· brainy ias preface even after all this time the sun never tells the earth, “you owe me”....
TRANSCRIPT
BRAINY IAS
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BRAINY IAS
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Preface
Even after all this time the Sun never tells the earth, “You owe me”. Look what
happens with a love like that. It lights the whole sky. ~Hafiz
We humans are rational beings. We need logics to understand the phenomena
happening around us. This inquisitive nature of humans has led to various discoveries,
inventions and other scientific advances. Despite all this, there are still some
questions which remain unanswered and have remained so since the beginning of the
time. The questions like- How and why time came into being? How and why the
universe came into being? What is the purpose of human life on this earth? And the
biggest puzzle that boggles our minds is on death and after-death phenomena.
Similarly, we need answers to the social phenomena happening around us. The most disturbing question is that
despite possessing a rational mind, why many amongst us wish to be the slaves of illegitimate fantasies? The
purpose might be to satisfy the queries that I have mentioned above. I am talking about the blind faith that
millions of Indians have invested in various religious institutions, sects, deras et al. I call faith an “investment”,
because faith is something which is expected to yield manifolds. As a rational being, I would like to invest my
time, my intellect, my energy and my trust somewhere I can get a return from. That return may be in the form of
answers to the above mentioned questions or simply a feeling of peace and solace and ultimately make me
more humane. But does and should faith lead to a path of inhumanity, wealth amassment, violence, hate and
lies? This question is more important than any other question mentioned in this article.
There is a fine line difference between “faith” and “blind faith”. Faith leads you to truth, light and love. Blind
faith leads to darkness, violence, irrationality, hopelessness, shattered expectations, broken trust and ultimately
lower self-confidence. Faith helps you reach insurmountable heights.
Indian society has laid emphasis on religion since ages. We have tied to discover things with closed eyes and
folded hands. And through our scriptures, we find that our Vedic ancestors already knew the things that were
discovered during renaissance in the western world. We should take pride in our ancestral knowledge. But I
think presently, we are falling in to the dark valleys of hopelessness and despair. There are stark differences of
intellects and lifestyles in our society. And then there are penumbral regions, wherein even the educated masses
are following the illegitimate religious institutions. Where are these phenomena leading our society to?
Swami Vivekananda once said, “Faith, faith, faith in ourselves, faith, faith in God---this is the secret of greatness.
If you have faith in the three hundred and thirty millions of your mythological gods, and in all the Gods which
foreigners have now and again introduced into your midst, and still have no faith in yourselves, there is no
salvation for you. Have faith in yourselves, and stand up on that faith and be strong; that is what we need. “
And, I believe that the answers to the questions should be sought within and not without. Have faith in yourself,
in your faculties, in your capabilities and the God inside you.
Team BrainyIAS has tried its best to present you the best monthly current affairs in the best format. Have faith
and learn from the best team. I wish you all the success!!
Ajit Singh, DIG (Retd)
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Contents
HISTORY, ART AND CULTURE ......................................................................................................................................... 7
1. Tipu Sultan Vs Britishers .............................................................................................................................................7
2. Third Battle Of Panipat ...............................................................................................................................................8
3. Folk Dances Of Karnataka ...........................................................................................................................................9
4. Outcomes Of Battle Of Plassey.................................................................................................................................10
5. The Battle That Changed The Destiny Of India- Third Battle Of Panipat ..................................................................11
6. Role Of Aurangzeb In Decline Of Mughal Empire .....................................................................................................13
7. Ikat: The tie that binds .............................................................................................................................................13
GEOGRAPHY, ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY ............................................................................................................. 15
8. Snow Leopard- Out Of “Endangered” List ................................................................................................................15
9. Genetically Modified Crops And Its Impact On Environment ..................................................................................15
10. Geographical Indications ..........................................................................................................................................16
11. Comprehensive Agriculture Research Based On Geographical Conditions And Impact Of Climatic Changes To
Ensure Food Security In The Country’ ......................................................................................................................18
12. Location Of Major Coal Mines In India .....................................................................................................................19
13. Sadar Sarovar Project ...............................................................................................................................................20
14. “Heart Diwali, Swastha Diwali” Campaign ...............................................................................................................21
15. FAME –India scheme ................................................................................................................................................22
16. Hurricanes/ Tropical Cyclones ..................................................................................................................................23
17. Causes of Assam Floods ...........................................................................................................................................24
18. Landfill Collapse........................................................................................................................................................25
19. Side Effects Of GST On Environment ........................................................................................................................26
POLITY AND GOVERNANCE .......................................................................................................................................... 28
20. Watershed Component of PMKSY- Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana ..............................................................28
21. Economic Advisory Council ......................................................................................................................................30
22. First Past The Post Voting System (FPTP) .................................................................................................................31
23. Transforming Rural India ..........................................................................................................................................32
24. Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana (AGEY) .............................................................................................................34
25. Shekatkar Committee report ....................................................................................................................................35
26. National E-Governance Plan .....................................................................................................................................37
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27. Transforming Rural India ..........................................................................................................................................40
28. UJALA in Malaysia.....................................................................................................................................................42
29. A New Task Force To Increase Employment ............................................................................................................42
30. Special Status and Special Category Status to States ...............................................................................................43
31. Review of National Electricity Policy ........................................................................................................................44
32. CPGRAMS – Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System ...........................................................46
33. Marital Rape .............................................................................................................................................................46
34. The Story of Women Reservation Bill .......................................................................................................................47
35. Altering The RTI Act ..................................................................................................................................................49
ECONOMY .................................................................................................................................................................... 52
36. Is India Heading Towards Recession? .......................................................................................................................52
37. Problems Of Indian Power Sector ............................................................................................................................53
38. Growth Elasticity of Poverty .....................................................................................................................................55
39. Outcome Budgeting .................................................................................................................................................56
40. Operation Clean Money To Clean Shell Companies .................................................................................................57
41. Cess Under GST ........................................................................................................................................................59
42. SEBI Tightens The Noose For Credit Rating Agencies (CRAS) ...................................................................................60
43. India’s Falling Growth Rate ......................................................................................................................................60
44. India’s Slow Growth Rate Of Economic Health Indicators .......................................................................................61
45. The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) ..............................................................................................................62
46. PMJDY And The JAM Revolution ..............................................................................................................................64
47. Financial Inclusion In Rising India .............................................................................................................................65
48. Understanding MSP ..................................................................................................................................................68
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ........................................................................................................................................ 70
49. Bitcoin A Commodity Or A Currency? ......................................................................................................................70
50. Bitcoin Regulation In India .......................................................................................................................................71
51. NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) Mission ............................................................................................72
52. Mooting India’s Artificial Intelligence Policy ............................................................................................................73
53. Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) ......................................................................................................74
54. Case Study – m-Health App ......................................................................................................................................75
55. Moon’s Water Map ..................................................................................................................................................76
56. India’s First Hyperloop In Andhara Pradesh .............................................................................................................77
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57. CRISPR/CAS9 Technology .........................................................................................................................................77
58. Crime And Criminal Tracking Networks And Systems (CCTNS) ................................................................................79
59. Digital Revolution In India ........................................................................................................................................79
60. 3D Bioprinted cartilage.............................................................................................................................................81
SECURITY...................................................................................................................................................................... 84
61. Basis Of Data Protection ...........................................................................................................................................84
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AND GLOBAL ISSUES .......................................................................................................... 85
62. Has UN Lost Its Relevance? ......................................................................................................................................85
63. DRUZBA 2017 ...........................................................................................................................................................86
64. Us-Iran Nuclear Issue................................................................................................................................................86
65. Poverty Reduction In India Vs Brazil And China .......................................................................................................87
66. Kurdistan Independence Vote ..................................................................................................................................88
67. Fatah And Hamas Conflict ........................................................................................................................................90
68. BRICS Xiamen Declaration ........................................................................................................................................91
69. Indo-Japanese Agreements ......................................................................................................................................92
70. Refugees in India ......................................................................................................................................................93
71. Chakmas Citizenship Issue ........................................................................................................................................96
72. Asia-Africa Growth Corridor (AAGC) ........................................................................................................................97
73. 17 Sustainable Development Goals ..........................................................................................................................99
74. Indo-Japanese Agreements ................................................................................................................................... 100
75. India – Afghanistan Development Partnership ..................................................................................................... 102
76. Indo-Myanmar relations (Rohingyas issue) ........................................................................................................... 103
77. India’s Neighborhood First Policy .......................................................................................................................... 103
78. India And Bhutan’s Cooperation On Hydropower Projects ................................................................................... 105
79. India’s Stand On Bali Declaration .......................................................................................................................... 106
80. Indo-Pak Relations ................................................................................................................................................. 106
81. History Of North Korea And South Korea .............................................................................................................. 108
82. BRICS - Designating Terror Groups ........................................................................................................................ 109
83. Act East Policy (AEP) .............................................................................................................................................. 109
ETHICS ........................................................................................................................................................................ 112
84. Eastern and Western philosophy .......................................................................................................................... 112
85. Gita, Mahabharata and Ramayana ........................................................................................................................ 112
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86. Lessons From The Life Of Mahatma Gandhi ......................................................................................................... 114
87. Evolution of Indian Philosophical Ethics ................................................................................................................ 115
88. Ethical issues involved in Diplomacy ..................................................................................................................... 116
89. Corporate Social Responsibility ............................................................................................................................. 116
90. Corporate Governance .......................................................................................................................................... 117
91. What Is Utilitarianism? .......................................................................................................................................... 118
92. What Is Kantianism? .............................................................................................................................................. 119
93. John Rawl’s Theory Of Social Justice ..................................................................................................................... 120
94. What Is Meant By Golden Mean? ......................................................................................................................... 122
95. What is meant by Existentialism? ......................................................................................................................... 123
96. What Is Epicurean Thought? ................................................................................................................................. 123
97. Values Of A Civil Servant ....................................................................................................................................... 124
98. Ethical And Moral Relativism ................................................................................................................................ 125
99. WHAT IS HEDONISM? ............................................................................................................................................ 126
100. ................................................................................................................................................. I
mportance Of Emotional Intelligence In Modern World....................................................................................... 127
101. ................................................................................................................................................. C
onsequentialism vs Utilitarianism ......................................................................................................................... 128
102. ................................................................................................................................................. A
ttitude And Behaviour ........................................................................................................................................... 129
103. ................................................................................................................................................. D
eporting Rohingyas in India- Ethical or not? ......................................................................................................... 130
104. ................................................................................................................................................. M
odels of Public Policy and their Critique ................................................................................................................ 131
105. ................................................................................................................................................. C
ontent and Structure of Attitude .......................................................................................................................... 135
106. ................................................................................................................................................. V
irtue Ethics ............................................................................................................................................................. 139
107. ................................................................................................................................................. E
thics And Morals .................................................................................................................................................... 141
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HISTORY, ART AND CULTURE
Tipu Sultan Vs Britishers
Relevancy GS Mains paper I History Anglo-Mysore wars
Tipu Sultan
Tipu Sultan (born Sultan Fateh Ali Sahab Tipu) also known as the Tiger of Mysore and Tipu Sahib, was a
ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore.
He was the eldest son of Sultan Haidar Ali of Mysore.
Tipu’s capital was at Shri Rangapatnnam which was built by a Feudal lord in 16th century.
He got made Summer palace at Bangalore.
He wrote a military manual known as Fathul Mujhahidin.
Also got manufactured rockets, artillery and firearms.
Tipu expanded the iron cased Mysorean rockets which he deployed in his resistance against military advances of the British.
Tipu against the British
When the oppressive British rule was imposed on Malabar in 1792, the landlords, who were earlier in exile, returned.
The British was prepared to install them as full-fledged landlords.
Before leaving for exile, the landlords had sold their land for a meager price to the Muslims of the place.
When they returned, the land they had sold had become evergreen with coconuts and other crops.
In the clashes that followed between the two parties, the British sided with the landlords.
Further conflicts led to the major wars between Mysore and the British.
He remained an implacable enemy of the British East India Company, bringing them into a renewed conflict with an attack on British-allied Travancore in 1789.
The Anglo-Mysore Wars
1767 o Haidar Ali defeated the British.
1780 o Maratha, Nizam and Haider formed tripartite alliance to protect French at Mahe against the
British. o But Maratha (Bhosle & Scindia) and Nizam made peace with British & left the fight. o Hairdar died and Tipu carried the fight and defeated the British which culminated into the Treaty
of Manglore 1784. o It restored status quo.
1790 o Governor General Cornwallis made alliance with Marathas and Nizam, finally defeated Tipu. o Treaty of Shri Rangpatanam, where Tipu gave 50% of his territory, 3 crore rupees and 2 sons to
Lord Cornwallis as hostages (to ensure 3 crores were paid in regular installments).
1799 o Tipu tried to set an alliance with the Arabs, Turks and Afghans to defeat the British but failed. o To create alliance with the French, Tipu set up a Jacobian club of republican ideas.
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o Napoleon was pleased and h sent a friendly letter and later a few soldiers came to aid Tipu in fourth war.
o Wellesley asked Tipu to join subsidiary alliance, but he declined. o This led to fourth Anglo Mysore war where Tipu died defending his Fort at Sri Rangapattinam.
After Tipu’s death
Arthur Wellesley (Lord Wellesley’s brother) took away Tipu’s ring, made of gold, which has written “Ram” in Hindi.
Later, the British deported Tipu’s family to Calcutta, distributed part of the territory to Nizam, & setup a 5 year old puppet king Krishnaraja III at Mysore and signed a subsidiary alliance with him.
Third Battle Of Panipat
Relevancy GS Mains paper I Third battle of Panipat Reasons for the battle
Introduction
The Third battle of Panipat was fought between the Marathas and Durranis of Afghanistan.
Sadashivrao Bhau (Commander-in-chief of the Maratha Army), Vishwasrao, Malharrao Holkar, Ahmad Shah Durrani (also called Ahmad Shah Abdali) were involved in the battle.
Started on 14th January 1761 at Panipat in modern day Haryana.
Background
The Maratha power was on the rise in the subcontinent after the death of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.
They had under their control many regions in the Deccan and elsewhere that was previously under the Mughals.
They also had Malwa, Rajputana and Gujarat under their control.
In 1747, Ahmad Shah Durrani had established the Durrani Empire in Afghanistan and in 1747 he annexed Lahore.
In subsequent years, he took control of Punjab and Sindh as well.
Durrani’s son Timur Shah was the governor of Lahore.
The Maratha Peshwa Bajirao was able to capture Lahore and drive out Timur Shah.
During this time, the Maratha Empire stretched from the Indus in the north to the southern regions of India.
Delhi was only nominally under the Mughals.
Many people were alarmed at the rapid rise of the Hindu Marathas and they appealed to Durrani to stop the Marathas’ expansion.
Ahmad Shah Durrani was able to gather support from the Afghan Rohillas of the Gangetic Doab.
Shuja-ud-daulah, the Nawab of Awadh was solicited by both the Afghans and the Marathas for support, but he chose to ally with the Afghans.
The result was the victory of Afghans.
Reasons for the battle- Highlights
The weakness of Mughul emperors and the division of the nobility in contending groups.
Also, the ambition of the Marathas to gain influence in the North and, for that purpose, their promise, of support to the Mughul emperor.
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Lastly, the ambition of Abdali to capture Kashmir, Multan and Punjab and, for that purpose, his support to the Turani group of nobility, etc., were the main causes that led to the infamous battle.
Reasons for Afghan victory
The combined army of Durrani and his allies were numerically superior to the Maratha army.
Shuja-ud-daulah’s support also proved decisive as he provided the necessary finances for the Afghans’ long stay in northern India.
The Maratha capital was at Pune and the battlefield was miles away.
Also the Marathas failed to get support from the Rajputs, Jats or the Sikhs.
Post-battle scenario
Immediately after the battle, the Afghan army massacred thousands of Maratha soldiers as well as civilians in the streets of Panipat.
The vanquished women and children were taken as slaves to Afghan camps.
Even a day after the battle, around 40,000 Maratha prisoners were slaughtered in cold blood.
Sadashivrao Bhau and the Peshwa’s son Vishwasrao were among those killed in battle.
The Peshwa Balaji Bajirao never recovered from the shock this debacle gave.
There were heavy casualties on both sides.
The Maratha rise was checked but they retook Delhi ten years later under Peshwa Madhavrao.
Durrani did not remain in India too long.
He reinstated Mughal Shah Alam II as the Emperor at Delhi.
Folk Dances Of Karnataka
Relevancy: GS Prelims, GS mains paper I. Art and Culture, folk dance forms of Karnataka.
Various folk dance of Karnataka:
Dollu Kunitha: Both men and women of Kuruba community perform this dance. It is performed to welcome the harvest season or during a wedding, birth of a child or sometimes even for death ceremonies. Dollu means drum. Themes include religious stories and social issues.
Suggi Kunitha: It is a harvest dance and not based on religious themes.
Somana Kunitha: Mother Goddess, the deity of a village is worshipped in this dance. It is performed after Ugadi, the Kannada New Year and before the onset of the monsoon. Dancers wear masks or somas with the colour of the mask indicating the trait of the deity for example, red represents benevolence while yellow or black stand for aggression. It is common to see the dancers go into a trance like state.
Kamsale: In this dance, the male members of the community worship Mahadeeswara (lord Shiva).
Veeragase: This dance is performed by the followers of Lingayat community. The theme is based on Shaiva Purana.
Naga Mandala: This dance portrays the worship of serpent deity.
Yaksha Gana: It is a folk theatre cum dance, which has themes based on puranas and mythological stories. The most popular episodes are from the Mahabharata i.e. Draupadi swayamvar, Subhadra vivah, Abhimanyu vadh, Karna-Arjun yuddh and from Ramayana i.e. Raajyaabhishek, Lav-kush Yuddh, Baali-Sugreeva yuddha and Episodes at Panchavati.
Bhootha Aradhane: This dance form is popular in the coastal regions. It is performed to show reverence to demi-gods or those who have attained spiritual goals or have rendered self-less service to the community.
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The Kodavas, who inhabit the Kodagu region have their distinct culture and dance forms:
Bolak-aat: Kodava men perform this dance after lighting an oil lamp in an open field. A drum called dudi which is in the shape of an hour glass, renders rhythm to the music.
Ummatt-aat: Women dance in a circle swaying to a gentle rhythm with brass cymbals in their hands. This dance is dedicated to the river goddess Kaveri, hence a woman representing Kaveri taayi (mother Kaveri) stands at the centre holding a pot filled with water.
Komb-aat: Kodavas are a martial race and they articulate their valour and power through this religious dance. They perform martial arts. Wind and percussion instruments provide music in the background.
Outcomes Of Battle Of Plassey
Relevancy GS Prelims, GS Mains paper 1 Introduction The battle of Plassey
Introduction
The Battle of Plassey was fought in June, 1757.
The battle turned out at Plassey, about 150 km north of Calcutta, near Murshidabad.
It is the turning point which marked the unprecedented rise of East India Company’s power.
Reasons for the conflict
British persuaded the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb to issue a farman granting them the right to trade duty free and the Company misused this farman.
Company officials carrying on even private trade didn’t pay duties.
After death of Aurangzeb the Nawabs of Bengal viz, Murshid Quli Khan, Alivardi khan and his grandson sirj-ud-daulah rightfully claimed that company is causing them huge losses and asked for huge tributes for the right to trade, denied the right to mint coins and stopped it from fortifying around settlements.
Company said that the demands of Nawabs are unjustified.
This led to frequent conflicts between the company and the rulers which culminated in the famous Battle of Plassey in 1757.
Build up to the final battle
In 1756, Alivardi Khan died and Sirajuddaulah took his place.
Company tried to push their candidate for the Nawabi of Bengal but failed.
Infuriated Sirajuddaulah then marched on their factory at Kassim bazar and closed it down.
Finally, Clive led the company’s forces against Sirajuddaulah at Plassey in 1757 where Mir Jafar betrayed him and he was defeated.
Outcomes of the battle
Starting point of British rule in India: o Battle of Plassey was the first major victory of the company in India and has a great political
significance as it laid the foundation of the British Empire in India. o It is regarded as “the starting point of British rule in India”. o A great transformation came about in the position of the East India Company in Bengal as it
monopolized the trade and commerce of Bengal.
Mir Jafar as the nawab:
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o After the Battle of Plassey Clive proclaimed Mir Jafar as the Nawab of Bengal and placed him on the throne of Murshidabad.
o Mir Jafar thought that with the fall of Siraj he would be the real independent Nawab of Bengal but he did not know that the independence of Bengal was lost at Plassey and that he should have to rule as a puppet of the English Company.
o He quietly swallowed insults and oppression and continued to live as a Nawab in title.
Heavy payments of Company: o Mir Jafar in order to satisfy the English as per the agreement gave 24 Parganas of Bengal to the
company as its Zamidari. o Even this could not satisfy the servants of the company. o Nawab’s treasury became empty. o He had neither power as the Nawab nor money to live in.
Clive returned to England: o In 1760 Clive returned home. o His fame had spread all over England as the Victor of Plassey and the founder of British rule in
India. o The British Government honoured him with the title of Lord. o In India after Clive’s departure the servants of the company became uncontrollable. o Collectively and individually they began to acquire wealth by corrupt means.
Company after Clive: o When Mir Jafar could not satisfy them in money they removed him from the throne and placed
his son-in-law Mir Kasim over the throne as the Nawab. o And when Mir Qasim complained he was defeated at Battle of Buxar in 1764 and Mir Jafar was
reinstated. o The company Officials become “Nabobs” a few years later and amassed hordes of wealth.
The Battle That Changed The Destiny Of India- Third Battle Of Panipat
Relevancy G.S. Paper 1 Introduction Third Battle Of Panipat Conclusion
Introduction
The third battle of Panipat has a special place in Indian history and different historians have different views regarding this battle.
According to Bell, "the battle of Panipat was a victory of Marathas, a prestige of them" They were fighting for Indians and Muslim princes of Delhi, Avadh, and Deccan were engaged in making conspiracies and were in search of the opportunity. The invaders returned after conquering and did not interfere again in matters of India.”
According to Sar Desai, "Though the power of Marathas was lost yet neither Maratha power had been destroyed, nor they had changed their ambition of getting whole country."
Contrary to this, J.N. Sarkar had the view, "Marathas were badly defeated in the battle of Panipat. The good leaders of Marathas were killed and the weak leaders like Raghunathrao came into politics. By this, the power and the prestige of peshwas were lost and unity of Marathas was broken. Marathas took time; to be normal and taking advantage of this opportunity the English took Bengal and Mysore from Haider Ali. So it is considered that though the power of Marathas was not finished by the battle, yet it had been certainly weaken.
According to Elfinston, Maratha organisation, was broken due to end of a common terror."
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The Third Battle Of Panipat
Big Loss of Marathas and reduced number: o Large number of Marathas were killed in this battle. o It would not be an overstatement that a generation of Maratha caste ended in this battle. o J.N. Sarkar wrote, "The crisis fell on whole Maratha empire in this battle and there was not a
single house in Maharashtra where was not mourned on the death of a person or head."
Maratha's influence in North India was lost: o After the defeat in third battle of Panipat, Marathas lost their sovereignty in Panipat, Doab and
areas around. o Before this battle these states sometimes came under sovereignty of Muslims but after this
battle Marathas gradually lost their control in North India.
Power of Peshwa was Deteriorated: o The result of this battle was that the power of Peshwa had a big loss, and their power was greatly
deteriorated.
The Dream of single Hindu Empire was lost: o This battle ended the power of Marathas and Hindus by which the dream of Hindu Empire was
forgot for a long time from India.
Maratha Co-operative Commission came to an end: o In this battle Marathas had a big loss so Maratha co-operation commission ended. o After this Maratha Sardars began to quarrel among themselves and the Maratha power
completely ended. o The destruction done in battle of Panipat broken the dream of establishing Maratha-Sovereignty.
Moral Fall of Maratha: o Maratha's caste was considered very brave and courageous and their army was considered
invincible. o Other kings were eager to ally Marathas. But after the defeat in the battle of Panipat, their
prestige was lost and their military moral was minimized.
Fall of Mughal Empire: o Mughal Empire fell by this battle Mughal emperors were only for name, everywhere free rule
was established.
Rise of the Britishers (English men): o Due to internal dispute and anarchy in India, the English had established their influence.
Consequently, the foundation of English rule was firmed. o "The Internal disputes of Marathas and Muslims made them weak and opened the door of
getting sovereignty for the English."
Conclusion
The third battle of Panipat was also decisive for destiny of India like other two battles.
This ended the political struggle of Hindu-Muslim and founded an empire which became unbearable for both, the Hindu and the Muslim.
"Plassy had sowed the seeds of English sovereignty in India and Lie third battle of Panipat gave the opportunity to plant and grows these seeds."
Thus, the new chapter of history began from the battle of Panipat and also ended by the battle inept and this battle also gave birth to a new chapter.
Thus, it was proved that old system changes and victory and ferity should walk together otherwise the result would the same as happened.
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Role Of Aurangzeb In Decline Of Mughal Empire
Relevancy G.S. Paper 1 How far was Aurangzeb responsible for the decline of Mughal Empire?
How far was Aurangzeb responsible for the decline of Mughal Empire?
Aurangzeb was ambitious to be the ruler of entire India.
He built up a massive army and launched several military campaigns to expand his empire.
He went north-west into Afghanistan, and drove southwards to conquer Bijapur and Golconda states.
Though he succeeded in expanding the empire, but it was at enormous cost in lives and treasury.
Instead of political solution through negotiation, he always tried to suppress the rebellions by using military force.
A number of revolts rose against him throughout the empire - Rajputs, Jats, Sikhs, Satnamis, Marathas and Pathan tribes.
These far-flung campaigns were extremely costly and almost drained the Mughal treasury.
To sustain long, costly wars, Aurangzeb obviously needed money for his armies and so he levied heavy taxes on the people including the Jizya tax on non-Muslims.
This caused immense displeasure in the people and resulted in political instability in the empire.
According to some historians, his religious policies were intolerant towards non-Muslims.
A number of temples were destroyed and construction of new ones was forbidden, and he tried to impose Islamic laws on non-Muslims which caused an angry reaction in them.
However, the kingdom survived for 150 years after Aurangzeb's death.
There were a number of other reasons that lead to the disintegration of the empire, including weak successors, foreign invasions, vastness of the empire, fratricidal wars and final blow from the British.
So Aurangzeb solely cannot be held responsible for the collapse of the Mughal Empire.
Ikat: The tie that binds
Relevancy: GS Mains paper I, GS Prelims Art and culture, Crafts, Ikat, patola, tie and dye techniques
About Ikat:
Ikat, or ikkat, is a dyeing technique that employs resist dyeing on the yarns prior to dyeing and weaving the fabric to produce distinct patterns on textiles.
In ikat the resist is formed by binding individual yarns or bundles of yarns with a tight wrapping applied in the desired pattern. The yarns are then dyed.
The bindings may then be altered to create a new pattern and the yarns dyed again with another colour. This process may be repeated multiple times to produce elaborate, multicolored patterns.
When the dyeing is finished all the bindings are removed and the yarns are woven into cloth.
In other resist-dyeing techniques such as tie-dye and batik the resist is applied to the woven cloth, whereas in ikat the resist is applied to the yarns before they are woven into cloth.
Because the surface design is created in the yarns rather than on the finished cloth, in ikat both fabric faces are patterned.
Ikat weaving, especially double ikat (where both the warp and weft threads are tie/dyed), is amongst the most complicated.
The tie-die is done so cleverly that once the weaving starts, the colours on the warp and weft fit in beautifully to create exquisite patterns. In single ikkat, only the warp or weft is tie-dyed.
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It is done in Asia-Pacific (China, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan ), Latin America (Guatemala, Mexico, Ecuador, Peru, Chile and Argentina ), the Middle East (Egypt, Iran, Syria, Turkey and Yemen), West Africa and Europe (Italy and Spain). In each country, there are regional differences, historical and cultural significance.
The process of tying and dyeing and weaving is the same everywhere. What changes is the yarn (cotton, silk, wool, banana fibre, grass) together with the colour combination and the formation of motifs that gives ikat from each country a distinctive touch.
Despite similar technique, the Patola of Gujarat is different from Telia Rumal of Telengana, Iban of Malaysia, Ulos of Sumatra, Kasuri of Japan and so on. (these are various names for Patola in different regions of the world)
IKAT
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GEOGRAPHY, ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY
Snow Leopard- Out Of “Endangered” List
Relevancy: GS Mains, GS Prelims Sci-tech, Environment, IUCN red list
Recently:
The snow leopard, listed as "endangered" by the IUCN-International Union for Conservation of Nature since 1972, was reclassified as "vulnerable".
The leopard's population has steadily improved, largely due to effective conservation and awareness programs. It was an endangered species for the last 45 years.
A species should be fewer than 2500 in number to be deemed as endangered. According to experts, there are more than 4000 mature adult snow leopards in the wild today.
Is this a cause of worry?
There are concerns among wildlife biologists that the protection efforts for the Snow Leopard may be downgraded.
India has launched a programme on the lines of Project Tiger for its conservation, covering 128,757 sq. km of habitat in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.
An upcoming effort to protect the species at international level includes the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program. It involves the countries that are home to this animal.
Hence the momentum of conservation must not be broken on account of de-listing of the animal from “endangered” status.
The threat keeps on increasing if we factor in the climate change challenges, human interference, mining etc.
Infact, the conservation efforts must be strengthened by involving the community. The loss of domestic animals due to attack by Snow leopard may be mitigated by moving the grazing grounds away from the habitat of the animal, providing insurance schemes to the farmers (like in Spiti) etc.
Genetically Modified Crops And Its Impact On Environment
Relevancy: GS Mains paper III, IV; Optional- Agriculture, Economics Science and Technology, GM crops, GEAC, Regulation for GM crops, Ethical concerns with
GM crops
Recently:
The Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment and Forests submitted its report on ‘Genetically Modified Crops and its impact on environment’.
What are GMOs?
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are plants, animals or microorganisms in which the genetic structure is altered to introduce specific traits.
Plants produced from genetic engineering techniques are called Genetically Modified (GM) crops. Brief on recommendations of the Committee are as follows:
1. Regulatory Framework:
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a. In India, none of the regulators conduct closed field trials and are solely dependent on the data provided to them by the technology developer.
b. This leaves scope for technology developers to fudge the data to suit their requirements. c. The Committee recommended that the government should ensure that the process of field trials
carried out in consultation with agricultural universities so as to ensure bio-safety and remove health related concerns.
2. Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC): a. Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) grants approval for release of genetically
engineered organisms and products in the environment. The committee observed some deficiencies in its functioning.
b. The members of GEAC are mostly from government institutions, and there is no representation from states or from civil society organisations.
c. It recommended that GEAC should be headed by an expert from the field of Biotechnology who has an understanding of scientific data and its implication. But presently, it is being headed by top bureaucrats.
3. Status of GM crops: a. Many technologically advanced countries including those of Europe, Japan, Russia, Israel, etc., do
not grow GM crops. The reason is lack of safety data. b. In India, Bt cotton is the only GM crop that is cultivated. The committee observed that the overall
production of cotton has increased, but the yield per acre has not made much difference. Apart from this, Bt cotton accounts for less than 6% of the total grown area of cotton.
4. Commercialisation of GM mustard: a. The Committee recommended that no GM crop should be introduced in the country unless its
effect on the environment and human health is scientifically assessed. b. Although the GEAC had given its approval for commercialisation of GM mustard, the concerns is
that there is evidence on adverse impacts of GM mustard since it is an herbicide tolerant GM crop.
Geographical Indications
Relevancy GS Prelims, GS Mains pape 3 Mobilisation of resources Rural growth Culture
Background
Governments have been protecting trade names and trademarks used in relation to food products identified with a particular region since at least the end of the nineteenth century, using laws against false trade descriptions which protect against suggestions that a product has a certain origin, quality or association when it does not.
In such cases, the limitation on competitive freedoms which results from the grant of a monopoly of use over a geographical indication is justified by governments either by consumer protection benefits or by producer protection benefits.
Geographical Indication
A geographical indication (GI) is a name or sign used on products which corresponds to a specific geographical location or origin (e.g. a town, region, or country).
The use of a geographical indication may act as a certification that the product possesses certain qualities, is made according to traditional methods, or enjoys a certain reputation, due to its geographical origin.
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Since the qualities depend on the geographical place of production, there is a clear link between the product and its original place of production.
For example: Kanchipuram Silk Saree, Alphanso Mango, Nagpur Orange, Kolhapuri Chappal, Bikaneri Bhujia, Agra Petha
So outsiders cannot sell other variety of teas with title/label “Darjeeling”, else they can be punished.
Geographical indications are typically used for agricultural products, foodstuffs, wine and spirit drinks, handicrafts, and industrial products.
However, a protected geographical indication does not enable the holder to prevent someone from making a product using the same techniques as those set out in the standards for that indication.
Importance
When a product is given GI status, its price increases in international market (because consumers in first world prefer such “exotic” items)
It boosts exports and tourism.
The poor farmers/artisans from the given region have to face less competition from fake companies selling bogus products.
This indirectly leads to sustainable Development especially for the rural community.
Allows the community of producers to invest in maintaining the specific qualities of the product on which the reputation is built.
It may also allow them to invest together in promoting the reputation of the product.
Helps in structuring of the supply chain around a common product reputation.
Also in increased and stabilised prices for the GI product, added value distributed through all the levels of the supply chain, preservation of the natural resources on which the product is based.
Helps preservation of traditions and traditional know-how.
GI Act in India
Government of India enacted Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act in 1999 (Came into force in 2003).
As per this act you have to apply to the Registrar of Geographical Indications.
Intellectual Property Appellate Board shall hear appeals over the decisions of the Registrar of Geographical Indications.
Geographical Indications Registry (to keep the GI-database situated at Chennai.)
GI can be given to agricultural, natural or manufactured goods originating in the said area.
GI rights are community rights as they are not built up by one individual but by a community of persons and also given to an association of persons, producers, organization.
Registration of a geographical indication is valid for a period of 10 years (renewable).
International laws and treaties
Under Articles 1 (2) and 10 of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, geographical indications are covered as an element of IPRs.
They are also covered under Articles 22 to 24 of the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement, which was part of the Agreements concluding the Uruguay Round of GATT negotiations.
Proponents of GIs regard them as strong tools for protecting their national property rights. Opponents, however, consider GIs as barriers to trade.
International issues
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Like trademarks, geographical indications are regulated locally by each country because conditions of registration such as differences in the generic use of terms vary from country to country.
This is especially true of food and beverage names which frequently use geographical terms, but it may also be true of other products such as carpets (e.g. 'Shiraz'), handicrafts, flowers and perfumes.
When products with GIs acquire a reputation of international magnitude, some other products may try to pass themselves off as the authentic GI products.
This kind of competition is often seen as unfair, as it may discourage traditional producers as well as mislead consumers.
Conclusion
None of the benefits are guaranteed as they depend on numerous factors, including the process and the quality of developing the geographical indications, the inclusiveness and quality of decision making of the GI producers association and quality of the marketing efforts undertaken.
Comprehensive Agriculture Research Based On Geographical Conditions And Impact Of Climatic Changes To Ensure Food Security In
The Country’
Relevancy: GS Mains paper I and III; Optional- Agriculture, Economics Climate resilient agriculture, Science and technology in agriculture, crop diversification, Food
security
Recently: The Standing Committee on Agriculture Chaired by Mr. Hukm Deo Narayan Yadav submitted a report
on ‘Comprehensive Agriculture Research based on Geographical Conditions and Impact of Climatic Changes to ensure Food Security in the Country’.
Key observations and recommendations made by the Committee include:
1) Impact of climate change on agriculture: a. The climate change effects include rising sea levels, and changes in the frequency of rainfall,
floods and drought. This affects the yields of major crops. There is a need to find solutions to address challenges in agriculture due to climate change.
b. Consequently, research projects under the National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture should be increased.
