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GS2 Final

This document provides an overview of the Insta Secure Synopsis for Mains 2020 by Insights IAS. It includes: 1) An introduction to the Insta Secure Synopsis, which provides answers to questions that meet demand but also provide extra background information. 2) A table of contents listing the various topics covered in the synopsis, including the Indian Constitution, federalism, Parliament, government policies, development processes, welfare schemes, and social sector issues. 3) Sample questions, answers and analyses on these topics to help IAS exam preparation. The synopsis aims to simplify IAS exam preparation through concise and relevant response.

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GS2 Final

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INSIGHTSIAS

IA SIMPLIFYING IAS EXAM PREPARATION

INSTA SECURE SYNOPSIS

MAINS 2020

GS- 1I

JUNE 2020

www.insightsactivelearn.com | www.insightsonindia.com
INSTA SECURE SYNOPSIS

NOTE: Please remember that following ‘answers’ are NOT ‘model answers’. They
are NOT synopsis too if we go by definition of the term. What we are providing is
content that both meets demand of the question and at the same time gives you
extra points in the form of background information.

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INSTA SECURE SYNOPSIS

Table of Contents
Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant
provisions and basic structure. ............................................................................................................. 10
“Right to life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution encompasses the right to timely
access to justice.” Comment in the context of the current times. (250 words) ............................ 10
Discuss the idea of multiple state capitals. Explain in what way it may impact the governance of
a state in the country? Substantiate with suitable example. (250 words) .................................... 12
45 years ago to the day what is considered as the biggest blot on Indian democracy- emergency
was imposed. Have we as a nation done enough since then to ensure that institutions have
been strengthened to withstand such an assault on the freedom of the people? Critically
analyse. (250 words) ........................................................................................................................ 15
Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the
federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein. ....... 19
What is arbitrary use of law? Discuss various forms of arbitrary use of power in the country with
suitable examples. (250 words) ....................................................................................................... 19
Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges
and issues arising out of these. ............................................................................................................. 21
“The Constitution avoids the tight mold of federalism and could be both unitary as well as
federal according to the requirements of time and circumstances.” Discuss in the current
context. (250 words) ........................................................................................................................ 21
Latest incidents reasserted again and again that anti-defection law of the country is scant to
prevent defections. Analyse the statement and Suggest measures to make anti- defection law
more effective. (250 words)............................................................................................................. 25
Participation and representation are fundamental elements of a democracy. Discuss the
challenges faced by democracy in guaranteeing inclusive participation and representation. (250
words) ............................................................................................................................................... 27
Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of
their design and implementation. ........................................................................................................ 30
“A call for Atmanirbhar Bharat is just the right impetus for local manufacturing in a world overly
dependent on China”, Do you agree? Comment. (250 words) ....................................................... 30
Discuss the challenge of law enforcement post-COVID-19 across the world and in India
specifically. (250 words) ................................................................................................................... 32
“Atmanirbhar Bharat is not just a slogan but a vision with deep roots in India’s intellectual
tradition”, discuss the statement and explain how Atmanirbharta is about resilience and
decentralisation, and not isolationism. (250 words) ...................................................................... 35
Write a short note on Kumahar Sashaktikaran Yojana while highlighting the role of role of Khadi
and village Industries Commission? (250 words) ............................................................................ 37
Development processes and the development industry —the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and
associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders. ................................................. 39
Discuss the need to actively engage local communities and civil society for containment of
pandemics like COVID-19. (250 words) ........................................................................................... 39

Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the
performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the
protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections. ................................................................... 41
Do you think introduction of unconditional regular pay checks at maximum universality, at least
till the economy normalizes is the need of the hour? Analyse. (250 words) ................................. 41
Tribal people in India are largely excluded by Governments at the Centre and States. In this
context throw light upon the significance of the Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana. (250 words)
.......................................................................................................................................................... 43
The Universal Basic Income, implementation of which has repeatedly been debated in India,
seeks to alleviate poverty. Critically discuss the possibility of UBI in India in light of COVID-19
pandemic impact. (250 words) ........................................................................................................ 46
Discuss in detail the challenges faced by the disabled during the pandemic. (250 words) .......... 49
Account for the challenges involved and measures to be taken for the provision of health
services to pregnant women and mothers in the Covid times in the country. (250 words) ......... 52
Discuss the key concerns associated with use of drugs without Randomized Clinical Trials and
scientific evidence. Also present the role of regulatory authority in India in approving such
drugs. (250 words)............................................................................................................................ 55
Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health,
Education, Human Resources. .............................................................................................................. 60
The Indian healthcare system needs to go through a radical overhauling, to become more
sustainable as well as responsive. Examine (250 words) ............................................................... 60
Cyber bullying has emerged again as a major concern confronting children due to peaks in the e-
learning processes, Discuss the concerns and explain what needs to be done to tackle the
menace? (250 words) ....................................................................................................................... 62
Examine the need and prospects of making research in health sector self-reliant in the country.
(250 words) ....................................................................................................................................... 65
With country still at risk from the Covid pandemic, need for behavioural change at a large level
is the only best cure available under current circumstances, Comment. (250 words) ................. 67
Do you think the time is ripe for the government to invest heavily in R&D to develop the AYUSH
system of medicine? Discuss. (250 words ) .................................................................................... 70
The problems in India’s health sector ranges from deteriorating quality to unaffordable service
delivery. Comment (250 words) ...................................................................................................... 73
Discuss why e-learning may not be a sustainable solution to the COVID-19 education crisis in
India? (250 words) ............................................................................................................................ 76
Stigma and awareness are two separate issues although interlinked and need to be addressed in
parallel in order to tackle the burden of mental illness in India. Do you agree? Elucidate. (250
words) ............................................................................................................................................... 78
Do you agree to the fact that the current Corona crisis is a great opportunity to re-invent
healthcare delivery in India through telemedicine? Debate. (250 words) .................................... 82
What is Yukti 2.0? How will it benefit the higher education system of India? Discuss. (250 words)
.......................................................................................................................................................... 84

Analyse the aspects of developing our own domestic medical industry by creating a strong local
ecosystem. (250 words) ................................................................................................................... 86
Issues relating to poverty and hunger. ................................................................................................. 89
Do you think Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005, is
still a shining example of a radical and rational systemic change to address the challenges being
faced by the poor in the rural areas of the country? Elucidate. (250 words) ................................ 89
Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications,
models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and
institutional and other measures.......................................................................................................... 92
Do you agree to the fact that current urban governance structure must begin rebuilding internal
systems, ensuring convergence and fixing accountability to ensure its sustainability to future
shocks like pandemics? Elucidate. (250 words) .............................................................................. 92
India and its neighborhood- relations................................................................................................... 96
India-Nepal ties must be dominated by opportunities of future, not frustrations of past.
Critically analyze. (250 words) ......................................................................................................... 96
The border disputes with China are posing a major test to the India-China bilateral relations.
Deliberate.(250 words) .................................................................................................................. 100
Do you think the diplomatic fallout of the territorial dispute between India and Nepal is likely
to be serious, which could lead to difficult days ahead for both countries as well as for the
South Asian region? Analyse. (250 words) .................................................................................... 102
Do you think Delhi must have a long-term plan to deal with flexing of muscle by Beijing at the
Line of Actual Control? Critically analyse. (250 words) ................................................................ 105
Present a detailed analysis of the strategic significance of the Galwan valley region. (250 words)
........................................................................................................................................................ 108
Do you think time has come for India to realize and work on better and meaningful
engagements with Taiwan? Explain and give your opinion. (250 words) .................................... 111
Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate. ......................... 114
Change is the only thing that is constant. However multilateralism is resistant to change. It.
Discuss with examples. Also suggest how to uphold multilateral order in the world in the
current testing times. (250 words) ................................................................................................ 114
Discuss how government of India is using social media as a force multiplier in the times of
occurrence of disasters and their management. (250 words) ...................................................... 117
Present the principles and purposes of the U N Charter. (250 words) ........................................ 119
Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s
interests. ............................................................................................................................................. 121
Brief about the disputed boundary areas between India and China, What are the reasons for
increased tensions? Suggest ways to address them.(250 words) ................................................ 121
Do you think the recent China’s unilateral measures with respect to Hong Kong will erode both
rights and prosperity in the city-state? Discuss. (250 words)....................................................... 125

