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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: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
Difficulty level: Easy
Reference: Insights on India
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1 and mentioned as part of Mission-2023 Secure timetable.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the differences and similarities between Buddhism and Jainism.
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:
Start by giving context behind the rise of heterodox sects.
Body:
First, write about the major factors that led to widespread changes in religious life in 600-300 BCE, which resulted in emergence of Buddhism and Jainism.
Next, Bring out the differences between them like concept of soul, non-violence, sacrifice etc
Next, Discuss the similarities in the two faiths such as values like peace and righteous conduct.
Conclusion:
Conclude by summarising.
Introduction
The sixth century B.C. is considered a wonderful century in history. Great thinkers like Buddha, Mahavira, Heraclitus, Zoroaster, Confucius and Lao Tse lived and preached their ideas in this century. Among them the most successful were Jainism and Buddhism whose impact on the Indian society was remarkable.
Body
Similarities between Buddhism and Jainism
- Reason for rise of the religion: The primary cause for the rise of Jainism and Buddhism was the religious unrest in India in the 6 th century B.C. The complex rituals and sacrifices advocated in the Later Vedic period were not acceptable to the common people.
- Core philosophy: Jainism preaches the triratnas, which are right faith, knowledge and conduct. Buddhism also has eightfold pathwhich includes not only these three, in addition right speech, resolve, occupation etc.
- Ahimsa: Both religions espouse non-violence as the foundation of living.
- Sangha: Mahavira organised the Sangha to spread his teachings. Buddha had two kinds of disciples – monks (bhikshus) and lay worshippers (upasikas). The monks were organized into the Sangha for the purpose of spreading his teachings.
- Equality: Both men and women were accepted in the sanghas.
Differences between Buddhism and Jainism
- In Jainism, the doctrine of asceticism and renunciationwas also carried to extreme lengths by the practice of starvation, nudity and other forms of self-torture. This was not the case in Buddhism.
- Even the practice of agriculture was considered sinful in Jainism as it causes injury to the earth, worms and animals. Most of them were traders. No such distinction is there in Buddhism.
- Buddhism made adirect attack on the caste system. Though Jainism did not make a direct attack on the caste system, Mahavira was against any social distinctions and threw open his order to all.
- Prakritwas major language through which Jainism was preached. The language of Pali and other local languages developed through the teachings of Buddhism.
- Buddhism was more a social than religious revolution. It taught the code of practical ethics and laid down the principle of social equality.
- Through his missionary effort Asoka spread Buddhism into West Asia and Ceylon. Thus, a local religious sect was transformed into a world religion. Jainism was restricted to mainly Indian subcontinent.
Conclusion
Buddhism and Jainism provided people an alternative from the regressive religion and rituals of the time. They became a beacon of hope for the downtrodden and the marginalized. In this way, one can see many similarities between the two religions with minute differences.
Topic: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Insights on India
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1 and mentioned as part of Mission-2023 Secure timetable.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the impact of Iranian and Macedonian invasions.
Directive word:
Evaluate – When you are asked to evaluate, you have to pass a sound judgement about the truth of the given statement in the question or the topic based on evidence. You must appraise the worth of the statement in question. There is scope for forming an opinion here.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by giving context Iranian and Macedonian invasions in ancient India.
Body:
First, write impact of Iranian invasions – Indo-Iranian contact, impetus to Indo-Iranian trade and commerce, influx of foreign groups, religious impact, art and architecture, language and script etc.
Next, write impact of Macedonian invasions in ancient India- civilisational contacts, history, coinage, art and architecture etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude by summarising.
Introduction
India had close relations with Persia (Iran) from very ancient times. Iranian contacts with India lasted for about two centuries (516 to 326 B.C). Greek Invasion is traced back to 327 BC when Alexander invaded North-West India.
Body
Persian invasion
- The Achaemenian rulers of Iran, who expanded their empire at the same time as the Magadhan princes, took advantage of the political disunity on the northwest frontier.
- The Iranians invaded India in the 6th century B.C, when king Darius I ruled over Iran.
- He invaded India and occupied the territories in the North-Western Frontier Province, Sind and Punjab in 516 B.C.
- These parts remained with the Iranian Empire till Alexander’s invasion of India..