2) Food security: a. India’s population is estimated to be 1.65 billion by 2050 with 50% of the population living in
urban areas. b. The production of foodgrains is estimated to meet the demand by 2050. However, there
may be a deficit in the production of cereals (43%) and pulses (7%). c. In addition, due to increased urbanisation and income of households, demand for fruits,
vegetables, dairy products, etc. will increase. 3) Crop diversification:
a. It recommended that investment should be increased in areas including: developing crop varieties, (ii) fertilizers, and (iii) irrigation facilities.
b. Production of oilseeds and pulses should be enhanced. 4) Greenhouse gas emissions:
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a. Paddy fields are a major source of greenhouse gases in the farm sector. These gases include methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons and carbon dioxide.
b. The Committee noted that the reduction of emissions of these greenhouse gases would help India meet obligations under the International Accord on Climate Change.
5) Crop residue: a. The Committee noted that though burning of crop residue is banned, it continues to add to
the high levels of pollutants in the environment. b. Around 20% (130-140 million tonnes) of the crop residue is burnt annually in the country. c. Crop residue is burnt instead of being processed due to the following reasons: (i) shortage of
agricultural labour, (ii) short interval between crops, and (iii) mechanised farming. d. Eco-friendly utilisation of crop residue should be taken up using new technologies.
6) Rising sea levels: a. Due to rising sea levels significant portion of land is submerged. b. Further, agricultural land and adjoining mangrove forests turn into waste land. c. In this context, the Committee observed that the entry of sea water in agricultural land leads
to high salinity in the soil and acute shortage of fresh water. d. The Committee recommended that an action plan be formulated to increase mangrove
plantation to act as natural barriers of rising sea levels. e. It further recommended that farmers in coastal areas should be provided seeds, suitable
technologies, and support to shift to paddy-fishery farming. 7) Agro-climatic classifications:
a. Crop patterns are currently influenced by factors such as Minimum Support Prices, and consumption patterns instead of geographical and ecological factors.
b. Such influences force farmers to adopt water intensive cropping patterns. c. The Committee recommended that instead cropping strategies should be developed based
on agro-ecological regions. d. For this purpose, the Committee observed that 20 agro-climatic regions and 60 agro-climatic
sub regions were identified based on: (i) climatic conditions, (ii) local geographic parameters, (iii) land form, (iv) soil type and texture.
8) Availability of seeds: a. Availability of good quality of seeds ensures high productivity of agriculture. b. Share of area sown using certified or quality seeds out of the total area sown is called the
seed replacement ratio. c. The Committee stated that this ratio is skewed as 65% of the seed requirement is met by
farmers’ own seeds or seeds distributed among themselves. d. It also noted that the private sector contributes to 50-57% of the seed production in India. e. The Committee stated that high yielding varieties of improved seeds need to be developed. f. Further, it recommended that the process of production, procurement and distribution of
these improved seeds should be centralised.
Location Of Major Coal Mines In India
Relevancy: GS Prelims, GS Mains paper III Economy, policy related to coal resources, resources of India, locations of coal mines
Background:
Recently, the government has opened 10 coal fields for auction by private players.
India is the third largest coal producer in the world and it is also its third largest importer.
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In March this year, the Competition Commission of India described the near monopoly of Coal India in the field of coal mining as “Patently unfair” and in contravention to section 4(2)(i)(a) of the Competition Act, 2002.
Due to quality concerns, Coal Controller’s Organisation (the national watchdog of coal quality) downgraded 177 CIL mines in various states.
Various coal fields in India:
Jharkhand holds first position in coal production as well as coal reserves in India. o Jharia (the largest in India), Daltonganj, Bokaro, Giridih, North Karanpura, South Karanpura,
Ramgarh.
Orissa holds second rank in coal reserves. They are largely located on the basin of River Mahanadi: Talcher and Rampur
Madhya Pradesh: Singrauli, Umaria, Sohagpur, Satpura.
Chhattisgarh: Corba, Chirimiri, Jhilimili and Bishrampur.
West Bengal: Raniganj (second largest coalfield in India)
Andhra Pradesh: Singareni, kantapalli
Maharashtra (Most of the coal fields are found in Nagpur-Wardha region): Wardha, Chanda, Kampati, Ballarpur
Neyveli in Tamil Nadu, Pallu fields in Rajasthan, Masi in Kashmir are famous for Lignite (or Brown coal)
Sadar Sarovar Project
Relevancy G.S. Paper 2,3 About The Sadar Sarovar Dam The Benefits of raising the height of the dam Core issue
Recently
The Sardar Sarovar dam is the highest dam ever built in India. The height of the dam was recently raised to 138.68 metres, enabling a usable storage of 4.73 million
acre feet.
About The Sadar Sarovar Dam
It is a gravity dam built on the Narmada river in Gujarat.
It supplies water and electricity to 4 Indian states, i.e. Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra.
It was inaugurated in 2017 as a part of the Narmada valley Project, a large hydraulic engineering project involving the construction of a series of large irrigation and hydroelectric multi-purpose dams on the Narmada river.
The Benefits Of Raising The Height Of The Dam
By raising the height of the dam, it will generate more hydro-energy, will extend irrigation and bring drinking water to drought-affected, arid areas of Rajasthan and Gujarat.
This might displace close to 20,000 families and deprive them of flood productive agricultural land, and destroy hundreds of acres of biodiverse forest.
It will provide economic growth in the region
Core issues
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Biodiversity o The Narmada valley is one of the most fertile ecosystems in India, with biodiversity and abundant
number of fish, birds and trees. o The Narmada estuary, where the river meets the sea, has become increasingly saline because of
the decrease in fresh water flow after the dams came up. o By Blocking normal water flow, there will be a negative impact on the biodiversity of the
downstream region. o Catching fish has now declined by as much as 75%.
Siltation o It is one of the biggest challenges faced by dams worldwide, and constitutes one of the biggest
challenges to the long-term success of this dam. o A dam choked with silt creates a river prone to risky situations of potential flooding in the
backwaters. o Apart from directly reducing water storage capacity, the siltation also decreases the water
capacity due to increased evaporation loss. o As a result, the capacity to generate hydropower is affected.
Rehabilitation o Compensation to the displaced has often come in the form of land unsuitable for farming or
living, located either on river beds at the risk of flooding, or in rocky areas which cannot be ploughed.
o This leaves the once self-reliant people of the valley with no option but to work as daily wage labour and crowd into urban slums.
o Resettlement sites lack basic facilities like wells, drinking water pipelines, or grazing land for cattle, let alone schools or road facilities.
Erosion o The steep slopes of the Narmada valley are prone to erosion, protected so far because of the
dense forests that line the sides of the valley. o If trees are cleared, soil from the denuded slopes will flow unchecked into the river, turning the
water muddy.
“Heart Diwali, Swastha Diwali” Campaign
Relevancy GS Prelims, GS Mains paper I, II, IV Environment, Government Initiatives Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation
Recently Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, launched the “Harit
Diwali, Swasth Diwali” campaign. The pollution levels in Delhi last year, especially post Diwali, reached such levels that the government had
to declare an emergency situation, which had socio-economic consequences like closing down of schools, construction sites and power stations.
Background
Diwali is an integral part of our rich tradition and a festival that embodies joy and happiness.
In recent times, the pattern of celebration has changed somewhat and has got associated with excessive bursting of crackers, which contributes significantly to air and noise pollution.
As a result, there has been a significant impact on the environment and health of the people.
Airborne pollution has been rising above safe limits during winter in many cities.
The excessive burning of crackers during Diwali aggravates the problem. Highlights of the campaign
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Some of the activities to promote Green Diwali among school children include stickers/logo distribution, poster competition, advertisement on public transport systems, public appeal using Radio/FM, involving industry associations and other stakeholders.
The ministry also administered a Pledge for a Green and Healthy Diwali to be widely circulated to the schools/colleges and other educational institutions.
Ministry impressed upon the children to celebrate this year’s Diwali by not buying fire crackers and instead buy a gift, food items, or sweets for the poor and underprivileged children living in their locality.
As a part of the social media campaign, an online competition will be conducted, where any individual/organisation can make a video/audio clip on the theme ‘Pollution Free Diwali’.
The best of these clips will be used officially to promote the theme across the country. Immediate Relevancy
In addition to basic environmental concerns, India will be hosting FIFA U-17 World Cup in October this year which is an important occasion and a matter for pride for India.
It is important for us to ensure that there is no inconvenience caused in the conduct of the event and our national image is protected and enhanced.
FAME –India scheme
Relevancy G.S. Paper 2,3 Background About FAME India scheme
Recently
The centre is considering to extend FAME- India scheme which promotes electric and hybrid vehicles. The extension will be for another six months.
Background:
The phase-I of the scheme is being implemented for a period of 2 years i.e. FY 2015-16 and FY 2016-17 commencing from 1st April 2015.
The phase was subsequently extended by six months till September end.
About FAME India scheme:
FAME India – Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric vehicles in India – is a part of the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan.
The scheme has four focus areas, technology development, demand creation, pilot projects and charging infrastructure.
The scheme envisages Rs 795 crore support in the first two fiscals starting with the current year.
It is being administered by the Heavy Industries Ministry.
The FAME India Scheme is aimed at incentivising all vehicle segments i.e. 2 Wheeler, 3 Wheeler Auto, Passenger 4 Wheeler Vehicle, Light Commercial Vehicles and Buses.
The scheme covers Hybrid & Electric technologies like Mild Hybrid, Strong Hybrid, Plug in Hybrid & Battery Electric Vehicles.
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Hurricanes/ Tropical Cyclones
Relevancy: GS Prelims, GS Mains paper I, III Physical phenomenon, Tropical cyclones, Hurricanes, disaster management.
Recently: Hurricane Irma moved over Florida (US), after having wrought destruction in the Caribbean, killing at least
22 people. Winds of up to 160mph smashed into Camaguey Archipelago on the Cuba's northern coast on Saturday The US National Hurricane Centre upgraded it once again to a Category 5 storm. The strongest Atlantic storm in recorded history has now been downgraded to a Category 4, but remains
extremely powerful, blowing sustained winds of 155mph. What is a Hurricane?
A Hurricane is a giant, spiraling tropical storms that can pack wind speeds of over 160 miles (257 kilometers) an hour and unleash more than 9 trillion liters of rain a day.
These storms are called hurricanes when they develop over the Atlantic or eastern Pacific Oceans. They are cyclones when they form over the Bay of Bengal and the northern Indian Ocean, and they are typhoons when they develop in the western Pacific.
Figure: Cross section of a tropical cyclone/ Hurricane HOW ARE HURRICANES FORMED?
Hurricanes begin as tropical disturbances in warm ocean waters with surface temperatures of at least 26.5 degrees Celsius.
These low-pressure systems are fed by energy from evaporation of water from warm seas.
If a storm achieves wind speeds of around 60 km/hr, it becomes known as a tropical depression.
A tropical depression becomes a tropical storm–and is given a name–when its sustained wind speeds top 39 miles (63 kilometers) an hour.
When a storm’s sustained wind speeds reach 74 miles (119 kilometers) an hour it becomes a hurricane and earns a category rating of 1 to 5 on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
A hurricane/ tropical cyclone is akin to a travelling heat engine. It feeds on an incessant supply of latent heat released from condensation in ascending moist air.
The reliance on readily available moisture also explains why tropical cyclones can only survive over the warm oceans and invariably weaken once over land.
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The convergence of air at the lower levels and divergence in the upper air imply a vertical circulation which is schematically shown in the following cross-sectional diagram.
What is a Storm surge?
These storms bring destruction ashore in many different ways.
When a hurricane makes landfall, it often produces a devastating storm surge that can reach 20 feet (6 meters) high and extend nearly 100 miles (161 kilometers).
Ninety percent of all hurricane deaths result from storm surges.
Torrential rains cause further damage by spawning floods and landslides, which may occur many miles inland.
How are Hurricanes categorized?
Strong Winds determines the intensity of a hurricane
The intensity of a tropical cyclone is measured by the highest sustained wind speed found within it.
Once it becomes a hurricane, the relative strength of that hurricane is also measured on a scale based on its greatest wind speed.
This scale is named the Saffir-Simpson scale for the men who invented it. The scale is listed below. Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale (SSHWS) (You need not remember the exact figures. An idea of wind speed should be there)
Scale Number Category
Central Pressure mb inches
Wind Speeds mi/hr knots
Storm Surge feet meters
Observed Damage
1 >=980 >=28.94
74-95 64-82
4-5 ~1.5
some damage to trees, shrubbery, and unanchored mobile homes
2 965-979 28.50-28.91
96-110 83-95
6-8 ~2.0-2.5
major damage to mobile homes; damage buildings' roofs, and blow trees down
3 945-964 27.91-28.47
111-130 96-113
9-12 ~2.5-4.0
destroy mobile homes; blow down large trees; damage small buildings
4 920-944 27.17-27.88
131-155 114-135
13-18 ~4.0-5.5
completely destroy mobile homes; lower floors of structures near shore are susceptible to flooding
5 <"920" <"27.17"
>"155" >"135"
>"18" >"5.5"
extensive damage to homes and industrial buildings; blow away small buildings; lower floors of structures within 500 meters of shore and less than 4.5 m (15 ft) above sea level are damaged
Causes of Assam Floods
Relevancy: GS Prelims, GS Mains paper I, III Disaster management, Floods in North east, Assam Floods.
Recently:
Floods wreak havoc in Assam every year, and this year has been no different. This year, floods caused by three long and heavy spells of rain since March have claimed 157 lives so far. Although the situation in the State has improved lately, the damage to life and property has been
enormous.
Why does Assam get flooded every year?
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1. Role of topography: Topography plays a major role. Because most of the rivers flow downstream in the State, they do so with so much force, especially during incessant rainfall, that breaches in embankments are all too common.
2. Anthropological reasons: There are also human-induced problems like destruction of wetlands, deforestation, and encroachments on river banks.
3. Poor Urban planning and infrastructure: Most cities and towns suffer due to poor planning. 4. Role of river tributaries: Both Brahmaputra and Barak, along with their tributaries, were flowing above
danger levels at some point during the monsoon season. Dhansiri, Jia Bharali and Kushiyara, a Barak tributary, continue to flow above danger level.
5. China’s meteorological data: China shares water flow information of the Brahmaputra and Sutlej rivers with India during monsoon as a part of bilateral ties. The hydrological data helps understanding water level downstream. However, this year India did not receive any information from China, said MEA.
Suggest some long-term solutions to this every year problem?
It is "not possible to flood-proof the whole of Assam." However, here are a few measures that can be followed:
1. Rejuvenation of wetlands, 2. Reconstruction of embankments and 3. Decentralised weather forecast.
Landfill Collapse
Relevancy G.S. Paper 2,3 What is landfill? Issue of landfill collapse Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 Suggested Solutions
Recently
National Green Tribunal pulled up the Delhi government and the East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) over the Ghazipur landfill collapse that killed two people
What is Landfill?
A landfill site is a site for the disposal of waste materials by burial and the oldest form of waste treatment
Delhi generates more than 10,000 tonnes of garbage every day, most of which stacks up in ugly hills, posing environmental and public-safety hazards.
Finding new landfills would mean merely relocating the problem.
The Ghazipur landfill that crashed last week was more than 50 metres high — almost as high as a 15-storey building
Country generates more than 60 million tonnes of garbage every year
Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016
The 33-year-old dump yard at Ghazipur should have been shut down years ago, or at least immediately after the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, came into force.
The rules stipulate that a landfill should not be more than 25 years old.
Dump sites in most Indian cities are handling much more waste than they can hold
Suggested solutions
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It would be wrong to have an one-size-fits-all solution for the waste problems of urban India.
But it is well-established that garbage management becomes a difficult proposition when recyclables, organic wastes and toxic wastes are all dumped together.
Segregating waste at source holds the key to effective waste management.
The Mysuru City Corporation has mechanisms for decentralised systems, for example, has focused on segregation of trash at source, door-to-door collection, recycling and involvement of non-profits and educational institutions in public awareness campaigns.
Similar initiatives are also underway in Panaji and Alappuzha. Delhi, Mumbai — most Indian cities — could begin by emulating these cities in getting their basics right.
Side Effects Of GST On Environment
Relevancy: GS Mains paper II and III GST, Environment,
Recently:
The Goods and Services Tax subsumed a variety of existing Central and State levies. Among them were three environment-related cesses: the high-profile Swachh Bharat Cess and Clean
Energy Cess levied on all taxable services since 2015 and on coal since 2010, and the historical Water Cess chargeable since 1977 on water consumption by industry and local authorities.
Difference between a cess and a tax:
Unlike a tax, a cess is levied to raise funds for a specific purpose.
The proceeds are first credited to the Consolidated Fund of India, and the Centre may, after due appropriation by Parliament, utilise such sums of money for purposes designated under the cess.
While in principle a cess is to be levied till the time the Government gets enough money for the specified purpose, several cesses, by virtue of their broad-based objectives, have continued for years and have become an important source of revenue.
Cess and revenues
The water cess is the second most important source of revenue for State pollution control boards (despite non-payment by local bodies in most States) after consent fees.
The Centre collected ₹12,500 crore in 2016-17 through the Swachh Bharat Cess for the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan (SBA) which aims to make India open-defecation free by 2019 and improve the appalling state of waste management in the country.
Though the SBA was included as a CSR activity in 2014 under Schedule VII of the Companies Act 2013, it is clear the programme will require significant public expenditure to meet its 2019 target.
Likewise, the clean energy cess levied on coal at the rate of ₹400/tonne in 2016 (progressively increased from ₹50/tonnes in 2010) amounted to a staggering ₹28,500 crore in 2016-17.
Touted as a tax on carbon, it met almost 50 per cent of the budget of the ministry of new and renewable energy for 2016-17.
This, despite the fact that less than half of the cess collected since 2010-11 was credited to the National Clean Energy and Environment Fund, created to disburse the cess revenue.
And, despite the fact that MNRE is only one of the beneficiaries (along with the ministries of water resources, river development and Ganga rejuvenation; environment, forests and climate change; and drinking water and sanitation) of the fund.
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To add injury to insult, the coal cess will continue at the same rate under the Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States) Act 2017, but will now contribute to the GST compensation fund, a corpus meant for compensating States for revenue losses arising from the shift to the new indirect tax regime.
Conclusion:
It remains to be seen if Budget 2018-19 will adequately compensate ministries for the loss of revenue.
But the fact that these cesses were summarily and unceremoniously abolished in the wake of a new tax regime shows that environmental issues are still not part of the mainstream policy discourse.
The Government should have used this opportunity to reflect on the changes required to encourage efficiency in resource use, prevention of pollution and management of waste.
After all, the Water Cess, while an important source of revenue for the pollution control boards, was effective neither as resource-tax that incentivised judicious use of the scarce resource, nor as a pollution tax despite higher rates for more polluting uses and rebates for installation of pollution control equipment.
Perhaps it’s time for a Green Tax Council, at par with the GST Council, to design and implement environmental fiscal reform in India.
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POLITY AND GOVERNANCE
Watershed Component of PMKSY- Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana
Relevancy: GS Prelims, GS Mains paper I, III Agriculture, Irrigation, Infrastructure, Sustainable Water use, Watershed component of PMKSY
Recently:
The Standing Committee on Rural Development chaired by Dr. P. Venugopal submitted its report on ‘Watershed Development Component’ (erstwhile Integrated Watershed Management Program- IWMP) of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana
What is a watershed?
A watershed is an area that separates water flowing into rivers or basins.
Management of a watershed involves the rational utilisation of land and water resources, through preventing soil run-off, increasing the productivity of crops, rain water harvesting and recharging of ground water tables.
About PMKSY:
The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) was launched in 2015, and is being jointly implemented by three ministries.
The Ministry of Rural Development undertakes water conservation activities, the Ministry of Water Resources undertakes measures for creation of irrigation sources, and the Ministry of Agriculture promotes efficient water utilisation.
The salient observations and recommendations of the Committee include:
Expeditious efforts for completion of projects: o 53% of the net sown area in the country, accounting for 74 million hectares is rain fed, and the
watershed development component of PMKSY aims to enhance productivity in these areas through suitable irrigation measures.
o The Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP), now part of PMKSY, has been under implementation since 2009.
o The Committee noted that between 2009 to 2015, out of the 8,214 projects covering 39 million hectares being carried out, not even a single project has reached closure date as of April 2017.
o As per the watershed development project guidelines, projects should be completed in four to seven years.
o It recommended that serious efforts should be made to expedite the completion of ongoing projects under the watershed component.
Budgetary allocation: o The Committee recommended that in the context of non-completion of projects due to shortfall
of funds, the budgetary allocations should be commensurate to the requirements of the projects sanctioned.
Coordination with states for better implementation: o Under IWMP, the fund sharing pattern between centre and states was 90:10. o This has changed to 60:40 under the watershed development component of PMKSY. o The Committee noted that this change has made the role of states in effective fund utilisation
even more significant.
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o It added that the delay in completion of projects could be avoided through better coordination with state government agencies and stakeholders.
Detailed Project Reports (DPRs): o The Committee noted that DPRs for 1,774 projects had not been prepared. o It also noted lack of quality in preparation of DPRs, such as not taking into account challenges of
a geographical location, and ways to overcome them. o It stated that this was because agencies responsible for the preparation of DPRs lacked the
required skill sets for such projects. o It recommended that credible, government agencies, with substantial expertise should be
involved in the preparation of DPRs. o Local people should also be involved in the process, and DPRs should be place in the public
domain to maintain transparency and accountability.
Third party evaluation: o Under a new initiative, three agencies have been appointed for monitoring and evaluation of
projects in the north, west and north-east regions. o Such an evaluation mechanism will provide much better insights into the functional and ground
level aspects of ongoing projects. o It recommended that the process of selection of these agencies for the south and east regions
should be expedited since watershed development projects were being implemented across the country.
‘Saubhagya’ Plan For Household Electrification
Relevancy: GS Prelims, GS Mains paper II and III Government schemes, Infrastructure, Saubhagya
Recently:
The Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi launched Saubhagya scheme for rural household electrification.
PM Modi said the situation has now changed and that the nation is moving from a scenario of power shortage to surplus.
About the scheme:
Under the scheme- PM Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (Saubhagya), every household in the country, whether it is in a village or a city or in a far-flung area, will be given an electricity connection.
No price will be charged for the poor to get an electricity connection, and the government will go to their houses to give them the connection
For 4 crore houselholds, the government is posed to spend Rs 16,000 crore under this project. Background:
Despite the government’s aggressive village electrification programme, the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gram Jyoti Yojana launched in July 2015, under which 78% of 18,000 villages have been electrified, it was realised that the problem of electricity ‘access’ wasn’t resolved.
A village is declared to be electrified if 10% of the households are given electricity along with public places such as schools, panchayat office, health centres, dispensaries and community centres.
With a large number of household still remaining unelectrified, the scheme aims at ensuring the coverage of households as opposed to only villages.
Benefits under the scheme:
Access to electricity to all willing households
Substitution to kerosene
Improvement in educational services
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Improvement in health services
Improvement in communications
Improvement in public safety
Increased job opportunities
Better quality of life, especially for women, in daily chores
The scheme will help India, the world’s third-largest energy consumer after the US and China, to help meet its global climate change commitments as electricity will substitute kerosene for lighting purposes.
Lighting in turn will also help in improving education, health, connectivity with the multiplier effect of increased economic activities and job creation.
How will it help?
It has been observed that the electricity distribution companies (discoms) don’t want to supply to the villages even if the electrification has taken place.
By providing electricity access to all households with prepaid and smart meters, demand will be created which in turn will force the discoms to supply to these villages.
How will it work?
To ensure on the spot registration, mobile applications will be used.
While free connections will be provided to below poverty line (BPL) households, even those not covered under this category can avail it by paying Rs500 in 10 instalments of Rs50 each along with their monthly bill.
With no subsidy component for monthly electricity consumption, the Gram Panchayat and public institutions in the rural areas will be authorised to carry out billing and collection tasks which have been pain points for the discoms.
For those household where the national electricity grid can’t reach, households will be provided with solar power packs along with battery banks.
State-run Rural Electrification Corporation is the nodal agency for the scheme.
States have also been provided with an incentive of 50% of their loan being converted to grants, if the electrification targets are met by 31 December 2018.
How will the beneficiaries be identified?
The beneficiaries for free electricity connections will be identified using Socio Economic and Caste Census (SECC) 2011 data.
Economic Advisory Council
Relevancy GS prelims GS Mains paper III Economic Advisory Council
Recently
The PMEAC has been constituted several times since the independence of India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided to reconstitute the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime
Minister that had been rendered defunct after the previous UPA government demitted office in May 2014.
Niti Aayog member Bibek Debroy has been picked as the chairman of the Council, which will also include Aayog’s principal advisor and former Finance Secretary Ratan Watal as its member-secretary.
Introduction
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Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (PMEAC) is a non-constitutional, non-permanent and independent body constituted to give economic advice to the Government of India, specifically the Prime Minister.
The council serves to highlight key economic issues facing the country to the government of India from a neutral viewpoint.
Organisation of the council
The PMEAC is chaired by a Chairperson and consists of eminent economists as members.
It is supported in its functions by a team of officials and administrators.
For administrative, logistic, planning and budgeting purposes, the Planning Commission of India serves as the Nodal Agency for the PMEAC.
Functions of the council
The primary role of the PMEAC is to give a neutral viewpoint on economic policy matters that are referred to it by the Prime Minister.
Also, analyzing any issue, economic or otherwise, referred to it by the Prime Minister and advising him.
Addressing issues of macroeconomic importance and presenting views thereon to the Prime Minister.
This could be either be suo-moto or on a reference from the Prime Minister or anyone else.
Submitting periodic reports to the Prime Minister on macroeconomic developments and issues with implications for economic policy.
Attending to any other task as may be desired by the Prime Minister from time to time.
It publishes reports on the annual Economic Outlook and Review of the Economy of India.
First Past The Post Voting System (FPTP)
Relevancy G.S. Paper 2 Voting systems First past the post system (FPTP) Benefits and drawbacks of FPTP
Voting System
Voting is a right of in the society for electing a government which must work for the betterment of all the citizens.
The type of system used for voting decides whether the government truly represent people and whether citizens can hold them to account if they let them down.
There are following types of voting system around the world: o First past the post (US, India, Westminster) o Single transferable vote (Ireland, Malta, Scottish Local Elections, Northern Irish Assembly) o Additional member system (Scottish Parliament, New Zealand, Germany) o Two round system (France) o Alternative vote (Australia, Irish president) o Borda count (Eurovision, Kiribati, Nauru) o Supplementary Vote (UK mayors, UK police) o Party list proportional representation (Brazil, South Africa, Israel)
First Past The Post System (FPTP)
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Also known as ‘Winner-Takes-All’, this system is easy to understand and results of election can be determined quickly.
In this method, the elections are held for each constituency fixed by the Election Commission and the candidate who gets the maximum number of votes is declared as a winner
The voting takes place in single-member constituencies.
Voters put a cross in a box next to their favoured candidate and the candidate with the most votes in the constituency wins.
All other votes count for nothing.
Benefits of FPTP
Simple and Easy to understand
Doesn't cost much to administer
Don’t take Much time in counting the votes
Doesn't alienate illeterate people who can't count
Tends to produce two party system in the long run, which in turn tends to produce a single party Government which don’t need support of other parties and this may give result to dictatorship of a majority party.
Drawbacks of FPTP
Representatives can get elected on tiny amounts of public support as it does not matter by how much they win, only that they get more votes than other candidates.
In this system, there is a huge possibility that the voices of the minority section are left unheard, thus reducing the very essence of a true democracy
FPTP wastes huge number of votes as votes of losing candidates counts for nothing.
It encourages tactical voting, as voters vote not for the candidate they most prefer, but against the candidate they most dislike.
The Psychology of this can be understood by the fact that most people want to be on winning side and voting to their favoured candidate will waste their vote.
Transforming Rural India
Relevancy G.S. Paper 2,3 Rural development in India Employment Generation In Rural Areas Skill Development in India Skill Development and Rural Youth Conclusion
Recently
PM has given a new vision of ‘making a New India’, to boost growth in Rural areas of the country.
Rural Development in India
Rural development holds the key to sustainable economic growth and human development.
India’s emergence as a global power depends on its ability to tackle the challenge of rural poverty and development effectively.
The government’s initiatives for the upliftment of the rural masses. o MGNREGA
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o Doubling the farmer’s income by 2022 o Swachh Bharat Mission o PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana o PM Awas Yojana o PM Jan Dhan Yojana o Soil health cards o PM Ujjawala Yojana o E-NAM o PM Fasal Bima Yojana o PM Gram Sadak Yojana
With these schemes and the visible progress in these areas, hopes of creating ‘New India’ has increased.
It is the rural workforce and Indian agriculturalists who can play the pivotal role in the overall development and well-being of the country.
Rural economy, prosperity of Indian villages and self-content requirement of pastoral clusters can only usher in a progressive and modern India.
But ultimately, it ought to be underlined that it will be wrong to visualize a uniform and single pattern of farming or rural development methodology in the entire country.
Employment Generation In Rural Areas
Transforming rural India is an imperative to make India a developed nation where youth plays an important role.
The PM has often talked about skill, scale and speed, out of which skill is the most important.
Previously, three different agencies were responsible for skill development o PM council for skill development o National Skill Development Corporation o National Skill Development Agency
Presently, a new ministry was formed who was devoted to Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
Its aim is to prepare a framework for skill development, bridge the gap between demand and supply of skilled labour through vocational education and technical training, develop new skill sets and evaluate and certify the existing skill development programs.
Skill Development in India
The National Skill Development Corporation has a capacity to train 82 million through 159 training partners.
A person in an urban area has 93% greater chance of acquiring training than someone in a rural area.
Many ministries have been involved in the skil development initiative- department of rural development, ministry of textiles, ministry of micro, small and medium enterprises.
One of the biggest challenges faced by the country is not the absence of skill, but the lack of a proper mechanism to train and certify workforce.
The wider gap between those who have access to education and skill development opportunities and those who do not, is a challenge that has to be overcome.
Skill Development and Rural Youth
About 69% of population lives in villages.Agriculture is largest employer (48% of its 490 million workforce) but results only in 13% share of GDP.
Several challenges prevent India’s rural poor youth from competing in the modern market, such as lack of formal education and marketable skills.
The government is making efforts to engage, educate, employ and make rural youth entrepreneurs.
Some of the schemes to ensure skill training, capital funds, connectivity and jobs for the country’s rural youth are:
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o Deen Dayal Upadhaya Grameen Kaushal Yojana (DDU-GKY) Aim- to make rural poor youth economically independent. It is a placement linked skill training programme which in partnership with private
industries, which is empowering rural youth with skills and giving placements. o ASPIRE
It is a scheme for promotion of Innovation, Rural Industry and Enterprise which has set up a network technology centres, incubation centres to accelerate entrepreneurship and to promote start-ups for innovation and entrepreneurship in rural and agriculture based industry.
Planned outcomes of ASPIRE is setting up Technological Business Incubators, Livelihood Business Indicators and creation of a fund with SIDBI.
o PMKVY Aim- to impart skills to 1 crore people om four years. Post placement is given directly to the beneficiaries through DBT. Mobilisation, monitoring and post training placement of trainees is to be done through
Rozgar melas and Kaushal Shivirs. It will also focus in imparting skills which are helpful in overseas employment.
o Nai Manzil It is an educational and livelihood initiative supported by World Bank. It can be availed by school drop outs out of six notified minority communities- Muslims,
Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Parsis and Jains. o USTAAD
Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development. Launched by ministry of minority affairs for skill development of artisans and craftsmen
of minority communities. Many hunar hars, shipl utsavs are organised and engagement with knowledge partners
like NIFT and NID is undertaken.
Conclusion
It should be dream of every Indian workforce population to be skilled.
12 million people are expected to join the workforce every year.
With Make in India as a national dream and acceptance of skill development as a priority for the next decade, reforms will be visible when government integrates skill development, education system and Indian industry.
The government has been successful in creating an ecosystem for skill development but still there is a need to make efforts in a sustained manner.
Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana (AGEY)
Relevancy G.S. Paper 2 About Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana (AGEY) Objectives of AGEY About Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) Key features of DAY-NRLM
Recently
The Government of India recently launched a new sub-scheme named “Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana (AGEY)” under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).
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About Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana (AGEY)
The Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana is started to provide an alternative source of livelihood to members of Self Help Groups (SHGs).
The sub-scheme will be implemented for a period of three years from 2017-18 to 2019-20 in 250 blocks in the country on a pilot basis.
Objectives of AGEY
To provide alternative source of livelihood to members of SHGs under DAY-NRLM
To facilitate them to operate public transport services in backward rural areas.
To provide safe, affordable and community-monitored rural transport services like e-rickshaws, three and four wheeler motor transport vehicles
To connect remote villages with key services and amenities including access to markets, education and health for the overall economic development of the area.
About Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM)
The NRLM was launched in June 2011 by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD).
The Mission aims at creating efficient and effective institutional platforms of the rural poor, enabling them to increase household income through sustainable livelihood enhancements and improved access to financial services.
NRLM believes in harnessing the innate capabilities of the poor and complements them with capacities (information, knowledge, skills, tools, finance and collectivization) to participate in the growing economy of the country.
The poor would be facilitated to achieve increased access to their rights, entitlements and public services, diversified risk and better social indicators of empowerment.
Under the scheme the rural poor will be targeted through self-managed Self Help Groups (SHGs) and federated institutions will support them for livelihoods collectives in a period of 8-10 years.
Key Features of DAY-NRLM:
Financial Inclusion
Universal Social Mobilisation
Community Funds as Resources in Perpetuity
Participatory Identification of Poor (PIP)
Stabilizing and promoting an existing livelihood portfolio of the poor through its three pillars – ‘vulnerability reduction’ and ‘livelihoods enhancement
Shekatkar Committee report
Relevancy: GS prelims, GS mains paper II and III India’s defence policy, Shekatkar committee report, Defence modernization.
Recently: The government has accepted some of the suggestions of the Shekatkar Committee. A committee under Lieutinant-General DB Shekatkar was set up last year in order to suggest ways and
means to enhance the combat potential of the armed forces and re-balancing defence expenditure. What were the underlying principles for the committee?
Addressing military commanders aboard INS Vikramaditya in December 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had advised them to reform their 'beliefs, doctrines, objectives and strategies', emphasising that
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"at a time when major powers are reducing their forces and rely more on technology, we are still constantly seeking to expand the size of our forces.
Modernisation and expansion of forces at the same time is a difficult and unnecessary goal. We need forces that are agile, mobile and driven by technology, not just human valour".
Some of the areas the prime minister mentioned where reform was necessary are those of: o Defence planning, o Enhanced jointness (interoperability of the army, navy and air force), o Rationalisation of manpower, o Professional military education, o Restructuring higher defence management and o Reforming the defence procurement process.
These in turn became the committee’s ‘guiding principles’ for its deliberations.
The committee was also guided by the concept of ‘strategic space’ of India’s interest What is India’s strategic space?
Strategic space has been defined on the Ministry of Defence website: "India’s size, strategic location, trade interests in a security environment that extends from Persian Gulf in the West, to the Straits of Malacca in the East and from the Central Asian Republic (CAR) in the North to near the equator in the South, underpin India’s security response. In view of the strategic spread, it is essential for the country to maintain a credible land, air and maritime force to safeguard its security interests."
Some of the major recommendations of the Shekatkar committee are critically analysed as below: 1. India’s defence objective:
The major security objectives upon which the committee focussed, besides the defence of the nation’s borders, were protecting its citizens against wars, terrorism, insurgency, nuclear threats and militant activities, being a net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region, and developing of equipment and technologies that enhance defence preparedness through indigenous research, development and production.
