this scenario. You confront substantial issues about the business’s environmental footprint. In 2023, your organization had a significant increase of 48% in greenhouse gas emissions compared to the levels recorded in 2019. The significant rise in energy consumption is mainly due to the surging energy requirements of your data centers, fuelled by the exponential expansion of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Al-powered services need much more computational resources and electrical energy compared to conventional online activities, notwithstanding their notable gains. The technology’s proliferation has led to a growing concern over the environmental repercussions, resulting in an increase in warnings. Al models, especially those used in extensive machine learning and data processing, exhibit much greater energy consumption than conventional computer tasks, with an exponential increase.

Although there is already a commitment and goal to achieve net zero emissions by 2030, the challenge of lowering emissions seems overwhelming, as the integration of Al continues to increase. To achieve this goal, substantial investments in renewable energy use would be necessary. The difficulty is exacerbated by the competitive environment of the technology sector, where rapid innovation is essential for preserving market standing and shareholders’ worth. To achieve a balance between innovation, profitability and sustainability, a strategic move is necessary that is in line with both, business objectives and ethical obligations.

 (a) What is your immediate response to the challenges posed in the above case? 

 (b) Discuss the ethical issues involved in the above case. 

 (c) Your company has been identified to be penalized by technological giants. What logical and ethical arguments will you put forth to convince about its necessity? 

 (d) Being a conscience being, what measures would you adopt to maintain balance between Al innovation and environmental footprint?

“Technology must be harnessed not only to improve human lives but also to preserve the environment we all share.” — Satya Nadella

As the CEO of ABC Incorporated, facing a 48% rise in emissions since 2019, I must strategically address these challenges while maintaining innovation and profitability, ensuring we meet our commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2030.

Guiding Principle –  “प्रकृतिः रक्षणं धर्मः” (Prakritiḥ Rakṣaṇaṃ Dharmaḥ)

Immediate Response to Challenges

1. acknowledge the environmental concerns raised and emphasize the company’s commitment to sustainability.
2. Conduct an Emissions Audit: Initiate a thorough assessment of current emissions profile to identify major sources and areas for improvement. Eg. Microsoft’s AI-driven emissions tracking tool.
3. Invest in Renewable Energy such as solar and wind, to mitigate our carbon footprint. E.g. Infosys source over 58% of its energy needs from renewable energy.
4. Enhance Energy Efficiency: including AI optimization to reduce computational demands. Eg. DeepMind’s use of AI to cut energy usage in Google’s data centers by 30%.
5. Engage Stakeholders: Schedule meetings with relevant stakeholders to discuss actionable solutions. Collaborate with environmental activists, regulatory bodies, and the public to align our sustainability goals with community expectations.
6. Set Interim Goals: Establish measurable milestones toward our 2030 net-zero target to maintain accountability and transparency. Eg. Amazon’s Climate Pledge which includes interim goals on its path to net-zero by 2040.
7. Long-Term Strategy Reassessment: Establish a sustainability task force to evaluate how the company can balance innovation with environmental goals.

Ethical Issues Involved

1. Environmental Responsibility: As a leading tech company, ABC Inc. has a moral obligation to reduce its environmental footprint, particularly in light of the growing AI-driven energy consumption.
2. Sustainability vs. Profit: Balancing rapid innovation and profit with the ethical duty of reducing environmental impacts.
3. Public Accountability: ignoring social responsibility to mitigate its environmental impact and disregarding public and environmental welfare.
4. Equity and Justice: Environmental harm disproportionately affects poorer communities, often those residing in the Third World. 
5. Transparency and Greenwashing: Transparent reporting and action are essential to avoid misleading consumers, investors, and regulators.
6. Utilitarianism: Bentham’s principle of the greatest happiness suggests that our actions should maximize overall well-being. Failing to address emissions can lead to severe consequences for future generations.
7. Gandhian Ethics: Gandhi’s emphasis on “Sarvodaya” (the welfare of all) highlights the need to consider the broader implications of our technological advancements on society and the environment.
8. Corporate Morality: The ethical principle of corporate social responsibility demands that businesses act in ways that benefit society, not just shareholders.
9. Intergenerational Justice: We hold a moral obligation to future generations to preserve the environment, making it essential to act responsibly today.

Arguments Against Penalties from Technological Giants

Logical arguments:

1. Commitment to Sustainability: Emphasize our proactive steps toward achieving net-zero            emissions by 2030, demonstrating our commitment to environmental stewardship.
2. Investment in Green Technology: Argue that penalizing us could deter future investments in sustainable technologies, which ultimately benefits the industry and society.
3. Highlight Contextual Challenges: The company operates in the Third World, where infrastructure challenges may delay rapid transitions to renewable energy.
4. Economic Impact: Highlight potential economic ramifications of penalties, including job losses and reduced innovation, which would harm not just our company but the broader technological landscape.
5. Collaborative Solutions: Advocate for collaboration rather than penalties, suggesting partnerships with larger tech firms to develop sustainable AI practices.

Ethical arguments:

1. Deontological argument: Punishing ABC  without considering our genuine efforts toward meeting our climate goals undermines the ethical principle of fairness.
2. Utilitarian argument: Cutting off or penalizing a company that is contributing to AI innovation—which has far-reaching societal benefits—could slow down progress on a global scale.
3. Good Faith Actions: Highlighting that ABC Inc. is acting in good faith by immediately addressing concerns, conducting audits, and prioritizing investments in sustainable technologies.
4. Ethical Leadership: Position ABC Incorporated as a leader in ethical practices within the tech industry, aiming to set a precedent for balancing innovation with sustainability.

Measures to Balance AI Innovation and Environmental Footprint

1. AI Optimization: Eg: Google has achieved significant energy savings by optimizing its data center cooling systems using AI.
2. Carbon Offsetting: Invest in carbon offset projects, such as reforestation or renewable energy initiatives, to compensate for emissions that cannot be eliminated. 
3. Sustainable Product Design: Design AI products with energy efficiency in mind, ensuring that they require less computational power without sacrificing performance. 
4. Employee Training and Awareness: Implement sustainability training programs that encourage innovative thinking around energy use.
5. Partnerships for Sustainability: 

1. Work with other tech companies and environmental NGOs to drive industry-wide solutions for reducing AI’s environmental footprint.
2. Establish a sustainability innovation fund to support startups and researchers working on reducing emissions in tech industries.

6. Renewable Energy Integration: Partner with governments or private enterprises to co-invest in green infrastructure in the Third World
7. Gradual Transition to Green Computing: Eg- Explore opportunities in quantum computing as a future, energy-efficient computing option.

As Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs, but not every man’s greed.” By embracing renewable energy, optimizing AI models for efficiency, and fostering transparent communication with stakeholders, ABC Inc. can balance profitability with sustainability, ensuring long-term growth that benefits both the business and society.

The National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building (NPCSCB)- Mission Karmayogi, launched in 2020,  aims to create a competent civil service rooted in Indian ethos, with a shared understanding of India’s priorities, working in harmonization for effective and efficient public service delivery. 

Key Aims of Mission Karmayogi

1. Capacity Building at All Levels: building a robust capacity framework for all civil servants across ranks. 
2. Continuous Learning and Development: lifelong learning culture through the iGOT Karmayogi platform.
3. Behavioral and Attitudinal Transformation: promoting values such as integrity, empathy, and citizen-centric governance.
4. Data-Driven Decision Making: improve governance efficiency and accountability.
5. Better government-citizen interaction– make government officials more supportive of citizens and businesses.

