Author: Explains

Pottery or ceramics or ceramic art refers to the creation of objects that are made up of hard brittle material produced from non-metallic minerals by moulding them while the material is wet and then firing them at high temperatures. They are often made up of clay, porcelain, steatite, etc.

Pottery plays an important role in studying culture and reconstructing the past. Historically with distinct culture, the style of pottery changed. It reflects the social, economic and environmental conditions a culture thrived in, which helps the archaeologists and historians in understanding our past. It holds significant value in understanding cultures where script was either absent or remains undeciphered. Understanding of presence of fire, cooking, storage, sedentary or migratory populace, social stratification can all be developed via studying pottery.

For people, pottery provided opportunity to store, cook, transport, trade and essentially became an expression of artistic creativity.

Pottery is majorly of two types

1. Handmade
2. Wheel thrown

Handmade pottery is rather a primitive style pottery developed in early ages which with time transforms to wheel thrown. The different motifs drawn on the surface plays an important role in understanding a culture and its beliefs.

Evolution of Pottery

I. Neolithic Age

We find the first reference of pottery in this age. Naturally it is hand-made pottery but during the later period footwheel is also used.

Features

• Unglazed/unburnished that is having rough surface
• Handmade coarse grey pottery
• Material – clay mixed with mica and sand
• Pottery is devoid of any painting
• In many cases twisted rice husk cords were impressed into wet clay for decoration
• Found throughout India including the South. Burzahom – coarse grey pottery
• Included black-burnished ware, greyware and mat-pressed ware

II. Chalcolithic Age

Chalcolithic Era, the first metal age, is marked by the occurrence of distinct cultures in various parts of our country namely – Ahar culture in South Eastern Rajasthan, Malwa culture in Western MP, Jorwe culture in Western Maharashtra, etc.

People of this age used different kinds of pottery.

1. Black-and-red-ware Pottery

Black and red ware seems to have been widely used. Cultures like Ahar-Banas showed the presence of Black and Red ware pottery with white linear designs.

2. Black-on-red ware

Jorwe ware is painted black-on-red and has a matt surface treated with a wash.

3. Ochre Coloured Pottery (OCP)

OCP people are regarded as the junior contemporaries of Harappa.

This pottery is identified with the Copper Hoard Culture that was found in upper Ganga Valley and Ganga Yamuna doab area.

• The colour of the pottery ranges from orange to red.
• The period covered by the OCP culture is roughly placed between 2000 BC and 1500 BC.
• Major sites are – Jodhpura (Rajasthan), Attranjikhera (UP)
• Ganeshwar, located near Khetri copper mines, was initially believed to have OCP but researches have confuted this.

III. Harappan Civilization

Polished Ware Pottery with rough surface

• Both polished and unpolished type of pottery existed
• Pottery generally has a red surface and is wheel thrown although handmade ones too exist
• Polished wares were well fired.
• Most of the pottery is polychrome meaning more than two colours are used to colour the pottery.
• Most of the pottery is utilitarian. Such potteries usually have flat bases
• Geometrical design along with paintings depicting flora and fauna are observed
• Perforated pottery was also found may be used for straining liquor.
• Pottery throughout the civilization was uniform (mass thrown) revealing some form of control and leaving less space of individual creativity
• Presence of luxurious pottery obtained from certain sites reveals economic stratification in the society

1. Mature Harappa

Burial Pottery of Harappa

• Burnished and painted pottery
• Burial pottery was specially and distinctly made
• Reveals the Harappan belief in life after death
• Presence or absence of this pottery in the grave goods reflected social stratification

2. Late Harappa

Ochre Colored Pottery (OCP) – As we know the late Harappan cultures(1900BC – 1200BC) were primarily chalcolithic. Some specific chalcolithic sites show the elements of late Harappan(like use of burnt bricks, etc). These sites have OCP.

Black-grey burnished ware produced on slow wheel – Found in Swat Valley. This resembles the pottery from north Iranian plateau.

Black-on-red painted and wheel turned pottery – Also found in Swat Valley. This shows a connection that Swat Valley was associated with Harappa.

Grey-ware and Painted Grey Ware, generally associated with Vedic people have been found in conjunction with some late Harappan pottery. It has less intricate designs as compared to the early and mature periods suggesting a dilution of the rich culture.

IV. Vedic Era – PGW

The Vedic Era saw the emergence of Painted Grey Ware(PGW) Culture.

The Rig Vedic sites have PGW but iron objects and cereals are absent. Hence it is considered a pre-iron phase of PGW. On the other hand, the Later Vedic sites are considered iron-phase of PGW.

This pottery is an Iron Age pottery found in Gangetic plain and Ghaggar – Hakra valley, lasting from roughly 1200 BC – 600 BC. Mathura was the largest PGW site.

• Characterized by a style of fine, grey pottery painted with geometric patterns in black.
• Are confined to few geographical locations, namely – Punjab, Haryana and upper Ganga Valley. This culture is associated with village and town settlements (but without large cities)

V. Later Vedic Era – NBPW

The later Vedic people were acquainted with 4 types of pottery – Black-and-red ware, black-slipped ware, painted grey ware and red ware.

VI. End of Later Vedic Era – NBPW

Towards the very end of Later Vedic Age around 6th century BC, we see the emergence of 2nd phase of urbanization(1st being Indus Valley Civilization). This era marked the beginning of the Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW).

Map showing areas where NBPW pottery was found

• Glossy, shining type pottery.
• Made of fine fabric and served as tableware for richer class. Considered deluxe pottery only found with the elites revealing societal stratification which was a result of Brahmanical hegemony.
• This pottery continued to exist during the Mahajanapada era.
• Found in Ahichatra, Hastinapur (both in UP), Navdatoli (Madhya Pradesh)
• Classified into two groups – bichrome and monochrome
• Monochrome pottery has a fine and thin fabric. Potted on fast wheel and have a strikingly lustrous surface. 90% of this type is jet black, brownish black and bluish black and 10% have colours like pink, golden, brown among others.
• Bichrome pottery is found less. It shows all the features of monochrome except that it shows combination of two colours.

A Bichrome pottery with two colours

VI. Megalithic Era

This culture is placed between- 3rd Century BC to 1^st Century AD. Megaliths refers to monuments constructed of big (mega) stones (lith). This culture is particularly known for its large stone graves. In the South this age is characterized by the use of iron.