To achieve these objectives, the committee drew up 'military' objectives, that are the prevention of war through deterrence, prosecution or military operations to achieve stated/implied political objective(s), provision of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) when called upon to do so.
A factor added by the committee to this 'traditional' list was the attainment of a degree of technological and strategic independence.
2. About the other threats that the nation is facing:
Besides the collusive and collaborative threats from its two major adversaries, there are other areas viz technological threats such as cyber, space and information warfare; non-contact or non-conventional threats and security in the maritime domain such as India’s maritime geography, its maritime trade, its maritime relations, investments and interests and the prospect of maritime terrorism.
The beacon in the latter context is the vision of SAGAR – Security and Growth for All in the Region. 3. About 'teeth-to-tail' ratio:
the committee broke the shackles of these being defined only in the context of the three armed forces.
It recognised the need to critically examine anyone and everyone sustained out of the Defence Budget.
An appropriate teeth-to-tail ratio is one for the entire defence mechanism sustained out of Defence Budget of India (including organisations that function under the MoD such as the DRDO, OFB, DGQA, defence estates, CGDA, BRO, the defence PSUs and the MoD itself).
4. There should be an integrated approach for all forces:
The capabilities of the armed forces could be greatly enhanced if there is more jointness both in their training and in the execution of their tasks.
An integrated approach towards equipment selection, procurement, stocking and training would all accrue considerable financial savings.
5. On defence budget:
Keeping a minimum threshold of three percent of the GDP to ensure meeting the expenditures of growing operational requirements.
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A Defence Planning Board to monitor defence modernisation and budgeting which should be predicated on specific needs should be set up.
It also suggested the adoption of a ‘roll on’ plan being explored that would ensure non-lapsability and more efficient uses of resources precluding the existing year end rush of expenditure.
National E-Governance Plan
Relevancy G.S. Paper 2,3 About National E-Governance Plan Digital initiatives by the government Objectives of National E-Governance Plan Key principles of National E-Governance Plan
Recently
The Government of India approved the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP), comprising of 27 Mission Mode Projects (MMPs) and 8 components in 2006.
In the year 2011, 4 projects – Health, Education, PDS and Posts were introduced to make the list of 27 MMPs to 31.
Currently, there are 44 MMPs being implemented by the government under e-Kranti.
Digital initiatives by the government
Agriculture digital initiatives o Pesticide registration o Information on pesticides o Display on the Web of Seed Testing Results o Geographical Information System (GIS) based interface for price & arrival details o Information on fertilizers/seeds. o Prices and arrival details o District level Agro-met advisories
Major mobile applications o Crop Insurance: Famer can learn of insurance premium, notified area etc. on the mobile. o Kisan Suvidha: provides information on five critical parameters- weather, input dealers, market
price, plant protection and expert advisories. o India Weather: provides current weather and 4 days weather forecast across the country for
more than 300 cities. o Pusha Krishi: provides information on latest technologies to farmers. o Agri Market: Farmer can learn of the prices of various crops in the mandis near him.
Major Web portals o Crop Insurance Portal: To provide complete information related to a Crop Insurance scheme
being implemented o Farmers’ Portal: Farmers’ Portal is a one stop shop for farmers where a farmer can get
information on a range of topics including seeds, fertilizer, pesticides, credit, good practices, dealer network, and availability of inputs, beneficiary list and Agromet advisories.
o mKisan Portal: unified platform from where officials and scientists can send targeted text and voice based advisories to the farmers on a host of issues related to agriculture and allied sectors.
o Participatory Guarantee System of India (PGS) Portal: for encouraging participatory approach to certification of organic farming in the country.
e-Mandi
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o The Government has launched e-Mandi portal to make procurement of agricultural products smoother and provide competitive remuneration, especially for small and marginal farmers.
School Education Mission Mode Project (MMP) o The MMP is focused on Primary, Secondary and Higher Secondary education. It will be a driving
force for implementation of National Policy on Information & Communication Technology (ICT) in School Education.
Land Records o Major services include real-time availability of land records, issuance of Record of Rights along
with cadastral maps, issuance of certified copy of deed, issuance of non-encumbrance certificate, payment of stamp duties etc.
o 26 States have computerized their land records and providing computerized copies of Records of Rights on demand.
o These states have also placed their land records data in public domain.
Aadhaar & Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) o 103+ crore citizens enrolled. 27+ Crore Bank Account seeded with Aadhaar No. 74 Government
Schemes are on DBT, where Rs. 1.2 lakh crores transferred through DBT.
National Scholarships Portal (NSP) o The portal is a one-stop solution to implement end-to-end disbursement of the scholarship to
the beneficiaries. o The process includes student registration, application, approval and disbursement. o 76 schemes of 22 Ministries/Departments of the Government are being on-boarded on the
portal.
Central Excise and Customs o Facilitates trade and industry by streamlining and simplifying customs and excise processes and
to create a climate for voluntary compliance.
Passport Seva o Project focuses on reforming Passport services in India through simple, efficient and transparent
processes from processing of Passport to delivery of services.
e-Courts o The services delivered through the e-Courts MMP include Automated case filing, Automated
registration of case, Automated workflow for court, Generation of automated cause list, Judicial service centers in all Courts, Automation of Case Management System, allocation of cases, etc.
MCA 21 o The major services delivered under the aegis of Ministry of Corporate Affairs through MCA21
include viewing of public records, issue of certified copy of documents, change in registered office, change in director(s), annual filings, application for change of name of a company, incorporation of a company and name allocation to a new company.
e-Tourist Visa o Tourists can apply visa online, pay visa fee online and receive e-Tourist Visa online. Around 8.45
lakh e-Tourist Visas have been issued since Nov, 2015.
e-District o e-District services have been launched in 555 districts of the country, which delivers various
types eGov services at districts.
Common Services Centers (CSC) 2.0 o The CSC aims for establishing at least one CSC in each of 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayat (GP) level
under Digital India Programme to deliver various G2C, B2C and B2B services online.
Mobile Governance o The Mobile Seva platform delivers Government services over mobile devices using mobile
applications installed on the user’s mobile handsets. o About 2521 Government departments and agencies at central, state and local levels have been
integrated with the Mobile Seva platform.
Vikaspedia
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o It is a multilingual collaborative content creation platform that promotes access and sharing of e-knowledge for empowerment of underserved communities.
o Vikaspedia facilitates societal empowerment through provision of relevant information in various domains including Agriculture, Education, Health, Social Welfare, Energy and e-Governance in 22 scheduled languages of the country, besides English.
Jeevan Pramaan o Digital Life Certificate for Pensioners scheme known as Jeevan Pramaan envisages digitizing the
whole process of securing the life certificate. o With this initiative, the pensioner is no more required to physically present himself or herself in
front of disbursing agency or the certification authority. o Jeevan Pramaan is a biometric enabled digital service for pensioners. 16.30 lakh pensioners
registered for the scheme.
e-Hospital – Online Registration System (ORS) o It includes online appointment and registration by new patients, viewing of lab reports, checking
the status of blood availability and integration with payment gateway (PayGov). o 43 hospitals have been integrated.
MyGov o MyGov aims to establish a link between Government and Citizens towards meeting the goal of
good governance. MyGov encourages citizens as well as people abroad to participate in various activities i.e. ‘Do’, ‘Discuss’, ‘Poll’, ‘Talk’, ‘Blog’, etc.
o There are multiple theme-based discussions on MyGov where a wide range of people can share their thoughts and ideas.
About National E-Governance Plan
The National e-Governance Plan (NeGP) is an initiative of the Government of India to make all government services available to the citizens of India via electronic media.
NeGP was formulated by the Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY) and Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG).
The Government approved the National e-Governance Plan, consisting of 27 "Mission Mode Projects" (MMPs) and Tencomponents, on 18 May 2006.
Objectives of National E-Governance Plan
To promote rapid replication and integration of eGov applications.
To redefine NeGP with transformational and outcome oriented e-Governance initiatives.
To ensure optimum usage of core Information & Communication Technology.
To make use of more agile implementation models.
To enhance the portfolio of citizen centric services.
To leverage emerging technologies.
Key principles of National E-Governance Plan
Security and Electronic Data Preservation. Transformation and not Translation. Integrated Services and not Individual Services. Mobile First. National GIS (Geo-Spatial Information System). Government Process Reengineering (GPR) to be mandatory in every Mission Mode Project. Fast Tracking Approvals. ICT Infrastructure on Demand. Language Localization. Cloud by Default.
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Mandating Standards and Protocols.
Transforming Rural India
Relevancy G.S. Paper 2,3 Rural development in India Employment Generation In Rural Areas Skill Development in India Skill Development and Rural Youth Conclusion
Recently
PM has given a new vision of ‘making a New India’, to boost growth in Rural areas of the country.
Rural Development in India
Rural development holds the key to sustainable economic growth and human development.
India’s emergence as a global power depends on its ability to tackle the challenge of rural poverty and development effectively.
The government’s initiatives for the upliftment of the rural masses. o MGNREGA o Doubling the farmer’s income by 2022 o Swachh Bharat Mission o PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana o PM Awas Yojana o PM Jan Dhan Yojana o Soil health cards o PM Ujjawala Yojana o E-NAM o PM Fasal Bima Yojana o PM Gram Sadak Yojana
With these schemes and the visible progress in these areas, hopes of creating ‘New India’ has increased.
It is the rural workforce and Indian agriculturalists who can play the pivotal role in the overall development and well-being of the country.
Rural economy, prosperity of Indian villages and self-content requirement of pastoral clusters can only usher in a progressive and modern India.
But ultimately, it ought to be underlined that it will be wrong to visualize a uniform and single pattern of farming or rural development methodology in the entire country.
Employment Generation In Rural Areas
Transforming rural India is an imperative to make India a developed nation where youth plays an important role.
The PM has often talked about skill, scale and speed, out of which skill is the most important.
Previously, three different agencies were responsible for skill development o PM council for skill development o National Skill Development Corporation o National Skill Development Agency
Presently, a new ministry was formed who was devoted to Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
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Its aim is to prepare a framework for skill development, bridge the gap between demand and supply of skilled labour through vocational education and technical training, develop new skill sets and evaluate and certify the existing skill development programs.
Skill Development in India
The National Skill Development Corporation has a capacity to train 82 million through 159 training partners.
A person in an urban area has 93% greater chance of acquiring training than someone in a rural area.
Many ministries have been involved in the skil development initiative- department of rural development, ministry of textiles, ministry of micro, small and medium enterprises.
One of the biggest challenges faced by the country is not the absence of skill, but the lack of a proper mechanism to train and certify workforce.
The wider gap between those who have access to education and skill development opportunities and those who do not, is a challenge that has to be overcome.
Skill Development and Rural Youth
About 69% of population lives in villages.Agriculture is largest employer (48% of its 490 million workforce) but results only in 13% share of GDP.
Several challenges prevent India’s rural poor youth from competing in the modern market, such as lack of formal education and marketable skills.
The government is making efforts to engage, educate, employ and make rural youth entrepreneurs.
Some of the schemes to ensure skill training, capital funds, connectivity and jobs for the country’s rural youth are:
o Deen Dayal Upadhaya Grameen Kaushal Yojana (DDU-GKY) Aim- to make rural poor youth economically independent. It is a placement linked skill training programme which in partnership with private
industries, which is empowering rural youth with skills and giving placements. o ASPIRE
It is a scheme for promotion of Innovation, Rural Industry and Enterprise which has set up a network technology centres, incubation centres to accelerate entrepreneurship and to promote start-ups for innovation and entrepreneurship in rural and agriculture based industry.
Planned outcomes of ASPIRE is setting up Technological Business Incubators, Livelihood Business Indicators and creation of a fund with SIDBI.
o PMKVY Aim- to impart skills to 1 crore people om four years. Post placement is given directly to the beneficiaries through DBT. Mobilisation, monitoring and post training placement of trainees is to be done through
Rozgar melas and Kaushal Shivirs. It will also focus in imparting skills which are helpful in overseas employment.
o Nai Manzil It is an educational and livelihood initiative supported by World Bank. It can be availed by school drop outs out of six notified minority communities- Muslims,
Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Parsis and Jains. o USTAAD
Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development. Launched by ministry of minority affairs for skill development of artisans and craftsmen
of minority communities. Many hunar hars, shipl utsavs are organised and engagement with knowledge partners
like NIFT and NID is undertaken.
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Conclusion
It should be dream of every Indian workforce population to be skilled.
12 million people are expected to join the workforce every year.
With Make in India as a national dream and acceptance of skill development as a priority for the next decade, reforms will be visible when government integrates skill development, education system and Indian industry.
The government has been successful in creating an ecosystem for skill development but still there is a need to make efforts in a sustained manner.
UJALA in Malaysia
Relevancy G.S. Paper 2 UJALA in Malaysia Aims of the scheme
Recently
UJALA, One of the successful schemes by the Government of India has been launched in
Melaka, Malaysia.
Aims of the scheme
It aims to sell LED bulbs at affordable price through Energy Efficiency
Services Limited (EESL), under Ministry of Power. Under this scheme, each household in Melaka will get 10 high quality 9-watt LED bulbs at a
cost of only MYR 10 which is almost half the price offered in the market. Green Growth Asia, a non-profit organization will provide logistical assistance and facilitation
support in the implementation of the scheme. Launching the scheme Melaka Chief Minister said, “In due course of time, the successful
Indian model of UJALA scheme has become a sought-after example for the different nations of
the world.
A New Task Force To Increase Employment
Relevancy G.S. Paper 2 The new task force Strategy behind it
Recently
The government has constituted a new task force led by NITI Aayog to recommend measures to increase employment by promoting labour-intensive exports.
The Task force will give its report on recommendations in November this year.
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Strategy behind it
Given the importance of exports in generating jobs, India needs to create an environment in which globally competitive exporters can emerge and flourish.
An important strategy is to enable a shift towards more labour-intensive goods and services that are destined for exports.
Special Status and Special Category Status to States
Relevancy G.S. Paper 2, 3 Difference Between Special Status And Special Category Status To States Current States With The Special Category Status. Criteria Benefits To The State
Difference Between Special Status And Special Category Status To States
There is a huge difference between the terms ‘Special Status’ and ‘Special Category Status’
Special status is guaranteed by the Constitution of India through an Act passed by the two-third majority in both houses of the Parliament, as in the case of Jammu and Kashmir, whereas Special Category Status is granted by the National Development Council (NDC), an administrative body of the government.
Special Status empowers legislative and political rights while Special Category Status deals only with economic, administrative and financial aspects.
The concept of a special category state was first introduced in 1969 when the 5th Finance Commission sought to provide certain disadvantaged states with preferential treatment in the form of central assistance and tax breaks.
Initially three states Assam, Nagaland and Jammu & Kashmir were granted special status but since then eight more have been included (Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim, Tripura and Uttarakhand).
Current States With The Special Category Status.
Arunachal Pradesh
Assam
Himachal Pradesh
Jammu and Kashmir
Manipur
Meghalaya
Mizoram
Nagaland
Sikkim
10.Tripura
Uttarakhand
Criteria
The special status is given to states based on certain parameters. Which are
Low resource base
Hilly and difficult terrain
Low population density
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Sizable share of tribal population
Hostile location
Benefits To The State
The benefits that a state gets under the provision of being a 'special state' are -
Preferential treatment in getting Central funds assistance
Concession on excise duty, this attracts industries to the state
Significant 30% of the Centre’s gross budget goes to the Special category states
These states avail themselves of the benefit of debt swapping and debt relief schemes
In centrally sponsored schemes and external aid special category states get it in the ratio of 90% grants and 10% loans, while other states get 30% of their funds as grants.
Review of National Electricity Policy
Relevancy: GS Mains paper III Energy, Electrification, National electricity policy
Recently:
The Standing Committee on Energy (Chairmam: Mr. Virendra Kumar) submitted its report on the Review of the National Electricity Policy on August 10, 2017.
The central government had released the Policy in February 2005.
Key observations and recommendations of the Committee include:
A. Achievement of objectives: The aims of the Policy included: 1) access to electricity for all households by 2010, 2) meeting the power demand of the country by 2012, 3) supplying reliable and quality power in an efficient manner and at reasonable rates, and 4) financial turnaround and commercial viability of the electricity sector.
The Committee noted that none of the Policy’s objectives could be met within the stipulated timeline. It pointed out that:
o 4 crore households still need to be electrified; o while generation capacities are adequate, the demand for power has not been fully met due to
affordability issues; and o financial condition of the power distribution companies (discoms) has worsened.
B. New challenges in the sector: o The Committee noted that the fall in solar tariff and its low gestation period is posing a threat to the
economic viability of thermal power plants. o While the growth of solar energy is good for the sector, thermal power has been the primary source
of energy in the country and its importance will not reduce in the coming years. o It recommended that development of the power sector should be done in a balanced manner where
various sources of energy complement each other. C. Access to electricity:
o As per the Policy, the key development objective of the power sector is supply of electricity to all areas, including rural areas.
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o The Committee noted that a village with 10% electrified houses is assumed to be electrified, as per the definition of an electrified village.
o Currently, 99.4% villages are electrified, but more than four crore households in the country still do not have an electricity connection.
o It recommended that the definition of village electrification should be changed to declare a village electrified only when all the households of the village are electrified.
o Further, no village should be declared as electrified unless at least 80% of the households have an electricity connection.
o The Committee noted that the current village electrification policy only caters to below poverty line (BPL) households.
o However, there may be above poverty line (APL) families who may not be able to afford getting an electricity connection.
o It recommended that the policy be amended to include both BPL and APL households. o The connection charges to APL families could be exempted, discounted or charged in Equated
Monthly Instalments. o Further, provisions with regard to (i) the quality of supply and (ii) reliability of supply for reasonable
time should also be made. D. Electricity generation:
o The Committee observed that in the recent years, the generation capacity in the country has increased.
o However, the share of hydro power in the total energy mix has decreased from 25% in 2007-08 to 14% currently.
o The hydro capacity that was harnessed as of March 2017 is 30% of the hydro power potential in the country. It recommended that states with hydro potential must focus on its maximum development at the earliest. Further, since renewable energy sources are intermittent in nature, hydro power can be used as a balance to support the grid and even out the fluctuations in supply.
o Currently, hydro power plants with a capacity of over 25 MW are classified as non-renewable sources.
o The Committee noted that the International Energy Agency classifies hydro power as renewable energy since it is derived from natural processes that are replenished at a higher rate than they are consumed. The Committee recommended declaring hydro power as a renewable source of energy.
E. Electricity distribution: o The Committee noted that that the economic viability of the whole electricity sector depends on the
distribution sector, which is currently the most financially distressed in the country. o The aggregate technical and commercial losses (AT&C) in the country are still high, and are the
major reason behind the distressed condition of the discoms. o The Committee also noted that that the concept of AT&C losses is flawed as it disguises commercial
losses which unlike technical losses can be eliminated completely. o It recommended that these two components must be segregated.
F. Financial health of discoms: o The Committee noted that the total outstanding debt of the discoms was around Rs 4 lakh crore
in 2014-15. o The Ujjwal Discom Assurance Yojana (UDAY), launched in 2015, seeks to achieve the financial
turnaround of these discoms. o The Committee noted that interventions in the past with similar objectives have failed due to
certain reasons. o It recommended that necessary calibrations may be made in the scheme as and when need
arises to address any new issues that crop up during its implementation.
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CPGRAMS – Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System
Relevancy: GS Prelims, GS Mains paper II, IV, Public administration optional Public grievance redressal, transparency, accountability, CPGRAMS
Background:
For the last several decades several changes have been brought about to improve transparency in the functioning of the government and bring accountability.
Cumulatively, these have helped the common man find his groove in a maze of laws and indifference of the lower bureaucracy and the response time for the solution of his or her grievance has improved significantly.
However, nothing has revolutionized accountability, transparency and the response time of the government departments than the Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS), brought in by the Modi government.
About CPGRAMS:
CPGRAMS is the new hope for redressal of any grievance - related either to the central or the state government.
While the grievances related to departments of central government are handled quite efficiently, those pertaining to the states are passed on to the respective state governments.
Guidelines have been issued to all the Ministries and Departments of Central Government to ensure that their Citizens' Charter, incorporating list of services, service standards and timelines, are duly uploaded and updated on the respective websites.
Web based CPGRAMS has been designed and implemented in all the Ministries and Departments of Government of India.
Moreover, a customized software with local language interface has also been designed for the state governments too called CPGRAMS - States.
This provides online access to all citizens, including those in Armed Forces personnel, to report their grievances.
A Public Grievances Call Centre has also been set up for reminding the Ministries and Departments concerned receiving bulk of the grievances in the Central Government, for expediting action on grievances pending on CPGRAMS for more than two months.
As monitoring is done at various levels, there is an unusual hurry on the part of the officials to dispose the complaints as everyone would now know at which end the problem exists.
Marital Rape
Relevancy G.S. Paper 2 Negative effects on society Issues
Recently
The Central government has filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court arguing against criminalizing marital rape.
According to the Government, doing so would “destabilize the institution of marriage, apart from being an easy tool for harassing husbands”.
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Negative Effects on Society
This step will be a be a loss for millions of women who face sexual violence from their husbands, as the government is not taking up its responsibility.
Statistics also show that couples who have seen such violence among their parents are more likely to experience it themselves, which means that justifying such acts in the name of stabilizing families only perpetuates them
Specific issues from the National Family and Health Survey
Lack of prosecution is only a part of the problem
Justifying spousal violence in the name of family only perpetuates it
More than four in 10 women who had experienced physical or sexual violence felt that wife-beating was justified under various excuses
These figures underline the need for undertaking both legal and social reforms to deal with the menace of sexual violence by husbands against their wives
Entrenched patriarchal notions have legitimized such violence, even among women
More than 40% women who faced violence by their husbands, think its justified
The Story of Women Reservation Bill
Relevancy G.S. Paper 2 Background Stands of different political parties Women reservation in different countries
Background:
THE JOURNEY SO FAR
1974 Report submitted to Ministry of Education and Social Welfare by a Committee on Status of Women in India. Recommends that seats be reserved for women in panchayats and municipal bodies
1993 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments reserve one-third of seats for women in panchayats and municipal bodies
Sep 12, 1996 Women’s Reservation Bill introduced in Lok Sabha by Deve Gowda govt
June 26, 1998 Bill reintroduced by NDA govt. It lapses as Lok Sabha is dissolved prematurely with Vajpayee govt being reduced to a minority
Nov 22, 1999 Bill again introduced by NDA govt. No consensus
2002-2004 NDA govt brings Bill twice in Lok Sabha, could not get it passed
May 6, 2008 UPA introduces Bill in Rajya Sabha
February 25, 2010 Union Cabinet approves Women’s Reservation Bill
March 9, 2010
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Bill passed by Rajya Sabha with overwhelming majority. Is yet to be introduced in Lok Sabha
It’s been 20 years since the Bill to grant women 33% reservation in Lok Sabha and state Assemblies was introduced. Despite promises, parties have failed to build consensus for a stronger women’s voice at the top, leading to policies and laws to help fight abuse, discrimination and inequality.
What are the stands of different political parties on the agenda of Women reservations:
Most of the main political parties (BJP, Congress and Left) with the exception of the socialists and caste-based parties (SP, BSP and RJD) are principally committed to the idea of providing 33 per cent reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies.
There is a palpable sense of insecurity. Many male politicians believe that the reservation would mean their bastion is gone, since being part of an elected office now involves money, muscle and political power.
The demand of the BSP is that a separate quota should be provided for women. i.e. a quota different from the existing SC quota should be given to SC women.
The Congress contends that even though women form 50 percent of the population, they should be given atleast 33 percent quota in political institutions.
The following figure shows Women reservation in respective Parliaments of different countries:
(See on website if not visible on the App or download the topic on mobile)
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Altering The RTI Act
Relevancy G.S. Paper 2 Implications The spread of RTI related violence
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RTI’s focus RTI in political setting and other issues
Recently
The government has proposed amendments to the RTI Act that would allow the withdrawal of an application in case of the applicant’s death.
Implications
The RTI activists are already exposed to violence, all the more so as the Whistle Blowers Protection Act (2011) is not implemented.
In most situations, cases aren’t even filed and even when filed action has been paltry.
70 RTI activists have been killed thus far, besides other cases of assault & harassment.
Allowing the withdrawal of an application in case of the applicant’s death makes the job of those who file RTIs even more risky.
This impunity creates conditions conducive for more violence against the RTI activists.
It would also send disturbing signals to the defenders of human rights.
Spread of RTI related violence
The richer states that otherwise have a better track record on crime have seen a larger number of RTI related casualties.
A considerable number of cases are from rural India, a clear sign that the RTI has also been active in the village.
This is not surprising since RTI mostly fights against the appropriation of public goods by vested interests, which are comparatively stronger in affluent provinces.
Maharashtra, Gujarat and Karnataka recording the highest number of RTI related crimes.
This prevalence of violence is only proof of the effectiveness of RTI, that makes vested interests and the government nervous.
RTI’s Focus
Exposing corruption: o The nature of the RTI activist’s work is revealing of the character of corruption in India today. o Problems pertaining to land, illegal construction and property disputes are the root cause of
most of the cases. o Other issues like illegal mining, including the sand mafia’s activities.
Media’s Impact: o Even if no action is taken, the media often publicise the cases and give bad publicity to the
offenders. o In some of the most dedicated RTI activists are journalists. o Also, the reasons why small-town journalists are murdered, assaulted & harassed are similar to
the RTI activists.
RTI and the political setting
NGO leaders have played a vital role in this change by touring villages and educate people on how to file RTIs.
The RTI activists not only expose corrupt practices and crimes, but also provide alternative leadership at the local level.
The RTI Act has indeed empowered young Dalits, Adivasis and members of the minorities.
Some of them have become community mobilisers and have been elected sarpanch.
Other issues with RTI
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Opacity: o Some of the government agencies (like the PMO) repeatedly refusing to disclose the required
information. o The Commission does not have enough power for getting responses to its questions and does not
have the mechanisms for following up on whether its orders have been complied with.
Pendency: o While it had already reached 7.55 lakh annually in 2015, it rose by 22.67% in 2016. o The number of RTI applications continues to grow & pendency is increasingly becoming a major
issue with UP crossing the 48,000 mark. o The number of applications filed could easily decrease if the frequently asked questions are
identified and other structural reforms taken up. o Also, the job of Information Commissioner has become a post-retirement sinecure for former
bureaucrats who do not necessarily feel the urge of idealism, thereby aggrevating the problem.
Training: o Also, the Information Officers do not necessarily get the right training. This calls for streamlining
the process. o Universities could include the RTI Act in their train people for making RTIs more proactive
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ECONOMY
Is India Heading Towards Recession?
Relevancy GS Mains paper II Recession Economy
Recently
Last week, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development scaled back its economic growth forecast for India to 6.7 percent for the 2018 fiscal year, down from 7.3 percent predicted earlier this year.
Other organizations and banks have made similar downward revisions. Many economists are suspecting a recession in the Indian economy.
Recession
Recessions are often a phenomenon of matured market economies.
Recession is technically defined as a period of temporary economic decline during which trade and industrial activity are reduced, generally identified by a fall in GDP (hence, negative GDP growth) in two successive quarters.
Indian Government has an iron hold over the economy.
Government and RBI quickly intervene to maintain the stability of its markets.
Analysis
Unemployment: o India has been undergoing high GDP growth lately, although it has been pretty much jobless, and
this was not confined to just the IT sector. o Compared to 930K new jobs created in 2011, only 135K new jobs were created in the year 2016
(1.35 lakh jobs created in India in 2015, lowest in seven years: President).
Demonetisation:
By November 2016, the government was confident enough to launch the first of two massive economic reforms.
The Government’s move was aimed at cracking down on tax evasion, corruption and counterfeiting.
But with most of the new bills not yet printed, ATMs ran dry for weeks as account holders stood for days in long lines at banks that gave out only limited withdrawals.
Many small, cash-reliant businesses including grocery stores and home-based workshops suffered huge losses or went under.
Demonetization left many farmers, already among the poorest, unable to buy seeds and fertilizer for the sowing season.
Goods and services tax:
Just when things were returning to normal this year, Indian businesses were hit with a second upheaval on July 1 the replacement of a complex system of cascading federal and state taxes with a single Goods and Services Tax.
A badly conceived and poorly implemented GST has played havoc with businesses and sunk many of them," said Sinha, the former finance minister.
Unpredictable monsoons:
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Rural Indian villages and towns, where more than half of the country's population relies on farming for their livelihoods, have fared even worse.
Their distress was compounded by two years of poor monsoon rains and drought.
Manufacturing sector:
Economists are most alarmed, however, by the slowdown in manufacturing and construction.
These two sectors many had assumed would do well under a business-friendly government.
Instead, both have seen a sharp rise in unemployment.
"Major employment creators were the small businesses. They are the ones who have been worst hit," said economist Mihir Sharma of the Observer Research Foundation, a New Delhi-based think tank.
FDI, Imports:
Foreign investment increased with government moves to open up sectors, imports remained cheap thanks to globally depressed oil prices, and economic growth ticked along at rates above 7 percent.
Other problems:
Private investment has shrunk as never before in two decades, industrial production has all but collapsed, agriculture is in distress, construction industry, a big employer of the work force, is in the doldrums, exports have dwindled.
Economists have said the country needs to maintain 8 percent growth to add enough jobs for some 12 million young people joining the work force every year.
Conclusion
Optimism nevertheless held high upon expectations of good monsoons in the later part of the year and implementation of the 7th Pay Commission award to boost consumption.
Both materialized plus bountiful revenues from fuel taxes ensured there isn’t any fiscal stress in financing higher salaries.
Still, the government remains upbeat, noting that the latest quarterly growth figure of 5.7 percent was still pretty good compared with how other nations were faring.
India has long been considered a darling market for investors, with high rates of growth and a 1.3 billion population that many companies are eager to reach.
Just a year ago, the economy jumped 9.1 percent in the first quarter temporarily earning the title of world's fastest growing economy and has rarely dipped below 6.5 percent since 2013.
Problems Of Indian Power Sector
Relevancy GS Mains paper III Power sector problems
Introduction
Electricity generation is among the eight core infrastructure sectors of India.
Its importance is evident from the "weight" that has been assigned to it.
The sector carries a weight of 10.3 while steel comes next at a mere 6.7.
Despite the encouraging growth trajectory in the energy space over the last few years, the Indian Power sector has still not been able to induce and sustain the required capacity addition matching the ever growing power demand of the country.
Key Challenges faced by Indian Power Sector
Fuel Security Concerns:
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o Thermal capacity addition is plagued by the growing fuel availability concerns faced by the Industry.
o While a significant gas based capacity of more than 20,000 MW is idle due to non-availability of gas.
o Coal supplies by CIL is restricted to around 65% of actual coal requirement by coal based thermal plants, leading to increased dependence on imported coal with the cascading result of high power generation costs.
Financial Health of State Discoms: o Years of populist tariff schemes, mounting AT&C losses and operational inefficiencies have
adversely affected the financial health of State Discoms which are currently plagued with humongous out-standing debts.
Under-procurement of Power by States: o Increasing power generation costs due to limited fuel availability, poor financial health of State
Discoms, high AT&C losses have contributed in suppressed demand projections by State Discoms.
Inimical Financing Environment: o Over the last 4-5 years, the leading rates have increased significantly from the time of project
appraisal resulting in project cost overrun and hence higher end tariffs.
Policy Paralysis: o The micro level policies governing the fuel cost pass-through, mega power policy, competitive
bidding guidelines are not in consonance with the macro framework like The Electricity Act 2003 and the National Electricity Policy.
Solutions to Combat the Foregoing Challenges
Fuel Reforms: o Various aspects like ramping up coal production by both public and private sector in a time-
bound manner, increased participation of private sector in coal production and easing of regulatory framework, clearances and approvals for allocation and development of coal blocks & gas infrastructure need to be addressed while formulating such reforms.
Arriving at an optimal fuel mix: o There is a dire need to develop both conventional and non-conventional forms of energy,
wherein, three key factors must be kept in view for developing an energy mix: o The pattern of energy demand seen in the country o The availability of fuels o Fuel production and import costs o It would be effective to adopt coal thermal as a fundamental component of the fuel mix for the
next 20-30 years, with solar occupying 5-8 percent of the total mix.
Balanced Regulatory Interventions: o Regulators need to be sensitized to the challenges faced by the sector and policy framework
needs to be crafted and enforced to ensure a win-win situation for all the stakeholders. o They must pro-actively intervene to resolve the immediate issues ailing the power sector.
Increased Financing Facilities for Energy Sector: o A robust and sustainable credit enhancement mechanism for funding in Energy Sector needs to
be put in place through increased participation by global funding agencies like The World Bank, ADB etc. in the entire value chain.
Public private partnership model: o There is a strong need to push for wider-scale implementation of public private partnership
models. o The private sector has been playing a key role in generating power, a more supportive
environment will help in bridging the energy deficit of the country.
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Growth Elasticity of Poverty
Relevancy: GS Mains paper I, II and III; Economics, Sociology and Public administration optional papers. GEP, CCT, Social sector, Social welfare policies
Recently:
The World Bank’s Atlas of Sustainable Development Goals painted a striking image of India’s poverty reduction record in the past 25.
India brought out 120 million people from extreme poverty between 1990 and 2013 Over the same period, China reduced the number of people living in extreme poverty from 756
million to 25 million. Between 1995 and 2012, the growth elasticity of poverty reduction for India is just over 0.12.
What is Growth elasticity of poverty?
Growth elasticity of poverty (GEP) is the percentage reduction in poverty rates associated with a percentage change in mean (per capita) income.
A GEP of 3 implies that a 1% increase in per capita income is associated with a 3% decrease in the poverty rate (proportion of people living on less than $1 per day).
There is no doubt that the faster economic growth is associated with faster poverty reduction. Poverty reduction strategies based on economic growth are successful if they bring down the poverty rate significantly.
Some countries respond to growth based poverty reduction strategies more relative to others. There are reasons behind this heterogeneity.
India’s story vis-s-vis other developing nations:
Brazil, China, Thailand, Mexico etc have fared better than India in reducing poverty.
The reasons for their performance have been attributed to the state-sponsored poverty reduction schemes and social welfare schemes.
If we compare India with Brazil, large income disparities have diluted the impact of growth rate on poverty reduction.
Conditional cash transfers (CCTs):
Conditional cash transfers are said to be effective in such situations.
They act not only as social safety nets, but also as an instrument of behavioural change in the households.
According to Ferreira and Robalini (2010): The objective of CCTs is to alleviate current poverty while simultaneously seeking to break the inter-generational transmission of poverty by encouraging investment in the human capital of poor children.
But the studies also suggest there are huge gaps in the quality of education and health services provided through the CCTs. The underprivileged get poor services and hence the objective of this redistributive justice is lost.
Case study: Bolsa Familia
Inequality and poverty have walked hand in hand in Brazil for decades and even centuries, the result of non-inclusive growth models and regressive social policies.
In the second half of the 20th century, Brazil has been one of the most unequal countries in the world, with economists coining expressions such as “Belindia – a society consisting of a tiny Belgium of prosperity in a sea of Indian poverty”.
For years, the poorest 60 % of the population had only 4 % of the wealth, while the richest 20 % held 58 % of the pie.
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Ten years ago this month, President Lula da Silva launched the innovative Bolsa Família Program (BF), scaling up and coordinating scattered existing initiatives under a powerfully simple concept: trusting poor families with small cash transfers in return for keeping their children in school and attending preventive health care visits.
Ten years after BF has been key to help Brazil more than halve its extreme poverty – from 9.7 to 4.3 % of the population. Most impressively, and in contrast to other countries, income inequality also fell markedly, to a Gini coefficient of 0.527 an impressive 15 % decrease. (World Bank)
Gini coefficient: The Gini coefficient is a statistical measure of distribution, often used as a gauge of economic inequality, measuring income distribution among a population. The coefficient ranges from 0 (or 0%) to 1 (or 100%), with 0 representing perfect equality and 1 representing perfect inequality.