Empowering Civil Servants to Enhance Productive Efficiency

1. Aligning work allocation of civil servants by matching their competencies to the requirements of the post, such that transition from ‘Rule based’ to ‘Role based’ HR Management is smoothly attained
2. Digital Learning Platform (iGOT-Karmayogi): Platform offers five functional hubs for online learning, career management, and networking. Eg- Over 15 lakh officers completed modules on data analytics and governance.
3. Behavioral and Functional Reforms: Promotes empathy, teamwork, and ethical conduct in civil servants. Eg- Emphasizes merit-based progression with 360-degree feedback.
4. Emphasizing on ‘on-site’ learning to complement the ‘off-site’ learning.
5. Collaborative Learning Ecosystem: Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), Karmayogi Bharat, manages digital training infrastructure and program implementation.
6. Calibrating all Civil Service positions to a Framework of Roles, Activities, and Competencies (FRAC) approach and to create and deliver learning content relevant to the identified FRAC in every Government entity.
7. Making available to all civil servants, an opportunity to continuously build and strengthen their Behavioral, Functional, and Domain Competencies in their self-driven and mandated learning paths.

John Maynard Keynes once noted, “The difficulty lies, not in the new ideas, but in escaping from the old ones.” Mission Karmayogi tries to address this by equipping civil servants with the skills, knowledge, and ethics needed for effective governance. 

Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upanishad (6.4.17), which states, “Yatra nāryastu pūjyante ramante tatra devatāḥ,” meaning “Where women are honored, there the gods dwell.”  

From 1951, when the first woman joined the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), until 2020, women have made up only 13% of all IAS officers. According to DoPT, representation of women in public service has risen to around 30% in 2020 from 2000.

Indian culture and value system providing an equal opportunity irrespective of gender identity

1. Education for Women: Ancient texts like the Rigveda highlight the roles of women scholars like Gargi and Maitreyi
2. Matrilineal Societies: in communities like the Nayars of Kerala and the Khasis of Meghalaya women inherit property
3. Role of Women in Bhakti Movement: Saints like Mirabai and Akkamahadevi promoted equality in spiritual pursuits.
4. Indian culture has long revered Ardhanarishvara, a deity representing the fusion of male and female principles, symbolizing balance and equality between genders.

Gender specific challenges 

1. PERSONAL FACTORS:

1. Workplace Harassment: Eg. NCW reported a 14% increase in workplace harassment complaints in 2022, which often affects women’s mental health and professional growth.
2. Work-Life Balance: Eg. A survey by LBSNAA highlighted that over 60% of female officers cited family commitments as a challenge to their career progression.
3. Lack of Mentorship and Networking Opportunities: Many women public servants lack access to informal networks of mentorship and support, which are essential for career advancement.
4. CULTURAL FACTORS:

1. Gender Bias and Stereotypes: Women are often perceived as less capable of handling high-pressure positions, particularly in roles involving law enforcement and policing.
2. Social Attitudes: Traditional societal norms lead to a lack of support for women in public roles, particularly in rural or conservative areas, limiting their effectiveness.
3. Intersectional Challenges: Caste, class, and domicile constitute additional challenges for women. Eg. between 1970 and 2020, 41% women IAS officers listed their domicile as Chandigarh, 32% as Uttarakhand, and 29% as Telangana, against 3% from Tripura and 5% from Odisha and Mizoram. (TCPD-IAS).
4. INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS:

1. Glass Ceiling and “Broken Rung” Phenomenon: Despite qualifications, women face barriers to promotions and leadership roles due to gender stereotypes and bias, limiting their career progression. Eg. While women constitute about 30% of the public sector workforce, they hold only 13% of senior positions, as per the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions report.
2. Systematic Issues: Political interference, limited recognition, frequent transfers, and stress hinder their career growth.

Measures 

1. Strengthening Implementation of Workplace Policies: effective implementation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013 and Vishakha guidelines with robust internal complaints committees and zero tolerance towards harassment. 
2. Regular awareness programs and gender-sensitization training can create a safer work environment.
3. Promoting Flexible Work Arrangements like flexible work hours and remote working options can help women balance their personal and professional responsibilities. 
4. Mentorship Programs: Eg. Initiatives like “She Leads,” introduced by UN Women.
5. Increasing Women’s Representation in Decision-Making Roles: enforce gender quotas in higher positions, similar to the 33% reservation for women in local bodies.

As per 2021 UNDP report on Gender Equality in Public Administration, “Gender equality is at the core of an inclusive and accountable public administration.” Enhancing women representation is imperative not just for Gender Justice but also for Good Governance.

As pointed out by VP Dhankhar, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) reflect the revolutionary change from colonial ‘Dhanda vidhan’ to Modern ‘Nyaya vidhan’ and from a punitive to a more restorative approach by keeping the focus on justice rather than punishment. 

BNS’s Soul as Justice, Equality, and Impartiality Based on Indian Culture and Ethos

1. Dharma-Centric Justice: BNS promotes justice as a moral duty, focusing on restoring balance and harmony in society rather than merely punishing offenders.
2. Revising Terminology and Examples: BNY modify terminology such as ‘unsound mind’ to ‘mental illness,’ aligning with contemporary medical terminology in accordance with the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017.
3. It abolishes the offense of sedition, which has been criticized for suppressing free speech and dissent. 
4. Focus on Rehabilitation over Retribution – the BNS introduces community service (Section 4(f)) as a form of punishment for certain crimes. These include small theft, defamation, and attempt to die by suicide with an intention to keep a public official from discharging her duty.
5. Inclusivity – the transgender community has been included in the definition of gender under BNS, which was not previously included in the IPC. 
6. Gender Justice – Clause 69 of the BNS penalises sexual intercourse through the employment of “deceitful means”. Further, age of marriage and age of consent have been made uniform, to make rape of a girl below 18 years of age a crime, irrespective of her marital status and relationship with the accused, as the Court had decreed in Independent Thought v UOI. 
7. Social harmony and order– under Clause 103, for the first time it also recognises murder on the ground of race, caste, or community as a separate offence. 

Issues with the Shift

1. No break from colonial legacy- number of crimes with punishments of rigorous imprisonment and death penalty have increased, no mention of custodial torture and accountability on police forces. 
2. Challenges in Implementation: such as insufficient infrastructure and trained personnel for rehabilitative justice.
3. Risk of Leniency: The focus on rehabilitation might be seen as being too lenient in certain cases, potentially undermining deterrence and justice for the victims.

Way Forward

1. Police and other concerned authorities must be sensitized to sexual violence sans sexual orientations or gender bias.
2. comprehensive guidelines and personalization of community service – assignments should be tailored to match the offender’s rehabilitation needs and skills, ensuring meaningful and beneficial contributions to the community.
3. Collaboration with community organizations– partnerships with NGOs, community organizations, and local authorities can help effectively design, implement, and supervise community service programs. 

As Dr. B.R. Ambedkar once said, “Justice has always evoked ideas of equality and of proportion of compensation.” The BNS marks a significant shift towards a more equitable and culturally resonant judicial framework.

“Codes of ethics keep an organization’s soul intact, while the code of conduct keeps its hands clean.”

While a Code of Conduct governs actions through established rules, a Code of Ethics ensures that civil servants are morally guided to act beyond mere compliance, instilling ethical principles in decision-making.

Code of Conduct stems from: Provisions of constitution : Article 309 to 311  Conduct rules: Code of Civil services conduct rules 1964,  Central services conduct rules 1964,  All India services CR 2014  Indian penal code, official secret act, prevention of corruption act.

Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics as Sources of Guidance

Aspect	Code of Conduct	Code of Ethics
Definition	A set of specific rules outlining acceptable behavior.	A set of guiding principles based on values and morals.
Guiding Principle	“Do as per the rules.”	“Do what is right.”
Focus	What employees must do.	What employees should do.
Purpose	Regulates actions and behavior of employees.	Guides decision-making based on moral and ethical principles.
Scope	Focuses on compliance with laws and regulations.	Broad focus on integrity, fairness, and moral responsibility.
Enforcement	Enforced through disciplinary actions for breaches.	Promotes self-regulation and moral accountability.
Flexibility	Rigid and structured, leaves little room for interpretation.	Flexible and adaptable to various situations.
Outcome	Ensures adherence to rules and legal requirements.	Ensures actions align with values like integrity and fairness.
Responsibility	Organizational compliance and order.	Personal moral responsibility and ethical leadership.
Examples	No corruption, punctuality, conflict of interest rules.	Integrity, transparency, fairness in decision-making.

A Code of Ethics promotes proactive transparency beyond legal compliance, exemplified by the RTI Act, which could foster deeper accountability. Scandals like the Vyapam scam and 2G spectrum case, highlight the need for integrity to prevent moral lapses. Furthermore, India’s corruption rankings and cases like the Commonwealth Games scandal demonstrate the need for probity in public life.

Model Code of Ethics

• Hota Committee: Recommended ethics training for civil servants to foster professionalism and prevent corruption.
• Santhanam Committee: Highlighted the need for strengthening institutional mechanisms like Lokpal and vigilance commissions to oversee adherence to ethical standards in governance.

Integrity

1. Honesty and Truthfulness: Public officials must provide accurate information. Eg- transparency in Aadhaar data usage.
2. Conflict of Interest: Officials must avoid personal gains from public decisions. Eg- T.N. Seshan ensuring impartiality in elections.
3. Commitment to Public Interest based on utilitarian principle of Greatest happiness of greatest number. 
4. Professional Excellence: continuous learning and professional development, encouraging civil servants to enhance their skills, knowledge, and competencies to serve the public better. (Hota Committee)

Probity

1. Financial Integrity: Use public funds solely for intended purposes. Eg- E. Sreedharan ensuring zero corruption in Metro contracts.
2. Respect for Rule of Law: act in accordance with legal regulations and standards. Adhering to the law ensures that decisions are consistent, just, and equitable, and it prevents abuse of power.
3. Stewardship: exercise prudence in resource allocation and management to maximize societal benefits.

Transparency

1. Proactive Disclosure: suo-motu disclosure under Section 4 of the RTI Act, 2005.
2. Openness to Scrutiny: Encourage public audits of decision-making. Eg- MGNREGA
3. Public Engagement:  Be open, transparent and responsive, and respect and assist all persons in their dealings with public organizations.  

United Kingdom: Nolan Principles Australia: Public Service Code of Ethics –  impartiality, accountability, respect, and integrity. It also includes whistleblower protection mechanism, regular training and compliance checks. USA – Sunshine Act, 1976 – mandates that meetings of federal agencies must be conducted openly and that their records should be accessible to the public.

The rule of law depends on public officials acting ethically. Thus, a comprehensive, actionable and enforceable Code of Ethics can strengthen civil servants’ role as a “steward” for the public. 

“Laws are made for people, not people for laws.”– Albert Einestine

In public administration, focusing solely on formality and ignoring the substance of the matter often leads to injustice. A perceptive civil servant prioritizes the spirit and intent behind laws and policies over rigid procedural compliance, ensuring fairness and justice. 

Dangers of Mindless Adherence to Form

1. Injustice to Vulnerable Groups: Blind adherence to rules can deny access to benefits for those lacking resources or documentation. Eg: Denying ration cards to homeless individuals without a permanent address.
2. Bureaucratic Delays leading to inefficiency and slow public service delivery. Eg: Eg: In the 2014 Kashmir floods, delays in distributing relief due to incomplete paperwork 
3. Loss of Public Trust: People may lose faith in the system if rigid rules result in unfair outcomes.
4. Corruption Facilitation: Complex processes encourage bribes as shortcuts, exploiting the vulnerable. Eg: Vohra Committee – Politician-Bureaucrat-Corporate Nexus
5. Stifling Innovation: Eg: Halting creative educational methods due to rigid compliance with outdated curricula.
6. Undermining Public Welfare: Public welfare programs may be inefficient if focus remains on formalities rather than outcomes. Eg: Exclusion error under PDS
7. Increased Litigation: Eg: Litigations in PPP Projects.
8. Moral Disengagement: Eg: Deporting refugees due to missing paperwork, ignoring the ethical responsibility of offering asylum in life-threatening situations.

Perceptive Civil Servant’s Approach to True Intent

1. Outcome-Oriented Action: Focus on achieving the intended result of the law, rather than getting bogged down by rigid rules. Eg: Aruna Sundararajan (IAS) as a Telecom Secretary, rolled out BharatNet to connect rural areas
2. Empathy and Compassion (Ethics of Care): Eg: Prasanth Nair (IAS) launched several citizen-centric initiatives like Compassionate Kozhikode for compassion-driven governance.
3. Judicious Flexibility: adjust deadlines and processes when it benefits public welfare. Eg- Smita Sabharwal (IAS) launched the Ammalalana program in Telangana, integrating public feedback into governance
4. Proactive Problem-Solving (Pragmatism): Pragmatism encourages practical solutions over strict theoretical application. 
5. Holistic Decision-Making: While following the law is important, the true duty is to the public, meaning civil servants must balance legality with morality. Eg: Vinod Kumar (IAS) simplified the flood compensation process, ensuring people received immediate relief without excessive paperwork.
6. Balancing Rules with Intent: A perceptive civil servant ensures that laws serve the common good, not just formal compliance. Eg- Eg: U. Sagayam ensured that drought relief was delivered promptly, even if recipients lacked all necessary documentation

“The strictest law sometimes becomes the severest injustice.” – Benjamin Franklin. A perceptive civil servant looks beyond rigid formalities, ensuring that governance serves its higher purpose—equity and fairness.

As Heraclitus said, “The only constant in life is change.” Justice, at its core, is a fluid concept, shaped by evolving social norms, legal systems, and cultural values. Therefore, justice must be continuously re-examined to ensure it remains fair and relevant to current circumstances.

Contextual Nature of Justice and Need for scrutiny

1. Changing Social Norms: Eg: Slavery was considered legal centuries ago, but today, it’s universally condemned. Similarly, Same-sex marriage is legalized in many regions after social advocacy.
2. Legal Reforms: Eg- The SC’s judgment in the Navtej Singh Johar case (2018) decriminalized homosexuality or Triple Talaq judgment (2017)
3. Technological Changes: New emerging form of justice like Right to Privacy, Right to be Forgotten etc. Eg- Eg: AI ethics and regulations
4. Economic Shifts:  Eg: Feudal land ownership systems were once considered just in many societies but are now seen as perpetuating inequality, leading to land reforms.
5. Cultural Movements: raise awareness of injustices previously accepted. Eg: The #MeToo movement redefined acceptable workplace behavior, pushing for more accountability.
6. Changing Political Structures – Eg: Colonialism was once justified by many Western powers as a means of “civilizing” other societies, but today, it is widely viewed as an injustice that led to the exploitation and oppression of people.

