Is there a need to revamp social sector schemes sponsored by the central

government? Examine why with examples.

Any government scheme is a governance measure to address the prevailing socioeconomic conditions. As the scenario changes, so the need for revamping schemes
originates, to remain in syn with the scenario.
NEEDS FOR REVAMPING SCHEMES
(a) Relevance: To make scheme address the changed socio-economic condition by
adding new goals and removing redundant ones eg MGNREGA needs revamping to
be more realistic.
(b) Reduce Duplication: Many schemes often have nuance variation in their
objectives. As they address the similar set of goals their mearger improves targeting
eg RSBY, AABY,IGNOPS.
(c) Administrative convenience: Similar schemes work under the oversight of
different ministries creating confusion over monitoring and reporting activities eg
AABY under MoF and IGNOPS under MoRD.
(d) Cost consideration: Duplicate schemes increase cost witout bringing any
effective change.
(e) Populist politics: Schemes often announces in heat of election suffer from poor
allocation and stagnacy making their working impracticable.
(f) Monitoring: Single scheme makes monitoring effective thus improving outcomes.
(h) Mistargeted: Sometimes schemes fail to address the right target group and
needs to be revamped.
(I) Devolution of power: More participation needed, its more top down right now.
Revamping also poses certain challenges like redrafting and identifying relevant
goals, training staff who are acustomed to earlier schemes along with technical
problems. Thus revamping though appears as solution but its actual efficacy
depends on the judiciousness of revamping exercise.

How and why leprosy is caused. Critically comment on its continued

existence in India and on governments initiatives to tackle this disease.
Leprosy is a bacterial disease that affects the nervous system. It is a major
cause of disability among people. Indian government has a dedicated programme
called, National Leprosy Eradication Programme since 1955. It follows a two
pronged strategy that includes:
(a) Early detection through increased awareness among masses.
(b) Treatment of patient using a multi-drug therapy (available since 1981).
A multiple stakeholder approach including government, NGO, voluntary
organisation and LEPRA is adopted to fight this disease. Government also declared
certain states as endemic for special intervention.
Despite a dedicated programme running for the last 60 years India still holds the
distinction of contributing 58% leprosy cases in the world. This alone proves the
futility of efforts. Government failure can be assessed on multiple areas like:
(a) Still there is low level of awareness among masses.
(b) Low early detection rate, as a result of low awareness is poor.
The major reasons for the failure of government are:
(a) There is no vaccine for the leprosy.
(b) Removal of leprosy from the list of major public health problem since 2005
has shifted focus from it.
(c) Rumors about the disease and the social stigma acts as deterrent to early
detection and treatment.
(d) Symptomatic treatment using MDT has not achieved a foolproof level.
IEC activities should form the core of leprosy eradication programme together with
development of vaccine through global collaboration if this blot is to be removed.
Apart from the physiological problem faced by the patient, he also suffers from a lot
psychological effect. Due to stigma attached with the disease he faces a lot of
indignity and humiliation from the society. Leprosy patient are discriminated and
denied access to even basic services like education, sanitation and community
based rehabilitation which leaves them with no option other than to beg on the
streets.

Write a note on the important features of recently released government of

Indias new National Mental Health Policy.
Recognizing that Persons with mental illness constitute a vulnerable section of
society and are subject to discrimination in our society, Govt. launched National
Mental health Policy recently. India already has National Mental Health Program from
1982.
The Mental Health Policy calls for recognition of mental disorders and more
accessible and holistic treatment of mental illnesses. Other important features are1) It lays guidelines for the mental health care services being offered and
provision of funds for opening of departments in hospitals related to psychological
and psychiatric care.
2) It recommends for the decriminalization of attempted suicides because it
has been a major cause of deaths among such people.
3) It advocates for change in attitude towards mental illnesses. It plans to ensure
availability and accessibility of minimum mental health care for all, particularly to
the most vulnerable and underprivileged sections of population.
4) A plan Mental Health Action Plan 365 is also launched which spells out
specific roles for the centre, state, local bodies and civil societies.
An awareness campaign needs to be launched to inform people about the mental
health problems and destigmatization of people suffering from mental illness. As we
know, families bear disproportionate financial, physical, mental, emotional and
social burden of providing treatment and care for their relatives with mental illness.
Persons with mental illness should be treated like other persons with health
problems.
The environment around them should be made conducive to facilitate recovery
rehabilitation and full participation in society. The New Mental health Policy provides
some hope in this noble direction.

 The quality of healthcare system determines ones health. In the

context of India, critically examine what should be governments priorities
in the healthcare sector.
The priority areas for government in health sector are
1) Increasing health care centres- There is a need to increase the outreach of public
health care. Opening of PHCs, CHCs and tertiary health centres should be the main
priority. But merely opening centres without adequate infrastructure or skilled
manpower would make them redundant.
2) Increasing the number of skilled manpower Most of the hospitals and PHCs
remain understaffed. Frequent absenteeism by doctors. Lack of adequate
monitoring mechanisms.
3) Infrastructure Public health centres lack minimum required technical
equipment. Sanitation and hygiene given low priority. No separate labour rooms.
Operation centres inadequate. Public spending has to be increased.
4) Change of priority from health insurance to health facilities Too much reliance
on health insurance. Most of the spending on health sector goes to insurance, very
little left to upgrade health centres.
5) Monitor and properly private healthcare Due to failure of public health,
people have relied on private centres. Which are themselves exploitative, charge
exorbitant rates, over diagnosis. Hence, a need to monitor them. However, private
health has been efficient and at least in terms of Medication, is up to the mark.
6) Establishing medical institutes Inadequate government medical institutes.
Private charging enormously. Huge number of students being left out. Upgrading
and opening new institutes is urgent.
7) Retaining medical practitioners Due to economic incentives being offered by
private health care, very low numbers opting for government hospitals. Need to
incentivise them economically and socially to serve in govt. hospitals. Mandatory
rural service may help. But has the problem of forceful service. May not get the best
from the practitioners.
8) Focus on prevention Immunization for diseases like cholera, control of vector
borne diseases like kala-azar and malaria and death due to cardio-vascular disease.

9) Nutrition and Sanitation Provision of clean drinking water and sanitation

facilities to reduce gastronomical disease which weakens the immune system of
human and affect mental and physical growth. Integration of nutrition schemes like
ICDS, MDMS etc
Health sector is vital and should get adequate priority economically and politically.
Need a paradigm shift to ensure universal health care and reduce dependence on
private sector.