Cultural impact of Iranian invasion
Short term
- India’s Political Weakness exposed: The Persian invasion and India’s defeat to defend her frontiers exposed India’s political This weakness encouraged the foreigners to invade the frontiers of India. The Iranians were followed by the Greeks, the Sakas, the Kushans and the Huns.
- Encouragement to Trade: The mutual contacts helped in the growth of trade between the two countries. The India Traders and merchants now reached distant places in the Vast Persian Empire to dispose of their goods. Similarly, the Persian goods began to flow smoothly into India.
- An Idea of Unified Empire: India learnt the necessity of a strong and united empire to repel the foreign invasions. It was for the first time that the small, scattered and mutually quarrelling states of India realized how essential it was to join hands together to meet the common enemy.
Long term
- Settlement of Foreigners on Indian Soil: A large number of foreigners, the Greek the Persians, Turks etc settled down in the North –Western parts of India. With the passage of time they completely absorbed among the Indians.
- Impact on Art and Architecture: The Iranian art also influenced the Indian art. Ashoka, followed the Iranian custom of preaching ideals by inscribing them on the stone pillars. The Indians also learnt the art of polishing.
- Kharosthi Script: The Indians adopted the Kharosthi Script of Iran. It was written from right to left.
- Interchange of Indo Persian culture: Indian Scholars and philosophers went to Persia and exchanged their views freely with the intellectuals of that country. This contact brought about a great change in the outlook of the people and bought the people closer.
Macedonian Invasion
- In the fourth century BC, under the leadership of Alexander of Macedonia, the Greeks eventually destroyed the Iranian empire. From Iran he marched to India.
- The political condition of north-west India suited his plans. The area was parcelled out into many independent monarchies and tribal republics, which were strongly wedded to the soil and had a fierce dedication to the principality in which they lived.
- Among the rulers of these territories, two were well known: Ambhi, the prince of Taxila, and Porus whose kingdom lay between the Jhelum and the Chenab.
- Following the conquest of Iran, Alexander moved on to Kabul, from where he marched to India through the Khyber pass in 326 BC. When he reached the Jhelum, Alexander encountered the first and the strongest resistance from Porus. Alexander defeated Porus.
Cultural impact of Macedonian invasion
Short term
- The immediate effect of Alexander’s invasion was that it encouraged political unification of north India under the Mauryas.
- The system of small independent states came to an end.
- Alexander’s invasion had also paved the way for direct contact between India and Greece.
- The routes opened by him and his naval explorations increased the existing facilities for trade between India and West Asia.
- His authority in the Indus valley was a short-lived one because of the expansion of Mauryan Empire under Chandragupta Maurya.
Long term
- Founding of the Mauryan Dynasty: Alexander’s invasion had reduced the strength of the various states as well as the warlike tribes of the Punjab, so that it became quite easy for Chandragupta to subdue Otherwise, Chandragupta Maurya had to face strong resistance from his Indian counter-parts.
- Promoting India’s Unity: One significant result of these petty state and warlike tribes being crushed by Alexander was the task of establishing a strong empire became too easy.
- Relations with Western Countries: Alexander’s invasion opened four new routes between India and Europe so that India could now have direct relations with the European countries. The discovery of these routes also encouraged trade. Several Indian traders, artisans and religious scholars went to other countries and some people came to India from other countries. In this way, Indian contacts with Europe developed rapidly.
- Gave an account of Indian history: Megasthenes and other Greek writers have written a lot about the contemporary Indian Their descriptions have proved valuable in this respect.
- Foundation of the Greek States: After Alexander’s departure, the Greek generals who were left in India established their independent states on the North Western Frontier of India. In this way, the Indians came in contact with the Greeks and both of them benefited from each other.
- Greek Art: The Indians learnt from the Greeks the art of making beautiful idols and coins. The Gandhara School of Art is a direct consequence of the Greek The Indians also learnt a lot from the Greek astronomers. On the other hand, the Indians greatly influenced the philosophy and several Greeks embraced the Hindu faith.
Conclusion
Thus, both Iranian and Macedonian invasions had a long term impacts on Indian culture.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure,
Difficulty level: Tough
Reference: Indian Express , Insights on India
Why the question:
Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian’s three-day visit to India, last week, was the first ministerial-level visit from Iran since Ebrahim Raisi assumed the Iranian presidency in August last year.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the potential reset needed in the Indo-Iranian ties.
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 explaining historical ties between India-Iran
Body:
First, give a brief context about the evolution of Indo-Iranian ties post-independence and its various ups and downs.
