MGP 2019 GS Test 38A Solution

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MGP 2019 | Test 38A (21038) - Solutions| ForumIAS

(20 Questions | 250 Marks | Duration 3 Hours)
Q.1) Blue economy presents India with an unprecedented opportunity to meet its
national objectives, strengthen connectivity with neighbours and exert influence
in the surrounding regions. Analyse.
Demand of the Question

Introduction: Brief about blue economy
Body: How India can benefit, influence neighbors and achieve national aims such as
connectivity, strategic importance etc. from Blue Economy
Conclusion: A way forward how India can strengthen its position as an active player to
promote blue economy.
According to world bank- "Blue economy is the sustainable use of ocean resources for
economic growth, improved livelihood and jobs while preserving the health of marine
ecosystem". SDG-14 also puts emphasis on a sustainable ecosystem for ocean by 2030. First
global conference on "sustainable blue economy" in Kenya (Nov 2018) outlined the similar
aims to be achieved. This first blue economy conference strengthened the task envisioned in
SDG 14(2015-30), 2015 Paris, climate deal and UN Ocean conference -2017
INDIA AND BLUE ECONOMY

1. India is sixteenth largest maritime country in the world, with 7500 km (approx)
coastline. According to ministry of shipping, around 95% of India's trade volume and
75% trade by value is being carried out through sea route/ water transport.
2. Realizing the importance of this sector, GOI has allowed 100% FDI under automatic
route and a 10 year’s tax holidays to enterprise engaged in the sector.
INFLUENCE ON NEIGHBORS
1. India is Co-operating with Indian Ocean littoral states by projecting itself as "net
security provider". This way India is ensuring a safe, secure and stable Indian Ocean
region.
2. India is also co-operating with extra regional powers in IOR like USA, Japan, and
Australia etc. Example: Asia-Africa Corridor, QUAD
3. The 'Trilateral cooperation in maritime" between Maldives, Sri Lanka and India focuses
on issue of piracy and safe sea route.
4. The "Indian maritime security strategy" published by GOI also highlights country's
policy on Indian Ocean regions.
5. Therefore, India's effort in line with to FAO reports that says- Indian Ocean resources
has the potential to sustain increased produce.
NATIONAL AIMS AND ACHIEVEMENT

1. The development of blue economy can act as a grown catalyst in realizing the vision to
become a 10 trillion-dollar economy by 2032.
2. IOR is of strategic importance for India's economic growth as a most of the India's oil
and gas is imported through sea.
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3. IOR presents tremendous trade potential for India which if reflective in fans fold
increase in trade between 2003-2012.
4. The Sagarmala project of GOI is strategic initiative for post-led development-through
extensive use of ICT modernization of ports.
5. Make in India gave a strong push to India's commercial ship building and ship repair
sector. This along with Sagarmala project house potential to the drive economic
transformation. Under Sagarmala, 14 coastal eco-zones (CEZ) have been developed
covering all marine states of India.
CHALLENGES TO BLUE ECONOMY

1. Marine pollution: Deep sea mining, oil spills from trade ships can cause long term
ecological imbalance. The problem is further aggravated by untreated sewerages,
agricultural runoffs and marine debris etc.
2. Unfair trade practices: Jumping into each other’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
region for fishing cause tensions among countries. Example: India-Sri Lanka
3. Non-Conventional threats: Defence and security related threats like piracy,
terrorism, natural disaster.
4. Impacts of climate change: Sea level rise, more frequent cyclones, extreme weather,
rise in temperature, extinction of flora and faunas etc.
5. Unsustainable development: Near coastal and hilly area gave birth to various man-
made disasters.
6. Geo-political issues: It is in various regions like South China Sea, India ocean regions
etc which hampers development and progress in the process of achieving targets.
WAY AHEAD FOR INDIA

India should not only focus on growing challenges, security and piracy in IOR but must put
emphasis on sustainable blue economy (SDG-14). In this regard, India's development efforts in
Seychelles, Mauritius, Africa, and Sri-Lanka are very much appreciable. Indian Ocean Region
needs a sustainable and exclusive framework for international partnership. Also it should
widen its membership to other region.
In the era of advanced technology, ocean has become new centre of economic activity with
various emerging industries having tremendous potential to spur jobs and trigger worldwide
economic growth. India's recent policy intervention aims to achieve the desired result in blue
economy. SAGAR (security and growth for all in the region) program promises a good
platform for ensuring prosperous and stable ocean region under India’s watch.

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Q.2) India's internal security problems are a manifestation of internal weaknesses

and external attempts at waging a proxy war. Analyse.
Demands of the Question

Introduction: Briefly introduce the basic theme.
Body: Delineate the internal weaknesses in our internal security framework and external
proxy war.
Conclusion: Insert a brief conclusion.
The internal security scenario in India has always been complicated being faced with complex
multi-dimensional challenges. An inadequate socio-economic development, apathy towards
the genuine grievances of the people, political brinkmanship amongst other reasons, has
created internal contradictions in India. The external state and non-state actors are also
fuelling internal security problems in India.
MAJOR INTERNAL WEAKNESSES

1. Communal and ethnic fault lines: India has enormous diversity in terms of
religion, caste, ethnicity etc. The birth of Pakistan on the basis of religion in 1947 and
continued tensions between India and Pakistan have complicated India’s internal
security scenario. Example: There are numerous ethnic groups especially in the
North-east India who have different grievances against the Indian government. The
unmet grievances of these groups have led to insurgency with some groups
challenging the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India.
2. Governance deficit in some states: Mediocre and insensitive governance in
some states, especially those reeking in poverty and caste divides, also lend
themselves to adverse internal conflicts within the nation. This led to the rise of the
left-wing extremism in India.
3. Dirty Vote-Bank Politics: Some politicians of varying ideological hues, pandering
to their local vote banks indulge in electoral communal mobilisation by provoking
imaginary divides, and stoke the fires of regionalism and separatism for temporary
gains.
4. Inadequate socio-economic development: India is now a youth- predominant
nation, with over 65 % of its population being under 35 years, which makes India
into a very aspirational society. Millions of youth seek suitable employment, better
living standards and a million dreams of theirs remain to be fulfilled. If the
aspirations of the youth are not fulfilled, then it contributes to economic and social
frustrations. Such youth may find their way to anti-national organizations including
being influenced by international terror, smuggling networks etc.
5. Lack of reconciliation of conflicts: In a well-established political system and a
developed economy, conflicts between the various group identities are kept under
check as in due course they get assimilated into the national identity. But that has not
happened in India as yet, where the wounds of the partition and the colonial rule
have still not fully healed.
6. Inadequate intelligence network.

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7. Problems of coordination between different agencies.

8. Lack of robust training and outdated weapons with the police in India
9. Problem of coordination between the central and state governments
EXTERNAL PROXY WAR HAMPERING OUR INTERNAL SECURITY

1. The presence of hostile neighbours enables the internal conflicts to get
external support, which includes money, arms and sanctuaries. The vested
interests exploit these conditions to pursue their own agenda.
2. Security experts divide the internal security challenges into four main groups, to
include, Jammu and Kashmir, Northeast India, Left Wing Extremism and
Terrorism in the Hinterland. Out of them the first and the last are a direct
manifestation of Pakistani influence. It is part of Pakistan’s state policy to bleed India
through a thousand cuts, given its obvious disadvantages on the conventional war
fighting front.
3. The use of non-state actors is essentially the employment of a proxy element,
which gives the state of Pakistan a degree of deniability. However, there is no doubt
that none of the so called non-state actors like the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) could have
operated with impunity without the active funding, logistical and military support of
Pakistan. The close linkages of the ISI and such groups are well documented as is
their direct involvement in attacks like the 26/11, Uri and the Pulwama terrorist
attacks.
4. The aim of the terror groups operating from hostile neighbourhood creates instability
and destabilizes the country. This is done through sporadic terrorist strikes, which
spreads terror and panic. This could also adversely affect the ability of the Indian
state to pursue economic modernisation.
5. Another aspect of proxy war is flooding India with fake Indian currency notes for
weakening the Indian economy.
External challenges, in today’s increasingly troubled world, are by no means, exclusive in their
orientation and impact. India’s internal security challenges, since decades, have also been
pronouncedly sponsored and largely influenced by external machinations and subterfuge.
However, it is also an accepted reality that, in recent times, external and internal threats do
overlap seamlessly, apart from having multiplied in their intensity. Asymmetric and proxy
wars are part of this new dynamic.
Q.3) Examine the basic tenets of green agriculture. How is it useful in protecting
agro-biodiversity?

Introduction: Write about Green agriculture.
Body: Basic tenets. Protection of agro-biodiversity.
Conclusion: As per the context.

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With burgeoning population, the pressure on agricultural land for productivity has increased
and this has led to more intensive mode of farming. Intensive farming has negative
outcomes in form of pollution to soil, air and water. Excessive levels of drugs and chemicals
have also affected domestic food safety. In this context, Green Agriculture aims to address
agricultural pollution and move towards safer and cleaner farming while maintaining the
growth of agri sector.
BASIC TENETS OF GREEN AGRICULTURE

According to the United Nations, green agriculture incorporates ideas and guidelines from
areas like ecological agriculture, organic or biodynamic agriculture, as well as conservation
agriculture. Hence it is a broad idea that aims at ecological conservation in general as well. Its
basic tenets are
(a) Use of adaptable local farming techniques: It is aimed to increase farm yields and
also address the waste inefficiency problem in the food chain. Local farming techniques also
provide specialized application of resources for region specific need.
(b) Integration of livestock-crops: Mixed farming helps in increasing the productivity of
the farm and also reduces dependency on external inputs and hence reduces cost. It can also
become a continuous source of income to the farmer.
(c) Using post-harvest storage and processing facilities to reduce waste: It is aimed
to reduce the harmful effect of agricultural wastes upon the environment. Storage and
processing the waste will considerably help to mitigate the effect on water, air and soil in the
environment.
(d) Making sure crop rotations are diversified: Crop rotation ensures that nutrient
uptake from soil is done in the most efficient manner and it also enhances the fertility of the
soil. Thus it helps in soil conservation and also land degradation that may occur due to
excessive fertilizer use.
(e) Using environmentally sustainable weed and pest control practices: These
practices are essential as currently there is excessive usage of herbicides and pesticides.
Excessive use can affect food chain via bioaccumulation. They sometimes also have the
negative effect eliminating other species necessary for proper growth of crop.
(f) Using natural and sustainably made nutrient inputs: It is important as excessive
use of fertilizers in the long run can harm the soil quality and reduce its fertility. Natural
inputs allow the soil to recover fertility and be more durable to changes.
USEFULNESS IN PROTECTION OF AGRO BIODIVERSITY

(a) Local farming techniques also use the local species of seeds for crops. The policies so far,
have been mostly oriented to cater to market demand which has dwindled the reservoir of
indigenous crops as certain breeds are chosen more. Most keepers of genetic diversity
(seeds) are small farmers and green agriculture can be implemented at this level as well.
(b) Sustainable farming practices if implemented at large scale level can help in mitigating
the effects of climate change which in turn will automatically help to preserve the agro
biodiversity.
(c) Green Agriculture also helps in checking the prevalence of Invasive Alien Species
that can thwart overall agricultural ecosystem of a region

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(d) Since ecological conservation is also the ambit of Green Agriculture, it will also try to
mitigate wildlife conflict that lead destruction of crops by the wild animals. It will happen
as involvement of local communities in biodiversity protection will help traditional
knowledge systems to reduce the man animal conflicts.
In Sep 2018, FAO along with Government of India launched a project “Green – Ag:
Transforming Indian Agriculture for global environment benefits and the conservation of
critical biodiversity and forest landscapes”. Initiatives like these are step in the right direction
as it will help in ensuring that agricultural developments happen in systematic and
sustainable manner without harming the gains made by climate change mitigation measures.
Q.4) The DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2018 lacks
effective safeguards against its misutilization. Critically examine.