According to reports and various opinions, the declining standards of

medical education coupled with poor health service delivery continue to
be major national concerns. Discuss the reforms needed in the health
sector to improve the standards of medical education and health delivery.
A bad doctor is worse than having no doctor. Reforms which are needed to improve
the poor qualities of doctor in India or basically the medical education are
-

Common Competitive Entrance Exam National Eligibility and Entrance Test

(NEET ) is the good option and it should be revived. It will help bring in
meritorious students
Compensate for lack of Faculty Adjunct professors should be appointed.
Online courses and tele-education can be used
Update Curriculum Impart practical skills too
Increase in the number of PG seats and bringing all the PG courses under
common regulatory system instead of few being managed by MCI and few by
National Boards of Examination
To improve quality of doctors in rural areas, compulsory posting of doctors
after completion of course in PHC for a stipulated time

---------------- ---------------- ------------------------------- ----------------

--------------------------------

India have only 2 virology testing centres. This problem was realized in the
face of H1N1 outbreak in 2009. Hence ministry has decided to open 120 new
virology testing centres in India to deal with Ebola like cases.

Critically evaluate the state of primary healthcare sector in India.

Highlight its importance vs tertiary health care
Problems
-

Low doctor to patient ratio.

Lack of medicines
Opening of New tertiary services will divert the scare resources from primary
health care
Opening up of new AIIMS, will lead to bypass of the PHCs, as observed in the
case of Delhi AIIMS, overloading the AIIMS with minor health problem cases
reducing its efficacy. Whereas investment in PHC can help to take care of
these things as well as prevention of diseases like immunization, regular
health checkup and nutrition awareness drives through PHCs, as they will
have wider and deeper reach
Also, as it is promoted, that AIIMS will help more doctors created which can
then help in rural sector, but as many as 50% go abroad. Hence on a costeffective basis its better to invest in health professionals like nurse, AMW etc
which can help in improving rural health infrastructure.

Write a note on the objectives and importance of the National AYUSH

Mission (NAM)
The Department of Indian Systems of Medicine and Homoeopathy was created in
March 1995 and renamed AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha
and Homeopathy) in November 2003 to provide focused attention to the
development of education and research in these systems of medicine. However, no
remarkable achievements took place in research/education of AYUSH.
So, National AYUSH Mission was approved to be launched in order to bridge the
gap in health services. It supports State governments and UTs to provide AYUSH
health services and education in the country. Its objectives are:
a) Improvement of AYUSH education through enhancement in the number of
upgraded educational institutions;
b) Better access to AYUSH services through increase in number of AYUSH hospitals
and dispensaries, availability of drugs and manpower;
c) Providing sustained availability of quality raw material for AYUSH systems of
medicine; and
d) Improving availability of quality Ayurvedic, Siddha, Unani and Homeopathy drugs
through increase in number of pharmacies, drug laboratories
Importance:
- It can be used effectively in remote and far-flung areas.
- It promotes preventive health care.
- It is diverse, flexible, accessible and affordable, acceptance by a large public and
has a growing economic value.

It is even more important in the wake of many patents filed by foreign companies
on Ayurvedic medicines (most of which are developed in India). It is our duty to
preserve and protect our rich heritage and culture which should not be stolen by
unscrupulous business interests abroad. The knowledge we received from our
ancestors must be passed onto generations without discrimination from foreign
nations. Hence, NAM has become a significant step in that direction.

The first 1,000 days of life, between a womans pregnancy and her childs
second birthday, are critical for influencing lifelong health and intellectual
development of the child. Elaborate and also explain what measures has
Indian government taken to address this issue.
HDR 2014 has defined the period of 1000 days from womens pregnancy to the 2 nd
birthday of child as one of the vulnerable period in the life cycle. Womens health
condition, hygiene and care during the pregnancy very much determine the health
of the born child. After the birth of the child proper nourishment, immunization and
psychosocial stimulation not only helps in the physical growth of the child but also
development of its cognitive skills. Children suffer from stunted growth with lack of
intellectual power due to poor health conditions. Physical strength can be gained
later in the life cycle but maximum brain development takes place in first 3 years
and hence a loss in this period become quite permanent and child faces problem in
his life due to subdued intellectual capacity.
Government is aware of the criticality of this cohert and have taken a number of
steps that can be broken down into three groups. These are
ANTENATAL
Involves various nutrition and immunisation programmes done through ASHA.
Variuos incentives like IGMSY provides conditional cash transfer. Pregnancy leaves
are given to working ladies.
INTRA NATAL

Includes multiple schemes like JSY, JSSK, IGMSY, Navjat shishu suraksha karyakram
etc. These schemes target to maximises institutional deliveries and post delivery
care.
NEONATAL
Includes facility based new born care and Home based new born care. Promotional
activities like mothers milk till 6 months and various immunisation programmes are
undertaken. ICDS , UIP etc are integrated under NECCE policy for a holistic
approach.
Despite these high IMR, MMR and bourgeoning malnutrition and stunted growth
case highlights the discrete approach and lack of IEC activities for better awareness.
Thus, a policy aimed at specific cohert ie 0-3y is pressing need if we wish to attain a
healthy and wealthy India.

Comment on the recommendations of the Ramesh Chandra committee,

constituted by the Union health ministry to review the Cigarettes and
Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003.
Ramesh Chandra committee was constituted to suggest amendments in COTPA. It
has made following recommendations:
(a) Ban selling of loose cigarette.
(b) Increase penalty for failing to specify nicotine content and smoking in public
place.
(c) Ban point of sale advertisements and sale to persons below 25 years.
(d) Do away with smoke zones in hotels and restaurants.
These recommendations aims to achieve following measures:
(a) Discourage smoking among youngsters by increasing the cost of purchase. Thus
the smoking habit may be delayed and probably restricted from developing.

(b) Reducing the visibility of tobacco products by discouraging advertisements and

banning smoke zone. Reduced visibility will further contain the lure of tobacco
product.
(c) Huge penalties to deter smokers may push many to abdicate smoking habit.
Though the recommendations aim to achieve a better health status and reduce the
unnecessary health expenditures, it falls short of suggesting ways to reduce the
potency of tobacco products. Suggestions to reduce tar and nicotine content to
reduce the deleterious impact on health status of already existant users should also
be proposed if outright ban is still not possible.

Critically comment on the situation of food production and hunger across

the world with special reference to Indias contribution.
It has been widely believed that the reason behind hunger is scarcity of food
production but thats not true. The world is producing enough food even today to
feed the 1.5 times the current population. In fact, over the last two decades the rate
of food production has increased faster than population growth rate.
Real problem: Poverty and Inequality. Poverty leads to low access to food
resources inspite of having surplus lying in Godowns and inequality leads to bad
resource allocation and hence misuse. The produced food is being hoarded
legitimately.
Humanitarian considerations should dominate international food market, not
economics. To feed the hungry is a solemn duty of the well fed, and the latter are
shirking.

Large scale farming, free trade and lifting tariff on trade will not solve this problem.
Multi-pronged approach like Organic Farming (does well in drought years), shift
from biofuel and fodders to food crops, local farming according to local needs, is
needed.
India is home to the largest number of the hungry; however, it has a robust trade
surplus in agriculture and has recorded year on year record food grain production.
Steps taken by India:
-> programs like Food Security and its effective implementation will help people
coming out of hunger.
-> India has focused on local level, cooperative and family based farming, it helps
the small farmers to meet their nutritional demands.
-> junk food and malnutrition: government has increased tax on beverages and also
focusing on massive campaign and ground level implementation to move people
towards nutrition based food intake.
To export food, while the people starve to death is scandalous for a democracy.
India should use the surplus to feed its poor, and the resulting appreciation in
human capital will compensate for the revenue loss.
The Food should be staggered released to open market, hoarding prevented and
the poor empowered to buy at the now reduced market prices.

