NOTE: Please remember that following ‘answers’ are NOT ‘model answers’. They are NOT synopsis too if we go by definition of the term. What we are providing is content that both meets demand of the question and at the same time gives you extra points in the form of background information.
Topic: Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc.,
1. What is floodplain ecosystem? Discuss the benefits offered by floodplains of India. What are the various threats to floodplains and ways to protect and restore them. (250 words)
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1 and mentioned as part of Mission-2023 Secure timetable.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the floodplain ecosystem, its benefits, threat it faces and ways to restore it.
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you must debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You must give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Begin by defining floodplain ecosystem.
First, write the benefits offered by floodplain ecosystem – support rich ecosystems and provide critically important benefits to people, including the largest freshwater fisheries in the world. Cite examples
Next, write about the various threats faced by them.
Next, write about ways to protect and restore the flood plain ecosystem of India.
Conclude by writing a way forward.
A floodplain is a generally flat area of land next to a river or stream. It stretches from the banks of the river to the outer edges of the valley. A floodplain consists of two parts. The first is the main channel of the river itself, called the floodway. Beyond the floodway is the flood fringe. The flood fringe extends from the outer banks of the floodway to the bluff lines of a river valley.
Benefits offered by floodplains of India
Topic: Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc.,
2. Examine the reasons behind rising instances of forest fires in India. What measures are needed to mitigate the adverse impacts of forest fires? (250 words)
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1 and mentioned as part of Mission-2023 Secure timetable.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about causes of forest fires in India and measures need to mitigate them.
Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must investigate the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications.
Start by defining forest fires and statistic regarding rising instances of forest fires in India.
Draw a small illustrative diagram showing major forest fire prone areas.
Discuss first the reasons of forest fires; Thunderstorms are the most likely natural cause for forest fires. Slash and burn techniques etc. The reasons are mainly manmade, particularly in cases where people visit forests and leave burning bidis, cigarette stubs or other inflammable materials.
Next, explain the concerns posed by it. Explain why they are difficult to control.
Next, discuss the efforts that are needed to be taken in this direction.
Forest fires are considered as one of the most widespread hazards in a forested landscape. They have a serious threat to forest and its flora and fauna. Forest fires essentially are ‘quasi-natural’, which means that they are not entirely caused by natural reasons (like volcanoes, earthquakes and tropical storms), but are caused by human activities as well. In India’s case, a combination of hot weather, oxygen and dry vegetation is a potent recipe for forest fires.
A fire has engulfed a vast expanse of forest area in West Bengal’s Purulia district recently, according to officials of the forest department. The laze has spread rapidly in the forested areas of Joychandi, Garpanchakot, Bandoan, Baranti and Ayodhya hills. Some of these areas are in the reserved forest category.
Forest fires: A regular phenomenon in India
Reasons for Increasing frequency of forest fires
Measures to control forest fires
It is important to prevent the lungs of the nation from ravages of fire. With climate change and global warming on the rise, India must prevent human-made disaster to ensure our carbon sinks are protected.
Topic: Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.
3. The frequent promulgation of ordinances and subverting the legislative process is detrimental for a constitutional democracy. Analyse. (250 words)
In PRS India’s latest report, Kerala stood out for promulgating the maximum number of ordinances in 2021. While the state passed 144 ordinances, the national average (of all states) was five. Of the 144, as many as 53 were new ordinances.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the rationale behind extension of ordinance making power of the executives in our country and how this power has been often misused, its impact.
Analyse – When asked to analyse, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them in a summary.
Start the answer by citing article 123 of the constitution.
First, write about the rationale and need behind ordinances in the country.
Next, Explain the issues and concerns associated – the point of promulgation and repromulgation. Present the court judgments in this aspect to defend your side, explain the concerns in detail with recent examples.
Next, write about the negative impact of ordinance raj and ways to prevent it.
Conclude by writing a way forward.
In a parliamentary democracy such as India, the ordinance promulgation power is supposed to be used as an exception and not as a matter of course. The constitutional scheme exists to ensure accountability of the political executive to the elected legislature.
In PRS India’s latest report, Kerala stood out for promulgating the maximum number of ordinances in 2021. While the state passed 144 ordinances, the national average (of all states) was five. Of the 144, as many as 53 were new ordinances.
