Author: Explains

GS1 (World History)

The 2008 financial crisis has been called the greatest challenge to the world economy since the 1930 Great Depression. What was the Great Depression? What were its effects on the world, politically, socially, economically?

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GS2 ( Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant
provisions and basic structure)

What do you understand by the concept of freedom of speech and expression? What is its status in India today?

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Freedom of speech and expression is the ability to express oneself without fear or favour through any communicable medium.
The right to freedom of speech and expression is a fundamental right enshrined in our Constitution under Article 19(1)(a).
It is an important pillar of democracy. Though fundamental, it is subjected to reasonable restrictions given under Article 19(2) which includes sovereignty and integrity of the country, public order, morality or decency, incitement to an offence, etc..
Like Art 21, Art 19(1)(a) too has some implicit rights as given by Supreme court of India like right to silence, right to dissent and right to information (until 2005).
Its violation is also expressed in the form of sedition (IPC Sec124A) and defamation cases(IPC Sec 499, 500). For example, Perumal Murugan and Aseem Trivedi cases.
The Court has held ambivalent relationship with freedom of expression. For instance, in the Shriya Singhal case, the SC struck down Sec 66A of IT Act, 2000 for violating Art 19(1)(a). And, recently the Bombay HC upheld right to reputation over right to expression.
Today, freedom of speech and expression is threatened because of
# archaic laws (sedition, defamation) that are largely undemocratic
# imperfections in judicial system especially lower judiciary
# rise of emergency politics (since Ayodhya and Mandal agitations)
# declining tolerance in political sphere that dissent is seen as sedition
This indicates an urgent need to inculcate democratic values deeply. With the support of Supreme court, certain ambiguous terms in the archaic laws can be demystified.

GS4 (Ethics)

The Supreme Court recently asked the government to end sterilisation camps. Is it ethical to have a population control measure which affects the more vulnerable section of society?

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Recently in parts of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, many women died in a sterilization camp, which exposed population control drive and invited sharp criticism from various sections of society including SC.
Ethical behavior of government is determined by its values. Values in Indian system include democracy, socialism and sovereign.
Democracy: litmus test of democracy is how a government treats its most vulnerable citizen.
Socialism: Resources have to share between every section of the society as far as possible, tribal people get least of the share of government spending, therefore it is cruel to blame them for rise depleting resources.
Sovereign: people are sovereign. Even if sterilization is the only way, they need to properly accommodate these camps. Death is unacceptable.
Cruelty on women: most women agree because of economic crisis, family and social pressure, why would somebody want to do an operation for not having a baby when there are many other options available
India has a population growth rate of 1.7%, 2.1 NRR (net reproduction rate), this is equivalent to stable population, population is growing because of population momentum and further decrease will dynamically change population equations.
Education, social, economic inclusion is a genuine way to control population but is hard to achieve.
Sterilization and death because of it is not just ethical wrong, it is needless and a serious threat to environment, traditional values. These tribal people protect our environment, killing tribal women is wiping out entire population.

GS3 (Government Budgeting)

A no. of changes have been proposed to the way the Union budget is prepared or presented. These changes are set to be implemented over the next few years. Elucidate.

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GS I (The Freedom Struggle – its various stages and important contributors or contributions from different parts of the country)

Besides the freedom fighters in India, many Indians in other parts of the world made important contributions to our struggle for freedom. Discuss these people and their contributions.

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GS I (Geography) (Duplex)

What is sea floor spreading?  Explain with the evidences in support of it. Describe link between it and the Plate Tectonic Theory

Demand-

Static Question.  Define sea floor spreading with evidence. Last part, define relation between both theories.

Approach-

– Define & explain sea floor spreading. Provide evidences in support (3+4 marks)

– Explain relation between two- Seafloor spreading helps explain continental drift in the theory of plate tectonics (3 marks)

 

GS II (Representation of People Acts) (Duplex)

The Representation of People Acts (RPA) of 1950 and 1951 form the foundation of electoral democracy in India. Elucidate the limitations RPAs & measures required to strengthen it.

Demand-

RPA provisions need to be known and how it has helped electoral democracy. Bring its general limitations and solutions to improve it.

Approach-

– RPA 1950 and 1951 provisions which has strengthen electoral democracy (3 marks)

– Limitations ( 3 marks)

– Measures and challenges (4 marks)

 

GS III (Issues relating to intellectual property rights) (Hattrick)

New Intellectual Property Rights Policy 2016, designed to strengthen India’s IPR regime “to foster creativity and innovation,” indicates that it has put the interests of intellectual property owners, or global capital above that of public. Critically examine.

