TLP2019Phase1GS3

1.CommentuponthetransformationofIndia’splanningphilosophywitnessedinlastdecade.

Introduction:

India’splanningstrategyhasundergonesomemajorreformsinthelastdecade,includingoverhaulofentireplanningorganization,namelyPlanningCommissionanddiscontinuationofbasicplanningschemasforthecountry,five-yearplans.

Body:

Changeswitnessedinplanningphilosophy:

• Bottom-upapproach-FormationofNITIAayoghaschangedthedirectionofplanningprocessfromcentralizeddecisionmakingtodecentralizedoneinvolvinginputsfromthestates.

• Cooperativefederalism-AutonomytostatesinvariousfunctionsincludingfiscalmatterslikeGST.

• Inclusivegrowth-BoosttoMSMEsinsteadofjustheavyindustries,handholdingofinnovativestartups,specialschemesforvariousgroupslikeminorities,backwardclasses,manualscavengersetc.

• Emphasisonsocialjusticethroughdirectintervention-Insteadofsubsidies,focushasshiftedonmoredirectapproacheslikeMGNREGA,directbenefittransfer,Janaushadhiyojana,janarogyayojanaetc.

• Evaluationbasedplanning-Planningoutcomesareevaluatedonayearlybasisandmorefocusongovernanceandtransparency.

• Changedplanningprocess-Insteadoffixedfiveyearplans,long-term,medium-termandshort-termdocumentsonvision,strategyandactionagendahavebeenreleased.

• Protectionofenvironment-Earlierenvironmentwasneglectedintheplanninganddevelopmentprocess,nowitisanimportantelementwherenoprojectcantakeoffwithoutnecessaryenvironmentalaudits.

Conclusion:

Although,planningphilosophyhashadmajorchangesinthepastdecade,stillthebasicproblemslikespreadandqualityofeducation,poverty,unemployment,andstagnant

growthinvarioussectorsdopersist.Itistimetoshowmorepoliticalcommitmentintheproperimplementationofvariousplans.

Bestanswer:LuckyVerma

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2.Whatarethethreeprimarysourcesofgovernmentrevenue.Ineachoftheseareas,suggestvariousmeasurestoincreasethecorpus.

Introduction:

Fordevelopmentalandwelfareworksanddaytodayfunctioning,Governmentrequiresfinancialresources.Theseresourcesarecollectedprimarilyfromthreesourcesviz.DirectTaxrevenue,IndirectTaxrevenueandNontaxrevenue.

Body:

DirectTaxrevenue:

Adirecttaxispaiddirectlybyanindividualororganizationtotheimposingentity.Ataxpayer,forexample,paysdirecttaxestothegovernmentfordifferentpurposes,includingpropertytax,corporatetax,incometaxortaxesonassets,etc.

IndirectTaxrevenue:

Anindirecttaxiscollectedbyoneentityinthesupplychain(usuallyaproducerorretailer)andpaidtothegovernment,butitispassedontotheconsumeraspartofthepurchasepriceofagoodorservice.Theconsumerisultimatelypayingthetaxbypayingmorefortheproduct.BestexampleofthisisGoodsandServicesTax.

MeasurestoIncreasetheRevenueCorpus:

RevenuecanbeincreasedbyimplementingtherecommendationsoftheReportofTaxAdministrationReformsCommission(TARC)orDr.ParthsarathiShomeCommission.

Someothermeasures;ForDirectTaxrevenue:

• AdirecttaxcodeonthelinesofGSTtoincreasecompliancebase.• Makingtaxingmoreprogressivethanregressive.• UseofInformationandCommunicationtechnologies.

• StricterimplementationoflawsdealingwithtaxevasionandavoidancesuchasITact,GAARetc.

• Bringingprosperousfarmersundertaxation• Strengtheninginfrastructuralandhumancapacitiesofthestatesandlocal

governmentsaswell,toimprovetaxcollection.• ProperimplementationofinternationalagreementandmechanismslikeDTAA,

OECD’sBEPSetc.

ForIndirectTaxrevenue:

• OneoftheobjectivesofGSTwasenhancedrevenuecollection,butstilltherearechallengesinitsimplementationandcompliance.Removalofthesehurdleswillhelptoachievetargetedrevenuecollection.

• Devolutionofpowerstolocalgovernmentsforimposingtaxes.• PetrolanddieselshouldbeconsideredtobringintheambitofGST.• RationalisationofmultipletaxrateswithinGST

Nontaxrevenue:

Non-taxrevenuecomesfromthemoneyearnedbythegovernmentotherthantaxes,suchasprofitsanddividendsofPublicSectorUndertakings(PSU),revenuecollectedfromsaleofspectrum,royaltyoninlandpetroleum,feescollectedfromnationalhighways,interestsandothers.

Suchrevenuecanbeincreasedby:

• RevivingofailingPSUsthroughmoreautonomy,capitalisationandincreasingcompetitionwithinandwithprivatesector.

• Public-privatepartnerships(PPPs)willenhancetheefficiencyofpublicsectorunits.• ImprovingbusinessatmosphereinIndia(easeofdoingbusiness)whichwillresultin

highercreditratingandhigherconfidenceininvestmentingovernmentbondsetc.

Conclusion:

• Forgovernment,theneedtoraiserevenueswithatighteningfiscalpolicy,thatisincreasingtaxes,iscounterproductive,whilecuttingexpenditurewillslowdowngrowthandinvestments.

• Astructured,long-termplanwillnotonlyoutlinethecourseofactionbutalsohelpprovidepredictabilitytotheearningsofthegovernment.

• Governmenthasdonewelltoimplementtax-sidereformsintheformofGSTthatwillenhancethetaxrevenuesinthelongterm.Asimilarreforms-orientedapproachtowardsindirecttaxesandnon-taxrevenuescanhelpitdoabetterjobatbalancingthefiscaldeficitandpublicexpenditure,ensuringthatthegrowthmomentumisnotlost.

BestAnswer:Disha

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3.HowdoesregionalimbalanceinIndiaimpedeoveralleconomicdevelopment?Analyse.

Introduction:

Regionalimbalanceisthedisparityintheeconomicandsocialdevelopmentoftworegions.Regionalimbalancesmeanwidedifferencesinpercapitaincome,literacyrates,health,educationservicesandlevelsofindustrializationbetweendifferentregions.

Body:

Lackofinfrastructurefacilities,adversegeo-climateconditions,lowinvestmentrate,highrateofgrowthofpopulation,andlowlevelsofurbanizationandindustrializationarecausesofregionalimbalances.

Regionalimbalanceimpedeseconomicdevelopmentinthefollowingway:

1)Growthbecomesunsustainable:depressedruralagriculturalregionswithpovertyandunemploymentlowerpurchasingpowerofpeople.Asaresult,overalldemandintheeconomycomesdownaffectingothertwosectorsofeconomy.

2)Unproductiveuseofresourcesinbackwardregions:

• Additionalfinancialsupporttospecialcategorystateshasnotyieldedanydesiredresultsandhasfurtherperpetuatedpoorgovernance.Example:Bihardespitebeingmineralrichstatehaslowerlevelsofdevelopment.

• Lackofeducationandhealthinfrastructureresultintopoorsocialindicators.Andhencetheavailablehumancapitalisunabletocontributetothegrowthoftheregion.

3)Concentrationofindustriesinurbanareasalsoaffectseconomy:

• Overdevelopedurbanareaswithoversaturatedinfrastructuralcapacitiesnegativelyaffectindustriesbydiseconomiesofcongestionandhigherinfrastructurecostthusloweringtheircompetitiveness.

• Concentrationofinvestmentbygovernmentandprivatesectorinmajorcitiesareatriskduetonaturalcalamitieslikecyclones.Itresultsintomassiveeconomiclossesat

onegothusdiversionofresourcestorebuildthesegrowthcentres.Example:coastalcitieslikeChennaiarepronetocyclonicdisturbances.

4)Lackofinclusivegrowthleadstoriseinsocialunrest,conflictsandleftwingextremism.Thusneedsdiversionofgovernmentresourcestowardssecurity.

5)GrowthofRegionalism:growingdissentagainstlaboursfromotherstatesaffectindustries.Example:recentmigrantlabourissueinGujarat.LackofcheaplabouraffectsMSME’s.

Conclusion:

InIndiatoday,alargenumberofinter-state,inter-communityandtoagreatextentcentre-statetensionsarebecauseofthepersistenceofregionalimbalances.Theneedforthebalanceddevelopment,therefore,isimportantintheinterestofbothnationalintegrationandpeople’swelfarethrougheconomicdevelopment.

Bestanswer:DeepikaSharma

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4.Innovationisthekeytoeconomicgrowth.Doyouagree?Substantiate.

Introduction:

Innovationisn’tinvention.It’stheactofrefinementandrecalibrationtoachieveparticulargoals.Andwhenthegoaliseconomicgrowth,innovationisthesinglemostimportantfactorthatdistinguishesaprosperouseconomyfromanimpoverishone.

Body:

Fundamentallytherearetwowayofincreasingoutputofeconomy;first,increasethenumberofinputwhichgothroughtheproductiveprocess,second,thinknewwaysinwhichwecangetmoreoutputfromthesamenumberofinputsandthiscanbepossiblethroughinnovation

(1)Agriculture:only20%oflandiscultivableinIsraelafterthatalsotheycontribute2.5%ofGDPandproduced95%ofitsownfoodrequirement,thisisbecauseofinnovationlikedripagriculture,soilconditioneretc.

(2)Manufacturing:accordingtooxfordbusinessgroup,Thailandistherisingmanufacturinghubwhichcontributes9.3millionofjob,inIndonesiamanufacturingcontributeaquarterofGDPetc.allthesearepossiblebecauseoftheemploymentofinnovation.

(3)Tourism:Internet,informationtechnology,worldwidewebetc.revolutionizedthetourismsector,acrosstheworldcontributestoeconomicgrowth.

(4)E-commerce:thisisitselfaninnovationa“newidea”whichresultedinAmazon,FlipkartandWalmartandnowinIndiaitcontributes4%ofGDPetc.

(5)Educationandskill:Innovationineducationandskillingcancreatedemographicdividendbyfesteringcultureofdemographictemperament.

(6)Safety:Newreliablesafetyfeaturesinpublicoffices,schoolscanensurewomentoparticipateineconomicgrowth.

(7)Administration:Newinnovativewaysofpublicservicedeliverylikevideoconferencingwithgramsabhaetc.canreducetimelagindeliveryofservicesandensuregrowthofregionbutinnovationisalonecannotleadtoeconomicgrowth

(1)Acceptancebysociety:GMcropswereinnovateddecadesagobutstill,lotsofcountryincludingIndiaonitsacceptance.

(2)Investment:investmentandinnovationbothareaparalleltoeachother,foreconomicgrowthinnovationisneededandforinnovationinvestmentisneeded.

(3)Skill:countrieslikechina,AmericaarethinkingtoemploythenewinnovationlikeIOT,AIetc.IndiaandmanycountriesofSouthAsiadoesnothavetherequiredskillforthis,atlarge.

Conclusion:

ItisoftensaidthatAmericansbuiltroadsandtheroadsbuilttheAmerica.Atthetime,roadsdidn’toffermucheconomicreturnsandsoevenanideaasbasicasconnectingeveryplacewithasphaltroadswastrulyinnovative.Ultimatelyitdeliveredunimaginativeeconomicgrowthanddriveshomethepointthateventhesmallestofinnovationscarrythepotentialtodelivermassiveeconomicdividends.

Bestanswer:RanjanaSinghRathore

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5.Whatdoyouunderstandby‘inclusivegrowth’?Whatareitsdimensions?Discuss.

Introduction:

Inclusivegrowthiseconomicgrowththatcreatesopportunityforallsegmentsofthepopulationanddistributesthedividendsofincreasedprosperity,bothinmonetaryandnon-monetaryterms,fairlyacrosssociety.(OECD)

Body:

Inclusivegrowthmeanseconomicgrowththatcreatesemploymentopportunitiesandhelpsinreducingpoverty.Itmeanshavingaccesstoessentialservicesinhealthandeducationbythepoor.Itincludesprovidingequalityofopportunity,empoweringpeoplethrougheducationandskilldevelopment.Italsoencompassesagrowthprocessthatisenvironmentfriendlygrowth,aimsforgoodgovernanceandahelpsincreationofagendersensitivesociety.

Dimensionsofinclusivegrowth:

• Removinginequality• Creatingemployment• Reductioninpoverty• Healthservices• Goodgovernance• Empowerment• Skilldevelopment• Improvementinstandardofliving• Environmentfriendly• Regionaldisparities• Humandevelopment• Gendersensitivity

Note:Explanationforanyofthe7-8pointsisneededin1-2lines.

Conclusion:

Indiahastakenseveralstepstoensureinclusivegrowth,howeverseveraldeficiencieslikelackofpoliticalwill,bureaucraticdelays,leakagesandimpropercoveragedoexistintheimplementationoftherespectivepolicies.Takingcareofthesedeficienciesisthusimperativetotheinclusivegrowthofthenation.

Bestanswer:Thelion

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Alsorefer:

https://iasbaba.com/2017/11/iasbabas-mindmap-issue-inclusive-growth

6.Whatisvoteonaccount?Howisitdifferentfromnormalbudget?Discuss.

Introduction:

Voteonaccountunderarticle116oftheconstitutionofIndiaisakindofmechanismtowithdrawmoneyfromconsolidatedfromIndiatomeetdaytodayexpendituresofthegovernmenttillthebudgetispassedforthenewfinancialyear.

Body:

ItneedstobepassedbyLokSabhaandisgenerallygrantedfortwomonthsforanequivalentamountofone-sixthofthetotalestimate.

Annualfinancialstatement(popularlyknownasBudget)containsdetailsofbothreceiptsandexpendituresofthegovernment.UnionBudget(underarticle112)andstate’sbudget(underarticle202)providesforthereceiptsandexpendituretobeincurredinthenextfinancialyearaswellasdetailsofbudgetaryestimatesforthepresentandpreviousyears.

Avoteonaccountisdifferentfromthenormalbudgetinfollowingways

• Whilevoteonaccountisrequiredfortwomonthsandgrantedforone–sixthofthebudgetaryestimate,budgetprovidesdetailsofexpenditureandreceiptsforthreefinancialyears.

• Whilevoteonaccountistemporaryprovisiontomeetexpenditureuntilthebudgetispassed,Budgetisfinancialoutlaysofthegovernmentforthewholeyear.

• Whilevoteonaccountdealswithonlyexpendituresideofthegovernment,normalbudgetdealswithbothexpenditureandrevenuesideofthegovernment.

• Whilenochangesaremadetotaxanddutystructureandnewschemesarenotannouncedinvoteonaccount,inbudgetchangesaremadeandnewschemescanbeannounced

• Outgoinggovernmentpresentsvoteonaccountonlyinelectionyear,budgetispresentedineveryfinancialyear.

• VoteonaccountispassedbyLokSabhawithoutanydiscussion,budgetpassesafterdiscussionandvotingondemandforgrant.

Conclusion:

Thusitcanbesaidthatvoteonaccountisalsoimportantpartofbudgetaryprovisionoftheconstitutionforsuccessfulrunningofthegovernment.

Bestanswer:Monikasridevi

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7.TheimplementationofpostindependentIndia’sbiggesttaxreformi.e.theGoodsandServicesTax(GST)hascompletedmorethanayear.WhatareyourviewsontheimpactofGSTonIndia’sindustrialgrowth.

Introduction:

GSTthebiggesttaxreforminIndiafoundedonthenotionof“onenation,onemarket,onetaxcompletedayearonJune12018.

Body:

ImpactofGSTonindustrialgrowth

SimplifiedTransactionbasedValuation:GSTonlyconsiderstransaction-basedvaluation.Thismakeswayforeasiertaxcalculationaswellasfosterseasyandsimplecomplianceprocedures.

NoadditionalStateEntrytax:

GSTsubsumestheentrytaxforinter-statetransfers.Thiswillbenefitconsumersbyreducingthecostofgoodsandservices.Earlier,suppliershadtopayentrytaxwhentherespectivesuppliescrossedinterstateborders.Entrytaxchangedwithborders.ThisentrytaxwouldtrickledowntotheendcustomerasanadditiontotheactualSellingPriceofgood.GSTincreasesconsumerbenefitsbyeliminatingsuchtaxstructuresbybringingallstatesunderasingleunifiedtaxumbrella.

ImprovedCashFlows:

GSTenablesmanufacturerstoclaiminputtaxrebateongoods.Thisfacilitatescontinuouscashflowthatindirectlydrivesgrowth.However,thetimetakentocreditinputtaxrebatestorespectiveaccountsmustnotbelongenoughsothatitdrivesSMEsoutofoperations.

SingleandSimpleRegistrationProcess:

Undertheoldregime,manufacturersneededtoregisterforeachandeverymanufacturingfacilityseparatelyirrespectiveofthefactthattheymightbewithinthesamestateboundaries.GSTeliminatesthisloophole.Nowmanufacturersneednotregisterseparately.Rathertheyneedtodoasingleregistrationforallmanufacturingentitieswithinthesamestate.Ofcourse,differentstate-entitieswillrequireseparateregistrationsunderGSTtoo.

CascadeEffectFreeTaxStructure:

PriortoGST,ifyouwereamanufacturer,youwerebombardedwithawidespectrumoftax.SMEsinmanufacturingweresubjectedtoExciseDutyof12.5%;CentralStateTaxof2%andattimes5.5%VATwasalsolevied.GSTeliminatesthiscascadingstructurebyfixingtheGSTrateat18%.Also,GSTfacilitatesclaimofinter-statetransactiontaxes.Alltheseenablemanufacturerstolowerthecostofproduction.Manufacturerscannowpassonthebenefitstoconsumersintheformofreducedprices.

Efficientsupplychain:

Inafirstofitskindmove,GSTregimerequiresmanufacturerstorestructuretheirsupplychain.Previously,supplychainwasdesignedtoescapeTaxregimes.GSTbeingasingletaxregimeforcebusinesstodeploysupplychainstructuresthatincreasebusinessandserviceefficiency.SupplyChainSystemswillnowbemoreefficientandputcustomerserviceontoppriority.

GSTwasacompleteoverhauloftheexistingsystem.ThebackboneofthenewTAXSystemistheGSTNNetwork.TheGSTimplementationisnotaneasytaskandoccasionallyencounterstechnicalglitchesaswellastaxpayer’sgrievances

1)ImmediateWorkingCapitalbecomesanecessityformanufacturersunderGST.StocktransfersaretreatedassupplyandhenceattractGSTirrespectiveofadvanceornopayment.Followingpointsfurthercementtheabovestatement:

Interstateorintra-statestocktransfersattractsubstantialExciseDutyontheremovalofGoods

BranchtransfersanddepotransfersaretaxableunderIGST

ReceiptofAdvanceistaxableasperGSTrules

2)GSTfacilitatesinputtaxcreditandtriestominimizemanufacturertaxburden.However,inordertoincreaseTAXComplianceGSTemploysaverystrictandtedioustransaction

managementsystem.Deployinganefficienttransactionsystemrequiresaskilledworkforce,additionalresources.Thisputsanextraburdenonmanufacturersandothertraders.

Conclusion:

GSTisawelcomemovebytheCentralGovernmentforeconomicgrowthofIndia.GSTalsoempowerspeopletobemasteroftheirdestiny.BusinessleaderscannowdrivepositiveandimpactfulgrowthbackedbytransparentGST-compliance.

BestAnswer:AniketSachan

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8.Doyouthinkthemicro,smallandmediumindustriesholdthekeytoIndia’sindustrialgrowth?Examine.

Introduction:

Micro,SmallandMediumEnterprises(MSME)havebeenclassifiedinaccordancewiththeprovisionsofMicro,Small&MediumEnterprisesDevelopment(MSMED)Act,2006intwoClasses:ManufacturingEnterprisesdefinedintermsofinvestmentinPlant&MachineryandServiceEnterprisesdefinedintermsofinvestmentinequipment.

Body:

MSMEsholdthekeytoIndia’sindustrialgrowth:

• Shareinmanufacturingoutput-Around45%ofthemanufacturingoutputiscontributedbyMSMEs,thusshowingtheirimmensepotentialinindustrialgrowth.

• Employmentgeneration-Unlikelargeindustries,MSMEsprovideemploymenttoskilledaswellassemi-skilledworkersonformalandinformalbasis.

• Regionaldiversity-Owingtotheirsmallscale,theseareubiquitouslypresentthroughoutthelengthandbreadthofthecountry,thusreapingthefullpotentialofourdemography.

• Encourageinnovation-Smallinvestmentencouragesnew-ageentrepreneurstocreategloballycompetitivebusinessfromIndia.

• Shareinexports-About40%ofIndia’sexportscomefromMSMEsector.Aboosttosectorcanthusboostoverallexports.

• Utilizationoflocalinputs-UnderMakeinIndia,indigenizationisboostedandrawmaterialandindigenoustechnologiesarebeingutilizedinmanufacturing.

Despitetheenormouspotential,thereareseveralfactorsthathinderthegrowthofthissector,likeaccesstofinances,accesstomarkets,technologyupgradation,easeofdoingbusiness,under-utilizationofcapacityandunorganizednatureofemployment.

Conclusion:

Recentinitiativesofgovernmentlike59minuteloanportal,SFURTIandASPIREareaimedatremovingthehindrancesinthegrowthofMSMEs.MorestillneedstobedonetoenhancethecapabilitiesofthesectorandmakethingseasiertoactuallyaidinIndia’sindustrialgrowth.

Bestanswer:Shri

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9.WhatmeasurescanbetakentomakeIndiatheglobalmanufacturinghublikeChina?Suggest.

Introduction:

In1990Chinaproducedlessthan3%ofglobalmanufacturingoutput.Chinanowproducesalmosthalfoftheworld’sgoods.ThelowcostofmanufacturinginChinaplayedahugeroleinmakingitthesecondlargesteconomy.NowChinaisrapidlymovingintomediumtohigh-techmanufacturingasitslabourcostshaverisen.