Megalithic Pottery found in Kerala

• Well baked and durable
• Wheel thrown
• Bulk of these are plain however, a sherd from Koldihawa reveals black painting on the surface.
• It has been excavated throughout India but majorly from the South. Mostly in Vindhyas.
• They were used as grave goods revealing belief in life after death.

References and image credits

1. http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/pottery.htm
2. https://books.google.co.in/books?id=Wba-EZhZcfgC&pg=PA227&lpg=PA227&dq=neolithic+pottery+india&source=bl&ots=zSieDln1p6&sig=jMQOXkaE0Ub3nGScBVc66b5vCNc&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjIq7vEoa7RAhVFto8KHTkSAdsQ6AEIXjAN#v=onepage&q=neolithic%20pottery%20india&f=false
3. https://www.google.co.in/search?q=neolithic+pottery+india&rlz=1C1GKLB_enIN652IN652&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi34JWmpq7RAhVJtI8KHYSRCpQQ_AUICCgB&biw=1106&bih=650#tbm=isch&q=harappan+pottery+&imgrc=bVQvkNLg2TpIHM%3A
4. https://books.google.co.in/books?id=nKJiBUFrmfoC&pg=RA1-PA27&lpg=RA1-PA27&dq=ganeshwar+OCP&source=bl&ots=ldv-asrh-c&sig=Uv6m0rf8pkfck4Uws9H9TCP5ZPs&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjP36_K2rHRAhVMtY8KHaSJBFsQ6AEIGTAA#v=onepage&q=ganeshwar%20OCP&f=false
5. http://www.facts-about-india.com/copper-phase.php
6. http://huntingtonarchive.org/resources/historicalMaps.php
7. http://www.ancient-asia-journal.com/articles/10.5334/aa.06111/
8. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Painted_Grey_Ware_culture
9. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Black_Polished_Ware

Rock-cut cave architecture occupies a very important place in the Indian Art tradition. From the humble beginnings at the Barabar Caves, they evolve into spectacular caves at Ajanta and Ellora. Both these caves have been accorded the UNESCO World Heritage Site status.

Table summing up the contrasting features are as follows

Ajanta Caves

Ajanta caves are a series of 30 Buddhist caves located in Aurangabad district, Maharashtra. This site is declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It encompasses both Theravada (Hinayana) and Mahayana Buddhist traditions. The Ajanta caves preserve some of the best masterpieces of Buddhist art in India.

CAVE PLAN – AJANTA

1. History of Ajanta Caves

The earliest Ajanta caves were carved in the 2^nd Century BC out of horse-shoe shaped cliff along the Waghora River. They were used by Buddhist monks as prayer halls (chaitya grihas) and monasteries (viharas) for about nine centuries.

Out of the 30 excavated caves, five (cave no. 9, 10, 19, 26, and 29) are chaitya grihas (prayer halls) and the rest are viharas (monasteries).

In date and style, these caves can be divided into two broad phases.

Phase I (2^nd Century to 1^st Century BCE) – The earliest excavations were done by the Satavahanas and belong to the Hinayana (Theravada) phase of Buddhism. The object of worship is a stupa here. Caves 9, 10, 12, 13 and 15A belong to this era.

Phase II (5^th Century AD to 6^th Century AD) – These excavations are a major contribution of the Vakatakas and Chalukyas and belong to Mahayana phase of Buddhism.

1. AJANTA CAVE ARCHITECTURE

Study under the two phases

1. Phase I/ Satavahana Phase Throughout his life Buddha was against the idea of sculpting and painting images of him. Hence, this phase depicts the Lord via symbols.

Of these, caves 9 and 10 are stupa containing worship halls of chaitya-griha form, and caves 12, 13, and 15A are viharas.

Cave 9 : This apsidal chaitya griha is datable to second century B.C. and belongs to the Hinayana phase of Buddhism. It is a large liturgical hall, with monolithic stone stupa carved from a living rock.

CAVE 9 – Worship Hall with a stupa but no idols

Cave 10 –

The cave consists of a central hall and a rock stupa around which a circumambulatory path is provided.

CAVE 10 – Worship Hall with a stupa and circumambulatory path

1. Phase 2 / Vakataka Phase – The second phase was of greater artistic activity at Ajanta during the rule of the Vakataka dynasty. King Harishena is credited to have been at the forefront of the development cycle.

Major difference from Phase I is the depiction of Buddha as a result of the spread of Mahayana Buddhism which believes in revering the Master through images and idols.

Caves – Caves 19, 26, and 29 are chaitya-grihas, the rest viharas.

CAVE 19 :

This chaitya griha is datable to fifth century A.D. The stupa is carved with a standing image of Buddha. This cave is known for its sculptural grandeur of the facade. The hall has painted depictions of Buddha in various postures. Cave 19 is first example of a chaitya wholly in stone.

The stunning variety of panel and bracket decoration in this cave includes images of Buddha, mounted riders, flying celestials, lion heads in the panels at intervals and vegetation.

Standing Buddha in the interior cave covered with drapery, topped by a majestic three tiered umbrella in front of a stupa.

Besides the richly carved interior, the exterior walls of the caves of later phase are well sculptured and ornamented.

LOCAL NAGA DEITY WITH HIS CONSORT – CAVE 19

CAVE 26 –

This chaityagriha is quite similar to Cave 19, but of a larger dimension and more elaborately and exquisitely provided with sculpted figures.

The chaitya griha consists of a hall, side aisles (pradikshana) and a rock-cut stupa front by an image of seated Buddha. The facade, the inner pillars, the triforium (between pillars and roof arch), aisles side walls are extensively carved with images and decorative designs.

CAVE 26 – SEATED BUDDHA STUPA

The most striking and prominent image is that of Mahaparinirvana of Buddha on the right aisle wall and the assault of Mara during Buddha’s penance adorns the same wall.

Temptation by Mara

• Mara in Buddhism is a demon who tempted Gautam Buddha by trying to seduce him with the vision of beautiful women who, in various legends, are often said to be Mara’s daughters.

MAHAPARINIRVANA

• In Buddhism, the term parinirvana is commonly used to refer to nirvana-after-death, which occurs upon the death of the body of someone who has attained nirvana during his or her lifetime.
• This sculpture is also known as the reclining Buddha.