Introduction: Briefly mention about importance of DNA technology and the bill.
Body: Provisions of the Bill. Lack of effective safeguards against its misutilization.
Conclusion: As per the demand of question
The DNA of a person is unique, and variation in the sequence of DNA can be used to match
individuals and identify them. DNA-based technology therefore can be used to aid criminal
investigations. For example, the identity of a criminal offender may be determined by
matching DNA found at the crime scene with the DNA of a suspect.
Currently, the use of DNA technology for identification of individuals is not regulated. In this
context, the DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2018 was passed by Lok
Sabha on January 8, 2019. The Bill regulates the use of DNA technology for the purpose of
identification of persons in criminal and civil matters.
PROVISIONS OF THE BILL

1. Use of DNA data: The Bill regulates the use of DNA technology for establishing the
identity of persons in respect of matters listed in a Schedule. These include criminal
matters (such as offences under the Indian Penal Code, 1860), and civil matters such as
parentage disputes, emigration or immigration, and transplantation of human organs.
2. DNA Data Bank: The Bill establishes a National DNA Data Bank and Regional DNA
Data Banks. Every Data Bank will maintain the following indices: (i) crime scene index,
(ii) suspects’ or undertrials’ index, (iii) offenders’ index, (iv) missing persons’ index, and
(v) unknown deceased persons’ index.
3. DNA Regulatory Board: The Bill provides for a DNA Regulatory Board, which will
supervise DNA Data Banks and DNA laboratories. Every DNA laboratory that analyses a
DNA sample to establish the identity of an individual, has to be accredited by the Board.
4. Consent for collecting bodily substances: Written consent by individuals is
required to collect DNA samples from them. Consent is not required for offences with
punishment of more than seven years of imprisonment or death.

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5. Removal of DNA profiles: The Bill provides for the removal of DNA profiles of
suspects on filing of a police report or court order, and of undertrials on the basis of a
court order. Profiles in the crime scene and missing persons’ index will be removed on a
written request.
6. Offences and penalties: The penalty for various offences such as unauthorised
disclosure of information from the Data Bank is imprisonment up to three years and fine
of up to one lakh rupees. Further, the penalty for intentional tampering or destruction of
biological evidence is imprisonment up to five years as well as fine of up to two lakh
rupees.
LACK OF EFFECTIVE SAFEGUARDS AGAINST ITS MISUTILIZATION

1. Misuse DNA technology for medical or research purposes: The DNA testing
conducted in diagnostic laboratories, can also be used to identify an individual. It is
unclear whether the Bill intends to regulate DNA laboratories that conduct DNA testing
for medical and diagnostic purposes.
2. Consent of individual not specified for DNA profiling in civil matters: The Bill
requires consent of an individual when DNA profiling is used in criminal investigations
or identifying missing persons. However, such consent is not required in case of DNA
profiling for civil matters.
3. Storage of DNA profiles for civil matters in the DNA Data Bank: DNA
laboratories are required to share DNA data with the Data Banks. It is unclear whether
DNA profiles for civil matters will also be stored in the Data Banks. Storage of these
profiles in the Data Banks may violate the right to privacy.
4. DNA profile may include information other than identification: A DNA sample
can provide additional information about an individual other than his identity. The Bill
does not specify that information other than identity will not be included in a DNA
profile.
5. No requirement for DNA laboratories to remove profiles: DNA profiles are first
prepared by laboratories and are then shared with the DNA Data Banks. The Bill does
not require DNA laboratories to remove DNA profiles. The criteria for removal of profiles
from DNA Data Banks and laboratories have been left to regulations.
6. No mechanism for grievance redressal for removal of profiles: The Bill does
not provide any mechanism for redressal of grievances in cases where the DNA profile is
not removed from the data banks by the Director of the National DNA Data Bank.
7. Collection of DNA samples from photograph or video is unclear: The Bill also
lists photographs or video recording of body parts as a source for sample collection. It is
unclear how a DNA sample can be collected from a photograph or video recording.
The utility of DNA based technologies for solving crimes, and to identify missing persons, is
well recognized across the world. The Bill will add value in empowering the criminal justice
delivery system by enabling the application of DNA evidence, which is considered the gold
standard in crime investigations. The bill needs to be strengthened by addressing loopholes in
it.

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Q.5) Scientific management of forest fires requires holistic understanding of its

ecological utility. Comment giving examples.

Introduction: Define forest fires.
Body: Outline the ecological utility of forest fires. Delineate aspects related to scientific
management of forest fires.
Conclusion: Insert a brief way forward to sum up the answer.
Forest fires are a natural and necessary part of the ecosystem. Even healthy forests contain
dead trees and decaying plant matter; when a fire turns them to ashes, nutrients return to the
soil instead of remaining captive in old vegetation. Example: There are regular fires in the
forests of Canada and the USA which play a critical role in their regeneration.
ECOLOGICAL UTILITY OF FOREST FIRES

1. Help to native species: Fire clears thick growth of trees in upper part so that sunlight
can reach the forest floor and encourage the growth of native species. Fire frees these
plants from the competition delivered by invasive weeds and eliminates diseases.
Wildflowers begin to bloom abundantly.
2. Promotes reinvigorated diversity: Most young yet healthy trees are resilient
enough to survive a forest fire. They soon have a growth spurt, thanks to the sunlight.
And scientists report young-growth forests recovering from fire are home to more
diverse species, in both plants and animals. This is because the remnants of burned trees
offer attractive habitats to birds and small mammals, and nutrients from burned
vegetation continue to leach into the soil to fuel the birth of new plants.
3. Increased water supply: When fire removes a thick stand of shrubs, the water supply
is increased. With fewer plants absorbing water, streams are fuller, benefiting other
types of plants and animals.
4. Helpful in regenerations: Change is important to a healthy forest. Some species of
trees and plants are actually fire dependent. They must have fire every 3-25 years in
order for life to continue. Some trees have fire resistant bark and cones that require heat
to open and release seeds for regeneration. Example: Chaparral plants, including
manzanita, chamise and scrub oak, also require intense heat for seed germination.
These plants actually encourage fire by having leaves that are covered with flammable
resins. Without fire, these trees and plants would eventually succumb to old age with no
new generations to carry on their legacy.
5. New grasslands are sometimes created after a fire, and there are many species of grazing
animals that can benefit from the change. The natural order of species within the food
chain adapts and re-establishes to the changed ecology.
SCIENTIFIC MANAGEMENT OF FOREST FIRES

1. The wildlife authorities need clear understanding of the patterns of forest fires for its
healthy and scientific management. Example: Since 1990, “wildland fires” across
Canada have consumed an average of 2.5 million hectares a year. Some are uncontrolled
wildfires started by lightning or human carelessness. However, a small number are

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prescribed fires set by authorized forest managers to mimic natural fire processes that
renew and maintain healthy ecosystems.
2. Prescribed fires offer a valuable resource management tool for enhancing ecological
conditions and eliminating excessive fuel build-up.
3. Forest agencies work to harness the force of natural fire to take advantage of its
ecological benefits while at the same time limiting its potential damage and costs. This
makes fire control strategies a vital component of forest management and emergency
management especially in regions vulnerable to recurring forest fires.
4. Understanding the complex phenomenon of wildland fire begins with understanding the
basic physical aspects of fire and the ecological role of fire in forests and other wildland
areas. Example: Increasingly accurate assessments of the fire situation across Canada
are now helping land managers use forest science to reduce fire risk and optimize the
benefits.
5. Need to decipher the complex interlinkage between climate change and forest fires: The
occurrence, frequency and behaviour of wildland fires have varied greatly over time and
space, chiefly as a result of the complicated influences of climate change and climate
variability. Also contributing to the variations have been changes in land use, vegetation
composition, fire-fighting efforts, and other contextual factors. Example: Climate
change during the 21st century is expected to result in more frequent fires in many
boreal forests, with severe environmental and economic consequences.
6. Prediction of Global Climate Models: From global climate models and scenarios,
researchers are interpreting how climate change and climate variability may alter
patterns of lightning, fuel moisture, temperature, precipitation and vegetation—all
factors that can affect fire occurrence.
7. Fire-prone conditions are predicted to increase across Canada. This could potentially
result in a doubling of the amount of area burned by the end of this century, compared
with amounts burned in recent decades. Boreal forests, which have been greatly
influenced by fire through history, will likely be especially affected by this change. New
research is aimed at refining these climate change estimates of fire activity, and at
investigating adaptation strategies and options to deal with future fire occurrence. There
is growing consensus that as wildland fire activity increases, fire agency suppression
efforts will be increasingly strained.
Though forest fires lead to destruction of vegetation, lead to air pollution and create fire
refugees by leading to destruction of houses, but they have their own ecological utility. Hence,
there is a crying need to understand the complex nuances of fire ecology and undertake
scientific management of forest fires. This assumes enhanced significance in the light of stress
caused by climate change and climate variability leading to more forest fires.
Value-Addition:
1. Canada has about 9% of the world’s forests. Each year over the last 25 years, about
7,466 forest fires have occurred. The total area burned varies widely from year to
year, but averages about 2.5 million hectares annually.
2. Only 3% of all wildland fires that start each year in Canada grow to more than 200

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hectares in area. However, these fires account for 97% of the total area burned across
the country.
3. Fire suppression costs over the last decade in Canada have ranged from about $500
million to $1 billion a year.
Q.6) What do you understand by Fintech? How can it be used for ensuring
financial inclusion?