Demand-

– Private sector organisations in the US such as the US Chamber of Commerce’s Global Intellectual Property Center (GIPC) consider it as weak and ineffectual.

– In its IP index, India’s IPR score is only 7.05 out of 30, while it is 10.41 for Brazil, 12.64 for China, 13.06 for Russia, and 28.61 in the case of US

Approach-

– Explain the Property rights policy of India in brief. Try to quote few objectives (2 marks)

– One side-Many commentators are of the view that India’s TRIPS Agreement (Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights) compliant patent regime is quite adequate for balancing the interests of both inventors of new technologies and its users.

Other side- The pharmaceutical multinational corporations (MNCs) and the government of the United States (US) have been extremely critical of India’s IPR regime. Explain both sides (6 marks)

-Challenges and way ahead (2 marks)

 

GS IV (Ethics) (Hattrick)

What is meant by environmental ethics? Why is it important to study? Discuss any one environmental issue from the view point of environmental ethics ?

Demand-

–  Ethics that studies the relation of human beings and the environment and how ethics play a role in this.

Approach-

–          Environmental ethics believe that humans are a part of society as well as other living creatures, which includes plants and animals. These items are a very important part of the world and are considered to be a functional part of human life.

-Give example- Global warming, global climate change, deforestation, pollution, resource degradation, threat of extinction are few of the issues from which our planet is suffering. With environmental ethics, you can ensure that you are doing your part to keep the environment safe and protected.

GS IV (Ethics) (Hattrick)

What is meant by environmental ethics? Why is it important to study? Discuss any one environmental issue from the view point of environmental ethics ?

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Kunal Aggarwal wrote the best answer for this question and got a score of 4/10. The answer is being reproduced below for everyone’s convenience. Of course these answers can always be improved. (Best answer  of a particular only involves those given on that day, later answers may not have been checked)

Environmental ethics refers to the values attached with environment. It studies the moral relationship of humankind with its environment. Environment plays an important role by
– providing resources
– sustaining life
– waste management

It is important to study environment ethics as it brings us closer and the help us understand the relationship. It will help in many ways:
– Provide better quality living to current generation
– Protect environment for future generation through regulated use of environment
– It will help spread awareness among people and thus protect the environment
– It sustains other species as well which is moral responsibility of one species i.e. humankind towards all others

Excessive global warming has come out to be major problem and is impacting the lives of everyone across the globe. We have violated our moral responsibilities towards environment by:
– Cutting forests indiscriminately on large scale
– Releasing green house gases in atmosphere for industrial products
– Excessive use of fossil fuels like coal, petrol etc

These raise major ethical issues for humankind:
– Responsibility towards other species: Extinction of species due to excessive warming, change in monsoon pattern is also impacting them. Their natural habitat has been destroyed to high extent.
– Responsibility towards other humankind: It impacts poor indiscriminately and people from other countries who are not responsible for it are also impacted. Food quality and quantity is also at risk because of increased global warming.

GS III (Issues relating to intellectual property rights) (Hattrick)

New Intellectual Property Rights Policy 2016, designed to strengthen India’s IPR regime “to foster creativity and innovation,” indicates that it has put the interests of intellectual property owners, or global capital above that of public. Critically examine.

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GS II (Representation of People Acts) (Duplex)

The Representation of People Acts (RPA) of 1950 and 1951 form the foundation of electoral democracy in India. Elucidate the limitations RPAs & measures required to strengthen it.

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Narayana Sarma wrote the best answer for this question and got a score of 5.5/10. The answer is being reproduced below for everyone’s convenience. Of course these answers can always be improved. (Best answer  of a particular only involves those given on that day, later answers may not have been checked)