Next, write about the importance of Indo-Iranian ties for both countries to achieve collective goals and ensure prosperity in the region
Next, suggest changes reset ties and to ensure cooperation.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward.
Introduction
India had close relations with Persia (Iran) from very ancient times. Iranian contacts with India lasted for about two centuries (516 to 326 B.C). Greek Invasion is traced back to 327 BC when Alexander invaded North-West India.
The sanctions imposed by the US on Iran after Tehran withdrew from the nuclear deal in 2018 may have virtually destroyed India-Iran trade, especially India’s energy imports from Iran, but the geopolitical logic underpinning relations between the two countries remains firm.
Body
Significance of Iran for India
- Energy security: Iran is the third largest supplier of crude to India. It has also the world’s second-largest reserves of natural gas which could be well leveraged by India.
- Connectivity: The Chabahar port, being developed by India in Iran is strategically important to India for a variety of reasons. o India is constructing a 560 mile long railway line linking the Iranian port with the Hajigak in southern Afghanistan which is close to Zaranj-Delaram Highway.
- Iran is the key link to provide connectivity to Central Asia and Europe, via the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC).
- Trade and investment: India decided to set up plants in sectors such as fertilizers, petrochemicals and metallurgy in Chabahar Free Trade Zone (FTZ). However, it is currently not progressing due to sanctions,
- This will promote India’s energy security while providing financial resources and employment opportunities to Iran.
- Iran is a big market for India for India’s agro-products, software services, automobiles, petrochemical products among others, here the scale could be substantially increased.
- Crucially, Tehran has consistently offered New Delhi very favourable terms, including non-dollar oil sales.
- Geopolitical: Iran is a major player in securing stability in the overall West Asian region, especially with respect to India to maintain a balance between Shia-Sunni conflict and Arab-Israel conflict.
Challenges between the nations
- Internal Political issues: The present government in Iran is under considerable pressure both on the domestic front, in political as well economic areas. Iran has not been able to diversify its economy which is heavily dependent on oil exports and promote entrepreneurship causing consistent rise of unemployment, inflation and decline in per capita income. Also, complex structure of government, tightly controlled rights to free expression are leading to protests.
- Bilateral trade: On bilateral trade the biggest stumbling block is banking channels. The two sides are now discussing the possibility of alternate payment mechanism, in addition to the current channel through UCO Bank for rupee payments. Also, Indian exports to Iran have steadily declined from $4.9 billion in 2013-14 to $2.379 billion in 2016-17, increasing the trade deficit.
- India-relation with Israel & USA : Israel, one of the closest US allies in the region, has also been vocal against the nuclear deal, and considers Iran its biggest security threat. India’s relationship with the United States, and American concerns about Iran have also affected the India-Israel relationship.
- India relation with Gulf countries: Iran’s relations with Saudi Arabia remain tense. India has reinforced its historical ties with countries on both sides of the Gulf. This may come out to be an issue.
- Kashmir Issue: Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei equated the on-going Kashmir conflict with that of Yemen and Bahrain which has created suspicion on India.
Time for reset
- Short term course can be developing alternate mode of payment to Iran and promoting flexibility in investment mode.
- Carrying out high level talks with US about the security and strategic concerns of India Vis a Vis China.
- In the long term, India has to keep aligning with the other members of Iran nuclear deal to carry out peaceful solution to end nuclear terrorism.The Iran nuclear deal is a fair deal and US cannot unilaterally end it.
- The engagement with Iran has to be fastened and the work on various Indian projects in Iran has to speed up. The engagement with Iran has to be moved to a partnership level g. development INSTC.
- India also needs to develop a comprehensive energy policy to arrest its west Asian energy dependence. o As India has learnt the art of de-hyphenation, its time it brings a consistent and autonomous Iran policy.
Conclusion
India abstained during the recent voting on the resolution by the US and its allies to censure Iran at the IAEA. This is in keeping with its stance of resolving the issue through dialogue. While the revival of the nuclear deal could give a fillip to India’s economic ties with Iran, India’s interests in continental Asia will be served well by heeding Iran’s call for developing a long-term roadmap for bilateral relations.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: The Hindu , Insights on India
Why the question:
For a nation that has had a significant demographic dividend — the working age population is much larger than the non-working age sections — finding productive employment for its youth was to be an imperative for India. Yet, in the last few years, unemployment has remained a major concern — the leaked Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) in 2018 revealed that India’s unemployment rate was the highest (6.07%) in four decades.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about demographic dividend, how unemployment affects it and can public sector hiring be a panacea to it.