Introduction: Write about Fintech and its component.
Body: Discuss multiple dimension how Fintech has helped financial inclusion to reach
masses.
Conclusion: Provide a balanced approach how Fintech can help in achieving universal
financial inclusion.
Fintech or financial technology is a term used for companies or services that work towards
making all types of financial transactions simpler through the intervention of technology.
Fintech services mainly use the internet and technologies like cloud computing, data analytics,
machine learning and artificial intelligence. For the consumer, Fintech services are delivered
through internet-enabled devices, including smart phones.
FINTECH IS CHANGING THE WORLD OF FINANCE FOR CONSUMERS IN A

MYRIAD OF WAYS SUCH AS
1. Digital transformation enabling financial inclusion for the masses:
a. Providing Financial Services such as opening bank accounts, easy access to credit
and insurance penetration etc.
b. Providing mobile wallets and digital lending platforms that enable customers to
pay bills.
c. Carry out peer-to-peer (P2P) transfers and more using their mobile phones,
without having to have a bank account.
d. It has enabled Government to introduce UPI by the National Payments
Corporation of India (NPCI) to enhance the overall customer experience
2. Driving financial inclusion by simplifying P2P remittances:
a. Given the current state in India, the smaller the remittance size, the higher is the
transaction cost %age, which makes access to remittance channels extremely
difficult for rural and remote masses.
b. The UPI platform collectively uses Aadhaar, mobile and account numbers to
achieve the goal of simplifying digital payments and collections.
3. Financial inclusion by simplifying government payments:
a. Many banks are driving financial inclusion by acting as sponsor banks for
disbursing government to payment (G2P) payments. Many Fintech companies
are leveraging the IMPS platform and offering solutions to banks to simplify
government payments.

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b. Another noteworthy example is that of a tie-up between a digital payment

solution company’s tie-up and milk dairies and cooperative societies to digitize
the payments of supplying farmers. The tie-up enables direct payments in
farmers’ prepaid cards, thus ensuring transparency and regularity in payments
and reducing farmer dissatisfaction.
4. Low-cost technology to improve acceptance infrastructure and widen reach:
a. In India, the reach of financial services is restricted by infrastructural issues and
traditional ATM and POS terminals are only able to do so much.
b. To counter these problems and to capitalize on the opportunity, banks and
technology firms are looking to leverage the growing Smartphone penetration. As
a result, the adoption of mobile devices for POS transactions or mobile POS is
expanding.
Potential risks
1. Unclear rights: Fintech companies may be new to the financial industry and use
different business models to traditional providers. This can make it harder to ascertain
which ones are regulated, and what your rights are if something goes wrong.
2. Making a rash decision: Financial products that are bought instantly online without
ever meeting anyone face-to-face may make it easier for consumers to make quick,
uninformed decisions.
3. Technology-based risks: Financial products bought online may leave you more
exposed to technology-based risks. For example, your personal data could be misused or
you could fall victim to cybercrime.
4. Financial exclusion: While technology increases choice and access for most
consumers, it can exclude those who don’t know how to use the internet or devices like
computers, smartphones and tablets.
Way Forward:
1. Banks and Fintech need to be more flexible by bringing banking to their customers
through simple services such as SMS modules and mobile banking apps.
2. Start-ups are also needs to word hard to address key issue in connecting the majority
of the “unbanked” and “underbanked” in developing economies, the majority of these
individuals live in rural areas that lack the infrastructure for providers to reach them.
3. Successfully leveraging Fintech in the service of Financial Inclusion will require
dialogue and peer learning to explore successful policy models for balancing the
opportunities provided with the objectives of consumer protection, financial stability
and financial integrity.

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Q.7) Marred by myriad challenges the push to Clean Ganga is not delivering
results. Critically analyze.

Introduction: Write about importance of River Ganga. (or start with Clean Ganga)
Body: Steps taken. Achievements. Challenges.
Conclusion: A way forward.
The Ganga as the India’s holiest river and its basin accounts for 47% of India’s irrigated land.
Despite its importance, it is one of the most polluted rivers in the world. Rapid population
growth, urbanization, and industrial development have raised the levels of domestic as well as
industrial pollutants in Ganga waters.
STEPS TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT TO CLEAN GANGA

1. In 1985, the Ganga Action Plan (GAP) was launched to fund the establishment of sewage
treatment plants and other large-scale pollution mitigation technologies.
2. The government has launched the Namami Gange Programme, an integrated
conservation mission to accomplish the objectives of effective abatement of pollution,
conservation and rejuvenation of the Ganga.
3. The government also tasked seven Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) to prepare a
report on the best strategies to clean up the river.
ACHIEVEMENTS OF NAMAMI GANGE

1. Creating Sewage Treatment Capacity: Several sewerage management projects
under implementation in the States of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand
and West Bengal.
2. Afforestation: Forestry interventions for Ganga through Wildlife Institute of India;
Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute and Centre for Environment Education has
been initiated.
3. Biodiversity Conservation: Several Biodiversity conservation projects namely:
Biodiversity Conservation and Ganga Rejuvenation, Fish and Fishery Conservation in
Ganga River, Ganges River Dolphin Conservation Education Programme has been
initiated
4. Industrial Effluent Monitoring: Real Time Effluent Monitoring Stations (EMS) has
been installed in most of the Grossly Polluting Industries (GPIs).
5. Ganga Gram Yojana: The programme aims to develop the villages located along the
main stem of river Ganga which have historic, cultural, and religious and/or tourist
importance.
Despite taking above measures the clean Ganga mission faces a barrage of problems
and challenges such as
1. According to recent CAG audit report, fecal coliform levels; biological oxygen demand,
chemical oxygen demand, and a range of carcinogenic chemicals remain well-above
acceptable drinking and bathing quality levels in all stretches of the river.

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2. Sewage treatment:
a. Poor construction in rehabilitating old STP: Sewage treatment plants
(STPs) have been at the centre of Ganga pollution abatement. After Namami
Gange total 68 projects were sanctioned by the cabinet however only six were
completed till August.
b. Poor performance of STPs: Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Total
Suspended Solids (TSS) levels of the effluent are higher than the norms because
industrial waste and chemicals are illegally mixed with the influents in a plant not
meant to treat industrial pollutants.
3. Restoring the flow:
a. There is another fundamental problem that will ensure the holy river remains
dirty. A river is a self-purifying system only when water flows through it. The
Ganga fails this basic test except during monsoons.
b. The water level in the river is going down at an unprecedented rate and if the flow
in the river is maintained it can solve the problem of 60-80% of organic
pollutants
4. Sludge control:
a. Toilets were constructed under Swachh Bharat Mission without a thought was
given to management of sludge. Most of the cities had twin-pit technology which
is not recommended in low-lying areas.
b. Septic tanks that could potentially remove 60% of suspended solids and 40% of
the organic matter from domestic wastewater have almost no treatment capacity.
c. Pollution from the cities flows through a network of small and progressively
larger open drains, which eventually flow into the Ganga.
5. Poor Financial Management:
a. CAG report has pointed out poor financial management for the programme.
NMCG could not utilize any amount out of the Clean Ganga Fund and the entire
amount was lying in banks due to non-finalization of action plan.
6. Governance glitches:
a. Ganga Rejuvenation Basin Management Programme with long term intervention
plan was not circulated to the ministries and departments by the National
Mission for Clean Ganga.
b. Senior officers of NMCG came with their own micro planning however before
those plan would start taking shape there was a transfer.
Way Forward
1. An autonomous body is required for the rejuvenation of Ganga which is independent of
the government when it comes to its functioning. Instead of bureaucrats, it should
consist of experts well-versed with the river.
2. The mandatory exercise of conducting a Ganga safety audit has not been done even once
should be conducted annually.
3. In the upper Ganga basin there are several hydroelectric projects proposed or already
existing. The designs of hydroelectric projects can be tweaked in such a manner that they
consume less water which will ultimately allow more water discharge in River.

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4. People who are living in the Ganga basin have to be involved to achieve the required
results. The programme can’t succeed unless it has a bottom-up approach
5. The Namami Gange also talks about afforestation as an important activity as it helps
groundwater recharge. Instead of plants for showing, peepal, gular and neem trees
should be planted as they help in better conservation of water
Q.8) Discuss the role of CRPF in India’s security apparatus. In the wake of recent
attack, highlight the new threats and challenges faced by these forces.

Introduction : Write about CRPF
Body : Role of CRPF in India's security apparatus. Threats and Challenges faced by security
forces.
Conclusion/ Way Forward: Suggest some measures in this context
Central Reserve Police Force came into existence as Crown Representative’s Police on 27th
July 1939. It became the Central Reserve Police Force on enactment of the CRPF Act on 28th
December 1949. CRPF is India's largest Central Armed Police Forces.
ROLE OF CRPF IN INDIA'S SECURITY APPARATUS

1. Counter Militancy Operations in J&K
a. The militancy in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), which has seen ups and downs during
the last three decades, has seen tremendous positive and determined contribution by
the CRPF in controlling the problem and ensuring that the national flag flies high.
b. The number of casualties in the CRPF, in comparison to other security agencies, is
another indicator which highlights the prime role played by the CRPF.
2. Counter insurgency Operations in the Northeast: The tremendous efforts by the
CRPF in ensuring the supply of essential services to different parts of the North-East,
like Nagaland, and maintaining balance between different contentious elements calling
shots in different states, etc., have ensured some kind of normalcy despite serious
challenges. For Example: Curbing insurgency in Tripura in 1990s
3. Anti-Naxal Operations in the LWE areas
a. The constant operations and presence of CRPF in the Maoist affected area resulted in
sharp decline of human casualties and recovery of huge illegal weapons and stores.
CRPF has contributed vastly in wiping out the naxalism from West Bengal and from
Kaimur and Rohtas areas of Bihar.
b. In 2008 a wing called Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) was added
to the CRPF to counter the Naxalite movement in India. This specialised CRPF unit is
specifically trained in guerilla warfare.
4. Riot and Crowd Control
a. Rapid Action Force a specialized wing of CRPF, raised in Oct 1992 deals with riots
and riot like situations, to instill confidence amongst all sections of the society and
also, handle internal security duty.