Sanitation
Write a note on Swachh Bharat Kosh and Swachh Vidyalaya schemes.
Sanitation is one of the issue which has been highlighted as responsible for the
malnutrition, decreased immunity and stunted growth of the children.
Govt of India has launched a Swachh Vidyalaya Scheme, under which their
goal is to provide functional toilet to every school by Aug 15 2015. This is a scheme
under the Beti Padhao Beti Bachao and is run under the HRD.
Swachh Bharat Kosh is a non-lapsable fund created for the purpose of
financing the building of toilets under the Swach Vidyalaya Scheme. The corpus of

the fund will be formed by budget contribution and voluntary contributions of the
PSU and private corporations under CSR.
Scheme has several benefits like:
-

Provide sanitation facilities in the school will help in maintaining

cleanliness and health surrounding around school
Protection for the girls child, as they would not need to go out in open
Will help to increase the retention rate

To make this a true success, apart from building the infrastructure, Govt will need to
make public contacts to teach the drawbacks of open defecation and encourage
them to use the toilets. It needs to be ensured that there cleanliness and
functionality is maintained and they dont meet the fate of deterioration and
degradation. Continuous water supply is another issue.
A holistic approach and combining the Mid-Day Meal, Swatch Vidyalaya, Jalmani
system and SSA will attack the problems of illiteracy and health in the most
effective way.

Swachh Bharat Abhiyan

The main goal of the programme is a clean India with all gram panchayats being
open defecation free by 2019.
The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Urban) will last a span of five years and cover 4,041
statutory towns. The earlier mission on sanitation, Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan, will be
restructured into Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Rural). The urban component of SBA will
be implemented by the Ministry of Urban Development, and the rural component
by the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation.

The scheme aims to stop open defecation through construction of IHHL

(individual household latrines), cluster toilets and community toilets (especially
through PPP mode). Solid and liquid waste management also forms an
important component of the programme. Major thrust is being given to information,
education and communication of importance of cleanliness.
Also, in a CSR (corporate social responsibility) initiative, L&T has announced that it
shall construct 5,000 toilets across India. Significantly, the SBA identifies CSR
initiatives as one of the sources for the programmes funding.
Things which should be complemented with the SBA to make it a holistic drive
towards cleanliness
-

Cleaning of the dirt from the roads and the day to day usage places.
Sensitizing the people not create dirtiness in the first place and
ensuring they act as principal driver of this mission
Just sanitation drive and cleanliness of the city wont work. This need to be
supplemented with control in air, water and land pollution
De-stigmatization of the cleaning process. People want to be clean but
they dont consider cleaning themselves as dignified work and want to
relegate it to other people mostly poor.
Care and rehabilitation of the scavenging class

Discuss the challenges that Clean India mission faces in fulfilling its
objectives. In your opinion, what should be the approach of this program
to effectively clean Indian cities, villages, rivers and forests.
While pristine environment is a wishful thinking a livable and hygienic environment
is a basic human right. Clean India mission which aim to achieve a lean India faces
multiple challenges that include:

(a) Infrastructure deficit: From dustbin and spit bin on to sewerage treatment
plants and waste incinerators the entire waste management suffers from lack of
infrastructure.
(b) Private participation: though private sector is a major contributor of waste its
participation in waste recycling despite its technological advantage is lackadaisical.
(c) Government funding: both poor allocation and attached strings makes even
construction of toilets under TSC unviable. Further post construction management
makes their use scarce. Policy initiatives like extended producer guarantee, reverse
vending etc are not pursued vehemently.
(d) Attitudinal obstacles: Indians are very clean in home but untidy outside.
There is also inhibition shown to the use of toilets. Religious practices further
deteriorate environment.
Clean India mission should adopt a holistic approach that should involve
(a) Attitudinal change by IEC activities.
(b) Designing low cost waste management infrastructure like biodigestor
toilets, prefab and mobile toilets, dustbin & spit on at multiple locations etc.
(c) Roping private participation in urban waste management by PPP model or
through corporate social responsibility.
(d) Vehemently pursuing policies like polluter pay principle, reverse vending
and extended producer guarantee.
(e) Maintenance of public utilities apart from construction need due attention.
(f) Utilising service of media and public figures to spread message of cleanliness.
An integrated and holistic approach will only make this mission successful.

How is kala-azar caused? Examine what measures has government taken

to tackle this disease.

Kala azar is a neglected tropical disease which is the second largest parasite
killer in the world. It is caused by the bite of female sandfly which is a parasite
carrier. The parasite attacks liver, spline and immune system. If left unchecked it
may be fatal.
Four states ie. Bihar, Jharkhand, Eastern U.P. , and West Bengal are endemic to Kala
Azar. In the absence of any vaccine and drugs for its treatment government takes a
number of measures which are:
PREVENTIVE MEASURES
(a) Spray of insecticide Pyrethroid to kill the larve of sand fly.
(b) IEC activities to create awareness about the causes of Kala Azar.
(c) Declared 4 states endemic for enhancing focus.
(d) Distribution of insect repellent in endemic areas.
CURATIVE MEASURES
(a) Availability of free medicines for symptomatic treatment.
(b) Establishment of special quarantined wards for patients.
(c) Community drives for early detection.
(d) Issuing guidelines about treatment to Medical professionals.
Besides these activities government also collaborate in global research and
development activities aimed at development of vaccines and drugs for this
disease. Though it hasnt tasted success so far it is not long before which a break
through can be achieved.
Govt is targeting the disease by 1 4 pronged strategy
-

Indoor residual spraying. IRS is more effective in pucca houses than the
kutcha ones.
Care Treatment protocol
Extensively reaching out to the patients and searching for them in
endemic district rather than waiting for them
Changing the treatment regime from tablets to injectable medicine.
Govt has recently issued a Kala Azar rapid diagnosis kit.

Dengue
Some Facts
-

4 lakh cases of dengue in 2013 SE Asia Region, this region roughly amounts
to half the dengue occurrence in world
Poor sewage management, solid waste management, slum development,
blocked drainage in urban cities provide good breeding ground for the vectors
To decrease the spread of disease needs a comprehensive approach involving
not just the medical facilities but also awareness campaigns, community
participation, sanitation drives, water supply, urban system improvement etc.
This disease has roots in socio-economic issues like poverty, lack of housing
facilities etc.
The accumulation of modern non-biodegradable products such as automobile
tyres, plastic containers and tin products provides a conducive environment
for prolific breeding
Dhaka Declaration on Vector-borne Diseases - The Declaration
encourages a whole of government approach against diseases such as
dengue. This was in recognition of the importance of a multi-sectoral
approach to addressing dengue outbreaks and in order to advocate utmost
need for Health in All Policies.