Universality of Justice

1. Moral Absolutes: Some principles of justice remain constant, regardless of context. Eg: Murder is universally considered a crime, regardless of the time period.
2. Natural Rights: Certain human rights, like the right to life and liberty, are universal and timeless. Eg: Freedom from slavery is a universally accepted standard.
3. Global Ethical Standards: Ethical principles such as fairness and equality transcend time and culture. Eg: Equality before the law remains a cornerstone of justice systems globally.

Way Forward for Adapting Justice to Changing Contexts

1. Constant Review of Laws: Eg.  Repealing old laws, new criminal codes, labor codes are right steps in this regard.
2. Judicial Flexibility: Courts should interpret laws with a context-sensitive approach rather than rigidly applying outdated precedents. Eg: S.C. verdict on the right to privacy 
3. Ethical Oversight: Eg: The formation of ethics boards in scientific research ensures that advancements in areas like genetics or AI do not violate principles of justice.

By balancing evolving societal norms with universal ethical principles, we ensure a fair and equitable justice system for all. As Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

Immanuel Kant contrasts the nature of legal guilt and moral responsibility. While law is a system of rules and guidelines enforced externally through institutions like courts and law enforcement, Ethics go beyond what is required by law and address positive moral duties.

Difference Between Law and Ethics

Aspect	Law	Ethics
Focus	Governs external actions and behaviors	Governs internal intentions and moral reasoning
Accountability	Guilty when violating legal rights	Guilty for unethical thoughts, regardless of actions
Enforcement	Enforced by the state or legal authority	Self-enforced, driven by personal conscience or social influence
Consequences	Legal penalties such as fines or imprisonment	Social disapproval or personal guilt
Objective	Maintain social order and protect individual rights	Guide individuals toward moral integrity

Application of the Quote in Various Fields

1. Ethical Guilt in Thought: Ethics goes beyond actions to consider intentions. Thinking about harming others, even without acting, reflects poor moral judgment. Eg: Contemplating cheating
2. Character Over Consequences (Virtue Ethics): emphasizing pure motives over the mere absence of harmful actions. Eg: Donating to charity solely for tax benefits may be legal but is ethically questionable if done without genuine compassion.
3. Individual Level: laws dictate behavior, while ethics guide intentions. Someone may avoid breaking the law but have unethical desires. Eg- Edward Snowden, while breaking U.S. laws on surveillance, acted out of ethical concerns about the government’s overreach on privacy.
4. Social Level: Societies rely on laws to maintain order, but ethics shape moral expectations. Law-abiding citizens might still fail in their ethical responsibilities to the community.
5. Political Level: Politicians are bound by laws, but their ethical obligations extend beyond mere legal compliance, requiring decisions that reflect public interest. Eg-  Lobbying is legal in many countries, but politicians who receive donations from corporations may ethically compromise their integrity
6. Economic Level: Businesses must follow legal regulations, but ethically they should also act responsibly toward employees, customers, and the environment. Eg- Ben & Jerry’s openly supports social causes like LGBTQ+ rights to align corporate policies with ethical values.
7. Healthcare: In healthcare, professionals follow legal standards, but their ethical duties extend to providing compassionate care. Eg- Euthanasia is illegal in many countries, but ethically, some healthcare professionals may believe it aligns with the patient’s right to die with dignity.

As Mahatma Gandhi said, “Morality is the basis of things and truth is the substance of all morality.” Ethics and law must coexist, as law maintains order while ethics elevates individuals to a higher moral standard. Together, they ensure a just and morally responsible society.

“Faith without action is dead.” While faith provides the vision and moral compass, strength ensures resilience and the capacity to act. Only through the combination of both can significant achievements be realized.

Limitations of Faith

1. Inactivity: Faith without strength can lead to passivity, where belief alone doesn’t produce results. Eg: A person believing in climate change action but not participating in solutions.
2. Dependency: Excessive faith may lead to over-reliance on external forces without taking personal action.
3. Frustration: Faith without progress can result in despair when no tangible outcome is seen.

Limitations of Strength

1. Aimlessness: Strength without a guiding belief can lead to wasted effort. Eg: An athlete training hard without a clear goal can lose motivation.
2. Misuse of Power: Uncontrolled strength without a moral compass can harm others. Eg- Watergate Scandal
3. Temporary Success: Strength alone may lead to short-term results but lacks the purpose for long-term achievement.

The Need for Both Faith and Strength

1. Balanced Action: Faith directs action, while strength ensures execution. Eg: Martin Luther King Jr. believed in civil rights but also took strong actions through protests, leading to significant social change.
2. Endurance in Hard Times: Eg: Malala Yousafzai had faith in education’s power, but her strength to recover and continue advocating after being attacked made her a global icon.
3. Long-term Vision: Faith provides long-term focus, while strength allows consistent effort. Eg: Wright brothers had faith in human flight and the strength to overcome multiple failures to invent the airplane.
4. Moral Compass: Eg: Abraham Lincoln combined his faith in equality with strength in leadership to abolish slavery.
5. Inspiring Others: Eg: Mother Teresa combined faith in serving the poor with the strength of lifelong dedication, inspiring millions to contribute to her mission.

Faith and strength, when isolated, are limited in their ability to achieve lasting success. Together, they form a powerful combination that drives both personal and collective achievements.

Swami Vivekananda emphasizes the importance of learning from others while maintaining individuality. He encourages absorbing knowledge and wisdom from diverse sources and adapting it uniquely to one’s own life. This approach fosters personal growth while upholding ethical integrity and authenticity.

“Learn everything that is good from others”

1. Embrace a Growth Mindset: Recognize that others have valuable experiences and knowledge to offer. Eg: Mahatma Gandhi learned the principles of non-violence from Tolstoy and Hinduism
2. Open-Minded Learning: Be willing to seek out lessons from different cultures, perspectives, and individuals. Eg- Steve Jobs sought design inspiration from Buddhism and Japanese aesthetics
3. Humility in Learning: Accept that we don’t know everything and can always improve by learning from others. Eg- APJ Abdul Kalam

“Bring it in, and in your own way absorb it”

1. Personalize Knowledge: Eg- Bruce Lee absorbed multiple martial arts forms but synthesized them into his unique philosophy, Jeet Kune Do.
2. Integrate Creatively: Combine new ideas with your own approach, giving them a personal touch. Eg- Pablo Picasso’s Cubist style.
3. Make It Meaningful: Absorb lessons in a way that aligns with your values and purpose.

“Do not become others”

1. Maintain Authenticity: While learning from others, stay true to who you are and your core values. Eg- Gandhi’s simple attire during his visit to Britain
2. Avoid Imitation: Learning should be transformative, not a process of copying others’ lives or methods. Eg- Sanskritization of corruption
3. Celebrate Individuality: Use what you’ve learned to enhance your unique identity rather than replace it. Eg- Transgender community

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken” –  Oscar Wilde.  By staying true to who we are and not simply imitating others, we contribute to the world with our distinct creativity and individuality.

“The earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs, but not every man’s greed.” – Gandhi

Human Greed in the Name of Development Threatening Life:

• Uncontrolled Resource Exploitation: Large-scale deforestation, mining, and extraction for industrial purposes. Eg. Amazon rainforest has lost 17% of its area.
• 
• Rising Carbon Emissions: IPCC reports that global temperatures have risen by 1.2°C since the pre-industrial era, causing more frequent and severe natural disasters.
• Loss of Biodiversity: WWF estimates a 60% decline in wildlife populations since 1970, primarily due to habitat loss and pollution.
• Social Inequality in Environmental Impact: According to UNEP, vulnerable communities face the greatest risk from rising sea levels, heatwaves, and food shortages.
• Violation of Environmental Ethics: violation of the principles of non-maleficence and deep ecology. 
• Unsustainable Urbanization: Rapid urban expansion consumes land, leading to overcrowded cities with poor living conditions.
• Future Generations at Risk: Short-term economic gains undermine long-term environmental sustainability, leaving future generations to bear the consequences.

