice without foreign DNA
  • There are many pros to gene editing. It’s editing is less expensive, easier to use, and more accurate than genetic modification.
  • This is creating opportunities by allowing the technology to expand to new startup biotechnology companies and academic scientists, outside of the traditional multinational corporations that dominate the genetically modified crops.

Potential applications of gene-editing technology

  • Human genome editing can be used to treat many human diseases & genetic disorders like HIV/AIDS, haemophilia etc.
  • It could substantially bolster disease resistance in humans & increase life span.
  • It could form the basis of highly efficient & cost-effective next generation antibiotics (based on bacteriophage viruses).
  • Gene editing can be used to protect endangered species or bring to life extinct species. It can be used to grow healthier food (via fortification) and increasing harvest.
  • It has the potential to slow down the spread of diseases by eliminating its means of transmission. E.g. Gene editing can be used to introduce sterile mosquitoes into the environment.

Conclusion

Bioethicists & researchers believe that human genome editing for reproductive purposes should not be attempted at this time until more safety and effectiveness research can be done, risks & benefits weighed, and a social consensus reached. All clinical trials proceeding in human germline editing should be permitted only when there are no reasonable alternative forms of disease prevention.

 

 

Topic: Disaster and disaster management

6. There has been an increase in forest fires events across India. Examine the causes and suggest measures required for forest fire mitigation. (250 words)

 

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: DownToEarth

 

Why the question: A fire has engulfed a vast expanse of forest area in West Bengal’s Purulia district since March 24, 2022, according to officials of the forest department. The laze has spread rapidly in the forested areas of Joychandi, Garpanchakot, Bandoan, Baranti and Ayodhya hills, they added. Some of these areas are in the reserved forest category.

Key Demand of the question: The article explains why forest fires break out and why they have been so frequent.

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 with some data relevant to forest fires in India.

Body:

Draw a small illustrative diagram showing major forest fire prone areas.

Discuss first the reasons of forest fires; Thunderstorms are the most likely natural cause for forest fires. Slash and burn techniques etc. The reasons are mainly manmade, particularly in cases where people visit forests and leave burning bidis, cigarette stubs or other inflammable materials.

Next, explain the concerns posed by it. Explain why they are difficult to control.

Next, discuss the efforts being taken in this direction.

Conclusion:

Conclude with way forward.

 

Introduction

Forest fires are considered as one of the most widespread hazards in a forested landscape. They have a serious threat to forest and its flora and fauna. Forest fires essentially are ‘quasi-natural’, which means that they are not entirely caused by natural reasons (like volcanoes, earthquakes and tropical storms), but are caused by human activities as well. In India’s case, a combination of hot weather, oxygen and dry vegetation is a potent recipe for forest fires.

A fire has engulfed a vast expanse of forest area in West Bengal’s Purulia district recently, according to officials of the forest department. The laze has spread rapidly in the forested areas of Joychandi, Garpanchakot, Bandoan, Baranti and Ayodhya hills. Some of these areas are in the reserved forest category.

Body

 

Forest fires: A regular phenomenon in India

  • Every year large areas of forests are affected by fires of varying intensity and extent.
  • Since the start of 2021, there has been a series of forest fires in Himachal Pradesh, Nagaland-Manipur border, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat, including in wildlife sanctuaries.
  • At least 5,291 forest fires were recorded in Odisha between February 22 and March 1, 2021 — the highest in the country for the same period, according to FSI biennial report.
  • Telangana recorded the second-highest fires in the country at 1,527 during the same period, followed by Madhya Pradesh (1,507) and Andhra Pradesh (1,292), according to FSI data.
  • Around 95 percent of the forest fires in India are on account of human activity.
  • Around 21 percent of the total forest cover is highly to extremely fire prone, adds the latest forest survey.
  • Based on the forest inventory records, 40% of forests in India are exposed to occasional fires, 7.49% to moderately frequent fires and 2.405 to high incidence levels while 35.71% of India’s forestshave not yet been exposed to fires of any real significance.

Reasons for Increasing frequency of forest fires

  • Forest fires can be caused by a number of natural causes, but officials say many major fires in India are triggered mainly by human activities.
  • Emerging studies link climate change to rising instances of fires globally, especially the massive fires of the Amazon forests in Brazil and in Australia in the last two years.
  • Fires of longer duration, increasing intensity, higher frequency and highly inflammable nature are all being linked to climate change.
  • In India, forest fires are most commonly reported during March and April, when the ground has large quantities of dry wood, logs, dead leaves, stumps, dry grass and weeds that can make forests easily go up in flames if there is a trigger.
  • Under natural circumstances, extreme heat and dryness, friction created by rubbing of branches with each other also have been known to initiate fire.
  • In Uttarakhand, the lack of soil moisture too is being seen as a key factor.
  • In two consecutive monsoon seasons (2019 and 2020), rainfall has been deficient by 18% and 20% of the seasonal average, respectively.