Amidst Covid crisis, focusing on blue economy and environment protection to develop region’s
multilateral development is the immediate step for Indo-Pacific region. Analyse. (250 words) 127
Discuss the possible intensive bilateral political and institutional engagements that can happen
between Delhi and Canberra. (250 words) ................................................................................... 129
Analyze the detrimental effect of the new cold war on multilateralism and elucidate on India’s
role and opportunity in such a scenario. (250 words) .................................................................. 133
Can the China’s growing economic and diplomatic clout be curbed by the newly formed Inter-
Parliamentary Alliance on China? Analyse. (250 words) .............................................................. 135
Tensions between North Korea and South Korea have re-emerged, Explain how the cold war
after World War II led to tensions in Korean peninsula in the history, Also discuss role played by
India in maintaining peace in the region. (250 words) ................................................................. 137
The violent standoff between Indian and Chinese troops in Galwan Valley of Ladakh region has
thrown the spotlight on high-altitude warfare. In this backdrop discuss how is high-altitude
warfare fought and to what extent is India equipped for it? (250 words) .................................. 140
Should India boycott China, or focus on policies that support self-reliance and invest sufficiently
to be at par in terms of economies of scale with China. Deliberate.(250 Words) ....................... 143
Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian
Diaspora. ............................................................................................................................................. 146
Has the American civil rights movement lost relevance with Black citizens facing multiple
pandemics in the country? Critically analyse. (250 words) .......................................................... 146
The recent escalating tensions between USA and China bring to light a new era of cold war.
Analyse the possible impact and the international ramifications of it.(250 words) ................... 148
Discuss the impact of US’s withdrawal from the Persian Gulf region, How will it strain on
regional security structure? Critically examine the impact.(250 words) ..................................... 151
With regard to both new and continuing traditional challenges to international peace and
security, Discuss India’s latest approach towards UNSC. (250 words) ......................................... 154
In the context of current Covid conditions facing the entire world discuss the prospects of
diplomacy in digital age. (250 words)............................................................................................ 157
What was China’s (Xi Jinping’s) “Peaceful Development Policy”? Discuss the reasons for sudden
aggressive behaviour of China towards its neighborhood countries. (250 words) ..................... 160
What do you understand by Vaccine Nationalism? Is it against the fundamental principles of
vaccine development and global public health? Discuss the challenges and concerns associated
with it. (250 words) ....................................................................................................................... 161
Do you think time is ripe for India to develop a comprehensive Underwater Domain Awareness
strategy to not lose sight of her surrounding seas? Analyse. (250 words) .................................. 164
Analyze the likely impact of the U.S Visa ban both on American and Indian economies and the
bilateral relationship between the two countries. (250 words) .................................................. 166

Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments,

significant provisions and basic structure.
“Right to life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution encompasses the right to
timely access to justice.” Comment in the context of the current times. (250 words)
Reference: thewire.in
Why the question:
The question is amidst current tough times posed by Covid pandemic and the issues facing judiciary
due to it.
Key Demand of the question:
One has to analyse in what way Right to life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution
encompasses the right to timely access to justice and especially in the context of current times.
Directive:
Comment– here we have to express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an
overall opinion thereupon.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Briefly explain the context of the question.
Body:
Explain that during the COVID-19 pandemic, access to justice continues to be imperiled despite the
constitutional mandate and the ready access to technology. Discuss the reasons in detail; one can
bring out the past experiences in times of such emergencies. Suggest what should actually be done to
ensure justice is delivered timely.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
Introduction:

The constitution, which underpins India’s democracy, guarantees fundamental rights. The
fundamental rights are primarily available to citizens of India. The working of all high courts – and
even of the Supreme Court – has been similarly curtailed although media and other reports indicate
that the working of the other high courts and of the Supreme Court has been more efficient. This is
in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic spreading across India. Consequently, the rights of citizens – and
non-citizens – to access justice will continue to be imperilled, contrary to the Constitutional
mandate.