With an aim of ensuring free and fair elections, the parliament enacted The Representation of People Acts 1950 and 1951. The former deals with the seats allocation, delimitation of constituencies, voters’ qualifications whereas the latter deals with the conduct of elections, qualification and disqualification of contestants, election offences primarily. In following ways, the RPA of 1950 has strengthened the electoral democracy:
-It mandates the ‘direct election’ for Lok Sabha, making the system of election understandable by commons
-No person can be registered in electoral rolls of 2 or more consituencies
Similarly, the RPA of 1951 has ensured strong foundation of electoral democracy in following ways:
-It provides that only an elector can be a representative in parliament
-Provisions advocating stringent disqualification norms. Eg: A person sent to jail for atleast 2 years will be disqualified to contest elections for 6 years after his release.
-Confers enormous power on Election Commission of India. Eg: From acceptance of nominations to counting, if at all any enquiry arises, Election Commission can act as a civil court issuing summons
-Declaration of assets of elected candidates within 90 days
-Mandating the maintenance of account of election expenses
However, it does have some limitations in the form of loopholes, some of which are given below:
-It fails to make excessive/under-assessed campaign expenditure an offence
-Section 77 of the RPA of 1951 deals with expenditure of candidate and not political party, in whose name large expenses are made. This leads to under-assessment of campaign expenditure.
-Section 29B of the RPA of 1951 allows candidates to accept unlimited contribution from non government company/non-foriegn individuals and these are unaccounted
-Does not address the less popular contestants who lack funding
-No statutory backing for powers of ECI
-It prohibits poll campaign only in poll-bound area, allowing a candidate to carry out campaign via video conferencing from a different location
-Doesn’t address the opinion polls advertised by news channels
Some solutions proposed are
-Video monitoring of campaigns, cyber squad to curb under-assessment of physical and virtual campaign expenditure respectively
-Making amendments to remove loophole sections such as 29B and 77
-Researching on the feasibility of state funding to ensure fair and inclusive competition
However, the recent proposal to introduce totalizers, which makes booth wise results unavailable to curb harassment of political parties, is a step forward in strengthening electoral democracy.

GS I (Geography) (Duplex)

What is sea floor spreading?  Explain with the evidences in support of it. Describe link between it and the Plate Tectonic Theory.

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The fine line between censorship and moral responsibility.

Instructions: Write the following essay in 1000-1200 words.

GS IV (Ethics) (Duplex)

Is ethics important, especially in the public administration setting of a democracy? Is exercising power for the benefit of the supporters of the persons in power appropriate ethically for a public administrator in a democracy?

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Ethics refers to the guide of write or wrong in a situation. It is imperative to all parts of democracy including public administration. The reasons for its importance in public administration are:
->Public administration is interface to people in democracy. Ethical administration will generate social capital and trust.
-> Ethics in Public administration will ensure transparency, accountability and efficiency.
-> Many problems like corruption, maladministration, loss in exchequer can be reduced by ethical behavior.
->It’ll enhance the credibility of government and two-way relationship, which are foundation of democracy.
->Overall, ethics in public administration will help the lower section of society, thus in tandem with concept of welfare state.
Exercising power for supporters is unethical in administration, as it results in nepotism and favoritism. e.g commonwealth contracts scam.
It is loss of both public and government. This is also a condition of “conflict of interest”, which can have grave consequences including corruption. An ethical public administrator never uses power for his supporters, and follows the values of objectivity, honesty and non-partisanship, which are inherent to ethical behavior in public administration.

GS III (Internal Security) (Hattrick)

Do you think that maritime terrorism is major threat to India ? Discuss.

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That India has a long coastline and has a strategic location in Indian Ocean itself calls for robust maritime security mechanism as our economy is also dependent on maritime trade. There are threats like:
1. Terror attacks (e.g. Mumbai 2008)
2. Piracy in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea(e.g. Somalian piracy)
3. Recent Chinese interventions in Pakistan(i.e. Gwadar Port) can have a diplomatic disadvantage for us.
4. Western presence in the Indian Ocean can undermine our influence in the region.

INITIATIVES+ WAY FORWARD:
1. Setting up of marine police stations along the coast(synergy between Centre and coastal States required).
2. Better coordination between coast guard and Indian Navy coupled with their upgradation.(recent commissioning of Patrol and Naval vessels is a good step)
3. Coordination between countries surrounding the Indian Ocean,Arabian Sea etc. via various fora like IORA,BIMSTEC etc. or through war exercises like VARUNA,MALABAR etc.
4. Usage of Space technology can be used.
5. Issue of ID cards to fishermen and training them to report any unusual activity in the waters.

GS II (Governance, Health sector) (Hattrick)

The use of technology has the potential to revolutionize the health sector administration in India. Discuss critically giving appropriate examples.