The artists of Ajanta have given us an insight into a time we know little about, through the illustrations of these two stories. Through this visual window, we know more about the attire the kings donned at the time, their general facial features (which are strikingly central Asian), the arms they carried and more.

Transition over ages

CAVE 9 CAVE 10 CAVE 19 CAVE 26

The above shows how transition occurred with time and evolution of Mahayana sect which worships Buddha in form of idols and images.

1. AJANTA PAINTINGS

Ajanta Paintings are finest surviving examples of ancient Indian art. According to UNESCO, these are masterpieces of Buddhist religious art that influenced Indian Art. These masterpieces at Ajanta were executed more or less in two phases. The paintings at Ajanta are not frescoes but murals.

What are murals?

Murals are paintings done on already dried surfaces.

How are murals different from frescoes?

Fresco is a technique of painting executed upon freshly laid lime plaster. The wet plaster binds the paint to the plaster itself hence the color pigments get absorbed in the wall.
In case of Murals color is mixed with some adhesive and is applied on the dry surface.

Vishnodarottar Purana written in the Post Gupta Period describes how the paintings were made in the ancient times. All the painting experiments suggest this book was followed.

Study under the two phases –

1. Phase I – These paintings belong to the Hinayana era (200 BC- 1 BC). Depiction of Buddha has been done via symbolism. Paintings of this era have mostly been lost.

CAVE 9 –

Of all paintings of this era very few have survived. These are –

1. Frieze Of Animals And Herdsmen
2. Naga Worshippers
3. Giant Horseshoe Window
4. Phase II – The second phase departs from the earlier one with the introduction of new pattern in layout as well as the centrality of Buddha image due to Mahayana influence, both in sculpture as well as in paintings

The main theme of the paintings is the depiction of various Jataka stories, different incidents associated with the life of Buddha, and the contemporary events of social life.

The ceiling decoration invariably consists of decorative patterns, geometrical as well as floral.

CAVE 1 – This cave has one of the most elaborately carved facades with scenes carved from the life of the Buddha as well as a number of decorative motifs.

It contains the famed paintings of Bodhisvattas Padmapani and Vajrapani along with a seated figure of Buddha in dharma chakra parivartana mudra in the sanctum.

The Buddha in the shrine room is seen through the aisle and vestibule in dharmachakraparivartana mudra with Bodhisvattas Padmapani and Vajrapani on either sides.

Scene from Shibi Jataka

• King Shibi who offered his own flesh to save a pigeon.

CAVE 2 –

Mahadevi gives birth to Buddha

CAVE 17 – Cave 17 is a Mahayana Vihara. It is full of the finest paintings.

Few important among these are –

Buddha returns from enlightenment to his own home to beg from his wife Yashodhara, while his son Rahula looks astonished.

A flying Apsara to worship the Buddha

Vessantara Jataka

• A prince is trying to cheer his distressed wife who is upset over the news of his impending banishment (Vessantara Jataka)

MATRIPOSHAKA JATAKA STORY – The story of a Bodhisattva elephant who had blind parents. In this story, the Bodhisattva elephant chooses to take care of his blind parents readily giving away palatial comforts.

CAVE 10 – Though this cave majorly belongs to the Hinayana phase, the cave was worked upon in the Mahayana era too. This is explained by presence of Buddha’s images and idols that belong to the later era.

CAVE 10 – MURALS ON THE VAULT

CAVE 16 –

The Dying Princess

The story tells how Nanda who was passionately in love with this girl was tricked away from her by the Buddha and carried up to heaven.

Overwhelmed by the beauty of the Apsaras, Nanda forgot his earthly love and consented to enter the Buddhist order as a shortcut to heaven.

In time, he came to see the vanity of his purely physical aim and became a Buddhist but the Princess, his beloved, was cruelly left to her fate without any such consolation.

Decorative Pictures

Besides religious paintings there is another category of painting. These paintings are decorative and secular. They fill up all the available space on the ceilings, walls and vaults.

1. Ellora Caves

It one of the largest rock-hewn monastic-temple complexes in the entire world. There are 34 caves, structures are excavated out of the vertical face of the hills.

CAVE PLAN – ELLORA

1. Cave Architecture –

Out of these, there are 12 Mahayana Buddhist caves (caves 1-12), 17 Hindu caves (caves 13-29) and 5 caves of the Jain faith (caves 30-34). The Ellora Caves are not only a unique artistic creation but also with its sanctuaries devoted to Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism, it illustrates the spirit of tolerance that was characteristic of ancient India.

1. Buddhist Monuments [CAVE 1- 12]

Among these 12 caves only one is a prayer hall (chaitya griha) while others are monasteries.

Cave 5 is unique because it is designed as a hall with two parallel refectory benches in the centre with a Buddha statue in the rear. Cave 5 of Ellora and Cave 11 of the Kanheri caves are only two such Buddhist caves in India.

Vishvakarma Cave [CAVE 10]-

Vishvakarma Cave – Seated Buddha in preaching position (vyakhyana mudra)

• This is the only chaitya-griya in Ellora.
• Also known as Carpenter’s Cave because the artistic finish gives the rock an appearance of wooden beams.
• It follows the pattern of construction of Caves 19 and 26.

1. Hindu Monuments [CAVE 13- 29]

The Kalachuris and the Rashtrakutas were major contributors.

Dhumar Lena [CAVE 29] –

These caves are dedicated to Lord Shiva. All these cave temples contain a rock cut linga-yoni within the core of the shrine, surrounded by a space for circumambulation (parikrama).

The Dashavatara [Cave 15] – This cave has many well carved sculptures. Lord Vishnu is depicted in his ten incarnations.

Other Important sculptures –

Vishnu at the Dashavatara Ellora temple.

Shiv Parvati Marriage

Andhakasuravadha

Other important panels are –

• • Gangadhara panel
  • Tripurantika of Shaktism tradition
  • Nandi in mandapa
  • Dancing Shiva

Kailashnath Temple [CAVE 16] –

Ascribed to Krishna I, a Rashtrakuta ruler this temple was constructed around the middle 8^th Century AD. This temple is world famous for being the largest single monolithic excavation in the world. The temple architecture shows traces of Pallava and Chalukya styles. This amalgamation is a result of influence of Virupaksha temple of Pattadakal (Chalukyan temple) and Kailasa temple of Kanchi (Pallave temple). Though it needs to be specified, Kailash temple is not an exact imitation of these temples.