Where the CCTs fail:
Even for health outcomes, research finds that the Brazilian CCT Bolsa Familia has failed to increase child immunisation rates, and has had no impact on health indicators of children between 12 and 36 months.
Similarly, the impact of Mexico’s Oportunidades on health outcomes has been inconsistent, owing to variations in the quality of health infrastructure, scarcity of medicine, low level of care, and discourteous treatment by health professionals.
Lessons:
Cash transfers are able to act as effective tools and reduce long-term poverty only as long as they are supported by a social infrastructure that facilitates an improvement in outcomes.
India’s latest Economic Survey has mooted a Universal Basic Income as a “safety net against health, income and other shocks.”
The UBI has been hotly debated on both feasibility and desirability considerations.
While the UBI will smoothen the consumption curve temporarily, even the most ambitious cash transfers will fail to reduce poverty permanently, unless they are complemented by a well-functioning social infrastructure that is able to provide quality education, health, and nutrition, across the board.
Thus, for CCTs to be successful, a right mix of social services is critical.
Outcome Budgeting
Relevancy G.S. Paper 2 Introduction to budgeting system in India About Outcome based budgeting Procedure of outcome based budgeting Conclusion
Introduction To Budgeting System In India
One of the leading budgeting technique followed in India at present is the outcome budgeting or outcome based budgeting.
It is practiced by most of the Ministries while preparing their budget details and submitting it to the Ministry of Finance for the preparation of the annual budget towards the end of February.
About Outcome based budgeting
Outcome based budgeting is a practice of suggesting and listing of estimated outcomes of each programmes or schemes designed.
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Outcomes are the end products and results of various Government initiatives and interventions, including those involving partnerships with the State Governments, Public Sector Undertakings, autonomous bodies and the community.
An interesting feature of outcome based budgeting is that the outcomes of programmes are measured not just in terms of Rupees but also in terms of physical units like Kilowatt of energy produced or tonnes of steel produced.
Also, outcomes are expressed in terms of qualitative targets and achievements to make the technique more comprehensive.
Procedure of outcome based budgeting
Under outcome budgeting, each Ministry presents a preliminary Outcome Budget to the Finance Ministry, which is responsible for compiling them.
The Outcome Budget becomes a progress card on what various Ministries and Departments have done with the outlays in the previous annual budget.
It measures the development outcomes of all government programmes and whether the money has been spent for the purpose it was sanctioned including the outcome of the fund usage.
Outcome budget is a performance measurement tool that helps in: o Better service delivery o Decision-making o Evaluating programme performance and results o Communicating programme goals o Improving programme effectiveness o Make budgets cost effective o Fix accountability o Aid better scheme management
Conclusion
Outcome budgeting makes government programmes more result oriented, instead of outlay oriented.
Under outcome budgeting, the document shows physical dimensions of the financial budget indicating the actual physical performance in the previous year, current year and targeted performance during the projected (next) year.
From 2007-08 onwards, the previous Performance Budget was merged with Outcome Budget.
There was only one document, i.e. the Outcome Budget.
All Ministries have to prepare outcome budgets to make the budgeting target oriented.
Operation Clean Money To Clean Shell Companies
Relevancy G.S. Paper 2 About Shell Companies About Operation Clean Money Law Governing Shell Companies What Is Dormant Company? Difference Between Dormant And Shell Companies The Consequences To Be Faced By 2 Lakh Companies
Recently
Recently, the central government initiated action against more than two lakh shell companies as a part of Operation Clean Money.
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SEBI has also identified nearly 331 companies and initiate action against them.
About Shell Companies
Shell companies are typically corporate entities which do not have any active business operations or significant assets in their possession.
It is a non-trading company used as a vehicle for various financial manoeuvres or kept dormant for future use in some other capacity.
These are suspected to be used as a tool for tax avoidance, tax evasion or money laundering.
Shell companies can be used to transfer assets of one company to a new company without having the liabilities of the former company.
About Operation Clean Money
Initiated in Jan, 2017, Operation Clean money (Swachh Dhan Abhiyan) by Income Tax department, is an e-platform to analyse large cash deposits made during demonetization window.
It involves e-verification of large cash deposits made during the period from 9th
November to 30th
December 2016.
As part of the initiative, Email and SMS were sent to 18 lakh taxpayers for submitting an online response on the e-filing portal.
Law Governing Shell Companies
In India, there is no specific law relating to “shell companies.”
However, some laws help, to an extent, in curbing illegal activities such as money laundering and can indirectly be used to target shell companies
o Benami Transaction (Prohibition) Amendment Act 2016 o The Prevention of Money Laundering Act 2002 o The Companies Act, 2013.
What Is Dormant Company?
As per Section 455 of the Companies Act, 2013, a company that does not have a significant financial activity or has been inactive can apply to the Register of Companies and obtain the status of a dormant company.
The company shall be a dormant company on the rolls of the Register of Companies until it follows all the provisions of Section 455.
If it fails to do so, the Register of Companies shall have powers to strike of their names from the Register of Companies.
Difference Between Dormant And Shell Companies
A dormant company gets its title in two ways: it has chosen to get a ‘dormant’ status from the RoC by way of an application and is in compliance of the requirements of Section 455.
Further, in case a company has not filed financial statements or annual returns for two financial years consecutively, the Register of Companies shall issue notice and include it in the register of ‘dormant’ companies. But a shell company is one which is typically suspected of illegal activities.
The Consequences To Be Faced By 2 Lakh Companies
These companies subject to their respective circumstances would have to make an application before the National Company Law Tribunal for restoration, which the NCLT will decide on a case-to-case basis.
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Cess Under GST
Relevancy G.S. Paper 2 What Is Cess? Constitutional Validity Of Cess Justification Of Levying Tax On The Selected Bracket
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A new levy called the GST Compensation Cess has been introduced to make better apprehended losses to States in the first five years of GST implementation.
What Is Cess?
The proceeds of the cess will be distributed to loss-incurring States on the basis of a prescribed formula.
The Cess has been introduced through the GST (Compensation to States) Act, 2017 and is levied on inter- and intra-State supply of notified goods such as aerated drinks, coal, tobacco, automobiles and the ambiguous category of ‘other supplies’.
The schedule to the Act mentions the maximum rates of the cess, which extend to 290%. The levy would be over and above the four GST slabs of 5%, 12%, 18% and 28%.
Contitutionally Valid Of Cess
A cess is a levy for a specific purpose which may bear the characteristics of a tax or a fee.
Under Article 270 of the Constitution, a cess tax has special privilege as the proceeds can be retained exclusively by the Union and need not be shared with States.
The quintessential feature of a cess is that it is levied for a ‘specific purpose’ and the proceeds are earmarked as such.
If compensating State governments is considered to be a specific purpose, any general revenue raising measure can be considered to be backed by an earmarked purpose. Once the money is transferred to State governments, it can be used to fund just about any scheme and may even be used merely to adjust the respective State government’s fiscal deficit.
A cess must have an earmarked purpose and the contributor and beneficiary must be relatable.
In the past, cesses were imposed by the Central government to raise finances for specific industries and labour welfare within chosen industries.
Further, there is no relation between the persons contributing to the cess and the recipients, the State governments. All these factors make the cess look more like an additional tax or surcharge which becomes problematic as surcharge on the GST is prohibited under Article 271.
Section 18 of the 122nd Constitution Amendment Bill, 2014 proposed a 1% additional tax to compensate States but this was withdrawn while enacting the Amendment Act.
There is no provision for an additional tax. As per Article 279A(4)(f), the GST Council’s power to recommend a special rate is confined to raising additional resources during any natural calamity or disaster. The cess cannot be justified under such power.
The version of Section 18 adopted in the Amendment Act, 2016 merely says that Parliament shall, on the GST Council’s recommendations, provide for compensation to States for a period of five years.
It appears that by enacting the cess, Parliament is seeking to do indirectly that which cannot be done directly, which amounts to it being a colourable piece of legislation.
Moreover, pursuant to the 101st Constitution Amendment Act, 2016, Article 271 has been amended to state that an additional tax/surcharge cannot be imposed over and above the GST tax rates
Justification of levying tax on the selected bracket
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It is doubtful it will succeed if tested under the anvil of the right to equality under Article 14.
The goods identified in the Act, such as aerated drinks, coal, tobacco, automobiles and the ambiguous category of “other supplies”, do not form a distinct category or class deserving the liability to pay the cess so as to compensate States.
While the sin goods argument is alluring, it is erroneous, looking at misfits such as coal and aerated drinks and the uncovered sin goods including luxury goods, jewellery, gadgets and the like.
SEBI Tightens The Noose For Credit Rating Agencies (CRAS)
Relevancy: GS Prelims, GS Mains paper 3 Indian economy, credit rating agencies
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SEBI has proposed a 10 per cent cross-shareholding cap in credit rating agencies along with a slew of measures for tightening the financial and operational eligibility of their promoters.
What are the suggestions of SEBI (details)?
The regulator has proposed that no CRA should directly or indirectly, hold more than 10 per cent of shareholding and/or voting rights in another CRA and shall not have representation on the board of the other CRA.
Besides, the regulator has suggested greater disclosure requirements by credit rating agencies (CRAs) as well as by companies getting their services.
The proposed norms are likely to have an impact on global rating agencies such as S&P, Moody’s and Fitch which have significant holdings in domestic agencies besides their direct presence.
Further, SEBI’s prior approval would be needed for acquisition of shares or voting rights in a CRA that results in change in control.
The requirement would not be applicable for holdings by broad-based domestic financial institutions. What is the objective behind this move?
This initiative has been taken by the SEBI in order to improve the market efficiency and transparency, accountability and governance of the rating agencies.
This has also the motive to improve investor awareness about the operations of rating agencies.
Another reason behind the move is to prevent rating agencies from resorting to collusion in reaching decisions.
But how the rules will solve the problem of “rating shopping” that plagues the business of credit rating in the country is unknown.
India’s Falling Growth Rate
Relevancy G.S. Paper 2 Highlights of the official GDP data Reasons For Slow Growth Rate In India
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India has reported the lowest GDP growth rate in three years for the April-June quarter, after overtaking China as the fastest growing big economy in the world in 2015.
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Decline in growth rate was being speculated post-demonetisation, the government maintained that it would not affect the growth rate much.
Highlights of the official GDP data
The data showed that there is a decline in India’s GDP growth rate to 5.7 for the March-June 2017 quarter, which was 7.9 per cent in the corresponding quarter in last fiscal.
This is the lowest GDP growth rate in three years.
The GDP growth rate has shown a continuous decline in last six quarters.
Economic activities that saw growth of over 7 per cent in the first quarter are trade, hotels, transport and communication, among others.
Reasons For Slow Growth Rate In India
Negative impact of demonetization
Principal decline in growth is due to industry, which grew only at 1.6% compared to 7.4% last year.
Destocking of goods which might have happened prior to the introduction of the GST also had a negative impact
Decline in investment rate in the economy in the form of private sector and domestic investment.
The health of Indian banks is withering i.e. increasing NPAs, which are not attracting more private sector investment.
India’s Slow Growth Rate Of Economic Health Indicators
Relevancy G.S. Paper 2 Reasons for the slow growth rate of economic health indicators Main concerns Avoiding fiscal stimulus Measures to revive growth Way ahead
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The pace of economic growth has slowed considerably, with no clear sign of a sharp pullback in the near term
GVA growth, the preferred indicator of economic activity, came in at 5.6%, compared with 7.6% in the same quarter last year
GDP increased at a modest pace of 5.7% in the first quarter of the current fiscal It now seems difficult for the economy to get close to the RBI’s GVA growth forecast of 7.3% for
the current year
Reasons For The Slow Growth Rate Of Economic Health Indicators
The De-stocking of inventory before the implementation of the goods and services tax (GST)
Impact of demonetisation
However, it is also likely that the softening of economic activity, which started before demonetisation, is still continuing
Therefore, it will not be possible, to gauge precisely which factor is affecting growth to what extent
The Main concerns
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The main worry for policymakers is that the economy is slowing at a time when global markets are reasonably stable.
The commodity prices are within the India’s comfort zone.
Avoiding fiscal stimulus
It is likely that a sufficiently large fiscal push will help growth in the short run, but there are at least three big problems with this idea
o There is no guarantee that it will take the economy to a higher growth trajectory in a sustainable manner
o Breaching the fiscal deficit target(by giving fiscal help to economy) yet another time will affect policy credibility and could pose a threat to hard-won macroeconomic stability
o The government doesn’t have the fiscal space(means resources) to give a meaningful stimulus at this stage
Therefore, Fiscal stimulus is best avoided
Measures To Revive Growth
The recapitalization of public sector banks
While the bankruptcy process will help deal with non-performing assets, the government needs to move fast on bank recapitalization
It is highly unlikely that a predominantly bank-financed economy will grow as desired when about three-quarters of the banking system is in deep stress
The Way Forward
The government should go all out and use its political capital to push reforms in these sectors, which will improve the ease of doing business
There has been virtually no movement on reforms in areas like land and the labour market
The government has taken several steps in the right direction, such as the implementation of GST, whichwill help the economy in the medium to long run
All this may not lift growth in the next quarter, but will help strengthen the foundation for a sustainable economic recovery
The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC)
Relevancy G.S. Paper 2 The insolvency and bankruptcy code initiative Background and other government initiative in this regard Issues related Way ahead
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The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) and the Indhradhanush scheme are rolled out by the government.
However, the slow pace of its progress in resolving stressed banks is getting to be a cause of concern.
Background:
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After the initiation of the concept of “ease of doing business”, the Government passed the most sort after code relating to the bankruptcy and insolvency proceedings.
In the Budget speech of 2014-15, Bankruptcy Law Reform was identified as a key priority for improving the ease of doing business and that a comprehensive bankruptcy code was necessary meet the global standards and to necessary judicial capacity.
The enactment of the ‘The Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code, 2016’ on May 26, 2016 is perhaps the single biggest reform undertaken in India in recent times.
Along with the changes in the debt recovery provisions, it will also enable in solving the bad debt problem of India’ which has crippled bank lending.
The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (IBC) replaces a fragmented legal framework and a broken institutional set-up that has been delivering poor outcomes for years for creditors and distressed businesses seeking an exit.
The government initiative
Indradhanush plan is a seven pronged plan to revamp the functioning of public sector banks.
The IBC, 2016 is the bankruptcy law of India which seeks to consolidate the existing framework by creating a single law for insolvency and bankruptcy.
This is to deal with insolvency resolution processes for individuals, companies and partnership firms.
The recent Alternative Mechanism is a framework to speed up the mergers of public sector banks.
The seven elements include appointments, board of bureau, capitalisation, de-stressing, empowerment, framework of accountability and governance reforms.
Issues
Higher Provisions o Banks should also comply with RBI directions to make higherprovisions for accounts to be
referred under the IBC. o A provision is an amount that is put aside in an account to cover a future liability. o Higher provisions could ensure that banks are fully protected against likely losses in the
resolution process
Insolvency applications o Banks should come forward and file insolvency applications under the IBC, on their own without
waiting for regulatory directions from the RBI. o This “pre-default” stage out-of-court restructuring, with very first signs of initial stress can make
resolution process faster and simpler. o .
Capital infusion o There is a considerable need for substantial additional capital infusion into public sector banks
by the government. o This is essential given the scale of NPAs and lower internal capital augmentation of public sector
banks.
Balance sheets o There is a need for a more concrete plan for public sector bank balance sheets. o This is essential to ensure that banks withstand the losses during resolution. o And also to have enough capital buffers to intermediate well the huge proportion of economy’s
savings that they receive as deposits.
Way ahead
The Government should address the massive re-capitalisation need of banks and soon publicly announce a feasible plan in this regard.
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However, the developments hint at a need for all these to work together to make a substantial progress in the resolution process.
The government has come up with various options for resolving issues like stressed assets, inefficient banks, balance sheet problem, etc.
This is crucial to provide clarity to investors and restore confidence in the markets about the banking system.
PMJDY And The JAM Revolution
Relevancy G.S. Paper 2,3 About JAM What is required Beyond bank accounts? Lack of producer services Private investment Focus on capabilities
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PMJDY and the JAM revolution can link all Indians into one common financial, economic, and digital space.
The suggestion of equality as a criterion of governance that is conveyed by this is to be welcomed
About JAM
JAM, deriving from Jan Dhan, Aadhaar and Mobile, combines bank accounts for the poor, direct transfer of benefits into these accounts and the facility of making financial payments through mobile phones.
It eliminates the leakage in the transfer of welfare payments and enabling the poor to have bank accounts
Aadhaar ensure that benefits reach the poor and enabling them to make payments through ordinary mobile phones.
For furthering the latter the government has devised the Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM) app.
What is required Beyond bank accounts?
Nationalised banking sector had done very little to extend banking services to the poor
Inclusion would entail equal access to opportunities for earning a livelihood. This in turn implies employment opportunities.
Having a bank account and access to reliable electronic payments system, is not the same as economic inclusion.
Demand for labour exists only when there is demand for goods and services
The potential of the JAM trinity for bringing about either of these conditions for economic inclusion is limited.
Even when the demand for labour exists, potential workers must be endowed with the capabilities to take advantage of the opportunity offered
Lack of producer services
Economic reforms of 1991 largely focused on liberalisation of the policy regime
Ecosystem of production requires access that firms have to producer services ranging from water supply to waste management.
It meant to make it easier for firms to produce, exposing them to international competition with a view to increasing efficiency in the economy.
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Even when producer units employ workers they are poorly capitalised, making it impossible for them to generate producer services themselves.
Producer services require large capital outlay, often deterring private firms.
Thus the public provision of producer services should be an essential part of public policy.
Private investment
Overall growth had however been maintained, partly through the demand generating impact of public investment. But now even growth appears to be stalling
Private investment in India hasdeclined steadily over the past few years.
There appears to be a mismatch between the government’s own assessment of its policies and the private sector’s valuation of their worth
Data actually point to a steadily slowing economy with growth having been successively lower in the past five quarters.
Focus on capabilities
All individuals must be equipped with the essential capabilities.
For this, society must have a minimum, universal health and education infrastructure accessible to all.
Recent weeks witnessed governance failure on a major scalein many parts of the country.
Delhi’s suburb of Ghazipur a garbage mountain came crashing down, again causing death and disruption.
In U.P.’s Gorakhpur district children have died because the hospital is not able to maintain a steady supply of oxygen.
Building capabilities require committing resources to building the requisite social and physical infrastructure and investing time to govern its functioning
Financial Inclusion In Rising India
Relevancy G.S. Paper 2 What is financial inclusion? Benefits of financial inclusion Scope of financial inclusion Schemes under financial inclusion Conclusion
About Financial Inclusion:
“Financial Inclusion” is the way the Governments strive to take the common man along by bringing them into the formal channel of economy thereby ensuring that even the person standing in the last is not left out from the benefits of the economic growth and is added in the mainstream economy thereby encouraging the poor person to save, safely invest in various financial products and to borrow from the formal channel when he need to borrow.
Benefits of Financial Inclusion:
Lack of financial inclusion is costly to society and the individual. As far as the individual is concerned, lack of financial inclusion forces the unbanked into informal banking sectors where interest rates are higher and the amount of available funds much smaller.
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Because the informal banking structure is outside any legislative framework, any dispute between lenders and borrowers cannot be settled legally.
As far as the social benefits are concerned, financial inclusion increases the amount of available savings, increases efficiency of financial intermediation, and allows for tapping new business opportunities.
State sponsored universal banking has therefore contributed to greater economic diversification in rural areas than is the case in more competitive banking environments.
With structural adjustment programs being introduced in the 1980s and 1990s, financial market reforms swept over many developing countries.
Scope of Financial inclusion:
Scope of the financial inclusion is not limited to only banking services but it extends to other financial services as well like insurance, equity products & pension products etc.
Thus, financial inclusion is not just about opening a simple bank account with a branch in an unbanked area.
Adding the common man into the mainstream economy has other advantages as well as on the one hand it helps inculcate the vulnerable section of the society to save money for its future and the rainy days, take benefits of the economic activities of the country by participating in various financial products like, banking services, insurance & pension products etc., on the other hand, it helps the country to increase the rate of ‘capital formation’ which in turn, give a push to the economic activities in the economy by channelizing the money from every nook & corner of the country.
Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs) are the classic examples for providing easy & affordable credit to poor people and have got written innumerable success stories.
This phenomenon of financial inclusion also helps government plug gaps & leakages in public subsidies & welfare programmes as government can directly transfer the subsidy amount into the account of the beneficiary rather than to subsidise the product.
One of the most crucial of the several steps taken by the Modi government is JAM trinity- Jan Dhan, Aadhar & Mobile.
Some of the schemes aimed at financial inclusion are discussed as below:
1. Jan Dhan Yojna –
With a view to increase the penetration of banking services and to ensure that all households have at least one bank account, a National Mission on Financial Inclusion named as Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna was announced by Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi in his independence speech on 15
th August, 2014.
Within a fortnight of its launch, the scheme entered into the Guinness Book of records for opening a record number of bank accounts.
The additional benefits on opening an account under Jan Dhan Scheme is the customer is issued a RuPay Debit Card having inbuilt insurance cover of Rs 1 Lakh.
Besides, an overdraft (OD) facility of Rs 5,000/- is granted to the customer for satisfactory operation of account for 6 months.
A life cover of Rs 30,000/- has also been granted to customers for opening the accounts up to a certain time period.
The scheme has been a great success and the 99.99% households out of the 21.22 crores households surveyed have been covered under this scheme by December, 2016.
2. Insurance & Pension schemes –Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojna and Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojna are the main schemes for providing social security for all citizens, especially the poor and the under-privileged.
“ I dream of a digital India where
mobile and e-banking ensures
Financial Inclusion” – Prime
Minister Shri Narendra Modi
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A) Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojna (PMSBY):
It covers the persons within the age slab of 18 to 70 years and a risk coverage of Rs 2 lakhs is provided at an affordable premium of Rs 12 per annum only.
As per the date 12th April, 2017, around 10 crore people were enrolled under Pradhan Mantri Suraksha BimaYojana (PMSBY).
B) Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojna (PMJJBY):
It covers the persons within an age slab of 18 to 50 years having a bank account.
The life cover of Rs 2 lakhs is provided to the insured payable in case of death of the insured due to any reason.
As on 12th
April 2017 3.10 cr person were enrolled under PMJJBY. C) Atal Pension Yojna:
This scheme was launched in 2015 and is open to all bank account holders in the age group of 18 to 40 years
Beneficiaries can choose different contributions based on the pension amount.
Under this scheme monthly pension is guaranteed to the subscriber and after him to his spouse and after their death, pension corpus as accumulated till the age of 60 years is returned to the nominee of subscriber.
Central Government also contributes 50% of the contribution subject to a maximum of Rs 1000 per annum.
As on 31st
March 2017 a total of 46.80 lakh subscribers have been enrolled from Atal Pension yojana with a total pension worth of Rs1713.214cr.
D) Varishita Pension Bima Yojana:
All those who subscribe to the VPBY from 15th
August 2014 to 14th
August 2015 will receive an assured guaranteed return of 9% under the Policy.
3. Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojna --
Scheme launched in April, 2015 to provide formal access of financial facilities to Non-Corporate Small Business Sector.
The basic objective of the scheme is to promote & ensure bank finance to unfunded segment of the Indian economy.
In the Mudra Scheme since beginning till 13th
August 2017, total 8crore 70 lakh loan where distributed out of which 6 crores 56 lakh were given to woman.
In this scheme 3 lakh 75 thousand crores were sanctioned (1 lakh 88 crores to woman) and 3lakh 63 thousand crores were disbursed (out of which 1lakh 66 thousand crores were given to woman).
The target for 2016-17 was Rs 180,000cr while sanctioned amount is Rs 180528cr which indicate the success of the scheme.
4. Other Schemes includes Jeevan Suraksha Bandhan Yojana, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana: Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) and General Credit Cards (GCC), BHIM App.
Liberalized policy towards ATMs and White label ATMs. o To expand the network of ATMs, the RBI has allowed non-bank entities to start ATMs (called
‘White Label ATMs’). o The RuPay Cards have significantly increased its market share to 38 per cent (250 mn) of the
total 645 million debit cards in the country so far. o The card has been provided to the account holders of PMJDY (170 million).
Financial Literacy Centers were started by commercial banks at the request of RBI to give awareness and education to the public to access financial products.
o Here, RBI’s policy is that financial inclusion should go along with financial literacy.
The launch of direct benefit transfers through the support of Aadhaar and Bank Account is one of the biggest developments that activated and retained people in the newly opened account.
5. Stand up India –
launched to extend bank loans between Rs 10 lakhs to Rs 1 crore for Greenfield enterprises set up by the SC, ST & women entrepreneurs and to provide them handholding support.
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By Mid-August 2017 38,477 people were given loan up to Rs 8,277 crores out of which 31000 were woman and given loan up to Rs 6,895 crores.
6. Venture capital Scheme—
In this scheme SC/ST people were encouraged to be Job Provider instead of Job Seekers.
Initially in this Scheme loan were provided from 50 lakh to 15 crores which now is changed from 20 lakh to 15 crores.
The rate of interest has been reduced from 10% to 8%.
Conclusion: The government is committed to its target of increasing the inclusion of every household in the financial system so that the masses can get all the legitimate benefits arising out of the growth of the country and in turn, the funds mobilised from the people not earlier in the formal channel could also be brought in the formal channel thereby giving the economy of the country an extra thrust to lead the path of growth.
Understanding MSP
Relevancy: GS Prelims, GS mains paper I, III MSP, Farmers’ unrest, CACP.
Recently:
Amid farmers’ unrest in many parts of the country, the demand for an increase in minimum support price (MSP) has been voiced regularly.
A part of the agricultural price policy, MSP is the price at which the government offers to procure farmers’ produce during the season.
What is MSP?
Farmers are free to sell their produce to government agencies or in the open market, but it is when market prices fall below the MSP that government agencies step in to buy the crop to protect the growers.
Also, the aim is to safeguard the interest of the consumer by ensuring supplies at a reasonable price.
The Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs announces the MSP at the start of each sowing season, taking into account the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP).
The key considerations, while recommending the MSP for crops, are demand and supply, production cost, price trends in the domestic and international market and the likely implications of the price on consumers.
The CACP’s recommendations are in the form of price policy reports every year, separately for five groups of commodities: kharif crops, rabi crops, sugarcane, raw jute and copra.
At present, agricultural commodities for which MSP is given include paddy, wheat, maize, sorghum, pearl millet, barley, ragi, gram, tur, moong, urad, lentil, groundnut, rapeseed-mustard, soyabean, sesamum, sunflower, safflower, nigerseed, copra, sugarcane, cotton and raw jute.
How did it come about?
Recognising the need to evolve a balanced and integrated price structure to serve the interests of both producers (farmers) and consumers, the Union government set up a committee on August 1, 1964 to advise the Agriculture Ministry to determine the prices of rice and wheat.
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The domain of coverage was expanded to coarse cereals.
Later, the government decided to set up a permanent body, called the Agricultural Prices Commission, in 1965.
This was renamed as the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices in 1985.
To ensure remunerative price to farmers, the government procured 38.65 million tonnes of rice, 22.93 million tonnes of wheat and 1.3 million tonnes of pulses during 2016-17 in various States.
Why does it matter?
The key purpose of the government’s price support policy is to provide a fair return to efficient farmers and to protect the interests of consumers by keeping the prices of food and other agriculture commodities at reasonable levels.
Agricultural commodities are prone to price fluctuations: while a farmer may get a handsome return for his produce in a short supply scenario, the same commodity may fetch him a poor price during years of bumper production.
MSP ensures that farmers get a minimum price for their produce in unfavourable market conditions. Also with MSP, farmers are incentivised to grow crops, which are short in supply.
In the absence of support price, farmers may not find certain crops lucrative, which would lead to poor production, resulting in high prices.
The MSP works as a tool to stabilise production and control consumer prices and sounds good, but farmers across the country have been facing problems of selling their produce at the minimum support price.
What next?
Agricultural experts point out that there is hardly any dependable mechanism of government procurement for crops on the MSP in most parts of the country.
Problems like delay in the setting up of procurement centres, exploitation by commission agents (Arthiyas), who most of the time buy the produce from farmers below MSP on one pretext or the other, defeat its purpose.
Farming for a majority of small and marginal farmers has not been remunerative. Even though the long-term answer to farmers’ indebtedness and distress is a rise in their income, the government till then should either purchase all major crops at the MSP, as is done in the case of wheat and rice in Punjab and Haryana, or subsidise the input costs.
The concern that a rise in MSP would push up the prices seems unfounded. Taking advantage of the complexities in the supply chain, middlemen appear to be causing disparities in the price.
There’s a gap between the price of the produce got from the farmer and the price it is sold to the consumer.
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SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Bitcoin A Commodity Or A Currency?
Relevancy GS Mains paper III Bitcoin Cryptocurrency
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In September 2015, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) in the United States officially designated Bitcoin as a commodity.
Introduction
Bitcoin is a form of digital “currency” which is created and held electronically, on a computer.
Bitcoin is the first example of a cryptocurrency, which is produced by people and businesses all over the world using advanced computer software that solves mathematical problems.
Satoshi Nakamoto first proposed Bitcoin as a means of payment based on mathematics.
Bitcoin is a method of payment or transfer of value that is independent of governmental authorities like central banks that traditionally control money supply and the availability of currency in the global market.
Bitcoin is a fixed asset; there is only a total of 21 million coins.
Attributes of Bitcoins
Central banks or monetary authorities do not control the number of Bitcoins; it is decentralized making it global.
Anyone with a computer can set up a Bitcoin address to receive or transfer Bitcoins in seconds.
Bitcoin is anonymous; the cryptocurrency allows users to maintain multiple addresses and setting up an address requires no personal information.
Transfers of Bitcoin are immediate and once made, they are final.
At the same time, there are limited fees and international and domestic transfers are not subject to foreign currency exchange rates and fees for transfer.
What is a Currency?
There is a great deal of debate about whether Bitcoin is a currency.
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines currency as: o Circulation as a medium of exchange o General use, acceptance, or prevalence o The quality or state of being present o Something (as coins, treasury notes, and banknotes) that is in circulation as a medium of
exchange o Paper money in circulation o A comment article used for barter o A medium of verbal or intellectual expression o Commodities for exchange
Throughout the course of history, many commodities and even some manufactured products have served as currency, examples are gold and silver.
Gold and silver were not only used as a medium of exchange, or currencies for thousands of years, they were backing for many paper currencies around the world until only recently.
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Central banks and monetary authorities around the world continue to hold vast gold reserves and categorize their holdings as “foreign exchange reserves.”
Therefore, both gold and silver can be thought of in the same class as Bitcoin.
Moreover, over the course of history salt served as a medium of exchange in ancient times.
More recently, cigarettes or blue jeans have been employed as currency in certain areas of the world over recent decades.
Conclusion
The official definition of currency may leave people more confused about whether Bitcoin is a currency or something else.
After all, it certainly meets some of the characteristics in the definition, but not others.
The CFTC’s designation came as a response to a Bitcoin exchange that was offering derivative contracts or options on the value of the cryptocurrency.
It is hard to categorize Bitcoin because it is so new and different from other assets available to market participants.
One thing seems certain, the growth of interest in the cryptocurrency over recent years means that it is an asset that deserves our attention.
Bitcoin Regulation In India
Relevancy G.S. Paper 2,3 Options For Bitcoin Regulation Type Of Cryptocurrency RBI’s Plan To Regulate Cryptocurrency Other Regulators
Options To Regulate Bitcoins In India
India can use GST as a tool to curb the frenzy over bitcoins by taxing their supply.
GST demands a certain level of transparency which will ensure that only really serious players will trade in bitcoins.
Section 7 of the CGST Act defines ‘supply’ as all forms of supply of goods or services or both such as sale, transfer, barter, exchange, licence, rental, lease or disposal made or agreed to be made for a consideration by a person in the course or furtherance of business.
The definition is comprehensive enough to include trading in cryptocurrencies.
Levy of GST on supply of bitcoins and income tax on the profits made on bitcoins is certain to curb their use purely for the purposes of speculation- which seems to be the main purpose behind doing anything in bitcoins today.
If the indiscrete generation and supply of bitcoins is not curbed at an early stage, it could spread its tentacles to various parts of the economy.
Types of Cryptocurrencies
There are two types of cryptocurrencies o Fiat and o Non-fiat.
Non-fiat currencies are largely in existence today while the fiat ones are blessed by Governments.
RBI’s Plan To Regulate Cryptocurrency
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In the past, the RBI has been ambivalent in its thoughts on cryptocurrencies.
It has been reported that the RBI is working on a project to develop fiat crypto currencies.
This is a welcome measure as the RBI can be extremely prudent in policies regarding cryptocurrencies.
They have even thought of a name for it: Lakshmi.
Other Regulators
At this stage, it appears that all it would take to regulate cryptocurrencies in India would be for the RBI, CBDT and GST Council to sit across the table and talk to each other.
If this is not done at the earliest, they may be forced to sit down a few years down the line and decide on an action that is bound to be as controversial as it was when it was last done — demonetise crypto currencies.
NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) Mission
Relevancy GS Prelims, GS Mains paper III, IV IT, Space International Relations
Recently
ISRO and NASA are jointly working on the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission to co-develop and launch a dual frequency synthetic aperture radar satellite.
Background
NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission is a dual frequency (L & S Band) Radar Imaging Satellite.
In this joint mission, JPL/ NASA will be responsible for design & development of L-band SAR, 12m unfurlable antenna, GPS system and data recorder.
ISRO will be responsible for design & development of S-band SAR, Spacecraft Bus, data transmission system, Spacecraft integration & testing, launch using GSLV and on-orbit operations.
NISAR satellite is expected to be launched during the year 2021. Objectives
Design, Develop and launch a Dual frequency (L and S Band) Radar Imaging Satellite.
Explore newer application areas using L and S band microwave data, especially in natural resources mapping & monitoring.
Estimating agricultural biomass over full duration of crop cycle.
Assessing soil moisture and monitoring of floods and oil slicks.
Coastal erosion, coastline changes and variation of winds in coastal waters.
Assessment of mangroves.
Surface deformation studies due to seismic activities etc. ISRO and NASA
The two space research organisations singed a framework agreement in 2008 that called for cooperation in the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes.
Under the agreement both ISRO and NASA have executed an implementing arrangement for cooperation in NISAR mission, which is valid upto 2034.
The arrangement provides scope for joint activities on science and applications of NISAR data after the launch.
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Mooting India’s Artificial Intelligence Policy
Relevancy: GS Prelims, GS Mains paper II and III Sci-tech, Artificial Intelligence, AI Policy
Background:
Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) are a wake-up call to policymakers in India, with every one of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s flagship programs likely to be directly affected within the next few years.
With China making rapid progress in AI-based research, it is imperative that India view AI as a critical element of national security strategy.
Spurring AI-based innovation and establishing AI-ready infrastructure are thus necessary to prepare India’s jobs and skills markets for an AI-based future and to secure its strategic interests.
INTRODUCTION
Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have stimulated fervent interest from both the private sector and governments across the globe, as the possibility of mass-produced consumer product machinery with humanlike intelligence inches closer to reality.
AI-based applications today have already touched people’s lives in ways that are often not fully perceived or fathomed.
Until now, this subtle proliferation of AI technology has been driven largely by the private sector and has been focused primarily on consumer goods.
To better appreciate how AI’s propagation has affected people’s lives, consider the following examples.
o Every time someone visits a website, a network of algorithms running in the background processes the data of the user’s online behavior:
o analyzing the browsing history and collapsing thousands of data points into an intelligent guess on which products would entice the user, all in order to decide which advertisements to display.
o From the intelligent keyboards on smartphones, which reduce a user’s typing burden by anticipating the next words, to the voice-activated assistants in tablets and desktops, capable of following voice commands and completing follow-on tasks, the machines in users’ immediate personal space have become far more intelligent than is commonly realized.