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 defining demographic dividend and its various features.
Body:
First, write about the impact of unemployment on demographic dividend – demographic dividend may turn into a liability in the absence of enough jobs and the required skilled workforce etc.
Next, write about how public sector employment can help utilise demographic dividend. Write boath sides of the argument which highlights the potential as well as limitations of public sector employment.
Next, suggest ways to overcome the limitations.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward.
Introduction
Demographic dividend, as defined by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) means, “the economic growth potential that can result from shifts in a population’s age structure, mainly when the share of the working-age population (15 to 64) is larger than the non-working-age share of the population (14 and younger, and 65 and older).” India has one of the youngest populations in an aging world. By 2020, the median age in India was 28 years. Demographics can change the pace and pattern of economic growth.
Body
Background
- Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) in 2018 revealed that India’s unemployment rate was the highest (6.07%) in four decades.
- The latest PLFS suggests that the numbers now are not so drastic, with the overall unemployment rate at2% in 2020-21 compared to 4.8% in 2019-20 and the labour force participation rate (LFPR) increasing to 41.6%, up from 40.1% in 2019-20.
- In terms of the more widely used statistic internationally, the current weekly status of unemployment, the figure of5% for all persons in 2020-21 is still worrying.
- The study on demographic dividend in India by United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) throws up two interesting facts.
- The window of demographic dividend opportunity in India is available for five decades from 2005-06 to 2055-56, longer than any other country in the world.
- This demographic dividend window is available at different times in different states because of differential behaviour of the population parameters.
- Since 2018, India’s working-age population (people between 15 and 64 years of age) has grown larger than the dependent population (defined as children aged 14 or below as well as people above 65 years of age).
- This bulge in the working-age population is going to last till 2055, or 37 years from its beginning.
- This transition happens largely because of a decrease in the total fertility rate (TFR, which is the number of births per woman) after the increase in life expectancy gets stabilised.
- Many Asian economies — Japan, China, South Korea — were able to use this ‘demographic dividend’, defined by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) as the growth potential that results from shifts in a population’s age structure.
Impact of unemployment on India’s demographic dividend.
- Jobless growth: There is mounting concern that future growth could turn out to be jobless due to de-industrialization, de-globalization, the fourth industrial revolution and technological progress. As per the NSSO Periodic Labour Force Survey 2017-18, India’s labour force participation rate for the age-group 15-59 years is around 53%, that is, around half of the working age population is jobless.
- Asymmetric demography: The growth in the working-age ratio is likely to be concentrated in some of India’s poorest states and the demographic dividend will be fully realized only if India is able to create gainful employment opportunities for this working-age population.
- Lack of skills: Most of the new jobs that will be created in the future will be highly skilled and lack of skill in Indian workforce is a major challenge. India may not be able to take advantage of the opportunities, due to a low human capital base and lack of skills.
- Low human development parameters: India ranks 130 out of 189 countries in UNDP’s Human Development Index, which is alarming. Therefore, health and education parameters need to be improved substantially to make the Indian workforce efficient and skilled.
- Informal nature of economy in India is another hurdle in reaping the benefits of demographic transition in India.
Can public sector employment alleviate the problem?
- The latest data showed that there were 86 lakh vacant jobs among all central government civilian posts as of March 2020.
- The government recently announced Agnipath scheme for youth as a contract employment of four years.
- But even this measure would be ameliorative in the real economy that continues to remain distressed, a consequence of effects of the pandemic in the last few years.
- The country cannot afford to squander more years in its race to reap the benefits of its demographic dividend, and the push to provide jobs for those seeking to enter the labour force, even if belated, will help ease matters for the medium term.
- Real jobs in manufacturing, industries, MSME’s are the key to reaping demographic dividend. Skill development will also help in youth getting jobs in high paying services sector.
Measure needed and way forward
- Building human capital: Investing in people through healthcare, quality education, jobs and skills helps build human capital, which is key to supporting economic growth, ending extreme poverty, and creating a more inclusive society.
- Skill development to increase employability of young population. India’s labour force needs to be empowered with the right skills for the modern economy. Government has established the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) with the overall target of skilling/ up skilling 500 million people in India by 2022..