Measures to control forest fires

  • Forest fire line:Successive Five-Year Plans have provided funds for forests fighting. During the British period, fire was prevented in the summer through removal of forest litter all along the forest boundary. This was called “Forest Fire Line”.
    • This line used to prevent fire breaking into the forest from one compartment to another.
    • The collected litter was burnt in isolation.
  • Firebreaks: Generally, the fire spreads only if there is continuous supply of fuel (Dry vegetation) along its path. The best way to control a forest fire is therefore, to prevent it from spreading, which can be done by creating firebreaksin the shape of small clearings of ditches in the forests.
  • Forest Survey of India monitors forest fire events through satellites on two platforms– MODIS and SNPP-VIIRS, both in collaboration with the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).
    • While the SNPP-VIIRS identifies, alerts and tracks fire incidents on real time data at 375X375 sq meter pixel, the older version MODIS detects it in the range of 1kmX1km.
    • Forest fire suppression relies very heavily on “dry” firefighting techniques because of poor water availability.
  • Integrated forest protection: The main objective is to control forest fires and strengthen the forest protection. The works like Fireline clearing,assistance to Joint Forest Management committees, creating water bodies, purchase of vehicles and communication equipment, purchase of firefighting tools, etc., needs to be undertaken.
  • Prevention of human-caused firesthrough education and environmental modification. It will include silvicultural activities, engineering works, people participation, and education and enforcement. It is proposed that more emphasis be given to people participation through Joint Forest Fire Management for fire prevention.
  • Prompt detectionof fires through a well-coordinated network of observation points, efficient ground patrolling, and communication networks. Remote sensing technology is to be given due importance in fire detection. For successful fire management and administration, a National Fire Danger Rating System (NFDRS) and Fire Forecasting System are to be developed in the country.
  • Introducing a forest fuel modification system at strategic points.
  • National Action Plan on Forest Fires (NAPFF): It was launched in 2018 to minimize forest fires by informing, enabling and empowering forest fringe communities and incentivizing them to work with the State Forest Departments.

Conclusion

It is important to prevent the lungs of the nation from ravages of fire. With climate change and global warming on the rise, India must prevent human-made disaster to ensure our carbon sinks are protected.

 

General Studies – 4

Topic: Case Study.

7. 

You are the Excise Commissioner of state with a high rate of narcotic abuse and you under take a potentially sweeping drug investigation with inter-State and international ramifications. You appoint a well-equipped special squad for the same.

The drug case has its provenance in intelligence generated jointly by the State Excise Enforcement Squad (SEES) and the Customs department. The Customs had intercepted at least two air cargo parcels containing a significant amount of a banned narcotic. The importers had used fake invoices and the services of a cargo agent to ship in the drug from Spain surreptitiously.

The SEES learnt a well-heeled and influential youth with association with the ruling party was the kingpin of the racket. The SEES intercepted a seven-member group, associated with the kingpin, travelling in a van acting on a tip-off. The squad seized small quantity of banned narcotics and a deer antler from the vehicle.

Based on information obtained from the gang, that the kingpin has stashed at least 2 kg of the banned drug in an apartment, you immediately dispatch a part of the special squad headed by an Additional Excise Commissioner.

However, for unknown reasons, the squad allowed the prime accused in the case to walk free and not much of the banned drug was seized from the apartment. It also did not account for the seizure of the deer antler. Moreover, the squad registered the existing case in a manner alleged to be advantageous to the accused. Some officers refused in the squad to endorse the report and registered their opposition in writing as the report was prepared nefariously.

The issue became a scandal after surveillance camera images of the accused moving the banned drugs out of the apartment during the raid went viral. The “embarrassment” prompted Excise Minister to order the internal inquiry headed by you. The opposition and media are relentless in its criticism of how this case was handled.

  1. As the excise commissioner, to what extent are you responsible for the failure of the operation?
  2. What are the reasons for the such lapses occurring on part of drug enforcement officials?
  3. What course of action will you take to remedy this botch up?

 

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: 

Give a brief introduction regarding struggles of fight against drugs and drug menace itself.

Body:

Cite the facts of the case and ethical values involved.

  1. In detail, argue reasons as to why failure of the operation is your responsibility has the head of the department. Albeit, not entirely, but you were at the helm of affairs.
  2. Mention the various reasons for the lapses in drug enforcement – systemic, attitudinal and ethical factors must be mentioned.
  3. Draw out a detailed course of action to right the wrong that have been committed. Emphasis should be holding the guilty accountable and solving the menace of drugs holistically in the long run.

Conclusion:

Mention long term solutions to put an end to the drug menace.