Insuchscenario,favourabledemographicdividendovernext2-3decades,availabilityoflowcostlabourandstrongdomesticmarketprovidesanopportunityforIndiatoturnasaglobalmanufacturinghub.

Body:

MeasuresIndiacantaketoachievethis

Factorcostreforms

• Landreformsmakingiteasierandaffordabletoacquireland.

• Capital:allowinggreaterflowofFDItoreducecostofborrowing.• Movingfromover-protectivetoFlexiblelabourlaws.• Predictabletaxregime.

Investmentininfrastructure

• Wellconnectedmeansoftransport(road,rail,inland-waterway)tokeeptransportationcostminimum.

• Developmentofindustrialcorridorswouldattractsettingupnewindustries.• Adequatefocustoensureavailabilityofhardandsoftinfrastructure(Powersupply,

creditflow,manpowerandother).

Businessfriendlyecosystem

• Doingawaywithobsoleteandobstructingframeworkandbringingtransparentanduserfriendlybusinessenvironment.

• Thisinvolvescomprehensiveoverhaulofoutdatedprocessesandpolicies.Examples:useofICTintaxationsystemwouldreducehumaninterface;rentseekingbehaviour;makeprocesssimplerthusreducecompliancecost.

Innovation:Innovationisnecessarytocomeupwithnewtechnology,newproductsandnewbrands.ThereforeResearchanddevelopmentneedstobegivenfocusbybringingtogetherscientists-researchinstitutes-industries.

Needtostrengthenpatentregime.

Technologyadoption:NeedtosupporttechnologyupgradationinMSME’s.HarnessingnewtechnologieslikeArtificialintelligenceandmakingcountrypartindustrialrevolution4.0.

Policysupport:AdequatemeasurestoboostgrowthofMSME’s.Needtostrengthentraditionalindustries.Focusonfoodprocessingindustries.PushtoSetupSpecialEconomicZonesandCoastalEconomicZones.

Needtosimplifytaxregimeinthecountry.

Conclusion:

Giventhepotentialofmanufacturingsectorandtheneedtoshiftworkforcefromprimarysector,GovernmentofIndiahascomeoutwith‘MakeinIndia’initiativetomakeIndiaglobalhubofmanufacturing,researchandinnovationandintegratewithglobalsupplychain.Initiativeshouldbefollowedwithadequatepolicymeasurestorealiseitsobjectives.

Bestanswer:shri

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10.Whatbenefitswouldaccruefromenhancedregionalairconnectivity?Discuss.

Introduction:

Connectivityisthecornerstoneofdevelopment.ThegovernmentofIndiahaslaunchedschemeslikeUDANtoimproveregionalconnectivity.

Body:

Benefitsfromregionalairconnectivity:

• Developmentofsmallcities:Itcouldleadtodevelopmentofsmallercitiesasfasterairconnectivitywillattractinfrastructure&investment.

• Reducethepressurefromrailwaysandroads• SignificantSocialBenefits:Providespeoplewithaccesstodecentlivelihoods,food,

healthcare,education.Ex:AirtransportisonlymeanstotraveltomanyremoteplacesinNorthEast.

• Economicbenefits:Itcontributes0.5%ofIndianGDPsupporting1.7millionjobsdirectlyandindirectly.

• Achievesustainabledevelopmentgoal:Useofadvancedfuelsystemwouldreducepollution.

• Facilitatethedeliveryofemergencyandhumanitarianaidattimeofdisasteratinaccessibleareas.

Challenges:

• SmallerplayerslikeAirOdishaandAirDeccanhavestruggledtoraisesufficientcapitalfortheiroperations,hiretrainedmanpowerandleaseplanes.

• SomeairportsownedbyStategovernmentsandprivateplayershavebeenhesitantinparticipatingasthereislittleforthemtogainwithRCSflightsexemptfrompayinglandingandparkingchargesandStatesrequiredtoprovideland,securityandfireservicesfreeofcost.

• Subsidybasedregimeareimpactedbythevagariesofpricechangesinoilprices

Conclusion:

Regionalairconnectivityhashugescopeofdevelopingtier1andtier2citieswhichcanreducetheburdenofbigmetropolitancities.ThusschemelikeUDANneedtobepursuedrelentlesslybyengagingallthestakeholders

BestAnswer:DazyRani

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11.Airtravelisgivingstiffcompetitiontotherailwayswithaggressivepricingandqualityservice.Whatmeasuresshouldtherailwaysadopttostayrelevant?Suggest.

Introduction:

IndianRailways,oftendescribedasthe“transportlifelineofthenation”,isthefourthlargestrailwaynetworkintheworld.Inrecentyearstherehasbeenadeclineinpassengergrowthinrailwaysandadouble-digitgrowthinairtravelduetocertainfactorslikenarrowingfaregapbetweenthetwo,timesavingandthequalityserviceincaseofairtravel.

Body:

Measuresrailwayscanadopttostayrelevant:

• Capacityaugmentation-Toomanytrainsrunonthesamestretchoflines,causingexcessivewearandtearanddelays.Railwaysshouldthusincreasethenumberoftracks,convertnarrowgaugestobroadgaugetomaintainuniformtracks,double,tripleandquadrupletheraillinesandmaintainseparatetracksforfreightandpassengertrains.Commissioningofdedicatedfreightcorridorsby2020willalsohelpimprovethecapacity.

• Traveltime-Thegapintraveltimebetweenairandrailcannotbeeliminatedcompletely,itcanhoweverbereduced.Onebyincreasingtheaveragespeedoftrainsandtwobyfittingthedepartureandarrivaltimeswithinthewindowof6pmto9amsoasnottoeatintoproductivehoursoftheday.

• Endcrosssubsidization-Thelower-classpassengerfaresarebeingcross-subsidizedonthebehestofACclasses,thusincreasingthefaresofACcoaches.Endofthissubsidizationcanresultinlowerfaresandthuscompetitivepriceswithairways.

• Wagecosts-Mostoftheearningsofrailways(62%inFY18)arespentonwages.Thisshouldbeoptimizedsoastoutilizetheworkforcewellandreducethecosts.

• High-endtechnology-BullettrainsandHyperloopcannotonlysignificantlyreducethetraveltimebutalsoprovideaqualitativeexperiencetotheuser.

• Investments-Investmenteitherbygovernmentorbyprivatesectorinvariousdomainslikeinfrastructure,safetyrequirements,qualitativeservicesetc.needstobepushed.

• Market-drivenandcustomercentric-Railwaytourism,holidaypackagesetc.canalsohelprailwaysinmakingitsmark.

Conclusion:

Railwayscannotbeatthespeedandefficiencyofairtravel,butwithabove-mentionedmeasuresitcandefinitelygiveitatoughcompetitionandmaintainitsownniche,soastoultimatelybenefittheconsumerbygivingthemmultipletransportationoptions.

Bestanswer:SID

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12.EnhancingtheborderroadinfrastructurehasitseconomicandstrategicadvantagesforIndia.How?Examine.

Introduction

Indiaisauniquecountrywith~15000kmlandbordersharingwithsevencountries.Thislengthofborderiscomprisedofuniquetopography,cultureandvariedsocio-economicchallenges.ConsideringunityofthenationandneighbourhoodfirstpolicyofIndia,itisimperativetodevelopmodernandcompetitiveborderroadinfrastructure.

Body:

EconomicAdvantagesofborderroadinfrastructure:

• Oneofthemostimportantadvantagesisdevelopmentoflegalandamicabletraderelationswithneighbouringcountries.ExamplesofitaretradethroughAttari-WaghaborderandBorderHaatswithBangladeshandmanymorewithNepal,Bhutan,etc.

• Properborderroadinfrawillreducetraffickingandsmuggling,whichiscurrentlyabigcauseconcernforIndiaandneighbouringcountries.

• Recently,WorldBankhasreleasedareportcalled“AGlassHalfFull:ThePromiseofRegionalTradeinSouthAsia”.Accordingtoitsfindingsintra-regionaltradeaccountsforalittlemorethan5percentofSouthAsia’stotaltradewhileitaccountsfor50

percentoftotaltradeinEastAsia.ItmeansthereishugeuntappedregionaltradepotentialinSouthAsia,wheremostofthecountriesshareborderswithIndia.

• Anothermajoreconomicbenefitisinclusivegrowthanddevelopment.Borderroadinfrastructure,especiallyinharshterrainssuchasnortheastandJammu&Kashmirprovidesavenueforself-employmentandboosttotraditionalsmallscaleIndustries.

• Furthermore,tourisminbeautifulandloftyHimalayashasnotreachedtoitsfullpotentialduetoimproperroadinfrastructure.Totapfullpotentialofnaturaltourismavenueswemustfurtherimproveourborderroadinfra.

StrategicAdvantagesofborderroadinfrastructure:

• OneofthemajoradvantagesisthatthroughborderroadinfraIndiawillbesuccessfulinpushingforherambitiousneighbourhoodfirstandacteastpolicies.Itwillactassoftpowerintermsofcreatingpeopletopeoplecontacts.BestexampleofthisisthemostrecentprojectofKartarpurCorridor.

• Borderroadinfrahelpsinmaintainingpeaceandstabilitybycontrollingthesecurityconcernsrelatedtointer-regionandintra-regionissues.

• ThetaskofnationalintegrationwhichstartedwithindependenceofIndiaandstillgoingonwillbeincompletewithoutborderroadinfra.Connectivityandinclusivityaretheimportanttoolsfornationalintegrationoffar-flungareassuchasNortheasternstatesandLadakh,etc.

• Economicavenuesprovidedbysuchinfradefinitelyleadstostrategicbenefitswithinandoutsidecountrytocontrolmenaceofterrorismandsecessionists’activities.

• Anotherimportantadvantageofborderroadsisinproperandswiftdisastermanagement.DifficultandharshterrainsofIndianbordersandrelativelylowdevelopmentofborderingcountriesmakeitinevitableforIndiatopreparedandself-sufficienttohandleanykindofdisasters.

Challengesahead:

• Roughanddifficultterrain• WeatherandClimaticconditions• Seismicallyactiveareasinmostoftheborder• Ceasefireviolationandborderintrusions• Inadequatemanpower,fundswithBorderRoadorganisation(BRO)• Redtapismandbureaucraticdelaysinprojects

Conclusion:

BROhasbeenfrequentlyinnewsduetodelaysandotherlacunaewithregardtoborderroadinfra.

Properanddefinedautonomywithrespectto3F:Funds,FunctionsandFunctionarieswillhelptoboosttherapiddevelopmentofborderroadinfra,ultimatelyleadingtoeconomicallyintegratedandstrategicallyamiableSouthAsia.

BestAnswer:YBB

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13.ExaminethepotentialofinlandwatertransportationinIndia.

Introduction:

InlandWaterwaysTransport(IWT)isamethodoftransportingcargooverrivers,backwaters,canals,andcreeks.

Itprovidesacost-effective,logisticallyefficientandenvironment-friendlymodeoftransportandwhosedevelopmentasasupplementarymodewouldenablediversionoftrafficfromover-congestedroadsandrailways.

Body:

Indiahasnearly14,500kmofnavigablewaterways.However,IWTaccountsforlessthan1%ofitsfreighttraffic.DevelopingIWTwillleadtofollowingPotentialbenefits

Industries:

• Bringdownlogisticscostthusincreasingcompetitivenessofindustries.• Dispersalofindustriesalongwaterwaysleadingtoemploymentgenerationthus

promotingbalancedregionaldevelopment.• Filliptoshipbuildingindustry.• BoosttoTourismsector.• EnhancedconnectivitywithneighbouringcountrieslikeBangladeshwillboosttrade

andcommercebetweennations.WithinIndia,itwillboostthemaritimetradeoftheIndianstatesandaugmenttheireconomies.

TowardsGreeneconomy:

• Comparativelylesspolluting:CO2emissionsarefromcontainervesselsrangemuchlesserthanroadtransportvehicles.

• Diversionoftrafficfromroadandrail.

Theirdevelopmentwillleadtothedevelopmentofintegratedtransportationsector(rail,road,water)thusconnectingports,majorcitieswithremoteareas.

Theireconomicimportancewillleadtobettermanagementofinlandwaterresources.

AstheacquisitionoflandfornationalandStatehighwaysbecomesscarceandthecostofconstructionofroads,flyoversandbridgesgoesup,inlandwaterwaysprovidebetteralternativetothegovernmentasameansofpublictransportation.

However,followingchallengesexistintheirdevelopment.

• Thereisseasonalfallinwaterlevelsparticularlyrain-fedriversofpeninsularIndiawhicharealmostdryduringsummer.

• Lessflowofwaterduetodiversionofwaterforirrigation.Hardforevensteamboatstosail.Example:Ganga.

• Reducednavigabilityduetosiltation,waterfallsandcataractsinriversandsalinityincoastalrivers.

• Dredgingcarriedouttomaintainminimumdepthofwatermaynegativelyaffectaquaticecosystem,entryofsalinewaterintocreeksincoastalareas.

• LackofPublicFunds:ThefinancingrequirementforNWsishugeandopen-ended.Heavyinvestmentwillbeneededtoprocureequipment,includingdredgers,shippingvessels,andbargesofdifferentsizes.

• DisinterestbyPrivatePlayers:Evenafterliberalisationandeconomicreforms,therehasbeenverylessactiveparticipationfromprivateplayersinthissector.

Conclusion:

GivensuchbenefitsIWTbrings,GovernmentofIndiaUndertheNationalWaterwaysAct,2016,111inlandwaterwayshavebeendeclaredasNationalWaterways(NWs)inadditiontothefiveexistingNWs,across24Statesforutilizingthemasanenvironmentfriendlyandsustainablemodeoftransport.TheJalMargVikasProjecthasbeencommissionedforcapacityaugmentationofNW–1(riverGanga)fromHaldiatoVaranasiwithanobjectivetofacilitatemovementof1,500–2,000tonnevessels.

SuchaholisticandconcertedeffortcanchangeIndia’stransportationlandscape,havemultipliereffectoneconomy,de-congestarterialroads,andevenimprovequalityoflifeacrossgeographies.

Bestanswer:SharathYerrapothu

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14.DiscussthesignificanceofportsinIndia’stradepromotion.

Introduction:

Witharound7500kmlongcoastlineandconstrainofoverlandmovementinotherside,theportledtradingbecomemoresignificantinIndia’scase.Indiacoastlinesupports13majorand200minorports.Accordingtoministryofshipping,thewaterwaytradecovers95%ofIndia’stotaltradebyvolumeand70%byvolume,makingitwayforwardthanothermodeoftransport.TheportsopentheIndia’schannelacrosstheglobeandcounteractthenumerousbarriersitfaceinlandbasedtrading.

Body:

Majorsignificanceofportsintradepromotion

• Actsasimportantlinktohinterlandandoverseas.• Italsofacilitatesgoodsmovementthroughexportandimportthusleadsto

increasedconsumerchoiceandprovisionofgoodsatcompetitiveprice.• Reductionincostoftransportationi.e.almostonetenthofair• Enhancementtoblueeconomythroughfishing,tourismandpassengertransport• Itisalsosignificantforinternaltradebyprovidinglivelihoodtolocalcommunity,

multimodalconnectivitybyrail,roadsandwaterwaysandfasterandinclusiveapproachingoodsmovement

• Lessecologicalimpact

However,tocompletelyutilisethepotentialofports,thegovernmentneedtoovercomefewchallengeslike;

1)Inadequateinfrastructureandpoorconnectivitywithhinterland.

2)Slowturn-aroundtime.

3)Red-tapeandexcessiveinterferencefromauthority.

4)Hugeenvironmentalcostandaffectingcoastalpopulation.

5)Lackofpropermanpowerandtrainingexpertise.

6)Poormaintenanceofportinfrastructure.

7)Out-datednavigationandITtools.

Thegovernment,inordertoovercomethechallengeshastakenfewstepssuchas:

1)Sagarmalaproject-Theobjectivesofthisprojectareportmodernisationandnewportdevelopment,portconnectivityenhancement,port-linkedindustrialisationandcoastalcommunitydevelopment.

2)Centralportauthorityact,2016-toprovidemoreautonomytoportandprofessionalisethegovernancestructure.

3)RevisedModelconcessionagreement-toprovideprivatesectorparticipationinportdevelopmentandmanagement.

4)Allowing100%FDIunderautomaticrouteinportdevelopment.

Conclusion:

Thewaterwayisthecheapestmodeoftransport,harnessingittotheutmostlevelwillgraduallylowertheoperationalcostoftrade.ItwillmakeIndiantrademorecompetitiveandhenceindirectlypromoteemploymentandgrowth

Bestanswer:DazyRani

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15.Whatdoyouunderstandbycommandarea?Howdocommandareadevelopmentplansaidinincreasingagriculturalproductivity?Analyse.

Introduction:

CommandAreareferstotheareawhosewaterneedsarefulfilledbyawaterbody/basinprojecte.g.:RiverGanga’scommandareaspansacross5statesofUttarakhand,UP,Bihar,Jharkhand&WestBengal.Itincludestheareawhichisotherwiseuncultivable.

Commandareadevelopmentplanwasin1974-75tonarrowthegapbetweenirrigationpotentialcreatedandactuallyutilisedinmajorandmediumirrigationschemes.

Body:

Initially,60majorandmediumprojectsweretaken,coveringacultivablecommandareaof15millionhectares.Tillnow314projectswithacultivablecommandareaof28.95millionhavebeentaken.Fromeleventhfive-yearplanonwards,schemewasimplementedasastatesectorscheme.

Planhadprovidedvariouscomponents–

• Constructionoffieldchannelsandfielddrains• Landshaping.• Introductionofrotationalsupplyofwater• Roleinincreasingagriculturalproductivity:

ItincreasedtheIrrigationPotentialcreatedinthecountry,therebyprovidingassuredirrigationfacilitiestofarmers,improvingfarmresiliencetoweathervagaries.

• Bymakingmultiplecroppingcyclesfeasiblewithinthesamecalendaryear.• Bymakingmixedfarmingfeasible.• Bymakingcommercialfarmingofcashcropsand“highvalue,lowvolume”crops

(suchashorticulturalcrops)afeasibleoptionforfarmers.• Helpedinconservationofwater.Ithelpedinmakinggreenrevolutionsuccessful

becausehighyieldingvarietyseedsandfertilizersneedtheirrigationontime.• Cropfailurebecameararephenomenon.

Butcommandareaprogrammealsoledtomanyproblemslike

1)Highcost.

2)Limitedparticipationoffarmersindesigningprojects.

Conclusion:

However,CommandAreaDevelopmentPrograminIndiahashadlimitedsuccessbecauseofitsexcessivefocusonlargerivervalleyprojects,insteadofmicro-watersheds.Recentparliamentarystandingreportshowsthatlessthan10percentirrigationprojectshavecompleted

Inordertomakeefficientimplementationofplanitisrequiredtomaketechnologysustainableandmakefarmersawareofitsbenefits.Apolicyshiftisnecessaryinthisregardtodoublethefarmers’incomeby2022.

Bestanswer:JohnNash

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16.Innovationsinthefieldofinfotechandbiotechholdthepotentialtotransformtheagriculturallandscape.Comment.

Introduction:

Agricultureemploysalmosthalfofthepopulationbutcannotguaranteeasustainablelivelihood.Technologicalinnovationsininformationandbiologycanhelpaltertheabovescenarioandtransformtheagriculturallandscape.

Body:

PotentialofInfotech:

• ArtificialIntelligence-Useofautomatedagriculturalvehicleswillmaximizetheirefficiencyandcapacity.

• Automatedequipment-automaticwateringandirrigationsystems,precisionagricultureetc.canhelpeasethewayofpracticingagricultureandreducethelabourinputforthesame.

• Block-chaintechnology-Block-chaincanbeusedforagriculturaltradingandselling,decentralizedtransactionsandself-executingsmartcontractsaswellasforresourcemanagement,liketrackingmachinerymaintenancerecordsorfortrackingothersensorsandequipment.

• Cloudbasedsolutions-helpcompaniesremotelymonitorfarms,interactwithfarmersandmakeeverycroptransparentandtraceable.Italsoaidsfarmersinadoptingglobalagriculturalpracticesandimprovesproductivitybyofferingproductivityinsightsandharvestforecasts.

• ITbasednetworkintegrators-Thesetechnologicalplatformsofferarangeofservicestofarmersinruralareasincludingfinancial,agriculturalinputsandgovernmentassistance.

• Mobiletechnology-AppslikeTrringohavebroughtrevolutioninfarmequipmentrentingprocessinIndia.

• Virtualaggregators-Farmerscanusethemobileplatformforaggregation,andthenleveragethevolumetonegotiatebetterpriceswithsuppliers.

PotentialofBiotech:

• Geneticediting-Engineeringcropsthatrequirelesswaterandthatgrowmorefood,anduseofCRISPR/CAS9tochangeacow’sgutmicrobestotryandreducethe

amountofmethanetheyareproducingaswellashowlargetheygetarefewexamplesofgenemodification.

• Highyieldingcrops-Useofbiotechnologycanresultinhighyieldingvarietiesofcropsthusimprovingcropproductivity.

• TissueCulture-Itisthescienceofcultivatinganimal/planttissueinapreparedmedium.Technologiesbasedonthiscanbeharnessedtoachievecropimprovementobjectives.

• Biofertilisers-micro-organismsandminuteplantswhichcanabsorbgaseousnitrogenandphosphorousdirectlyfromtheatmosphereandmakeitavailabletotheplantscanbeidentified,multipliedinthelaboratoriesandintroducedintotherootzoneofcropplantstosupplynitrogenandphosphorous.

• Improvedvalue-Biotechnologycanhelpenhanceflavourandnutritionalvalueofthecropwhilealsoincreasingitsshelflife.

Conclusion:

Writeabriefconclusion

Bestanswer:Gargigupta

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17.Whatisprecisionagriculture?Whatareitsadvantages?Discuss.

Introduction:

Precisionagricultureseekstousenewtechnologiestoincreasecropyieldsandprofitabilitywhileloweringthelevelsoftraditionalinputsneededtogrowcrops(land,water,fertilizer,herbicidesandinsecticides).Inotherwords,farmersutilizingprecisionagricultureareusinglesstogrowmore.