- Education: Enhancing educational levels by properly investing in primary, secondary and higher education. India, which has almost 41% of population below the age of 20 years, can reap the demographic dividend only if with a better education system. Also, academic-industry collaboration is necessary to synchronise modern industry demands and learning levels in academics.
- Establishment of Higher Education Finance Agency (HEFA) is a welcome step in this direction.
- Health: Improvement in healthcare infrastructure would ensure higher number of productive days for young labourforce, thus increasing the productivity of the economy.
- Success of schemes like Ayushman Bharat and National Health Protection scheme (NHPS) is necessary. Also nutrition level in women and children needs special care with effective implementation of Integrated Child Development (ICDS) programme.
- Job Creation: The nation needs to create ten million jobs per year to absorb the addition of young people into the workforce. Promoting businesses’ interests and entrepreneurship would help in job creation to provide employment to the large labourforce.
- India’s improved ranking in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index is a good sign.
- Schemes like Start-up India and Make in India , if implemented properly, would bring the desired result in the near future.
- Urbanisation: The large young and working population in the years to come will migrate to urban areas within their own and other States, leading to rapid and large-scale increase in urban population. How these migrating people can have access to basic amenities, health and social services in urban areas need to be the focus of urban policy planning.
- Schemes such as Smart City Mission and AMRUT needs to be effectively and carefully implemented.
Conclusion
India is on the right side of demographic transition that provides golden opportunity for its rapid socio-economic development, if policymakers align the developmental policies with this demographic shift.
To reap the demographic dividend, proper investment in human capital is needed by focussing on education, skill development and healthcare facilities.
Topic: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Indian Express , Insights on India
Why the question:
This week, Google sent a researcher on forced leave for suggesting that an AI chatbot he was talking to had become sentient.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the potential and concerns associated with AI.
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:
Define AI and its contributions in general.
Body:
First, explain that Artificial intelligence (AI) is competent to have a revolutionary impact on businesses and consumers globally.
Next, list down the advantages of AI in detail. Cite statistics and examples.
Next, Discuss the concerns associated with AI such as – job losses, robot bosses, human errors, high cost, ethical issues etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward.
Introduction
New technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, big data, and networks are expected to revolutionize production processes, but they could also have a major impact on developing economies. The opportunities and potential sources of growth that, for example, the United States and China enjoyed during their early stages of economic development are remarkably different from what Cambodia and Tanzania are facing in today’s world.
Body
Significant advances and applications of Artificial intelligence
- It has the potential to overcome the physical limitations of capital and labour and open up new sources of value and growth.
- It has the potential to drive growth by enabling
- Intelligent automation ability to automate complex physical world tasks.
- Innovation diffusion propelling innovations through the economy.
- Heavy Industries & Space: Through AI an entire manufacturing process can be made totally automated, controlled & maintained by computer system.
- Example: car manufacturing machine tool production, computer chip production. Etc.
- They carry out dangerous tasks like handling hazardous radioactive materials.
- Finance: Banks use intelligent software application to screen & analyse financial data.
- Software that can predict trends in stock market have been created which have been known to beat humans in predictive power.
- Aviation: Air lines use expert system in planes to monitor atmospheric condition & system status.
- Role in social development and inclusive growth: Access to quality health facilities, addressing location barriers, providing real-time advisory to farmers and help in increasing productivity, building smart and efficient cities etc.
- The exponential growth of data is constantly feeding AI improvements.
- AI has varied applications in fields like Healthcare, Education, Smart Cities, Environment, Agriculture, smart Mobility etc.
- Examples of AI use in India: A Statement of Intent has been signed between NITI Aayog and IBM to develop Precision Agriculture using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Aspirational Districts.
- National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) launched Pai which is an AI based chatbot, to create awareness around NPCI’s products like FASTag, RuPay, UPI, AePS on a real time basis.
Concerns associated with Artificial Intelligence
- Ethical concerns: With popularization of a new technology, its virtues are not guaranteed. For instance, the internet made it possible to connect with anyone and get information from anywhere, but also easier for misinformation to spread.
- There are real concerns about the potential negative consequences of AI, from deep fakes to nefarious uses of facial recognition technology.
- Data Management: As there is lack of clarity on data flow and data ownership which might result into data colonialism (data generated by developing countries yet not benefitting them).