While there is a substantive body of literature on recent advances in AI and the resulting implications for jobs, skills, and society at large, few analyses have examined the specific impact of AI on India’s emerging economy.
The Indian government is aggressively trying to increase human capital on a national scale, with a specific emphasis on its younger population through the Skill India initiative, while seeking to attract global manufacturing to India via its Make in India program.
The other part of this modernizing triad is the Digital India initiative: a determined push to expand digital access nationwide.
AI will have a direct impact on each of these flagship initiatives of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the immediate future, making it all the more urgent for policymakers in India to take seriously AI’s potential for national strategies and to be on the front line in developing AI technology.
The Challenges Facing India’s AI Development
AI-based applications to date have been driven largely by the private sector and have been focused primarily in consumer goods. The emergent scale and implications of the technology make it imperative for policymakers in government to take notice.
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Early lessons of AI success in the United States, China, South Korea, and elsewhere offer public and private funding models for AI research that India should consider.
The sequential system of education and work is outdated in today’s economic environment as the nature of jobs shifts rapidly and skills become valuable and obsolete in a matter of years.
Recommendations
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.
Policymakers should make AI a critical component of the prime minister’s flagship Make in India, Skill India, and Digital India programs by offering incentives for manufacturers, creating regional innovation clusters for manufacturing automation and robotics in partnership with universities and start-ups, incorporating market-based mechanisms for identifying the kind of skills that employers will value in the future, and promoting cloud infrastructure capacity building inside India.
The National Education Policy must make radical recommendations on alternative models of education that would be better suited to an AI-powered economy of the future.
The government should identify public sector applications like detecting tax fraud, preventing subsidy leakage, and targeting beneficiaries, where current advances in AI could make a significant impact.
India must view machine intelligence as a critical element of its national security strategy and evaluate models of defense research in collaboration with the private sector and universities.
AI technology has enormous potential to shape India’s economic and national security future.
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 merely consumer goods and information technology (IT) services.
AI technology has enormous potential to shape India’s economic and national security future; in the absence of a specific policy regime, however, India will find it difficult to realize the full power of AI while potentially falling prey to the detrimental effects of AI proliferation.
India must view machine intelligence as a critical element of its national security strategy.
The proposed National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) platform, which would link citizen databases, might be a good pilot candidate for creating a machine intelligence–based platform with both national security and civilian benefits and should thus be taken up on a mission mode.
Another possibility is Aadhaar, a platforms-based approach to governance founded on massive data sets, which builds on the possibility articulated in Rebooting India.
Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR)
Relevancy: GS Prelims, GS Mains paper II and III Sci-tech, International relations, Infrastructure projects, MAHSR
Recently: India will start work on its first bullet train — the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) — on
September 14, with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Prime Minister Narendra Modi laying the foundation stone together.
Funded by the Japan International Cooperative Agency (JICA), this project will be the biggest change Indian Railways has witnessed in post-Independence India.
Features of MAHSR:
The MAHSR debt structuring is also very attractive: a ₹88,000-crore loan at a notional rate of interest of 0.1 per cent to be repaid over 50 years, with a principal payment moratorium of 15 years.
The most obvious benefit of MAHSR will be an Indian manufacturing and software ecosystem for the Railways.
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The Japan external trade organisation or JETRO will be assisting the Indian government in identifying potential areas for ‘Make in India’ localisation. Indian industry will gain further experience in managing large projects.
Potential benefits of the project:
This project will open up huge job and skilling opportunities, apart from boosting economies all along its route
A network of mid- and small-size enterprises will come up to support this manufacturing process and the ecosystem will eventually tap new Indian HSR requirements and export market possibilities.
The construction phase will create opportunities for employment for about 20,000 people. After the commissioning of the project, there will be job openings for 4,000 for the operation and maintenance of the line. Further, some 16,000 indirect employment opportunities are expected to be generated.
New production bases and townships will eventually expand along the MAHSR.
The trickle-down effects of opening avenues for cheaper housing, logistics hubs, and industrial units along the route will benefit smaller towns and cities.
Construction activity will boost allied industries such as steel, cement and infrastructure.
The HSR systems offer reliability of operations, not affected by bad weather or congestion, which impact road and air traffic.
Once commissioned, 40,000 commuters are expected to use the service everyday. This will decongest the conventional rail, road, and air traffic between Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
What India can learn from Japanese experience?
Japan has had Shinkansen, its HSR, for over 50 years now. China has already laid more than 20,000 km of HSR tracks.
The districts of Palghar in Maharashtra and Valsad in Gujarat, along with the Union Territory of Daman, will have a great shot at attracting new investments and amenities.
The Japanese experience has been quite positive. In areas where Japan has put up the HSR, local government revenue receipts have grown at almost twice the rate compared to areas which do not have HSR connectivity.
If this trend works in India, it will be a boon because Palghar, Daman and Valsad are relatively less developed.
The safety standards of Shinkansen will be something to learn from. India is already planning to set up an HSR training institute at Vadodara.
Expected to be functional by 2020, it will train up to 4,000 individuals in high quality rail technology following Japanese standards, methods and tools.
Indian Railways will train 300 of its officials on rail technology in Japan. Conclusion:
Not only should India welcome the MAHSR, there should be more concerted efforts to set up new lines in sectors such as Bengaluru-Chennai, Delhi-Chandigarh, Mumbai-Pune, Nagpur-Hyderabad, and Varanasi-Kolkata.
Case Study – m-Health App
Relevancy: GS Prelims, GS mains paper I, II and III Public health, use of technology, improving public health, mHealth App in Jharkhand
Recently: A mobile health (mHealth) technology-based application was developed to help rural health-care
providers (RHCPs) identify and refer presumptive TB patients to the nearest microscopy centre for sputum examination using mobile applications on their smartphones.
The project was implemented in the tribal population of Khunti district, Jharkhand. Result of the project:
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In India, statistics show that tuberculosis remains a major public health problem accounting for 23% of the global TB burden, and worse still, has a truculent hurdle in terms of reportage of cases.
Despite efforts by the Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP), India has up to a third of the estimated three million TB cases that remain unnotified worldwide.
Any person believed to show symptoms of TB is usually referred to a microscopy centre, but seldom is there follow-up with the patient.
It was found that in addition to connecting the RHCP and labs virtually, the mHealth app was also configured to send a reminder to the patient if he or she failed to visit the microscopy centre within seven days of referral, besides providing counselling messages to the patient.
As a result, in addition to enhancing the number of referrals, it also reduced the time taken for diagnosis and treatment initiation.
RHCPs using the technology referred nearly nine times more presumptive TB cases than other RHCPs.
Diagnosis and treatment initiation via the app were eight to nine times more rapid than when it was not used, leading the authors to suggest that innovative mHealth use has the potential for replication across the country, specifically to fast-track the progress made in TB case detection and treatment.
With a rapidly expanding mobile user base and the availability of affordable data packages, mobile technology, it is clear, has come to stay in the health-care segment.
Moon’s Water Map
Relevancy G.S. Paper 3 Findings Of The Study Water On Moon’s Surface Relevancy Of The Map
Recently
Scientists with the help of India’s Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft, have created the first map of water trapped in the uppermost layer of the Moon’s soil.
This new map may prove useful to future lunar exploration projects.
Findings Of The Study
The study, published in the journal Science Advances, is based on the initial discovery of water in 2009 along with a related molecule- hydroxyl (which have one atom of each oxygen and hydrogen) in lunar soil.
The study also found that the concentration of water changes over the course of the lunar day at latitudes lower than 60 degrees, going from wetter in the early morning and evening to nearly bone dry around lunar noon. The fluctuation can be as much as 200 parts per million.
The data to quantify the amount of water present on a global scale, was taken from NASA’s Moon Mineralogy Mapper which flew aboard Chandrayan-1 spacecraft.
Water on Moon’s Surface
According to scientists, the water signature is distributed equally on the lunar surface, not limited to the polar regions as previously reported.
The amount of water increases toward the poles and does not show significant difference among distinct compositional terrains
The distribution is largely uniform rather than splotchy, with concentrations gradually decreasing toward the equator.
Relevancy of the map
The map shows where the water is and in what amounts on the Moon’s surface
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By locating water, it can be extracted either as drinking water for astronaut or to produce fuel.
The water distribution also gives clues about its source.
India’s First Hyperloop In Andhara Pradesh
Relevancy G.S. Paper 3 About Hyperloop Transportation System Mechanism Of Hyperloop Transportation
Recently
Andhara Pradesh will get India’s first Hyperloop transportation route between the city centres of Amravati and Vijyawada.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed among the state government and California-based Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HTT).
The project will use a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model with funding primarily from private investors.
The proposed route could potentially turn a trip of more than one hour into a 6 minute ride.
About Hyperloop Transportation System
It is a transportation system where a pod-like vehicle is propelled through a near-vacuum tube connecting cities at speeds matching that of an aircraft.
Hyperloop is a cutting-edge technological disruption in the transportation industry.
The Hyperloop is expected to give rise to development of various state-of-the-art technology parks and software clusters in Amaravati, helping to fortify the city’s image as a world class leader in science and technology.
Mechanism Of Hyperloop Transportation
The hyperloop would enable passengers to travel in pods which levitate inside massive tubes.
The tubes are surrounded by a cushion of air which drastically reduces friction.
The friction-less pods are able to safely travel at immensely high speeds – similar to how a puck glides in a game of air hockey.
The pods will be propelled either by magnets (a system called passive magnetic levitation) or air expelled from the vessels themselves, and the tubes would be suspended off the ground to protect against weather conditions and earthquakes.
Hyperloop One, previously known as Hyperloop Technologies, completed the first public test of the propulsion system in May 2016.
CRISPR/CAS9 Technology
Relevancy G.S. Paper 3 About CRISPR Application of the technology Importance
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Concerns
Recently
CRISPR, a new genome editing tool, could transform the field of biology—and a recent study on genetically-engineered human embryos has converted this promise into reality.
About CRISPR
CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) is a technology that enables geneticists and medical researchers to edit parts of the genome by removing, adding or altering sections of the DNA sequence.
It is the simplest and most precise method of genetic manipulation.
CRISPR/Cas9 comes from strep bacteria, it is a naturally-occurring, ancient defense mechanism found in a wide range of bacteria.
As far as back the 1980s, scientists observed a strange pattern in some bacterial genomes.
One DNA sequence would be repeated over and over again, with unique sequences in between the repeats.
This odd configuration is called “clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats,” or CRISPR.
There are a number Cas enzymes, but the best known is called Cas9. It comes from Streptococcus pyogenes, better known as the bacteria that causes strep throat. Together, they form the CRISPR/Cas9 system, though it’s often shortened to just CRISPR.
Application of the technology
Gene therapy- can be used for curing cancer, hepatitis b, Parkinson, Alzheimer's n high cholesterol by following methods-
o Gene correction-muted gene is tried to be cured. o Gene replacement-mutated gene is replaced by healthy gene. o Gene augmentation-both mutated n healthy gene n necessary characteristics develop in body
through this healthy gene.
The technology can be used in many industrial processes that use bacterial cultures.
In agriculture, it will help in the designing of new variety of grains, roots and fruits.
The tool has already been used to alter genomes of plants, thereby improving crops and providing resistance to crop diseases.
Scientists are also working to create human organs from transgenic pigs by use of this technology in conjunction with pluripotent stem cells.
Importance
Most accurate o Compared to the other technologies, the CRISPR/CAS9 technology offers a high degree of
flexibility and accuracy in cutting and replacing/pasting of DNA.
Low cost o Another reason for its popularity is that it makes it possible to carry out genetic engineering on
an unprecedented scale at a very low cost.
Less time consuming o It differs from other genetic engineering techniques is that it allows for the introduction or
removal of more than one gene at a time. o This makes it possible to modify many different genes very quickly and thus reduces the time
taken for manipulation from number years to a few weeks.
Universal technology o This technique is not species-specific, so it can be used on organisms previously resistant to
genetic engineering.
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Concerns
Germline cell testing o Carrying out germline(reproductive cells) testing is considered unethical , since any wrong
mutation would affect the entire hereditary.
Off targets o Besides the precision of this technology, there also chances of guideRNA getting misaligned
thereby causing mutation elsewhere, which results in serious gentic problems.
Crime And Criminal Tracking Networks And Systems (CCTNS)
Relevancy G.S. Paper 3 About CCTNS Objectives of CCTNS
Recently
Speaking at the 10th annual summit on cyber and network security, Minister of state for Home said that there is a huge gap in India’s capability and capacity when it comes to cyber warfare and it is imperative to narrow down this difference to discourage cyber attackers.
He said the launch of ‘Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems’ (CCTNS) was a major step in terms of securing the nation.
About CCTNS
It is a police modernisation scheme started in 2009 under the national e-governance project.
It was conceived to bring all 16,000 police stations in India under a single network to counter the terror challenge.
It will automate Police functions at Police Station and higher levels
It will also create facilities and mechanism to provide public services like registration of online complaints, ascertaining the status of case registered at the police station, verification of persons etc.
Objectives of CCTNS
To Improve delivery of citizen-centric services through effective usage of ICT.
To Make the Police functioning citizen friendly and more transparent by automating the functioning of Police Stations.
To Reduce manual and redundant Records keeping.
To Improve Police functioning in various other areas such as Law and Order, Traffic Management etc.
To Provide the Investigating Officers of the Civil Police with tools, technology and information to facilitate investigation of crime and detection of criminals.
To Assist senior Police Officers in better management of the Police Force.
To Facilitate Interaction and sharing of Information among Police Stations, Districts, State/UT headquarters and other Police Agencies.
To Keep track of the progress of Cases, including in the Courts.
Digital Revolution In India
Relevancy G.S. Paper 3
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Digital Revolution In India Government Initiatives Challenges In Digitizing India
Digital Revolution In India
Digital technologies are spreading fast across India and thus making India digital.
The current government is acting like a catalyst, speeding up the process to digitize India and ending the digital divide in the country.
The digital revolution in India can be seen, as: o Large number of people have access to the internet through broadband. o Google has partnered with 120 railway stations and made them internet enabled and about
15000 people are using it on a daily basis. o Also, there has been an increase in the no of users of mobile computer and laptops. o Government's programs like Digital India and" Bharatnet" to connect village Panchayats initiative
has provided impetus to the digital mission, national digital literacy mission has already trained them in digital work.
Government Initiatives
Social digital initiatives o Jeevan pramaan scheme- pensioners can provide digital life certificates o Keeping in mind women’s safety, applications like ‘Nirbhaya app’ and ‘Himmat app’ have been
launched that facilitate sending of distress calls. There are also apps for law enforcement agencies, courts and judiciary.
o MADAD portal- where Indians living abroad can register consular grievances and get Redressal
The health services digital initiatives: o ‘ Digital AIIMS’- It is a project that aims to create an effective linkage between UIDAI and AIIMS o The ‘e-hospitals’ scheme is an open source health management system o ‘mRaktkosh’ – a web based mechanism that interconnects all blood banks of the state into a
single network.
Governance digital initiatives o ‘UMANG’ – It aims to bring one stop solution to all government services o ‘e-panchayat’, ‘eDistricts’, eOffice; are also some of the services to digitize governance and
administration in the country. o The Digital India Initiative- This initiative aims to integrate government departments and the
people of India by ensuring the government services are made available to citizens electronically by reducing paperwork
o ‘National Voters Service Portal’ and ‘ECI-EVM Tracking Services are also bringing about transparency in governance.
o PRAGATI- It makes governance in India more effective and responsible addressing common man's grievance and monitoring the functions of state and centre.
o The AADHAR scheme and BHIM app are also significant in speeding up the process of digitizing the economy.
o TWITTER Samvad- It facilitates communication of leaders with public making them aware of all happenings of government.
o DIGITAL LOCKER- It has the digital certificates of academics and personal data which could be shared when necessary other than carrying hard copies of certificates.
Agriculture digital initiatives o M-kisan o Farmer portal o Kisan Suvidha app o Pusa Krishi o Soil Health Card app
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o eNAM o Crop Insurance Mobile APP o Agri Market app o Fertilizer Monitoring App o Digital boost to MGNREGA- it helps the implementation agencies with live data from the
worksites, an online and real-time updation of data base, real-time visibility of the data for complete transparency, and location of assets with geo-tagging for easy verification.
Challenges In Digitizing India
Cyber security
Infrastruture challenges
The challenge of digital literacy when major part of rural indian folk is illiterate
Effective database management, skilled professionals , inclusion
Proper and effiecient access to connectivity in geostrategic areas with challenging physical features like seven sister states, border states etc
Management of e-waste
3D Bioprinted cartilage
Relevancy: GS Prelims, GS Mains paper III 3D Printing, Health and science, Biocartilage printing
Recently:
A team from the Department of Textile Technology at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi has been successful in 3D bioprinting of cartilage using a bioink.
What is Cartilage?
Cartilage is an important structural component of the body. It is a firm tissue but is softer and much more flexible than bone.
Cartilage is a connective tissue found in many areas of the body including: o Joints between bones e.g. the elbows, knees and ankles o Ends of the ribs o Between the vertebrae in the spine o Ears and nose o Bronchial tubes or airways
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Cartilage is made up of specialized cells called chondrocytes. These chondrocytes produce large amounts of extracellular matrix composed of collagen fibres, proteoglycan, and elastin fibers. There are no blood vessels in cartilage to supply the chondrocytes with nutrients.
Instead, nutrients diffuse through a dense connective tissue surrounding the cartilage (called the perichondrium) and into the core of the cartilage. Due to the lack of blood vessels, cartilage grows and repairs more slowly than other tissues.
About 3D bioprinted cartilage:
The bioink has high concentration of bone-marrow derived cartilage stem cells, silk proteins and a few factors and it supports cell growth & long-term survival of the cells.
Millions of people around the world suffer from degenerative joint diseases such as arthritis.
This is the first study from India where any 3D bioprinted tissue has been developed in a lab.
The chemical composition of the bioink supports cell growth and long-term survival of the cells. The cartilage developed in the lab has remained physically stable for up to six weeks.
The silk protein has different amino acids that closely resemble the amino acids present in human tissues. Just like cells are surrounded by proteins inside our body, the cells in the engineered cartilage are also surrounded by bioink that has a similar composition.
Transient cartilage: While the cartilage found in the knee is an articular cartilage that is typically sponge-like and has a huge load-bearing capacity, the ones produced in the lab so far are of a different kind — transient cartilage.
Unlike articular cartilage, transient cartilage becomes bone cells and, therefore, brittle within a short time. As a result, the engineered cartilage loses its capacity to bear huge load that is typically encountered in the knee.
But the 3D bioprinting approach adopted by the team allows the high concentration of bone-marrow derived cartilage stem cells present in the bioink to gradually convert to chondrocyte-like cells (specialised cells which produce and maintain the extracellular matrix of cartilage).
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Stem-cell like nature: The scientists developed a well characterised, novel cell line from bone-marrow stem cells.
The cell line retained its stem cell-like nature even after months of culturing under laboratory conditions.
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SECURITY
Basis Of Data Protection
Relevancy:- GS Prelims, GS mains paper Data protection law, Internal security, consumer protection.
Recently,
A new Bill has been proposed for protecting online data.
What would be the bases of the new data protection Bill?
One of the primary guiding factors for the committee would be the exhaustive report submitted in October 2012 by a group of experts on privacy led by former Delhi High Court Chief Justice A.P. Shah, which was constituted by the erstwhile Planning Commission.
Both the government and the court have agreed that this would be the “conceptual foundation for legislation protecting privacy” in the form of the new Data Protection Bill.
The new Bill would be based on five salient features: o Technological neutrality and interoperability with international standards; o Multi-dimensional privacy; o Horizontal applicability to state and non-state entities; o Conformity with privacy principles; and o A co-regulatory enforcement regime.
About Justice shah's report(2012):
• The Justice Shah group had emphasised on taking the informed and individual consent of users before the collection of their personal data.
• It had proposed giving users prior notice of information practices, providing them with choices, and collection of only limited data necessary for the purpose for which it is collected.
• If there is a change of purpose, it must be notified to the individual. • Most importantly, the report proposed access for users to their personal information held by a data
controller. • Users should be able to seek correction, amendments, or deletion of inaccurate information.
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INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AND GLOBAL ISSUES
Has UN Lost Its Relevance?
Relevancy GS Mains paper I International relations United Nations
Recently
The 72nd Annual general meeting of the UN was held at UN headquarters at New York, USA in September 2017.
The President of the of the UNGA, Miroslav Lajcak, identified the following six overarching priorities for his tenure following his election in September:
o Making a difference in the lives of ordinary people o Prevention and mediation for sustaining peace o Migration o Political momentum for the SDGs and climate o Human rights and equality, including equal opportunities for genders o Quality of events organized by the Presidency
Glorious Past
The Secretary Generals have developed a role as intermediary and manager of peace operations, and brought new techniques to peacekeeping.
The United Nations defines human rights or the global community.
It played a vital role in decolonisation, affording international recognition to the new countries and helping them improve their economic and social conditions.
The United Nations is not a perfect organisation, but it remains true that any nation state can achieve far less in isolation than it can working collectively with other states under UN auspices.
Decline In Its Stature
The 67-year-old UN's influence has always been limited by the veto power of the five permanent members of the Security Council.
Now, however, global technological, financial, environmental, social, religious and demographic forces are further curbing its ability to act and eroding its foundation in the 17th-century concept of sovereign nation-states.
The concept of a world of nation-states, which dates to the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648, and the idea that they have a monopoly on international relations and on the conduct of war, is no longer valid.
It's been replaced by non-state actors and proxies of states, and public opinion has become the primary center of gravity.
Built to help nations defuse conflicts before they escalate to open warfare, the UN is ill-equipped to tackle such transnational challenges in an internet age that can flash financial news and videos across the globe faster than the Security Council can muster a quorum, much less a consensus.
The UN decision-making body's paralysis on sore subjects such as Iran's nuclear ambitions, Syria's rebellion, North Korea's errant rocket launches and Palestinian statehood is the main reason for the decline in its importance globally.
Conclusion
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The UN has not as yet been able to deal effectively with such global economic issues as currency instability, indebtedness, protectionism, and inequitable commercial relations.
It the Organization is to realize its potential in the world of the twenty-first century, its members must recognize and resolve a paradox caused by the altered condition of the world.
DRUZBA 2017
Relevancy: GS Prelims, GS Mains paper II International relations; India, China, Pakistan, Russia; DRUZBA 2017
Recently:
The joint exercise DRUZBA 2017 between Special Forces of Pakistan and Russia Armies started in Minralney Vody, Russia.
The joint exercise will focus on counter-terrorism operations, hostage and rescue, cordon and search operation.
Background:
Pakistan’s ties with Russia have moved past the bitter Cold War hostilities in recent years and the chill in the relations between Pakistan and the US, especially after President Donald Trump warned Islamabad for providing safe havens to terrorists, has further pushed the country towards Russia and China.
Last year, Russia held its first-ever military exercises with Pakistan and also started selling weapons to Islamabad.
Meanwhile:
China appears to have served a warning to Pakistan against excessive dependence on the Soviet Union in regard to economic or military aid.
The warning came in a highly critical report on Soviet aid to India broadcast by Peking Radio on the eve of President Ayub’s visit to the Soviet Union which began on 25
th September.
Accusing the Soviet Union of “exploiting” the Indian people through her aid, the report seeks to notify that China views with disfavour and suspicion all Soviet aid to developing countries including Pakistan – its firm ally.
Us-Iran Nuclear Issue
Relevancy GS Mains paper 2 International relations US-Iran nuclear deal
Recently
US administrations decided to impose a sanction on 18 Iranian individuals and pledged to toughen the enforcement of nuclear deal and increase pressure on Tehran.
US under trump may withdraw and disapprove the democratics' agreement with Iran on containment of its nuclear programme by a decade.
US-Iran Nuclear Deal
It is not a bilateral pact as in 2015, World Powers and Iran announced long term, comprehensive nuclear agreement.
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The P5+1 group [a group of six world powers –> Five permanent members of UN and Germany] negotiated with Iran in 2006 with regard to its Nuclear programme.
Germany is a member due to the fact that it is the key trade partner of Iran.
Iran’s nuclear programs depend mainly upon German products and services.
America and its allies will recognise Iran’s right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes as guaranteed by the nuclear NPT.
Iran will be allowed to enrich uranium to 3.67% only for generating electricity.
It will be monitored by IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency). Iran will be required to reduce its stockpile of enriched uranium from 10,000kg to 300kg.
IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) has to access Iran’s nuclear sites.
If IAEA confirms that Iran has taken steps to reduce its nuclear presence, America and its allies will lift all nuclear related economic sanctions, including oil embargoes and financial restrictions.
Present stand of the US Government
Present US administration has slapped additional sanctions on Iran over its ballistic missile programme and “Support for Terrorism”.
Mr.Trump’s administration endorsed Saudi Sunni bloc’s attempts to isolate Iran.
He is trying to align with Saudi Arabia and Israel and continuing to target Iran through sanctions.
Mr.Trump had vowed to either kill or negotiate the agreement.
Problems for the US
The nuclear deal was reached among seven entities, including the US, Russia, Germany, and Iran.
Any unilateral move to withdraw from the agreement would hurt American interests as European countries are keen on expanding economic ties with Iran.
Conclusion
The US should keep in mind that Iran could backfire as Iran has already established itself as a rising regional power.
To stabilise Iraq, US needs Iran’s help and there won’t be a long lasting peace deal in Syria without Iran’s participation and cooperation.
If US is keen to work towards peace and stability in West Asia, it need Iran’s help and should get easy with Iran on the nuclear deal, not to punish it through additional sanctions.
Poverty Reduction In India Vs Brazil And China
Relevancy GS Mains paper II Poverty reduction Sustainable development goals SDGs
Recently
The World Bank’s Atlas of Sustainable Development Goals paints a striking image of India’s poverty reduction record in the past 25 or so years.
India extricated 120 million people from extreme poverty between 1990 and 2013. Over the same period, China reduced the number of people living in extreme poverty from 756 million to
25 million.
Introduction
The economies of Brazil, China and India are growing faster than many of their counterparts in the developing world.
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Despite this rapid growth, large portions of the populations in all three nations continue to live in conditions of poverty.
Each country has had some success in reducing the numbers of impoverished citizens.
But these achievements have come through very different approaches, with each employing a distinctive mix along two basic dimensions: pro-poor growth and pro-poor social policies.
A closer look
CHINA o Direct redistributive interventions have not been prominent in China’s efforts to reduce poverty. o Enterprise-based social security remained the norm, despite the dramatic changes in the
economy, including the emergence of open unemployment and rising labor mobility. o However, there are signs that this is changing as Gansu Poverty Reduction Programme in
China has initiated.
BRAZIL o Brazil clearly has a larger capacity for using redistribution to address its poverty problem than
China. o In attempting to reduce poverty through redistribution, an important role was played by various
cash transfer programs like Bolsa Familia. o These included both noncontributory, unconditional transfers as well as Conditional Cash
Transfers (CCTs) targeted to poor families, which have played an important role from the late 1990s onwards.
INDIA o The potential for using income redistribution to address India’s poverty problem is far more
limited than in China or (especially) Brazil. o Still, there is much hope from social security schemes like National Rural Employment Guarantee
Scheme (NREGS), Pension schemes, etc.
Statistics
The reduction in poverty per unit of growth in GDP per capita over the nineties to the middle of the last decade was the highest in Brazil (minus 4.3 per cent), compared with minus 0.8 per cent for China and minus 0.4 per cent for India.
This difference is, in part, attributable to the fact that Brazil saw a reduction starting out with a high level of poverty as well as inequality.
China and India, on the other hand, began with low relative levels of inequalities before embarking on reforms.
To factor in economic growth, between 1995 and 2012, the growth elasticity of poverty reduction for India is just over 0.12.
By contrast, countries such as Brazil, Mexico, Ecuador, and Thailand — that witnessed relatively low economic growth rates emerge as positive outliers, exhibiting higher growth elasticities of poverty reduction than many high-growth countries, including India.
While the growth elasticity of poverty reduction for China is a little over 0.28, the numbers for Mexico and Brazil are 3.28 and 1.14 respectively.
Kurdistan Independence Vote
Relevancy G.S. Paper 2 About the Kurds Reactions to referendum Current political status
Recently
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Iraqi Kurds have recently planned to abide with a proposed referendum on seceding from Iraq.
About the Kurds
The Kurds or the Kurdish people are an ethnic group in the Middle East, mostly inhabiting a contiguous area spanning adjacent parts of southeastern Turkey, northwestern Iran, northern Iraq, and northern Syria.
They have historically been oppressed by their respective governments which has fueled the desire for establishing a Kurdish nation that encompasses the Kurdish regions different countries.
Kurds constitute the fourth largest ethnic group in West Asia but don’t have a nation of their own.
They are scattered in various countries and are a considerable minority in Turkey, Iran, Iraq and Syria.
In Turkey, Kurdish rebels are involved in a civil war for secession, while in Syria they have already established a regional government.
Currently, Iraqi Kurds are planning a referendum on secession.
Reactions to the referendum
The Turkish government has ordered a military drill on the Iraqi border, while Iran has also issued a warning.
The Iraqi Supreme Court has already asked the Kurdistan Regional Government to suspend the vote, till its legality is settled.
Although a Yes in the referendum doesn’t guarantee secession, it has been perceived as a message to the outside world reiterating that there is popular support for independence.
Current Political Status Of Iraqi Kurds
Iraqi Kurds were granted some autonomy after 1991 when a regional government was constituted at Erbil.
In recent years, both Baghdad and Erbil cooperated in the fight against the Islamic State.
While Baghdad has chosen to ignore such gestures, the current developments makes restarting negotiations essential.
Although independence remains the proclaimed goal of Iraqi Kurdis, Mr.Barzani - who heads the regional administration at Erbil, has often personally signalled a compromise.
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Fatah And Hamas Conflict
Relevancy G.S. Paper 2 Fatah And Hamas Conflict Difference Between Fatah And Hamas
Recently
In an overture to its rival Fatah, Hamas agreed on Sunday to dissolve its governing body in the Gaza Strip, allow the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority government to take over in its place and hold general elections.
For the past several months, Fatah and its chairman Mahmoud Abbas have called on Hamas to announce and implement such a plan.
Fatah And Hamas Conflict
Hamas o Designated a terrorist organisation by Israel, the US and the EU, it is seen by its supporters as a
legitimate fighting force defending Palestinians from a brutal military occupation. o Hamas is the largest Palestinian militant Islamist organisation, formed in 1987 at the beginning of
the first Intifada, or Palestinian uprising against Israel’s occupation in the West Bank and Gaza. o The group’s short-term aim has been to drive Israeli forces from the occupied territories. o To achieve this it has launched attacks on Israeli troops and settlers in the Palestinian territories
and against civilians in Israel. o It also has a long-term aim of establishing an Islamic state on the West Bank, Gaza and Israel.
Fatah o Fatah is a major Palestinian political party and the largest faction of the Palestine Liberation
Organization (PLO), a multi-party confederation. o Fatah is generally considered to have had a strong involvement in revolutionary struggle in the
past and has maintained a number of militant/terrorist groups, although, unlike its rival Islamist faction Hamas, Fatah is not currently regarded as a terrorist organization by any government.
The tensions between Hamas and Fatah began to rise in 2005 after the death of long-time PLO leader Yasser Arafat, who died on November 11, 2004, and intensified after Hamas won the elections of 2006.
The conflict, which erupted between the two main Palestinian parties, Fatah and Hamas, resulted in the split of Palestinian Authority into two polities, both seeing themselves the true representatives of the Palestinian people – the Fatah ruled Palestinian National Authority and the Hamas Government in Gaza.
Difference Between Fatah And Hamas
HAMAS FATAH
Name ‘Hamas’ means ‘zeal’ in Arabic ‘Fatah’ Means ‘Conquest’ In Arabic
Location GAZA, Egypt. West bank, Palestine.
Origin Began as the Palestine branch of Muslim brotherhood in 1980s
Islamist organization in Egypt
Founded by Yasser Arafat in late 1950s
Founded to support the use of violence in freeing al Palestine from Israile control
OBJECTIVES
Current Officially rejects a peace progress with Israel.
However, has become
Accept a two state solution, where Israel and Palestine would coexist.
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somewhat more moderate recently.
Palestine may consist of Gaza, the west bank and parts of Jerusalem
Previous Wanting the destruction of Israel
Pursuing a Palestinian state comprising Gaza strip, the west bank and all of Jerusalem and Israel
Getting rid of Israelian presence within Palestine accepting violence openly.
BRICS Xiamen Declaration
Relevancy G.S. Paper 2 Xiamen Declaration
Recently
The 9th
BRICS summit was recently held in Xiamen City, China from 3rd
to 5th
September and ended with the adoption of Xiamen declaration.
The theme was “BRICS: Stronger Partnership for a Brighter Future”
Xiamen Declaration
Memorandum of understanding was signed between the BRICS Business Council and the New Development Bank on strategic cooperation.
BRICS action agenda on economic and trade cooperation o The group agreed to facilitate market inter-linkages as well as infrastructure and financial
integration to achieve interconnected development.
Condemning terrorism: o Expressing its concerns on the security situation in the region comprising BRICS countries and
violence caused by the Taliban, ISIL/DAISH, Al-Qaida and its affiliates, including Pakistan based groups Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad, TTP (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan) and Hizb ut-Tahrir, the grouping condemned terrorism in all its forms.
o It emphasized the need to adopt a comprehensive approach in combating terrorism, which should include countering radicalization, recruitment, movement of terrorists and blocking sources of financing terrorism.
BRICS action plan for innovation cooperation (2017-2020) o The group agreed to enhance joint BRICS research, development and innovation in ICT, including
the Internet of Things, Cloud computing, Big Data, Data Analytics, Nanotechnology, Artificial Intelligence and 5G and their innovative applications to elevate the level of ICT infrastructure and connectivity in the BRICS countries.
Strategic framework of BRICS customs cooperation o The group promoted cooperation in mutual sharing of information, mutual recognition of
customs control, and mutual assistance in enforcement to boost growth and promote people’s welfare.
UN reform o The group supported the reform of the UN, including its Security Council, with a view to increase
the representation of the developing countries so that it can adequately respond to global challenges.
o China and Russia reiterated the importance of Brazil, India and South Africa in international affairs and supported their aspiration to play a greater role in the UN.
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Agriculture o Coordination Center of BRICS Agriculture Research Platform will be established in India. o It is a virtual network, which will address the issues of food security and nutrition, adaptation of
agriculture to climate change, agricultural technology cooperation and innovation, agricultural trade and investment, and ICT application in agriculture to contribute to stable global agricultural growth and achievement of Sustainable Development Goals.
Indo-Japanese Agreements
Relevancy: GS Prelims, GS Mains paper II, Political Science optional International relations, Indo-Japan relations,
Recently:
India and Japan signed 15 agreements to broad-base their strategic partnership and agreed to strengthen cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region where China is increasing its assertiveness.
The Japanese PM laid the foundation of MAHSR (Mumbai Ahmedabad High Speed Railway), which has put the Indo-Japanese bilateral ties on a fast-track.
The pacts were inked during the talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe, to give a boost to cooperation in various key sectors, including civil aviation, trade and science and technology.
Background:
In 2016-17, India got Japanese investment worth $ 4.7 billion which is 80 percent more than the previous year.
Now Japan is the third largest investor in India.
India provides visa on arrival facilities to citizens of Japan.
India and Japan signed nuclear deal in the last visit of Narendra Modi to Japan.
Modi, while addressing a joint press event with Abe, said Indo-Japan ties were not limited to bilateral or regional spheres. The two sides also closely cooperated on key global issues.