 

Introduction

The menace of drug addiction has spread fast among the youth of India. India is sandwiched between two largest Opium producing regions of the world that is the Golden triangle on one side and the Golden crescent on other. As per AIIMS report in 2018, around 5 crore Indians reported to have used cannabis and opioids.

The youth in particular are at high risk due to drug abuse being rampant in that demography. Ineffective policing, criminal activities, illicit drug trafficking are some reasons why drug abuse is still continuing in India

Body

Stakeholders of the case

  • Myself as Excise Commissioner and the squad members
  • Excise minister of the state
  • Youth of the state failing prey to drugs
  • General public and Opposition influencing electoral behaviour
  • General welfare of people at large

Ethical issues involved

  • Drug abuse leading to violence, domestic abuse.
  • Poor youth becoming drug addicts and decreasing their quality of life further.
  • Human capital erosion.
  • Depression, lethargy, hopelessness due to drug addiction.
  • Corruption in the government body that tackles drug abuse.
  • Prevailing justice will boost morale of officers to work better.
  • Reformation of society if drug smuggling can be stopped

As the excise commissioner, to what extent are you responsible for the failure of the operation?

Being the excise commissioner, the execution of squad’s plan in capturing the youth with possession of illicit drug was my duty.

  • As the squad let the youth walk free, the action of the team in letting this happen and its responsibility lies on me as an Excise commissioner.
  • It also implies that the team members tipped off the accused and let him evade arrest. Essentially, I was oblivious to the fact that few officers gave inside information to the accused.
  • Despite the botched-up operation, it must have been ensured that the accused was caught later on, however that did not take place. A new team of trusted officials with spotless record should have been formed to nab the accused faster.
  • The fact that few officers did not agree with the report shows that, this was a job of handful few. I should have done a background check of all the officers in the squad.

What are the reasons for the such lapses occurring on part of drug enforcement officials?

  • Lack of Political Non-partisanship on part of the officers in the squad. They had greater loyalty to their political masters than to their own duty.
  • Politician criminal nexus: Threat from the accused who was deemed to be associated with the ruling political party.
  • Corrupt officials to took money from the accused and let him walk free.
  • Integrity, a quality that makes an officer stands apart was missing in some members of the squad.
  • Political pressure from the ruling party to let the accused escape.

What course of action will you take to remedy this botch up?

  • Take a first-hand detail of the whole raid and sequence of events from those trusted officers who did not agree with the report.
  • Ensure the integrity and honesty of Addl. Excise Commissioner through backchannel modes and determine his role in the incident.
  • Examine the video footage and surveillance camera thoroughly to piece all the information together and reconstruct the whole scene.
  • Make all efforts to snatch the accused with help of other police and intelligence agencies
  • Suggest for body cameras and microphones for officer who conduct the raid so that all the information and actions are captured for permanent usage.
  • Henceforth, test the integrity of officers from time to time and determine which officers can be trusted. E.g., Leak a hypothetical confidential information and trace the chain of people it gets circulated or have informants within the organizations.
  • Finally, conduct a thorough internal inquiry to bring those officers to task.

Long term measures:

  • As an excise commissioner, I would take the matter with the central officials with the permission of state CM, as there is drug inflow from international borders as it poses threat to national security.
  • At the office level, I would strengthen the vigilance cell as many of the custom officials are glove in hand with the drug mafia.
  • I would further try and seek to strengthen the intelligence networks so that the drug trafficking can be curbed.

Conclusion

Drug addiction and trafficking can harm the national security and integrity of a nation and degrades the human resource of a country. It is for this reason that officers involved in stopping illicit narcotics use must be of impeccable integrity. The government with trusted officers needs to implement the existing laws strictly to prevent drug trafficking and its resultant drug abuse.

Value addition:

Government of India flagged off the ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan’ or a ‘Drugs-Free India Campaign’  on 15th August 2020 across 272 districts of the country found to be most vulnerable based on the data available from various sources. The focal points of the Campaign are preventive, mass education and sensitization, capacity building of service providers, positive partnership with educational institutions, and augmentation of treatment, rehabilitation and counselling facilities.

 Case study of Punjab in anti-drug trafficking:

  • The Punjab Police has launched an educational campaign, especially in schools and colleges, against drug abuse and set up ‘Anti-drug Societies’ in the institutions.
  • The enforcement, de-addiction, prevention (EDP) strategy of Punjab envisages integrated social, health and criminal justice responses to manage the demand and supply of drugs.
  • Punjab Government has set up 194 government Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) Centres between October 26, 2017 and December 31, 2019 where alternate medicines in the form of buprenorphine and naloxone are given to addicts.
  • ‘Tu mera buddy’ programme is targeted at students in schools, colleges, universities and technical institutions, and aims to penetrate every classroom from class VI upwards. Groups of five or less children will be created to self-monitor and generate awareness.

              

 

 

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