- Further, data collection for feeding AI algorithms has its associated privacy concerns e.g. mass surveillance.
- AI could contribute to the forgery of documents, pictures, audio recordings, videos, and online identities which can and will occur with unprecedented ease.
- Biasedness: The algorithms used in artificial intelligence are discrete and, in most cases, trade secrets.
- They can be biased, for example, in the process of self-learning, they can absorb and adopt the stereotypes that exist in society or which are transferred to them by developers and make decisions based on them.
- Excessive Regulation: Since the AI is still in its preliminary stages, some critics believe that, excessively strict regulation is neither necessary nor desirable.
- Lack of consensus & Conflict of Interests among the countries over the mechanisms and tactics in regulation of AI.
- Absence of widespread expertise in Al technologies: This could lead to policy decisions being taken based on a narrow spectrum of opinions. There are large gaps in data collection, preparation, and benchmarking capabilities.
Conclusion
Regulation must be continuous and adapt with evolution of technology. There is need to find country specific data, trained workforce, fine-tuned algorithms and technology suited to local needs.
For India to maximally benefit from the AI revolution, it must adopt a deliberate policy to drive AI innovation, adaptation, and proliferation in sectors beyond consumer goods and information technology services.
Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
Difficulty level: Easy
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
For the first time, microplastics have been found in freshly fallen snow in Antarctica. The pollutant, scientists argue, poses a growing threat to the region’s ecosystem and could increase the melting of ice and snow.
Key Demand of the question:
To write threats posed by microplastics and steps needed to overcome it.
Directive word:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you must debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You must give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by defining microplastics
Body:
First, write about the threats posed by microplastics – threat to aquatic life, migrate through the intestinal wall and travel to lymph nodes, carcinogenic, potential for both bioaccumulation and biomagnification etc.
Next, write about that are needed to combat threats posed by microplastics.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward.
Introduction
Microplastics are small plastic particles in the environment that are generally smaller than 1mm down to the micrometer range. The researchers found huge amounts of them in the Arctic snow; their study claims to be the first that contains data on contamination of snow by microplastics.
For the first time, microplastics have been found in freshly fallen snow in Antarctica. The pollutant, scientists argue, poses a growing threat to the region’s ecosystem and could increase the melting of ice and snow.
Body
Microfibres from washing of textiles, microbeads used in cosmetics and even paint from land run-offs can dump microplastics in the ocean. Plastic bottles, bags, fishing nets, and food packaging are some examples of the larger pieces that break down into microplastics, eventually finding their way into the soil, water and the air we breathe. According to a 2017 International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) report, microplastics are estimated to constitute up to 30% of marine litter polluting the oceans.
Threats posed by Microplastics:
- Microplastics escape the filtration and treatment processes for waste water and end up in sites of nature.
- This is resulting in significant global impacts on wildlife from marine environment pollution.
- Microplastics are killing the fish before they reach reproductive age, stunted growth and altering the behaviour in some fishes.
- Microplastics are found in the viscera of dead sea birds, reptiles like turtles, whales etc.
- World’s coastal countries currently do not have the concerned recycling policies or the technical capabilities, and so large quantities of plastic are not recycled and enter landfill.
- The durable properties of plastics make them persistent and slow to degrade in the environment entering the food chains.
- It holds the potential for both bioaccumulation and biomagnification.
- Once the microplastics enter foodchain, they carry synthetic chemical compounds such as PCBs and PAHs, which are carcinogenic.
- Unlike POPs (Persistent Organic Pollutants) or chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), Plastic pollution has received little attention in terms of international agreements.
- Microplastics make up 94 percent of an estimated 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic in the patch. But that only amounts to eight percent of the total tonnage
Measures needed:
- Local actions are required for mitigating plastic pollution, using mechanisms such as bans on plastic bags, maximum daily limits for emissions into watersheds, and incentives for fishing gear retrieval.
- Microbeads in cosmetics, daily use items must be banned globally.
- Countries should come together to establish measurable reduction targets for plastic waste. A meaningful international agreement—one with clearly defined waste reduction targets is the need of the hour.
- Effective policies must take into account all stages of the lifecycle of plastic—connecting producers to users and ultimately to waste managers.
- Nonprofits like 5 Gyres are now pushing an agenda toward public awareness, corporate responsibility and the idea of a circular economy — an economy that focuses on keeping waste to a minimum while maximizing materials’ use.