The temple is chiefly a Shaivite temple although sculptures belonging to Vaishnavism are also found here.

The temple consists of four parts – the main shrine, the entrance gateway, an intermediate shrine for Nandi and mandapa surrounding the courtyard.

Kailashnath Temple

The Kailasa temple is an architectural marvel with it beautiful sculptures.

Important Sculptures –

Goddess Durga slaying the Buffalo demon

Ravana shaking Mount Kailasa, the abode of Siva

Besides these, scenes of Ramayana are also depicted on the walls.

Other Hindu caves

Other notable Hindu caves are the Ravan ki Khai (Cave 14) and the Nilkantha (Cave 22) also have several sculptures. Cave 25 features Surya carved in its ceiling.

1. Jain Monuments [CAVE 30- 34]-

These caves belong to Digambara sect. The emphasis in the Jain caves is the depiction of twenty four Jinas (spiritual conquerors who have gained liberation from the endless cycle of rebirths). Along with them yakshas, yakshis and human devotees are depicted.

The most remarkable Jain shrines are the Chhota Kailash (cave 30), the Indra Sabha (cave 32) and the Jagannath Sabha (cave 33).

Amongst its devotional carvings, the Jain Ellora caves offer some of the earliest Samavasarana images. Samavasarana is of special interest to Jains, as it is a hall where the Tirthankara preaches after attaining Kevala Jnana (liberating omniscience).

1. Ellora Paintings –

Paintings from Ellora are not very significant. They too like Ajanta are murals and depict both religious and secular images. Important among these is an early painting of Vishnu and Lakshmi being borne out of a cloud by a Garuda.

Conclusion-

The above study reveals how culture and tradition varied over a large span of time. They also reveal how historically Indian rulers were not only tolerant towards different religions but also patronized them. Lessons can be drawn from these times and implemented in contemporary times to defeat social unrest and intolerance.

References –

1. http://www.sacred-destinations.com/india/ajanta-caves
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajanta_Caves#Caves_of_the_first_.28Satavahana.29_period
3. http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_whs_ajanta_caves.asp
4. www.abiyoyo.com/articles/2817_ajanta_cave_19.html
5. http://www.themeadowsresort.com/images/map3_ellora.jpg
6. http://ajantacaves.com/caves/ajanta%20cave%209-10-11.asp
7. http://www.gizmodo.in/indiamodo/Indias-Own-Ajanta-Caves-May-Be-The-Birthplace-Of-Indian-Art/articleshow/41199370.cms
8. http://www.ancient.eu/article/849/
9. http://www.shunya.net/Pictures/South%20India/Ajanta/Ajanta.htm
10. http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/16705/11/11_chapter%206.pdf http://www.kamit.jp/02_unesco/02_ajanta/aja_eng.htm –
11. http://www.speakingtree.in/blog/ajanta—cave-17—25
12. http://www.slideshare.net/swami99/ajanta-paintings
13. http://recomparison.com/comparisons/101017/ajanta-vs-ellora-caves-buddhist-architectural-jewels/
14. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellora_Caves
15. NCERTs
16. CCRT
17. NIOS

Note4Students

This chapter, again, is not important from UPSC perspective. Make a note of various cultures that developed in this period and the regions they were confined to. Some predate Harappan sites while others postdate Harappan sites.

Defining all the recurring themes in one place.

1. Stupas

These are hemispherical dome structures originally built over the relics of Buddha after his death. There were 8 of them in distributed in places where Buddha seemed to have lived – Rajagraha, Vaishali, Kapilvastu, Allakapa, Ramagrama, Vethadipa, Pava, Kushinagar. We see stupas being built for the first time during the time of Ashoka. He is believed to have commissioned the construction of 84000 stupas.

The components of a Stupa are shown in the diagram below

For the uninitiated, the practitioner does not enter the stupa, it is a solid object. Instead, the practitioner circumambulates (walks around) it on the pradakshina path (refer above) as a meditational practice focusing on the Buddha’s teachings.

The following video of circumambulation will give you some idea.

2. Chaityas and Viharas

Buddhist rock-cut architecture was primarily Chaityas or Viharas. Chaityas were congregational prayer halls while viharas were places for monks to rest.

The video explains them in considerable depth.

Further, students can refer to this presentation for an in-depth analysis.

3. Pillars

During the reign of Ashoka many monolithic stone pillars were built to preach his Dhamma. Each pillar has 3 components – the prop (which is buried under the ground), the shaft – the straight column and the capital – which has the seated animal. Watch this video to understand in detail the components of the Sarnath Pillar.

Characteristics of the pillars are as follows

• Monolithic meaning carved out of one stone.
• 2 kinds of stones used – Chunar sandstone, Varanasi and Spotted-red sandstone, Mathura
• Highly polished surfaces – known as Mauryan polish.
• These pillars are plain and undecorated.
• Capitals – Capitals are the crowning element atop the pillar. This capital is also termed as the ‘bell capital’ which resembles an inverted lotus.
• Abacus – Platform over which the seated animal rests.
• Crowning animal – The topmost portion contains a crowning animal. Various animals are used on different pillars.

These pillars were inspired from Achaemenid pillars of middle-east.

• It has been suggested that Ashoka got the idea of inscribing proclamations on pillars from the achaemenids.
• The polished surface.
• Capital design including motifs like inverted lotus and the animals.
• The stiff heraldic pose of the lions is seen as further evidence of western influence.

However they significantly differed from them in many ways. They were monolithic pillars carved out of a single stone while Achaemenian pillars were made by placing bounders one on top of the other.

4. Bodhisattva

Related to the Mahayana sect, Bodhisattva is buddha in his previous birth. It has all the qualities to enable him attain nirvana but sacrifices doing so by choice to let his disciples have a chance at attaining it.

The Jataka tales contain a vast body of folklore in which the Bodhisattva, whether in human or animal form makes great sacrifices in order to help others. These are represented across different buddhist architectures.

The most common Bodhisattavas are Avalokiteshvara & Vajrapani found in Ajanta cave paintings. You can read about various boddhisattavas in our Ajanta and Ellora Case study.

An exhaustive list of various Bodhisattvas and where they belong can be found here – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_bodhisattvas

A must-watch video for more on Bodhisattavas.