Biodiversity Loss (IPBES Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services)The average abundance of native species in most major land-based habitats has fallen by at least 20% since 1900. At least 680 vertebrate species and more than 9% of all domesticated breeds of mammals had become extinct by 2016more than 41,000 animals worldwide are threatened with extinction, including 41% of all amphibians, almost 33% of reef-forming corals, 27% of the world’s mammals, more than a third of all marine mammals, and 13% of all known bird species. (IUCN)

Measures to Protect Life and Restore Equilibrium:

1. Government – Deontology (Duty Ethics)

1. Policy Implementation: laws like carbon taxes and incentives for renewable energy. Eg: Sweden’s carbon tax.
2. Infrastructure Investment: Prioritize building green infrastructure, such as public transportation systems. Eg: bike-friendly infrastructure in Netherlands.
3. Strengthening Environmental Regulations: Stronger enforcement of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA)
4. Ecocentrism: Prioritizing ecosystem health over individual resource use. Eg: Norway’s protection of the Lofoten islands from oil exploration preserves marine ecosystems critical to biodiversity, despite potential economic gains from drilling.
5. People (Virtue Ethics)

1. Adopt Sustainable Lifestyles: by using renewable energy, recycling, and limiting resource consumption to ensure Intergenerational Equity.
2. Community-Based Conservation: Engaging local communities in conservation efforts, like the Chipko Movement in India, Great Green Wall in Africa
3. Businesses 

1. Sustainable Practices by investing in clean technologies and adopting circular economy practices. Eg: IKEA has committed to using only renewable and recycled materials by 2030.
2. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Eg: Patagonia donates a percentage of profits to environmental causes and focuses on sustainable production.
3. Global Community 

1. International Agreements: Eg: Over 190 nations committed to limiting global warming to below 2°C at the 2015 Paris Climate Summit.
2. Technology and Resource Sharing: Eg: The Green Climate Fund assists developing countries in climate adaptation and mitigation efforts.

Securing a nature-positive world by 2030 must be our guiding star in order to maintain equilibrium between the humanity and the environment

Western nations often advocate for peace, democracy, and human rights while being major global arms suppliers, creating cognitive dissonance and conflicting beliefs. This contradiction reflects commerce without morality, one of Gandhi’s seven sins. 

Ethical Concerns of Double Standards in Global Arms Trade

1. Promotion of Peace vs. Arms Supply: Eg. U.S. provides arms to Ukraine and Israel while calling for peace in global forums.
2. Support for Democracy vs. Arms Sales to Authoritarian Regimes: While promoting democracy, countries like U.K. (BAE Systems) and France (Dassault Aviation) sell arms to regimes like Saudi Arabia, contributing to the Yemen conflict
3. Economic Interests Over Global Stability: In 2022, U.S. arms exports totaled $44.5 billion.
4. Selective Peace Advocacy (selective moralism): The U.S. supports Israel while advocating for peace in other regions, and Russia supplies arms to Iran and Syria. 
5. Perpetuation of Violence: Rather than fostering peace, weapon industries fuel ongoing violence and suffering.

Ethical considerations of the powerful nations to stop continuation of ongoing conflicts

1. Respect for International Law: Eg: The UN-approved intervention in Libya (2011) upheld global legal standards for military action.
2. Human Rights Protection: Eg: NATO’s Kosovo intervention (1999) aimed to stop ethnic cleansing and protect civilians.
3. Promotion of Democracy: Eg: U.S. support for South Korea’s democracy in the 1980s enabled peaceful democratic transition.
4. Humanitarian Aid and Peacekeeping: Eg: The UN mission in Sierra Leone helped stabilize the region post-civil war.
5. Non-Interference and Sovereignty: Eg: India respected Sri Lanka’s sovereignty during its civil war while promoting peace.
6. Promoting Diplomacy Over Military Action: Eg: The Iran Nuclear Deal (2015) avoided military conflict through diplomacy.
7. War Ethics: Eg: The Geneva Conventions guided ethical conduct in wars, like the Gulf War.

The Need for Action Over Mere Advocacy

1. Transparency in Arms Deals
2. Investing in Peacebuilding Initiatives: Eg- Norway’s investment in peace mediation efforts, like those in Sri Lanka
3. Accountability for Governments:  Eg- Protests in the U.K. over arms sales to Saudi Arabia 
4. Prioritizing Human Rights: aligning foreign policy with ethical principles of harm minimization and human dignity.
5. Strengthening Arms Control and Ethical Warfare through international treaties like the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT).

“Talking about peace while fueling war with weapons is like extinguishing fire with gasoline.” Thus, Powerful nations must align their actions with their values as peace requires consistent action, not just rhetoric.

Mackenzie defines ethics as a set of moral principles that guide human action in a way acceptable by society. According to William Lillie, “Ethics is a normative science of the conduct of human beings living in societies which judges this conduct to be right or wrong, good and bad.”

key dimensions of ethics that influence human actions

1. Meta-Ethics: Questions the meaning of “right” and “wrong.” Eg: Immanuel Kant developed the categorical imperative, arguing for universal moral principles.
2. Prescriptive (Normative) Ethics: Establishes rules for right or wrong actions. Eg: Martin Luther King Jr. advocated for non-violence based on justice and equality.
3. Descriptive Ethics: Observes actual ethical behavior. Eg: Max Weber studied how different societies define morality and authority.
4. Applied Ethics: Uses ethical principles in real-world situations. Eg- Bioethics which pertains to euthanasia, abortion or research on human embryos. Business ethics which includes good corporate governance, protection of whistleblowers etc.

Dimensions Shape Ethical Decision-Making In The Professional Context

1. Consequentialism (Outcomes): Maximizing positive outcomes for all stakeholders. Eg: The Jan Dhan Yojana improved financial inclusion by opening 53 Cr bank accounts, ensuring economic empowerment and social equity.
2. Deontology (Duties and Rules): Following moral duties and codes regardless of consequences. Eg: Civil servants enforcing Model Code of Conduct during elections, ensuring free and fair elections, even when faced with political pressure.
3. Rights and Justice: Ensuring fairness and protecting individual rights. Eg: The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) ensures the right to work.
4. Virtue Ethics (Character): Guided by virtues like honesty and empathy. Eg: Kiran Bedi, as a senior police officer, demonstrated integrity by introducing prison reforms, focusing on rehabilitation over punishment.
5. Common Good: Decisions are made with societal welfare in mind. Eg: The Aadhaar program facilitating better delivery of government services and reducing corruption.
6. Transparency and Accountability:Eg: GeM (Government e-Marketplace) ensures transparent public procurement and reducing corruption.
7. Corporate Governance – incorporating ESG Norms into corporate strategy.

Challenges

1. Conflicting Stakeholder Interests: Eg: Deciding between cutting costs and ensuring employee welfare.
2. Global Cultural Variations: Differing ethical standards across regions can complicate uniform ethical practices in multinational organizations.
3. Transparency: Maintaining transparency can conflict with confidentiality or expose organizations to public scrutiny.
4. Cost of Compliance: Implementing ethical practices or ESG standards can be expensive, particularly for smaller businesses.