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b. RAF is a zero response force which gets to the crisis situation within a minimal time,
thus enthuses an immediate sense of security and confidence amongst the general
public.
5. Role During Elections: Central Reserve Police Force is the agency, the government
heavily banks upon to ensure free and fair elections : be it the Parliamentary or the
Assembly Elections around the country. CRPF continues to discharge this onerous
responsibility with a great sense of pride and commitment.
THREATS AND CHALLENGES FACED BY SECURITY FORCES

1. Intelligence gathering: Pulwama attack (Feb 2019) was partly the result of an
intelligence failure, especially due to the fact that security forces could not detect the
loading and movement of the explosive-laden Scorpio.
2. Homegrown suicide bomber & vehicle-borne IEDs
a. The advent of the local ‘suicide bomber’ and return of vehicle borne IEDs in J&K are
two new concerns for security establishments after recent strike on CRPF convoy in
Pulwama.
b. It is a fact that radicalisation has significantly increased among Kashmiri youth in
past few years. But if it is reached to such level that they are ready to become suicide
bombers then it is serious security concern.
3. Deployment of CAPFs: There is heavy dependence of states on central armed police
forces (CAPFs), even for everyday law and order issues. This is likely to affect the anti-
insurgency and border guarding operations, besides curtailing the training needs of
these forces.
4. Threats along Jammu Srinagar Highway: It is the most utilized route for the
mobilisation of the troops connecting the two different regions but numerous attacks
have happened on this route.
5. Stress among security personnel: Nearly 700 personnel of the Central Armed
Police Forces committed suicide in the last six years, more than those killed in action.
Similarly, between 2011 and 2018, there were 891 deaths by suicide of members of the
Indian armed forces (Army, Air Force and Navy).
Way Forward
1. Agencies involved in intelligence gathering should be given autonomy in the
recruitment of their personnel. Further, an effective intelligence gathering mechanism
should be developed, with synchronization between agencies and no delays in sharing
of information.
2. States must develop their own systems, and augment their police forces by providing
adequate training and equipment. The central government should supplement the efforts
of state governments by providing financial assistance and other help needed by states
for capacity building of their forces.
3. There was an urgent need to engage with the youth in Jammu and Kashmir, to bring
them into the mainstream. The central government has introduced schemes to increase
employability of youth in Jammu and Kashmir, including Udaan and Himayat.
4. Workshops on stress management should regularly be undertaken, and yoga and
meditation be made part of the daily exercise. Further, there is need of accommodation

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near the deployment of the respective force, to enable personnel to meet their family
members.
5. Options like airlifting of security personnel should taken into consideration if
movement by is risky. Approval of air travel of all personnel of the Central Armed
Paramilitary Forces (CAPF) moving between Delhi and Srinagar, and Jammu and
Srinagar, on official duty, transfer or on leave by government is welcome step.
Q.9) What is beekeeping? Highlight the importance of beekeeping in agriculture

and rural development.

Introduction: Write what is Beekeeping.
Body: Importance of beekeeping, potential in India.
Beekeeping is the practice of intentional maintenance of honeybee hives by humans. A

beekeeper may keep bees in order to collect honey and beeswax, or for the purpose of
pollinating crops, or to produce bees for sale to other beekeepers. Beekeeping is an agro-based
activity which is being undertaken by farmers/landless labourers in rural area as an
integrated farming practice. Beekeeping supplements
1. income & employment generation and
2. nutritional intake of rural population
3. Honeybees have been offering services to the society through ensured pollination in
cross-pollinated crops.
4. Honey Bees have vital role in sustaining plants bio-diversity resulting in environmental
stability.
IMPORTANCE OF BEEKEEPING IN AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Beekeeping industry is source of livelihood for rural poors/tribals/forest based population.
Benefits of beekeeping are summarized as under-
In agriculture:
1. Increase productivity of crops through pollination.
2. Increased food and nutritional security
3. Proper utilization of natural resources – nectar & pollen otherwise go waste;
4. Beekeeping is benign: Beekeeping generates income without destroying habitat;
5. Landless farmers can perceive apiculture as it can be done in community or wild
forest lands
6. Creating value from inaccessible land
In Rural development:
1. Unemployed youth can start this business with minimal funds (INR 1.00 to 2.00 lakhs);
2. Generates 3.75 lakhs mandays to maintain 10,000 Bee colonies in Bee hives;
3. Different sectors and trades benefit from a strong beekeeping industry;
4. Beekeeping helps in increasing National income;

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5. Income from 100 Bee colonies is around INR 2.50-3.00 lakhs per annum; May help in
doubling farmer’s income by supplementing/complimenting agriculture/ horticulture;
6. Export of honey/beehive products attracts foreign exchange;
7. It helps in rural development and promotes small village industry;
8. Encouraging beekeeping encourages biodiversity.
Hence, beekeeping may be adopted as an enterprise by anyone after getting training on the
subject.
Potential and Opportunities: India has vast potential for Beekeeping. The diversity in flora
and fauna provides more opportunities for the development of beekeeping industry. The
National Commission on Agriculture had visualized the need for deploying about 150 million
Bee colonies for pollinating 12 major agricultural crops in the country. Presently, 200 million
Bee colonies are required for enhancing their yield which will provide employment to 215 lakh
persons and produce 10 million tonnes of honey and increase in crop production.
While direct benefits stem directly from the activity of beekeeping, indirect benefits are less
obvious. Former are quantifiable and often obvious. Example of a direct benefit would be
honey production, and indirect benefit would be advantage of increased crop production.
Hence apiculture can help in achieving inclusive and sustainable development.
Q.10) What are the key challenges faced by MSME sector in India? How the
support and outreach initiative for MSME will facilitate this sectors growth and
expansion?

Introduction: Write about MSME sector.
Body: Key challenges. Support and Outreach initiative.
MSME sector is a crucial sector of Indian economy as it contributes 8% to GDP and provides
maximum employment only next to the agricultural sector. Currently MSMEs are classified on
the basis of their turnover and have different limits for goods and services industries.
KEY CHALLENGES FACED BY MSMES

a) Access to credit: It is the most important challenge faced by MSMEs as it hinders their
operations and expansion. As of now only 20% of credit comes from bank and rest comes
from informal sources and NBFCs.
b) Hurdles due to policy: Difficulty in registration and exit has discouraged MSMEs.
According to World Bank insolvency process takes around 7.9 years to resolve in India. Plus,
the companies have incentives to stay small and informal as many concessions are removed if
they go beyond a limit and it also help them to avoid regulation and taxes.

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c) Low skill: Lack of skilled manpower is one of the key hurdles in the MSME sector. A study
in north India revealed that 20% of the employees were unskilled and 21% were getting on-
the-job training. Plus, low margin of profit deters the employers from investing in skill
training
d) Outdated Technology: Technology used by MSME is generally a major cause of poor
competitiveness as many MSME units are using outdated/conventional technologies owing
to lack of sufficient finance, lack of access to modern technology, absence of in-house
research & development etc. On top of that there is lack of usage of ICT tools, usage of which
will reduce cost of business operation in their enterprise.
e) Low quality products and low value addition: Due to above mentioned reasons, the
products of MSMEs are not as competitive and face stiff competition from China and South
East Asian countries in the export market.
f) Social safety of workers: Since more than 90 % MSMEs are in the informal sector, the
labour force is devoid of any social safety net like pensions.
g) Marketing: Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises do not have any strategic tools / means for
their business/ market development as available with large industries. In the present
competitive age, Marketing is one of the weakest areas wherein MSMEs face major problems.
SUPPORT AND OUTREACH INITIATIVE AS A GROWTH FACILITATOR

Prime Minister unveiled 12 key initiatives under the support and outreach initiative which will
help the growth, expansion and facilitation of MSMEs across the country. 12 major
announcements were made that will help in growth of the sector across the five following
categories
a) Access to Credit: (i) Introduction of a 59-minute loan portal to get approval of loans upto
INR 1 crore, (ii) 2% interest subvention for all GST registered MSMEs and(iii) bringing
companies with a turnover of more than INR 500 crore on Trade receivables e-Discounting
system were they key steps taken. This will ensure credit availability and that too from formal
lending sources, hence addressing a major roadblock.
b) Access to Markets: Public Sector now have to (iv) compulsorily acquire 25% of their total
purchases MSMEs (earlier 20% under MSME Sambandh). (v) Out of the 25 %, 3% must be
sourced from women entrepreneurs. (vi) All MSME must also be now compulsorily a part of
Government e-Marketplace (GeM). These steps will ensure that MSMEs can find buyers for
their products especially on channels like GeM.
c) Technology Upgradation: Tool rooms across the country are a vital part of product
design, thus (vii) 20 hubs will be formed across the country, and 100 spokes in the form of
tool rooms will be established. This will try to enhance the skill level of manpower and
also provide precision tooling for production. Tool Rooms equipped with the best technology,
they are also abreast with the latest advancements in the field and periodically add new
technology like CAD/CAM, CNC machining for Tooling, Vacuum Heat Treatment, Rapid
Prototyping, etc.
d) Ease of Doing Business: (viii) Clusters will be formed of pharma MSMEs. 70% cost of
establishing these clusters will be borne by the Union Government. (ix)Returns under 8
labour laws and 10 Union regulations must now be filed only once a year. (x) Establishments
to be visited by an Inspector will be decided through a computerised random allotment. (xi)
Under air pollution and water pollution laws, both have been merged as a single consent. He

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further said that the return will be accepted through self-certification. (xii) For minor
violations under the Companies Act, the entrepreneur will no longer have to approach the
Courts, but can correct them through simple procedures. Thus these measures aim to provide
a conducive environment for growth of MSMEs by simplifying procedures and making
inspections random.
e) Social security of MSME employees: Announcement was also made that a mission will
be launched to ensure that workers in MSMEs have Jan Dhan Accounts, provident fund and
insurance.
Thus these steps are in the right direction and provide the necessary handholding that the
MSMEs need. They are growth drivers of economy; ensure inclusive development and a
crucial player in big ticket reforms like Make in India hence proper implementation of this
initiative is necessary. Timely assessments of the sector and initiative must be done so as to
make necessary additions and tweaks in the initiative.
Q.11) Discuss the crucial role of technology and innovation in economic

development. Throw light on the initiatives taken by the Indian policy makers to
promote science, technology and innovation.

Introduction: Role of technology and innovation in the economic development.
Body: Initiatives taken by the government.
Development means the change in a desired direction. Economic development means growth
of a society in economic sphere and is seen via enhanced GVA growth rate, GVA per capita,
labour force participation rate etc. Issue of economic development has always been a core
issue for policy makers as seen since the formulations of Planning Commission to Niti Aayog.
Technology and Innovation are the drivers on which the rate of economic development of a
nation depends.
ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Technology historically has been the main driver of growth as seen during the Industrial
Revolution with the advent of new technologies like the steam operated machineries. In the
Indian Context Technology has the following roles to play.
(A) Impact On Major Sectors of Economy

(i) Agriculture: It can lead to better productivity and yield; plus new technology can help in
adapting practices for dryland farming (comprises 52% of land). It can help in assessing
weather, claiming insurance for damage via usage of satellite imagery. The forward linkages
related to selling produce can be also be enhanced for example use of e-NAM. Digitisation
of land records will also help in implementation of schemes like PM-KISAN.