Shinzo Abe said, “We have just signed a joint statement which will serve as a milestone to open a new era for Japan-India relationship… based on that we will strongly promote Japan-India special strategic and global partnership to drive peace and prosperity for Indo-Pacific region and the whole world.”
Following is the complete list of agreements signed between India and Japan:
1. Disaster Risk Management
MOC between the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Government of the Republic of India and the Cabinet Office of the Government of Japan aims to cooperate and collaborate in the field of disaster risk reduction and to share the experiences, knowledge and policies on disaster prevention.
2. Skills Development
MoC in the field of Japanese language education in India between MEA and MOFA, Japan, to further strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation in the field of Japanese language education in India.
3. Connectivity
The India Japan Act East Forum to enhance connectivity and promote developmental projects in the northeastern region of India in an efficient and effective manner.
4. Economic & Commercial
Arrangement between India Post and Japan Post on administrative instruction for the implementation of cool EMS service aims at implementing the commercial arrangement of
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‘Cool EMS’ service between Japan Post and India Post, through which fresh food can be sent from Japan to India in cool boxes for the Japanese expatriates in India.
5. Investment (Gujarat)
The India-Japan Investment Promotion Road map between DIPP and METI to facilitate and accelerate Japanese investments in India.
MoC between METI and the state of Gujarat on ‘Japan-India special programme for Make In India’ in Mandal Bechraj-Khoraj (in Gujarat), to cooperate in infrastructure development programmes in the Mandal Bechraj-Khoraj region.
6. Civil Aviation
Exchange of RoD on Civil Aviation Cooperation, which opens skies between India and Japan i.e. Indian and Japanese carriers can mount now unlimited flights to select cities.
7. Science and technology
Agreement for international joint exchange programme between inter-disciplinary theoretical and mathematical sciences programme (iTHEMS), RIKEN and National Centres for Biological Sciences (Simons-NCBS) to establish a ‘Joint Exchange Programme’ to identify and foster talented young scientists from both countries to collaborate in the field of theoretical biology.
Joint research contract between the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology (AIST), Japan, and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) to conduct joint research and to establish an international centre named ‘DBT-AIST International CENTER for Translational & Environmental Research (DAICENTER)’ at AIST, Japan, in order to promote science and technology in both.
MoU signed between DBT and National Institute of Advanced Science & Technology (AIST), to promote research collaboration between DBT research institutes and AIST in the fields of life sciences and biotechnology.
8. Sports
MoU signed on international academic and sports exchange between Indian and Japanese institutes.
9. Academics/Think Tank
MoU signed between RIS (Research and Information System for Developing Countries) and IDE-JETRO (Institute of Developing Economies and Japan External Trade Organization) for promotion of cooperation in research-related activities to promote institutional cooperation between RIS and IDE-JETRO to strengthen the capacity of research and effectiveness of dissemination of research findings.
Apart from above agreements, the Japanese PM also said that North Korea was a joint challenge for India and Japan. He also said that the supporters of N. Korea’s missile and nuclear programme should be held accountable (Pointing towards the advocates of Pyongyang in Beijing).
The Joint statement also mentions about zero tolerance on terrorism, indicating China’s veto on the Jaish-e-Mohammad chief being put on the list of UN-designated terrorists.
Refugees in India
Relevancy G.S. Paper 2 Introduction to refugee Number of refugees in India and their legal status Conditions of different refugee communities in India The Plight Of Rohingya Refugees Living In India
Introduction
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The refugee situation in India remains complicated, but the government’s move to grant citizenship to the Chakma and Hajong community has come as a welcome signal.
The government announced that Chakma and Hajong refugees numbering nearly 100,000 and staying in the upper reaches of Arunachal Pradesh for around half a century now will get Indian citizenship.
The number of these refugees has increased from about 5,000 in 1964-69 to at least one lakh.
Chakmas are Buddhists by faith, while Hajongs are Hindus.
Both communities hail from the Chittagong Hill Tracts of the erstwhile East Pakistan. They fled after their land was submerged by the Kaptai dam in the 1960s and after facing religious persecution.
Both refugee communities didn’t enjoy citizenship rights or the right to own land and lived on basic services provided by the state.
Who is a refugee?
Article 1 Para 2 of the 1951 United Nations Conventions defines a refugee as “a person who owing to well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country”.
They are individuals that are recognised under the 1951 convention relating to the Status of Refugees, the 1967 Protocol relating to the Convention, the OAU Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa, 1969, and those people that are recognised as per the statutes of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Refugees are also those individuals who have been provided complementary forms of protection (permanent or temporary). After 2007, the people living in refugee-like situations are also included in the refugee population.
Number of refugees in India
According to the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), India had a refugee population of just over 2 lakh by end of 2015.
India has given shelter to Tibetans, Chakmas from Bangladesh, and refugees from Afghanistan, Sri Lanka etc.
Legal status of refugees in India
India is not a signatory of several international laws and conventions that govern the inflow, status and treatment of refugees like the 1951 United Nations Refugee Convention on the Status of Refugees or its 1967 Protocol – the latter lays down the rights and services that the host country is stipulated to provide refugees.
India, meanwhile, deals with refugees and asylum seekers and refugees on an ad hoc basis, consulting a basic refugee policy and administrative laws like The Passport (Entry of India) Act, 1920, The Passport Act 1967, The Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939, The Foreigners Act, 1946, and the Foreigners Order, 1948.
Condition of different refugee communities in India
Tibetans o An independent state before 1950, Tibet was attacked by China under Mao Zedong’s leadership.
China took control of Lhasa – the capital city of Tibet – by 1950. A year later, the Tibetan government was forced into signing a 17-point agreement with China that recognised China’s sovereignty over Tibet. After an 8-year long uprising against China’s violation of terms of the agreement and state-inflicted violence against Tibetans, destruction of thousands of monasteries, the 14th Dalai Lama and tens of thousands of his followers fled Tibet to take refuge in India in 1959. Now, the Dalai Lama lives in his abode at Dharamsala from where the small
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Tibetan government-in-exile operate. Every year, hundreds, if not thousands of Tibetans register in India as refugees.
o The Tibetans are now spread across the country in around 35 designated settlements and other places. According to a Delhi High Court ruling in September 2016, Tibetans born between January 26, 1950, to July 1, 1987 are considered Indians by birth and can apply for passports. However, they have to forfeit any privileges or benefits from the Central Tibetan Administration for that. They will also have to leave designated Tibetan settlements if they are residing in them. They will also have to forfeit subsidies that come with a refugee certificate (RC) which is renewed on a yearly basis. The RC allows all the rights to Tibetans that are enjoyed by any Indian citizen except for the right to vote and right to government employment. Far reaching consequences include difficulties in obtaining licenses, inability to own land, difficulties in getting bank loans and other financial aid, or starting a business enterprise.
Bangladeshi refugees in India o Since the partition of India in 1947, India has received waves of migrants, refugees and asylum
seekers from Bangladesh. The largest influx of refugees was seen during the Bangladesh Liberation War. Lakhs of people living in then East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) escaped the genocide carried out by Pakistani military. Refugee settlements came up in states such as West Bengal, Meghalaya, Assam and Tripura. According to official estimates, as many as 10 million refugees were given shelter during the massacre.
o As the massacres in Bangladesh escalated an estimated 10 million refugees fled to India causing financial hardship and instability in Bangladesh due to 1971 Bangladesh genocides as well as regional conflicts in the north-eastern states. But as former R&AW chief Sanjeev Tripathi wrote in a paper for Carnegie Endowment, “some of them later returned to their homes in Bangladesh, the majority chose to assimilate within India.”
o The largely unsupervised inflow that continued for several decades after the liberation war meant that border states were posed with economic and strategic challenges. Several insurgent groups also came up in opposition to the government’s acceptance of the ‘illegal immigrants’ even as refugees faced persecution for the uncertainty in distinguishing between refugees, asylum seekers and illegal immigrants.
o In Cooper’s camp lying 700 kms north of Calcutta, partition refugee are still struggling to gain recognition as Indian nationals. (Express Archive Photo)
Pakistani Refugees o Currently, India has at least 400 settlements of Pakistani Hindu refugees. Additionally, India on
regular occasions has accepted pleas of refuge from persecuted religious minorities from Pakistan. Most of the refugee settlements are located in Gujarat and Rajasthan along the India-Pakistan border. The condition of the refugees in India, though vastly better from what they escaped in Pakistan, is not rosy.
o Most of them live in refugee colonies with dilapidated shanties and work as daily wage labourers. Even a colony in the Capital – located at Majnu ka Tila near Kashmere Gate – is the picture of a regular street side slum. The government usually provides citizenship to Pakistani refugees after strenuous arguments, appeals and long periods of convincing the authorities owing to security concerns.
o Since partition, the population of religious minorities in Pakistan has dwindled and thousands flee to India seeking protection from the persecution they were subjected to in Pakistan.
Afghan refugees o After the Afghan-Soviet war that lasted from 1979-1989, around 60,000 refugees from
Afghanistan had arrived in India. UNHCR India and NHRC operate welfare programmes for the population. However, the community is yet to be recognised as refugees by the Government of India.
o With the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi in 1991, a wave of mass repatriation of Sri Lankan refugees took place. Since then, even though refugees have arrived in the country, they have been treated with much suspicion.
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Tamil refugees from Sri Lanka o Around a lakh Sri Lankan Tamils currently live in India with most having arrived during or around
the time of the Sri Lankan civil war. The people escaped violence and killings in Sri Lanka and sought refuge in the southern state of Tamil Nadu and also in some settlements in Kerala and Karnataka. The population of Sri Lankan Tamils is more than the number that arrived but official estimates place around 60,000 Tamil refugees living in Tamil Nadu’s 109 camps alone.
o The benefits provided to them by the state government seem barely enough for survival. Each family is given 20 kg rice, Rs 1,000 for the family’s head, Rs 750 for adults and Rs 400 for children each month.
The Plight Of Rohingya Refugees Living In India
Rohingyas o An ethnic Muslim community belonging to the Rakhine state of Myanmar, Rohingyas have been
recognised as one of the most persecuted ethnic groups in the world. Even though they belong to Myanmar, Burmese authorities refuse to recognise them as citizens. Bangladesh and India, where they have sought refuge now, have said they can’t keep them permanently. In effect, Rohingyas are stateless people.
o The Rohingyas are facing violence arguably to the extent of genocide in Rakhine with many calling it an act or attempt at ethnic cleansing. In recent months, Rohingyas have settled in places like Delhi, Hyderabad, Kashmir, West Bengal and the northeastern states. However, the government has refused to recognise Rohingyas as refugees. UNHCR is, meanwhile, running a support program for them in India.
o The uncertainty over their citizenship is an ever continuing cause for worry. Former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa had promised dual citizenship to the refugees while the Opposition DMK was skeptical and opposed to the idea. The proposal has not been moved yet.
o Presently, India doesn’t have any law dealing with refugees. An utterly humanitarian matter like the ‘refugees’ has come to be influenced by considerations of national security or relations between countries. In the past five years, three separate private member bills seeking amendments to the citizenship law have been introduced in the Parliament, but none of them have seen the light of the day.
Chakmas Citizenship Issue
Relevancy G.S. Paper 2,3 Who Are Chakmas? Issues Related To Chakmas Citizenship Government’s Stand On The Issue
Recently
CENTRE has decided to grant citizenship to all Chakma and Hajong refugees living in the Northeast. This is being done to respect the verdict of the Supreme Court.
Who Are Chakmas?
Chakmas and Hajongs were originally residents of Chittagong Hill Tracts in erstwhile East Pakistan (bordering India and Myanmar in present-day Bangladesh), who left their homeland when it was submerged by the Kaptai dam project near Chittagong, Bangladesh, in the 1960s.
The Centre moved the majority of them to the North East Frontier Agency, which is now Arunachal Pradesh.
The Chakmas, who are Buddhists, and Hajongs, who are Hindus, also allegedly faced religious persecution and entered India through the then Lushai Hills district of Assam (now Mizoram).
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Why The Issue Has Gained Traction Now?
The initiative on the Chakma and Hajong refugees comes amid the ongoing row over the Central government’s plans to deport Rohingya Muslims, who came to India due to alleged persecution in Myanmar.
Rijiju, who comes from Arunachal Pradesh, has said that Rohingyas are illegal immigrants.
Why The Locals Are Opposing?
Several organisations and civil society outfits in Arunachal have been opposing citizenship to the Chakma and Hajong refugees.
They contend that it would change the demography of the state.
What The Government Is Mulling?
The Centre is trying to find a workable solution by proposing that the refugees will not be given rights, including land ownership, enjoyed by Scheduled Tribes in Arunachal Pradesh.
However, they may be given an inner line permits — required by non-locals in Arunachal Pradesh to travel and work.
Asia-Africa Growth Corridor (AAGC)
Relevancy G.S. Paper 2 What is Asia-Africa Growth Corridor (AAGC) Contribution of Japan and India Idea and vision of Asia-Africa Growth Corridor (AAGC) Countries as part of Asia-Africa Growth Corridor (AAGC) OBOP and Asia-Africa Growth Corridor (AAGC) Initial response of African nations towards Asia-Africa Growth Corridor (AAGC) Way forward
About Asia-Africa Growth Corridor (AAGC)?
The AAGC is an attempt to create a “free and open Indo-Pacific region” by rediscovering ancient sea-routes and creating new sea corridors that will link the African continent with India and countries in South-Asia and South-East Asia.
For instance, under the AAGC, there is a plan to connect ports in Jamnagar (Gujarat) with Djibouti in the Gulf of Eden. Similarly, ports of Mombasa and Zanzibar will be connected to ports near Madurai; Kolkata will be linked to Sittwe port in Myanmar.
The project stakeholders hope the sea corridors will be “low-cost” and have “less carbon footprint” when compared to a land corridor.
The idea is to enable economies in Asia and Africa to further integrate and collectively emerge as a globally competitive economic bloc.
India is developing ports under the Sagarmala programme specifically for this purpose. Apart from developing sea corridors, the AAGC also proposes to build robust institutional, industrial and transport infrastructure in growth poles among countries in Asia and Africa.
Contribution of Japan and India
Japan’s contribution to the project will be its state-of-the-art technology and ability to build quality infrastructure, while India will bring in its expertise of working in Africa.
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The private sector of both countries are expected to play a big role by coming together to form joint-ventures and consortiums, to take up infrastructure, power or agribusiness projects in Africa.
Origin of AAGC
The proposal for an AAGC was first mentioned in the joint declaration issued by prime ministers Modi and Shinzo Abe in November 2016.
The declaration included their intention to work jointly and cooperatively with other countries to promote development of industrial corridors and networks in Asia and Africa.
Vision of Asia-Africa Growth Corridor (AAGC)
A 30-page booklet, the AAGC vision document was unveiled by the Indian and Japanese government officials at the African Development Bank (AfDB) annual general meeting held at Gandhinagar on May 24.
In the first phase, the corridor attempts to link Africa with India and countries in South-Asia including Bangladesh, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos, say officials.
It is just a broad framework for the creation of the project.
After the Modi-Abe meeting in November 2016, work on creating a vision document for AAGC was entrusted to the three think-tanks:
o The New Delhi-based Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), linked to the Ministry of External Affairs;
o The Jakarta-based ERIA (Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia) and o The Japanese research organisation IDE-JETRO (Institute of Developing Economies-Japan
External Trade Organisation).
Apart from the trio, research institutions and individuals from Africa were also invited for detailed consultations at Jakarta on April 21, 2017, at the ERIA headquarters.
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Members of Asia-Africa Growth Corridor (AAGC)
Apart from India and Japan, South Africa, Mozambique, Indonesia, Singapore, and Australia sent representatives for the consultation process.
Quizzed about China, Anita Prakash, Director General of ERIA, said her organisation represented the ASEAN region and six other countries including China.
Moreover, ERIA also has Chinese scholars working for it on this project.
OBOR and Asia-Africa Growth Corridor (AAGC)
Unlike OBOR which entails the development of a land corridor, AAGC will essentially be a sea corridor linking Africa with India and other countries of South-East Asia and Oceania.
It is being presented as a “distinct initiative” borne out of a consultative process which would be profitable and bankable, unlike the “government-funded model” of OBOR (One Belt One Road) project.
o India is making this process more consultative, because this was one objection India came up with when OBOR was presented.
o The centrality of people in Africa needs to brought up front, rather than excessive emphasis on trade and economic relations alone.
o Japan’s ability to deliver quality infrastructure will play a major role in developing this corridor
Initial response of African nations to the AAGC vision
The African Development Bank has welcomed the AAGC vision document. “Trade corridors have always existed between Africa and Asia and when PM Modi mentioned this we at AFDB welcome it.
It is important because infrastructure is costly and you cannot have infrastructure everywhere.
There has to be particular zones where you have to build infrastructure.
We are already working on growth corridors within Africa,” said AfDB president Akinwumi Adesina.
Way forward
More studies will be undertaken to list the current demands and challenges of economic, socio-cultural and political partnership pertaining to AAGC.
It will bring out the existing challenges and barriers to this project.
It will also spell out the cooperation aspects of sustainable growth and development exchange of best practices.
Based on all these aspects, future AAGC studies will make recommendations to the governments of India and Japan and to governments in Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia and Oceania on the way forward for deepening this partnership.
17 Sustainable Development Goals
Relevancy G.S. Paper 2 Full List of 17 Sustainable Development Goals
Recently
The United Nations has published 17 Sustainable Development Goals to guide the role of public, non-profit, for-profit, and voluntary sectors in global development.
The team behind it has identified 17 goals and 169 targets, which was ratified at the September 25-27 2015 United Nations summit.
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Full List of 17 Sustainable Development Goals
17 Sustainable Development Goals
Goal 1
End poverty in all its forms everywhere
Goal 2
End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
Goal 3
Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
Goal 4
Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
Goal 5
Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
Goal 6
Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
Goal 7
Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
Goal 8
Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
Goal 9
Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
Goal 10
Reduce inequality within and among countries
Goal 11
Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
Goal 12
Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
Goal 13
Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts*
Goal 14
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
Goal 15
Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
Goal 16
Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
Goal 17
Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development
Indo-Japanese Agreements
Relevancy: GS Prelims, GS Mains paper II, Political Science optional International relations, Indo-Japan relations,
Recently:
India and Japan signed 15 agreements to broad-base their strategic partnership and agreed to strengthen cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region where China is increasing its assertiveness.
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The Japanese PM laid the foundation of MAHSR (Mumbai Ahmedabad High Speed Railway), which has put the Indo-Japanese bilateral ties on a fast-track.
The pacts were inked during the talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe, to give a boost to cooperation in various key sectors, including civil aviation, trade and science and technology.
Background:
In 2016-17, India got Japanese investment worth $ 4.7 billion which is 80 percent more than the previous year.
Now Japan is the third largest investor in India.
India provides visa on arrival facilities to citizens of Japan.
India and Japan signed nuclear deal in the last visit of Narendra Modi to Japan.
Modi, while addressing a joint press event with Abe, said Indo-Japan ties were not limited to bilateral or regional spheres. The two sides also closely cooperated on key global issues.
Shinzo Abe said, “We have just signed a joint statement which will serve as a milestone to open a new era for Japan-India relationship… based on that we will strongly promote Japan-India special strategic and global partnership to drive peace and prosperity for Indo-Pacific region and the whole world.”
Following is the complete list of agreements signed between India and Japan:
1. Disaster Risk Management
MOC between the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Government of the Republic of India and the Cabinet Office of the Government of Japan aims to cooperate and collaborate in the field of disaster risk reduction and to share the experiences, knowledge and policies on disaster prevention.
2. Skills Development
MoC in the field of Japanese language education in India between MEA and MOFA, Japan, to further strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation in the field of Japanese language education in India.
3. Connectivity
The India Japan Act East Forum to enhance connectivity and promote developmental projects in the northeastern region of India in an efficient and effective manner.
4. Economic & Commercial
Arrangement between India Post and Japan Post on administrative instruction for the implementation of cool EMS service aims at implementing the commercial arrangement of ‘Cool EMS’ service between Japan Post and India Post, through which fresh food can be sent from Japan to India in cool boxes for the Japanese expatriates in India.
5. Investment (Gujarat)
The India-Japan Investment Promotion Road map between DIPP and METI to facilitate and accelerate Japanese investments in India.
MoC between METI and the state of Gujarat on ‘Japan-India special programme for Make In India’ in Mandal Bechraj-Khoraj (in Gujarat), to cooperate in infrastructure development programmes in the Mandal Bechraj-Khoraj region.
6. Civil Aviation
Exchange of RoD on Civil Aviation Cooperation, which opens skies between India and Japan i.e. Indian and Japanese carriers can mount now unlimited flights to select cities.
7. Science and technology
Agreement for international joint exchange programme between inter-disciplinary theoretical and mathematical sciences programme (iTHEMS), RIKEN and National Centres for Biological Sciences (Simons-NCBS) to establish a ‘Joint Exchange Programme’ to identify and foster talented young scientists from both countries to collaborate in the field of theoretical biology.
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Joint research contract between the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology (AIST), Japan, and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) to conduct joint research and to establish an international centre named ‘DBT-AIST International CENTER for Translational & Environmental Research (DAICENTER)’ at AIST, Japan, in order to promote science and technology in both.
MoU signed between DBT and National Institute of Advanced Science & Technology (AIST), to promote research collaboration between DBT research institutes and AIST in the fields of life sciences and biotechnology.
8. Sports
MoU signed on international academic and sports exchange between Indian and Japanese institutes.
9. Academics/Think Tank
MoU signed between RIS (Research and Information System for Developing Countries) and IDE-JETRO (Institute of Developing Economies and Japan External Trade Organization) for promotion of cooperation in research-related activities to promote institutional cooperation between RIS and IDE-JETRO to strengthen the capacity of research and effectiveness of dissemination of research findings.
Apart from above agreements, the Japanese PM also said that North Korea was a joint challenge for India and Japan. He also said that the supporters of N. Korea’s missile and nuclear programme should be held accountable (Pointing towards the advocates of Pyongyang in Beijing).
The Joint statement also mentions about zero tolerance on terrorism, indicating China’s veto on the Jaish-e-Mohammad chief being put on the list of UN-designated terrorists.
India – Afghanistan Development Partnership
Relevancy G.S. Paper 2 India – Afghanistan development partnership
Recently
US President Donald Trump urged India to do more in Afghanistan on “economic assistance and development”
India – Afghanistan development partnership
India recently stepped up its development partnership and committed to 116 new projects in Afghanistan
New Delhi also agreed to strengthen security cooperation and pointed out that the countries must stay united in dealing with the challenge posed by “cross-border terrorism” – an oblique reference to Pakistan.
The projects will be in the areas of education, health, agriculture, irrigation, drinking water, renewable energy, flood control, micro-hydropower, sports infrastructure and administrative infrastructure.
The two sides also signed four pacts, including one on vehicular movement to boost overland transit and another on a fresh batch of development projects by India in Afghanistan.
India agreed to extend further assistance for the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces in fighting the scourge of terrorism, organized crime, trafficking of narcotics and money laundering
Afghanistan strongly supports India’s membership of the UN Security Council and other groupings and hoped that it would back Kabul’s entry into the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
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Indo-Myanmar relations (Rohingyas issue)
Relevancy: GS Mains paper II International relations, India and her neighbours, Indo-Myanmar, Act East Policy, Rohingya’s Issue.
Recently:
PM Narendra Modi visited Myanmar, which is afflicted with Rohingya’s persecution in the Rakhine state. This underlines New Delhi struggles to maintain a delicate balance between its strategic interests and its
democratic ideals when it comes to its neighborhood. This visit came at a time when the Myanmar government and Aung San Suu Kyi are facing global
condemnation for their handling of the Rohingya crisis in a repeat of what had happened five years ago during a military campaign that displaced more than 100,000 Rohingya.
The United Nations has warned that up to 300,000 Rohingya could stream into neighboring Bangladesh as they flee “clearance operations” by Myanmar’s armed forces.
Stand of Myanmar’s government on Rohingyas:
In her first remarks since the crisis started in Rakhine state last month, Suu Kyi has suggested that her government was facing its “biggest challenge.”
Suu Kyi does not control the military and there continues to be a trust deficit between the two.
But her refusal to condemn military abuses against Rohingya provides the generals with political cover.
For her part, Suu Kyi – the de facto leader of Myanmar – has blamed “terrorists” for “a huge iceberg of misinformation” and has refused to take a conciliatory position.
Myanmar is negotiating with China and Russia to ensure they block any UN Security Council censure over the violence that has forced an exodus of nearly 150,000 Rohingya Muslims to Bangladesh in less than two weeks.
India’s stand on the issue of Rohingyas:
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Myanmar recently – the third by an Indian prime minister in five years and the second by him in three years – New Delhi did not directly engage with the issue of Myanmar’s treatment of its Rohingya Muslim minority.
But at a time when Myanmar is getting isolated, India underlined its support with its joint statement: “India condemned the recent terrorist attacks in northern Rakhine State, wherein several members of the Myanmar security forces lost their lives. Both sides agreed that terrorism violates human rights and there should, therefore, be no glorification of terrorists as martyrs.”
What should India do in order to improve her relations with Myanmar?
As China’s profile continues to rise in India’s vicinity, New Delhi would like to enhance India’s presence by developing infrastructure and connectivity projects in the country.
No wonder, Myanmar is at the heart of Modi government’s Act East policy with the India-Myanmar-Thailand Asian Trilateral Highway, the Kaladan multimodal project, a road-river-port cargo transport project, and of course BIMSTEC, the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation.
India’s Neighborhood First Policy
Relevancy G.S. Paper 2 Background Challenges From China
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New South Asian Partners Short Term And Long Term Challenges
Background:
Prime Minister Modi’s new ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, unveiled in 2014, has consequently focused on reaching out to other states to develop partnerships across the region.
This balancing strategy marks a departure from India’s unsustainable efforts to insulate South Asia as its exclusive sphere of influence and deny space to any extra-regional actors.
Officially, these unprecedented outreach efforts are implicitly referred to as a partnership with “like-minded” countries.
According to Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar, in its quest for more “people-centric” connectivity projects and a “cooperative regional architecture,” India is “working closely with a number of other international players whose approach is similar.”
Challenges from China:
China’s inroads into South Asia since the mid-2000s have eroded India’s traditional primacy in the region, from Afghanistan to Myanmar and also in the Indian Ocean.
As Beijing deploys its formidable financial resources and develops its strategic clout across the subcontinent, New Delhi faces capacity challenges to stem Chinese offensive in its own strategic backyard.
New South Asian partners With the US, India now conducts close consultations on smaller states such as Nepal, Bangladesh, or Sri Lanka.
1. With Japan:
In 2015, Japan’s was permanently included into the Malabar naval exercises.
Tokyo and New Delhi developed a joint “Vision 2025” plan promising to “seek synergy... by closely coordinating, bilaterally and with other partners, for better regional integration and improved connectivity,” especially in the Bay of Bengal region.
The Asia-Africa Growth Corridor, announced in 2016, further highlights India’s willingness to work with Japan to develop alternatives to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
2. With Russia:
In 2014, India and Russia signed an unprecedented agreement to cooperate on developing nuclear power in third countries, with a focus on Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
3. With Australia:
Year 2015 saw the first Australia-India Maritime Exercise (AUSINDEX) off India’s Eastern coast. 4. With European countries:
With the UK, India signed a statement of intent on “partnership for cooperation in third countries” with a focus on development assistance in South Asia, and held its first formal dialogue on regional affairs in 2016.
With Brussels, Paris, and Berlin, New Delhi has engaged in dialogues about maritime security and the Indian Ocean region, and shared intelligence to bolster regional counter-terrorism efforts.
Finally, contrasting with its past reluctance to involve multilateral organisations, India has enthusiastically endorsed the Asian Development Bank’s South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) operational programme for 2016-25, focused on improving connectivity between the subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
Short term and long term: Challenges ahead
While India and its extra-regional partners develop efforts to consult, coordinate, and cooperate across South Asia, they will also have to prepare for a variety of challenges.
First, extra-regional partners will have to continue to recognise India’s predominant role in the region and defer to its security concerns, whether real or imagined.
Second, as the region’s small states play an increasingly sophisticated balancing game, seeking to play off India and its partners against China, closer consultation and coordination will be key.
Finally, when it comes to the normative dimension of democracy and human rights, New Delhi and its like-minded friends will also face occasional tensions given their different priorities.
o For India, the focus is naturally on the short-term, with economic and security interests incentivising the pragmatic engagement of any regime type in its neighbourhood.
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o While the West’s liberal interventionist impulse has receded, the US and European partners will, however, continue to privilege a value-based and long-term approach that emphasises pressure on authoritarian regimes.
This last challenge is currently playing out in Myanmar, with clashing Indian and Western positions on the importance of the Rohingya refugee issue.
Under rising international pressure, Naypyidaw is tilting back to China for support, further complicating India’s connectivity plans across the Bay of Bengal. Similar balancing dynamics can be observed in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and the Maldives, which further highlight how critical India’s global outreach efforts are to its quest to remain influential in its own region.
India And Bhutan’s Cooperation On Hydropower Projects
Relevancy G. S. Paper 2,3 Rising debt of Bhutan and issues related it. India’s stand on the issue Concerns of Bhutan on Indian Projects
Recently
India is supporting Bhutan's hydropower projects, but a new report finds that these are neither helping the environment nor the economy.
The model consists of India supporting Bhutan in building hydropower projects, by providing finance – a mix of grants and loans – and technical support to design and construct the projects.
Hydropower has contributed to a steep rise in Bhutan’s debts, and the report notes Bhutan is “among 14 other countries that are fast heading towards a debt crisis.”
Rising Debt of Bhutan and issues related to it
As of July 2017, Bhutan’s debt to India for the three major ongoing projects: Mangdechhu, Punatsangchhu 1 and 2
It is approximately 12,300 crorewhich accounts for 77% of the country’s total debt, and is 87% of its GDP
The cost of the 720 MW Mangdechhu project has nearly doubled in the past two years
Both Punatsangchhu 1 and 2, each of 1200 MW capacity have trebledin cost and been delayed more than five years over the original completion schedule
Indian Government Stand on the issue
The Indian government is looking at the proposals of the hydropower committee of Bhutan
But accepted that it would be difficult to meet many of them, given India’s own power sectorneeds to compete in the same area
Concerns of Bhutan on Indian projects
In a two-day conference in Bhutan,they mention that Bhutan wants more focus of India on issues like hydropower project constructions
According to Bhutanese experts, Hydropower projects are critical for the Bhutanese economy
And are at the core of Bhutan’s plans for self-reliance ever since the first five-year plans in 1961
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India’s Stand On Bali Declaration
Relevancy G.S. Paper 2 About bali declaration India’s stand
Recently
Recently India refused to sign the Bali Agreement over Rohingya issue which was adopted at the conclusion of the World Parliamentary Forum on Sustainable Development held in Bali.
India has a reference to an “inappropriate” violence In Rakhine State from where nearly 125,000 rohingayas fled to Bangladesh which was not in line with the agreed global principles of sustainable development goals (SDGs).
About Bali declaration
It calls on all parties to contribute to the restoration of stability and security, exercise maximum self-restraint from using violent means, respect the human rights of all people in Rakhine State regardless of their faith and ethnicity and facilitate safe access for humanitarian assistance.
India’s Stand On Parliamentary Declaration
India objected part of the declaration by stressing a deep concern on the ongoing violence in Rakhine State of Myanmar.
India restated its stance that the purpose of assembling Parliamentary forum was to arrive at mutual agreement for implementation of SDGs which required comprehensive and broad-based development processes.
Asserting the Rakhine State violence as “inappropriate” and not consensus-based, India stood at its point.
Moreover, country-specific amendment to declaration added at the eleventh hour by selective countries dilute the objective of these Forums which require unity and focused efforts of all the countries.
Indo-Pak Relations
Relevancy: GS Prelims, GS Mains paper II International relations, External security, Terrorism, Indo-Pak relations, India and her neighbours, Indo-
Pak bilateral relations.
Recently:
The Standing Committee on External Affairs (Chaired by Dr. Shashi Tharoor) submitted a report on ‘Indo-Pak relations’.
Key observations and recommendations made by the Committee include:
1. Border management and security:
India shares 3,323 km of its international border with Pakistan. Some tangible steps need to be taken to strengthen and modernise border security.
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The Committee recommended that the Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System be completed in a time bound manner.
It further recommended that coastal security and surveillance should be strengthened by establishing high level coordination between the Indian Coast Guard and other agencies.
These agencies include the Navy, Central Industrial Security Force, Customs, and Ports.
2. Terrorism:
The government should continue pressuring Pakistan to expedite the 26/11 Mumbai attack trials.
It further recommended that the military and non-military policy options be spelt out to deal with Pakistani sponsored terrorism.
The Committee further recommended that thorough security review of India’s security establishments should be ensured.
3. Jammu and Kashmir:
A part of Jammu and Kashmir has been under the illegal occupation of Pakistan since 1947 and that there is a growing sense of alienation in the Kashmiri youth due to radicalisation and the lack of employment opportunities.
The Committee recommended that the government should take measures such as infrastructure and economic development, and preventing radicalisation of the youth, supported by Pakistan.
4. Nuclear and missile programme:
India and Pakistan have signed an agreement on Prohibition of Attack against nuclear installations.
The Committee noted that while both India and Pakistan are nuclear armed states, the nuclear doctrines of the two countries are contradictory.
India follows the ‘no first use of nuclear weapons’ policy, and Pakistan does not.
Further, there is a growing cooperation between China and Pakistan in missile and nuclear programmes.
In this context, the Committee recommended that the government must aggregate its nuclear capability and enhance its deterrence capabilities.
5. Surgical strikes:
The Committee noted that a limited counter terrorism operation (surgical strikes) was carried out by the Indian Army along the Line of Control (LoC) in September 2016.
The surgical strikes took place based on intelligence inputs regarding terrorist launch pads across the LoC and overall build-up of terrorist attacks, stemming from Pakistan.
The Committee stated that the surgical strikes demonstrate a restrained response, and hence do not indicate a change in India’s policy of ‘strategic restraint’.
It recommended that this policy be continued along with diplomatic outreach to highlight terrorism supported by Pakistan.
6. Economic engagement:
The Committee noted three trends in the economic ties between India and Pakistan.
These include: (i) trade between the two countries exhibits great potential, (ii) India has maintained trade surplus with Pakistan over the years, and (iii) SAPTA (SAARC Preferential Trade Arrangement) agreement is an important mechanism for bilateral trade.
Under the WTO agreement, India had extended the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to all WTO members, including Pakistan.
The MFN principle prohibits discrimination among similar products from different countries.
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However, Pakistan has not reciprocated the MFN status to India.
The Committee recommended that efforts should be made to persuade Pakistan to extend MFN status to India.
It further recommended that the government must pursue Pakistan for (i) the removal of trade restrictions on land routes, and (ii) allowing transit of Indian exports to Afghanistan through Pakistan.
The Committee observed that an Integrated Check Post (ICP) was opened at Attari in 2012 to handle the trade between India and Pakistan.
The Committee noted several infrastructural issues regarding the ICP.
These include: (i) limited storage space, (ii) lack of mechanised loading/unloading, and (iii) inadequate cargo holding. The Committee recommended that the efficiency of the ICP be improved through technological handling.
7. SAARC summit:
The Committee stated that by blocking major regional development projects, Pakistan has made SAARC dysfunctional.
It also noted that in response to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Nepal withdrew from the proposed SAARC summit in 2016.
It recommended that the government should undertake constructive engagements to implement the SAARC Regional Convention on ‘Suppression of Terrorism’.
History Of North Korea And South Korea
Relevancy G.S. Paper 1, 2,3 History of North Korea and South Korea Conclusion
History of North Korea and South Korea
Korea as a whole was initially colonized by Japan during WWII.
The Japanese could be compared to what the British were for India during the colonial period.