Way Forward

1. Develop Clear Ethical Guidelines: transparent codes of conduct and code of Ethics
2. Integrate Ethics with Technology: Leverage AI and data analytics for decision-making while addressing ethical concerns such as bias, privacy, and fairness.

As Albert Schweitzer said, “Ethics is nothing else than reverence for life.” This reverence guides professionals to make decisions that respect humanity, promote fairness, and ensure accountability.

“AI is the future of government efficiency, transparency, and citizen service, but it must be used responsibly, with accountability and safeguards.” – Sundar Pichai

According to report by McKinsey, artificial intelligence can increase global GDP growth by 16 percent by 2030, questions remain about its fairness, potential biases, and the erosion of human responsibility in governance.

Application of AI for administrative rational decision making

Policy Formulation

1. Data-Driven Decision: Eg: AI predicts disease outbreaks by analyzing health data.
2. Policy Impact Simulation: Eg: AI models simulate the economic impacts of tax reforms.
3. Sentiment Analysis: Eg: AI tools gauge public opinion on social media regarding policy proposals.

Policy Implementation

1. Resource Allocation: Eg: Urban planners use AI to optimize public transport systems based on population growth predictions.
2. Service Delivery: AI automates routine tasks, improving responsiveness and efficiency. Eg: Ask Disha chatbot of Indian Railway.
3. Process Automation: Eg: AI automates document verification for passport applications.

Monitoring

1. Fraud Detection: Eg: AI in tax systems flags suspicious filings for further investigation.
2. Decision Support Systems (DSS): use for real-time monitoring and resource allocation. Eg: AI helps disaster management teams allocate resources efficiently during emergencies.
3. Transparency and Accountability: by documenting the rationale for decisions and maintaining audit trails. 

Singapore’s Smart Nation initiative using AI in public administration to enhance urban living, governance, and public services.

Ethical issues might arise as noted by National Strategy for AI (NSAI)-2018

1. Algorithmic Bias: Eg: Amazon’s recruitment AI was found to favor men over women.
2. Humanity: Virtual assistants (e.g., Alexa) may reduce human-to-human interaction, impacting social relationships.
3. Evil Genies: AI chatbots like Microsoft’s Tay inadvertently promoted hate speech due to poor programming.
4. Singularity: Worries about superintelligent AI surpassing human control, as seen in debates on AI safety.
5. Accountability: It’s often unclear who is responsible for AI-driven decisions—developers, administrators, or the system itself.
6. Transparency (Black Box Problem) – Eg: AI used in welfare programs might deny benefits without clear reasons, leading to lack of trust.
7. Fairness:  Eg: AI in public services could favor urban areas over rural regions due to data imbalances.
8. Privacy Issues: Eg: AI-based surveillance systems might misuse citizens’ private data for unintended purposes.
9. Autonomy: Eg: Automated decision-making in refugee applications may overlook individual circumstances, reducing human compassion.

Way forward

1. International collaboration – OECD AI Principles,Australia AI Ethics Guidelines, EU Artificial Intelligence Act can provide a guiding light in this regard.
2. Promoting inclusive AI which will prioritize equity, diversity and accessibility, benefitting all segments of society is very essential. Eg- Eg. RESPONSIBLE AI #AIFORALL of NITI Aayog.

Adherence to UNESCO’s ‘Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence’ and Ethical Impact Assessment (EIA) of AI projects is essential for Ethical use of AI.

While social media platforms and encrypted messaging services have become integral to communication, enabling users to connect across the globe, the Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR) highlighted that more than 30% of data breaches involved social media and online services in 2020.

Security challenges posed by Social media and encrypting messaging services:

1. Cybercrime and Financial Fraud: Encrypted services allow cybercriminals to carry out phishing, financial fraud, and money laundering without detection. Eg- 2020 Twitter hack, where prominent accounts were compromised to promote a Bitcoin scam
2. Misinformation and Disinformation: A study published in the journal Health Affairs found that 30% of tweets containing misinformation about COVID-19 were retweeted, amplifying false narratives.
3. Radicalization and Extremism: Global Terrorism Index (2020) highlighted that 30% of all extremist recruitment happens via social media platforms.
4. Organized Crime Networks: Criminal groups use encrypted messaging to coordinate activities such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, and weapons smuggling. Eg- use of Signal and WhatsApp to coordinate drug trafficking operations
5. Cross-border Jurisdiction Issues: Social media platforms operate globally, but law enforcement is limited by jurisdictional boundaries, making it hard to tackle crimes that involve actors in multiple countries.
6. Privacy vs. Security Conflict: End-to-end encryption ensures user privacy, but it also hampers authorities’ ability to monitor and prevent criminal activities.

Measures adopted at various levels:

1. Global Initiatives

1. OECD guidelines on internet policy-making emphasizing freedom of expression, protection of privacy, and security while holding platforms accountable for illegal content.
2. EU Digital Services Act: Imposes stricter regulations on platforms to curb illegal content, misinformation, and increase accountability.
3. National-Level Efforts
4. India’s Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021:

• Requires platforms to trace the origin of unlawful content.
• Mandates prompt removal of objectionable content.
• Appoints grievance officers for user complaints.

2. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023: Focuses on user data protection and holding platforms accountable for data breaches.
3. The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C): Coordinates law enforcement responses to cybercrimes and social media threats.
4. Platform-Specific Measures

1. Content Moderation Algorithms: Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram use AI to detect and remove harmful content, including terrorism, hate speech, and misinformation.
2. Regulation of Encrypted Messaging: Governments globally are pressuring companies like WhatsApp to provide backdoor access to encrypted communications in cases involving terrorism, child exploitation, or criminal activities.

Other remedies that can be adopted:

1. Strengthening Cyber Forensics: Investment in AI-based monitoring systems to trace patterns of suspicious behavior.
2. Global Cybersecurity Cooperation on data-sharing and cyber threat intelligence. Eg. Five Eyes Alliance
3. Improved Cybersecurity Frameworks to include early detection mechanisms for cyber threats. Eg- Cyber Swachhta Kendra
4. Technological Innovation: Develop privacy-preserving tools that ensure encryption while enabling limited lawful access through protocols like “homomorphic encryption”.
5. Mandatory Identity Verification to prevent the anonymous spread of misinformation, fake news and online harassment, while safeguarding individual privacy.
6. Independent Oversight Bodies: Eg- The UK’s Ofcom is mandated under Online Safety Bill to ensure that online platforms meet safety standards and protect users from harmful content. 

A well-defined National Social Media Policy, alongside the SOCMINT model can help in fostering a safer online environment, promoting user trust, and enhancing the capacity to combat threats thereby significantly contributing to national security and societal well-being.

The India-China border extends over 3,400 km and includes contentious zones like the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and McMahon Line. The India-Pakistan border, spanning over 3,300 km, includes the Radcliffe Line and the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.

Conflicting Issues and Security Challenges Along the Border:

India-China Border

1. Territorial Disputes:

• Aksai Chin, a region in eastern Ladakh, was seized by China during the 1962 Sino-Indian War.
• 
• Arunachal Pradesh: China claims Arunachal Pradesh, particularly the Tawang region, as part of its territory, referring to it as “South Tibet.” 
• Doklam Plateau: China’s road construction in this area whichnis close to Siliguri Corridor (India’s “Chicken’s Neck”).
• Security Challenges:

1. Frequent Standoffs: Galwan Valley clash in June 2020, marking the first fatalities on the LAC in over four decades.
2. Military Build-up including the deployment of advanced weapons systems, airbases, and enhanced surveillance infrastructure.
3. Infrastructure Race: China has developed G219 Highway and airbase facilities in Ngari-Gunsa, Hotan, and Kashgar to support rapid military mobilization. In response, India has also developed 73 strategic roads including Darbuk-Shyok-DBO Road and Atal Tunnel.