Universal Health Insurance Scheme vs Single Payer System

India has been following Single Payer System for delivery of health care facilities
since independence. The system basically aims to provide free health care facilities
to all through government facilities. The system is sustained with the tax revenues.
Despite its good intention it has not been able to deliver on the promises due to
poor management and lack of resources. Reason of poor performance of the
healthcare facilities till now:
1. Investment Govt investment in the health care system has been minimal
and health care expenditure to GDP is one of the lowest in world. We lack
basic facilities in health centres as well as the medicines required.
2. Lack of trained profession in Govt Hospitals Due to meager salary and
unattractive job offering, medical students prefer to join private hospitals
rather than the govt ones. They dont want to serve in rural area when they
can make multiple amount of salary with the comfort of city life
3. Poor Work Ethics Absenteeism, carelessness and poor performance of the
health care staff
4. Focus on specific health program Due to this general health care capacity of
the system gets reduced and neglected sometimes
In the recent policy declaration Govt has announced a Universal Health Assurance
under which Universal Health Insurance will be offered. Premium will be subsidized
for the poor people. Although a noble concept to offer UHI this comes with his own
set of drawbacks
1. Regulation - Effective implementation of this requires a strict regulation of the
health insurance providers and health service providers which will increase
the cost of delivery of health care tremendously given the sheer size and
population of India. Example could be taken from Switzerland where despite
being small country its health care expenditure per capita is very high due to
this kind of system.
2. Accreditation of Doctors Certifying the doctors would be a enormous task.
Also, in India we have large number of non-registered medical practitioner
who are outside the scope of medical system
3. Monopoly of Insurer In the case of poor regulation, poor people are at the
mercy of insurance providers, like in USA, where they charge high premium
for all but healthy person and deny covering the expenses of medication on
certain pretexts. Litigation cost and its slow nature add to the woes in case
people want to complain
4. Unethical practices by doctor Due to financial incentives doctors sometimes
increase the cost of medication by doing unnecessary procedures and test.

5. Misaligned Interest Private hospitals are not concerned with the

containment of the disease as this does not have financial gain for them.
Prevention care is best suited to be handled by government.

Despite efforts from the government, malnutrition among children persists

in India. Critically examine the reasons.
Malnutrition is an emerging challenge to Indias global leadership pegged on its
demographic dividend. The main reasons for it are:
Health and Sanitation
(a) Poverty: It is the biggest curse that restricts the availability and access of good
food causing malnutrition.
(b) Nutrition Awareness: Lack of nutrition knowledge creates unbalanced nutrient
intake resulting in poor health of otherwise fat children.
(c) Gender biasness: Discrimination of girl child in feeding creates an acute
malnutrition of girl. The weak mother gives birth to a weak child and the cycle
perpetuates.
(d) Food habit: Indian sweet tooth and their inclination towards fried food create
deficiency of protein and micronutrients causing malnutrition.
(e) Government food security policies have high degree of exclusion errors
leaving poor out of food security net.
(g) Quality of PDS supply: Though claimed as fair and average the quality of food
grains is often unacceptable and hence its outcomes are poor.
(h) Quality of food: Under inorganic agriculture the bioavailability of nutrients has
degraded to a great extent.
(i) M-Culture: The fast food culture has increased the intake of calorie dense
and nutrient defucient food.
(j) Video games: Are the biggest threat to urban children which not only makes
their lifestyle sedentary but also develop bad eating habits.
These multitudes of problems have restricted the health outcomes of nation by
causing malnutrition. Thus, it demands a plethora of activities spreading from food
to food education to make a dent on malnutrition.

---------------- ----------------- ------------------- ----------------- -------------------------------- ------------According to a recent UNICEF report proportion of underweight children in India has
dropped from 45% in 2005-06 to 30.7% in 2013-14. Even so, India still has the
highest number of underweight children under five in the world and 70% of children
are anaemic.
IFPRI credits the governments push to extend nutrition schemes like
the ICDS along with better monitoring by a SC-appointed committee, improve
access to health under the NRHM, provide access to work under the NREGA and
strengthen the implementation of the PDS for subsidised grain to be the reason of
improvement.

Critically comment on Indias pension policy.

Indias pension policy, like any other, aims to provide post retirement income to its
aging population. The policy covers largely organized sector though inroads are
being made in unorganized sectors also through co-contributory schemes like
NPS-Lite. Yet, the unpredictability plagued by high market inflation has resulted
in diminishing returns.
Pension sector is handled jointly by government through EPFO and NPS, and
private sector by offering multiple assets. Though a transition has been made from
defined contributions and benefits to market based returns, the policy is still
entangled with overprotectionist approach. Archaic rules and unnecessary
intervention by Board members has crippled the ability of professional fund
managers. Fixed tenure of asset managers and their selection based on
lowest bidding further inhibits the best professional talent to enter the segment.
The story is much grim in unorganised sector where poor regulation and lack of
awareness has reduced pension schemes to mere tokenism.
The dismal picture is revealed by the the poor pension penetration ratio that
still hangs around 10%. With the passage of PFRDA and opening 49% FDI in
pension sector, Indian pension policy has shown symptoms of treading towards
better global practices to attract professional management. There is a need to
dump the burden of antiquated law of past to unleash new energy in pension policy.
Simultaneously the interest of the aging population should be protected who
constitute the most vulnerable section in present social milieu.
NPS is slightly better compared to the EPFO, given it allows investment in various
asset classes for example equity, debt, credit and commodities and provide the
option to subscriber to switch from one fund manager to another resulting in
more competition for the fund managers. But it also share similar woes as the EPFO,
like only 5 year tenor for the fund managers and selection based on the lowest bid
and not the track-record.
Pension and Insurance funds have long term liability and they should be managed
according to this so that there is no asset-liability mismatch. Allowing a fund
manager to manage only for 5 years is antithetical to asset-liability concept and
should be done away. Longer tenor awarded to fund managers with consistent track

record will bring stability to fund which is the most essential requirement for a
pension scheme.

Primary Education
Issues Related to teachers
Primary education in India is a tragedy despite SSA and RTE. Teacher related issues
are among multiple factors responsible for this dismal state.
VARIOUS TEACHER RELATED ISSUES
(a) Teacher qualification: Various studies have shown that even basic graduation
degree is absent in most of the teacher. Hence their potential is below standard.
(b) Salaries: Though starting salaries are remunerative but the practice of contract
teachers and fraudulent pay slips makes them vulnerable.
(c) Absenteeism: Teachers often indulge in secondary jobs to improve their income
loosing focus on teaching.
(d) Selection: Selection process is highly politicized and mired with scams and
litigations.
(e) Training: Despite training institutes in every district teachers training modules
and the motivation shown by teacher restricts any gains.
(f) Secondary jobs: Using teachers in secondary jobs like census, polio programme,
MDM monitoring utilizes their precious teaching time.
MEASURES TO IMPROVE
(a) Teachers selection should be handled by a professional autonomous body.
(b) New training modules should be developed.
(c) Practice of contract teaching should be done away till a foolproof system is
established.
(d) Teachers appraisal should be linked with students learning outcomes.