5. Mudras of Buddha

Buddhas and Bodhisattavas are shown with their hands forming a number of different ritualized and stylized poses (Mudrâs). Each by itself and in combination with others have specific meanings. Abhayamudrâ is the most common mudra.

An exhaustive list of mudras can be found here – http://www.buddhas-online.com/mudras.html

GS Paper 1: World History

Q.1) Industrial Revolution paved the way for new imperialism. Comment.

NCERT

Hints:

Answer structure:

1.  The Industrial Revolution began in Great Britain in the early 18th century, a time when European imperialism in the New World and around the coasts of Africa and Asia was already well underway. However, the Industrial Revolution fundamentally changed the nature of colonialism. It had previously focused primarily on trade in Africa and Asia and gold and agriculture in the New World.
2. The Industrial Revolution vastly increased productivity in industrialized areas, leading to a need for more raw materials to keep up with technological capacity. As a result, Great Britain needed a source for raw materials, such as cotton to keep its textile mills running. The need for cotton was part of the reason for British takeovers in India, Egypt and other areas.. Additionally, colonies gave the Western powers a ready-made market for their goods, as the colonized people were left with little to no legal recourse to produce their own finished products.
3. Technological advances in Western arms and transportation commonly made indigenous resistance to imperial incursions futile and short-lived, as Westerners had far superior weapons, ammunition, strategy and tactics.
4. Additionally, technological advances made former threats to European settlement and survival in equatorial zones less daunting. For example, the development of the steamship eradicated the danger posed by the mouths of many African rivers. The steamship could simply be dissembled, brought inland and then reassembled for river travel, while wooden sailing ships previously could not. Similarly, industrial age advances in medicine brought quinine, a supplement that exponentially increased the survival rate of Western imperialists in malarial areas, acting as a preventative, though not a cure. Thus, Westerners could now worry much less about disease, whereas before quinine, severe fever and even death often came within weeks after arrival.

GS Paper 2: Polity & Governance

Q.2) Do you think article 35A should be abolished? Critically comment.

Source:

http://www.huffingtonpost.in/2017/08/07/why-its-dangerous-for-the-centre-to-tamper-with-article-35a-in_a_23068270/

http://www.firstpost.com/india/article-35a-apart-a-larger-debate-over-article-370-is-needed-for-permanent-solution-to-kashmir-problem-3907729.html

https://swarajyamag.com/politics/why-article-35-a-has-to-go-and-go-now-

Introduction:

• Article 35 A of Indian Constitution provides special powers to the state of Jammu and Kashmir legislature in respect of granting citizenship rights to any Indian or a group of Indians. It empowers the state legislature to define the classes of persons who are, or shall be permanent resident(s); gives special rights and privileges or imposes restrictions in matters or availing state facilities.
• The provision of this article has been in controversy recently because of its discriminatory and biased nature and hence many experts demand it to be amended or abrogated.

The following argument supports its abrogation:

• Article 35 A was added to the Constitution by a Presidential order and hence has not been followed the procedure under Art 368. It ultra virus the basic structure and violates the Constitutional procedures established by law as Article 370 (special privileges to J&K) does not anywhere confer on the President legislative or executive powers so vast that he can amend the Constitution or alone perform the function of Parliament.
• It facilitates the violation of the right of women to ‘marry a man of their choice’ by not giving the heirs any right to property, if the woman marries a man not holding Permanent Resident Certificate (PRC).
• The industrial sector & whole private sector suffers due to the property ownership restrictions. Good doctors don’t come to the state for the same reason.
• It gives a free hand to the state government and politicians to discriminate between citizens of India, on an unfair basis and give preferential treatment to some by trampling over others, since the non-residents of the state are debarred from buying properties, getting a government job or voting in the local elections.
• It ruins the status of West Pakistani refugees. Being citizens of India they are not stateless persons, but being non-permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir, they cannot enjoy the basic rights and privileges as being enjoyed by permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir.
• The Valmikis who were brought to the state during 1957 were given Permanent Resident Certificates on the condition that they and their future generations could stay in the state only if they continued to be safai-karmacharis (scavengers). And even after six decades of service in the state, their children are safai-karmacharis and they have been denied the right to quit scavenging and choose any other profession.
• In nut and shell we can say that the provisions of Article 35A violates Right to equality under Article 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18; right to reside anywhere in India Article 19; right to live with dignity Article 21; Right to vote Article 326 and many of the rights conferred under Directive Principles of State Policies particularly related to women and children.

However, many expert calls this move raised with ‘communal minded majoritarian’ intentions and support the existing of Article 35A on the following grounds:

• It protects demographic status of the state in its prescribed constitutional form by not allowing any outsiders to own any property.
• The Article does not only recognizes the special protection granted to the state of J&K in terms of constitutional, legislative, executive orders but also clarifies and validates their existing provisions and hence this Article, on its own, does not give anything new to the State.
• The rebate given to the state of J&K in instrument of accession and subsequently added to the constitution of India in the form of Article 370. This Article 35 A is a clarificatory provision draws its rights from Article 370 and strengthens the provision of Article 370 without bringing anything new in demand.

Conclusion:

• However, the recent debate fuels the already ongoing unrest in the valley. Any temptation will further lead to violent unrest and bloodshed in the region. The separatist will get opportunity to divide the opinion of the masses causing uncontrolled situation if anything done on this sensitive issue.
• The government however needs to deal with promptness and utmost vigour to balance the situation by dialogues, campaigns and debates by involving leaders, stakeholders & state citizens and convincing them about the post benefits of bringing changes.  The debate over the larger interest is the need of the hour which also includes the provisions of Article 370.
• If Jammu and Kashmir is the integral part of India, it should not posses discriminatory provisions with other residents of the country and should adhere the constitutional provisions as a Union of India and not for the small state. The time demands the dynamism in law to do away with the flaws and the citizens of J&K should be the active part of it without having any vested interests.

GS Paper 3: Indian Economy

Q.3) “A more appropriate exchange rate would stimulate exports and dampen imports, just as it would help domestic manufacturing firms to be more competitive.” Upto what extent, this statement is correct from Indian Economy perspective.

Source: http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/Iwsgmu6mIxf1eo0AYABdmL/A-strong-rupee-hurts-the-economy.html

Exchange rate is the value of the currency of one country in terms of another currency. An exchange rate thus has two components, the domestic currency and a foreign currency. Based on exchange rate, a currency can be overvalued or undervalued. Currently, India follows the floating exchange rates unlike the fixed exchange rates in the past most. Currency fluctuations are a natural outcome of the floating exchange rate system that is the norm for most major economies.