PrecisionAgricultureisaconceptwhichneedsimplementationthroughICTs,WirelessSensorNetworks,Geospatialmethodsandautomatedpositioningsystems.

Body:

NeedofprecisionagricultureinIndia

ThereisaneedtoincreaseoutputperhectareinIndiaasitislowcomparedtoothercountries.Oneofthereasonsforthelowoutputislackofaccesstomoderntechnology.

Thereisaneedforjudicioususeofwater,energyandefficientuseofvariousinputslikeseedstoenhanceproductivity.

AsIndiatakesrapidstridestoenhanceaccesstodigitaltools,itisanopportunemomenttothinkofwaysinwhichtheruralareasandfarmerscanbenefitfromthedigitalrevolution.

Thenextbigstepwehavetotakeistolinktheleapforwardinagriculturalproductivitywithdigitalapplicationsandtechnologicalinnovations.

AdvantagesofPrecisionagriculture

• Precisionagricultureseekstomakeagricultureremunerativeeventosmallandmarginalfarmersbyreducingthecostofcultivationandenhancingyields.

• PrecisionAgricultureorsitespecificcropmanagementisthekeytooptimallymanagetheresourcesforabetteryield,reducingpollutionandsavingenvironment.

• Thiscapabilitycouldbeusedforthebenefitoffarmingsectorforassessinglandandcrophealth;extent,typeandseverityofdamagebesidesissuingforewarning,post-eventmanagementandsettlementofcompensationundercropinsuranceschemes.

• Researchbyanorganizationinvolvedinprecisionagriculturehasshowedthatmobile-basedagriculturalextensionsystemamongfarmersinGujarathadresultedinincreaseineachfarmergettingRs.7,000moreperyear,whiletheyieldswentupby8.6percentforcottonand28percentforcumin.

• Technologiesfacilitatetogiveeachplantexactlywhatitneedstogrowoptimally,withtheaimtoimprovetheagronomicoutputwhilereducingtheinput.Thismeansproducing‘morewithless’,whichcoincideswithour2ndGreenRevolutionconceptof‘morecropperdrop’.

PrecisionfarminginIndia

• SomeoftheschemeslikePMKSY’s(PerDropMoreCrop)involvePrecisionAgriculturepractices.

• TheIndianCouncilofAgriculturalResearch(ICAR)andtheIndianAgriculturalResearchInstitute(IARI)hasformulatedaprojectentitled“SENSAGRI:SENsorbasedSmartAGRIculture”.

• Themajorobjectiveistodevelopindigenousprototypefordronebasedcropandsoilhealthmonitoringsystemusinghyperspectralremotesensing(HRS)sensors.

• Dronetechnologyisalsobeingused.Ithasabilityforsmoothscoutingoverfarmfields,gatheringpreciseinformationandtransmittingthedataonrealtimebasis.

• Mobileappsarebeingusedtoprovidefarmerswithweatherinformationandprovideearlywarning.

Apilotproject

KISAN+(CropInsuranceusingSpacetechnologygeo-informatics);Theprogrammeenvisagesuseofhighresolutionremotesensingdata(fromIndianandInternationalSatellites),sophisticatedmodellingactivityandothergeospatialtechnology(smartphone,GlobalPositioningSystem(GPS),BhuvanServer)forimprovingtheaccuracyofcropyieldestimationthroughmoreefficientCropCuttingExperiments.

Conclusion:

Theneedofthehouristoadoptstateofthearttechnologytomakeagriculturesustainableandprofitable.

Agriculturalrenaissancecantakeshapeonastrongdigitalfoundation.

Adoptionoftechnologywillhelpinsustainingfoodsecurityandenhancedlivelihoodopportunities.

Inaddition,thefarmingcommunityneedstodiversifyandtakeupalliedactivitieslikefisheries,dairyandpoultryaswelltodoubletheon-farmincomes.

BestAnswer:SID

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DazyRani

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18.WhatinyouropinionarethedeficienciesinIndia’sMSPregime?Analyse.

Introduction:

Theminimumsupportprices(MSP)areannouncedbytheGovernmentofIndiaatthebeginningofthesowingseasonforcertaincropsbasedontherecommendationsofCACP.

TheideabehindMSPisto

• Giveguaranteedpriceandassuredmarkettothefarmersandprotectthemfromthepricefluctuationsandmarketimperfections.

• Theguaranteedpriceandassuredmarketareexpectedtoencouragehigherinvestmentandinadoptionofmodernfarmingpractices.

• Further,withtheglobalizationresultinginfreertradeinagriculturalcommodities,itisveryimportanttoprotectthefarmersandtheirinterest.

Body:

DeficienciesinIndia’sMSPregime

• Incentivisedcerealcentricproductionhasdistortedcroppingpatternaffectingcropdiversification.Situationresultsinlowerproductionofothercrops.Example:importofpulses.

• Un-sustainedagriculturalpractices:CultivationofwaterintensivecropslikeRice-Wheatinunsuitableagro-climaticconditionshasresultedinover-exploitationofgroundwater.

• Thoughfixedfor23crops,inpractice,theremaining20agrocommoditiesdonotderiveanybenefit.

• ItiscriticisedthatMSPcalculationformuladonotreallyreflectactualcostofproduction.

• Challengesrelatingtoinformationdissemination:NSSOstudyhaspointedoutthatithasmostlybenefitedlargefarmerswhile70%offarmersremainunawareaboutMSP.

• MSPhasturnedoutasaPoliticaltool.WhileGlobalcommoditypricesarefalling,InIndiadownwardrevisionunderMSPpolicyisinconceivable.

• Averagingoutthecostofproductionindifferentagro-climaticconditions,variedyieldsandcostindicesof26statesisaquestionableexerciseforthedeterminationofMSP.

• Inadequateinfrastructuretostoreprocuredgrainsresultsintowastage.• MSPProcurementisalmostnilineasternstates.

Suggestionstoimprove:

• Firstandforemost,theawarenessamongthefarmersneedstobeincreasedandtheinformationshouldbetimelydisseminatedtillthelowestlevelsothattheknowledgewouldincreasethebargainingpowerofthefarmers.

• DelaysinMSPpaymentshavenegativeeffectsontheframerssoneedtobecorrectedandtimelypaymentshouldbeensured.

• Asintendedbythepolicymakers,MSPshouldbeannouncedwellinadvanceofthesowingseasonsoastoenablethefarmerstoplantheircropping.

• Improvedfacilitiesatprocurementcentres,suchasdryingyards,weighingbridgesetc.shouldbeprovidedtothefarmers.Moregodawnshouldbesetupandmaintainedproperlyforbetterstorageandreductionofwastage.

• ThereshouldbemeaningfulconsultationswiththeStateGovernment,bothonthemethodologyofcomputationofMSPaswellasontheimplementationmechanism.

• ThecriteriaforfixingMSPshouldbecurrentyear’sdataandbasedonmoremeaningfulcriteriaratherthanthehistoricalcosts.

• ThesmallandmarginalfarmerscanbeprovidedwithsomeexemptioninFairAverageQuality(FAQ)normstoprovidethemwithasourceofincome.

• TheProcurementCentresshouldbeinthevillageitselftoavoidtransportationcosts.• TheMSPschemerequiresacompleteoverhaulinthoseStateswheretheimpactof

theschemerangesfrom‘nil’to‘at-bestmarginal’toensurethatMSPasanimportantinstrumentoftheGovernment’sagriculturalpricepolicyisnotundermined.Infact,inafewselectedStatesinEasternIndia(forinstance,AssamandWestBengal),thepoorimpactoftheschememaybejudgedbythefactthatnoneoftheselectedfarmerswereevenawareoftheexistenceofsuchaScheme.

Conclusion:

AlongwithMSPweneedarobustprocurementsystem,appropriateforeigntrade(export/import)policyandtariff(Customsduty)policyinawaythatwillprotectdomesticgrowerswithoutcompromisingtheinterestsofconsumerswithsimultaneousfocusoncrop-neutralinitiativesthatseektobuildlastingassetsaswellasscientificpost-harvestsystemstohelpfarmers.

Bestanswer:Sk

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19.Doagriculturalsubsidieshaveadistortingeffectinfreemarkets?Illustrate.

Introduction:

Agriculturalsubsidiesisafractionalamountofgovernmentincentivespaidtofarmers,agribusinessesinordertosupplementtheirincome,managethesupplyofagriculturalcommoditiesandinfluencethecostandsupplyofsuchcommodities.

WTOprovidesthreetypesofsubsidiesinwhichAmberboxsubsidyismosttradedistortingwhileothertwo–greenboxandblueboxarenot.

Body:

Thoughitisagoodmeasuretoaddresstheplightofthefarmers,itcanalsohaveanadverseeffectinthefreemarkets,whichcanbehighlightedasfollows-

1)SubsidiesdirectedbytheUnitedStatesgovernment,particularlytocornfarmers,canhaveaspilloveraffectindevelopingcountrieslikeIndia.SubsidiesgrantedtothefarmersofdevelopedcountriesarewayhigherthanthatgiventoIndianfarmers,thusitcancausedistortiontothedomesticmarketofdomesticmarketsaswell.

2)Fertilizerssubsidy,asaninputforagricultureproduction,isresponsibleforrampantuseoffertilizers,commonlythetriadNPK,inIndia.ThisactsasabarrierforentrytothedevelopedmarketlikeEuropeanUnionwhoheldthatIndia’sagriculturalproductsarenotuptothemarkofWTO’sphytosanitarymeasures.

3)WhilethedevelopingcountrieslikeIndiaandChinaarenotinanaffordablepositiontobreachthede-minimuslevelofAggregatemeasuresofsupport(AMS),developedcountrieslikeUSprovidessubsidiesexceeding50%insomeproductssuchasCanola,cotton,sugarandmorethan200%forwool.

MostbenefitsofsubsidiesareallottedtobigfarmerswhileInIndia,2/3Rsfarmersaremarginalfarmerswhichcan’tutilizethebenefitofsubsidyproperly.Thusvalueofproduceofsuchfarmersdecrease.

Itleadstooverproductionofonecrop(grains)overother(likefruit,pulses).Thussometimesgrainsarepiledupforrottinginwarehouse.Alsoinmarket,thetradeofsuchcerealstakeplaceontheexpanseofothernon-subsidisedproducts.

Example:TherecenttradewarbetweenUnitedandChinaisalsothepoliticalconsequencesoftheilleffectsofsubsidies,providedbyaparticularnationhaphazardly.Therefore,completecomplianceswiththeWTOmandatedde-minimuslevelforbothdevelopedanddevelopingcountriesneedtobeadheredtobyparties.

Conclusion:

However,agriculturalsubsidiesarenecessarytotheextentthattheysecuretheinterestsofthefarmer,theconsumer,thenationandtheenvironment.Assuch,rationalizingagriculturalsubsidiestosecurethisdelicatebalanceoughttobeanongoingexercise.TherecentstepslikeRythuBandhuschemeofTelanganaandKALIAschemeofOdishainthisregardaregoodmeasures.

Bestanswer:Beingbetter

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20.HowcanrevampingthePDSinIndiaensurefoodsecurity?Whatmeasuresshouldbetakeninthisdirection?Suggest.

Introduction:

ThePublicDistributionSystemcontributessignificantlyintheprovisionoffoodsecurity.PublicDistributionSysteminthecountryenablesthesupplyoffoodgrainstothepooratasubsidizedprice.Italsohelpstocontrolopen–marketpricesforcommoditiesthataredistributedthroughthesystem.

Body:

IssuesassociatedwithPDS

1)IdentificationofBeneficiaries:StudieshaveshownthattargetingmechanismssuchasTPDSarepronetolargeinclusionandexclusionerrors.

2)RisingFoodSubsidy:Thecostofhandlingfoodgrains(MSPandothercosts)hasincreasedduetorisingcostsofproductionandincreasingcostsforhandlinganddistributingfoodgrains.Thecostofproducingriceandwheathasgoneupprimarilyduetosharplyrisinginputcostssuchaslabourandenergycosts,includingfertilisers.

3)LeakageofFoodgrains:ThereishighdegreeofleakageinPDSschemeatrationshopsandduringtransportationoffoodgrains.

RevampingPDSwouldensurethat

• Coverageof75%oftheruralpopulationand50%oftheurbanpopulationforreceivingfoodgrains(rice,wheat&coarsegrains)athighlysubsidizedratesi.e.Rs.3/2/1perkgrespectively.

• Useoftechnologywillensuretheinclusionandexclusionerrorsareless.• Canensurethatpoorarenotonlyfoodsecurebutnutritionsecurewhichinturnwill

helpIndiaachieveSDGgoals.

MeasurestoimproveandrevampPDS:

1)Ensurecommunityparticipationalongwithuseoftechnology:Odisha,TamilNadu,Rajasthan,Chhattisgarh,MadhyaPradesh,TelanganaandGujarathaveintensifiedreformsinPDSusinglatesttechnologyandensuringcommunityparticipation—theyhavetakenstepssuchascomputerisationofofftakeofgrains,recordingofprocurement,storageanddistribution,installationofelectronicpointofsalemachinesinfairpriceshops,andregularmonitoringateverystage.Thedigitisationofbeneficiaries’databaseandverificationoftheiridentitiesthroughAadhaarhaveresultedinscrapingofover23millionfakerationcardsand

savingsofRs14,000croreofannualfoodsubsidy.ThisapproachcanbeextendednowtoPanIndia.

2)Densityoffairpriceshopsneedtobeincreased:Effortsneedtobemadetoopenshopsinremotelocation.

3)Minimisewastageloss:Continuedresearchandimprovementsinlogisticsthroughoutthedistributionchainisimperative.

4)Diversificationoffoodchoices:Biofortifiedfood,ifdistributed,canhelpinaddressingrecalcitrantmicronutrientdeficienciessuchasvitaminAandanaemia.Statescanprovidenecessarynutrientssuchaspulsesandmilletstowomenalongwithgrainsandpossiblypromotedietarydiversificationaspertheculture,tastesandpreferencesofpeople-thiswillalsoensurethesuccessofNNMmission

5)UniversalPDSwhichensuresfoodgrainsatsubsidisedpricelikeinstateofTamilnaducanalsoensurereductioninGhostbeneficiaries.

6)DoorstepdeliveryasimplementedbyDelhigovernmentcanbeextendedinextremelybackwarddistrictswhichwillensurethatnodeathoccursduetomalnutrition

7)Otheralternativeslikecashcouponsandfoodcouponscanalsobeexplored.

8)RecommendationofShantaKumarcommitteeneedstobeimplemented.

Conclusion:

PDSneedtoberevampedanddrawbacksinitsimplementationremovedtoensurefoodsecurityforallandtohelpIndiaachieveitsSDGgoals.

21.Whataretechnologymissions?Whatdothesemissionstrytoachieve?Explain.

Introduction:

TechnologyMissiongenerallyimpliesthatprojectshaveclearlydefinedobjectives,scopes,andimplementationtimelines.Theyhavemeasurableoutcomesandservicelevelswiththehelpoftechnologyadvancementsinparticularassignedsector.The“TechnologyMissions”arethebrainchildofMr.RajivGandhi,startedin1987.

Body:

ThemissionwasstartedasanoffshootoftheSeventhPlaninthefieldsofliteracy,immunization,oilseeds,drinkingwater,dairyproductsandtelecommunication.Subsequently,pulses,oilpalmandmaizewerealsobroughtwithinthepurviewofthe

Missionin1990-91,1992and1995-96respectively.ThesemissionsarefundedjointlybyCentreandStateGovt.andotheralliedinstitutions.

Objectivesofthemission:

• Drinkingwater-Improvetheavailabilityandqualityofdrinkingwaterinruralareas.Therehavebeensubstantiveeffortslikeusinggeo-hydrologicalmapping,todeterminewheretodrillnewwells,increasingwatersourcesandmakingaccessiblecleanwatertovillages.

• Literacy-Makesubstantialimprovementinthefunctionalliteracyofthepopulation.Themissionhadthedualfocusofmotivatingpeople(adultsinparticular)tolearn,andprovidingmaterialsandteachers.TheDigitalSakshartaAbhiyan(DISHA)orNationalDigitalLiteracyMission(NDLM)SchemehasbeenformulatedtoimpartITtraining.

• Immunization-Immunizeallinfantsagainstsixdiseasesandwomenagainsttetanus.WithconsistenteffortsoveryearsIndiawasdeclaredpolio-freein2013

• Dairyproduction-Thegoalofthedairymissionwastodevelopandimplementtechnologiestoimprovebreeding,animalhealth,andfodderandmilkproduction.Today,Indiaisthenumberoneproducerofmilkintheworld.

• Telecommunication-Extendandimprovethetelecommunicationnetworkespeciallyinruralareas.BharatNethasbeenlaiddownandothereffortsarealsoyieldingresultsthroughindigenousdevelopment,localyoungtalent,ruraltelecom,digitalswitchingnetworks,localmanufacturingandprivatization.

• AgricultureandHorticulture-Toimproveoverallagriculturalproductionandholisticdevelopmentofagriculture.NationalMissiononSustainableagriculture,NationalMissionforIntegratedDevelopmentofHorticultureandHorticultureMissionforNorthEastandHimalayanStatesarelaunched.

• OthertechnologymissionslikeonRailways,Nanotechnology,technicaltextilesetc.havealsobeenlaunched.

Thesemissionshavetransformedthesocio-economicparametersofIndia,buttherearestillchallengeslikeslowpaceofimplementation,bureaucratichurdlesandlackofclarityonmissionsonstakeholdersetc.,whichneedtobeaddressedsoon.

Conclusion:

Writeabriefconclusion

Bestanswer:ArvindSenta

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22.WhatsignificancedolivestockholdforanaveragedistressedfarmerinIndia?Illustrate.

Introduction:

AgricultureisoneoftheimportantsectorsofIndianeconomywithabout50%ofpopulationdependingonitfortheirsourceofincome.Despiteitssignificance,itismostsufferingsectorintermsofcroplossandmarketturbulences.

Body:

CryofDistress:

NSSOSituationAssessmentSurveyofAgriculturalHouseholds(2013)shows52%offarminghouseholdsareindebted,withratesashighas89-92%insomeStates.

Thedistressismainlyduetolackofcompensationduringdroughtanddisasters,thefailuresofthecropinsurancescheme,andthedeficitduetopricesfallingbelowtheannouncedMinimumSupportPrices.

Diversificationofsourcesofincomeforfarmersisoneofthefewsuggestedsolutions.Here,livestockplaysanimportantroleforadistressfarmer.

Significanceoflivestock:

Livestockaredomesticatedanimalsraisedinanagriculturalsettingtoproducelabourandcommoditiessuchasmeat,eggs,milk,fur,leather,andwool.Thetermissometimesusedtorefersolelytothosethatarebredforconsumption,whileothertimesitrefersonlytofarmedruminants,suchascattleandgoats.

• Labour:Adistressfarmercannotaffordmechanisedfarming.Forhimcattleprovidetheserviceoflabour.Theyhelpinverycrudeformofmechanisedfarmingforsmallandmarginalfarmers.

• Reliablesourceofincome:Unlikefarmcrops,livestockdonoteasilysufferfrommonsoonfailureorsuchothernaturalcalamity.Theycontinuetoprovidemilk,eggs,etc.inalmostallweatherconditions.Everypartoflivestockcarrieseconomicimportancesuchasleather,wool,meat,etc.

• Reducesinputcost:Dungandotherremnantsoflivestockactasgreenmanure,asubstitutetofertilisers.Theyalsohelpinweedcontrolwithoutusingchemicalsorotherscostlyandhazardousmethods.

• Anasset:Livestockareimportantassetforadistressfarmerwhichcanbeencashedatanymomentandmayhelphimtocomeoutofdebttrap.

• Nutritionalsecurity:Foradistressedfarmer’sfamily,foodprovidedbylivestockistheonlysourceofnutritionrequiredforsurvival.

Thelivestocksectorcanoffersignificantopportunitiesforbolsteringnon-farmincome.ThoughtherearemanystepstakenbygovernmentsuchasbovinedairydevelopmentprogramsandGOBARDHANprogrametc.,buttherearechallengeswhichneedtobeaddressedtomakeitmoreproductive.

Wayforward:

• Anationalbreedingpolicyisneededtoupgradethebestperformingindigenousbreeds.

• Buffalobreedingoughttobegivenmoreattention,whilepoultrybreedingshouldbefocusedonconservation.

• Stategovernmentsshouldbeencouragedtoparticipateinnationalbreedingpolicyimplementation.Geographicalinformationsystem-basedanalysismustbeutilisedtomapproductionsystems.

• Animalhealthcareshouldbecomeapriority,withgreaterinvestmentinpreventivehealthcare.

• Privateinvestmentmustalsobeencouraged.Thegovernmentneedstocreatebetterincentivestructuresforinvestmentinlivestock.

• Stategovernmentsshouldsponsorresearchandassessmentofthemarket,alongwithhighlightinginvestmentpotential.

BestAnswer:Sreelakshmyvijayanuma

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23.CommentupontheevolvingtrendsintheFMCGsectorinIndia.Doesthissectorneedabetterregulatoryregime?Examine.

Introduction:

Fast-MovingConsumerGoods(FMCG)orConsumerPackagedGoods(CPG)areproductsthataresoldquicklyandatarelativelylowcost.Examplesincludenon-durablegoodssuchaspackagedfoods,beverages,toiletries,over-the-counterdrugsandmedicines,andotherconsumables.

FMCGinAgriculturalproducts:

Variousfoodproductsandbeveragesdrivetheirrawmaterialfromagriculturalproduce,suchasbreadpackets,Maggieandcornflakes,wafers,varioussauces,etc.

TheseareveryrapidlyincreasinginIndia.

FMCGsectorinIndia

• Fastmovingconsumergoods(FMCG)arethe4thlargestsectorintheIndianeconomy.

• OutofthreemainsegmentsofFMCGsectori.e.healthcare,householdandpersonalcare,andfoodandbeverages,lastoneaccountsfor19%ofthesector.