During the war, Japan was a member of the axis (which consisted of Germany and Italy) and as they lost the war after Hiroshima and Nagasaki , according to the United Nations they had to leave all their international colonies.
However, this meant that the colonies would be left to immediately rule themselves.
So the UN decided to divide the country along a parallel line.
The North would be given to the USSR and the south to the USA which would maintain a balance of powers in the region until a referendum could be held and both sides elected their own rulers.
However things didn’t quite go as planned as the USSR didn’t hold a proper referendum and simply installed the general of their choice (Kim Il Sung).
The US led South Korea refused to recognize this.
North Korea declared war and invaded the south.
Eventually an armistice was declared (an armistice is not the same as a peace treaty which means south and North Korea are still technically in a state of war) and the fighting calmed down but can still be seen to this day from time to time in different forms.
Conclusion
Like most major wars of the 20th century , the North Korean and South Korean issue can also in part be blamed upon US and USSR's constant effort to belittle the other.
These world powers used others to further their own conquest.
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BRICS - Designating Terror Groups
Relevancy G.S. Paper 2,3 Highlights about the BRICS summit on terror groups Significance
Recently
The recent BRICS summit in the Chinese city of Xiamen has designated certain groups as terror organisations.
Highlights
A joint statement from countries, released at the BRICS summit expressed concern on the regional security situation.
BRICS grouping has clearly named Pakistan-based groups, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) as terror organisations.
It was also listed that the IS/Daesh, Taliban, Al-Qaeda and its affiliates are the sources of violence in the region.
Significance
This move changed the position of China in terms of its relations with Pakistan in addition to its policy of protecting Pakistan based groups.
As earlier, China at the U.N.’s Sanctions Committee backed Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar saying that he was not guilty of any terrorism, which went against the efforts of India, as India holds Azhar responsible for many terrorist acts in India.
The recent gesture by China gains significance as it is expected to translate into China removing its block on designating the Masood Azhar as a U.N. Security Council sanctioned terrorist.
Moreover, a key aggravation in ties between New Delhi and Beijing is seen to be removed.
Also, the designation is seen as a larger effort to tackle the issue of global extremism.
Act East Policy (AEP)
Relevancy G.S. Paper 2,3 About Act East Policy Objectives Initiatives Under The Policy Difference Between Act East Policy And Look East Policy
Recently
Recently the central government released its new Act East Policy that focuses on India’s extended neighborhood of the Asia-Pacific region.
About Act East Policy (AEP)
India’s Act East Policy focus on Asia-Pacific region neighborhood.
It was initially only an economic initiative, but now it has gaines strategic, political as well as cultural dimensions which includes the establishment of institutional mechanisms for dialogue and cooperation.
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The strategic partnership of India has upgraded with Vietnam, Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Republic of Korea (ROK), Singapore and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and forged close ties with all countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
Further, apart from ASEAN, ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and East Asia Summit (EAS), India has also been actively engaged in regional fora such as Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD), Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC) and Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
The Act East Policy has placed importance on India-ASEAN mutual aid in our domestic agenda on manufacturing, urban renewal, infrastructure, skills, trade, smart cities, Make in India and other initiatives.
Connectivity projects, cooperation in space, S&T and people-to-people exchanges could become a springboard for regional integration and prosperity.
The North East of India has been a priority in our Act East Policy (AEP).
Objectives
To promote economic cooperation
To strengthen cultural ties
To develop strategic relationship with countries
Continuous engagement at bilateral, regional and multilateral levels
Enhanced connectivity to the States of North Eastern Region including Arunanchal Pradesh with other countries in our neighborhood.
AEP provides an interface between North East India, including the state of Arunachal Pradesh and the ASEAN region.
Initiatives Under The Policy
The ASEAN-India Plan of Action for the period 2016-20 has been adopted in August 2015 which identifies concrete initiatives and areas of cooperation along the three pillars of political-security, economic and socio-cultural.
Connectivity o Some of the major projects include Kaladan Multi-modal Transit Transport Project, the India-
Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway Project, Rhi-Tiddim Road Project, Border Haats, etc. o India continues with stepped up efforts to forge closer partnership with concerned regional and
Multilateral organisation such as ASEAN, ARF, EAS, BIMSTEC, ACD, MCG and IORA.
Culture o On the cultural front, Buddhist and Hindu links could be energized to develop new contacts and
connectivity between people. o Building transport infrastructure, encouraging airlines to enhance connectivity in the region,
contacts between academic and cultural institutions are in progress.
Economy o The ASEAN-India Agreement on Trade in Service and Investments has entered into force for India
and seven ASEAN countries from 1 July 2015. o The ASEAN-India Trade Negotiating Committee has been tasked to undertake a review of the
ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement. o India has also invited ASEAN member states to participate in the International Solar Alliance
which it has co-launched with France on 30 November 2015 at COP-21.
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Strategic o Closer cooperation in combating terrorism o Collaborating for peace and stability in the region o Promotion of maritime security based on international norms and laws
Difference Between Act East Policy And Look East Policy
Look East Policy:
Driven by economic interests
Limited to South East Asia
Act East Policy
Driven by economic and security interests
More extended: South East Asia + East Asia
Underlines current geopolitics of the region
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ETHICS
Eastern and Western philosophy
Relevancy GS Mains paper IV Philosophy optional
Eastern Vs Western Philosophy
The West has greatly influenced the East politically and economically, the East in turn has enriched the West philosophically and spiritually.
Ethnocentrism in both cultures has disabled serious dialogue.
The Western philosophies are empirical in nature while Eastern are more intuitive in nature.
Rationality is the main focus of Western philosophies unlike Eastern where “inner peace” is the main target.
The former is based more on senses and logic whereas the latter is on tranquility and attitudinal development.
The west separates the religion from philosophy while in the East religion and philosophy are intertwined.
Western philosophies preach materialism and scientific discoveries in contrast to the eastern philosophies which validate mysticism and supernaturalism.
Progress means better bridges and more practical and efficient social and political systems to the West while progress means non-attachment and development of one’s inner being.
Indian Vs Western Philosophy
In Indian view, the obligation of individual is not confined to human society only.
It is extended to the whole of sentient creation Indian philosophy holds, "Love thy neighbour as thyself and every living being is thy neighbour".
Moral philosophy in India is truly speaking the art of living a good and disciplined life.
In Western philosophy ethics is an intellectual enquiry whereas in Indian view, it is the way of life to realize the ultimate reality.
The ethical concerns of governance have been underscored widely in Indian scriptures and other treatises such as Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagvad Gita, Buddha Charita, Arthashastra, Panchatantra, Manusmriti, Kural, Shukra Niti, Kadambari, Raja Tarangani, and Hitopadesh.
In the Western philosophy, there are three eminent schools of ethics, the first, inspired by Aristotle, holds that virtues (such as justice, charity and generosity) are dispositions to act in ways that benefit the possessor of these virtues and the society of which he is a part.
The second, subscribed to mainly by Immanuel Kant, makes the concept of duty central to morality human beings are bound, from knowledge of their duty as rational beings, to obey the categorical imperative to respect other rational beings with whom they interact.
The third is the utilitarian viewpoint that asserts that the guiding principle of conduct should be the greatest happiness (or benefit) of the greatest number.
The Western thought is full of ethical guidelines to rulers, whether in a monarchy or a democracy.
Gita, Mahabharata and Ramayana
Relevancy GS Mains paper IV
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Gita Mahabharata Ramayana
Introduction
The Bhagvada Gita, Mahabharata and Ramayana and other ancient texts teaches many morals and consciousness that are bedrock to sustain Indian society with plurality and diversity for many years.
But in actual, these epics renders priceless teachings about philosophy and devotion that actually can provide solutions to various problems in our life.
Gita
Brahmajnana: o It teaches us the way to liberation from all kinds of bondages by the realization of the ultimate
happiness through liberation from all kinds of bondages.
Karma Yoga: o It also tells us to practice devotional meditation on the name of God, and the practice of one’s
own duties without any attachment.
Atma-gyana o The Gita also teaches self realisation which enable person do not treat others as superior or
inferior to oneself.
Sama-darshina o Meaning value of equal treatment, enable person to see things equally regardless of rich or poor,
high or low.
Swa-dharma o The lesson of dependence on self-reliance enabled the freedom fighters to fight against to
unethical ruling of British and securing self-rule.
Mahabharta
Justice o It has taught us that sometimes you have to go against your own family to stand for justice and
nothing should come in the way.
Forgiveness o Though revenge may provide you with relief but then revenge does not distinguish you from the
people who have hurt you. o Forgive and forget if you want to live life peacefully.
Problem solving o One of the greatest lessons taught by Mahabharata is that we need to focus on finding solutions
to the problems rather than focusing on or creating problems.
Half Knowledge Can Prove Dangerous o We sometimes take decisions on the basis of the amount of knowledge we have about that
situation and tend to ignore the other side of the coin that can have a significant impact on our decision.
o Therefore, we must take decisions only when we have complete information about it.
Ramayana
Protecting a Woman’s Honor is a Noble Deed o One should not think twice in helping a women and protecting her honor. o The noble bird Jatayu gave up his life for saving Sita from the clutches of Ravana.
The Power of True Dedication
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o The Ramayana gives another important lesson of true devotion and friendship by the example of the relationship between Lord Rama and his ardent devotee, Hanuman, who did everything he could do for his Lord.
Pride Always has a fall o Ravana was a great warrior who was blessed with immortality by Lord Shiva, but it was his pride
which took him to his downfall.
Lessons From The Life Of Mahatma Gandhi
Relevancy GS Mains paper IV Mahatma Gandhi Ethics case studies
Introduction
The basic principles, central to Gandhian ideology, are truth, love and non-violence.
The whole universe of Gandhian perspective is based on these cardinal principles.
He believed that no material advancement can benefit the human society, if it is lacking of the moral base.
He gave his ideas and experiences in his autobiography- ‘My Experiments with Truth‘ Valuable lessons
Non Violence o One should be completely away from actions, which may hurt others physically or mentally.
NonViolence is to bear the distress by oneself to make others happy.
Truth o For Gandhiji, truth was equivalent to God. o For our true moral and spiritual growth, it is necessary that we constantly make efforts towards
the expansion of our perception of the truth.
Celibacy o Abstaining from excessive self-indulgence by thought, action and speech. o Every individual must cultivate a discipline by which we are able to keep the senses under
control.
Non-Possessiveness o It refers to renunciation of possessions by thought, words and deeds. o One’s possession should be restricted to the level of contentment. o The tendency of limitless possession is a cause of evil.
SERVICE TO MANKIND : o That all humans are equal and there are no differences amongst us. o People should stand for unity of life and humans, which was evident by his works for
untouchables (calling them harijans).
END AND MEANS : o Gandhi was the firm believer that no good can be achieved by following the wrong path and even
if someone does bad deeds to achieve good ends, it would be useless as it won't bring mental peace and inner satisfaction.
CLEANLINESS: o Gandhi said, "Cleanliness is next to Godliness", o One should not lay stress on just external cleanliness, but inner cleanliness as well, that is,
cleanliness of mind and soul, purity of heart with no vices for others. Conclusion
Gandhi's ethics are much relevant even today and by adapting his teachings in our lives, we, humans can bring positive changes in personal, national and global fronts.
With this, his vision of egalitarian, just and equitable society will come true.
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Evolution of Indian Philosophical Ethics
Relevancy GS Mains paper IV Ethics, Philosophy optional Orthodox Schools Heterodox Schools
Introduction
Ethics in India is a complex and multi-faceted one, being constituted of divergent and several religious and philosophical traditions.
The main schools of Indian philosophy were formalised chiefly between 1000 BCE to the early centuries of the Common Era.
According to philosopher Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the earliest of these, which date back to the composition of the Upanishads in the later Vedic period (1000–500 BCE), constitute "the earliest philosophical compositions of the world."
Competition and integration between the various schools was intense during their formative years, especially between 800 BCE and 200 CE.
Some schools like Jainism, Buddhism, Yoga, Saiva and Advaita Vedanta survived, but others, like Ajñana, Charvaka and Ājīvika did not.
Orthodox Schools
There are six major schools of orthodox Hindu philosophy are Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Samkhya, Yoga, Mimasa and Vedanta.
The Indian term for morality and ethics is ‘dharma’.
Dharma comes from the root ‘dhr’, which means to hold together.
And thus the function of dharma is to hold the human society together for its stability and growth.
Right conduct is essential if the human society is to survive.
Its early beginnings have to be traced from the Vedas, particularly the Rig Veda.
One of the central ethical concepts of the Rig Veda is ‘rta’, a conception of unifying order or moral law, pervading all things.
The concept ‘rta’ has given rise to two other important concepts, the concept of Dharma and the concept of Karma.
o Dharma: has got so different and divergent meanings, but generally it is known as duty. o Karma: It signifies that there is a uniform moral law, governing the actions of man and the
rewards and the punishments appropriate to their actions. o Upanishadis: Upnishadic ethics is primarily atman centric and intellectualistic. o In this metaphysical realm only we can speak of Upanishadic ethics. o Manusmrti: It subordinated individuality to social structures. o Though individual, one belongs to a family and a sub-caste and he is always taken care by the
family in which he is, and so the Hindu social morality is relativistic on several counts.
Heterodox schools
Several Sramaṇic movements have existed before the 6th century BCE, and these influenced both the Astika and nastika traditions of Indian philosophy.
The Sramaṇa movement gave rise to diverse range of heterodox beliefs, ranging from accepting or denying the concept of soul, atomism, antinomian ethics, materialism, atheism, agnosticism, fatalism to free will, idealization of extreme asceticism to that of family life, strict ahimsa (non-violence) and vegetarianism to permissibility of violence and meat-eating.
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Notable philosophies that arose from Sramaṇic movement were Jainism, early Buddhism, Carvaka, Ajnana and Ajivika.
These rejected the authority of the Vedas and were known as preaching radical skepticism.
Ethical issues involved in Diplomacy
Relevancy GS Mains paper IV Ethics case studies Diplomacy
Introduction
Ethics is the study of the moral code of conduct or the ideal behaviour to be sought by the human beings.
It provides guidance to the realm of international relations as well.
Need for Ethics
Ethics helps to avoid the "Ego Clash" & "Ideological Clash" between two or more nations.
For example: The disruption between India & Pakistan relation can be avoided if both take decision based on ethics.
Ethics provides the aim of "Peaceful World", "Respect for All" & "Equality" in forming international organizations, declaration & forums.
Example is the demand for equality in IMF & UNO shows the demand of adhering to ethics in a way.
Ethical Issues in Diplomacy
Value of human rights
Examples are countries providing aid during natural disasters (Nepal earthquake) and Refugee crisis (Jews post WW 2).
Sharing the benefits (collective responsibility) of technology and financial resources
Examples are the success of Kyoto Protocol, Development programs via IMF, WB etc, Sustainable environment growth, etc.
United for World Security
Fight against terrorist organizations (Al Qaeda, ISIS), Syria problem, actions taken against save havens for terrorists and terrorist funding.
Tolerance and respect towards culture and religion
Cultural exchange programs, secular nature of majority of countries, racism against blacks, growing dissent towards Islamic countries
Accountability
The commitment towards something or the responsibility is to be given due importance in an international relation to ensure the win-win situation for all the stakeholders.
Example an irresponsible behaviour of North Korea has raised the concerns of the whole world.
Conclusion
Thus ethics on one hand saves the international relation from disruption and on the other hand it takes care of the welfare of the present and the future generations learning from the mistakes of the past.
Ethical temper will act as binding agent for countries apart from economic and political relations in present times of globalised world.
Corporate Social Responsibility
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Ethics case studies CSR
Introduction
Corporate Social Responsibility Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a phenomenon wherein organisations serve the interest of society by taking responsibility for the Impact of their activities on customers, employees, shareholders, communities and the environment in all aspects of their operations.
In other words, CSR is the continuing commitment by business to behave ethically and contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of the workforce and their families as well as of the local community and society at large.
Ethics Involved
Respect: o As an entrepreneur building a business, you need to gain respect from the people around you
and your customers.
Honor: o Good companies are a fundamental part of good ethics. o They are also great ambassadors for doing right things for the society.
Integrity: o Making sure no one is selling the company's values short to make a quick buck.
Customer focus: o A focus on your customers reinforces the responsibility companies have to the market. o Its decisions affect the people, investors, partners and ultimately, customers. o Serving all these people is a part of ethical responsibility.
Results oriented: o Ethics factor in results too as working on achievements should be based on moral values and in
the context of something that customers need and providing it in the form of CSR.
Risk taking: o Organisations that thrive, prosper and grow do so by taking the risks. o Great companies innovate and deliver greater goods to the society in the form of education,
sanitation, etc.
Passion: o Companies work not only to make profits but have passion for the living and society as well.
Persistence: o Persistence is tied to passion for what they are doing and a belief that they are working for the
greater good of the society and that they have a role to play in it.
Corporate Governance
Relevancy GS Mains paper IV Ethics case studies Corporate Governance
Corporate Governance
Corporate governance is a concept which revolves around the appropriate management and control of a company.
It includes the rules relating to the power relations between owners, the board of directors, management and the stakeholders such as employees, suppliers, customers as well as the public at large.
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Sustained growth of any organization requires cooperation of all stakeholders, which requires adherence to the best corporate governance practices.
In this regard, the management needs to act as trustees of the shareholders at large and prevent asymmetry of benefits between various sections of shareholders, especially between the owner-managers and the rest of the shareholders.
In general, corporate governance corresponds to fair, transparent and ethical administration of a corporation giving maximum benefits to the shareholders.
Relation of ethics and Corporate Governance
Ethics is at the core of corporate governance, and management must reflect accountability for their actions on global community scale.
Corporate governance is a relatively new term used to describe a process, which has been practiced for as long as there have been corporate entities.
This process seeks to ensure that the business and management of corporate entities is carried on in accordance with the highest prevailing standards of ethics and efficacy upon assumption that it is the best way to safeguard and promote the interests of all corporate stakeholders.
Also, Gandhi said that commerce without morality is a sin.
Many incidents like scams, fraud, tax evasion by big corporate houses in the past and present raise the issues of ethical corporate governance.
Ethics Involved in Corporate Governance
Ethical rights and duties existing between company and society - Companies which make the sin products like alcohol, cigarettes and drugs are causing harm to the society.
CSR- To contribute to social cause but many companies evade their taxes, use CSR as a platform to promote their business and generate more profit.
INSIDER TRADING- Hedge funding e.g. Sri Lankan Businessman Raja Rayhan case in US.
SECRITIES FRAUD- Companies buying or selling stocks of a particular company based on false information by that company, which in turn creates problems to the investors.
BRIBERY- Management board and auditor nexus helps to evade taxes, giving shares to equity holders. Eg- Satyam scam.
Privacy of the employee- monitoring the calls, emails and internet activities of the employee by the management is a breach to the privacy.
Gender Equality and Dignity to the Women employee, safety issues, paying high salary and offering high posts on the merit.
Public Health and safety-Using harmful substances to excess which causes Cancer. E.g.- Maggies and Breads where carcinogenic materials are present.
Unethical Means like VOXWAGON not checking air pollution level, etc.
Conflict of Interest- Vijay Mallya fraud, Subrata Roy in Sahara group who cheated 30 million small investors, Sudipta Sen in Saradha Chit fund scam, Ketan Pareho in circular trading and stock manipulation through a host of companies.
Conclusion
Corporate ethics is a must thing to run the governance for the betterment of the society.
In India, corporate governance initiatives have been undertaken by the Ministry of of Corporate Affairs (MCA) and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
What Is Utilitarianism?
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GS Mains paper IV Utilitarianism Quantitative Utilitarianism Qualitative Utilitarianism
Introduction
Utilitarianism, in normative ethics, is a tradition stemming from the late 16th and 19th century's English philosophers and economists- Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill.
According to this perspective, in general, an action is morally right if the consequences of that action are more favourable than unfavourable to everyone.
Utilitarianism is the altruistic or universalistic form of Ethical Hedonism {where Hedonism argues that pleasure is the highest good and the supreme ideal of life}.
Utilitarianism maintains that the supreme ideal of life is pleasure - not the individual pleasure but universal or general happiness.
The slogan of Utilitarianism is, "The greatest happiness of the greatest number".
This theory, thus, is in opposition to deontological ethical theory that regards some acts or types of acts as right or wrong independently of their consequences.
Jeremy Bentham’s Gross or Quantitative Utilitarianism
Bentham argues for weighing pleasures and pains in our actions.
An action is right if it produces pleasure. An action is wrong if it produces pain. The worth of an action consists in its utility to produce pleasure and to avoid pain. Bentham believes that all pleasures are alike.
Pleasures do not have qualitative differences.
Pleasures have only quantitative differences i.e. they are more or they are less. Mill’s Refined or Qualitative Utilitarianism
Mill holds that qualitative distinction among pleasures is as real as quantitative distinction.
Intellectual pleasures are better than sensuous pleasures.
Mill believes that we ought to seek satisfaction of higher capacities.
The moral criterion is utility or the greatest happiness principle.
Actions are right, if they promote happiness.
Happiness means pleasure and the absence of pain. Related questions Discuss in brief, major theories of Ethics. Which of them, in your opinion, answers the moral Dilemma better than others? Utilitarianism, though logically consistent, has internal-contradictions. Do you agree? Justify your stand.
What Is Kantianism?
Relevancy GS Mains paper IV Political Science optional Deontological Kantianism vs utilitarianism
Immanuel Kant
Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) was a German philosopher who is a central figure in modern philosophy.
Kantian theories are based on his studies on moral philosophy.
Deontological ethics
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Deontology is concerned with the actions themselves and not with the consequences.
It teaches that some acts are right or wrong in themselves, whatever the consequences, and people should act accordingly.
Kantianism
Kantianism (or Kantian ethical theory) is deontological, revolving entirely around "duty" rather than emotional feelings or end goals.
Kantianism states that truly moral or ethical arts are not based on self-interest or the greatest utility, but on a sense of "duty" and a sense of what is right and fair on a wider level (despite the possible consequences for the individual and their usefulness for others).
By focusing about duty, Kant has heralded an approach to ethics which was later adopted by the likes of Gandhi to gain Independence for India.
Kant ethical perspective continue to be utilized in many aspects. For e.g. Indian Constitution granting Right against exploitation is an emphasis of Kant perspective of treating humans with dignity and respect.
Two very important concepts in this context are the notion of categorical imperative and the idea of good will.
Categorical imperative
Kant regards the moral law imposed by practical reason as 'Categorical Imperative'.
Categorical Imperative is the internal law imposed by conscience upon itself.
In other words, a categorical imperative denotes an absolute, unconditional requirement that exerts its authority in all circumstances, both required and justified as an end in itself.
Idea of goodwill
Kant says that there is nothing in the world or even out of it that can be called good without qualification except a good will.
Things, which are intrinsically good, are good even if they exist all alone.
Kant claims that, everything else is good only in relation to the good will, which is the ultimate criterion that determines the moral worth of an action.
All other things that are usually considered as good like health, wealth, gifts of fortune, talents, intellect etc., are good only in so far as they are used well or used by a good will.
Kantianism vs utilitarianism
Kant was opposed to utilitarianism.
Utilitarian believed that one should do actions that produced greatest amount of happiness whereas Kant believed that certain types of actions (including murder, theft, and lying) were absolutely prohibited, even in cases where the action would bring about more happiness than the alternative.
According to Kant a good person is someone who always does their duty because it is their duty even though they may or may not enjoy it.
John Rawl’s Theory Of Social Justice
Relevancy GS Mains paper IV Ethics case studies John Rawl Criticism of John Rawl’s theory of justice
John Rawl
John Bordley Rawls(1921-2002) was an American moral and political philosopher in the liberal tradition.
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His works have influenced famous thinkers like Amartya sen, Thomas Nagel, Thomas Pogge, etc.
Social justice
Social justice refers to the just society where equals are treated equally with just allocation of resources.
John Rawl’s theory of Social Justice
John Rawl introduced the theory of ''veil of ignorance'' while deciding the rules and regulations for society's functioning.
Veil of ignorance means to imagine ourselves in a condition where we don't know our position in terms of caste, religion, gender etc and then take decision.
The concept here is that when we don't know our position then it is more likely that we take rational decision for collective benefit of society.
Basic principles of his theory
Rawls suggests two basic principles of justice to lest public interest.
The first principle is that each person is to have an equal right to the most extensive basic liberty compatible with a similar liberty for others.
The other principle postulates that public policies are reasonably expected to be to everyone's advantage and public position and offices are open to all.
In case of conflict between these principles, the second principle is expected to prevail and give way to the first.
Rational decision-making in public administration has to have an ethical framework.
These principles provide an operating logic for the determination of public interest by the decision- makers.
Other aspects of his theory
The contents of the "social primary goods" specified by Rawls are of particular importance, for the fair distribution of them, namely, liberty and opportunity, income and wealth and basis of self-respect in a society will undoubtedly help to achieve the much needed social justice.
Another important aspect of his theory is that while laying emphasis on the equal distribution of the “social primary goods”, he envisages “an unequal distribution” of the “social primary goods” if such unequal distribution is “to the advantage of the least favoured”.
In envisaging such “unequal distribution” of the social primary goods to benefit the “least favoured” in the society.
Criticism
This theory is highly generalised as to what is justice and tied to carry it to higher level of abstraction rather than in defining in concrete form.
According to critics, Rawls' theory is an apology for the status quo insofar as it constructs justice from existing practice and forecloses the possibility that there may be problems of injustice embedded in capitalist social relations, private property or the market economy.
Feminist critics took Rawls to task for failing to account for injustices found in patriarchal social relations and the gendered division of labor, especially in the household.
Amartya Sen faults Rawls for an over-emphasis on institutions as guarantors of justice not considering the effects of human behaviour on the institutions' ability to maintain a just society.
Related questions for mains
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Ideas about a perfectly just world do not help redress actual existing inequality. Comment.
What Is Meant By Golden Mean?
Relevancy GS Mains paper IV Ethics case studies Aristotle Golden mean
Introduction
In ancient Greek philosophy, especially that of Aristotle, the golden mean or golden middle way or Goldilocks theory is the desirable middle between two extremes, one of excess and the other of deficiency.
The golden mean represents a balance between extremes or vices.
Finding a moderate position between those two extremes, and will eventually lead to be acting morally.
However it is not as simple as just applying the virtue, one must apply phronesis (practical wisdom) in order to decide on the best course of action depending on the situation.
Phronesis according to Aristotle is gained as we grow up and move away from rules and subsequently allows us to adapt to a more autonomous, person-centered and virtue-centered morality.
Aristotle's idea of golden mean can be reflected in his preference for polity as polity is golden mean between oligarchy and monarchy.
A Few Examples
Courage is the middle between one extreme of deficiency (cowardness) and the other extreme of excess (recklessness).
The mean as concerns fear and confidence is courage: those that exceed in fearlessness are foolhardy, while those who exceed in fear are cowardly.
The mean in respect to certain pleasures and pains is called temperance, while the excess is called profligacy. Deficiency in this matter is never found, so this sort of person does not have a name.
In the matter of giving and earning money, the mean is liberality, excess and deficiency are prodigality and miserliness.
But both vices exceed and fall short in giving and earning in contrary ways: the prodigal exceeds in spending, but falls short in earning; the miser exceeds in earning, but falls short in spending.
With respect to honor and disgrace, the mean is “high-mindedness,” the excess might be called vanity, and the deficiency might be called humility or small-mindedness.
Importance Of Golden Mean
The importance of the golden mean is that it re-affirms the balance needed in life.
Aristotle believed this was the best way to live in society, as extremes of character are unhelpful for example someone who is too assertive can cause for others to lose their confidence.
Buddha too preached the concept of the Golden Mean as the Middle path, a moderate way between extreme self-denial and sensual, materialistic self-indulgence.
It helps people realise moderation rather than rigid monasticism or its extreme opposites, greed and acquisitiveness.
Moderation can also help people develop moral characteristics.
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What is meant by Existentialism?
Relevancy GS Mains paper IV Existentialism Ethics Philosophy
Origin of existentialism theory
Existentialism originated with the 19th Century philosophers Soren Kierkegaard and Friedrich Nietzsche, although neither used the term in their work.
In the 1940s and 1950s, French existentialists such as Jean-Paul Sartre popularized existential themes.
He is regarded as the father of Existentialist philosophy. Introduction
Existentialism is widely considered to be the philosophical and cultural movement which holds that the starting point of philosophical thinking must be the individual and the experiences of the individual.
Existentialists generally believe that traditional systematic or academic philosophies are too abstract and away from concrete human experience.
Facets of Existentialism
A central proposition of existentialism is that "existence precedes essence", which means that the most important consideration for the individual is the fact that he or she is an individual, an independently acting and responsible conscious being [existence] rather than what labels, roles, stereotypes, definitions, or other preconceived categories the individual fits [essence].
The actual life of the individual is what constitutes what could be called his or her ' true essence’ instead of there being an arbitrarily "attributed essence" used by others to define him or her.
Thus, human beings, through their own 'consciousness’, create their own values and determine a meaning to their life.
Differences with other metaphysical theories
What makes this philosophical argument distinct is not its concern with existence overall, but rather its claim that thinking of human existence requires new categories that are not found within conceptual thought during ancient and modern periods of time.
Human beings cannot be understood as entities with fixed characteristics or as subjects interacting with a world of objects.
Existentialism as a whole cannot be given a finite definition.
However, the branches that stem from the foundations of the philosophical entity can be interpreted and applied to answer the object of human existence.
What Is Epicurean Thought?
Relevancy GS Mains paper IV Ethics case studies Philosophy optional Epicurean thought
Epicurus
The ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus, founded this school of thought in around 307 BC.
Epicurus was an atomic materialist, following in the steps of Democritus.
His materialism led him to a general attack on superstition and divine intervention.
Epicureanism is a system of philosophy based upon his teachings on modern philosophy.
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Introduction
In ancient times the term Epicureanism was employed with meaning as the equivalent of hedonism, the doctrine that pleasure or happiness is the chief good.
In popular parlance, Epicureanism thus means devotion to pleasure, comfort, and high living, with a certain nicety of style.
Nature of Epicureanism
Epicurus believed that what he called "pleasure" was the greatest good, but that the way to attain such pleasure was to live modestly, to gain knowledge of the workings of the world, and to limit one's desires.
He defined justice as an agreement "neither to harm nor be harmed".
The point of living in a society with laws and punishments is to be protected from harm so that one is free to pursue happiness.
Because of this, laws that do not contribute to promoting human happiness are not just.
Epicureanism also encourages us to live happily, in modesty, and to invest in friendship.
Ethic of Reciprocity
Epicurus gave his own unique version of the Ethic of Reciprocity, which differs from other formulations by emphasizing minimizing harm and maximizing happiness for oneself and others.
It is impossible to live a pleasant life without living wisely and well and justly agreeing "neither to harm nor be harmed".
According to Epicurus, it is impossible to live wisely and well and justly without living a pleasant life.
Epicureanism incorporated a relatively full account of the social contract theory, following after a vague description of such a society in Plato's Republic.
The social contract theory established by Epicureanism is based on mutual agreement, not divine decree.
Values Of A Civil Servant
Relevancy GS Mains paper II Ethics case studies Values of a civil servant
Introduction
Civil Servant are backbone of Indian administration and hence, their value bound, ethical and probity in nature are utmost important for fair delivery services to public.
By the 1970s the majority succumbed or were co-opted into the grand design of hedonism or aligned with powerful interests for corrupt personal ends.
Problems faced by civil servants in daily lives
Interference of Executives in bureaucratic duties delivery harms fairness.
Low reward and recognition system, though civil servants are expected to deliver duty selflessly, but being humans, they also derive motivation from reward and social recognition.
Low and Lack of strict laws for corruption cases.
Inordinate and abrupt transfers disrupts personal lives of civil servant, this makes them compliance with external pressure to ensure tenure for peaceful social life.
Qualities
Integrity o Integrity is the quality of having a sense of honesty and truthfulness in regard to the motivations
for actions.
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o This means conducting professional relationship and activities fairly, honestly, legally, and in conformance with the professional code of ethics.
Impartiality o Impartiality is acting solely according to the merits of the case and serving equally well
governments of different political persuasions.
Non Partisanship o Non-partisanship is not being precisely owned or allied with any group, party or cause as known
as political neutrality.
Objectivity o Objectivity entails that a truth remains true universally, independently of human thought or
approaches. o An objective approach is particularly important in decision-making processes which affect large
numbers of citizens. o And also to provide information and advice, including advice to ministers, on the basis of the
evidence, and accurately present the options and facts.
Dedication o Dedication is the eminence of people to be devoted or loyal to a duty or purpose, thought or
action. o Civil servants should dedicate their lives to public service even sacrificing their personal life and
comfort.
Empathy o Empathy is described as understanding what others are feeling. o This skill reflects a civil servant’s ability to connect with the citizens and to relate to them which is
a necessary skill in building and managing healthy relationships.
Tolerance o Tolerance comprises of allowing people to exercise their rights, religious or constitutional. o It means showing respect for the race, gender, opinions, religion and ideologies of other people
or groups, and to admire the good qualities and good work of the citizens.
Conclusion
It can be recognized that above core values support good government and guarantee the accomplishment of the highest possible standards in all that the Civil Service does.
This in turn helps the Civil Service to gain and maintain the respect of ministers, Parliament, the public and its clienteles.
Ethical And Moral Relativism
Relevancy GS Mains paper IV Ethical Relativism Vs Moral relativism Ethical Skepticism
Ethical relativism
It is the theory which states that no foundation exists and that there is no universal moral norm.
Also, it is of the belief that what is morally right is relative to the individual or group of men in question.
If such a theory can give reasons for such a position, it is ethical relativism in a strict way.
Ethical relativists dispute the idea that there are some objective and discoverable super-rules that all cultures ought to obey.
Ethical Relativism theorizes that truth is different for different people, not simply that different people believe different things to be true.
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This position would assert that our morals evolve and change with social norms over a period of time.
Moral relativism
Moral relativism is the theory that holds that morals are relative to the norms of one's culture.
That is, whether an action is right or wrong depends on the norms of the society in which it is practiced.
The same action may be ethically right in one society but be wrong in another.
Moral relativism is a moral theory that promotes tolerance as its virtue.
They believe that relativism respects the diversity of human societies and responds to the different circumstances surrounding human acts.
Ethical vs moral relativism
Ethical relativism states that no basic foundation exists in any form of culture whereas moral relativism supports the view that the truth of moral principles is relative to cultures.
Ethical relativism represents the position that there are no moral absolutes, no moral right or wrong whereas moral relativism supports the concept that whatever culture says is right for you really is right for you.
Unlike ethical relativism which doesn’t believe in existence of any morals at all, in moral relativism the culture or society becomes the highest authority on what is right for each individual within that society.
Ethical Skepticism
If any form of relativism cannot give reasons but simply admits that it is strictly impossible to say what is morally right and morally wrong it can be called as ethical skepticism.
It is the meta-ethical theory that no-one has any moral knowledge (or the stronger claim that no-one can have any moral knowledge).
It holds that we are never justified in believing that, and never know whether, moral claims are true.
WHAT IS HEDONISM?
Relevancy GS Mains paper IV Philosophy optional Hedonism merits and demerits
Meaning of Hedonism
Hedonism is a school of thought that argues that pleasure and happiness are the primary or most important intrinsic goods and the proper aim of human life.
A hedonist strives to maximize net pleasure (pleasure minus pain), but when having finally gained that pleasure, either through intrinsic or extrinsic goods, happiness remains stationary.
Ethical hedonism is the idea that all people have the right to do everything in their power to achieve the greatest amount of pleasure possible to them.
It is also the idea that every person's pleasure should far surpass their amount of pain.
Concept of hedonism is also found in the Hindu scriptures.
Among Indian philosophical schools, Charvaka school (Lokayatmat) advocates the principle of Hedonism.