With the recent strengthening of the rupee to Rs 63.50 per US dollar and foreign exchange reserves at a record level of $393 billion, the picture looks bright one might claim. It is further believed that rupee will fall to Rs 60 per dollar by end of 2017.This might be a source of joy and pride for a few. But if our object is to stimulate investment, create employment and foster growth, it is a cause for serious concern.

Overvaluation Vs Undervaluation of Rupee:

Overvaluation of the rupee means that its price in terms of foreign currencies is too high compared to what it would be with a more appropriate exchange rate. This makes our exports expensive in foreign markets and our imports cheap in the home market.

Undervaluation of the rupee means the opposite. Its price in terms of foreign currencies is too low, so that it discriminates against imports and in favour of exports.

The exchange rate is a crucial price that determines the amount of rupees earned per dollar of exports and rupees paid per dollar of imports. Thus, it is a determinant of the price competitiveness of exports in world markets and the price competitiveness of imports in the domestic market.

The persistently overvalued exchange rate in India means that the rupee is overpriced. The economy needs a strong exchange rate for confidence, together with high interest rates for profitability, to sustain such portfolio investment. These capital inflows drive prices up in stock markets and add to foreign exchange reserves.

The consequent switch in domestic expenditure from home-produced goods to imports did lead to a contraction in aggregate demand which would have had a dampening impact on economic growth.

Some part of the explanation lies in domestic economic factors such as infrastructure or quality but these have been problems for a long time. The exchange rate of the rupee has been the main culprit in recent years.

First, portfolio investment flows have a significant impact on the exchange rate. If we plot the exchange rate of the rupee on one axis and portfolio investment inflows on the other axis in a graph, for every month in recent years, it is apparent that large inflows lead to an appreciation of the rupee and large outflows lead to a depreciation of the rupee.

The appreciating overvalued rupee erodes the price competitiveness of exports and enhances the price competitiveness of imports, which hurts the profitability of domestic firms and is bound to enlarge the trade deficit. At a macro level, this also leads to a contraction in aggregate domestic demand so that economic growth is slower than it would have been in the absence of an appreciating rupee.

In addition, further tightening of monetary policy at a time when the domestic currency is already unduly strong may exacerbate the problem by attracting more hot money from foreign investors, who are seeking higher yielding investments (which would further push up the domestic currency).

The way forward:

A strong domestic currency exerts a drag on the economy, achieving the same end result as tighter monetary policy (i.e. higher interest rates). It should be imperative to now drop interest rates, which would also help the exchange rate depreciate. Together, these would stimulate investment and revive exports, which in turn will drive economic growth and employment creation from the demand side. The time is also most opportune as the consumer price annual inflation rate has also dropped to 1.5% in June 2017. A holistic approach and a balance in the exchange rates is necessary to avoid multiplier adverse effects in the various sectors of the economy.

GS Paper 4: Ethics & Integrity

Q.4) In India under-utilisation and misutilisation of public funds and their implications is a serious concern. Discuss the role of effective utilization of public funds in meeting development goals. Suggest with examples how public funds can be effectively utilised.

In India, the funds are either underused or misused. The various reasons for this are

–Budgetary allocations-March rush- not properly utilized
-Lack of awareness/reluctance on the part of the bureaucrats, though provisions existing
-Divesting of funds from certain departments to other.
-Following result based approach, neglecting spill-over effects of funding eg: education, health.

-Funds like MPLADS are not properly spent rather used in the next elections for vote-buying
-Not following transparent mechanisms like auctioning in awarding tenders
-Government giving bail out to certain loss-making PSUs

This has serious consequences such as unearthing of lot of scams affects people’s faith in democracy and their tax compliance- because they feel cheated. Due to increase of black money, India is lagging in many human development indicators.

It is very important to ensure that the funds are utilised effectively. This can be done by
1) Promoting transparency in the use of funds.
2) Bringing awareness among people to use RTI mechanism effectively
3) Strengthening ombudsman systems like Lokpal, Lokayukta.
4) Curbing political interference.
5) Audit by independent authorities and CAG to audit those corporate bodies which take substantial amount for projects from Govt.,
6) Curbing lobbying activities.
7) Addressing the issues of red-tapism, nepotism.
8) Better usage of technology and e-governance
9) Target driven approach to bureaucrats in spending and obtaining results.

GS Paper 4: Ethics & Integrity

Q.4) In India under-utilisation and misutilisation of public funds and their implications is a serious concern. Discuss the role of effective utilization of public funds in meeting development goals. Suggest with examples how public funds can be effectively utilised.

GS Paper 3: Indian Economy

Q.3) “A more appropriate exchange rate would stimulate exports and dampen imports, just as it would help domestic manufacturing firms to be more competitive.” Upto what extent, this statement is correct from Indian Economy perspective.

Source: http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/Iwsgmu6mIxf1eo0AYABdmL/A-strong-rupee-hurts-the-economy.html

GS Paper 2: Polity & Governance

Q.2) Do you think Article 35A should be abolished? Critically comment.

Source:

http://www.huffingtonpost.in/2017/08/07/why-its-dangerous-for-the-centre-to-tamper-with-article-35a-in_a_23068270/

http://www.firstpost.com/india/article-35a-apart-a-larger-debate-over-article-370-is-needed-for-permanent-solution-to-kashmir-problem-3907729.html

https://swarajyamag.com/politics/why-article-35-a-has-to-go-and-go-now-

GS Paper 1: World History

Q.1) Industrial Revolution paved the way for new imperialism. Comment.

NCERT

World Geography: GS Paper 1

Q.1) Why Commercial fishing industry of the world concentrated around North America, Europe, Norway & Japan only? What are the geographical factors affecting it?

(a) Plankton availability

• Fishes eat plankton.
• Phytoplankton require sunlight = they can develop well in continental shelves and shallow seas because of Sunlight penetration and minerals from coastal water.
• Planktons reproduce more in cooler waters

(b) Ocean Currents
When cold and hot current meet, there will be lot of planktons, hence lot of fishes.

(c) Fish Market

In the mountainous regions of Asia and Europe, agricultural production is quite low =Fish important source of protein. Example Japan and Norway.