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The increased public spending on India’s health sector has seen no improved returns. This is due to the lack of wide-reaching and inefficient healthcare services. The infusion of technology in health sector administration could largely improve the present scenario. It is important, since improved healthcare implies a better economic growth and development. Some proposed technologies are as follows:
-Digitizing the medical records of patients to effectively track their health status
-Development of handheld devices or applications usable on them, which can perform multiple tests and provide results along with suggested treatments and information of suitable doctors Eg: 1). Swasthya plate, developed by an Indian, is a tablet which can measure and provide ECG results, urine protein level instantly 2). Installation of heart sensors in today’s premium mobiles.
-Applications which can provide alternative medicines with equivalent composition at lower prices instead of prescribed ones. Due to higher prices, patients often do not buy medicines
-Releasing a doctor-mapping tool, which could help patients in finding nearby doctors and thus fix appointment without going to hospital/clinic
-Establishment of a communication network for purposes like healthcare counselling, insurance claims and so on
-Globalized network of doctors/specialists, who can be contacted immediately in complex and special cases
However, there are some challenges in implementing technology in health sector as follows:
-Availing the technology is not possible without internet
-Security of patient’s digital record if compromised, could show his weakness
-The handheld devices and applications should be affordable so that poor patients are not left out
-The toll-free numbers for healthcare counselling is needed to encourage people to utilize it
However, despite such challenges, Government, is implementing the technology in healthcare sector in following ways:
-Kilkari, Mother Child Tracking System (MCTS) based on mobile, suggests appropriate measures for a pregnant woman at appropriate times
-Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTBCP) and an IT enabled tool to quit using tobacco (M-cessation), have a toll-free network to get health advices
-Transfer of technology from countries like Japan which have better supply chain management through programmes like Make in India
A required step is that there should be a focus on technology while preparing National Health Policy.
The above discussion shows that, technology, though has a potential to revolutionize the health sector administration, has to be affordable and accessible for an inclusive impact.

GS I (The Freedom Struggle – its various stages and important contributors or contributions from different parts of the country) (Duplex)

Patriotic writings proliferated almost spontaneously in different languages, as the resistance of a community against foreign rule. Analyse the birth of the novel  associated with the social reform-oriented movement of the 19th century.

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The Indian freedom movement happened at the just the right time. There were many factors that aided our independence and none so much more than lowering of barrier entry in writings in the new form of novels. In this regard we realise the important of spreading ideas through the medium of the written language. Earlier the medium of writing and reading, being structured and poetic was reserved for the rich and high classes. The novel introduced a kind of informal way of expression that was accessible to the masses. So, Bengali writers like Rangalal, Urdu writers like Mirza Ghalib, and Hindi writers like Harishchandra wrote novels that instilled the readers with the homeland fervour and did much to raise the collective patriotic voices of the people.

For the first time after two centuries of British rule and British account of Indian history, we had Indian writers providing their account of a glorious Indian past. Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, Hari Narayan Apte and others wrote historical novels that gave veins to nationalistic pride. Our national song ‘Bande Mataram’ is famously from Bankim Chatterjee’s novel ‘Anandamath’. The song is recognised by all to be an important slogan in India’s struggle for independence.

GS IV (lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders) (Simplex) (Analytical)

Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace.  Discuss.

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Humans are blessed with the ABILITY to use their MINDS, THINK and ACT accordingly. There needs to a perfect coordination between what a person thinks, speaks and how he acts.

Buddha taught us the concept of RIGHT SPEECH which tells a person to abstain from LIES and lead a TRUTHFUL life. But in this contemporary era of materialism, people prefer sweet lies, rather than bitter truth.

“Words are mightier than a sword.” This highlights the importance of words. One should be CAREFUL with the words he uses, they might hit the wrong chords and create disharmony. Delivering HATE SPEECHES carelessly by political leaders has become a trend, but those aggressive words carry the potential to break violence and disturb SOCIAL HARMONY.

Instead, the leaders should realise their RESPONSIBILITIES and make efforts to use such a language which will reduce tension and anger.

During ELECTION CAMPAIGNS, political parties make numerous promises to lure voters. But they hardly stick to what they say. Hence, they lose FAITH and CREDIBILITY which people show in them.

It takes COURAGE for a person to stand by what he says. He should think twice before making promises and giving statements. Because once the words are spoken, they cannot be taken back. Words should be meant to promote goodwill and peace.

GS III (Economics) (Hattrick)
What are Panama & Bahamas papers? What is the connection with India? Add a note on tax heavens.