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(ii) Manufacturing: Can help in streamlining the production chain and help in making better
products at cheaper cost of production, enhancing the competitiveness of the product. This
can help in enhancing the export of commodities and realizing the objectives of
Merchandise Exports from India Scheme in particular and Foreign Trade Policy in general.
(iii)Services: major contributor in the GDP is heavily technology reliant. Indigenous
technological developments will further strengthen the competitive edge of India. Plus new
technologies like big data analytics, cloud computing has ramifications across the economic
sector
(B) E-governance: Improved governance in the economy can help create a conducive
environment for economic growth. It will also help in attracting FDIs in the economy with the
required technology transfer clauses. Initiatives like Bharatnet, NeGP and Digital India aim at
expediting the benefits of technology in the governance sector. It will also help in enhancing the
Ease of Doing Business rank of India which currently is at 77.
(C) Infrastructure
(i) Logistics: Technology can help in streamlining the logistic chain of the country. Logistics
have a multiplier effect and result in better growth of economies. Initiatives like FastTag, e-
way bills are steps the right direction. Plus big ticket reforms like Bharatmala and
Sagarmala will rely heavily on how well we leverage the technology available to us.
(ii) Energy: India has become the third largest producer of electricity and with a fast growing
economy the demand of electricity will keep further increasing. Technology will play a
crucial role in augmenting the energy capacity from thermal, hydro and nuclear sources.
Target to get 175 GW of renewables by 2022 will also depend on technology utilization.
(D) Tapping Human Resource Potential: Technology can help in better utilization of the
workforce potential of the nation. IT tools can be used for workplace management of the labour
force. It can also be used to augment the capabilities of workforce via skilling and reskilling. For
instance, Massive Online Open Courses can be used to skill people in remote areas. The existing
National Skill Development framework can also work better by utilization of IT solutions to
monitor the progress of Industrial Training Institutes.
(E) Job Creators: Startups have tremendous potential to contribute in economic growth.
Innovation is required to bring disruptive products and services in the market that will ensure
the growth and success of the startups. This will also turn the youth into job creators from job
seekers and help in tackling the unemployment problem of the economy.
(F) Sustainable Development: In the context of climate change, sustainable development

has become an important and inextricable aspect of development. Green technologies that will
help in producing clean electricity, mitigate the effect of Non Renewable energy sources (like
retrofitting thermal power plants to reduce emission of pollutants, help in making economic
system that can be sustained for the future generation as well.
(G) Urbanisation: Urbanisation follows economic growth. But quality and well planned
urbanization can in turn further accelerate the economic growth and provide job opportunities.

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Technology can be used to provide better services like public transport and plan the expansion
of cities. It can also be used to find alternative urban growth centres as envisaged in the Smart
City programme,
Technology and innovation are crucial for economic development of a nation. But the
development that happens is for the people of the country and hence must be inclusive in
nature as well. We must also decide what kind of technologies must be implemented. Initial
focus must be on labour intensive technologies so that we can absorb the excess labour present
in the agriculture. Then the focus should be on capital intensive technologies to augment the
service sector.
INITIATIVES TO PROMOTE SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION

Policymaker have taken several initiatives to promote science and innovation via different
bodies such as
(a) NITI Aayog
● Atal Innovation Mission - to promote innovation and entrepreneurship via incubation
centres.
● Mentor India Campaign- engage student and leaders at the Atal Tinkering Labs
● SETU Scheme
(b) Ministry of Human Resource
● GIAN – tapping talent pool of entrepreneurs and scientists to encourage engagement
with higher institutions
● PM Research Fellow scheme
● Uchchatar Avishkar Abhiyan – promotes industry specific needs based research
(c) Ministry of Science and Technology
● AWSAR –encourage popular science via use of newspapers, journals etc,
● DIA – reward to young scientist who have worked well principal investigators
● INSPIRE – attract youth to science
● NIDHI – to nurture ideas and innovations into successful startups
● Pandit Deen Dayal Updhyay Vigyan Gram Sankul Pariyojana – sustainable development
in some villages of Uttarakhand
● TARE- tap potential of faculties working in state universities
● VAJRA
Thus technology and economic development are two aspects that walk hand in hand and one
can't be divorced from the other. Looking at the needs of nation and people the policymakers
should plan the path of development with the most appropriate technology. At the same time
promotion of innovation and technology among masses is important so that the uptake of
technology and technological changes is also quick.

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Q.12) While India takes pride as IT and a digital superpower, sustainable

management of e- waste is a herculean challenge. Discuss, suggesting suitable
solutions for the same.
Demand of the Question:

Introduction: Some facts highlighting the digital prowess of India and its achievements.
Body: Explain various facets of e-waste and its deep impact on environment and society as a
whole. Can include some model examples and govt guidelines pertaining to e-waste
handling.
Conclusion: Solution for dealing with e-waste.
India has become the digital capabilities hub of the world with around 75 % of global digital
talent present in the country. Revenue from digital segment is expected to comprise 38% of the
forecasted USD 350 billion industry revenue by 2025. About 200 Indian IT firms are present
in around 80 countries. Thus, no doubt that India is an IT superpower along with the digital
one. However, the other side of the coin cannot be neglected- India’s performance in handling
the e-waste problem.
E-WASTE CHALLENGE
In India, challenges especially include, with regard to volume of E-waste generated -
involvement of child labour, ineffective legislations, lack of processing infrastructure, health
hazards, poor awareness and sensitisation.
1. India is the fifth biggest producer of e-waste in the world; discarding 1.7 million
tonnes (Mt) of electronic and electrical equipment in 2014.
2. In India E-waste collection, transportation, segregation, dismantling, recycling and
disposal is done manually by untrained labourers in informal sector.
3. Due to low awareness and sensitization e-waste is thrown along with garbage which is
collected and segregated by rag pickers. E-waste contains reusable and precious
materials. Rag pickers sell this E-waste to scrap dealers and run their livelihood.
4. The scrap dealers supply the E-waste to recycling industries. The recyclers use old and
hazardous technologies and equipment, to recycle/treat the e-waste.
5. India is being used as dumping ground of e-waste by many developed nations. The Basel
Action Network (BAN) which works for prevention of globalisation of toxic chemicals has
stated in a report that 50 to 80 % of e-waste collected by the US is exported to India and
other developing countries.
6. 10 States/UT contribute to 70% of the total e-waste generated in the country, while 65
cities generate more than 60% of the total e-waste in India.
7. E-waste is not hazardous per se. However, the hazardous constituents present in the e-
waste render it hazardous when such wastes are dismantled and processed, since it is
only at this stage that they pose hazard to health and environment. Electronics products
like computers and cell phones contain a lot of different toxins. For example, cathode ray
tubes (CRTs) of computer monitors contain heavy metals such as lead, barium and
cadmium, which can be very harmful to health if they enter the water system. These
materials can cause damage to the human nervous and respiratory systems.

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DIVERSE SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEM OF E-WASTE

1. Domestic legal framework to address these gaps in import of E Waste. Effective
implementation of e-waste management rules, 2018 should incorporate precautionary
and polluter pays principles.
2. Need to address safe disposal of domestic waste.
3. Tie recycling in with take-back product.
4. The Framework should address the issue of E waste imports for reuse and recycling.
5. Attract investment in this sector.
6. Link up activities of informal sector with formal sector.
7. Provide for appropriate framework for processes.
8. Insist on domestic processing.
9. Promote recycling units to ease process and to encourage generators to have proper e-
waste disposal.
10. Impart training to generators on e-waste handling.
11. Awareness program on recycling.
12. Fix duties and responsibilities to recyclers.
13. Tax incentives for scrap dealers.
14. Reward and reprimand schemes for performance and non-compliance of e-waste
management.
Solid waste management, which is already a mammoth task in India, is becoming more
complicated by the invasion of e-waste, particularly computer waste. There exists an urgent
need for a detailed assessment of the current and future scenario including quantification,
characteristics, existing disposal practices, environmental impacts etc.
Q.13) The goal of accessibility will conflict with the goal of sustainability as long as
fossil fuels are the prime source of energy. How effective are the current energy
policies in reconciling this conflict?

Introduction: Substantiate with figure how accessibility of energy is in conflict with
sustainability.
Body: List various steps adopted globally and by India and how effective are they to fulfill
the energy demand without compromising with climate.
Conclusion: A way forward
As per International Energy Agency, fossil fuel consumption in India stands close to 75% of
total energy consumed in 2016-17. The bulk constituents of fossil fuel include coal, oil, and
petroleum and natural gas products. Of the total install energy generation capacity of India,
the share of fossil fuel is 81.99% while share of renewable is 15.3%. These figures justify that
accessibility is in conflict with sustainability because of fossil fuel being prime source of
energy. Also Goal 7 of SDG (2015-2020) envisioned affordable and clean energy to everyone.

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Various policies are in place, to investigate the conflict and lower the use of fossil fuels. Some of
them are mentioned below:
STEPS TAKEN GLOBALLY

1. Paris climate deal to take action against climate change in post-2020 period through
INDC. India's INDC aim includes:
o Achieve 40% power capacity from non-fossils by 2030.
o Create carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tones by forest by 2030.
2. Bonn conference (COP 23): It adopted action on agricultural and Suva loss and damage
plan.
3. International solar alliance (ISA) established by India and France with HQ in India.
4. Various initiatives of ISA include:
o Scaling up the use of solar application in agriculture.
o Affordable finance to state to adopt clean energy.
o Rooftop solar program and scaling solar e-mobility and storage.
o Introduction of Common risk mitigation mechanism
o Formation of $ 300 billion ' Global Risk mitigation fund'.
These all steps taken globally, promoted use of renewable energy and reducing the dependence
on fossil fuels, and work towards increasing accessibility of energy.
STEPS TAKEN BY INDIA

1. Nation action plan on climate change (NAPCC): It includes eight mission which
are oriented towards assessment of impact of climate change and action needed to
address CC. Its vision includes:
o National solar mission for enhanced energy efficiency.
o National mission for "Green India" etc.
2. PAT scheme (perform, achieve, and trade): It is launched by Bureau of Energy
Efficiency of ministry of power to save energy in eight energy intensive sectors.
3. Green finance ecosystem in India: India is world’s 4th largest carbon emitter.
Green finance is needed to achieve our INDCs.
4. Green skill development program: GOI is expanding this program to an all India
level.
5. GOI (MOEFCC) is working on landscape based catchment treatment plant to increase
the carbon sink.
6. Other initiative of GOI to increase carbon sink includes:
o Green India mission under NAPCC
o CAMPA fund
o National afforestation program
o Nagar Vanya Udyan Yojana
o National adaptation fund for Climate Change.
o Desertification and land degradation atlas of India.

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MEASUREMENT OF EFFECTIVENESS OF CURRENT ENERGY POLICIES

1. Installed Capacity and Generation: By achieving its targets for increasing
renewable capacity as per the NDC commitments, India can increase the share of
renewable in power generation to 22% in 2032.
2. Emissions: As a result of this transition to clean energy, cumulative CO2 emissions
from the power sector will reduce CO2 by 11 % by 2031 as compared to 2017 level.
3. Cost sensitivity of Renewable Energy: A decrease in solar cost by 50% will increase
solar penetration by more than eight times.
4. Energy from renewable sources: Asia's third largest economy, India aims to
generate 40% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030, with ISA in place.
5. Central Electricity Authority projected that 57% of total electricity capacity will be from
renewable sources by 2027 from present 17%.
6. Electric Power: India aims at achieving around 40 % cumulative electric power
installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030.
WAY FORWARD
1. The technology is evolving fast and considering the renewable energy potential in India
research needs a big push. New materials like gallium arsenide and carbon nanotubes
have the potential to increase solar efficiency by 50 %.
2. For wind energy growth, installation of mega offshore plants is necessary. The
technology of wind towers has to be optimized using advanced techniques.
3. At the same time, boost to other technology for the growth of bio-energy, waste
management, geothermal and ocean energies is also necessary.
4. Due to the variable nature of renewable energy, we need to sustain our usage of fossil
fuels until we have innovative storage solutions that can be implemented at (a
national) scale.
Q.14 Recent SC judgement on Insolvency and Bankruptcy code, 2016 will go a long
way in cementing IBC as a key economic reform, given the bad loan crisis in
banking and cases of default. Comment.