• ConsideringthesizeofagriculturesectorinIndia,thereishugeunexploredpotentialforFMCGinagriculturesector.

• India’scontributiontoglobalconsumptionisexpectedtogetdoubleto5.8%by2020duevariousfactorssuchasincreasingdisposableincome,higherdemandespeciallyruralareas,etc.

PotentialforAgriculturalFMCGinIndia:

100%FDIispermittedinsinglebrandretail,domesticandinternationalcompaniesinFMCG.Itisgreatopportunitytoexploreinnovativeproductionandprocessingsuchaspaperpulp,sugarproducts,fermentation,foodprocessing(driedfruitsandvegetables,jamsandsauces),vegetableoilsandvanaspathi,soaps,cosmeticsandtoiletriesindustries,etc.

About50%ofIndia’sworkforceisemployedinagriculturesector.Thereishugemanpoweravailabletoharnessprocessingpotentialofagriculture.

IssuesinFMCGsectorinIndia:

• Oneofthemajorissuesislaxregulation.Thereishugepotentialforfoodprocessingineveryhousehold,especiallyofruralIndia.Butlackofawareness,lackofscientificpreservationtechniques,andabsenceoffeedbackorrecallmechanismhampersthegrowthofthispotentialonlargescale.

• Duetoaboveshortcomingsthehugeglobalmarketremainsunexplored.• Indianfoodproducts,duetotheirspicytastes,areinhighdemandoverseas.But

domesticallythissectorremainsunconsolidatedandunregulated.• Otherissuesincludeadulterationandpoorpackaging,etc.

• NeedofregulatoryregimeinFMCG:ThoughFSSAIisregulatingandmonitoringfoodproducts,butstilltherearelargenumbersofuniquehomemadesnacksandwaferswhichifbroughtunderregulatoryambit,willcontributemoretohouseholdincomeaswellasrevenuetocountry.

FMCG,especiallyinagriculturalproduce,formspartofsmallandmediumscaleindustry.TheMSMEsareoneofthelargestemployersinIndia.

ProperregulationofthesectorwillhelpMSMEstogrowandultimatelyprosperityofhouseholdswillbeachieved.

SelfHelpgroupsareanotherimportantgroupinfoodprocessing,regulatoryregimeismostneededtothesegroups.

EnvironmentalconcernsandhealthconcernsduetocheappackagingoradulterationetcarealsodemandingproperregulationofFMCGs.

FoodcontinuestobeoneofthemostunderpenetratedsegmentfororganisedFMCGplayersandthefoodindustryinparticular,andislikelytobebenefitedasAgriculturalProduceMarketCommittee(APMC)reformscontinue,andfoodsafetyregulationsaresecularlyimplemented.

Conclusion:

Consideringtherapidlygrowingdomesticandglobalconsumermarket,thereishugepotentialforIndiatotargetdoublingoffarmers’incomeby2022withthehelpofFMCGs.Foritweneedskilldevelopment,innovativeenvironmentandastrongregulatoryregime.

BestAnswer:Shri

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24.DoyouthinkthefoodprocessingindustryhasenoughpotentialtocreatejobsfortheburgeoninglabourforceinIndia?Criticallycomment.

Introduction:

India’sfoodprocessingsectorcontinuestogrowinresponsetochangingdemographics,evolvingpreferencesforbrandedandconvenientitems,retailandfoodservicesectormodernization,andgovernmenteffortstodevelopfoodmanufacturing.

Body:

ThefoodprocessingindustryisakeycontributortoemploymentgenerationinIndia.By2024,foodprocessingsectorisexpectedtoemploy9millionpeopleinIndiaandexpectedtogenerateabout8,000directand80,000indirectjobsinthestate,theASSOCHAM-GrantThorntonjointstudyon‘FoodRetail:Investment:Infrastructure’noted.

Astheconsumersinthecountryarebecomingmorehealth-conscious,thedemandfornutritiousfoodisgrowingproportionately.Inaddition,risingnumberofworkingwomenandnuclearfamiliesisresultinginhighdemandforready-to-eatandfrozenfood.Thus,overallIndia’sfoodvaluechainispoisedtocreatemultipleopportunitiesforinvestmentandemploymentinstorageinfrastructure,farming,retailandqualitycontrol.

ItisestimatedthatIndianfoodprocessingindustryispeggedclosetoUS$121billiontoUS$130billion.

Withthesecondlargestarablelandintheworld,itisthelargestproducerofmilk,pulses,sugarcaneandteaintheworldandthesecondlargestproducerofwheat,rice,fruitsandvegetables.

Despitethemassiveproduction,thedegreeofprocessingislowandrangesbetween2-35%fordifferentproduce.

Indiaisoneofthetoprankersintheproductionofbananas,guavas,ginger,papayaetcalthoughprocessinglevelsinthecountryremainlimited,whichindicatesanextensiveopportunityinthefoodprocessingsector.

IndianfoodandretailmarketisprojectedtotouchUS$482billionbyFY2020fromthecurrentlevelofUS$258billionin2015.

Employmentareas:Farmrelatedemploymentinagriculturalsector(Alliedactivitieslikedairying),self-employmentopportunitiesparticularlytowomen,developmentandmanagementofinfrastructuralfacilitieslikestorageandprocessingcentres,transportationnetwork,researchandinnovationtoaddvaluetotheproductandothers.

ThoughIndiaranksfirstinproductionofmilk,pulsesandteaandsecondinproductionoffruitsandvegetables,itsshareintheworldfoodtradeislessthantwopercent.Thusthepolicymakershaveidentifiedfoodprocessingasakeysectorinencouraginglabourmovementfromagriculturetomanufacturing.

GovernmentofIndiahascomeoutwithSAMPADAschemetogiveboosttoFoodProcessingIndustryinthecountry.Toreducepost-harvestlossesoffruitsandvegetables,Governmentplanstosetup500coldchainprojectsinthecountry.

Conclusion:

However,inordertoachievejobcreationpotential,severalissuesthatplaguefoodprocessingindustrylikeIn-adequateinfrastructuralfacilities,Poorqualityandhygienenorms,needforgreaterinvestmentandaccesstoglobalmarket,Researchandinnovationinthesectorrequireattention.

Bestanswer:DazyRani

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25.Whatdounderstandbybackwardandforwardintegration?Illustratewithrespecttothefoodprocessingindustry.

Introduction:

Foodprocessingisthetransformationofrawingredientsintofood,oroffoodintootherforms(ie.foodprocessingmaydenotedirectmanufacturingoffoodorvalueadditiononexistingfood).Foodprocessingtypicallytakesharvestedcropsorbutcheredanimalproductsandusesthesetoproducelongshelf-lifefoodproducts.

Body:

Forwardlinkageintegrationreferstoconsolidatingthechainfromprocessingindustriestomarketwhilebackwardmarketintegrationreferstoconsolidatingchainsfromfarmtoprocessingcentresandtointegrationwithancillaryindustries.

Exampleofforwardlinkageintegration

• Reductionofintermediariesbywholesalemarketingore-marketingorsupermarketsetc.

• Provisionofchillinginfrastructure,transportationinfrastructureetc.• Provisionoftestingandstandardisationfacilitytogradefinalproduct.

Examplesofbackwardlinkageintegration:

• Developmentofinfrastructurelikeroadtotransportfarmproducetoprocessingcentres.

• Landconsolidationandcontractfarmingtoensuresteadyavailabilityofsurplusmarketableproduce.

• Availabilityofpropermarketinginfrastructureforfarmerstorealizefairpricefortheirproducefor.Topreservetherawmaterialsforlongerdurations.

Integrationofforwardandbackwardslinkagesisextremelyvitalforthesuccessoffoodprocessingsector.

Benefitsofbackwardlinkageandforwardlinkageforfoodprocessingindustries

• Reducesfoodinflation• Preventingwastageofonesthirdoffood

Fore.g.PepsicollaboratedwithPunjabfororangeprocurement

Howevervariouschallengesstillremainowingtolackofinfrastructure,llargeno.Ofintermediaries,lackoftestingandgradingfacilityandlandreformissueswhichneedtobeovercometoreaptheanticipatedbenefitsofFPIintermsofimprovedefficiencyoffoodsupplychainandemploymentgeneration(andtherebyreapingourdemographicdividend).

Conclusion:

Foodprocessingindustriesaresunriseindustrieswhichhavepotentialtogrowfrompresent2%ofGDPtooptimisinghighoutputoffarmingsector.GovernmentintroducedPMkrishisampadascheme,megafoodparkschemeetc.toaddressaplethoraoftheseissues.

Bestanswer:shri

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26.WhatarethechallengesofsupplychainmanagementoffoodproductsinIndia?Analyse.

Introduction:

Anagriculturesupplychainsystemcomprisesorganizations/cooperativesthatareresponsiblefortheproductionanddistributionofvegetable/Fruits/Cereals/Pulsesoranimal-basedproducts.

Body:

ChallengesofSupplyChainManagement

• Connectivity:Thereislackofconnectivityfromvillagestomarkets• SortingandGradingtechnology:Farmerslacktheknowledgeabouttheprocess• Numerousstakeholdersworkinginisolation:Thefoodsupplychainiscomplexwith

perishablegoodsandnumeroussmallstakeholders.InIndia,theinfrastructureconnectingthesepartnersisveryweak.

• Lackofdemandestimation:Demandforecastingistotallyabsentandthefarmerstrytopushwhatevertheyproduceintothemarket.

• Lackoftechnologyapplications:Coldchainlogisticsupplychainsshouldtakeadvantageoftechnologyimprovementsindatacaptureandprocessing,producttrackingandtracing,synchronizedfreighttransporttransmittimesfortimecompressionalongthesupplychainandsupply-demandmatching.

• Lackofsystemintegration:Thesupplychainneedstobedesignedandbuiltasawholeinanintegratedmanner.Theprocessofnewproductdevelopment,procurementandordertodeliveryprocessesshouldbewelldesignedandwellsupportedwiththehelpofITtoolsandsoftware.

• Presenceoflargenumberofunorganizedretailers:Atpresenttheunorganizedretailersarelinkedwithfarmersthroughwholesalersorcommissionagents.Thecommissionagentsandwholesalersredundantsupplychainpracticesmakeunorganizedfurtherinefficient.

WaysthroughwhichSupplychainmanagementcanbeimproved

• ImprovinginfrastructurethroughschemeslikeAjeevikaGrameenExpressyojana,SAMPADAyojana(buildingwarehouses)

• Verticalcoordinationoffarmersthroughcooperatives,contractfarmingandretailchainswouldfacilitatebetterdeliveryofoutput,reducemarketrisks,providebetterinfrastructure,attractmorepublicinterest,acquirebetterextensionservices,andcreateawarenessregardingtheprevailingandnewtechnologies.

• Customizedlogisticsisanotherimportantimmediaterequirementtomakelogisticeffective.Thisreducesthecost,facilitatesmaintenanceofqualityoftheproduceandfulfilsrequirementsoftargetedcustomers.

• Informationsystemforbettercoordinationamongdifferentstakeholdersfromfarmerstoconsumersistheneedofthehour.Theinternetandmobilecommunicationcanalsobeusedtoenableinformationandfinancialtransferbetweenthestakeholders.

• Publicprivatepartnershipisanotherstrategicsolution.Supplychainlikewashing,waxing,grading,sorting,packing,pre-cooling,handlingfacilities,insurance,finance,transportandprocessingfacilitieswouldaddvaluetosupplychainfunctioning.

• EstablishmentofMegaFoodparks:Theseparkswillalsoprovidetherequiredinfrastructuralandcommonfacilitieswhichareessentialforsustenanceofthe

industries.Qualityassurancelaboratories,Warehousingincludingcoldstorages,commoneffluenttreatmentplantsetc.

Conclusion:

Thesupplychainmanagementhastobeimprovedinallthestagesofthesupplybyadoptingglobalbestpracticesinstorage,packaging,handling,transportation,valueaddedserviceetc.Andalsobydisintermediationandparticipationoforganizedplayersi.e.,modernsupplychainwithaviewtobenefitbothfarmersaswellasultimateconsumers.

BestAnswer:AniketSachan

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SurajSharma

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27.ThereisaneedtointroducesecondgenerationlandreformsinIndia.Doyouagree?Substantiateyourviews.

Introduction:

Secondgenerationlandreformsareaimedatreorganizingstateandcollectivefarmsintofamily-sizeunitsandintroducingmarket-orientedlandsystems.Itisbroadlyaboutleavingresourceallocationandproductiondecisionstomarketforcesratherthantothegovernmentinstitutions.

Body:

Needforreforms:

• Universality-Previousreformsliketenancyact,landceilingetc.benefittedmanyfarmersbutthebenefitswereunevenlydistributedacrossclassesandregions.Newreformsarerequiredtocoverallpotentialbeneficiaries.

• Landmarketdevelopment-Issuesinlandacquisition,transferandleaseoflandpreventsthedevelopmentofasoundmarketmechanismwherelandisseenjustasaresourcethatcanhelpitsownersindistresssituation.

• Improvedoutput-Landleasing,co-operativefarming,contractfarmingetc.helpfarmersgetbetterreturnsfromthesamepieceofland,butitcanonlybeexercisedwithincreasedmarketforcesatplay.

• Genderequality-Therehasbeenincreasedfeminizationofagricultureduetomalemigration,butwomenarestilldeniedownershiprightsoverland.

Howitcanbeaccomplished:

• Landrecordsmodernization/computerization-DigitalIndiaLandRecordsModernisationProgramme(DILRMP)hasbeenlaunched.

• Appropriatelandcompensation-TheRighttoFairCompensationandTransparencyinLandAcquisition,RehabilitationandResettlementAct,2013ismeanttoprovideownerswithrightfulcompensation.

• Landleasing-ModelAgriculturalLandLeasingAct,2016canhelpinthisregard.• Contractfarming-DraftModelContractFarmingAct,2018hasbeenreleasedto

strengthenrulesandregulationsregardingthis.• Consolidationoflandholdingssothathugemachineriescanbeutilized• FDIinagriculturalsector• Co-operativefarming• Useoflandbanksandlandpooling

Conclusion:

Forachievementoffaster,sustainableandinclusivegrowththereisneedforsecondgenerationlandreform.Thereformscanalsohelpinachievingthegoalofdoublingfarmers’incomeby2022.

Bestanswer:SreelakshmyViajayanUma

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28.Whataretheapplicationsofnanotechnologyindefenceandspacesectors?Discuss.

Introduction:

Nanotechnologyismanipulationofmatteronanatomic,molecular,andsupramolecularscale.Thistechnologyisemergingasan‘industrialforce’worldwide.Ithasthepotentialtoreducecostswithitsmultipleapplicationsandtheinherentabilitytoproducenewmaterialslikenon-corrodingandflexibleiron.

Nanotechnology:Definitionandconcept

NThastwodifferentbutimportantmeanings.Oneisabroad,stretchedversionthatincludesanytechnologydealingwithsomethinglessthan100nanometresinsize.

Theotheristheoriginalmeaningandreferstodesigningandbuildingmachinesinwhicheveryatomandchemicalbondisspecifiedprecisely.

• NTistechnologythatoperatesanywherewithinthenanometrelengthofscale.Onenanometreisonebillionth(10-9)ofametre.Thisistherealmoftheatom,thesmallestunitofanelement.

• NTmainlyconsistsofthe‘processing,separation,consolidation,anddeformationofmaterialsbyoneatomoronemolecule’.

• Themostimportantaspectofnanotechnology-enabledproductsistheminiaturizationofdevicesandthediversefunctionalitiesthatcanbeintegratedwithinasingularsystem.

Nanotechindefencesector

• Nanotechnologyisanareaofscienceandtechnologythatholdshighlypromisingprospectsformilitaryapplications,consideringitswideapplicabilityindefensiveaswellasoffensiveoperations.

Electronics/Computers/Sensors

• ElectronicsisoneareainwhichNTismakinggreatstrides.TheuseofNTapplicationswilldrasticallyreducethecostandincreasetheperformanceofmemory,displays,processors,solarpoweredcomponents,andembeddedintelligencesystems.

• Miniaturizationisexpectedtohelpmicroprocessorsrunmuchfaster,therebyenablingcomputationsatfargreaterspeeds.

• Insensormanufacturing,NThaslargerutilitybecauseitallowstheproductionofsmallersensorsdowntothesizeofmicrometres.

• Typicalapplicationsforsuchsensorsaresmokedetectors,icedetectorsonaircraftwings,automobileengineperformancesensors,etc.

• Fromamilitarypointofview,theutilityofNTinthefieldofelectronics,computers,andsensorswouldessentiallyrevolvearoundreducingthesizeofexistinggadgetryandmakingthemmoreefficient.

Bio-Defence

• NTisfastemergingasanewfrontierinbio-defence.Currently,NTisprimarilybeingusedinthedevelopmentofbio-sensors.

• Somecountriesareworkingonextremelysmallmachinesandtoolsthatcanenterthehumanbody.

• Byusingaperson’ssaliva,bodyfluids,orblood,Nano-biosensorscanbecreatedtoreliablyworkwithpathogenssuchasviruses.

• DrugandvirusdevelopmentcostscanbereducedbyusingNano-chipstotestvariousmedicationsoracombinationofchemicalsandvaccines.

• Treatmentandfasterrecoveryofinjuriesispossiblethroughnanotech.• Presently,NTisshowingimmensepromiseinthedevelopmentofvariousdirectand

indirectapplicationsusefulforbio-defencepurposes.

Chemicaldefence

• Inthearenaofchemicalweaponsterrorism,NTofferssolutionsagainsttheusageofchemicalagentslikeVX,HD,GD,andGB.SomenanoparticleoxideslikeCaO,Al2O3,andMgOinteractwithsuchchemicalsmuchfasterthanmicroparticlesandareideallysuitedforfastdecompositionofsuchchemicals.

• Asensingdevicefordetectionofnerve-gasagentsintheatmospherehasbeendevelopedbasedonNTapplications.

ConventionalWeapons/Ammunition

• NT-basedstrongerandlightermaterialswouldallowthebuildingofconventionalbarrel-typeweaponswithreducedmass.

• Itisconceivablethatsmallarmsandlightweaponscouldusebarrels,locksetc.madeofNano-fibrecomposites.

• Eveninrespectofballisticandair-breathingmissiles,thereducedmasscouldtranslateintoamarkedincreaseinspeed,range,orpayloadaswellasareductionincarriersize.

Maritimeapplications

• Microandnanoscaleelectronicpackagesarelikelytomaintainreliabilityunderextremelyharshconditionsresultingfromconcurrentlyactingvibrations,high-currentdensity,high-powerandhigh-temperatureloads.

• ProductssuchasfunctionallygradednanocompositesareexcitingexamplesofthepotentialforNTtobringinnovationsfromthebenchtothefleet,whilealsoprovidinganopportunityforreducingcosts.

• Expertsareoftheviewthatnanoparticlescanbeusedtomarkships,fishingboats,navigablechannels,anddelimitingsafeheavens.

• Thecrystalsaresolubleinpaints,fuel,lubricants,specialitychemicals,glues,etc.butcannotbeeasilycounterfeited,removed,oralteredbyanyoneexcepttheauthorisedagencywhichdesignedthem.

Aerospaceandotherdefenceapplications

• Lessvulnerablecorrosivematerialishelpfulinsatellitemanufacturingaswell.• Also,suchstructuralmaterialsandtheminiaturizationassuchachievedbyNTis

likelytoplayavitalroleindesigningthenextgenerationofunmannedaerialvehicles/unmannedcombataerialvehicles.

SpaceapplicationsofNanotech

Ignitors’life:

• Thelifeofsatellites,toalargeextent,isdeterminedbytheamountoffueltheycancarryonboard.

• On-boardignitorswearoutquicklyandceasetoperformeffectively.• Nanomaterials,suchasNano-crystallinetungsten-titaniumdiboride-copper

composite,arepotentialcandidatesforenhancingignitors’lifeandperformancecharacteristics.

Lightweightsolarpanels/cells:

• Apartfromon-boardfuel,satellitesinouterspaceusesolarpowerasapowersourceforvariousactivities.

• Satellitedesignersarecontinuouslyworkingonfindingthemeanstoreducetheweightofsuchsolarcells.

• Spacescientistsaretryingtoadoptnanomaterialsasalternativematerialstotheirconventionalcounterparts.

Applicationsofaerogelsinspacecraft:

• LighterNano-porousmaterialslikeaerogelsarefoundtohavewiderapplicabilityinspacecraftmanufacturing.

• Evensomespeciallightweightsuits,jacketsetc.couldbemadeusingaerogels.• Aerogelsarealow-densitysolid-statematerialderivedfromgelinwhichtheliquid

componentofthegelhasbeenreplacedwithgas.Theresultisanextremelylow-

densitysolidwithseveralremarkableproperties,mostnotablyitseffectivenessasaninsulator.

• Theyareporousandextremelylightweight,yettheycanwithstand100timestheirweight.

• Spaceweatherforecasting:KnowledgeofspaceweatherinthenearEarthandsolarspaceenvironmentiscriticalforspaceresearch.

• Nanostructuredsensorsareexpectedtoplayafundamentalroleinobtaininginformationontheionosphereandotherregionsofspace.

NanotechinIndia’sSpaceanddefencesector

• TheGovernmentofIndiainitiatedaNanomaterialsScienceandTechnologyMission(NSTM).However,IndianinvestmentsinNTarenotveryencouraging.

• Inthedefencearena,India’sDefenceResearchandDevelopmentOrganization(DRDO)isworkingonareaslikesensors,high-energyapplications,stealthandcamouflage,Nuclear,Biological,andChemical(NBC)attackprotectiondevices,structuralapplications,Nano-electronics,andcharacterization.

• Currently,itsmajorfocusisondevelopingvarioustypesofsensors,NBCprotection/detectiondevicesanddevelopingpaintwithcamouflagecharacteristics.

• ISROalsolaunchedNanosatellites,markingamilestoneinspaceresearchanddevelopments.