Asia= fish + rice= main diet of many were Asian countries. (because Fish is cheaper than meat)

When Europeans started migrating to North America, most of the early urban settlements were on or near the Eastern coast = ready market for selling fish products.

(d) Coastline

Highly indented coastline provides many sites for harbors and ports

(e) Climate

The cool temperate climate favors large scale commercial fishing, preservation and storage of fish. While tropical areas= hot, moist = fish cannot be stored for long.

(f) Labour

Less cultivable areas. Cold long winters= not good for agriculture= more people switch to fishing hilly terrain =. Eg. Iceland, Japan, Norway.

(f) Fishing Equipment

Since these countries are rich they have mechanized fishing boats and equipment’s.

Polity and Governance: GS Paper 2

Q.2) Critically analyse the status of Surrogacy in India and the key features of the surrogacy Regulation Bill 2016 introduced in the Parliament recently.

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.in/2016/08/24/9-things-you-should-know-about-the-proposed-surrogacy-bill-in-in_a_21457931/

http://indianexpress.com/article/research/karan-johar-surrogate-children-yash-roohi-what-are-the-surrogacy-in-laws-in-india-here-is-everything-you-need-to-know-4555077/

http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/Why-the-Surrogacy-Bill-is-necessary/article14593359.ece

• India is considered to be the commercial market for surrogacy which is being flourished due to cheap availability of labour, absence of proper regulation, world class medical facilities, expertise of Doctors coupled with high international demand.
• India legalised this practice since 2002 with Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) laying down some pro-surrogacy guidelines which inter alia include prohibition of sex-selective surrogacy, requiring birth certificate of the baby to have the names of only the commissioning parents, at least one of the commissioning parents to be a donor, a life insurance cover for surrogate mother and the right to privacy to surrogate mother and the donor.
• However, legislative backing to surrogacy and the legal aspects over it seemed to be rather unclear, unsettled and vague which is being taken as advantage by the doctors and other concerned stakeholders.
• A draft ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology) Bill was formulated in 2010 but never passed as a law. Thus, the result was booming surrogacy industry with lax laws and no enforcements. There were no rules as to how much compensation a surrogate mother should get and can get. They are over-exploited and have turned into baby making machines.
• In this light, Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill 2016 was introduced in Lok Sabha. It has not been passed yet.

Criticism to the Bill:

• By imposing a ban on commercial surrogacy, the bill might do more harm to women than was previously done. The demand for surrogacy is not going to vanish suddenly and the proposed Bill will only result in the creation of an illegal market that might make surrogate mothers more vulnerable to exploitation and without any avenues for legal recourse when contracts are broken.
• The five year time period for a married couple to get surrogate baby, the bar against homosexual or single parents, couple in live-in relationships, foreigners (NRIs), couples with children etc. from getting surrogate baby, and the requirement that the surrogates be altruistic (close female relative) are of arbitrary in nature about this Bill.
• Further, as per Article 14 of the Indian Constitution all citizens are equal before the law. By placing restrictions on the right to have a surrogate child such that it is accorded to heterosexual couples alone, the government has negated the equality that the Constitution guarantees to single parents and homosexuals.
• As the Supreme Court recently recognized live-in relationships, by limiting the option of surrogacy to legally married couples, the government is countering the acceptability of live-in relationships and setting a wrong precedent.
• By proposing to regulate who can apply for surrogacy and who can be a surrogate mother, the government is plunging into an area that will be beset with problems of data verification that will make the Act (if passed) un-implementable.

Conclusion:

• If the intent of the Bill is to protect surrogate mothers and the children born out of surrogacy, then the legislation must provide a legal framework that restricts the exploitation of the surrogates and the children, and penalise those who do not honour contracts.
• The government should ensure that the surrogates are properly counseled about the medical and economic implications of surrogacy. It should also ensure that all surrogacy contracts must mandatorily cover the medical care, hygiene, and nourishment of the surrogates not just during the pregnancy but also in the post-partum period.
• Further, it should act to remove any information asymmetry that encourages the role of middlemen and puts the surrogates at the risk of being cheated.

Indian Economy: GS Paper 3

Q.3) As a premier think-tank of the Government of India, NITI provides critical knowledge, innovation and entrepreneurial support to the country. Critically evaluate the working of NITI Aayog since its inception.

Source: http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/EpV8XyCfKKTdndWWiqrMZL/NITI-Aayog-An-institution-to-fix-implementation-issues.html

https://www.examrace.com/Current-Affairs/NEWS-NITI-Aayog-A-Critical-Appraisal.htm

Hints:
National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog was set up in January 2015 as an autonomous think tank which replaced the erstwhile Planning Commission. The centerpiece of this organization so far has been providing critical knowledge, innovative ideas and entrepreneurial support to the Centre as well as the states in a decentralized bottom up approach. Since its inception, the performance of NITI Aayog in the field of knowledge, innovation and entrepreneurial support has been enumerated below:

Knowledge Economy:

· NITI Aayog has come out with indices to measure incremental annual outcomes in critical social sectors like health, education and water thus fostering competitive and cooperative federalism. E.g. National Composite Water Index, Model land leasing law.

· NITI Aayog has developed the first ever ‘Agriculture Marketing and Farmer Friendly Reforms Index’ to sensitize states about reforms in the three key areas of Agriculture Market Reforms, Land Lease Reforms and Forestry on Private

· Outcome-based Monitoring through ranking and identification of ‘Champion States’ thus promoting competitive Federalism

· NITI Aayog has successfully developed socio-economic upliftment schemes such as Sustainable Action for Transforming Health and Education(SATH)

· A Committee of Chief Ministers on Digital Payments to promote transparency, financial inclusion and a healthy financial ecosystem nationwide.

· Moreover, digital facilitation programs like Lucky Grahak Yojana and the Digi Dhan Vyapar Yojana along with Digi Dhan Melas have contributed to the digital revolution.

Innovation and Entrpreneurship:
· It has contributed to innovation growth by introducing ‘India Innovation Index’

· The Government has set up Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) in NITI Aayog with a view to spur the country’s innovation and entrepreneurship in schools, colleges, and entrepreneurs in general.

· Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) to foster creativity and scientific temper in students of schools across India

· Atal Incubation Centres (AICs) for innovation-entrepreneurship in core sectors such as manufacturing, transport, energy, education, agriculture, water and sanitation etc.