(e) Practice of compulsary promotion to next class mandated in RTE should be done
away with.
(f) President teachers award should be merit based rather than political, to motivate
teachers.

Primary education is the foundation on which the future of nation is built. With its
reins in the hands of teachers, it should be ensured that the drivers are able enough
to guide towards prosperity.

Primary Education
Primary education in India is a fundamental right. It is the fundamental duty of
every individual to provide for primary education for their children. The right to
education act is the main legislation governing our primary education. The Sarva
Shiksha Abhiyan was launched to fulfill the constitutional guarantee.
Features and challenges of our primary education
1) The number of schools has increased mainly due to the aid given by government
as per the SSA. But their location is concentrated. Hence, some areas completely
neglected.
2) Quality of teaching is dismal. Even though our teachers are paid among the
highest in the world, still significant absenteeism and sub standard teaching.
Corruption in teacher allocation and examination. Teacher training not given enough
emphasis. The Nalanda teacher training project is in this direction.
3) Mid May meal scheme has increased student enrolment. But still Indias
retention rate very low. Children still seen as another source of income and
education given second priority.
4) Poor infrastructure. Lack of toilets is affecting girl child attendance.
5) Not much emphasis given to sports. Rote learning encouraged. Poor
examination surveillance.
6) Private institutes are charging exorbitant rates. Still, their quality not guaranteed.

7) It still lacks the development of regional and vernacular education model

which are widely accepted as best means to develop intellectual faculty of children.
Primary education is the foundation of our demography and of we have to reap its
benefits then we have to completely revamp our primary education system.

RUSA Rashtriya Uchattar Shiksha Abhiyaan

RUSA is a CSS aimed at improving the quality, equity and access of the higher
education in India. Basic objectives of the scheme are
Quality
-

Improving the quality of existing higher educational institutions by

ensuring conformity with the norms and adoption of accreditation process
Ensuring availability of faculty at the institution and focusing on the
capacity building of the faculty and staff
Creating an enabling atmosphere for research and innovation

Equity and Access

-

Opening up new universities and colleges in rural and semi-urban areas

to correct the regional imbalance
Creating opportunities for the socially deprived sections, SC/ST, women
and economically backward classes to attain higher education

RUSA is a norm based and outcome based scheme. Funding to the states will be
linked to the performance of the state and conditional to acceptance of certain
norms and reforms related to education, administrative and governance by state
Problems faced in the higher education system in India

Poor infrastructure and technology

Poor and lack of required faculty
Overregulation of the universities and political interference
Lack of knowledge creation and poor investment in innovation and
research
Closed system and lack of collaboration with the foreign universities and
industries
Lack of funding from the government

In the current global ranking of Universities by Times none of the universities

figured in top 200. Range of steps need to be taken to revive higher education
system in India.
-

Funding and Quality: Investment from the Govt to improve the

infrastructure, ensuring quality faculty and opening up new universities.
RUSA has envisaged all of this and we need to come up with more initiatives
of the kind of Nalanda university
Technology: Improving pedagogy techniques and using IT as much as
possible. Virtual classrooms or open online courses can be the solution
Research: Decreasing the teaching assignment of professors and
encouraging scientific research. Universities should have collaboration with
research set up like ISRO, IISC etc and at the same time with the industries to
keep themselves involved with the latest requirements and research going on
Collaboration: MOUs with the foreign universities
Autonomy: Indian universities should be given academic as well as financial
and administrative autonomy on the line of world famous universities like
Harvard, Oxford. Govt should only set the broad framework of the higher
education.

India with its expertise in low cost innovation and tradition of embracing outside
culture should try to launch an educational tourism in India same on the lines of
Medical Tourism. This will boost the quality of our higher education with the
expertise and knowledge of foreign professors, students and industries flowing in to
our universities in this globalized world.

UGC and Issues

UGC is an autonomous body that has the mandate of coordination,
determination and maintenance of standards in institutions of higher
education as per the UGC Act of 1956. No one disputes the fact that all Indian
universities have to comply with the UGCs regulations relating to maintenance of
standards in higher education.
But the overregulation by the UGC is curbing the autonomy of the universities.
FYUP Issue
First, to argue that the 10+2+3 policy does not allow a university to offer a fouryear undergraduate programme, which allows students the option to exit after three
years with a bachelors degree, is a clear example of over-regulation. This tramples
upon the universitys autonomy to decide the length of its academic programmes. It
also smacks of arbitrariness. If a four-year undergraduate programme violates the
10+2+3 format, then how is Indian Institute of Sciences, Bangalore running a fouryear undergraduate programme in subjects like Physics and Chemistry? Similarly,
how is Ambedkar University, Delhi running a four-year undergraduate programme,
BA Honours with a Dual Major? Has the UGC issued similar directives to other
universities offering four-year undergraduate programme as it did with DU?

Second, the UGC, surpassing the vice-chancellor and DUs other statutory
authorities, issued a directive to all DU-affiliated colleges to replace the FYUP with
the old three-year programme. This ridicules the concept of institutional autonomy;
DU colleges are not accountable to the UGC, but to the statutory authorities of the
university of which they are a part. Also, warning the colleges that their grants
will be cut if they do not comply with the UGCs directive reflects the bodys
patronising attitude toward institutions of higher learning.
Third, to ask a university to scrap its existing undergraduate programme and
introduce a new programme in the middle of the admission process is inexplicable.
Eminent academicians manning the UGC should know about the academic
processes that a university must follow to scrap or start a new academic
programme, and the enormous administrative and academic difficulties the
university will face if it has to do this in the middle of the admission process.

The UGC is not able to do justice to its mandate in light of massification

of higher education. Critically comment.
The UGC had been started in 1956, the number of universities at that time were
very few and UGC was able to focus on its core work areas effectively, but today
there are more than 700 universities and 38000 colleges operating in the country
and it is becoming very difficult for the UGC operate with the same effectiveness
The UGC is mandated to do handle two prime areas
1. Grant giving
2. Regulation and Enforcement of standards
Most of the UGC bandwidth goes into giving grants to the university and they are
not able to focus on regulation and enforcement of education which is
causing the deteriorating condition of the higher education.
UGC have tried to focus on regulation and standards as well but that has been
mired with controversies. The Tandon and then Thakur committee report have
been blamed of adopting flawed method of university evaluation by using

wrong scaling and not visiting the university but deciding based on
presentation given by the universities.
It is not possible for limited manpower committee to visit more than 38000 colleges
before giving the status, the solution lies in restructuring the UGC to address the
need of the time.

Child Labor
National Child Labor Project Scheme (NCLP)
Govt launched a scheme in 1988 to identify and rehabilitate child employed in the
hazardous industries in specific endemic districts. Currently 250 districts are
covered under this program
Objective of the Scheme:
-

This is the major Central Sector Scheme for the rehabilitation of child
labour.
The identified children are to be withdrawn from these occupations &
processes and then put into special schools in order to enable them to
be mainstreamed into formal schooling system.
Project Societies at the district level are fully funded for opening up of
special schools/Rehabilitation Centres for the rehabilitation of child labour.