Concernsandwayforward:

• NTapplicationsmayharmhumanhealthortheenvironment.• Suchlegitimateconcernsdemandtheformulationoftoolstohandleissuesarising

outofbothcivilianandmilitaryapplicationsofNT.• NTcouldsuddenlychangetheregional/global‘militarybalance’.Thiswouldincrease

threatandreducestability.• Topreventoratleastreducesuchrisksandinstability,limitationscanbeagreed

uponinadvancebeforenewweaponsortechnologyaredeployed,actingmainlyatthestagesofdevelopmentand/ortesting,andsometimesattheresearchstage.

• Intheyearstocome,somenon-stateactorscouldalsodeveloporotherwiseacquiremilitary-relatedNTs.

• Sincetheexactstatusoftechnologyatthisjunctureisnotknown,someofthesetechnologieswhendevelopedtotheirfullcapabilitymayormaynotcomeunderexistingexportcontrolregulations.

• ItisarguedthatnanomedicineisonefieldwhereviolationoflawsdesignedunderBTWCandtheChemicalWeaponsConvention(CWC)islikelytotakeplace.

• Costreductionwillencouragemoreandmorenanotechdesignedsatelliteslaunchesandmayleadtofurtherincreaseinspacetrafficanddebris.

Conclusion:

MilitaryandspaceapplicationsofNTareheretostay.Statesarelikelytoinvestmoreandmoreintothistechnologyforexploitingthedual-usenatureofthistechnology.NToffersvitalandvariedapplicationsasdiscussedabove.

ForIndia,Nano-sensorswouldhaveagreatpotentialforreal-timebordersurveillancethroughwirelessnetworking.

CertainareasofNT,particularlymolecularNT,arestillinanascentformofdevelopmentanditisdifficulttoclearlyidentifytheirspecificusesindefenceandspace.

ConsideringtheleaderinspaceresearchinSouthAsia,thereishugepotentialforIndiainapplicationsofnanotechnology.

(Note:Thissynopsishasbeenmadedetailedtocoverallpossibleapplications,youcanwritesomeofthem.)

BestAnswer:SID

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29.HasIndia’sIPRregimestifledinnovation?Criticallyexamine.

Introduction:

IPRreferstoIntellectualPropertyRightswhichareexclusivecommercialrightsfornovelinnovations.Intellectualproperty(IP)isacategoryofpropertythatincludesintangiblecreationsofthehumanintellectsuchascopyrights,patents,andtrademarks.

IPiskeytoinnovation,andinnovationiscrucialineconomicdevelopment.ThustheroleoftheIndianIPRregimeisvital.IndiahasadoptedanIPRregimeinlinewithinternationalstandards.

Body:

However,India’sIPRregimeisallegedtostifleinnovationbecause:

• Itdiscouragesever-greeningofpatentswithminorchangeswithoutanysignificantimprovementineffectivenessorefficiency.

• Thebureaucraticsetupwhichisallegedlycorrupt,unresponsiveandlacksexpertisetorecognizeandpromoteinnovation.

• Allegedly,nomajorsuccessfulinitiativeshavebeentakenbytheagenciesconcernedeithertopopularizeIPRsinIndia.

• Lackofswiftandcost-effectivejudicialmeasurestoenforceIPRexclusivityandtheresultantplagiarism.

• WeaklinkbetweenlocalIndiancompanies,individualsandIndianIPauthorities:Indiafiledonly1.18%ofglobalpatentfilings,numberofforeignerfilinginIndiaishigher

• Fewpatentexaminersresultinpatentsprocessedperexaminerdeclining• Speedofgrantingpatentsmoreslowercomparedtoglobalstandards• Copycats:Allowinggenericproducts(likedrugs)etc.promoteIndianlivingstandards,

generateemploymentatthesametimeaffectingtheinnovator.

However,thecounterargumentsare:

• Ever-greeninghasbeenfoundtostifleinnovation,becomingatooltofurtherconcentrateinthehandsoffewercompanies.

• DespitethemeagrestatesupporttoR&Dinthecountry,Indiaranks6thworldwideintermsofIPRcreation.Fore.g.EricsoncompanyfoundIndiapatentfriendlynation

Stepstakentopromoteinnovation:

1)Transparency:Filingandexaminationresultsarenowpublicdomain

2)Lowcostoffilingpatentscomparedglobally

3)Start-upbenefits:Start-upIntellectualPropertyProtectionhelpsstart-upgaintaxbenefits,reducefilingcostsandprotecttrademarks,copyrightsetc.

4)EstablishmentofNewnumberingsystemcompatiblewithglobalIPoffices.

5)Preventionofevergreeningpatents(USmedicinesmostexpensivecomparedtoIndianones)

Conclusion:

Assuch,tosuggestthatIndia’sIPRregimehasstifledinnovationwouldbeanexaggeration.InitiativessuchasCIPAM,TRIPScompliancecanpromotethedelicatebalancebetweenensuringsocietalbenefitwithoutstiflinginnovationadequately.Butit’struethatbycreatingpopularawarenessaboutIPRsandbyprovidingeffective&cost-efficientjudicial-legalremediesagainstIPRviolation,wecanfurtheraccelerateinnovationinIndia.

Bestanswer:Shri

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30.Whatareyourviewsongeneediting?Shoulditbeallowed?Evaluateitsprosandcons.

Introduction:

Geneediting,whoisalsoknownasgenomeediting,involvestheinsertion,deletion,orreplacementofDNA(deoxyribonucleicacid)inagene.

Severaldifferentmethodsthatcanbeusedtoeditgenes(Notethisisextrainfo-notneededinanswer)

1)Zincfingernucleasetechnology:Hasbeenusedlongerthananyothergene-editingmethod.Firstdevelopedinthe1990s,thisapproachinvolvesthebindingofapairofZFNstoaDNAtarget.

2)TALEN(transcriptionactivator-likeeffectorsnuclease)Developedin2009.TALENsareproducedbyacommontypeofplantbacteria.LikeZFNs,TALENsbindtoandcuttargetedDNAsequences.AkeyadvantagetheTALENgene-editingmethodholdsoverZFNisthatengineeringTALENsissimplerthanusingZFNs.

3)CRISPR(thebiggestdevelopmentingeneeditingwasthediscoveryofclusteredregularlyinterspacedshortpalindromicrepeats(CRISPRs).TheCRISPRmethodusesbacterialenzymestotargetandcutspecificsectionsofDNA.CRISPRissimplerandcheaperthanearliergene-editingmethods.

Body:

ProsaboutGeneediting:

• CancerTherapeutics:NewimmunetherapiescanbedevelopedusingCRISPRtotreatcancer.ScientistscangeneticallymodifyT-cellsusingCRISPRtolocateandkillcancercells.

• CuringGeneticDiseases:CRISPRtechnologycaneliminatethegenesthatcausegeneticdiseasessuchasdiabetes,cysticfibrosis.Giventhatthescientificcommunityhasalreadymappedmanygenesthatcausethegeneticdisease,CRISPRcouldbeusedtocurefaultygenesthatcausegeneticdiseases.

• DrugResearch:ScientistsarepredictingthatCRISPRcouldpotentiallyspeedupthedrugdiscoveryprocessgiventhetechnologyisrelativelycheap,preciseandsimpletouse.SomeofthedrugmakersintheworldarealreadyincorporatingCRISPRtechnologyintheirdrugresearchanddiscoveryphase.

• PestResilientCrops:AccordingtoJenniferDoudna,CRISPRpioneer,genomeeditingcouldaddresspestandnutritionchallengesfacingagriculture,especiallyinlightofclimatechangeandrapidpopulationgrowth.

Consaboutgeneediting:

• ChangestotheGerm-lineCells:Thiscouldpotentiallyleadtodevelopmentofdesignerbabieswhichwouldcreatedivisionsinsocietyasdesignerbabywillhavemoregeneticadvantageovertheother

• BioWeapons:TheformerU.S.directorofnationalintelligencelisted“genomeediting”amongsixthreatsinthesectiononweaponsofmassdestructionin2016.Thetechnologycanbeusedtogeneticallymodifybacteriaorvirusestowagebiologicalattacksagainsthumans.

• Unknowndiseasestohuman:Thereisarisingfearthatgenomeeditingcancausedifferenttypeofdiseasesstillunknowntohuman

ShouldGeneeditingbeallowed:

• GeneeditingshouldbeencouragedtoenhancetheadvancementsinfieldofscienceandimprovethestandardoflivingofpeopleE.g.:CRISPRtechnologyistargetingtotreattherarediseasecausedbymutationofonegene.Atthesametimeacommonguidelinesneedtobedevelopedbyinternationalcommunity’swhichsettheguidelinesofwhatrisksareacceptableandwhatarenot.

Conclusion:

Likeeverynewtechnologygeneeditinghastwosidestheneedistoencouragethepositivesidewhilebeingcautiousaboutnegatives.

BestAnswer:Mudrarakshas

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31.ExaminethefactorsthathaveconstrainedresearchandinnovationcapabilitiesinIndia.Whatmeasuresbetakentopromoteindigenisation?Suggest.

Introduction:

Researchandinnovationdeterminesthegrowthtrajectoryofanationandareessentialforoveralldevelopmentbeitsocial,economicorhumandevelopmentparameter.

Body:

Factorsthathaveconstrainedresearchandinnovationcapabilities:

• Lowlevelofresearchinvestment–AsperUNESCOInstituteofStatisticsdata,Indiaspends0.8%inGDPonR&D,whichisnotablylessthanChina’s2%orthe2.7%oftheUS0r4.2%ofIsrael.

• Laggingprivatesector–InsufficientscientificresearchinIndia’sprivatesectorseemstobepartoftheproblem.Thelargepharmaceuticalsector,forexample,remainsdominatedbythefabricationofgenericproductsratherthanoriginalformulations.

• Weakindustry-academialinkage–UnlikewesterncountriesinIndiathereisadisconnectionbetweenindustryneedsandacademicscreatingavacuuminresearchandinnovation.

• Neglectatuniversitylevel–Alargesectionofthecountry’spublicresearchisconcentratedinnationalresearchcentressuchastheS.N.BoseCenter,theRamanResearchInstituteandorganizationssuchastheIndianAssociationfortheCultivationofScience.Incomparison,researchatuniversitieshasbeenneglected.

• Lackofinfrastructure–Physicalaswellasotherenablinginfrastructureismissingtohelpinresearchcapabilities.

• InsufficientFDI–FDIinIndiahasfocusedonsettingupback-endofficesforR&Dcentersindevelopedcountries.

• IssuesregardingIntellectualPropertyrights(IPR)–WeakenforcementofIPRrulespreventthedevelopmentofinnovationecosysteminthenation.

• Unethicalpractices–theurgetomakeillegalmoney,immensemisuseofpower,frivolouspublicationsandpatents,faultypromotionpolicies,victimizationforspeakingagainstwrongorcorruptpracticesinthemanagement,sycophancy,andbraindrain.

Measurestakenbygovernment:

• Variousschemeshavebeenintroducedtoimprovethequalityofresearchinstitutes,forthepromotionoftechnologybusinessincubators(AtalIncubationCentres)andresearchparksthatpromoteinnovativeideasuntiltheybecomecommercialventures.

• Governmentproceduresandapprovalsforscientistsandresearchershavebeenplacedonlineandmadetransparent,therebyassuring“EaseofDoingScience”.

• PMfellowshipschemeaimedatencouragingyoung,talented,enthusiasticandresult-orientedscholarstotakeupindustry-relevantresearch.

• AtalTinkeringLabsensurethatdedicatedworkspacesarecreatedforstudentstoinnovateanddevelopideasthatwillgoontotransformIndia.

• Platformslike“InnovateIndia”promoteandrecogniseinnovationshappeningacrossthenationbyenablingcitizenstosharetheirinnovation.

• UnnatBharatAbhiyan2.0tohelpbringtransformationalchangeinruraldevelopmentprocessesbyleveragingknowledgeinstitutionstohelpbuildthearchitectureofanInclusiveIndia.

• IMPRINTIndiaisaimedatadoptingengineeringandtechnologyasthevehicletoaddressingthesocietalneedsandachievingnationalprosperity

• ForgingtechnologyandinnovationpartnershipswithothernationslikeIndia-IsraelInnovationBridgewillactaslinkbetweenstart-upsofIndiaandIsrael.

• VariousenablingpolicieslikeScience,Technology&InnovationPolicy2013,NationalIntellectualPropertyRightsPolicy,TechnologyVisionDocument2035andSpaceVisionIndia2025havebeenframed.

Wayforward:

• IncreasedR&Dinvestmentupto2%ofGDP• Improveindustry-academialinkages• Favourablepoliciestoboostinnovationecosystem• Boosttoprivatesector• Attractforeigninvestmentinresearch• Encouragegrassrootlevelinnovators• StrengthenIPRpolicyregime• Upgradeinfrastructure

Conclusion:

Indiahasrealizedtheimportanceofpromotingresearchandinnovation,whichcanbeseenfromthefactthatitmadeaquantumleapof21placesintheGlobalInnovationIndexintwoyearsandstandsasthe57thmostinnovativenationintheworldtoday.

Bestanswer:GargiGupta

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JeanGrey

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32.Whatarethecurrentstrategiestodealwiththeproblemofnaxalism?Howeffectivehavetheybeen?Examine.

Introduction:

NaxalismcanbetracedbackedtoitsorigininNaxalbarivillageofWestBengalstate.Itstartedasamovementtovoiceitsconcernsbylandlesslabourersandtribalpeopleandgraduallyhasbecomeaninternalsecuritythreattothecountry.

Body:

StrategiestodealwithNaxalism:

• LeftWingExtremism(LWE)Division-ItwascreatedintheHomeMinistrytoeffectivelyaddresstheLeftWingExtremistinsurgencyinaholisticmanner.ItimplementssecurityrelatedschemesaimedatcapacitybuildingintheLWEaffectedStates.

• SecurityRelatedExpenditure(SRE)scheme-Formulatedforthepurposeofreimbursementofsecurity-relatedexpenditureliketransportation,communication,thehiringofvehicles,stipendtosurrenderedMaoists,constructionofinfrastructureforforcesetc.

• MediaPlan-Maoistshavebeenmisguidingandluringtheinnocenttribal/localpopulationinLWEaffectedareasbytheirSo-calledpoor-friendlyrevolutionthroughpettyincentivesorbyfollowingtheircoercivestrategy.Todealwiththeirfalsepropaganda,activitieslikeTribalYouthExchangeprogrammesorganisedbyNYKS,radiojingles,documentaries,pamphletsetc.arebeingconducted

• AspirationalDistrict-TheMinistryofHomeAffairshasbeenmonitoringAspirationaldistrictsprogrammein35LWEaffecteddistricts

• ModernisationandupgradationoftheStatePoliceandtheirIntelligenceapparatusandfortificationofPolicestations

• Ensuringrightsandentitlementsoflocalcommunities• Improvementingovernanceandpublicperceptionmanagement• BetterequipmentofCRPF• SettingupofCounterInsurgencyandAntiTerrorism(CIAT)schools

• AssistanceintrainingofStatePolicethroughtheMinistryofDefence,theCentralPoliceOrganisationsandtheBureauofPoliceResearchandDevelopment

• Facilitatinginter-Statecoordination• Assistanceincommunitypolicingandcivicactionprogrammes

Effectivenessoftheabovementionedstrategies:

• Reducedgeographicalextent-Mostoftheleft-wingextremismhasbeenrestrictedtojust30worst-hitdistricts.

• Increasedattacks-Therehasbeenanincreaseinattacksbutdecreaseinareaofinfluence.

• Militarization-TherehasbeengreatermilitarizationofthebannedCommunistPartyofIndia(Maoist)inareaswithintheRedCorridor.

• Lostleadership-Paramilitaryandpoliceactionshaveresultedinthedeathofseniorleaders

• Tribal-Maoistsdisconnect-Welfaremeasures,eveniftheyhavebeenimplementedhaphazardly,haveenabledoutreachintotribalareaswherethestatewashithertoabsent.TheseactionshaveforcedtheMaoiststoretreatfurtherintotheforestareasofcentralandsouth-centralIndia

• Changingcharacteristicsofnaxalism-Alignmentwithorganizedcrime,internationallinks,impoverishedweapons,supportfromurbanintelligentsiaetc.

Conclusion:

Thegovernment’sstrategyofusingmilitaryforcealongwithallocationoffundsforinfrastructureandwelfareprogrammesisbearingfruits.Needisoffurtherconsolidationofactionsandspeedyimplementationofwelfareschemes.

Bestanswer:Shri

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33.Doyouthinkdevelopmentdeficitistherootcauseofleftwingextremism?Criticallycomment.

Introduction:

TheLeftWingExtremism(LWE)isthemostseriousinternalthreatthecountryisfacing.Naxalismhasbeenoperatinginseveralpartsofthecountry.Ithasbeentherefromthelate60sand70sanddifferentpartsofthecountryhavebeenaffectedwithdifferentlevelsofnaxalviolence.Ithasbeentackledindifferentwaysinallthesevenaffectedstates.

AsignificantchangecameaboutwiththemergerofthePeoplesWarGroupandtheMCCtoformtheCPI(Maoist)in2004.Thus,therehadbeenafusionoftheideologywiththearmedgroups,bothcomingtogetherforthefirsttime.

Body:

Developmentdeficitinleft-wingaffectedareas:

• Landreforms:BeginningofLWEisoftenattributedtofailureoflandreformsinnewlyindependentIndia.MostofthepeoplelivinginMaoistaffectedareasareprimarilyagriculturists.Forthemlandisthemostimportantassetfromwhichtheyaredeprivedofownership.

• ResourceCurseandIndustrialisation:AlmostcompletenorthtosouthcontiguousbeltofLWEaffectedareaisrichinresources.Mineralssuchasironoreandcoalattractedmanyheavyindustries,affectingtheagricultureofthelocalpeopleandexploitationoflabour.

• Administrativeandpoliticalneglect:ApatheticbehaviourofadministratorsandlackofpoliticalwillandintegrationisanothermajordevelopmentalissueinLWEaffectedareas.

• Health,educationandotherpublicservices:Lackofbasicservicessuchasqualityhealthcare,education,sanitationandothermunicipalservicesareleadingtofurtherdeteriorationofalreadypoorcommunities.

• Infrastructure:LWEaffectedareasaremostlyremoteandinteriorforestareaswhichlackproperroad,railwaysandothercommunicationinfrastructure.Electricityandotherbasicinfrastructureisalsoinpoorcondition.

But,developmentisnottheonlycauseofLeftWingExtremism:

• Maoistsdon’tbelieveinparliamentarydemocracy.Theywanttoestablishcommunistideologyingovernanceofthecountry.

• TheobjectiveoftheMaoistagendaisthearmedoverthrowoftheIndianState.• Socio-culturalisolationisalsoanothercauseoffeelingofalienationamongpeopleof

LWEareas.Manyofthemhavetheirownlocaltribalcultureandethnicidentities.• Denialofforestrightsremainsoneofthegrievancesofaffectedpeople.• Foreignfundingbyhostilecountriestodestabilizecountryandpropagandaof

MaoismisalsoresponsibleofpersistentandviolentbehaviourofMaoistsinIndia.

Conclusion:

FromalltheaboveobservationsandpointsitcanbeconcludedthatdevelopmentisnottheonlyreasonbehindviolentLeftWingExtremism,buttherearesomeotherissues.Themostbasicisideologyitselfismajorboneofcontention.

Bestanswer:Krishnakant

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34.Howdoexternalstateactorsuseterrorismasatooltodestabilisetheinternalsecurityofastate?AnalysewithreferencetoIndia.

Introduction:

Externalstateactorsincludethegovernmentsandtheiragenciessuchasmilitary,intelligenceapparatus,Governmentrunindustriesetc.Theyhaveformalbackingofasovereignstateforcarryingoutanyintendedaction.

Body:

Stateactorsmayactagainstotherstatesifthereisclashofinterestsintermsofideology,economicorstrategicinterests.Towardsthisend,terrorismisemployedasatoolbyexternalstateactors.

CountriessuchasChina,Pakistanthroughpoliticalbacking,economicassistance,logisticsupport,militarytrainingorarmssupplieshavesupportedterroroutfitsandinsurgentgroups.TerroristgroupslikeLashkar-e-Taiba(LeT)andIndianMujahideen(IM),thoughnon-stateactors,havedefactosupportfromPakistanwhoarebehindMumbaiattackandattackonIndianparliament.Bysupportingterrorgroups,thesecountrieshaveusedterrorismasatooltodisruptpeaceanddestabilizeinternalsecurityofIndia.

Howterrorismdestabilizesinternalsecurity:

• Actsofterrorlikebombblastsinmajorcities(Mumbaiattack),attackonimportantplaces/institutionsresultsintodeathofcivilians.Violentactsinstilfearinthemindsofthepeople.

• Justifyingtheiractionsasretaliationagainstatrocitiesonminoritiesandtargetingpeopleofparticularcommunity/religiondisruptssocialharmony.Appealtoreligious

sentimentsislikelytoincreasereligioushatredleadingtocommunalconflictsandriots.

• Radicalisationofyouthandpossibilityoflone-wolfattacks.• Bysupportinginsurgentgroupspromoteregionalism/secessionisttendenciesinthe

country.Example:insurgentgroupsinNorth-East,Kashmirseparatism.• ProblemofdrugsinPunjabandcertainstatesofNorth-EastlikeManipurandthere

areenoughevidenceforlinkbetweendrugtraffickingandterrorism.

Thusinanutshellposecountrywithinternalsecuritychallengeslikecommunalism,regionalism,extremismandorganisedcrime.

Conclusion:

Indiahasbeenatthereceivingendofterrorismovertheyears.OvertheyearsGovernmentofIndiahastakenmeasureslikesettingupNationalSecurityAgency(NSA),NATGRID,strengtheningarmyandcoastalguards.However,newmeansofterrorwarrantssustainedvigilance.

Bestanswer:AnotherBeing

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35.HowdoesChina-PakistanaxisposeathreattoIndia’ssecurityecosystem?Analyse.