Body:

Challenges already facing the access to justice:

 At the best of times, our judicial system was plagued with delays. As of June 2019, the backlog of
cases in the Bombay high court was nearly 4.6 lakh cases.
 Matters pertaining to life and liberty of an individual cannot be denied hearing at this juncture.
 Although the courts are technically closed since the beginning of the lockdown, new cases
continue to be filed, electronically – implying that new cases continue to be added to India’s
already overwhelmed judicial system during the on-going lockdown, further burdening the
judges and increasing the number of pending cases.
 Over 60,000 cases are pending in the Supreme Court alone, India Today had reported last
month.

Impacts on Fundamental right to life and liberty:

 The right to life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution encompasses the right to timely
access to justice.
 The right to equality before law also encompasses the right to timely access to justice.
 In Anita Kushwaha v. Pushpa Sudan (2016) the Supreme Court ruled “Access to justice is and
has been recognised as a part and parcel of right to life in India and in all civilised societies
around the globe.
 Further, a “citizen’s inability to access courts …. is bound to result in denial of the guarantee
contained in Article 14 both in relation to equality before law as well as equal protection of
laws”.
 Accessible justice not only means the accessible location of courts but it also means affordable
justice, easy court procedures, & justice on time. The recent justice of SC which acquitted the
Talwar couple after conviction & jail captivity of 5 years shows the lack of Fair & Timely justice.
 Large number of pending cases, lack of use of IT in courts, loopholes of collegium system,
temporary judges as Chief Justice in 7 High Courts & large no of vacancies in courts make Justice
inaccessible.

Measures needed in the current COVID-19 situation:

 The Supreme Court recently passed directions for all courts across the country to extensively use
video-conferencing for judicial proceedings saying congregation of lawyers and litigants must be
suspended to maintain social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic
 It is critical to draw up a well-defined and pre-decided framework as it can help in laying a
concrete roadmap and direction to the e-courts scheme of India.

 To achieve this, the government must establish an effective task force consisting of judges,
technologists, court administrators, skill developers and system analysts to draw up a blueprint
for institutionalizing online access to justice.
 Such a task force must be charged with the responsibility of establishing hardware, software and
IT systems for courts; examining application of artificial intelligence benefiting from the data
base generated through e-courts projects; establishing appropriate e-filing systems and
procedures.
 Creating skill training and recognition for paralegals to understand and to help advocates and
others to access the system to file their cases and add to their pleadings and documents as the
case moves along.
 Once the blueprint is ready, the High Courts across the country may refer the same to the Rule
Committee of the High Court to frame appropriate rules to operationalize the e-court system.
 One aspect that needs to be focused on is the deployment of a robust security system that
provides secure access to case information for appropriate parties. The security of e-courts
infrastructure and system is of paramount importance.
 Also, user friendly e-courts mechanism, which is simple and easily accessible by the common
public will encourage litigants to use such facilities in India.
 The government must also make dedicated efforts in the training of personnel to maintain all
the e-data.
 Also, conducting training sessions to familiarize the Judges with the e-courts framework and
procedure can give a huge impetus to the successful running of e-courts.

Way forward for Indian litigation and arbitration:

 In India, a significant amount of time is spent in resolving disputes which has been the real bane
of the Indian judiciary system. The e-courts project, if implemented, would go a long way in
saving costs and time for the litigants.
 The present government is taking active steps to establish e-courts all over India. All these
government efforts will result in providing quick and cost effective solutions to the litigants.
 The judiciary system in India with the help of e-courts can overcome the challenges and make
the service delivery mechanism transparent and cost efficient.
 Further, the e-court project also requires the executive and the judiciary to reaffirm their resolve
to support a speedy, efficient and quality justice delivery in the country. It is also important to
discuss steps required to surmount the various challenges facing the justice system.