- Fossil fuel subsidies incentivise the plastic market. Hence, Countries should end fossil fuel subsidies. Annually, 4–8% of oil is used to produce raw plastic.
- India has a major problem dealing with plastics, particularly single-use shopping bags that reach dumping sites, rivers and wetlands along with other waste.
- The most efficient way to deal with the pollution is to control the production and distribution of plastics.
- Banning single-use bags and making consumers pay a significant amount for the more durable ones is a feasible solution.
- Enforcing segregation of waste will retrieve materials and greatly reduce the burden on the environment.
- Waste separation can be achieved in partnership with the community, and presents a major employment opportunity.
- Eco-friendly substitutes (cloth/paper/jute bags, leaves/areca leaf plates, paper straws) should be developed. For this, scientific and financial support (soft loans and subsidies) is required.
Conclusion
Marine plastic pollution is a “planetary crisis,” and we should hope for a “Paris-style” global treaty aimed at tackling it. We cannot transform our world into a ‘plastic planet’. What is needed is collective public effort to stop plastic pollution and safeguard our ecosystem/biodiversity.
General Studies – 4
Topic: Case study.
(a) What are the options available in front of you? Evaluate their pros and cons
(b) Which course of action will you take? Justify.
(c) Is this case an example of the administration being the ‘judge, jury and executioner’? Debate
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-2023 Secure.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by giving context and enumerate the stakeholders.
Body:
First, write about various options available to you and write pros and cons of each.
Next, in detail explain the course of action you will take and justify it ethically.
Next, discuss both sides regarding the nature of above case study and the administration being ‘judge, jury and executioner’
Conclusion:
Give a concise summation of your views to conclude the answer.
Introduction
Unemployment is a rising problem in India where the demographic dividend is high while the youth are not involved in productive work. Protests have been rising in this backdrop and violence is being done. Both issues need to be addressed and violence cannot be an answer to anything.
Body
Stakeholders
- Myself as SP.
- Youth who are protesting.
- Government and officials at higher-up
- Accused and miscreants
Ethical issues involved
- Peaceful protest as a right
- Violence and impact on society
- Injustice to those who are injured
Options available
- Option 1: To raze the legal houses along with illegal ones of the accused
Pros: Government and higher-ups will not take retributive action against me. Some of the illegal construction will be razed and it will serve as an example to others.
Cons: Legal households are affected and it is a gross injustice to people of such families.
Criminal justice system will be null and void while Rule of Law gets violated. The rights of accused is also abrogated and sets a bad example to the other junior officers who will take
Such steps.
- Option 2: To not raze legitimate houses and just carry out demolition of illegal houses. And punish the accused as per the law.
Pros: This way, there will be natural justice. People who have worked hard all their lifeto make a home will be saved by government’s ruthless orders. Law of the land will remain intact and take its course.
Cons: Action may be taken against me for not following higher-up orders and I may have to face punishment postings or targeted inquiries.
Course of Action
Option 2 is a better choice, as there will be justice and no violation of rights of people. The district will not become lawless and people will repose faith in the Police and the criminal justice system.
Along with these measures I would ensure that there will be no gatherings of more than 4 in backdrop of violent protests and ensure peace in the district by strict patrolling. In future, these protests will be monitored thoroughly with permission to protest in a particular place only.
Is this example of administration being judge jury and executioner?
Yes. There is a dangerous tendency to slip from retributive justice to an emphasis on revenge. Vengeance is a matter of retaliation, of getting even with those who have hurt us
It can also serve to teach wrongdoers how it feels to be treated in certain ways. Like retribution, revenge is a response to wrongs committed against innocent victims and reflects the proportionality of the scales of justice.
It is not surprising that revenge seldom brings the relief that victims seek. The victim simply gets caught up in feelings of hatred. Vengeful motives lead individuals to exact more than necessary, causing even further harm and setting in motion a downward spiral of violence.
Police should not act as judge, jury and executioner. This can lead to grave implications of fundamental rights abuses and abuse of state power.
Conclusion
The pathways of justice are not linear nor without obstacles. But we have, as a people, chosen the route of democracy and the Constitution, so we really have no option but to school ourselves in constitutional morality. For as Dr. B.R. Ambedkar cautioned in anticipation, constitutional morality must replace public morality. It is not easy, because it is not a natural sentiment. But it is non-negotiable.
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