Introduction:

ChinaandPakistandescribeeachotheras“all-weatherfriends”.AccordingtoPakistan,Pak–Chinafriendshipissweaterthanhoneyandhigherthanthemountains.

Body:

Assuch,thisChina-PakistanaxisposesathreattoIndia’ssecurityecosysteminthefollowingways:

• Itopensatwo-frontwarpossibilityforIndia,somethingwhichwemightnotbeabletocounter,givenourweakness,especiallyvis-à-visChina.

• ChinaisabletoconstrainIndia’seconomicgrowthandmilitarymightbyforcingIndiaintogreaterdefenceexpenditure.

• ChinawantstointerfereinKashmirissue,whileIndiawantsbilateralsolution.

• Pakistanisabletosustaincross-borderterrorismdespiteadomesticBalanceofPaymentscrisis,usingChinesefundsandmaterial(includingChinese-madegrenades).

• They’reabletocombinetheireffortsindestabilizingIndianeconomybyexploitingopen&porousborderswithIndia,MyanmarandBangladeshforInfiltrationofterroristsdisguisedaslegalmigrants,SupplyoffakecurrencyandTraffickingofhumansaswellasgoods.

• Moneylaundering,Supplyofillegalarmsandammunitions• Further,ChinaishelpingPakistangainmilitarynucleartechnologylikeGhazini

includingstrategicwarheads,nucleartriadetc.whichfurtherdestabilizeIndianneighbourhood.

• ThetwocountriesarealsocollaboratingindestabilizingotherIndianneighboursincludingBangladesh,PakistanandNepaltherebyfurthercreatingthreattoIndia’ssecurityecosystem.

• PassingofCPECthroughPOKaffectsthesovereigntyandterritorialintegrityofIndia.• ImpedimentinIndia’sbidtoNSG,alsoChinavetoesresolutionagainstPakistanin

UNSC.

Conclusion:

Weneedtostrengthenoureconomicandsecurityapparatussoastoabletostrengthenbothourdomesticaswellasforeignpolicyventurestocounterthisthreat.

Bestanswer:Ankur

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36.WhatisthethreatperceptionassociatedwitChina’saggressiveinfrastructureexpansionintheborderareas?Discuss.

Introduction:

China’s“OneBelt,OneRoad”(OBOR)policyisaimedatinvestinglargesumsofmoneyininfrastructuredevelopmentintheareabetweenthetwoSilkRoads,inanefforttojointhemtogetherandcreateoneorderedarea.Thisextendsbeyondmereeconomicactivity,however,andincludesestablishingawholehostofrules,fromculturalexchangetothemovementofpeople.

Body:

ThreatperceptionwithregardtoChineseexcessiveexpansioninborderareas:

1)ThreattoIndia’sSovereignty:China-PakistanEconomicCorridor,orCPEC,whichpassesthroughPakistan-occupiedKashmir.Thecorridorthreatensterritorialintegrityofnation.

2)ExpansionofMilitary:TheinfrastructurebeingbuiltbyChina,includingroads,railwaysandports,willbenefitChina’smilitary,enablingBeijingtosecureaneffectivemeansforcommunicationandthemovementoftroopsinacontingency.Thiswouldenablerapidmobilisationofmilitaryatthetimesofconflict

3)ControlofMaritimetrade:CPECgivesChinaafootholdinthewesternIndianOceanwiththeGwadarport,locatednearthestrategicStraitofHormuz,whereChinesewarshipsandasubmarinehavesurfaced.AccesshereallowsChinagreaterpotentialtocontrolmaritimetradeinthatpartoftheworld–avulnerablepointforIndia,whichsourcesmorethan60percentofitsoilsuppliesfromtheMiddleEast.

4)CurtailIndia’sinfluenceinneighbourhood:NepalwhichwashistoricallyclosetoIndiaisnowseekinghelpfromChinatouseitsportsfortransportofgoods,proposedrailcorridorbetweenKathmanduandTibetisexampleofgrowinginfluenceofChinainNepal.

5)ThreatsofinsurgencyinNorthEast:TheillegaluseofmoneyandprovidingexternalhelpinformsofarmscancauseunrestinNorthEast.

IndiarealisesthepotentialrisksandhencehasitsownsetofconnectivityinitiativessuchasMyanmar’sKaladanproject,theChabaharportprojectwithIran,aswellasthenorth-southcorridorwithRussiawhichcouldbepotentiallyleveraged.Theproposed7200-kilometerInternationalNorthSouthTransportationCorridorisaship,railandroadtransportationsystemconnectingtheIndianOceanandPersianGulftotheCaspianSeaviaIrantoRussiaandNorthEurope.

Conclusion:

IndianeedtobecautiouswithgrowinginfluenceofChinaandatsametimestriveandimproveitsinfrastructureinNorthEastanditsrelationswithneighbouringcountries.

BestAnswer:LameName

Chinaispursuingaggressiveinfrastructureexpansionofbothhumanandphysicalinfrastructureinborderareas.Thisisevidentfrom:

• Karakoramhighway• ResettlementofChinesecitizensinTibetwiththeintentiontochangetheregional

ethnicmix.• SurveillanceofUighursinXinjiang

• Industrialdevelopmentwithpolicyreformtopromoteindustrializationinitsinteriorareas.

ThisinfrastructureexpansionentailsthefollowingthreatperceptionfromIndia’sstandpoint:

• Illegalmigrants:Socialharmonywillbedisruptedasillegalmigrants,disgruntledwithChinesesurveillanceandintrusivegovernancemightfleetoborderingIndianterritory(e.g.:Tibetans,Uighursetc.)Thesemigrantsmightalsoupsetthelocalresourcebalance,giventhatevenIndianborderareasarerelativelyunderdeveloped.

• Militarythreat:Incaseofconflict,thisinfrastructurewouldfacilitaterapidmobilizationofarmsandpersonnelagainstIndia.GivenourtopographicrealitiesalongChineseborder,wemightlagbehind.

• ThefrequencyofborderintrusionsbyChinesemilitarymightincreasefurther.• ItcurtailsIndia’ssphereofinfluenceintheHimalayanandSouthAsianregion(Nepal,

Bhutan,Myanmar,Bangladeshetc.)whereChinawouldbeabletoplayamoreproactiverole,asisevidentfromitsmobilizationduringNepalearthquake(2015).Example:ChinanowproposesatunnelrailwayprojectbetweenTibetandKathmandu.BCIMcorridorisanotherstepinthisdirection.

• Itwouldfurtherstrengthentheanti-IndiasentimentsinIndianneighbourhoodbyusingis(moneyandmilitary)hardpower,therebycreatingnewsecuritythreatsforIndia,suchasby:

• Supportinginsurgency• Illegalarms,ammunitions,• MoneylaunderingandFCNRetc.

Indianeedstoshoreupitsmilitaryandsecurityweaknessvis-à-visChinatocounterthisthreatperception.

37.Whatisparalleleconomy?Whatareitsimplicationsfortheinternalsecurityscenario?Discuss.

Introduction:

LeftWingextremism,North-eastinsurgenciesandJammu&KashmircrisisarethreeofthemostcriticalinternalsecurityissuesIndiaiscurrentlyfacing.Paralleleconomyisoneofthebiggestreasonsthatevenafterseventyyearsofindependencecountrystillstrugglingtocontaintheseissues.

Body:

Whatisparalleleconomy?

Theblackeconomyorparalleleconomyconsistsofalltheactivitiesinwhichblackincomesaregeneratedandblackincomesarefactorincomes,propertyincomes,notreportedtodirecttaxauthorities.

Aparalleleconomyinitsbroadestsensemayconsistof–

• Illegaleconomy,suchasmoneylaundering,smuggling;• Unreportedeconomyincludingtaxevasion;• Unregulatedeconomyi.e.economicactivitiesoutsidelawandregulations.• India’sparalleleconomyisestimatedtobe62%ofGDP,generatingaboutRs93lakh

croreofrevenue.

Thiseconomyisrunningwiththehelpofvariousfactorssuchascounterfeitcurrencyinfusedthroughborders,taxheaven,organisedcrimesandunorganisedmarket,andhostilebehaviourofforeignfactors.HawalaandBenamitransactions,taxheavensetcarealsosignificantfacilitatorsofparalleleconomy.

ImplicationsoftheparalleleconomyoninternalsecurityofIndia:

ParalleleconomyisthemainsourceofresourcesforallthemajorinternalsecurityissuesofIndia.

• Economicterrorism:ThecountryhastocontendwithEconomicterrorism.Pakistanhasbeenfloodingthecountrywithcounterfeitcurrencywithaviewtosubvertingitseconomyandfundingterroristactivitiesindifferentpartsofthecountry.ItisestimatedthatPakistanpumpedin16billionworthofFICNintoIndiain2010,afigurethatroseto20billionin2011and25billionin2012.

• Organisedcrime:OrganisedcrimesinIndiaespeciallyinmetrocitiessuchasMumbaiandDelhiarerisingduetoflourishingparalleleconomy.Suchorganisedcriminalsalsofundforradicalisationofyouthandterroristattacks.

• Religiousorideologicalextremism:Paralleleconomyisgreatestsourceoffinancialhelptoextremists.Financialincentiveslureunemployedyouthtowardsantinationalactivitiesinthenameofparticularreligionorideology.

• Cybercrime:Crypto-currencyandunrecordedcashtransactionine-commercearealsoemergingmeanstosupplyresourcestohostileelementsinthecountry.

• Armedviolence:ArmedviolencewhichwashithertolegacyofMaoistsorinsurgenciesisnowtakinganewformthroughoutIndiaespeciallyintheformofrightwingextremism.Recentlytherehasbeenreportofseizureofillegalweaponsandpublicfiringbyindividuals.BlackmoneyiseasysourceofillegalarmstradeinIndia.

MeasurestakenbyGovernmenttocontainparalleleconomy

• Voluntaryincomedeclarationschemes,suchasGareebKalyanYojana• Demonetisation• Taxreforms;GST• TheBenamiTransactions(Prohibition)Act• PreventionofMoneyLaunderingAct• FinancialActionTaskforce;forinternationalcooperationincaseofterrorfunding• ReviewingofDoubleTaxationAvoidanceAgreements• Formalisationofeconomy• Bankingreforms• Promotionofcashlesseconomy:Digitisationofeconomy

Conclusion:

Thoughwehavetakenmanymeasurestocontaintheparalleleconomybutsuccessisfarbelowthepotential.Politicalwilltocurbcorruptionandorganisedcrime,andpovertyalleviationalongwithsocialwilltoremovethecancerofblackeconomyfromsocietycanonlyleadtoeliminationofparalleleconomyandsubsequentlycontroloverinternalsecurityofthecountry.

BestAnswer:P29

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38.Howdoessocialmedialeadtoyouthradicalisation?Examinethemodusoperandi?

Introduction:

Intoday’sdigitizedworld,PeoplearewellconnectedthaneverbeforethankstoMobilephonesandinternetpenetration.WithusageofsocialmediaplatformslikeFacebook,Twitterworldhasturnedfrombeing‘connected’to‘hyper-connected’.

Body:

Whilesocialmediaplatformshavebroughtpeople,theirideasandexperiencestogether,theyhavealsobeenmisusedbyanti-socialelementstodisturbpeaceintheworld.Amongmany,radicalisationofyouththroughsocialmediaisonesuchmisuse.

Radicalizationisaprocessbywhichindividualorgroupcomestotakeupaviolentformofaction.Itisdirectlylinkedtoanextremistideologythatconteststheestablishedorderatthepolitical,socialorculturallevel.Peoplearesusceptibletopolitical(Rightwing&Leftwing),Religious,PsychologicalandSocio-Economicradicalization.

Radicalismhasbeenusedinterchangeablywithnotionssuchasfundamentalism-religiousapproach,indoctrination-mentalcontrol,Jihad,extremismandterrorism,amongothers.

Howsocialmedialeadstoradicalisation:

• Socialmediaplatformshavebecomeanactivevectorforviolentradicalization.• ExtremistgroupstakeadvantagesthatstemfromtheverynatureofInternetand

socialmediachannelslikecommunicationchannelsthatarenotboundtonationaljurisdictionsandthatareinformal,largegroup,cheap,decentralizedandanonymous

• Thisallowsterroriststonetworkacrossbordersandtobypasstimeandspace.Specificallythesechannelsprovidenetworksofrecruiters,workinghorizontally,inallthecountriestheytargetduetothetrans-bordernatureoftheInternet.

• Withsuchwiderreach,radicalgroupstargetvulnerableindividuals-takingadvantageofpsychologicalfactorslikeisolatedpeopleandthoselookingforbelongingnessandself-identity;appealingtotheirsocialgrievanceslikeinequality,discriminationandsocialexclusion;exploitingemotionalattachmentofpeopletowardstheirreligion.

• Thiswouldbedoneinseveralways:Createappealing,interactiveuser-friendlyplatformstoattractyoungeraudiences;Offerspaceswheregroupscanmaintainsecretbuthighlydemocraticcommunicationmodesontheassumptionthateveryonecanparticipate;Disseminateextremist,violentandcriminalcontent,whichwouldnotbewellreceivedoffline;Identifypotentialparticipantsandprovidethemwithinformationabout‘thecause’andthegroupsinvolvedindefendingit;Delivermassivepublicityforactsofviolenceandenhancingaperceptionofstrength.

• Thusthroughpropagandaandindoctrination,individualsareradicalizedandtheyresorttoviolencetothisachievetheirend.

NOTE:Youneedtosubstantiatepointswithexample.

Conclusion:

Goingforward,effortsshouldbechannelizedto

• Makeuseofthesenewtechnologies-socialmediaasatoolforpreventingradicalizationespeciallybymakingitpossibletoproposeacounter-narrativeontheInternet;toencouragecitizeneducationandcriticalthinking;insupportofhumanrights,dialogue,mutualunderstandingandtolerance;

• Followmultidimensionalapproachtoanalyseandpreventtherootcausesofradicalization.

Bestanswer:SID

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39.Whatdoyouunderstandbybenamitransactions?Howdoesitoperate?

Introduction:

BenamiTransaction,incommonparlance,referstoatransactioninwhichapropertyistransferredinthenameofaperson,whereastheconsiderationforthesameispaidbysomeotherperson.

Body:

Operationofbenamitransactions

Naamdar–He\sheisthepersononwhosenamethepropertyispurchased.Hecanbewife\husband,relatives,poorcultivatorsdependinguponthemoneylender,offshorefictitiouspersonetc.-whichevenmaynotexist,isunawareorcoerced.

Benaamdar–He\sheisthepersonwhoactuallyownstheproperty.ThismaybeinIndiancontextanybodycorporate,moneylender,politician,businessperson.ThemainmotiveistoinvestIllegalandunaccountedmoneyintoeconomyandgetreturnsoff.

Finallybyvariousmethodsofcoercion,orshellingofcompanies,falserecords,bribeetc.Thepropertyispurchasedbutremainsundercontrolofbenamdaar.

Consequences:

• Blackmoney• Skyrocketingpricesofproperty• ThecommonmansufferstoaffordaHouse• Lossofrevenuetogovernment• Moneycanbelaterusedtoillegalactivities

Conclusion:

RealEstatesRegulationact,Benamitransition(prohibition)ActandlinkingAadharwithPANhasledtoreductioninthisillicitcorruptbusinessascanbeseenfromslumpinthemarket.

Bestanswer:SurajSharma

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40.Enumeratethesecuritythreatsimposedbymisuseofcommunicationnetworksandsocialmedia.

Introduction:

SmartphoneandinternetusageinIndiaissettomassivelyswellinthenextfouryears.

By2022,therewillbe829millionsmartphoneusersinIndia,accountingfor60%ofthepopulation,accordingtoCisco’s13thannualVisualNetworkingIndex(VNI).

Withtheincreasepenetrationofsmartphones,thesecuritythreatsrelatedtocyberspacearecauseofconcern

Securitythreatsduetomisuse:

• Socialengineering:Today,‘socialengineering’isoneofthemostprevalentsocialmediathreatsandalsothemostpopulartacticforcybercriminals.Socialmediaplatformsallowattackerstofindpersonalinformationthatcanbeusedtotargetspecificindividuals.Usinginformationfromemployeeprofiles,aplausiblefakeaccountcanbecreatedtoestablishtrustovertime.Oncethetrustisbuilt,theattackermightstartaskingforspecificinformation,likeinternalservernames,projectnames,orevenhavethenewfriendopenaninfecteddocumentorvisitapreparedwebsitethatwilldropabackdoorontotheircomputer.Eg:TherecentcaseofBrahMoSEngineerbeingluredbyPakistan’sISI.

• Targetedphishingattacks:Suchattacksarecarriedouttostealmoneyorconfidentialinformation,aswasthecasewiththeHydraqattacksinearly2010thatcompromisedcriticalinformationofseveralmulti-nationalcompanies.Thissocialmediathreatisanexampleofsocialengineeringtactics,wherebyattackersexploitfearandanxiety,insteadofsystemvulnerabilitytogetuserstopartwiththeirmoney.Sincetheseattacksaresospecificandtargeted,thechancesofsuccessarehigher.RentExamplesfromIndiaincludeJuly206attackonUnionbankofIndiaswindlingbankof$171million,apromptactiondidhelptorecovertheamount,datatheftofmillionsofusersofzomato.

• Stealofconfidentialinformationofofficial.National,defenceandbusinessesthroughadvancedpersistentthreatsEg:DeepPandain2015–attackonUSofficeofpersonalmanagementbyChina,StuxWorm2010-AttackonIranianinfrastructure.

• Fakenews:Theinternethasenabledawholenewwaytopublish,shareandconsumeinformationandnewswithverylittleregulationoreditorialstandards.ThishasinturnledtodeliberatepropagandaandclickbaitarticlescausingdisharmonyinsocietyEx:Communalismofincidentsrelatedtodeathofperson

• Radicalisationofyouth:ThemodusoperandiofISISwasusageofsocialmediatospreadthemessageandtargetvulnerableyouthwhofeltalienatedleadingtoincreaseincrimeslikelonewolfattackinWest.

• CriminalActivityandMoneylaundering:Organisedcriminalsarenowusingsocialmediatorecruitsomepublicindividualstoactasunsuspectingmoneylaunderersoftheirmoneytheygotfromtheirdirtyworkslikedrugsmuggling,peopletraffickingandfraud.

Thevariousstepswhichcanbetakentosafeguardthethreatsinclude

1)PPPModelforCybersecurity:

StateCybersecurityFrameworkshallbeenvisagedinP-P-PModel

Governmentshallpartnerwiththeprivatesectorandtheacademiatostrengthcybersecuritypostureofthestate.

2)InformationSecuritypolicyandpractises:

ISPolicies&practicesshallbemandatedatgovt.functionaries&itsserviceproviders

SecurityAuditAdheringtointernationalstandardsapplicableforallgovt.websites,applicationsbeforehostingandpublishing

Govt.toensureISPsoperatinginthestateshalldeploycybersecurityplansinlinewithStatecybersecuritypolicy.

3)StateComputerResponseteams:

EstablishmentoftheStateCERTtooperateinconjunctionICERTandcoordinatewithNCIIPC

CybersecuritydrillsshallbecarriedoutunderthesupervisionofI-CERT

4)SecurityBudgets:

Govt.agenciesimplementingITProjectsshallallocateappropriatebudgettowardscompliancewiththesecurityrequirementofITAct2000andStatecybersecuritypolicy,ISMS,securitysolutionprocurementandtrainings.

5)CapacityBuildingandawareness:

Govt.shalltakeappropriatestepsforenhancingawarenessofcitizensandsmallbusinessforcybersecurity

CybersecurityCapacitybuildingandtrainingforprofessional,extendingISEAprogram,introducingcurriculaacademiaandorganizingconferences

StrengthenLEAsthroughtrainingandestablishmentofforensicslabs.

Conclusion:

WiththeincreaseinpenetrationofinternetinIndia,needistobeawareofrisksandhandlethoserisksonwarfooting.

BestAnswer:Swapnil

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41.Whatisphotochemicalsmog?Howdoesitaffectnorthernregionsinthecountry?Whatmeasureshavebeentakentoaddressthisproblem?

Introduction:

Photochemicalsmogisatypeofsmogproducedwhenultravioletlightfromthesunreactswithnitrogenoxidesintheatmosphere.Itisvisibleasabrownhaze,andismostprominentduringthemorningandafternoon,especiallyindenselypopulated,warmcities.

Body:

CausesofPhotoChemicalSmog

1)StubbleburninginareasofPunjabandHaryanaItisestimatedthatapproximately35milliontonnesofcroparesetafirebythesestates.Thewindcarriesallthepollutantsanddustparticles,whichhavegotlockedintheair.

2)Riseinvehicularpopulation:TheCentralPollutionControlBoard(CPCB)andtheNationalEnvironmentalEngineeringResearchInstitute(NEERI)havedeclaredvehicularemissionasamajorcontributortoDelhi’sincreasingairpollutionwhichinturnincreasesphotochemicalsmog

3)Asthewinterseasonsetsin,dustparticlesandpollutantsintheairbecomeunabletomove.Duetostagnantwinds,thesepollutantsgetlockedintheairandaffectweatherconditions,resultinginsmog.

4)Industrialpollutionandgarbagedumpsarealsoincreasingairpollutionandbuilding-upsmogintheair.

5)LargescaleconstructioninDelhi-NCRisanotherculpritthatisincreasingdustandpollutionintheair.

EffectsofPhoto-ChemicalSmog:

1HealthEffects:

Photochemicalsmogiscapableofinflictingirreversibledamageonthelungsandheart.Evenshort-termexposuretophotochemicalsmogtendstohaveilleffectsonboththeyoungandtheelderly.Itcausespainfulirritationoftherespiratorysystem,reducedlungfunctionanddifficultybreathing.Highlevelsofsmogalsotriggerasthmaattacksbecausethesmogcausesincreasedsensitivitytoallergens,whicharetriggersforasthma.