India-Pakistan Border

1. Territorial Disputes:

1. Kashmir Issue: Following the partition in 1947, Pakistan controls part of Kashmir (referred to as Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir or PoK).
2. Siachen Glacier: India controls most of the glacier, but Pakistan claims it, leading to regular military clashes in the harsh terrain.
3. Security Challenges:
   • Cross-Border Terrorism: Pakistan-based militant groups frequently infiltrate the Indian side of the LoC like Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
   • Ceasefire Violations: Despite the 2003 ceasefire agreement, numerous instances of ceasefire violations along the LoC, resulted in casualties on both sides.
   • Infiltration and Smuggling: The border areas are also prone to cross-border drug smuggling via drones.

Developments under the Border Area Development Programme ( initiated in 1986-87): 

1. BADP now covers 111 border districts in 17 States to meet special development needs of border population with focus on people living within 50 kilometers of the International Border.
2. Infrastructure Development: Zojila Tunnel and Sela Tunnel have been initiated to ensure all-year connectivity. Projects such as the Bairabi-Sairang Railway Line in Mizoram have been funded to enhance connectivity to remote border areas.
3. Security Enhancements:  Fencing along the Indo-Pakistan border in Punjab and Rajasthan, coupled with the construction of border outposts (BOPs), has improved border security and reduced cross-border infiltration.
4. Special Focus on North-East and Jammu & Kashmir: Development of healthcare, educational institutions, and sanitation in districts like Poonch, Rajouri, and Kupwara, where local populations face regular cross-border skirmishes.

Developments under Border Infrastructure and Management (BIM) scheme: 

It is a Central Sector Scheme comprising of projects aimed at infrastructure development of India’s international borders, which is being implemented by BM-I Division.

1. Logistics and Mobility Enhancements: Helipads and airstrips in sensitive border regions like Ladakh have been upgraded to ensure quick evacuation and rapid deployment of forces.
2. Communication Infrastructure: Mobile towers have been erected in border areas of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, Investments have been made in satellite communication systems.
3. Community Engagement and Development: Water supply schemes in remote villages of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh funded under BIM have provided access to clean drinking water.

Measures that can further strengthen the effectiveness:

1. Recommendations of the Shekatkar Committee: Creation of Joint Services Command, to improve inter-services coordination and enhance operational effectiveness.
2. Kargil Review Committee recommended enhancing surveillance mechanisms along the borders, and establishing robust communication networks to ensure seamless connectivity.
3. The Standing Committee on Home Affairs: prioritizing the construction of border roads under the Bharatmala Project, ensuring connectivity to remote and strategic areas.

The dual focus on security and development is essential to transform vulnerable border regions into areas of strategic resilience and inclusive growth, ensuring long-term stability and national strength.

Urban flooding refers to the inundation of land or property in densely populated areas due to heavy rainfall, overflowing rivers, poor drainage systems, or other water-related incidents.The climate change is causing over 64% of Indian sub-districts witnessing more heavy rainfall days in the last decade.

Causes of Urban Flooding:

Natural Causes include:

1. Natural meteorological phenomenon like cyclones, cloud bursts, etc. is a primal factor. E.g., Cyclone Tauktae in Mumbai.
2. Monsoon bursts lead to heavy rainfall in a short period. E.g., In 2005 Mumbai witnessed 37 inches of rainfall only in 24 hours.
3. Climate change-induced sea level rise: In February 2021, McKinsey India said in a report that by 2050, Mumbai will witness a 25% increase in the intensity of flash floods accompanied by a half-meter rise in the sea level.

Anthropogenic causes include:

1. Concretization of Indian cities leading to a reduction in water absorption capacity. E.g., Mumbai saw a 99.9% increase in built-up area in the last 27 years.
2. Outdated and overwhelmed drainage systems: E.g. The last drainage master plan for Delhi was created in 1976, leading to frequent flooding.
3. Encroachment and destruction of natural water bodies: E.g., Bengaluru has lost 79% of its water bodies, reducing its flood resilience.
4. Deforestation and Loss of Green Spaces: The removal of forests and wetlands reduces the land’s ability to absorb water, causing rapid runoff into urban areas.Eg: Bengaluru’s urban flooding
5. Solid Waste and Debris: Improper waste disposal clogs drainage systems, blocking water flow and leading to waterlogging. Eg: In Mumbai, plastic waste clogging drains exacerbated the 2005 floods.
6. Unplanned Development in Ecologically Sensitive Areas: 2013 Kedarnath floods, exacerbated by unplanned development, resulted in massive destruction, highlighting the dangers of such encroachment.

Two major floods in the last two decades in India:

1. Mumbai Floods (July 2005):  

1. Mumbai experienced a record-breaking 944 mm of rainfall in 24 hours. 
2. Other Reasons – poorly maintained and antiquated stormwater drainage system, extensive encroachment on natural watercourses like the Mithi River, and blocked drainage due to improper waste management.
3. Over 1,000 people lost their lives due to flooding, landslides, and other related incidents.
4. Chennai Floods (December 2015): 

1. The city received around 494 mm of rainfall in a single day.
2. Other factors – unplanned urbanization on wetlands and floodplains, including large-scale construction on areas like Pallikaranai marshlands. Poor urban planning and blocked stormwater drains worsened the impact.
3. The release of excess water from the Chembarambakkam Reservoir further aggravated the flooding. 

Policies and frameworks in India that aim at Tackling Floods:

1. National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Guidelines on Urban Flooding (2010):

1. Creation of an Urban Flooding Management Plan for each city.
2. Preparation of a Rainwater Harvesting Policy to improve water absorption and reduce surface runoff.
3. Creation of capacity-building programs for urban local bodies (ULBs) to implement better flood management practices.
4. Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT):

1. Promotion of green infrastructure, such as parks and wetlands, which act as natural buffers to absorb excess rainwater.
2. Encouragement of urban planning that integrates flood risks, ensuring that new urban developments are resilient to floods.
3. Smart Cities Mission(2015):

1. Promotion of sustainable urban development, such as the restoration of water bodies
2. Use of geospatial technologies for flood risk mapping and planning.
3. National Building Code (NBC):

1. Restricts construction in floodplains.
2. Mandates the inclusion of stormwater management systems in new developments.
3. Encourages the use of permeable materials for roads and pavements to reduce surface runoff.

Effective measures include adopting “Sponge City” concept used in China along with other non-structural measures can help realise goal of SDG-11.

According to the Hyogo Framework for Action (UNISDR, 2005), disaster resilience is ‘the capacity of a system, community or society potentially exposed to hazards to adapt, by resisting or changing in order to reach and maintain an acceptable level of functioning and structure’.

Determination of Disaster Resilience:

1. Quantitative assessments: Using indicators like the Disaster Resilience Index (DRI) or the Baseline Resilience Indicators for Communities (BRIC).
2. Qualitative evaluations: Resilience also depends on the continuous sharing of knowledge, experiences, and innovations between communities, governments, and international organizations.
3. Risk mapping: A key element in determining disaster resilience is the ability to identify potential hazards (e.g., earthquakes, floods, cyclones) and assess the vulnerability of communities, infrastructure, and ecosystems to those hazards.
4. Capacity analysis: The effectiveness of response mechanisms, including the availability of emergency services (e.g., ambulances, rescue teams), evacuation plans, and medical facilities, determines how well a community can react during a disaster.