The special schools/Rehabilitation Centres provide:

-

Non-formal/bridge education

Skilled/vocational training
Mid Day Meal
Stipend @ Rs.150/- per child per month.
Health care facilities through a doctor appointed for a group of 20 schools.

------------------ ----------------------------------- ----------------

------------------

------------------ ------------------

Examine how does Indian constitution and the UN Convention on the

Rights of the Child ensure and safeguard rights of the children in India.
The Indian Constitution came in force in 1950 encompasses most of the provisions
of UN convention on Rights of the Child which has been enforced in late 1980s.
There provisions are as follows:
UN Convention
1) It sets out the civil, political, economic, social, health, cultural rights of the
Children
2) Almost all the countries have adopted and ratified it so far
3) Ratifying countries are bound by International law and are subject to compliance
monitoring by UN committee on Rights of the Child
4) two optional protocol adopted in 2000 protects child during military conflicts
and against industries like Prostitution and Pornography

Indian Constitution
1) Article 21A provisions for RTE for Children between age 6 to 14. Right to
Education Act passed in 2005
2) Article 24 Right to be protected from hazardous employment. Child Labour
Prohibition Act
3) Article 39e, right to be protected from being abused and forced into occupations
unsuited for their age or strength. Protection of Children from Sexual Offences
Act provides security to children from Pornography and Immoral Trafficking Act
from trafficking of children
4) Article 39f, guaranteed protection of childhood and youth against exploitation
and against moral and material abandonment.
5) Article 45, right to early childhood care and education to all children until they
complete the age of 6 years
6) along with above the fundamental rights protect the children like any other
citizen

Few Other Steps Taken by Parliament to safeguards childs rights:

-

Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act

Juvenile Justice Act
Child Marriage Restraint Act

However, in spite of all the above international and national provisions and efforts,
the child rights have been violated vehemently. In India child domestic labor is very
common, even in urban well educated households.

MNREGA
Fodder Points
Few amendments to the Schedule 1 of the Act, which define which jobs can be
taken under the scheme
Earlier
-

Work related to natural resource management

Work that create individual asset for the vulnerable communities
Common Assets for the SHG as per the norm established by NRLM
Work that create rural infrastructure

2 more points have been added into this

60% of the work in the district should be to build productive asset for
agriculture or allied activities such as land, water or tree
Now even community assets can be created for vulnerable communities.

Also convergence between IAY and MNREGA has been planned, now unskilled
wage under the IAY can be taken up under MNREGA provided the job is taken by the
IAY beneficiary himself and has MNREGA job card.
MNREGA Convergence with National Agroforestry Policy recognizing the
benefits of trees in farmland. They provide free timber, nutritional fruits, fuel, check
soil erosion and prevention of deforestation.
Since July, MNREGA is being implemented in 2500 backward blocks as
identified by Planning Commission based on %age of population BPL and
backwardness Index prepared by Planning Commission, using 5 parameters namely
dependence on agriculture, female literacy, drinking water, sanitation facilities and
household with banking facilities
Benefits of MNREGA
-

Employment
Stopped distress migration
Creation of durable assets
Improvement in irrigation facilities
Enhancing Household food security
Improving the bargaining power of the rural labor
Generating green employment and climate-resilient agriculture

Drawback
-

Inflation
Lack of labor in agricultural fields and real estate sector in urban areas
Increase in cost of production and manufacturing due to increase in labor
wage
Leakages and corruption
Assets are not durable and are of no use

There is a wide scope of improvement in MNREGA like

-

More private asset creation: Currently only 11% of the job of asset creation is
taken in private farmlands. This should be increased. Asset creation in private
farmlands of marginal farmers, socially backward groups not only creates
asset for them but also increases the productivity and sustainability of the
agriculture. It has been observed in states like Rajasthan and MP, improved
resources has made the farmer self-sustaining and they dont return to
MNREGA for job which frees up the resource for other poor people. Also, the

better off farmer can provide employment to landless labor with the growth
of agriculture
Convergence with the Irrigation schemes of India to increase the
intensity and storage capacity of the small irrigation units like tanks, ponds,
small scale stop dams etc.
Convergence with the Mission on Soil Health Accepting soil
rejuvenation as asset creation will go a long way in reviving agriculture as
well as improving capability of a scare resource. Soil health card will make it
easy to evaluate the improvement after MNREGs work
Simpler methods of evaluation and validation of work. This will help in taking
more jobs at individual levels as they dont have the enough means to
scientifically quantify the improvement
Allowing innovation in the MNREGA work. Like allowing SRI projects to be
taken by marginal farmers will not only improve production but will also
improve water use efficiency and generation of more employment. These
kind of projects should be allowed to be taken up and their power of approval
can be delegated to the State or local level.

------ - - - - -- - - - - -- - - - -- - - - -- - - -- - - -- - - -- - - - - -- - - - -- - - - - -- - - -- - - - - -- - - -- - - - -- - Govt recently decreased the man to material ratio from 60:40 to 51:49. Implications
Negative
-

For a given allocation no of man hours employment will reduce

If govt tries to keep the no of man hours same, more allocation, higher
budget deficit
With higher material budgets contractors and machineries can be involved,
scope for corruption
Till now only 27% of the material budget has be used on an average. No
points of increasing it.

Positive
-

With the use of machinery more productive assets can be created which will
be beneficial for rural development.

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme or

MGNREGS is now proposed to be implemented only in tribal and backward
districts. Critically analyze the implications of this proposal.
Restructuring of MGNREGA for implementing only in tribal and backward districts
has its own set of positive and negative implications.

POSITIVE IMPLICATIONS
(a) Will allign with the vision of MGNREGA ie to provide livelihood security to
poors and vulnerables.
(b) Will reduce the subsidy burden as number of districts are scaled down to
200 from 675 and help meet FD targets.
(c) Will motivate states to focus more as their financial burden will reduce.
(d) Focused targeting.
(e) Most vulnerable will get a greater share from state which was neutralised due to
homongenisation effect of universal policy.
NEGATIVE IMPLICATIONS
(a) Assuming poors and tribal are zonally distributed and can be calculated by
mathematical means signal the abdication of social responsibility by government.
(b) Livelihhood security of poors and tribals in left out district will be
jeopardised.
(c) Assest creation, a vital determinent of sustainable development will be
crippled.
(d) Will promote urban migration creating burden on already stressed system
leading to urban decay.
(e) May generate streams of rural to rural migration to avail MGNREGA
creating local labour crises.
(f) May fuel politics based on regionalism.
MGNREGA involves a large chunk of governments finance and need restructuring to
correct focus and orientation. But, while changing its objectives an equal focus on
the livelihood security of the leftouts is equally important.