Introduction: Briefly about the IBC and recent SC judgement.
Body: Highlights the bad loan crisis and default cases prevailing in banking sector. Also
discuss how this judgment will back IBC to be key economic reform against the mentioned
crisis.
Conclusion: Suggest way forward as per the context.
In the absence of any unified legislation and existence of conflicting and age old laws related to
Bankruptcy acts, IBC provides a unified framework to resolve insolvency and bankruptcy in
India. Judgment by Supreme Court (Jan 2019) upheld the constitutional validity of IBC Act,
2016 and stated that provisions of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (Code)
will override any enactment which is inconsistent with the provisions of the

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Code. The court also held that financial creditors are clearly different from operational
creditors.
BAD LOAN CRISIS AND DEFAULT CASES

For past some year’s Indian economy has been suffering from the bad loan crisis and default
cases. The culture of impunity, political interference in approving loans and professional
ineptness of bankers to deal with pressing issues have aggravated the already battered banking
industry.
1. With non-performing assets (NPAs) at nearly 11% of total bank loans, we may be
bordering on a banking crisis.
2. For PSBs as a group, gross NPAs were 11.7 % of total bank loans, according to data
compiled by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and including State Bank of India and its
associate banks (they were classified separately), gross NPAs came to 12 %.
3. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data, shows state-run banks have reported 8,670 "loan
fraud" cases totalling Rs. 612.6 billion ($9.58 billion) over the last five financial years up
to March 31, 2017.
SIGNIFICANCE OF IBC- A KEY ECONOMIC REFORM

1. According to the Economic Survey, the implementation of insolvency and bankruptcy
code (IBC) process will be one of the key determinants of growth in the financial year
2018-19.
2. The code is based on the principle of collective action, and accordingly provides rights to
all the key stakeholders. It reorganises and balances the interests of all stakeholders.
3. It paves the way for credit availability without impinging on entrepreneurship.
4. It also seeks to establish norms for asset valuation of debtors in a just manner.
5. The Insolvency Code in India constructs a new institutional framework consisting of a
regulator, insolvency professionals, information utilities and adjudicatory mechanisms,
that will facilitate a formal and time bound insolvency resolution and liquidation
process.
6. The code has made it easy to exit or attempt revival of business which shall improve the
NPA scenario for the financial services sector.
With the right implementation process, it can have a positive impact on the economy.

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SIGNIFICANCE OF THE JUDGEMENT

1. The Supreme Court of India upheld the two-year old insolvency code in its entirety,
quashing petitions which challenged the law saying it was discriminatory.
2. It backed the government’s efforts to deal with the bad-debt burden of banks and
rejecting challenges by the promoters of defaulting companies barred by the law from
regaining control of their firms.
3. The verdict will have an impact on the biggest insolvency cases, such as that of Essar
Steel and will boost a clean credit culture.
4. The judgement has also provided the much needed clarity on the role of the resolution
professional and the liquidators appointed by NCLT.
In the series of economic reforms, IBC is one of the crucial steps taken by govt. With Supreme
Court upholding its constitutional validity, IBC will pave the way for more reforms,
strengthening of banking sector and Indian economy as whole. Need of the time is to execute
the provisions of IBC in letter and spirit, and to consider the steps like Bad bank, autonomy to
Asset Reconstruction Companies etc.
Q.15) What are the problems associated with fragmentation of land holdings? Can
land reforms alleviate rural poverty in India? What are the constraints in
implementing in land reforms?

Introduction: Briefly about importance of land and land reforms.
Body: Problems associated with fragmentation of land holdings. Land Reforms and Rural
Poverty in India. Constraints in implementing Land Reforms
Conclusion/ Way Forward: Suggest some measures to overcome the constraints
Land is the basic source of sustenance in the rural areas, as all primary and auxiliary
activities directly or indirectly are related to land. Since its concentration in limited hands
have been the main forces resulting in social, economic and even inequalities, land reforms has
been the major thrust area in policy making for rural India.
Land reforms is visualised as an instrument of social justice through various measures such
as; abolition of the intermediaries, tenancy reforms, ceiling on landholdings, consolidation of
landholdings, completion and updating of land records, cooperative farming, distribution of
surplus government land etc
PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH FRAGMENTATION OF LAND HOLDINGS

1. Size: Over 80% of the land holdings in India are classified as small and marginal land
holdings with the farm size of less than 2 ha. This implies that over 80% of the farmers in
India hold just 39% of the total cultivated land.
2. Social Groups: The proportion of socially disadvantaged groups such as Scheduled
Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) is higher among marginal and small farmers
than that of medium and large farmers.Social identity of farmers is also seen to mediate
access to economic resources and outcomes.

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3. Land Issues:
a. The absence of land records does not allow these farmers to access formal credit
or be eligible for government benefits such input subsidies or crop insurance
schemes.
b. Irrigation becomes difficult on such small and fragmented fields. Further, a lot of
fertile agricultural land is wasted in providing boundaries. Under such
circumstances, the farmer cannot concentrate on improvement.
LAND REFORMS AND RURAL POVERTY IN INDIA

Land is the main source of income and consumption for rural population. There is close
economic relationship between access to land and poverty. Inequality in the distribution of
production inputs, especially agricultural lands, seems to be the main cause of rural poverty
and income disparity. In this context land reforms by providing greater access to land for poor
households plays important role in combating rural poverty.
1. Substantial number of tenants have become owners of land that they are cultivating. To
reduce poverty, the more important concern is not production increase per se,
but on whose fields this production will increase. Increases on the fields of the
poor will reduce poverty.
2. Tenancy rights have become more secure and the system of absentee landlordism has
been eradicated. It provided greater opportunities for small farmers and tenants to
augment greater incomes.
CONSTRAINTS IN IMPLEMENTING LAND REFORMS

1. Absence of strong political will: Political leadership is dominated by the upper caste
people who have their own vested interest. This has resulted in the absence of strong
political will, which is a prerequisite for successful implementation of land reform
programme.
2. Lack of pressure from below: The beneficiaries of land reform programme i.e.
tenants and landless agricultural labourers, are largely unorganized and they have not
been able to bring about the required pressure on the government for speedy
implementation of the programme.
3. Legal difficulties: Large number of cases related to land ceiling are still pending in the
court of law. The rich take advantage of the legal loopholes.
4. Absence of updated land records: Evidence of the right on land can be proved
through land records. Unfortunately, such records are not properly maintained.
5. Lack of uniformity in land reforms laws: Land reforms laws are not uniform
throughout India. They are different in different states. This also accounts for the slow
progress of land reforms measures.
Way forward
1. Digitisation of Land records
a. Bhoomi Project Karnataka: Here the relevant documents—the record of rights,
tenancy and crops—has been made available through kiosks. The need to pay bribes
to get access to this basic information in government offices has been done away
with.

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b. Rajasthan Urban Land (Certification of Titles) Act 2016. This law ensures
that the state government is a guarantor for land titles in Rajasthan, and will provide
compensation in case of issues of defective title.
c. Andhra Pradesh government has tied up with a Swedish firm to use new
blockchain technology to prevent property fraud. As in all other trades, blockchain
will allow participants in a distributed ledger to check the ownership of a land parcel.
2. Model Agricultural Land Leasing Act, 2016: It seeks to permit and facilitate
leasing of agricultural land to improve access to land by the landless and marginal
farmers. It also provides for recognition of farmers cultivating on leased land to enable
them to access loans through institutional credit.
3. Need of a time-bound effective drive to ensure that wherever land pattas have been given
to the poor, they should be able to occupy the land and cultivate it.
4. Corrective measures suggested by draft National Land Reform Policy like restoring land
unjustly taken from vulnerable communities such as the Dalits (untouchables) and
Tribals.
Q.16) What are the major recommendations of the draft Agricultural Export
Policy, 2018 recently promulgated by the Government of India? Discuss its
benefits and the challenges in implementation.

Introduction: Briefly mention the importance of agriculture sector and then the
importance of Agricultural Export Policy, 2018.
Body: Mention the major recommendations, benefits and challenges associated with
Agricultural Export Policy, 2018.
Conclusion: Insert a brief conclusion to sum up the answer.
Agriculture plays a vital role in the Indian economy. Over 70 of the rural households
depend on agriculture. Agriculture is an important sector of Indian economy as it provides
employment to over 60% of the population.
The Government of India has recently come up with the Agriculture Export Policy, 2018
with two primary motives: firstly, with an aim to double farmers’ income by 2022, and
secondly with an aim to double agricultural exports by 2022.
MAJOR RECOMMENDATIONS
1. The government should try to promote a stable trade policy regime. The processed
agricultural products and all kinds of organic products will not be brought under the ambit
of any kind of export restriction.
2. Reforms in APMC Act and streamlining of mandi fee: The Directorate General of
Foreign Trade (DGFT) field offices, Export Promotion Councils, Commodity Boards and
Industry Associations should act as advocacy forum for reform by all the states including
removal of perishables from their APMC Act. State Governments should rationalize mandi
taxes for largely exported agricultural products.

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3. Comprehensive Approach to boost agri-exports: Krishi Vigyan Kendras should be

involved to take export oriented technology to farmers and create awareness among farmers
about export prospects. India should work towards creating similar agencies like the United
States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) / United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA) and European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) which cover all aspects of agricultural-
food production and trade in an effective and calibrated manner.
4. A holistic response should be framed towards sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS)
barriers and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) faced by Indian products.
5. Infrastructure and Logistics Support: There is a need to improve aspects like pre-
harvest and post-harvest handling facilities, storage and distribution, processing facilities,
roads and world class exit point infrastructure at ports to facilitate swift trade.
6. The government should also construct mega food parks, state-of-the-art testing
laboratories and integrated cold chains. There is a need to identify strategically
important clusters, create inland transportation links alongside dedicated agricultural
infrastructure at ports with 24x7 customs clearance for perishables.
7. Enhanced Role of State Government in promoting Agricultural Exports: There is
a need to identify a nodal State Department / Agency for promotion of agriculture export.
There is also a need for inclusion of agricultural exports in the state export policy.
8. There is also a need to have institutional mechanism at union level, state level and
cluster level to support exports. There is also a necessity of encouraging the industry to play
an enhanced role in agricultural research and development (R&D).
9. There is an urgent need of putting in place an institutional mechanism for effective
involvement and engagement of small and medium farmers for entire value chain as
group enterprises within cluster of villages. This will help to realize actual benefit and
empowerment of farming community to double their income through entire value chain.
10. If these clusters are implemented successfully then a transition to agri-export zones
(AEZs) could facilitate value addition, common facility creation and higher exports from
such zones.
11. The Government can also go for the creation of an agri-start up fund.
BENEFITS OF AGRICULTURAL EXPORT POLICY, 2018

1. It can help in doubling agricultural exports by 2022 with a stable trade policy regime.
2. It can diversify our export basket, destinations and boost high value and value added
agricultural exports.
3. It can promote novel, indigenous, organic, ethnic, traditional and non-traditional
agriculture products exports.
4. It can provide an institutional mechanism for pursuing market access, tackling barriers and
deal with sanitary and phytosanitary issues.
5. It can maximise India’s share in world agriculture exports by integrating with global value
chain at the earliest.
6. It enables farmers to get benefit of export opportunities in overseas market.