· It has developed short and long term strategic and vision document plans such as ‘3 Years Action Agenda’ and ‘15 Years Vision and Strategy’.

Despite good track records, NITI’s performance is not satisfactory due to following reasons:

· NITI Aayog is biased in favor of Manufacturing and lacks focus towards Agriculture or Services.

· NITI Aayog has not transformed its policies and visions into implementation

· The meeting of Team India under NITI Aayog does not take place often and has no visible results

· NITI Aayog, unlike its predecessor, does not monitor social welfare schemes in states

· Different states suggest that owing to self-ranking by states sans independent review, reforms remain mostly on paper with key concerns remaining unaddressed.

· NITI Aayog does not mention separate plans for women, SC and STs and fund allocation to welfare schemes may get affected. For example, there is a 20 % reduction in gender budgeting.
Way forward:
Giving NITI Aayog a statutory backing will be a good start. The implementation challenges must be dealt with priority. Data being key, Independent agencies could be engaged to collect granular data and design different scenarios. Regulatory Impact Assessments should be undertaken along with independent reviews and audits to identify superior regulatory alternatives. In addition, capacity constraints, inadequate resources, continuous financial backing, performance based incentives and policy cum regulatory clarity is need of the hour.

It would be premature to write off NITI Aayog and given time and persistence, it can metamorphose into an organization that can truly REFORM, PERFORM and TRANSFORM India.

Ethics & Integrity: GS paper 4

Q.4) While visiting a red light area in the heart of a metropolitan city, which is often known for several illegal activities besides flesh trade, a District Magistrate is appalled by the plight of the sex workers. He wants to do something for the uplift of the sex workers, but finds that there are many powerful vested interests which would make the task impossible. Some of his colleagues advise him that he should desist from putting his hand into the matter otherwise his peace and calm would be disturbed. He cannot do anything to change an age old practice and he should accept his helplessness.

The District Magistrate is clueless what to do. What course of action on his part do you suggest for him and why?

Hints:

Such red light areas in developed and developing countries are thriving from ages and it reflects on the socioeconomic conditions and moralities of male dominated societies predominantly found in the world. The plight of the workers at such places questions the basic aspects of humanity.

The civil servant should intervene to improve the lives of sex workers at two levels- first implementing the rules stringently on the prohibition of sex trade and secondly, even after that, if practice continues, providing protection to their lives and dignity on the one hand and clinical and medical support for their well being on the other with the help of government agencies as well as non-government agencies is possible.

He should understand that flesh trade is a business for the underworld and since there is money and muscle power with those who manage this trade and they have police and political backing as well.

So, taking a moral and ethical stand would create many problems for the civil servant but taking steps according to the rule of the law is the right course.

There is one more issue that if the girls pushed into red light areas, have livelihood issues, it will be a good effort from a District Magistrate to give them vocational education and create skills among them and by and by suitably facilitate them in getting employment through government welfare programmes, rather than directly clashing with the vested interests.

It will not be described as fear on the part of the District Magistrate, but a practical and smart move- addressing the problem at the root is always a better option and it silently changes the scenario.

Ethics & Integrity: GS paper 4

Q.4) While visiting a red light area in the heart of a metropolitan city, which is often known for several illegal activities besides flesh trade, a District Magistrate is appalled by the plight of the sex workers. He wants to do something for the uplift of the sex workers, but finds that there are many powerful vested interests which would make the task impossible. Some of his colleagues advise him that he should desist from putting his hand into the matter otherwise his peace and calm would be disturbed. He cannot do anything to change an age old practice and he should accept his helplessness.

The District Magistrate is clueless what to do. What course of action on his part do you suggest for him and why?

Indian Economy: GS Paper 3

Q.3) As a premier think-tank of the Government of India, NITI provides critical knowledge, innovation and entrepreneurial support to the country. Critically evaluate the working of NITI Aayog since its inception.

Source: http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/EpV8XyCfKKTdndWWiqrMZL/NITI-Aayog-An-institution-to-fix-implementation-issues.html

https://www.examrace.com/Current-Affairs/NEWS-NITI-Aayog-A-Critical-Appraisal.htm

Polity and Governance: GS Paper 2

Q.2) Critically analyse the status of Surrogacy in India and the key features of the surrogacy Regulation Bill 2016 introduced in the Parliament recently.

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.in/2016/08/24/9-things-you-should-know-about-the-proposed-surrogacy-bill-in-in_a_21457931/

http://indianexpress.com/article/research/karan-johar-surrogate-children-yash-roohi-what-are-the-surrogacy-in-laws-in-india-here-is-everything-you-need-to-know-4555077/

http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/Why-the-Surrogacy-Bill-is-necessary/article14593359.ece

World Geography: GS Paper 1

Q.1) Why Commercial fishing industry of the world concentrated around North America, Europe, Norway & Japan only? What are the geographical factors affecting it?

GS Paper 1: World History

Q.1) Explain How Second World war gave a boost to the process of Decolonization?

NCERT

GS Paper 2: Polity and Governance

Q.2) How do you think the RTE should be amended to improve learning outcome?

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/mVZ1aJ6jGe3zUTHa8gND6O/RTEs-heart-is-in-the-right-placebut-not-its-head.html

https://thewire.in/121455/rte-implementation-sonipat-haryana/

GS Paper 3: Science & Technology

Q.3) Discuss the need for Human DNA profiling bill and concerns associated with this bill?

Sources: http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/6wGBEP2ThTvjzT4175jVOO/Is-profiling-in-Indias-DNA.html

http://www.hindustantimes.com/analysis/here-s-why-we-need-a-lot-more-discussion-on-india-s-new-dna-profiling-bill/story-CojTDv2vfMMMBsW0CaLxIP.html

GS Paper 4: Ethics & Integrity

Q.4)   You are the in charge of women welfare in a government organization. There comes a case of molestation against a very senior officer by a woman employee in your office. In view of the fact that these days molestation charges are levied against many upright officers by the instigation of peers due to rivalry or by women workers who are not allowed undue advantages with regard to punctuality, promotion and annual performance evaluation, you as a woman welfare officer need to be extra cautious in judgment.

As an upright woman government officer what are the moral and professional issues that you would like to enquire during the process of enquiry against the officer charged with the allegation of molestation. Give reasons.