Charvaka school
Charvaka (Cārvāka), originally known as Lokāyata and Bṛhaspatya, is the ancient school of Indian materialism.
It is considered an example of atheistic schools in the Hindu tradition.
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Charvakas rejected many of the standard religious conceptions of Hindus, Buddhists and Jains, such as afterlife, reincarnation, samsara, karma and religious rites.
They were critical of the Vedas, as well as Buddhist scriptures.
Unlike many of the Indian philosophies of the time, Charvaka did not believe in austerities or rejecting pleasure out of fear of pain and held such reasoning to be foolish.
It may be said from the available material that Cārvākas hold truth, integrity, consistency, and freedom of thought in the highest esteem.
Advantages of Hedonism
It focusses on maximum happiness of an individual.
Apart from Hedonism known as “gross sensual pleasure” there is another form which focusses on ‘long lasting sustainable’ pleasure, known as refined hedonism.
Examples of Refined Hedonism are: appreciating art, investing in personal relations, cultivating hobbies.
Promotes consumerism which is a boost to economy, employment generation.
Disadvantages of Hedonism
Hedonists would justify drug abuse as it gives a sense of pleasure, however short lived.
Makes a person spendthrift than making him save for the future.
Hedonists wouldn’t realize that health and financial prudence gives long term happiness at the expense of short term discomfort.
Law of marginal utility is applied to Hedonists that they have to consume more and more to get same amount of pleasure.
This, consumerism leads to exploitation of natural resources which is not good for environment and sustainable development.
Their never ending greed becomes their need and so on and so forth.
For the hedonist, constant pleasure-seeking may not yield the most actual pleasure or happiness in the long run—or even in the short run, when consciously pursuing pleasure interferes with experiencing it.
Relevant questions for mains
Charvaka system is a crude form of Hedonism. Comment.
Importance Of Emotional Intelligence In Modern World
Relevancy GS Mains paper IV Emotional Intelligence
Introduction
The capacity to be aware of, control, and express one's emotions, and to handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically is known as Emotional Intelligence (EI).
Includes using of emotional information to guide thinking and behavior, and manage and adjust emotions to adapt to environments or achieve one's goals.
This is also related to emotional reasoning and understanding in response to the people, environment and circumstances one encounters in his or her day-to-day life.
Emotional intelligence also reflects abilities to join intelligence, empathy and emotions to enhance thought and understanding of interpersonal dynamics.
EI is the key to both personal and professional success.
However, substantial disagreement exists regarding the definition of EI, with respect to both terminology and operationalizations.
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Models of EI
Currently, there are three main models to define and measure EI.
Ability model: It conceptualizes EI as a set of abilities to do with emotions much like IQ.
Mixed model: It conceptualizes EI as a mix of traits and mental abilities or intelligence and emotion.
Trait model: It conceptualizes EI as an array of emotional and social traits, eg. “Self-regard”.
General effects on a person
Higher EI leads to better social relations of adults and children.
Highly emotionally intelligent individuals are perceived more positively by others at workplace.
It also improves family and intimate relationships significantly.
Higher EI definitely leads to better academic achievement and better social relations during work performance and in negotiations.
Having emotional intelligence increases your chances of being more accepted on teams and considered for leadership positions.
Results in overall psychological well-being in distressful modern world.
Lack of EI
Insensitivity: People who are insensitive are often perceived to not make a good leader.
Arrogance: Damages personal life and emotional well-being.
Volatility: Volatile people can cause dysfunction in different endeavors of life and often lead to failure.
Rigidity: In today’s professional environment, being rigid or inflexible in approach is absolutely harmful.
Selfishness: Always thinking about own self first can lead to many conflicts in personal and professional spheres of life.
Criticism of EI as a concept
Cannot be recognized as form of intelligence.
Confusing skills with moral qualities.
Has little predictive value.
Consequentialism vs Utilitarianism
Relevancy G.S. Paper 4 Introduction to Consequentialism and Utilitarianism Difference between Consequentialism and Utilitarianism
Introduction
Ethics is the study of right and wrong.
It is also referred to as moral philosophy and analyzes the principles that decide the behavior of an individual or a group.
There are many different theories in ethics with consequentialism and utilitarianism being an important one.
There are many similarities between these two theories of ethics to make students confused as they tend to equate one with another and often use them interchangeably.
This article attempts to highlight the differences between consequentialism and utilitarianism for the benefit of the readers.
Consequentialism
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Consequentialism is a theory in ethics that judges people, things and issues on the basis of their outcomes or consequences.
Thus, this theory teaches us that we can attain happiness if we can compare the outcome of an action with the beliefs and taboos of the society.
Such a theory is of the view that our morality is all about producing good results or consequences.
This is a view that has been a subject of debate for long as it expects people to be respectful, obedient, following rules and regulations, god fearing, and not poking their noses in the affairs of others just because of good consequences these actions would bring along.
Consequentialists make it binding upon human beings to engage in activities that bring good consequences.
Utilitarianism
Utilitarianism is a special and most popular type of consequentialism.
This theory in ethics accentuates on the fact that we should engage in acts that do maximum good to the maximum number of people.
This is a theory that believes that all of us want to be happy, but at the same time, try to avoid pain to most of us around us.
This theory puts emphasis on goals and the manner in which they are sought to be attained.
Whether an act is right or wrong, is dependent upon what and how much good the act has been produced for people.
Well being of human beings is at the center of utilitarianism with the theory suggesting of engaging in acts that maximize human welfare.
The principles of utilitarianism got boosted by the writings of prominent philosophers such as John Stuart Mill and Jeremy Bentham.
Difference between Consequentialism and Utilitarianism
Utilitarianism was the term that was used to refer to consequentialism till 1960s, but today it is seen more of as a special type of consequentialism.
Utilitarianism stresses on maximizing the good for the maximum number of people.
Utilitarianism combines the aspects of hedonism and consequentialism.
While the greatest good alone is stressed by Consequentialists, utilitarian stresses on the greatest good for the greatest number of people.
Consequentialism says that the rightness of any conduct is based upon its consequences.
Attitude And Behaviour
Relevancy GS Mains paper IV Ethics case studies Attitude, Behaviour
Attitude
Attitude refers to a psychological tendency that is expressed by evaluating a particular object with some degree of favour or disfavour.
"Object" includes people, things, events, and issues.
Attitudes are the feelings and beliefs that determine the behavior of the persons.
They provide framework for responding in a particular fashion.
The attitudes may be positive or negative.
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The positive attitudes yield favourable behaviour and the negative attitudes yield unfavourable behaviour.
Components of Attitude- ‘CAB’
Cognitive Component: o The cognitive component of attitudes refers to the beliefs, thoughts, and attributes we associate
with an object.
Affective Component o The affective component of attitudes refers to feelings or emotions (e.g, fear, sympathy, hate,
like, pleasure) linked to an attitude object.
Behavioural Component o The behavioural component of attitudes refers to a tendency or a predisposition to act in a
certain manner.
Categories of Attitudes
Explicit Attitudes o They are characterized as the attitudes which are the result of conscious cognition, which means
person is aware of his or her attitude. o Since self is involved more consciously in it so sometimes it is known as 'self-reported attitude'.
Implicit Attitudes o Implicit attitudes are derived from past memories, which are rooted in unconscious cognition. o It just comes out from our self without an intention.
Behavior
Behaviour is the range of actions and mannerisms made by Individuals, organisms, systems, or artificial entities in conjunction with themselves or their environment, which includes the other systems or organisms around as well as the (inanimate) physical environment.
It is the response of the system or organism to various stimuli or inputs, whether internal or external, conscious or subconscious, overt or covert, and voluntary or involuntary.
Effect of attitude on behavior
Various research works suggested that attitudes simply influence behaviour.
Attitudes can positively or negatively affect a person’s behavior.
A person may not always be aware of his or her attitude or the effect it is having on behavior.
A person who has positive attitudes towards work and co-workers (such as contentment, friendliness, etc.) can positively influence those around them.
These positive attitudes are usually manifested in a person’s behavior; people with a good attitude are active and productive and do what they can to improve the mood of those around them.
A person who displays negative attitudes (such as discontentment, boredom, etc.), will behave accordingly.
People with these types of attitudes towards work may likewise affect those around them and behave in a manner that reduces efficiency and effectiveness.
The most recent research works suggest that the extent of influence of attitudes on behaviour depends upon various factors like self-awareness, attitude strength, etc.
Deporting Rohingyas in India- Ethical or not?
Relevancy G.S. Paper 4 Why India should not deport Rohingaya Muslims?
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Why India should deport Rohingaya Muslims?
Why India should not deport Rohingaya Muslims?
Deporting Rohingya Muslims would be a violation of India's commitments under international law.
It will violate the international principle of non-refoulement which forbids states from forcibly returning people to a country where they face the risk of serious human rights violation.
This is a recognized customary international law and is binding on India as India is a state party to international treaties that recognizes this principle.
India was part of the council that authorized a fact-finding mission after tens of thousands of Rohingyas fled to Bangladesh from Myanmar, following a security operation in which hundreds were killed and raped.
Thus, there are risks of abuse and serious human rights violation and India has an international obligation to protect them
Why India should deport Rohingaya Muslims?
Internal security o Terrorist groups can misuse the condition of rohingayas and use them in terrorizing India which is
the biggest issue. o Rohingaya muslims were also found in some extremist groups who are fighting against India In
J&K.
Relationship with Mayanmar o By harboring rohingaya Muslims, the relations between two nations can be jeopardized. o This will result India failing in diplomatic war against China & Pakistan.
Unemployment at rise in India o India is still unable to create sufficient job for its own citizens. o Already unemployed peoples blaming the government for the lack of jobs. o This may lead to a complete chaos in India.
Effect on economy and food supply o According to a World Bank report, India has the most number of peoples who live below the
international poverty line of $1.90 a day. o 224 million, more than 2.5 times as many as the 86 million in Nigeria, which has the second-
largest population of the poor worldwide. o Indians are poor already. Inclusion of more poor refugees is more than committing suicide.
Models of Public Policy and their Critique
Relevancy G.S. Paper 4 Introduction to Models of Public Policy and their Critique Systems Model for Policy Analysis The Estonian ‘black box’ model Limits of Systems Approach to Policy Analysis Institutional Approach to Policy Analysis Limitations and Rational Policy-Making Model
Introduction
The idea of models and frames that structure and provide a discourse of analysis came into use in the 1970s and 1980s.
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They were thought of as modes of organising problems, giving them a form and coherence. A model involves the notion of constructing a boundary around reality, which is shared or held in common by a group of scholars or a theorist.
Systems Model for Policy Analysis
The policy-making process has been regarded by David Easton as a ‘black box’, which converts the demands of the society into policies.
While analysing political systems David Easton argues that the political system is that part of the society, which is engaged in the authoritative allocation of values.
The Estonian ‘black box’ model
Above figure gives an idea of what Easton describes as apolitical system. Inputs are seen as the physical social economic and political products of the environment. They are received into the political system in the form of both demands and supports.
Demands are the claims made on the political system by individuals and groups to alter some aspect of the environment. Demands occur when individual or groups, in response to environmental conditions, act to effect public policy.
The environment is any condition or event defined as external to the boundaries of the political system. The supports of apolitical system consist of the rules, laws and customs that provide a basis for the existence of apolitical community and the authorities. The support is rendered when individuals or groups accept the decisions or laws. Supports are the symbolic or material inputs of a system (such as, obeying laws, paying taxes, or even respecting the national flag) that constitute the psychological and material resources of the system.
At the heart of the political system are the institutions and personnel for policy-making. These include the chief executive, legislators, judges and bureaucrats. In the system’s version they translate inputs into ‘outputs. Outputs, then, are the authoritative value allocations of the political system, and these allocations constitute public policy or policies. The systems theory portrays pubic policy as an output of the political system.
The concept of feedback indicates that public policies may have a modifying effect on the environment and the demands generated therein, and may also have an effect upon the character of the political system, Policy outputs may generate new demands and new supports or withdrawal of the old supports for the system. Feedback plays an important role in generating suitable environment for future policy.
Limits of Systems Approach to Policy Analysis
The usefulness of the systems model for the study of public policy is, however, limited owing to several factors. It is argued that this input-output model appears to be too simplistic to serve as a useful aid-to understanding the policy-making process.
This model is accused of employing-the value-laden techniques of welfare economics, which are based on the maximization of a clearly defined ‘social welfare function'. Another short-coming of the traditional input-output model is that it ignores the fragmentary nature of the ‘black box’.
The missing ingredients in the systems approach are the “power, personnel, and institutions” of policy-making. Lineberry observes that in examining these “we will not forget that political decision-makers are strongly constrained by economic factors in the environment in the political system.”
The Estonian model also ignores an important element of the policy process, namely, that the policy-makers (including institutions have also a considerable potential in influencing the environment within which they operate.
The traditional input-output model would see the decision-making system as “facilitative” and value-free rather than “causative”, i.e., as a completely neutral structure.
In other words, structural variations in the systems are found to be having no direct causal effect on public policy.
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Further, it is argued that both the political and bureaueratic elite fashion mass opinion more than masses shape the leadership’s views.
The concept of ‘within puts’ as opposed to inputs has been created to illustrate this point.
Thus, policy changes may be attributed more to the political and administrative elite’s redefinition of their own views than as a product of the demands and support from the environment.
Quite often, policy initiation dues emerge from the bureaucracy. Under certain situations, the bureaucracy becomes a powerful institution in formulating and legitimizing policy. In the Western democracies, the bureaucracy’s role in the shaping of policy direction is largely technical and fairly minimal. The policy direction remains, still largely, in the traditional domain of the political elite.
On the other hand, in a developing country like India, where the state’s objectives are not fully articulated and clear, the bureaucracy easily capitalises on the process of policy selection out of alternative policy strategies.
It does participate in the formulation of public policy in addition to performing purely technical tasks. Finally, the extent to which the environment, both internal and external, is said to have an influence on the policy-making process is influenced by the values and ideologies held by the decision-makers in the system.
It suggests that policy-making involves not only the policy content, but also the policy-maker’s perceptions and values.
The values held by the policy-makers are fundamentally assumed to be crucial in understanding the policy alternatives that are made.
Institutional Approach to Policy Analysis
In a democratic society, a state is a web of government structures and institutions.
The state performs many functions. It strives to adjudicate between conflicting social and economic interests. The positive state is regarded as the guardian of all sections of the community. It does not defend the predominance of any particular class or section.
Ideally speaking, it has to protect the economic interests of all by accommodating and reconciling them. No organisation has ever been able to succeed in its objectives across the whole range of public policies; and policy issues tend to be resolved in ways generally compatible with the preferences of the majority of the public.
In the pluralist society, the activities of individuals and groups are generally directed toward governmental institutions, such as, the legislature executive judiciary, bureaucracy, etc. Public policy is formulated, implemented and enforced by governmental institutions. In other words, a policy does not take the shape of a public policy unless it is adopted and implemented by the governmental institutions.
The government institutions give public policy three different characteristics, Firstly, the government gives legal authority to policies. Public policy is the outcome of certain decisions and is characterised by the use of legal sanctions.
It is regarded as a legal obligation, which commands the obedience of people. Secondly, the application of public policy is universal.
Only public policies extend to all citizens in the state. Thirdly, public policies involve coercion.
It is applied to the acts of government in backing up its decisions.
As such, there is a close relationship between public policy and governmental institutions. I t is not surprising; then, that social scientists would focus the study of governmental structures and institutions. The institutional study has become a central focus of public policy.
Thus, one of the models of the policy-making system might be called the institutional approach because it depends on the interactions of those institutions created by the constitution, government or legislature.
In policy-making; different individuals and groups, such as, the Executive or Cabinet, the Prime Minister, the Members of Parliament, bureaucrats, or leaders of interested groups exercise power.
Each exercise of power constitutes one of the influences, which go to make up the policy-making process.
This is to say that there is a process through which public policy is enacted.
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The process generally comprises a sequence of related decisions often made under the influence of powerful individuals and groups, which together form what is known as state institutions. The institutional approach is also concerned with explaining how social groups and governmental institutions bring influence to bear on those entitled to take and implement legally binding decisions.
Such decision-makers include those who hold office within the formal and constitutional system of rules and regulations, which give formal authority and power to the various positions within the governmental structures and institutions. The institutional approach attempts to study the relationship between public policy and governmental institutions.
Institutionalism, with its focus on the legal and structural aspects of institutions can be applied in policy analysis. The structures and institutions and their arrangements and interactions can have a significant impact on public policy. According to Thomas Dye governmental institutions are structured pattern of behaviour of individuals and groups, which persist over a period of time.
Limitations
Traditional, the focus of study was the description of governmental structures and institutions.
The approach did not, however, devote adequate attention to the linkages between government structures and the content of public policy.
The institutional approach was not backed by any systematic enquiry about the impact of these institutional characteristics on public policy decisions. The study of linkage between government structures and policy outcomes, therefore, remained largely unanalyzed and neglected.
Despite its narrow focus, the structural approach is not outdated. Government institutions are, in fact, a set of patterns of behaviour of individuals and groups. These affect both the decision-making and the content of public policy.
The institutional approach suggests that government institutions may be structured in such ways as to facilitate certain policy outcomes. These patterns may give an advantage to certain interests in society and-with hold this advantage from other interests. Rules and institutional arrangements are usually not neutral in their impact. In fact, they tend to favour some interests in society over others. Certain individual groups may enjoy, therefore, greater power or access to government power under one set of structured patterns than under another set. In other words, ‘there is the impact of institutional characteristics on policy outcomes. Under the institutional approach one can study the relationships between the institutional arrangements and the content of public policy. The policy issues can be examined in a systematic fashion with a focus on institutional arrangements.
The value of the institutional approach to policy analysis lies in asking what relationships exist between institutional arrangernent and the content of public policy and also in investigating these relationships in a comparative fashion.
However, it would not be right to assume that a particular change in institutional structure would bring about changes in public policy. Without investigating the true relationship between structure and policy, it is difficult to assess the impact or institutional arrangements on public policies.
In this context, Thomas Dye says, “both structure and policy are largely determined by environmental forces, and that tinkering with institutional arrangements will have little independent impact on public policy if underlying environmental forces-social, economic, and political-remain constant”.
Rational Policy-Making Model
Rationality and rationalism are words too often found and used in the literature of social science, but they are more widely espoused than practised in policy-making. However, rationality is considered to be the ‘yardstick of wisdom’ in policy-making: This approach emphasises that policy-making is making a choice among policy alternative on rational grounds. Rational policy-making is “to choose the one best option”. Robert Haveman observes that a rational policy is one, which is designed to maximise “net value achievement”.
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Thomas Dye equates rationality with efficiency, In his words,” A policy is rational when it is most efficient that is, if the ratio between the values it achieves and the values it sacrifices is positive and higher than any other policy alternative”.
He further says that the idea of efficiency involves the calculation of all social, political, and economic values sacrificed or achieved by a public policy, not just those that can be measured in monetary terms, hence political policy-makers should be rational. But it is not easy.
In order to be rational, it is desirable that there should be: o Identification and determination of the goals; o Ranking of goals in order of importance; o Identification of possible policy alternatives for achieving those goals; and o Cost-benefit analysis of policy alternatives.
Content and Structure of Attitude
Relevancy G.S. Paper 4 What is attitude? Difference Between Prejudice, Stereotyping, and Discrimination Measurements and structure of attitude Example to explain the attitude Learning attitude
What is Attitude?
An attitude is an expression and psychological tendency of some degree of favor or disfavor toward a person, place, thing, or event (the attitude object).
An attitude is an evaluation of an attitude object, ranging from extremely negative to extremely positive.
Most contemporary perspectives on attitudes also permit that people can also be conflicted or ambivalent toward an object by simultaneously holding both positive and negative attitudes toward the same object.
This has led to some discussion of whether individual can hold multiple attitudes toward the same object.
An attitude can be as a positive or negative evaluation of people, objects, events, activities, and ideas. It could be concrete, abstract or just about anything in your environment.
Attitude is the evaluation of various aspects of the world.
It can be evaluation of an idea, object, action (eg: playing cricket or watching football match etc) or about a person (eg: towards Mahendra Singh Dhoni or Sachin Tendulkar).
The attitude may be strong (eg: attitude towards drinking behaviour – people usually have strong opinion for or against drinking) or weak.
Attitudes are an important topic of study for social psychologists because they help determine what we do – what we eat, how we vote, what we do with our free time, and so on.
Difference Between Prejudice, Stereotyping, and Discrimination
Prejudice (attitudes), stereotypes (beliefs), and discrimination (actions) are three separate facets of some of our more troubling social behaviors toward one another.
Prejudice literally means “prejudgment.” Prejudice is an attitude about another person based on his or her perceived membership in a group.
So people use the perceived group membership of another person to provide a ready-made attitude about the person. Attitudes can be positive or negative.
A positive attitude toward a brand of milk might lead to purchasing that brand on a regular basis.
A negative attitude about snakes might lead to avoidance of snake displays at a zoo.
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Negative prejudice, or attitudes about members of perceived groups have negative connotations and lead to avoidance.
Where prejudice involves attitudes, stereotypes are cognitions or beliefs.
When making a stereotype, a person categorizes others in ways that are overly simplistic based on perceived group membership. For example, the stereotype that professors are absent-minded might be true of some, but is highly unlikely to be true of all professors.
Discrimination is behavior based on stereotypes and prejudices.
If a person has negative beliefs and attitudes about a perceived group, he or she might act on those beliefs and attitudes in situations such as hiring a new employee.
The actions of making hiring based on prejudice and stereotyping are discriminatory.
Although laws cannot influence people’s attitudes and beliefs very much, laws can and do help prevent people acting on those attitudes and beliefs in discriminatory ways.
Measurement of Attitude
Attitudes can be difficult to measure because measurement is arbitrary, meaning people have to give attitudes a scale to measure it against, and attitudes are ultimately a hypothetical construct that cannot be observed directly.
But still, following the explicit-implicit dichotomy, attitudes can be examined through direct and indirect measures.
Whether attitudes are explicit (i.e., deliberately formed) versus implicit (i.e., subconscious) has been a topic of considerable research.
Explicit Attitude and Its Measurement:
Explicit attitudes are attitudes that are at the conscious level, are deliberately formed and are easy to self-report. For example: Imagine you’re out with some friends and meet someone new.
This new acquaintance is wearing a Chennai Superkings jersey, and they happen to be your favorite team. You decide you already like this person and start a friendly conversation.
From an attitude perspective, you consciously noticed the jersey and determined that this was obviously someone with which you would get along. Your attitude is at the conscious level, was deliberately formed and you are able to tell someone else about your attitude.
Explicit measures tend to rely on self-reports or easily observed behaviors. These tend to involve bipolar scales (e.g., good-bad, favorable-unfavorable, support-oppose, etc.)
Implicit Attitude and Its Measurement:
Implicit attitudes are attitudes that are at the unconscious level, are involuntarily formed and are typically unknown to us.
For Example: Imagine you are out with your friends. You vaguely notice some of the strangers around you but don’t meet anyone. You talk with your friends but feel extremely uncomfortable. Maybe your friend even notices and asks what’s wrong, but you have no idea. In this scenario, it would be possible that one of the strangers near you reminds you of someone from your past that you greatly disliked. Your attitude towards this person is what is making you feel uncomfortable. However, the attitude is at the unconscious level, was involuntarily formed, and you have no idea it’s there, so you couldn’t tell anyone about it.
Implicit measures are not consciously directed and are assumed to be automatic, which may make implicit measures more valid and reliable than explicit measures (such as self-reports in which you can do manipulation in self reporting).
People can hold implicit prejudicial attitudes, but express explicit attitudes that report little prejudice.
Implicit measures help account for these situations and look at attitudes that a person may not be aware of or want to show.
The stronger an implicit attitude the more likely it is that it will show up in an explicit attitude. Strong attitudes are stable and not easily changed due to persuasion and can therefore help predict behaviors.
Implicit measures, therefore usually rely on an indirect measure of attitude.
Structure of Attitude
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Attitude has three components as illustrated by the ABC Model: affective, behavioral and cognitive. Three components:
Affective / Emotional component (How do you feel about it?)
Cognitive component (What do you think about it?)
Behavioral component (Are you walking the walk or just talking the talk?)
Although every attitude has these three components, any particular attitude can be based on one component more than another.
A criticism of the tripartite view of attitudes is that it requires cognitive, affective, and behavioral associations of an attitude to be consistent, but this may be implausible.
ABC Components of Attitude
Affective component: o The affective component of attributes refer to your feelings or emotions linked to an attitude
object. o For Example: Suppose Abhishek has ophidiophobia (a phobia of snakes). A snake is an attitude
object. Whenever Abhishek is exposed to a snake – whether he sees one or thinks about one – he feels extreme anxiety and fear. This is only one component of this specific attitude.
o An attitude that is stemmed from or originally created by an emotion is called an affectively-based attitude.
o Attitudes about hot-button issues – such as politics, sex, and religion – tend to be affectively-based, as they usually come from a person’s values. This type of attitude is used to express and validate our moral belief or value systems.
Behavioral component: o Behavioral component refers to the way one tends to act or behave when exposed to an attitude
object. o For Example: Think about Abhishek and his snake phobia again. We already identified the
affective component of his attitude towards snakes – fear and anxiety. How do you think he behaves when it comes to snakes? Most likely, he avoids them whenever possible. If he does see one, he would probably scream or cries. This behavior is the second component of that particular attitude.
o The behavioral component of attitudes also refer to past behaviors or experiences regarding an attitude object.
o For Example: Think about the question: where does an attitude come from? Sometimes, we are unsure of our feelings about a particular topic. Imagine a friend asks if you like Pizza. Since you don’t regularly eat Pizza and can’t immediately recall what it tastes like, you think back about the times that you have eaten it. You remember that you normally eat all of the Pizza you are given, so conclude that you must like it (or at least, that you don’t dislike it). Because your attitude is determined by observing your own behavior, this is an example of behaviorally-based attitude.
Cognitive component: o The cognitive component of attitudes refer to the beliefs, thoughts, and attributes that we would
associate with an object. Many times a person’s attitude might be based on the negative and positive attributes they associate with an object.
o For Example: We have already determined that Abhishek avoids snakes and is scared when he is exposed to them. But, what does he think about snake? It is likely he believes that all snakes are dangerous and gross. Beyond the physical and emotional reaction of his phobia, there is also the cognitive component of his attitude.
Understanding ‘Components of Attitude” with another example in summarised form
Cognitive – our thoughts, beliefs, and ideas about something. When a human being is the object of an attitude, the cognitive component is frequently a stereotype, e.g. “welfare recipients are lazy”
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Affective – feelings or emotions that something evokes. e.g. fear, sympathy, hate. May dislike welfare recipients.
Behavioral – tendency or disposition to act in certain ways toward something. Might want to keep welfare recipients out of our neighborhood. Emphasis is on the tendency to act, not the actual acting; what we intend and what we do may be quite different.
Formation of Attitude
Attitudes form directly as a result of experience and learning. They may emerge due to direct personal experience, or they may result from observation.
Social roles and social norms can have a strong influence on attitudes. Social roles relate to how people are expected to behave in a particular role or context. Social norms involve society’s rules for what behaviors are considered appropriate.
Attitudes can be learned in a variety of ways
Classical Conditioning o Classical conditioning theory involves learning a new behavior via the process of
association. Classical conditioning helps forming an attitude when a neutral stimulus is paired with a stimulus that naturally evokes an emotional response (Learning through association).
o Example: You are driving down a dark and curvy road when you narrowly miss a collision with a large truck that has edged over into your lane. You experience a rapid pulse, sweating palms, and your stomach begins to churn. After this near miss, you continue driving down the road. A few days later, as you approach the same curve, you begin to experience the same reactions (your heart beats faster, your palms begin to sweat) but there are no other vehicles around.
o Classical conditioning was made famous by Pavlov and his experiments conducted with dogs: Bell was rung when dogs received food. Food made dogs salivate.
o Then, whenever a bell was rung, dogs salivated even when food was not present. o Consider how advertisers use classical conditioning to influence your attitude toward a particular
product. In a television commercial, you see young, beautiful people having fun in on a tropical beach while enjoying a sport drink. This attractive and appealing imagery causes you to develop a positive association with this particular beverage.
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Operant Conditioning or Instrumental Learning o Operant conditioning is a method of learning that occurs through reinforcements and
punishments for behavior. o Behaviors or attitudes that are followed by positive consequences are reinforced and are more
likely to be repeated than are behaviors and attitudes that are followed by negative consequences.
o Operant conditioning can be used to influence how attitudes develop. Imagine a young man who has just started smoking.
o Whenever he lights up a cigarette, people complain, chastise him and ask him to leave their vicinity.
o This negative feedback from those around him eventually causes him to develop an unfavorable opinion of smoking and he decides to give up the habit.
o Operant conditioning is distinguished from classical conditioning in that operant conditioning deals with the reinforcement and punishment to change behavior.
o Operant behavior operates on the environment and is maintained by its antecedents and consequences, while classical conditioning is maintained by conditioning of reflexive behaviors, which are elicited by antecedent conditions.
Observational learning (Observing the people around): o People also learn attitudes by observing the people around them. o When someone you admire greatly espouses a particular attitude, you are more likely to develop
the same beliefs. o For example, children spend a great deal of time observing the attitudes of their parents and
usually begin to demonstrate similar outlooks.
Virtue Ethics
Relevancy G.S. Paper 4 About Virtue Ethics Origins Of Virtue Ethics Value To Virtue Ethics Right Character In Virtue Ethics Developing Moral Psychology
About Virtue Ethics
Both teleological and deontological ethical theories are called deontic or action-based theories of morality.
This is because they focus entirely on the actions which a person performs.
Those theories focus on the question, "Which action should I choose?" Virtue ethics, in contrast, take a very different perspective.
Virtue-based ethical theories place less emphasis on which rules people should follow and instead focus on helping people develop good character traits, such as kindness and generosity.
These character traits will, in turn, allow a person to make the correct decisions later on in life.
Virtue theorists also emphasize the need for people to learn how to break bad habits of character, like greed or anger.
These are called vices and stand in the way of becoming a good person.
Origins Of Virtue Ethics
Virtue ethics has not been a very common topic for recent study.
It does, however, date back to the ancient Greek thinkers and is thus the oldest type of ethical theory in Western philosophy.
Plato discussed four key virtues: wisdom, courage, temperance, and justice.
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The first systematic description of virtue ethics was written down by Aristotle in his famous work "Nichomachean Ethics."
According to Aristotle, when people acquire good habits of character, they are better able to regulate their emotions and their reason.
This, in turn, helps us reach morally correct decisions when we are faced with difficult choices.
The Value Of Virtue Ethics
Virtue ethics emphasizes the central role played by motives in moral questions.
This is one reason why they can be popular and why they make an important contribution to our understanding of morality.
To act from virtue is to act from some particular motivation.
To say that certain virtues are necessary for correct moral decisions is to say that correct moral decisions require correct motives.
Neither teleological nor deontological moral theories require motives to play a role in our evaluation of moral decisions.
Yet, encouraging correct motivations is very often a key component of the moral education of young people.
We are taught that we should desire certain outcomes and that we should want to accomplish certain goals by our actions.
This goes beyond simply obeying the rules or seeking an optimal outcome.
Other moral theories share a common difficulty not found in virtue ethics.
This is the moral calculation of what actions to take or which moral duties to emphasize.
On this matter, virtue ethics can be attractive.
Virtue theories promise that once we are successful in creating the sort of person we want to be, arriving at the correct moral decisions will come naturally.
Key Questions Which Virtue Ethical Systems Ask Include:
What sort of person do I want to be?
What virtues are characteristic of the person I want to be?
What actions will cultivate the virtues I want to possess?
What actions will be characteristic of the sort of person I want to be?
'Right' Character Is Not Always Easy in Virtue Ethics
The reality of virtue ethics isn’t as neat and simple as some might imagine.
Many common moral decisions may indeed come more easily to a person of the “right” moral character.
Yet, the fact of the matter is that many moral dilemmas require a great deal of careful reasoning and thinking.
Simply having the right character cannot be enough to make the right decision, likely, much less assured.
The fact that rule-based and duty-based ethical systems are complicated and difficult to employ also cannot make a person of good character more likely to make the right choices.
What Is 'Right'?
Another problem with virtue-based ethical systems is the question of what the “right” sort of character is.
Many, if not most, virtue theorists have treated the answer to this question as self-evident, but it is anything but.
One person’s virtue may be another person’s vice and a vice in one set of circumstances may be a virtue in another.
Some advocates of virtue ethics suggest that we determine the right virtues by asking a virtuous person, but that is just an exercise in question begging.
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Others might suggest asking a happy person, but that assumes that happiness and virtue always coincide.
This is by no means an obvious truth.
Developing Moral Psychology
Perhaps a key to understanding virtue theories of ethics is to regard them as ways to approach moral psychology rather than moral epistemology, or knowledge.
What this means is that virtue theories should not be contrasted with theories about how to make moral choices, like the teleological theory of John Stuart Mill or the deontological theory of Immanuel Kant.
Instead, virtue theories of ethics should be treated as ways to understand how we become moral creatures.
In addition, how we develop the means by which we make moral decisions and the process by which moral attitudes develop.
More importantly, virtue theories may be able to teach us how morals themselves should be taught.
This is particularly true in the early years when the more complicated decision-making processes are not yet possible.
Ethics And Morals
Relevancy G.S. Paper 4 Meaning of ethics with example Meaning of moral with example Difference between moral and ethics
Basics Of Ethics
Ethics is a plural noun.
Many organizations publish guidelines or codes of conduct that outline their professional ethics.
H. G. Fowler famously wrote, “Ethics is the science of morals, and morals are the practice of ethics.”
It refers to rules concerning upright behavior.
Example: o I wrote a paper on animal ethics, in which I argued that the slaughter of livestock for food on an
industrial scale was indefensible. o Maria read her company’s ethics guidelines and signed a contract, signaling her agreement to
abide by them for the length of her employment. o The CEO’s ethics violations filled several pages, and he sank lower into his chair as they were
read aloud before the board members. o It was an idea that raised ethical questions that continue to challenge the organ-transplantation
system. –The Wall Street Journal
The discipline of ethics is where you go to study moral principles.
Ethics is where you gain knowledge about moral principles, about right and wrong.
Morals, themselves, are the practice of this knowledge.
Basics Of Moral
Morals is also a plural noun.
Morals refer to principles of right and wrong behavior and the goodness or badness of human character.
A person’s morals are informed by the broader rules of ethics.
For instance, a person’s moral belief that theft is wrong might stem from the ethical principle of respect for the private property of others.
Examples (in sentences): o “My morals prohibit me from murdering people I don’t like,” said Tim.
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o Children develop their own morals in tandem with a growing awareness of social norms and values as they enter adolescence.
o “Jim’s morals are in the toilet,” complained Sandy. o Jessica is thrilled, but her mother, a devout Catholic with a prim disapproval of Tinseltown’s loose
morals, fears for her daughter’s soul. –The Washington Post
Morals are the way that people exercise their ethics.
Difference Between Moral And Ethics And Trick To Remember It
In practice, most people use morals and ethics interchangeably, so in everyday conversation, you don’t really need to distinguish between these terms.
Insisting on their careful use could even come across as pedantic.
For professional and academic writing, though, especially if you are writing a paper for a philosophy class, you will need to know the difference between morals and ethics.
Morals are individual beliefs and values, and they are informed by the broad principles of ethics.
One easy way to remember morals vs. ethics is that morals apply to me, while ethics apply to everyone.
A philosophy guru might take issue with these assertions, since those people take issue with almost everything, but at least this mnemonic will help you remember the difference between the words themselves.
Summary
Is it ethics or morals? Ethics and morals refer to attitudes about right and wrong.
Ethics are broad principles. Morals reflect individual values and beliefs.