2EnvironmentalEffects:

Thecollectionofchemicalsfoundinphotochemicalsmogcausesproblemsforplantsandanimallife.Someplantssuchastobacco,tomatoandspinacharehighlyresponsivetoozone,sophotochemicalsmogcandecimatethesesensitivecrops,treesandothervegetation.Ozonecausesnecrotic(dead)patternsontheuppersurfacesoftheleavesoftrees.Ground-levelozonealsocaninterferewiththegrowthandproductivityoftrees.Theeffectsofsmogonanimalsarealsosimilartoitseffectonhumans;itdecreaseslungcapacityandlungelasticity.

3Transportation:reducedvisibilityleadtoaccidentsinmanynortherncitiesduringwinter.

4Acidrain:CorrodearchitecturalmonumentslikeTajMahal

Measurestakentosolvetheproblem:

• NationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)waslaunchedbyMoEFCCinApril,2018andthiswasprecededbyCleanAirProgrammeinDelhiinFebruary2018tosensitisethepublicingeneralandimplementingagenciesinparticular.

• SignificantactionhasbeentakeninDelhiandNCR,includingtheformulationofGradedResponseActionPlan(GRAP)byCPCB.

• OtherMeasuresincludebanonpetcokeinDelhiandNCR;strictsurveillanceovercoal-firedplants;strictactionagainstconstructionactivities;regularfieldsurveillancebyCPCBteamsstartingfromSeptember2017;augmentationofairqualitymonitoringstationsinDelhiandNCR;upgradationofCentralControlRoominCPCB;integrationofdataonairqualityfromstationsofIndianMeteorologicalDepartment(IMD);DelhiPollutionControlCommittee(DPCC)andCentralPollutionControlBoard(CPCB);launchingaMobileAppcalledSAMEERforgrievanceredressal;

• Leap-froggingfromBS-IVtoBS-VI.

Theneedofhouristoreduceeffectsofphotochemicalsmog.SuggestionofNITIAayogoninitiative“BreatheFreeIndia“needsimplementation.

BestAnswer:DazyRani

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42.HowsevereistheproblemofgroundwatercontaminationinIndia?Whatareitsmostcausativefactors?

Introduction:

Groundwatercontaminationisthepresenceofcertainpollutantsingroundwaterthatareinexcessofthelimitsprescribedfordrinkingwater.

Body:

Severityofgroundwatercontamination:

• AccordingtotheCompositeWaterManagementIndexdevelopedbyNitiAayog,70%ofthewaterresourcesareidentifiedaspolluted.

• Astudy,publishedinEnvironmentalScienceandTechnologyLetters,hasfoundover30microgramsperlitre(mcg/l)ofuraniuminpartsofnorth-western,southernandsouth-easternIndia,whichcandamageone’skidneys.

• Arseniccontamination-WestBengal,Jharkhand,Bihar,UttarPradesh,Assam,ManipurandChhattisgarh–havereportedcontaminationlevelthatisabovethepermissiblelimitof10microgramsperlitre(µg/L.)

• Nitratelevelsabove10mg/L(10ppm)ingroundwatercaused“bluebabysyndrome”inseveralvillagesinPunjab.

• ManystateshaveahighconcentrationofFluoride,wayabovethepermissiblelimit,ingroundwater.

• MostoftheIndianstatesreporthighsalinityingroundwater.

Causesforgroundwatercontamination:

• Industries-Manufacturingandotherchemicalindustriesrequirewaterforprocessingandcleaningpurposes.Thisusedwaterisrecycledbacktowatersourceswithoutpropertreatment.Alsoindustrialwasteisdumpedincertainareas,theseepageofwhichresultsingroundwatercontamination.

• Agriculture-thefertilizers,pesticideandotherchemicalsalsocontaminategroundwater.

• Residentialareas-Thesegeneratepollutants(microorganismsandorganiccompounds)forgroundwatercontamination

• Mining-Minedraindischarge,oilfieldspillage,sludgeandprocesswateralsocontaminategroundwater.

• Coastalareas-Saltwaterintrusionincreasesthesalinityofgroundwaterinnearbyareas.

• Excessiveextraction-Itincreasestheconcentrationofmineralsintheextractedareas,thusmakingitcontaminated.

Conclusion:

RecentdecisionofCentralGroundWaterAuthority(CGWA)forindustriestopayawaterconservationfee(WCF)isawelcomestep.Itisverydifficultandcostlytotreatcontaminatedgroundwater.Hence,itisbettertominimizetheriskofgroundwaterpollution.Publicawarenessprogramsabouttheimportanceofgroundwaterandwaystominimizeitscontaminationshouldbeimplemented.

Bestanswer:DazyRani

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43.Whatissocialimpactassessment(SIA)?Whyisitimportant?Discuss.

Introduction:

VeryfrequentlywefindinnewspaperheadlinesthatsomewherepeopleareprotestingagainstanyIndustrialprojectornuclearpowerplantormetrolineconstruction,etc.Theyprotestbecausetheyfearthatthisparticularprojectwillhampertheirlives.Toamicablysolvesuchconflictsandforsustainableandinclusivedevelopment“SocialImpactAssessment”isaneffectivetool.

Body:

Whatissocialimpactassessment(SIA)?

ASocialImpactAssessmentisaprocessofresearch,planningandthemanagementofsocialchangeorconsequences(positiveandnegative,intendedandunintended)arisingfrompolicies,plans,developmentsandprojects(UNEP,2007).

Thesocialimpactsofaprojectarethedirectandindirectimpactsthataffectpeopleandtheircommunitiesduringallstagesoftheprojectlifecycle.

InpreparingtheSIA,theprojectownerisrequiredtoundertakecommunityandstakeholderengagementto;

• Understandwhoislikelytobeimpactedandhow• Understandtheaffectedcommunities• Identifyandassesspotentialsocialimpacts• Developmanagementmeasurestomitigateadverseimpactsandenhancebenefits• Supportmonitoringandreporting

SignificanceofSIA:

ThecorefocusofanSIAisontheimportantimpactsofprojectsanddevelopmentsbeyondtheimpactsonnaturalresources.Examplesofsocialimpactsinclude:

• People’swaysoflife–thatis,howtheylive,work,playandinteractwithoneanotheronday-to-daybasis.

• Theircultures–thatistheirsharedbeliefs,customs,valuesandlanguageordialect.• Theircommunity–itscohesion,stability,character,servicesandfacilities.• Theirpoliticalsystems–theextenttowhichpeopleareabletoparticipatein

decisionsthataffecttheirlives,thelevelofdemocratizationthatistakingplace,andtheresourcesprovidedforthispurpose.

• Theirhealthandwell-being–healthisastateofcompletephysical,mental,socialandspiritualwell-beingandnotmerelytheabsenceofdiseaseorinfirmity.

Fromthelistedexamplesabove,itisclearthattheSIAmustlooknotonlyatsocialissuesbutalsoattheenvironmentalimpactsandtheirinteractions.

SocialImpactAssessmentsinIndia:

• InIndia,SIAsweremandatedin2013byTheRighttoFairCompensationandTransparencyinLandAcquisition,RehabilitationandResettlementAct.

• Accordingtothe2013landacquisitionlaw,anymajorprojectisrequiredtoconductanSIAwithinsixmonthsoftheproject’sstartdate.

• BymandatingSIAGovernmentaimstodecreasesocialunrestoveruncompensatedlandacquisitionandtospeeduptheexecutionofdevelopmentprojects,andtoensurethatlocalsreceiveproperresettlementpackagesandthosedevelopersconstructivelyengagewithlocalcommunities.

• WehavemanyexamplesofprojectswheregovernmentconductedSIA.OneexampleisrecentSocialImpactAssessmentStudyforNuclearPowerProjectsinAndhraPradesh.

However,whileSIAsmaybenefitsomelandownersaffectedbylandacquisition,somehaveblamedSIAsforslowingdowndevelopmentprojectsbydrawingoutthelandredistributionprocess.

Manydevelopmentprojectsremainstalled,oftenduetobureaucracyandcomplicationsinvolvinglandacquisition.

Conclusion:

SIAscanberesourceandtime-intensive,whichleadssomebusinessownerstoviewthemasbureaucraticredtape.However,consideringtheethnicdiversityandAgricultureas

dominantoccupation,SIAsremainanimportantpartoftheinvestmentprocessinIndiathatcannotbeoverlooked.

BestAnswer:DazyRani

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LuckyVerma

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44.Whatmeasuresbothpreventiveandmitigativecanbetakentoaddresstheecologicalhazardofdroughts?Suggest.

Introduction:

Droughtisaslowonsetdisaster,whichgraduallyevolvesovermonthsandyearsduetocomplexinteractionsofenvironmentalandanthropogenicfactors.

Typically,thereasonbehinddroughtisconsideredtobeprolongedperiodofabnormallylowrainfallleadingtoshortageofwater.Butlowrainfallisnottheonlycontributingfactor.

Body:

Droughtimpactsareoftenmultifacetedsocial,economicandenvironmental.

Economicimpacts:

• Reducedagriculturalproductionleadingtoreducedharvestandtherebyreductionintheearning.

• Increasedcostoffarmmaintenanceduetotheadditionalcostsofwaterprovisionsandotherresourcestothefarmproducts(includingthereducedusageoffertilizers/chemicalsleadingtolesseroutput).

• Lossoflivelihoodformarginalfarmworkers.

• Increasingcostofmaintaininglivestockduetoshortageoffodderanddrinkingwater.

SocialImpacts:

• Droughthasseriousimpactsonhealthandsocialsafety.• Nutritionalconcernsduetopoorqualitydietandalliedhealthproblems,lossof

humanlivesintheextremescenario.• Increasingoutmigrationinsearchofalternatejobstourbanareas,whichinturn

increasethevulnerabilityofmigrantsastheysettle/squatinriskyareas/unhygienicconditions.

• Increasingchilddrop-outratesandchildlabour.• Earlymarriageofdaughterstoreducefinancialburdenandthelinkingofnon-

marriageofdaughterstothedroughtoccurrence.• Increasedstressandanxietyresultinginincreasingincidencesoffarmersuicide.• Conflictsoverwaterresources.

Environmentalimpacts:

Themostsevereimpactofdroughtisupontheenvironmentalresources.Oftendroughtsresultinextensivedamagetofloraandfaunaofaregion.Thesignificantimpactsinclude:

• Increasedanimalattacksinfarmareasduetolackoffoodintheirownhabitats.• Lossordestructionoffishesandaquaticorganisms.• Lackofadequatefoodanddrinkingwaterinforestsandinextremecasesresultingin

lossofwildlife.• Migrationofwildanimalstherebyincreasinghuman-animalconflicts.• Weakanddiseasedanimals.• Lossofwetlandsandincreasingincidencesofwildfires.• Degradationofsoilqualityandsoilproductivity.• Increasederosionanddesertificationrates.• DroughtmanagementguidelinesasgivenbyNationalDisasterManagement

Authority

Preventivemeasures:identifydroughtproneareasandchannelizeeffortstoaugmentwatersupplyandconservationintheseregionsthrough

• Judicioususeofsurfaceandgroundwater.• CloudseedinginDroughtProneregionsofIndia.• Useofmodernirrigationmethodslikedripandsprinklerirrigation.• WaterConservation,StorageStructuresandManagement.• Afforestation.

Mitigationmeasures:

• ContingencyCropPlanning–Itaimstoprovideothercroppingoptionstofarmerslikedroughtresistantcrops.

• ReliefEmployment–Duetodroughtinducedemploymentloss,thearrangementcanbemadeforreliefemploymentprogrammeswithcashandfoodgrainassistance.

• Gratuitousassistanceintheformofcashorfoodgrainstopeoplewhomightnotbeabletoparticipateinthereliefemploymentprogrammesorwhoareinthecategoryofdependents.

• ReliefthroughTaxWaiversandConcessionswillhelppeopletomeettheirbasicentitlements.

• CattlecampsandFoddersupplyhelpsfarmerinprotectingtheircattlebyprovidingnecessaryassistancefortheirfodder,feedandhealth.Thisisdonetodiscouragedistresssellingofcattlewhichisanimportantassettofarmers.

• CropInsuranceschemes.

Note:QuestiondemandsonlyPreventiveandMitigationmeasures.

Conclusion:

Aspertheroughestimatesabout16percentofthetotalgeographicalareasofIndiaaredroughtproneandapproximately50millionpeopleareannuallyaffectedbydroughts.About68percentofthetotalsownareaofthecountryisdroughtprone;whichamountsto329millionhectares.AserraticIndianmonsoongetsfurtheraffectedbyclimatechange,waterconservationthroughcomprehensivestrategyneedsafocustoaddressrecurringdroughtsinfuture.

Bestanswer:SreelakshmyVijayanUma

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45.Whataretheprinciples,objectivesandstrategiesofenvironmentalimpactassessment(EIA)?

Introduction:

Environmentalassessmentistheassessmentoftheenvironmentalconsequencesofaplan,policy,program,oractualprojectspriortothedecisiontomoveforwardwiththeproposedaction.

Body:

ThereareeightguidingprinciplesthatgoverntheentireEIAprocess:TheprinciplesofEIA:

• Participation–appropriate/timelyaccessforinterestedparties• Transparency–openandaccessibleassessmentdecisions• Certainty–process/timingagreedinadvance• Accountability–decisionmakersresponsiblefortheiractionsanddecisions• Credibility–undertakenwithprofessionalism/objectivity• Costeffectiveness–environmentalprotectionattheleastcosttosociety• Flexibility–adaptabletodealefficientlywithanyproposalanddecisionsituation• Practicality–information/outputsreadilyusableindecisionmakingandplanning

ObjectiveofEIA:

TheobjectiveofEIAis

• toidentify,predictandevaluatetheeconomic,environmentalandsocialimpactofdevelopmentactivities

• toprovideinformationontheenvironmentalconsequencesfordecisionmakingand• topromoteenvironmentallysoundandsustainabledevelopmentthroughthe

identificationofappropriatealternativesandmitigationmeasures.

Strategies:

• Screening–isanSIAisrequired(ex:legislation,policies,requirements),whattypeofSIAisneeded,whenisitrequired.

• Scoping–whatistheaimofthePPP,arethereanysignificantstrategicissues,whoarethestakeholders,whatisthecurrentstateoftheenvironment.

• Impactassessment–identifyallinputsintotheSIA,constraints,projectimpacts,opportunitiesandtrends,developobjectives,criteriaandindicators.

• Developingparameters,principlesorguidelines–theseareusedtoguidetheSIAprocessandcanincluderecommendationsonaddressingenvironmentalorsocio-economicimpacts.

• ComparingandevaluatingalternativePPPs–preferredalternative/sselected,trade-offsmade,publicparticipationsought.

• Decision-making–responsibilitiesandaccountabilitiesassigned,SIAprocessischecked,finaldecisiondocumented.

• Monitoringandreview–developanimplementationplan,beginmonitoringandreviewoftheproject.

• Implementtheselectedproposal.

Conclusion:

Henceenvironmentimpactassessmentisbasicallyafeedbackprocesstomaintainsocial,economicandenvironmentalsustainabledevelopment.

Bestanswer:Mudrarakshas

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46.AnalysetheissueofcrossborderterrorisminIndia?Whydocertainexternalstateandnon-stateactorsadoptterrorismasanon-conventionaltoolofwarfare?Discuss.

Introduction:

Conventionalwarsarenotthenormsorstrategicchoiceforstateonstateconflictsduetohugecostandcollateraldamages.Asaresult,greyzoneconflicts,whichfallindualityofneitherwarnorpeace,arebecomingnewarenaofstrategiccompetitionbetweenstates.Crossborderterrorismisaconflictthatfallsinthecategoryofgreyzoneconflict.Itisanundeclaredwarandconsideredtobehighestformofstrategytobleedanationforprolongedperiodbysmallefforts.Itisanasymmetricwarstrategyemployedbyanadversaryatapointintimewhenitcannotcompeteonatraditionalbattlefield,andadversarylookstowhereyouarevulnerable.Inthiswartheprinciplefollowedbyanadversaryistoavoidgoingattheenemyblowbyblow,strengthagainststrengthsinceitisconsideredun-strategic.Indiahasunresolvedborderswithtwoofitsnuclearneighboursandsurroundedbypolitically,economicallyandmilitarilyunstablenations.Thestateandnon-stateactorshavetakenadvantageofsuchascenariotocausemilitaryandeconomicfrictiontoweakenIndiainternally.

Body:

Factorsgivingimpetustocrossborderterrorism(Extrapart–Notneededinthisanswer)

• Geographyassistsinbordertransgressionandinfiltrationofterrorists.Proximityofvulnerableareastoaroguenationensurescontinuousflowofterroristsandwarlikesupporttosustainmomentumofconflict.

• Identicalethnicdemographygivessupportandsustenancetotheterroristsduringandpostinfiltration.

• Politicalpatronagetoterrormovementisprovidedbynetworkofunarmedterrorists,overgroundworkersandseparatistssothattheycanestablishlinkagesandidentitywiththelargerpopulationofacommunity.

• Poorandcorruptgovernancegivesspacefornon-stateactorstocreateaconduciveenvironmentongroundformakingitapopularmassmovement.

• Subvertedgovernmentinstitutionsgiveimpetusbytheirinactionsandinabilitytoprotectvitalpublicspace.

• Unsettledborders,competingstrategicinterests,unstableorungovernedterritoriesintheneighbouringcountriesandspillovereffectofcommunalorreligiousconflictinthesecountriesalsoaddstothevulnerabilityfromcrossborderterrorism.

• Illegalandmassdisplacementofpopulationduetocommunalandeconomicreasonsalsoaddstothevulnerability.

• Childrenofwarorconflictareeasycannonfodderandcanbemotivatedtopursuetheagendaofstateandnon-stateactors.

• Lackofstabilityandcontiguouslandborderwithhostilenationsisoneofthemajorcausesofcrossborderterrorism.

• Mostimportantisthefactorofavailabilityofwillingterrorrecruits.Idealsituationiswhentheterrorrecruitsareavailableonbothsidesoftheinternationalborders.ThecaseofJ&Kisanaptexamplewhereyouhaveterrorfactoriesonbothsidesandtheyoperateintandemwitheachother.

• Themotivationforterroristsonbothsidesisdifferent,foreignterroristsjointheconflictduetoreligion,economicreasons,andidenticalethnicaffiliation.Thedomesticterroristsinadditiontothefactorsattractingforeignterroristsisalsoduetopoliticalalienation,personalfailureandanescaperouteforredemptioninsocietyandtofightforself-determination/homeland.

• Nexusbetweendrugcartels,gunrunnersandterrororganisationsgiveasourceoffundingandsustenance.

Themotivationforinvolvementofaforeignpowertocontinuewiththecrossborderterrorismorproxywarcomesfromthefactthatfightingwarsisuneconomical,butitisalwaysawisecourseofoptiontomaketheopponentwasteasmuchoftheresourcesaspossible.Crossborderterrorismdoesgiveadversarydeniabilityandnocollateraldamageasablowbackimpact.Thus,itisacheapwartoachievehighdividendsatlowrisk.Crossborderterrorismisconsideredtobepartofgreyzoneconflict;withthepassageoftimetheseconflictsarebecomingsophisticatedandcomplex.Thereisapossibilitythatcrossborderterrorismifnothandledwithefficiencyandprecisioncouldgoontobecomeahybridwar.

ReasonswhyStateadoptthesemethods:

• Thehighcostofmodern,conventionalwarfaremakeusingnon-stateactorsanattractivechoice,financingterrorgroupsisasmallportionofstates’muchlargerdefencebudget,makingterrorproxiesaconvenientandviableoption.

• Useofterrororganisationsdivorcesthestatefromissuesrelatedtoattribution,therebyensuringthatthestateisnotheldpoliticallyorlegallyresponsible.

• Internationalpressuretonegotiateandsanctionsincaseofrefusal• Internalpressure:Theperceptionbattlewithitsowncitizenislostifindulgedin

traditionalwarfare.

Nonstateactorsadoptingthesemethods:

1)Lackofmanpowerandmoneytoengageintraditionalwarfare

2)Lacklegitimacyandpopularsupport

3)Sourcetoweakenlegitimatelychosengovernment

Conclusion:

Thecrossborderterrorismisbeinghandledbymultipleagenciesoperatingunderdifferentministries,asaresulttheentireeffortsoffightingcrossborderterrorismlackssynergy.IntelligenceagenciesandCentralArmedPoliceForcesareoperatingunderMinistryofHomeAffairs,ArmyunderMinistryofDefenceandpoliceunderstategovernment.Alloperationsofcriticalnaturemustbehandledundersingleoperationalcommandthathastheresourcesandcapabilitytoinfluencetheoutcomeofoperations.

BestAnswer:AnotherBeing

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47.ThegeographyoftheborderareasmakesbordermanagementacomplexchallengeinIndia.Comment.

Introduction:

Indiasharesapproximately15000kmlonglandborderwithitsneighboursalongwitha7500kmlongcoastline.Thelengthofitsborderalonepresentsahugetaskforbordermanagement,whichisaggravatedbytheuniquegeographicalchallengesithasalongeveryborderarea.

Body:

Howgeographymakesbordermanagementcomplex:

• Mountains-AlongtheNorth,mountainsmaketheterraindifficulttoreachandmaintainborders.AlsoextremetemperatureslikeincaseofSiachenglacierpreventsservesasdeterrenceforeffectivemanagement.

• Deserts-TharDesertalongthewesternborderandtheColdDesertofLadakhalongnorthernborderpossessuniqueissuesofaccessibility.

• Marshlands-ThemarshlandsofRannofKutchalongIndo-PakborderandSunderbansalongIndia-Bangladeshbordermakesitdifficulttofenceandareamongthehotspotsforinfiltration.

• Forests-TheterailowlandalongIndia-NepalborderanddenseforestsalongIndia-Myanmarbordermakesitdifficultforthesecurityforcestomantheborderefficientlyandprovestobeahindranceinsurveillance.

• Rivers-FastflowingriversalongPakistanandBangladeshbordersmakesitdifficulttofenceandthechangingrivercoursescreatesborderdisputes.

• Sea-Thelongcoastlinehinderstheabilitytohaveallaroundsurveillanceandcanbeeasytoinfiltrateashappenedinthecaseof26/11Mumbaiattacks.