Misuse of ordinance making power:
Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
4. What are the changes introduced by the Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022 for the purposes of identification and investigation of criminal matters. Do you think its violative of Right to Privacy as well as Equality? Critically Examine. (250 words)
Reference: The Hindu , prsindia.org
The Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022 provides legal sanction to law enforcement agencies for “taking measurements of convicts and other persons for the purposes of identification and investigation of criminal matters”. While the legislation was enacted earlier this year, the Ministry of Home Affairs notified it to come into effect from August 4, 2022. It also repeals the existing Identification of Prisoners Act, 1920.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022, changes introduced by it and if it is violative of right to privacy of and equality.
Critically examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we have to look into the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a fair judgment.
Start the answer by citing aims behind enactment of Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022
First, write about the major changes introduced by Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022 as compared to Identification of Prisoners Act, 1920.
Next, critically examine if this Act is violation of right to privacy and to what extent.
Next, critically examine if this Act is violation of right to equality and to what extent.
Conclude by writing a way forward to ensure rights are not violated.
The Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022 provides legal sanction to law enforcement agencies for “taking measurements of convicts and other persons for the purposes of identification and investigation of criminal matters”. While the legislation was enacted earlier this year, the Ministry of Home Affairs notified it to come into effect from August 4, 2022. It also repeals the existing Identification of Prisoners Act, 1920.
Need for changes with change in time
Violative of Right to Privacy and Equality
The Central government has responded to the criticisms of the law stating that privacy and data protection related concerns will be addressed in the Rules formulated under the legislation and through model Prison Manuals that States can refer to.
The immediate future of this law is unclear. A writ petition has been filed challenging the constitutionality of the law before the Delhi High Court. The court has issued notice to the Central government for filing a reply.
Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.
5. In order to sustain the growth of ‘Unicorns’ in the country, it is pertinent to have a right regulatory direction and policy support to ensure they realise their potential amidst the hype. Examine. (250 words)
Five start-ups — PayTM Mall, Snapdeal, Hike, Shopclues and Quikr -are no longer unicorns, with their valuation falling below $1 billion. The total number of unicorns may, therefore, have reduced to 103 now.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about potential benefits proper regulation and policy support to sustain Unicorns to the Indian economy.
Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must investigate the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications.
Begin by defining a Unicorn and give context about the rapid rise of unicorns in India in 2021-22.
First, in brief, give reasons for the unicorn boom in India.
Next, write about the need for proper regulatory mechanism – mention the issues these unicorns face, policy based, scrutiny based, compliance based etc.
Next, write about facilitating policy support for start-ups to turn Unicorns and sustain that position. Also, add the need to avoid hype and ensure that the potential is realised with respect to job creation, growth, technological advancement, valuation etc.
Conclude with a way forward.
In the venture capital industry, the term unicorn refers to any startup that reaches the valuation of $1 billion. The term was first coined by venture capitalist Aileen Lee in 2013. Mostly, all the unicorns have brought a disruption in the field they belong to. Uber, for example, changed the way people commuted. Airbnb changed the way people planned their stay while travelling and Snapchat disrupted the usage of the social media network etc.
India’s tally of unicorns has reached 100 recently, which was told by PM in Mann ki Baat.
Current issues in unicorn growth
Steps that have aided in the growth of Unicorns in India
Measures to boost unicorn growth
By providing the “minicorns” (a start-up with $1 million-plus valuation) and “soonicorns” (funded by angel investors or venture capitalists and likely to soon join the unicorn club) the right regulatory ambience and local sources of funding, India can create a truly innovative and resilient economy.
With the ecosystem in place and the resilience of the industry apparent amid the pandemic, innovators and entrepreneurs are thus braced for a promising journey to create hundreds of Indian unicorns in the near future.
Topic: Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing.
6. The Public Distribution System (PDS) of India plays a crucial role in reducing food insecurity by acting as a safety net by distributing essentials at a subsidised rate. Elaborate on the reforms needed to PDS supply chain in the country. (250 words)
Reference: The Hindu , Insights on India
The government on Thursday said nearly 6.83 lakh tonnes (lt) of fortified rice has been distributed under the Public Distribution System (PDS) in the second phase beginning April this year.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the PDS, its role reforms that are needed.