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CHALLENGES IN IMPLEMENTATION
1. The current minimum support price (MSP) of wheat and rice make India foodgrain quite
dear in the domestic market. In such cases, India cannot export it into the international
market.
2. A dispute at the World Trade Organization (WTO) can also not be ruled out.
Already, the United States accuses India of subsidising farmers heavily to keep prices low.
India has subsidised sugar prices and can compete in the international market, but
countries like Brazil will drag India to the WTO dispute settlement forum.
3. India’s MSP of foodgrain is linked to politics, not to world trade.
4. Achieving an agriculture export target of USD 60 billion by 2022 looks very
ambitious, given the current global market conditions. Presently, India’s export
basket largely comprises meat, marine products, and basmati rice whose demand in the
world market is inelastic.
5. India has a track record to open up imports whenever prices of crucial food items (potato,
onion, pulses, etc.) start climbing. This hurts local producers. The Indian government is
always pro-consumer, backing cheap imports to keep inflation in food prices low.
The policy is really ambitious but the crucial challenge lies in the implementation. The
government needs to iron out the flaws in agri-infrastructure to boost exports. A
novel approach should be applied to understanding the market dynamics of agri-exports.
Some experts suggest India shifts focus to indigenous, unique products from foodgrain for the
international market. The government should focus on production of items like edible oil and
vegetables, which we import, to help farmers in the real sense. Farmers should know when to
start sowing, as external factors like global price, impact the domestic situation.
Q.17) Discuss the inter-linkage between cropping pattern and the water-intensive
nature of agriculture in India? Suggest measures for the agriculture sector to deal
with the stress caused by climate change and increasing water scarcity.

Introduction: Briefly define cropping pattern and give some facts regarding the water-
intensive nature of Indian agriculture.
Body: Write specific points showing the inter-linkage between cropping pattern and the
water-intensive nature of agriculture in India. Then give suggestive measure to deal with the
situation.
Conclusion: Insert a brief conclusion to sum up the answer.
Cropping pattern means the proportion of area under different crops at a point of time,
changes in this distribution overtime and factors determining these changes. The major
determining factors for cropping pattern in India are rainfall, climate, temperature, soil type,
government policies etc. Additionally, technology also plays a pivotal role in determining crop
pattern. Example: the adoption of High Yield Varieties Seeds along with fertilisers in the mid
1960’s in the regions of Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh increased wheat
production significantly.

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India’s biggest problem is that of rampant ‘water-waste in agriculture’ that consumes

around 78% of India’s total freshwater resources. Just rice and sugarcane consume more than
60% of the irrigation water in the country while occupying just around 24% of the total gross
cropped area.
RELATION BETWEEN CROPPING PATTERN AND WATER-INTENSIVE NATURE

OF AGRICULTURE IN INDIA
1. The agriculture in India has traditionally been dominated by cereals. The focus on
crops like pulses and millets has been less. The farmers have tended to focus more on
water-guzzling crops like rice, cotton and sugarcane. Example: The Economic
Survey 2015-16 highlighted the fact that to produce one unit of rice India needs 20 to
4o times more water than what is consumed by Brazil and China.
2. The paddy cultivation in Punjab has led to declining water table in the area. The
increasing water stress in the context of climate change has also
incentivized a policy shift towards crops like millets and pulses which
consume less water.
3. The agrarian crisis in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra is marked by huge water stress
conditions caused by cultivation of highly water-intensive crops like cotton and
sugarcane. So, farmers are also looking up to other crops. Soybean has turned out to be
a beneficial crop comparatively. Being a legume, it fixes nitrogen and also requires less
water, which is why the crop has expanded even in arid regions. Example: In
Marathwada, one of the most drought-prone regions in Maharashtra, soybean
expanded from 2.01 lakh hectare in 1990-91 to 35.20 lakh hectare in 2013-14.
4. Millet and other crops which use less water were not promoted much due to low
produce, weak markets, difficult processing methods and low consumer interest even
though many urban health conscious individuals are now favouring them over the
traditional paddy and wheat. In times of climate change millets score over paddy as
they require less water and can withstand extreme temperatures.
5. The excessive use and degradation of water resources is threatening the
sustainability of livelihoods dependent on water and agriculture. Inefficient and
uncoordinated water uses deplete aquifers and reduce river flows.
6. Climate change is raising the scarcity value of water. India has much lower levels of
water per capita than Brazil. This constraint is exacerbated because, while Brazil and
China use approximately 60% of their renewable freshwater resources for agriculture,
India uses a little over 90%. According to an analysis by National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA), India’s water tables are declining at a rate of 0.3 meters per
year.
MEASURES
1. The farmers in India should be made aware of the practices like drip irrigation to
promote water-use efficiency in agriculture.
2. India should learn from best practices of countries like Israel which has expertise in
dryland agriculture.

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3. China has a policy of domestically cultivating crops like wheat which use less water and
importing highly water-intensive crops like rice and sugarcane. India can learn from
such practices and minimise the area under cultivation of water-guzzling crops.
4. India should also promote the cultivation of millets and pulses which consume less
water.
5. Prioritizing cultivation of less water-intensive crops: In order to facilitate this
shift, the new irrigation technologies need to be accorded “infrastructure lending” status
and both the centre and states need to increase public spending for micro irrigation
methods such as drip irrigation, sprinkle irrigation methods.
6. Favourable MSP regime: The MSP policy should be rationalized and it should be
hiked for crops like millets and pulses which use less water so as to promote their
production.
7. The Government should effectively implement the National Mission on Sustainable
Agriculture.
According to the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), agriculture is both a

cause and a victim of water scarcity. There is a crying need for scientific management of
water resources especially in the agriculture sector. The management of water in this sector is
integrally linked to food security. As the global population heads for more than 9
billion people by 2050, demand for food is expected to surge by more than 50 %.
The world is rapidly becoming wealthier and more urbanized leading to increasing stress on
scarce water resources. Thus, there is a need of a calibrated and nuanced approach in dealing
with the adverse impact of water scarcity in the face of climate change.
Q.18) The problem of illegal immigrants from neighbourhood countries not only
impinges on the rights of Indian citizens but also poses grave national security
challenge. Comment.

Introduction: Describe the problem briefly with current examples and facts.
Body: How rights are infringed and national security is compromised.
Conclusion: A balance between human rights and national security.solutions.
Illegal immigration is a big international issue today, especially in the US and EU. Even India is
continuously facing the problem of unchecked and illegal immigration from neighbouring
countries which creates serious issues of security and threatens the right of Indian citizens.
Example: The recent sporadic rise in Rohingya’s infiltration in north eastern states.
IMPACT OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION

A. IMPINGES ON THE RIGHTS OF CITIZENS
1. Social: Illegal immigrants places great strain on the education, medical and law-
enforcement systems. Leading to poor standard of living among citizens. Thus, creating
discontent among the native population and resulting in protests, affecting the stability

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of the region. As observed in Assam and other north eastern states which have
experienced a huge demographic change.
2. Economical: illegal immigration places financial stress on the state and tax-paying
citizens. It changes the proportion in which the pie is distributed. Example:
Bangladeshi immigrant’s great involvement in agricultural production —but the large
section of the native population working in the informal economy and thus competing
with them, as well as the state’s poor ability to collect taxes, means that they have
imposed a considerable cost.
3. Political: Promotes politicisation of the issue and furthers vote bank politics. Most of
the illegal immigrants have got their names enlisted in the voting list illegally, thereby
claiming themselves as citizens of the state. The immigrant’s population act as a vote
bank for the political parties. Example: The recent initiative NRC (National Register of
Citizens) is meant for the detection of illegal Bangladeshi got politicised.
B. POSES GRAVE NATIONAL SECURITY CHALLENGE

1. The involvement of some of these illegal migrants has been noticed in criminal activities,
including fraudulent and illegally obtaining Indian identification documents and fake
currency etc.
2. It has also spawned a network of organised group of touts and agents who are involved in
such rackets.
3. In addition, some of the illegal migrants are suspected to having links with ISI (Inter-
Services Intelligence) and ISIS operatives and members of extremists groups targeting
India.
WAY FORWARD
1. The Central Government should appoint a National Immigration Commission to frame
a National Migration Policy and a National Refugee Policy.
2. The Commission should examine ways of strengthening the Foreigners Act 1946, as
well as feasibility of Identity Cards for both citizens and non-citizens and Work Permits
for migrants.
3. Border fencing in Assam must be completed forthwith on a war footing. The existing
Border Security Force posts and the BSF water wing should be strengthened.
4. Our nationals in the border districts and for that matter in the whole State should be
provided multipurpose photo identity card.
5. The ongoing NRC updating should be completed without delay and proper
arrangement for the deportation of illegal immigrants should be done.

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Q.19) Why is the northern part of our country becoming the pollution capital of the
world? Discuss the effectiveness the efforts of the government in reducing social
and economic costs of air pollution in India.