UseofmoderntechnologylikeUnmannedAerialVehicles,laserlight,thermalvisioncanhelpaidsurveillanceinotherwisedifficulttoreachareas.BorderroaddevelopmentcanalsoaidBordermanagement.

Conclusion:

IndiasitswithtwohostileneighboursandarangeofBorderrelatedissueswithotherneighbourslikeinfiltration,insurgency,borderdisputesetc.Asoundbordermanagementisrequiredtoefficientlydealwiththerangeofissueswithoutmakinggeographyahindrance.

Bestanswer:Indian

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48.Examinethelinkagesthathaveevolvedrecentlybetweenterrorismandorganisedcrime.

Introduction:

Organizedcrimeisacategoryoftransnational,national,orlocalgroupingsofhighlycentralizedenterprisesrunbycriminalswhointendtoengageinillegalactivity,mostcommonlyformoneyandprofit.

Activitiesoforganisedcriminalsmostcommonlyincludetraffickinginhumans,illicitgoods,weaponsanddrugs,armedrobbery,counterfeitingandmoneylaundering.

Transnationalorganisedcrimeandinternationalterrorismincreasinglysharebothorganisationalandoperationalcharacteristics,andattimesevenpartnerwithoneanother.

Often,thecoreinterestofacriminalgroupisprofitability.Ontheotherhand,theprimaryinterestofaterroristorganisationisdrivenbypoliticalorideologicalmotivations.However,thenexusbetweencrimeandterrorismfindsactivecollaborationbetweenthetwo.

Body:

Acasestudyofglobalnexus:DrugTraffickingandTerrorism

• AfghanistansurveyreportofUnitedNationsOfficeonDrugsandCrimes(UNODC)estimatesindicatethatin2017,opiumpoppycultivationincreasedsharplytoanunprecedentedrecordhighof3,28,000hectaresfromanestimated2,01,000hectaresin2016.

• ItisalsoevidentfromthereportthatthemarketsinEuropeandtheUS,whicharethemostimportantconsumptionsourceforhighqualitydrugs,havealsobecometheindirectfacilitatorsofterrorism.

• Theprofitsthatdrugsaleshelpgenerateforcriminalandterroristgroups,alloworganisationsliketheTalibantoemergeasamongstthebestfundedandrichestterrorgroupsintheworld.

• UNODCreportindicatesthat,“DrugtraffickinggroupsinEuropearefrequentlyalsoinvolvedinthecounterfeitingofgoods,traffickinginhumanbeings,smugglingofmigrantsandtraffickinginweapons.

• ThisreinforcesthetrendofmutualbenefitbetweencriminalgroupsinEuropeandtheTaliban,evenifthereisnodirectlinkagebetweenthetwo.

• Indiadoesnotfigureasamajordrugproducingcountry.IncidentsofthesamearerestrictedtosomeareasintheNaxalaffectedareasandNortheastIndia.Instead,IndiaisreferredtoasoneofthevitallinksbetweentheGoldenCrescentinthewestandtheDrugTriangleintheeast.

• BorderareasalongWesternIndiaarealsopronetosmugglingofdrugs,oftenintheformofcompositeloads.Thesetakeplaceintheformofpackagesthatincludenotonlydrugsbutalsofakecurrencyandweapons.

• ThemarketforthesecriminalproceedsinIndia,notonlysupportsthecriminalnetwork,butalsoallowsterroristgroupstoexploitthesame.

OrganisedcrimeandterrorisminIndia:

IntheNortheast,extortionisthefundamentalbasisforfundingallformsofterrorism.Inadditiontothis,kidnappinghasbeenusedextensivelyforspreadingterrorandraisingfunds.Humantrafficking,drugtraffickingandgunrunningaresomeoftheothercriminalactivitiesthathavebeencommonintheseareas.

• InJ&K,counterfeitcurrencyhasbeenamajorsourceoffundingterrorism.• IntheMaoistterrormovements,extortionisyetagainacommonphenomenon.

Theyhavealsoindulgedinrobberiesofbankstofundtheirmovement.Therehavealsobeenreportsofcutsbeingenforcedondrugyieldingcropsintheregion.

• Therearealsoanumberofinsurgentgroupswhichoveraperiodoftimehavemorphedintocrimesyndicates.Whatbeganasanideologicalmovementisnowmerelyameansofgeneratingprofit.ThisisespeciallythecasewithinsurgentgroupsinNortheastIndia.

Conclusion:

Crime,moneylaunderingandterrorismneedanidealbreedingground,whichcreatestherequisiteconditionsthatcanfacilitateexploitationofstructuresandsystemsinplace.ThisisnotpeculiarforIndiaorSouthAsiaandisauniversalcondition.

Thegrowingcomplexityandsophisticationofthemeans,especiallycorruptionandtechnology,adoptedbyadversaries,criminalsandterroristsalikehaschangedthecharacterofthethreat.

Thereisneedtoadoptmultiprongedapproachtobreakthisnexus,bycooperationandcoordinationbetweenlocal,nationalandinternationalpolicymaking.

Bestanswer:Mudrarakshas

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49.Howdoesterrorismaffectthesocio-economicecosystemofacountry?Discuss.

Introduction:

Terrorismcanbedefinedastheunlawfuluseofforcestopeopleanddamageofpropertiestocoercegovernmentandsocietyasawholeforavestedsocialorpoliticalinterest.TerrorismisaconcernforthewholeworldincludingIndia.ItaffectseverysectionofaNationimpactingit’ssocioeconomicscenario.

Body:

Socio-Economicimpactofterrorism:

>Terrorledwarcausehugelossoflifeandproperty(ex:inSyriacivilwar,Iraqwaretc.)

>HugefundingtopreventterroractreducesfundatdisposaloftheGovernmentimpactingsocialwelfareschemes

>Terrorledunrestimpactsbasicserviceslikehealth,educationclosureofshopsetc.

>HugeburdenoneconomichealthofaNation.

>CrossborderterrorismimpactsrelationwithotherNationimpactingTrade,tourism,internationalprestigeetc.(e.g.Pathankotattack,UriattackinIndiaincreasedtensionbetweenIndiaandPakistan)

>Radicalisationofyouthandcreationofunrestamongpeople(North-Eastinsurgency,Kashmirissuesetc.)

>Spreadofcommunaldisharmonyfore.g.Muslims&JewsinPalestine

>Paralysedemocraticprocessesinelectionse.g.Afghanistan,Pakistan

>Increasingunemploymentamongyouthduetolackofinvestmentandindustrialactivity

>Increasedtensioninbilateralrelationsforex:India-Pakistan.

>Securityissueofwomenandchildrenfore.g.sexslavesofISISyajidiandKurdwoman

>HugerefugeesputtingpressureonaNation’sresources(e.g.RohingyasinBangladesh)

>Children’s,women’sandelderlypeopleareworsteffectedleavingthemwithlessopportunity.Ex:RohingyarefugeesinBangladesh,IndiaandMyanmaretc.)

Conclusion:

Terrorismisacommonenemytoallandworldleadersshouldcomeforwardtosomeupwithaconcreteframeworktodealwithit.TheCCIT(comprehensiveconventiononinternationalterrorism)proposedbyIndiainthisregardisastepinrightdirection.

FurtherIndiashoulduseleveragevariousplatformlikeSCO,UN,BIMSTECetc.tospreadawarenessoftheterrorthreatandstrengthsit’spreparednesstodealwithdomesticterror.

Bestanswer:Swapnil

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50.WhatisCERT-In?Howdoesitfunction?Discuss.

Introduction:

CERT-Inisanacronymfor‘IndianComputerEmergencyResponseTeam’.AsperInformationTechnologyAmendmentAct2008,CERT-InistheNationalIncidentResponseCentreformajorcomputersecurityincidentsinitsconstituencyi.e.Indiancybercommunity.CERT-In’sprimaryroleistoraisesecurityawarenessamongIndiancybercommunityandtoprovidetechnicalassistanceandadvisethemtohelpthemrecoverfromcomputersecurityincidents.ItfunctionsundertheMinistryofElectronicsandInformationTechnology.

Body:

ObjectivesofCERT-In

• Preventingcyber-attacksagainstthecountry’scyberspace.• Respondingtocyber-attacksandminimizingdamageandrecoverytime.• Reducing‘nationalvulnerabilitytocyber-attacks.• Enhancingsecurityawarenessamongcommoncitizens.

Functioning:

TheInformationTechnology(Amendment)Act2008designatedCERT-Intoserveasthenationalagencytoperformthefollowingfunctionsintheareaofcybersecurity

• Reports-Itservesasacentralpointforreportingincidents• Repository-Itisthenationalrepositoryforcyberintrusions,asitmaintainsa

databaseofincidents’.• Analyse-Analysisoftrendsandpatternsofintruderactivity,developingpreventive

strategiesforthewholeconstituencyandtakinganin-depthlookatanincident

reportoranincidentactivitytodeterminethescope,priorityandthreatoftheincidentarefewofthemajorfunctionsofthebody.

• Response-Itsendsoutrecommendationsforrecoveryfrom,andcontainmentofdamagecausedbytheincidentsandhelptheSystemAdministratorstakefollowupactiontopreventrecurrenceofsimilarincidents.

• Advise-ProvidestechnicaladvicetoSystemAdministratorsanduserstorespondtocomputersecurityincidents.

• Assistandco-ordinate-Itworkswithothersimilarinstitutions&organisationstoresolvemajorsecurityissues,anddisseminatesinformationtotheIndiancybercommunity.

• Awareness-Itenlightensitsconstituentsaboutthesecurityawarenessandbestpracticesforvarioussystems;networksbypublishingadvisories,guidelinesandothertechnicaldocuments.

Conclusion:

CERT-InthushelpsstrengthensecurityrelateddefenceofIndianinternetdomain,whilealsorespondingtothecyberthreats.

Bestanswer:DazyRani

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51.Whatdoyouunderstandbyparamilitaryforces?WhatroledotheyplayinIndia’sinternalsecurity?Examine.

Introduction:

Paramilitaryforcesarekeyplayersininternalsecurityandintegrityofacountry.InIndia’ssevenparamilitaryforcesarecollectivelycalledasCentralArmedPoliceForces.Theseare:

• AssamRifles(AR)• BorderSecurityForce(BSF)• CentralIndustrialSecurityForce(CISF)• CentralReservePoliceForce(CRPF)• IndoTibetanBorderPolice(ITBP)• NationalSecurityGuard(NSG)

• SashastraSeemaBal(SSB)

Body:

WhatisParamilitaryForce?

Aparamilitaryisasemi-militarizedforcewhoseorganizationalstructure,tactics,training,subculture,and(often)functionaresimilartothoseofaprofessionalmilitary,butwhichisformallynotpartofagovernment’sarmedforces.

RolePlayedbyParamilitaryForces:

• AssamRiflesremainsdeployedinsomeofthemostremoteandunderdevelopedareasandprovidessecuritytolocals.Thehumane,justandeverhelpfulapproachofthemenofAssamRifleshastrulymanagedtowinheartsandmindsearningtheAssamRiflesthesobriquetof‘FriendsoftheNorthEast’.

• TheBorderSecurityForce(BSF)isaBorderGuardingForceofIndia.Theyarerightlydeclaredas“FirstWallofDefence”forIndia.

• CentralIndustrialSecurityForce(CISF)ismandatedtoprovidesecuritytomajorcriticalinfrastructureinstallationsofthecountryindiverseareas.CISFiscurrentlyprovidingsecuritycovertonuclearinstallations,spaceestablishments,airports,seaports,powerplants,sensitiveGovernmentbuildingsandeverheritagemonuments.AmongtheimportantresponsibilitiesrecentlyentrustedtotheCISFaretheDelhiMetroRailCorporation,VIPSecurity,DisasterManagementandestablishmentofaFormedPoliceUnit(FPU)oftheUNatHaiti.

• ToenablethegovernmenttomaintainRuleofLaw,PublicOrderandInternalSecurityeffectivelyandefficiently,toPreserveNationalIntegrityandPromoteSocialHarmonyandDevelopmentbyupholdingsupremacyoftheConstitution,arepartofthemissionofCentralReservePoliceForce(CRPF).TheyaredeployedalmostalloverIndiawithwidemandateofinternalsecurity.TheCRPFhadtobeinductedinstrengthnotonlytomaintainlawandorderbutalsotokeeplinesofcommunicationfreefromdisruption.ThecommitmentsoftheForcecontinuetobeveryhighintheNorth-Eastindealingwiththeinsurgency.

• Indo-TibetanBorderPolicewasraisedforreorganizingthefrontierintelligenceandsecuritysetupalongtheIndo-Tibetanborder.Theyarealsoentrustedwithtasksofborderguarding,counterinsurgencyandinternalsecurityroles.

• NationalSecurityGuard(NSG)isaFederal,Contingency,WorldClass,ZeroErrorForcetodealwithanti-terroristactivitiesinallitsmanifestations.TheNSGisaforcespeciallyequippedandtrainedtodealwithspecificsituationsandistherefore,tobeusedonlyinexceptionalcircumstancestothwartseriousactsofterror.

• SashastraSeemaBal(SSB)ismandatedwithsignificantroleofguardingandintelligenceacrossborders,especiallyIndia-NepalandIndia-Bhutan.Theirrolesalsoinclude;SafeguardthesecurityofassignedbordersofIndiaandpromotesenseof

securityamongthepeoplelivinginborderareas.Preventtrans-bordercrimes,smugglingandanyotherillegalactivities;PreventunauthorizedentryintoorexitfromtheterritoryofIndia;Carryoutcivicactionprogrammeintheareaofresponsibility;PerformanyotherdutyassignedbytheCentralGovernment.(SSBisbeingdeployedforLaw&Order;CounterInsurgencyOperationsandElectionduty)

• DisasterManagement:Mostofthese(butnotall)paramilitaryforcesalsoplaytheirroleindisastermanagement,notonlyinsidethecountrybutalsoalongthebordersduringdisastersinneighbouringcountriessuchasNepalearthquakeof2015.

• UNpeacekeepingforce:CRPF,CISF,ITBPandsuchotherforcesaresentoverseasaspartofUNpeacekeepingmissionsacrosstheglobe.

Conclusion:

AfterobservingabovespecificandcommonfunctionsofIndia’sparamilitaryforces,itcanbesaidthat,paramilitaryforcesplaytheirroleinalmostallthecriticalmattersofinternalsecurity,fromriotsandinsurgencytoterrorismandsmuggling.TheyarealsoanimportantpartofdefenceintelligencerequiredforinternalsecurityandintegrityofIndia.

BestAnswer:GurpreetSingh

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GargiGupta

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52.DiscusstheinstitutionalframeworkofdisastermanagementinIndia.

Introduction:

IndiahasbeentraditionallyvulnerabletonaturaldisastersonaccountofitsuniqueGeo-Climaticconditions.Floods,Droughts,Cyclonesarerecurrentphenomenon.Developmentcannotbesustainedunlessdisastereventsareeffectivelymanaged.

Body:

TheDisasterManagementAct,2005dealswiththemanagementofdisasters.ThisactenvisagedathreetierDisasterManagementstructureinIndiaatNational,StatesandDistrictlevels.Undertheact,theNDMA,SDMA,NEC,NDRF,NIDManddisasterrelatedfundswereestablished.

Institutionalstructurefordisastermanagementishierarchicalandfunctionsatthreelevels–centre,stateanddistrict.Itisamulti-stakeholdersetup,i.e.,thestructuredrawsinvolvementofvariousrelevantministries,governmentdepartmentsandadministrativebodies.

NationalDisasterManagementAuthority(NDMA)

• IsaNationalAuthorityresponsibleforlayingdownthepolicies,plansandguidelinesfordisastermanagementandforensuringtimelyandeffectiveresponseafterdisasters.

• Itconsistsofninememberswithprimeministerasitsex-officiochairperson.

NationalExecutiveCommittee(NEC)

• NECisresponsibleforassistingNDMAinexecutionofvariousfunctionsfordisastermanagementlikeImplementingtheplansandpoliciesofNDMA;EnsuringcompliancewiththedirectivesofCentralGovernment;Toactasacoordinatingandmonitoringbodyfordisastermanagement;PreparetheNationalPlantobeapprovedbytheNDMA;Prepareguidelinesfordifferentministrieswithrespecttodisastermanagement.

StateDisasterManagementAuthority(SDMA)

• AstateDisasterManagementAuthorityisestablishedbyeverystategovernment.• TheChiefMinisterofthestateisthechairpersonofSDMA.Therearemaximum9

membersotherthanthechairperson.

StateExecutiveCommittee(SEC)

• ThestategovernmentalsocreatesaStateExecutiveCommitteetoassisttheStateAuthorityintheperformanceofitsfunctionsandtocoordinateactioninaccordancewiththeguidelineslaiddownbytheStateAuthorityandensurethecomplianceofdirectionsissuedbytheStateAuthority.

• ItspowersandfunctionsarealmostareplicaoftheNECatstatelevel.

DistrictDisasterManagementAuthority(DDMA)

• TheDDMAaresetupbystategovernmentviaanotificationinthestatebudget.ItconsistsofChairpersonandsevenmembers.ThecollectororDistrictMagistrateorDeputyCommissionerwouldbethechairman.

• TheDDMAworksasadistrictplanning,coordinatingandimplementingbodyfordisastermanagement.

• Itwillcoordinatewiththeuppertwotiersofthestructureandwillplantheimplementationoftheprevention,mitigationandpreparednessatlocallevel.

NationalDisasterResponseForce(NDRF)

• Forthepurposeofspecialistresponsetoathreateningdisastersituationordisaster.Thegeneralsuperintendence,directionandcontroloftheForceshallbevestedandexercisedbyNDMA.

NationalDisasterResponseFund

• Formeetinganythreateningdisastersituationordisaster.Thecentralgovernmentwillbeabletousethemoneyfromthisfundtomeetexpensesforemergencyresponse,reliefandrehabilitation.

NationalInstituteofDisasterManagement(NIDM)

• Itisresponsibleforplanningandpromotingtrainingandresearchintheareaofdisastermanagement.

• Itisapremiernationalorganizationworkingforhumanresourcedevelopmentatnationallevelintheareaofdisastermanagement.

Conclusion:

Ineffectivenessinpreparednessandcoordination,lackofimplementationcapacityatstatelevel,notconstitutingDisasterMitigationFund,inadequatetechnologyandmanpowerremainaschallengeinDisasterManagement.Challengesneedstobeaddressedtoreducevulnerabilityandachievedisasterresilience.

Bestanswer:Krishnakant

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53.HowcanNATGRIDhelpinsecuringapeacefulterritory?Comment.

Introduction:

NATGRIDisapostMumbai26/11attackmeasure.Itaimstomitigateavitaldeficiency—lackofrealtimeinformation,whichwasconsideredtobeoneofthemajorhurdlesindetectingUSterrorsuspectDavidHeadley’smovementacrossthecountryduringhismultiplevisitsbetween2006and2009.

Body:

RoleofNATGRIDinsecuringterritory

• NATGRIDisanambitiouscounterterrorismprogramme,whichwillutilisetechnologieslikeBigDataandanalyticstostudyandanalysethehugeamountsofdatafromvariousintelligenceandenforcementagenciestohelptracksuspectedterroristsandpreventterroristattacks.

• Itwillconnect,indifferentphases,dataprovidingorganisationsandusersbesidesdevelopingalegalstructurethroughwhichinformationcanbeaccessedbythelawenforcementagencies.

• NATGRIDwillbecomeasecurecentraliseddatabasetostreamsensitiveinformationfrom21setsofdatasourcessuchasbanks,creditcards,visa,immigrationandtrainandairtraveldetails,aswellasfromvariousintelligenceagencies.

• Thedatabasewouldbeaccessibletoauthorisedpersonsfrom11agenciesonacase-to-casebasis,andonlyforprofessionalinvestigationsintosuspectedcasesofterrorism.

• NATGRIDisessentiallyatoolthatenablessecurityagenciestolocateandobtainrelevantinformationonterrorsuspectsfrompooleddataofvariousorganisationsandservicesinthecountry.Itwillhelpidentify,captureandprosecuteterroristsandhelppre-emptterroristplots.

• NATGRIDwouldalsohelpthepoliceandtheIntelligenceBureaukeepatabonpersonswithsuspiciousbackgrounds.Thepolicewouldhaveaccesstoallhisdataandanymovementbythispersonwouldalsobetrackedwiththehelpofthisdatabase.

• ThedangerfromnothavingasophisticatedtoolliketheNATGRIDisthatitforcesthepolicetorelyonharshandcoercivemeanstoextractinformationinacrudeanddegradingfashion.Aftereveryterroristincident,itgoesaboutroundingupsuspects—manyofwhoareinnocent.If,instead,apatternsearchandrecognitionsystemwereinplace,theseviolationsofhumanrightswouldbemuchfewer.

Criticisms:

• NATGRIDisfacingoppositiononchargesofpossibleviolationsofprivacyandleakageofconfidentialpersonalinformation.

• Itsefficacyinpreventingterrorhasalsobeenquestionedgiventhatnostateagencyorpoliceforcehasaccesstoitsdatabasethusreducingchancesofimmediate,effectiveaction.

• Accordingtofewexperts,digitaldatabasessuchasNATGRIDcanbemisused.Overthelasttwodecades,theverydigitaltoolsthatterroristsusehavealsobecomegreatweaponstofighttheideologiesofviolence.

• TheSnowdenfileshavealreadyrevealedthewidespreadmisuseinrecentyearsofsurveillancecapabilitiestocompromiseindividualprivacyandevenviolatenationalsovereignty.

Conclusion:

Initspresentform,NATGRIDsuffersfromfewinadequacies,someduetobureaucraticredtapeandothersduetofundamentalflawsinthesystem.Ifthegovernmenttakesenoughmeasurestoensurethatinformationdoesnotfallthroughthefirewallsthatguardit,NATGRIDhasthepotentialtobecomeIndia’sgo-togridfora360-degreeperspectivetopreventandcontaincrises

Bestanswer:Amit

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