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Tax havens are those countries which have very low taxation rates sometimes coupled with secrecy w.r.t financial transactions,account holders etc. under their jurisdiction. On this account they attract a large no of foreign companies as well as huge amount of capital as well.
Countries like Mauritius,Panama,Switzerland are some of the major tax havens of the world.
Panama papers refer to the documents recently surfaced in Panama showing the wealth(mostly unaccounted for) of prominent personalities stashed in the banks of Panama.
Major Indian industrialists, celebrities too figure in them.
IMPACT ON INDIA:
1. Majority of this money in laundered.
2. This promotes the problem of Base Erosion and Profit Shifting(Apple v/s EU case)
3. Creation of a parallel black economy since this money comes back in the form of FDI,FII thus destabilizing the economy.
4. Robs the state of its rightful share of taxation
5. Raise the question on the taxation laws.
6. Deterioation of bilateral relation.
WAY FORWARD:
1. Strengthening of Financial Action Task Force.
2. Synergy and information sharing at diplomatic levels and tax authorities.
3. Better implementation of laws(PMLA act) and powers to agencies like ED which probes such cases.
4. Regulators like SEBI should also be empowered to deal with black money.

GS II (India and Neighbourhood) (Hattrick)

US lawmakers move bill to designate Pakistan as a terrorist state. What will be the impact on India ? Critically examine.  Do you think war with Pakistan can resolve the terrorism issue?

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The U.S. lawmakers have moved the Pakistan State Sponsor of Terrorism Designation Act of 2016 calling upon the administration to provide a report on whether or not Pakistan qualifies as such under various U.S. laws. The bill may be largely symbolic given the current Congress is in the final lap of its term, however, it is bound to impact India.
Over the past three decades, India has been at the receiving end of Pakistan’s statecraft of terrorists and Uri attack is the latest provocation. Previous diplomatic approaches by India have failed to be effective. U.S.’ move has paved way to isolate Pakistan internationally. Given the worldwide intolerance for terrorism, fear of islamist radicals and spreading of ISIS as well as Pakistan’s attitude towards terrorism, India can make some headway in this direction. This will convey a stern message to Pakistan to put an end to state sponsored terrorism and will also further India’s relationship with U.S.
However, this is not a full-proof option as in the past, India has faced difficulties with moving the U.N. Comprehensive Convention of International Terrorism. There is also a threat of internationalising the Kashmir dispute. Pakistan-China relations as well as growing proximity of Russia and Pakistan will also prove to be a hurdle. The move can also create an impasse between India and Pakistan leaving no amicable options open for the future.
War with Pakistan is not the solution and the earlier wars are evidence enough. It will only adversely impact the social and economic development of both the states and will also provide third parties, like China, an option to take undue advantage of the situation. Furthermore, the Indian forces are short of vital equipments to go for an all out war with Pakistan.
The way forward is to have a long term strategic policy on cross border terrorism as well as a comprehensive national policy to deal with domestic diplomacy. India needs to strengthen its efforts to garner international support and solve the issue diplomatically.

GS I (Earthquake) (Duplex)

Nearly 59 per cent of India’s land area is vulnerable to moderate or severe earthquakes.  It shows how out of the total 304 million households in the country, about 95 per cent are vulnerable to earthquakes in different degrees. Discuss.

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An earthquake, in simple words, is the shaking of earth due to release of tremendous energy from crust. This is called tectonic earthquake. The tremendous energy is released when two plates moving in opposite direction, overcome the friction resisting their movements. The Indian plate is moving at a speed of 1 cm per year towards north and northeast direction. This movement when obstructed by the Eurasian plate causes an earthquake. Earthquake’s intensity refers to the severity of the shake, measured in a descriptive ‘Mercalli scale.’ Earthquake’s magnitude is the quantitative measure of earthquake size at the source, measured using ‘Richter scale.’ The government has classified the earthquake prone zones into following five categories:
-Very high damage risk zone Eg: Western Himachal Pradesh, Indo-Nepal border, Kashmir valley, Gujarat especially Kucchh
-High damage risk zone Eg: Areas other than very high damage zones in Jammu and Kashmir, western Uttar Pradesh, northern Bihar
-Moderate damage risk zone Eg: Western coastal plains along Kerala, Maharashtra
-Low damage risk zone Eg: Tamil Nadu
-Very low damage risk zone Eg: Peninsular plateau, which is considered most stable
It should be noted that the state of Gujarat, a very high damage risk zone suffered a massive 7.9 magnitude earthquake in 2001.
Some of the impacts of earthquakes are:
-Loss of life and property
-Disruption of usual daily chores such as transportation, communication etc.
-Food and water crisis which may lead to violence and protests
However the damage can be mitigated by
-Having earthquake proof buildings
-Shifting to low risk zones
-Avoidance of loss of life and property through responsive measures such as deployment of Disaster Management Forces
-Sharing of technology proposed by Yokohama strategy, and establishing earthquake monitoring centres
-Following the model of Japan, which is very frequently hit by earthquakes, yet sustains and moves forward

The release of a seismic zoning map by the Government of India, is a step forward in this direction.