Introduction: Justify the question statement.
Body: Write reasons for northern part of our country becoming the pollution capital of the
world, various government measures in reducing social and economic costs of air pollution
in India and its effectiveness.
Conclusion: Importance of clean air in sustainable development.
Air pollution may be defined as the presence of any solid, liquid or gaseous substance in the
atmosphere in such concentration that may be directly or indirectly injurious to humans or
other living organisms. According to World Health Organization (WHO), if we rank cities on
the basis of average annual PM2.5 concentration for the year 2016, 14 of the 20 most polluted
cities are in India. All these cities including Kanpur, Faridabad, Varanasi, Gaya, Patna, Delhi,
Lucknow, Agra, Muzaffarpur, Srinagar, Gurgaon, Jaipur, Patiala and Jodhpur are situated in
the northern part of the country.
WHY NORTHERN PART OF INDIA BECOMING POLLUTION CAPITAL OF WORLD

1. Meteorology: Temperature inversions and stable wind conditions are characteristic
features of winters in North India. Calm wind conditions prevent the dissipation of
pollutant emissions and temperature inversion layer tends to trap pollutants so it
increase the observed pollutant concentrations.
2. Wind convergence zone: Indo-Gangetic plain is essentially landlocked. Himalayas
prevent polluted air from escaping to the north creating ‘valley effect’. Formation of low
pressure troughs across northern region causes winds to converge resulting in trapping
of local as well as pollution from outside.
3. Seasonal variation of particulate matter composition: Widespread dust events
are a common phenomenon in the northern part of the country during summers.
Relative contribution of dust changes with seasonal variation. IIT-Kanpur source
apportionment study for Delhi reveals that while dust accounts for 40% of total PM10
in summer, it accounts for only 13% in winter.
4. Loose Alluvial Soil: Indus-Ganga belt is the world’s largest stretch of uninterrupted
alluvium deposits. It is composed of loose unconsolidated particles. So dry alluvial soil
significantly contributes to wind-blown dust.
5. Other factors like use of fossil fuels in power plants, industries, transportation,
mining, construction of buildings, stone quarries etc.
GOVERNMENT MEASURES TO REDUCE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACT OF

AIR POLLUTION AND THEIR EFFECTIVENESS
1. National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), launched in Jan 2019 is a medium term
national level strategy to tackle the increasing air pollution problem across the country in
a comprehensive manner. The overall objective is to augment and evolve effective

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ambient air quality monitoring network across the country besides ensuring
comprehensive management plan for prevention, control and abatement of air pollution.
The NCAP focuses on collaborative and participatory approach covering all sources of
pollution and coordination between relevant Central Ministries, State Governments,
local bodies and other stakeholders.
2. National Air Quality Monitoring Programme: Central Pollution Control Board
(CPCB) has been executing a nationwide programme of ambient air quality. The
National Air Quality Monitoring Program (NAMP) is undertaken
● To determine status and trends of ambient air quality.
● To ascertain the compliance of NAAQS.
● To understand the natural process of cleaning in the atmosphere.
● To undertake preventive and corrective measures.
Nearly 523 manual monitoring stations are being operated across states. Some states
have set up additional monitoring stations in cities. However, there is a shortfall in
operation as about 1000 stations, that report data real time, are required. Also recorded
values are indicative and there is immense time lag in reporting the data.
3. National Air Quality Index (AQI): It is launched by environment ministry under
‘Swachh Bharat Mission’. It helps the people to judge the air quality within his
vicinity. The AQI will consider eight pollutants like PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, CO, O3,
NH3, and Pb.
At present, continuous air quality monitoring stations from 10 cities are connected to the
web-based system. It is planned to strengthen the network of monitoring systems in all
46 cities having population more than a million and 20 State Capitals. The functioning of
monitoring stations may also get affected due to various technical and operational
aspects like long power cuts and maintenance problems.
A large number of critical pollutants are not even being monitored. What pollution
control boards monitor in the name of suspended particulates is Total Suspended
Particulate Matter which hardly any industrialised country in the world monitors today.
4. Government has announced a central sector scheme on ‘Promotion of Agricultural
Mechanization for In-Situ Management of Crop Residue in the States of Punjab,
Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and NCT of Delhi. Satellite data indicates that paddy residue
burning events have reduced by 29.5%, 24.5% and 11.0% in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and
Punjab respectively in 2018 compared with the paddy residue burning events in the year
2017.
5. Air pollution in Delhi is managed by an autonomous government body, the
Environmental Pollution Control Authority (EPCA). The authority has published a plan
that calls for responses commensurate with the severity of air pollution. For example, as
the air quality hits the “severe" mark (PM2.5>250g/m3), the plan requires the EPCA to
direct the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to halt all construction activity,
stop the use of diesel generators, and close brick kilns and power plants. Unfortunately,
at least 16 different agencies are currently involved in the implementation of this plan.
Some are under the control of the Union government, some under the Delhi government,
and some are under the administrative control of neighbouring states, making it rather
impossible to act in unison.

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Some other steps in this direction so far are,

 increasing green cover alongside roads,
 sprinkle water on trees nearby the roads,
 vacuum cleaning of roads,
 promoting Swachh Bharat Abhiyan,
 cleaning of rivers and water bodies,
 strict instructions to construction companies regarding pollution,
 reducing carbon emissions by focusing on renewable energy generation,
 ban on sale of firecrackers,
 crackdown on burning of solid waste and agricultural waste,
 urging businesses to invest on solutions related to environmental
sustainability,
 issuing alerts and closing down schools and colleges,
 strengthening public transport system
Effectiveness of these measures vary in short and long run- depending on the season,
strength of implementation efforts, coverage, effective monitoring, response time,
coordination, etc. Given the socio-economic cost of polluted air, it becomes imperative to
make continuous efforts in the direction of curbing air pollution which will also help in
making cities and human settlement inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable (SDG 11).
Q.20) What is a heatwave? What measures can be taken to reduce the health
impacts of such extreme heat events?

Introduction: Recent reports on rising threats of heat waves
Body: Health impacts, measures to be taken.
Conclusion: As per the context
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 5th Assessment Report indicates an increase
in frequency, length and intensity of heat waves will be ‘very likely over most land areas’ well
into the future. It is widely accepted that increased exposure to heat has a detrimental effect on
human and animal health.
Heat-wave is defined as the condition where maximum temperature at a grid point is 3˚C or
more than the normal temperature, consecutively for 3 days or more.
World Meteorological Organization defines a heat wave as five or more consecutive days
during which the daily maximum temperature exceeds the average maximum temperature by
five degrees Celsius. If the maximum temperature of any place continues to be more than 45° C
consecutively for two days, it is called a heat wave condition.
Many states are affected during the Heatwave season, such as State of Andhra Pradesh,
Telangana, Odisha, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Vidarbha region of
Maharashtra, Bihar, Jharkhand and Delhi. In 2015, daily maximum temperature exceeded the

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average maximum temperature by more than 6°C to 8°C, which resulted in death of 2422
people in India due to heat-wave.
HEALTH IMPACTS
It is widely accepted that increased exposure to heat has a detrimental effect on human health,
resulting in increased mortality (death) and morbidity (illness) across a variety of
geographical locations.
1. While the elderly appears more likely than other age groups to experience illness and
death as a result of extreme heat events
2. Heat-related mortality also appears to be associated with a range of pre-existing chronic
health conditions
3. Social determinants contribute substantially to an increased risk of heat-related
mortality and morbidity.
4. Extreme heat causes significant distress to livestock. Heat waves cause imbalance in
hormone production which affect productivity.
MEASURES TAKEN TO REDUCE HEALTH IMPACTS

NDMA and respective state agencies come up with the heat wave action plans to reduce
mortality. Ahmedabad was among the first city to prepare a Heat Wave Action Plan in 2015.
This plan provides a framework for other Indian cities to emulate and help protect their
citizens from the extreme heat. The Heat Wave Action Plan of Ahmedabad concluded that
Smart Cities are Heat wave Safe Cities. The following are key lesson learnt from Ahmedabad
Heat Wave Action Plan:
• Recognize Heat Wave as a major Health Risk.
• Map out the 'High Risk' Communities.
• Setting up of 'Public Cooling Places'.
• Issue Heatwave alerts through different media.
KEY STRATEGIES
The heat-wave action plan is intended to mobilize individuals and communities to help protect
their neighbours, friends, relatives, and themselves against avoidable health problems during
spells of very hot weather., Government agencies will have a critical role to play in preparing
and responding to heat-waves at a local level, working closely with health and other related
departments on long term strategic plan.
1. Establish Early Warning System and Inter-Agency Coordination to alert
residents on predicted high and extreme temperatures. Who will do what, when, and
how is made clear to individuals and units of key departments, especially for health.
2. Capacity building / training programme for health care professionals at local level
to recognize and respond to heat-related illnesses, particularly during extreme heat
events. These training programmes should focus on medical officers, paramedical staff
and community health staff so that they can effectively prevent and manage heat-related
medical issues to reduce mortality and morbidity.
3. Public Awareness and community outreach Disseminating public awareness
messages on how to protect against the extreme heat-wave through print, electronic and
social media and Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials such as

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pamphlets, posters and advertisements and Television Commercials (TVCs) on Do's and
Don'ts and treatment measures for heat related illnesses.
4. Collaboration with non -government and civil society: Collaboration with non-
governmental organizations and civil society organizations to improve bus stands,
building temporary shelters, wherever necessary, improved water delivery systems in
public areas and other innovative measures to tackle Heat wave conditions.
There is a need to plan well for reducing the impacts of high temperatures, including on
livestock. Keeping an eye on the weather forecasts, and developing a mitigation plan for high
to extreme temperature can be effective in ensuring that the livestock has sufficient shade and
water on hot days. Moreover, temperature threshold (bearable temperature) varies for
different breeds, thus mitigation measures to be tailored for each breed. As the likelihood of
extreme heat events increases into the future, heatwave and health impact research is urgently
needed across regions where the impact of these events will be felt more acutely.


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Page 1 of 39

MGP 2019 | Test 38A (21038) - Solutions| ForumIAS

Demand of the Question

INDIA AND BLUE ECONOMY

NATIONAL AIMS AND ACHIEVEMENT

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CHALLENGES TO BLUE ECONOMY

WAY AHEAD FOR INDIA

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Q.2) India's internal security problems are a manifestation of internal weaknesses

Demands of the Question

MAJOR INTERNAL WEAKNESSES

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7. Problems of coordination between different agencies.

EXTERNAL PROXY WAR HAMPERING OUR INTERNAL SECURITY

Demand of the Question

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BASIC TENETS OF GREEN AGRICULTURE

USEFULNESS IN PROTECTION OF AGRO BIODIVERSITY

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Demand of the Question

PROVISIONS OF THE BILL

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LACK OF EFFECTIVE SAFEGUARDS AGAINST ITS MISUTILIZATION

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Q.5) Scientific management of forest fires requires holistic understanding of its

Demands of the Question

ECOLOGICAL UTILITY OF FOREST FIRES

SCIENTIFIC MANAGEMENT OF FOREST FIRES

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Demand of the Question

FINTECH IS CHANGING THE WORLD OF FINANCE FOR CONSUMERS IN A

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b. Another noteworthy example is that of a tie-up between a digital payment

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Demand of the Question

STEPS TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT TO CLEAN GANGA

ACHIEVEMENTS OF NAMAMI GANGE

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Demand of the Question

ROLE OF CRPF IN INDIA'S SECURITY APPARATUS

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THREATS AND CHALLENGES FACED BY SECURITY FORCES

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Q.9) What is beekeeping? Highlight the importance of beekeeping in agriculture

Demand of the Question

Beekeeping is the practice of intentional maintenance of honeybee hives by humans. A

IMPORTANCE OF BEEKEEPING IN AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

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Demand of the Question

KEY CHALLENGES FACED BY MSMES

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SUPPORT AND OUTREACH INITIATIVE AS A GROWTH FACILITATOR

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Q.11) Discuss the crucial role of technology and innovation in economic

Demand of the Question

ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

(A) Impact On Major Sectors of Economy

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(F) Sustainable Development: In the context of climate change, sustainable development

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