Elaborate – Give a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the context. You must be defining key terms wherever appropriate and substantiate with relevant associated facts.
Begin by giving context of PDS and its role in delivery of food grains.
In the first part, mention the various bottlenecks, limitations and the shortcomings with respect to PDS in India. Cite statistics and reports to substantiate your points.
Next, write about the steps that are required to ensure a seamless supply chain to overcome hunger and malnutrition.
Conclude with a way forward.
The Public Distribution System (PDS) is an Indian food security system which evolved as a system for distribution of food grains at affordable prices and management of emergency situations. It distributes subsidized food and non-food items to India’s poor. This scheme was launched in June 1947. It functions through a network of Fair Price Shops at a subsidized price on a recurring basis.
The government recently said nearly 6.83 lakh tonnes (lt) of fortified rice has been distributed under the Public Distribution System (PDS) in the second phase beginning April this year.
PDS Reforms undertaken by Government
PDS has helped bring about the socio-economic justice by helping alleviate hunger, malnutrition, anaemia among poorest of the poor, BPL citizens, women and children. The use of ICT to reduce the touch-points will further increase the efficiency of PDS.
7. As the Chief Project Officer, you have been given an emergency grant for re-construction of the bridge that collapsed due to recent flash floods in the area surrounding Malgudi. Although it is a small project for you but it is vital one as it is a sole way in and out of the rural hamlet of Malgudi. After the collapse, people of Malgudi are forced to navigate the river in an un-safe means for reaching to jobs, hospitals and educational institutes etc.
The instruction from the higher ups is to get the project completed at the earliest as well as ensure highest level of quality so that bridge remains strong for a long time irrespective of the weather conditions.
As it is a small project, you need to assign, just one engineer to it. Most of the engineers under you are involved in other major projects and you have two engineers who are relatively less burdened – Mr Swami and Mr Rajam. Both are similar in the quality of work. Mr Swami is known for his honesty and uprightness in the department but his efficiency is low. He has missed many deadlines in the past. On the other hand, Mr Rajam, is a highly efficient worker and known for doing high quality work on time but in the past, he had some allegations of corruption against him and many have complained against his nexus with the contractors.
With the bridge needing to be constructed at the earliest, who will you appoint as the engineer for this project? (250 words)
Start by giving the context of choosing between an effective but dishonest guy or an honest but ineffective individual. Bring out the key stakeholders in the above case study and major ethical dilemmas present.
In the body, analyse the case of Mr Rajam, who is highly productive but integrity is questionable. Bring forward both the short term and long-term consequences of put Mr Rajam in charge of the Malgudi bridge project.
Then take up the case of Mr Swami, who is known for his honesty but is not efficient and prone to missing deadlines. Bring forward both the short term and long-term consequences of put Mr Swami in charge of the Malgudi bridge project.
Follow this up with ethical reasoning and justify who you will choose for the project.
The bridge is the only connection for the hamlet of Malgudi to the outer world. Being the chief Project officer, it is vital that this responsibility is handled with utmost importance and due diligence. The case presents an ethical dilemma of choosing between two engineers, one who is honest but slightly inefficient, the other who is highly efficient yet allegedly corrupt.
Course of action: Appointment of engineer
Despite the demerits in appointing Mr swami, he will be the right choice. As Gandhiji said, “By sowing seeds of babool, one cannot expect rose flowers”. Mr Rajam’s work will be shoddy and will put lots of lives at stake. But with Mr Swami, efficiency can be taken care by myself while I can entrust him with the work without the fear of being misled. Only right means lead to right destination, as per Gandhi. The bridge so built, will be sustainable for a long time to come and benefit the future generations well.
One may think fulfilment of ends is the real reward. Ends will after all justify means. Gandhi maintained a moral means is almost an end in itself because virtue is its own reward. Also, all focus and energies may get disproportionately concentrated on the ends, which is unforeseeable. Gandhi said means are foreseeable, ends are not. Thus, means can be controlled, managed and guaranteed. “If one takes care of the means the end will take care of itself.”
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