Various Elements of Resilience Framework

• Risk Assessment: Identifying and evaluating potential hazards (natural or man-made), vulnerabilities, and exposure to risks. Eg: Seismic risk assessments in earthquake-prone areas.
• 
• Prevention and Mitigation: Implementing strategies to reduce the severity and likelihood of disasters, such as building codes, land-use planning, and environmental protection. Eg: Flood barriers, earthquake-resistant construction.
• Preparedness: Ensuring that communities and organizations have disaster plans, emergency response training, and early warning systems in place to respond effectively. Eg: National disaster drills, community awareness programs.
• Response: Immediate actions taken during or after a disaster to minimize harm, including emergency services, evacuation plans, and resource mobilization. Eg: Deployment of disaster response teams, distribution of relief supplies.
• Recovery: Post-disaster efforts to restore normal functioning through rebuilding infrastructure, restoring livelihoods, and improving resilience for future disasters.
• Adaptation and Learning: Evaluating the effectiveness of response and recovery efforts, learning from past disasters, and adapting policies and systems to better handle future events.
• Risk Governance and Policy Implementation Strong institutional frameworks and Integration of disaster risk reduction (DRR) into development planning. Eg: NDMA guidelines.
• Community Engagement in planning and decision-making and strengthening social networks and mutual aid systems. Eg- Self-help groups during floods in Kerala (2018).

Global Targets of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction:

1. Substantially reduce global disaster mortality by 2030, aiming to lower the average per 100,000 global mortality rates in the decade 2020–2030 compared to the period 2005– 2015.
2. Substantially reduce the number of affected people globally by 2030, aiming to lower the average global figure per 100,000 in the decade 2020–2030 compared to the period 2005–2015
3. Reduce direct disaster economic loss in relation to the global gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030
4. Substantially reduce disaster damage to critical infrastructure and disruption of basic services, among them health and educational facilities, including through developing their resilience
5. Substantially increase the number of countries with national and local disaster risk reduction strategies
6. International cooperation with developing countries through adequate and sustainable support to complement their national actions for implementation of the present framework by 2030
7. Substantially increase the availability of and access to multi-hazard early warning systems and disaster risk information and assessments to people. 

Initiatives like Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) complement the Sendai Framework’s vision by emphasizing the need to design and maintain infrastructure systems that can withstand extreme events like floods, earthquakes, and cyclones.

Asteroids are rocky, airless remnants from the early solar system, primarily orbiting between Mars and Jupiter in the Asteroid Belt. There are around 1.3 million known asteroids, and in recent years, tracking efforts have intensified due to the potential threats they pose to Earth.

Threat of Asteroids Causing Extinction

1. In NASA’s fifth biennial Planetary Defense Interagency Tabletop Exercise, it has found that a potentially hazardous asteroid has a 72% chance of hitting Earth, highlighting potential gaps in Earth’s preparedness to prevent such an event.
2. Historical Evidence: asteroid impact caused the extinction of dinosaurs 66 million years ago, as seen in Chicxulub crater in Mexico.
3. Near-Earth Objects (NEOs): According to NASA (2023), over 30,000 NEOs have been discovered with about 2,300 classified as “potentially hazardous.”
4. Impact Consequences: Even small asteroids (e.g., 20 meters wide) can cause significant damage. Eg- If Bennu impacted Earth, it would release the energy equivalent to the detonation of 1.4 billion tons of TNT.
5. Extinction-Level Threat: Asteroids over 1 km in size can cause global climatic effects. However, NASA estimates such impacts occur every 500,000 years, making the risk relatively low but not negligible.
6. Disasters: The kinetic energy from an asteroid impact can cause earthquakes, tsunamis, and hurricanes, which can be global in impact. 

Counter Argument

1. Atmospheric Protection: Earth’s atmosphere provides a natural shield, burning up most smaller asteroids before they reach the surface. 
2. Astronomical and Statistical Odds: The chances of a civilization-ending asteroid (larger than 10 km) hitting Earth are one in several million per year.

Strategies developed to prevent such a catastrophe:

1. Early Detection Systems:

1. NASA’s Near-Earth Object Observations (NEOO) program and ESA’s Space Situational Awareness Program continuously monitor potential threats.
2. ISRO has launched the Network for Space Object Tracking and Analysis (NETRA), which tracks space debris and NEOs. 
3. Deflection Techniques:

1. DART Mission (2022): NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test successfully altered the orbit of an asteroid, demonstrating the feasibility of deflection.
2. Gravity Tractor where a spacecraft can use gravitational attraction over time to gradually change an asteroid’s trajectory.
3. Planetary Defense Coordination: International collaboration under the United Nations fosters information-sharing and readiness through bodies like the International Asteroid Warning Network (IAWN).

The findings from the OSIRIS-REx mission will provide valuable insights not only into the nature of asteroids but also into the broader context of planetary defense and the importance of continued vigilance in monitoring the skies.

The world population is projected to reach approximately 9.7 billion by 2050, significantly increasing demand for freshwater resources. UNESCO notes that, 30% of the world’s aquifers are being over-exploited, particularly in regions like the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia.

Reasons for Shortage of Clean and Safe Fresh Water:

1. Climate Change Impacts:

1. Droughts: The United Nations reported that the number of severe droughts globally has increased by over 29% since the 1970s.
2. Glacial Retreat: glaciers in the Himalayas have lost more than 40% of their mass over the past 40 year
3. Groundwater Depletion

1. Over-extraction: In Ogallala Aquifer(US) water levels dropped by as much as 30 meters.
2. Agricultural Use: Agriculture accounts for 80% of global freshwater withdrawals, with some regions, like South Asia, relying heavily on groundwater for irrigation.

3. Inadequate Water Supply: in India according to NITI Aayog, 40% of urban households lack access to piped water.
4. Water Quality Issues:

1. Contaminated Water Sources: CPCB reported in 2021 that 70% of India’s surface water is contaminated due to industrial discharge, agricultural runoff, and untreated sewage.
2. Health Risks: According to WHO, waterborne diseases like diarrhea, cholera, and dysentery affect 2.3 billion people annually.

Alternative Technologies which can solve this issue:

1. Solar Desalination – uses solar energy to evaporate and condense seawater, producing freshwater. This process mimics the natural water cycle, where the sun’s energy evaporates water, which is then condensed into clean water.

1. Merits: Environmentally friendly, using renewable energy and Suitable for remote, off-grid locations.
2. Demerits: Limited water output compared to conventional desalination plants and  Initial investment costs for solar infrastructure are high.

2. Atmospheric Water Generation (AWG) – extracts water from the moisture in the air through condensation. Devices can be designed to capture water by cooling the air or by using desiccants that absorb moisture.  

1. Merits: Produces clean drinking water from the atmosphere, reducing dependence on surface or groundwater and Can be used in off-grid locations with solar-powered AWG units.
2. Demerits: Limited output in areas with low humidity and High energy demand for cooling and dehumidification processes.
3. Fog Harvesting – capturing water droplets from fog using large mesh nets. The droplets condense on the mesh and are collected in containers for use.

1. Merits: Provides water in arid, foggy regions where other sources are limited and Low-tech and low-energy solution, relatively inexpensive to set up.
2. Demerits: Only viable in regions with frequent fog and Limited water output, making it impractical for large-scale use.

A combination of these solutions, along with improved water management and policy frameworks, is essential for ensuring water security and achieving SDG 6.