The plight of the widows of Vrindavan reflects a larger malaise afflicting

Indian society. Critically comment.
Plight of widows of Vrindavan reflects one of biggest malaise of Indian society,
which is discrimination against women.
Why such things happen? They happen because
(i) In Indian society, Women widows are looked with hate and burden. They are not
allowed to remarry socially, although legally its allowed. Also, they dont inherit
property which is given to son. Male widow dont face any such problems.
(ii) 2nd point is apathy from the family members towards widowed women. They are
treated so badly that they prefer to stay in Vrindavan rather than their homes.
Some of them are forcefully evicted.
(iii) Psychological mentality of Indians, where max. People prefer not to marry
widows. Even widowed men, dont prefer widowed women.
(iv) Loss of morals Eviction of mothers by sons, family shows how degraded
atmosphere has developed in some sections of society. Still, these mothers care and
love their children.
(v) Poverty and age Some widows who are very poor and entirely dependent on
their spouse have no choice but to take shelter in Vrindavan.
(vi) Lack of social security Government is unable to take care of all old age, poor
and widows. Even, schemes currently running have leakages and corruptions.
(vii) Lack of commitment of govt and lack of awareness about the Maintenance and
Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act
Thus, only solution could be strict implementation of legal laws, such as inheritance
of property by widow in case of death by spouse.
Also, social security net needs to be tightened. Senior Citizens Maintenance Law,
2007 is a step in right direction, in which it was bounding upon children to take care
of old parents.
Financial security and change in social attitude can only bring relief from this
menace in Indian society.

For Aadhaar to live up to its promise, it is also vital to totally segregate it from the
work relating to the National Population Register. Examine why and also explain
advantages of Aadhaar.

Fodder Point for caste system, reservation and politics

Do you think its time to abolish political reservation for the Scheduled
Castes (SCs)? Critically examine.
Political reservation was a contested issue since its inception. Various views, both in
support and against are laid. These are
Arguments in support of political reservation are
(a) Political presence of SC is still roughly equal to the reservation in central and
state legislature. They have not grown.
(b) Sharing of power structure is vital for existence of democracy in the absence
of which problems like naxalite rose head creating internal security issues.
(c) Political reservation is a means to compensate the historical deprivations
and absence from power structure.
(d) It paves way for accessing more opportunities.
(e) Political voice of SC helps in designing better policies for them.
Arguments against
(a) With 2nd revolution that gave political voice to dalits in 1980s they together
with minorities have emerged as electoral majority have been represented by their
governments like BSP of UP.
(b) It restricts rights of electors to choose.
(c) The reserved seat gave them a secondary status in politics as their election
was not open.
(d) It prevents their assimilation in society as they always carry the dalit tag.
Though both arguments have their own merit yet, the wide spread inequality
demands that politcal reservation should continue. But, it never prevents us to
adopt better methods like reservation in political parties distribution of tickets for
contesting elections.

There are many women workers at entry level in corporate and technology
sectors, but they are nonexistent at the board level. Critically comment on
the reasons behind this gender gap.
Missing women is a common phenomenon witnessed not only in sex ratio but also
in access to opportunities. The great shortage of women workers at board level is a
glaring example of this prejudice. The main reason for unfavorable representation of
women is:
(a) Paternalistic attitude: Male dominant society finds women fit for labor but unfit
for decision making positions. This restricts her career prospects.
(b) Dual role: Working women share a dual responsibility of a employee as well as of
a homemaker. This reduces her professional output as compared to a male coworker
who totally devotes his time to office.
(c) Biological Role: Pregnancy and child birth is essential part of womanhood. This
often leads to the loss of opportunities which is not the case for male workers.
(d) Prevailing environment: Both office and outside environment makes it difficult
for women to work at odd hours.
(e) Sexual politics: Politics against women often checks her career graph and
escalation in office hierarchy.
(f) Lack of Security and Regulation: Are still not able to completely isolate her
against the sexual prejudices and injustice causes more often due to natural
reasons like pregnancy.
(g) Discrimination by financial intermediaries: Women face an unequal challenge for
availing credit for startups. Thus, their enterprise is subjugated. Hence options for
independent positions at board is restricted to Kochars and Mazumdars only.
Though the ideal environment is a wishful thinking but competitive environment
with fair rules is achievable. Labor laws reforms are the first step to this ongoing
process of reform and should not be delayed.

Critically evaluate the objectives and design of Jawaharlal Nehru National

Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) scheme.
JNNURM launched with much fanfare and expectations to develop the urban
infrastructure and facilities
has 2 broad sub-missions
-

Urban Infrastructure and Governance With Ministry of Urban development

as the nodal ministry this sub-mission looked at the development of the
infrastructure in the urban area as well as the decentralization of power both
financial and decision making to the ULBs in the domain of urban
development. It concentrated on the capacity building of the ULB
Basic Services for Urban Poor Under the Ministry of Housing and Urban
Poverty alleviation, this sub-mission has agenda to provide basic services like
sanitation, housing, drinking water, sewage disposal etc to the urban poor. It
aimed to make cities Slum Free and in the 12 th Five Year Plan RAY was
envisaged as one of the component of the JNNURM

However even with the noblest of the ideas and targets it faced many problems like
-

However, the scheme suffered with lack of coordination between the

authorities at central and state level which made the approval of the task
delayed and with lots of hiccups.
Delay in acquiring land spaces required for the development is also one of
the reason for non-performance
The central govt. with twin objectives of allocating the fund and its
auditing thereafter could not the justice with these conflicting functions.
An extraordinary amount of scrutiny and control on part of union
government before releasing the fund also contributed to its failure in
achieving its objectives on time. The issue of federalism was also raised by
many states on account of the tight control given urban development is in
State List
Shortage of Funds
No Real increase in the power of ULBs. They are still played by the State
Govt

JNURM started with a novel objective has brought the development of the cities to
the forefront and if suitable policy and implementation measures are taken,
schemes like this can transform our cities.

Poverty Line Determination and Issues

Rangarajan
Monthly Expenditure per household for a
family of 5 person
Urban: Rs 7035 per month for household
Rural: Rs 4860 per month for household
37 crores in BPL
It takes normative levels for adequate
nourishment including protein and fats,
non fooed expenses like clothing, house
rent, conveyance and education, but
also considers behaviourally-determined
levels of other non-food expenses

Tendulkar
Per Capita monthly Expenditure
Urban: Rs 1000 per capita per month
Rural: Rs 816 per capita per month
27 crores BPL
Only food, education, clothing and
housing, no nutritional funda

Salient point ->

-

Poverty line should be defined a household level not at individual level as

expenditure unit is a household.
This poverty line should not be used to compare poverty level at
different period but should be used just to identify the no of poor people for
the purpose of policy formulation
Proposed a floated poverty line idea based on which bottom 35% in rural
area and bottom 25% in urban area should be considered poor based on the
monthly expenditure. Hence this line accounts for inflation and rise in
national income and there is always a relatively poor section of poor in a
country with respect to the growth of the other
Poverty line should be disengaged from the benefits accrued from the
govt scheme. Each programme that focuses on a particular kind of
deprivation may have to choose that criterion which is most appropriate and
not always poverty line
Introduction of norms for certain kinds of non-food expenditures by our group
is an innovation. It is a simple recognition of the fact that these expenditures
constituted a significant part of total consumption

However, critics point out towards some lacunae in this methodology on poverty
calculation.

1. As pointed out by committee itself, it does not take into account services
provided by Govt. schemes such as SSA, MDM, IAY, RAY. Thus, if public service
delivery is taken into account, it may further reduce the number of poor.
2. Criteria such as fats, proteins, standard of living are intangible and difficult to
measure. Further, it varies from place to place.
3. Urban poverty is multidimensional. Vulnerability is at various levels such as
social, occupational and residential. The given methodology does not take this in
account.

In a recent report, UN-ESCAP has revealed that there has been an increase
in income inequality in many major economies including India, China and
Indonesia. Analyze the causes and remedies.
The income inequality is the unequal distribution of household or individual income
across the various participants in an economy. It can either be vertical or horizontal,
it is measured using the Gini Coefficient (ratio of highest to lowest income).
Income inequality is inherent character of capitalist system and as a country
proceeds towards more and freer market economy, the nation becomes more prone
to face this. Some of the causes which have surfaced in the report are
-

weaker labour market institutions,

inadequate social protection,
poor quality education,
inadequate access to credit and land and
excessive asset concentration.
Skewed Regional Development: Coastal and urban areas better developed
than continental and rural areas

The Government should play a vital role in reducing the impact of this growing
monster by enhancing the tax collection mechanism and providing the efficient
social protection schemes and food security. SSA needs to be implemented while
quality of education keeping in mind rather than just targeting enrolment and
retention rate. Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation Act, Forest Rights Act and PESA
need to be implemented in letter and spirit to ensure social and economically
backward people have access to resources. Financial inclusion scheme launched is a
welcome step. NRHM. Labor reforms.

Critically examine Indias achievements in meeting the targets of the

Millennium Development Goals.
Indias achievement in meeting the targets of Millennium Development Goals is
paradoxical. There are certain goals where our achievements have surpassed the
desired targets while in others we are still plodding.
Poverty: The percentage of population below poverty is 21.9%, well below MDG
target of 23.9%. Yet, the abysmal low base line of poverty estimation is a matter of
concern. With 40% malnurished and an equal undernurished population the picture
of hunger target is gloomy.
Education: Sarvshiksha Abhiyan and RTI have given a great thrust and we are close
to achieving universal education target. There is a need to link skill development
along with improvement in education quality.
Gender Equality: The performance in gender equality and women empowerment is
dismal with ever rising cases of rapes, domestic violence, low political participation
and wage inequality. Patriarcal societal setup is a major cause of this trend.
IMR: Both Child mortality and infant mortality is still lagging. Despite universal
immunisation, deaths from preventable diseases like pneumonia, diarrohea are
inhibiting our achievement on this front.
MMR: High maternal death on account of lack of institutional delivery, poor
antenatal, intra natal and post natal care have restricted MMR to 139 way below
MDG target of 109.

AIDS and Malaria: National Aids control program which is in its third phase has
substantially contain the AIDS/HIV epidemics. Yet, the spread of disease among
infants is an area of concern.
Environment Sustainability: Environmental sustainability is global arena that needs
joint efforts on global commons. With rising vagaries of climate, extreme events like
floods, land slides, cyclones are becoming common. Indias NAPCC is a dedicated
plan to address these issues but achievements are still meagre and threat quite
potent.
MDG 8: India approach in global development is enthusiastic. The pivotal role it
plays in persuing the concens of G-33 and LDC has raised its status to new level.

----------------- ------------------- ------------------- -------------------------------------------------------India has had mixed achievements so far in meeting Millennium Development Goals
(MDG) targets. By 2015, most developing countries need to fulfill these goals, yet
India remains behind in some targets while it has surpassed some targets.

Successes:
a) Poverty Reduction- India has already halved its population below poverty
line(BPL) of $1.25 in PPP terms between 1990 and 2012. However, still a whopping
300 Million people remain BPL and more efforts are needed to pull them out of
poverty.
b) Reaching safe water to people- Statistics show that more than 60% of Indian
households get safe water now. Still, many women have to walk for kilometres
before getting water, which has to be reversed by rainwater harvesting, watershed
development etc.
c) Education- MDG of 100% GER(Gross Enrolment Ratio) at primary school level has
been achieved. Yet alarming number of drop-outs have to be stopped.
Failures:
a) Health Front- India has done miserably on health related MDGs. For instance,
while target is reaching IMR below 30, India has IMR of 44. Also, MMR remains high
at 200 per 100,000 births which needs to be drastically reduced. While AIDS

incidences are slowly stabilising, new diseases like Encephalitis have emerged and
must be tackled properly.
b) Environment- India has been unable to provide sustainable livelihoods to its
people. Forest cover has remained stagnant at 23% for over a decade, while 33%
forest cover is needed.
c) Eradicating Hunger- Still millions of people remain hungry and malnourished.
National Food Security Act is for tackling this problem, yet PDS is plagued with
corruption.
d) Sanitation- Indias 50% population practice open defecation, which has to be
removed by providing more toilets to more households speedily.
Therefore, India will fall short of meeting MDGs in several fields by 2015. India must
work at accelerated pace to fulfill these, for newer set of SDGs (Sustianable Devt
Goals) are already being proposed. Without fulfilling MDGs, India cannot make a
transition towards better HDI or developed country status.

Human rights commissions are powerless to render any real service to

human rights. Critically comment.
The several issues human rights commissions are facing which have to an extent
rendered them ineffective in protecting human rights are as follows
Although HRC has all the power of civil and its proceedings has judicial character,
still HRC cannot impose any fine on the perpetrator or award any compensation to
the victim directly. It has to make its recommendation to the concerned Govt and
this is not binding on the Govt. Hence it gets neglected quite a time. The only
saving grace is that Govt has to give in writing why the recommendation was not
accepted.

Also the scope of HRC is restricted. They cannot take up cases related to armed
forces.
Few Other Problems:
1) Inadequate infrastructure and manpower. Most of the HRC are situated inside
government offices with very limited facilities. Most of the positions in SHRC are
vacant.
2) There is overlap of jurisdiction between the different commission as in SC,ST
commission, womens commission, minorities etc. This has several issues. Firstly, it
leads yo confusion among people as to whom to approach. Secondly, makes it
difficult for the government to monitor and evaluate its programmes in protecting
human rights, and also evaluating the performance of these commissions.
5) Most importantly, their focus is on providing relief to affected people rather than
on finding the real cause of occurrence of such crimes and preventing them.
However, HRC have imbibed a sense of security among the people that their rights
would be protected. More importantly it has made people aware of their human
rights. Also, with the rise of media, a case of human rights violation against a
government official or private bigshot is a sort of embarrassment to
them,preventing them from indulging in such activities.