Discuss the idea of multiple state capitals. Explain in what way it may impact the
governance of a state in the country? Substantiate with suitable example. (250 words)
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
Recently Under the three-capital concept, Amaravati would be the Legislative capital,
Visakhapatnam the Executive capital and Kurnool the Judicial capital, said Andhra Pradesh Governor
Biswa Bhusan Harichandan.
Key Demand of the question:
One must discuss the idea of multiple state capitals. Explain in what way it may impact the
governance of a state in the country. Give suitable examples to justify your answer.
Directive:

Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the
details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for
and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by explaining the concept of multiple state capitals.
Body:
One can present the case of – The Andhra Pradesh Assembly that has passed the Capital Region
Development Authority Repeal Bill 2020 and the AP Decentralization and Inclusive Development of all
Regions Bill 2020. Discuss in short the details of the Bill. Explain the concerns associated with the
multiple capitals. Explain why it may not be suitable for the Indian system of governance. Suggest
what other alternatives are available.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward that – Given the fact that the present proposal leads to more concerns
than benefits, there is a need for reconsideration on the part of the government. All wings of the
state involving the legislature, executive and judiciary need to sit together for effectiveness.
Introduction:

The Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly passed the AP Decentralization and Inclusive
Development of All Regions Bill, 2020 that intended to give shape to state government’s plan of
having three-capital concept — executive capital in Visakhapatnam, legislative in Amaravati and
judicial in Kurnool. Addressing the State Legislature through video conferencing from Raj Bhavan to
formally mark the beginning of the Budget session of the Andhra Pradesh Assembly recently, the
Governor said, under the three-capital concept, Decentralization of administration and inclusive
development of all regions of the state was the key principle.

Body:

Rationale behind 3 capitals:

 The government says it is against building one mega capital while neglecting other parts of the
state. Three capitals ensure equal development of different regions of the state.
 Decentralization has been the central theme in recommendations of all major committees that
were set up to suggest a suitable location for the capital of Andhra Pradesh.
 The other argument in favor is it sits in line with various reports like- Sribagh pact, which
happened between Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra in 1937, where it was decided that if high

court is in coastal Andhra, capital should be in Rayalaseema. but after the formation of Andhra
Pradesh, it was left out and Hyderabad became the capital.
 Even the Justice SriKrishna committee, which was set up to decide the capital region for AP
recommended having high court and other institutions in different regions.
 And a secretariat in Vizag can help in the development of regions like Vizianagaram and
Srikakulam, which consists of most of the tribal and rural areas and are the most backward
regions of the state.
 This may bring health and educational access to the region and may prevent uddanam like
incidents, where several people are suffering from chronic kidney disease.
 Kurnool having a high court is like doing Justice to the district or even entire Rayalaseema, as it is
the most backward region when compared with coastal Andhra and Telangana with Hyderabad
at the time of bifurcation.
 The concept of two capital cities is not uncommon: nearly 15 countries across the world have
multiple capitals. For instance, Bolivia, Georgia and the Netherlands have two capitals! South
Africa has three capitals — Bloemfontein, Cape Town, and Pretoria — that house it’s judicial,
legislative and executive branches.
 Examples of Indian States/UTs with ‘Second’ Capital:
o Kerala: where high court is in Kochi and the legislature and Secretariat in
Thiruvananthapuram. And in Uttarakhand and Lucknow.
o Maharashtra: The winter session of the state legislature is held in Nagpur. It doesn’t
have any legal status as a capital.”
o Himachal Pradesh: As of now, the winter session of the state legislature is held in
Dharamshala.

Benefits of having multiple state capitals:

 It widens the space for representative democracy.

 The Upper house act as a check on hasty actions by Legislative Assembly.
 They provide a forum for academicians and intellectuals to contribute to the legislative process.
 Academicians and intellectuals may not be suitable for the nature of electoral politics in
Legislative Assembly.
 It provides a mechanism for a more serious appraisal of legislation.
 It would allow for more debate and sharing of work between the Houses.
 To act as a check on hasty actions by the popularly elected House.
 To ensure that individuals who might not be cut out for the rough-and-tumble of direct elections
too are able to contribute to the legislative process.
 Having a second chamber would allow for more debate and sharing of work between the
Houses.

Challenges of multiple state capitals concept:

 In a parliamentary system of government, executive and legislature are 2 sides of a coin.

 One should realize that these 3 organs, most of the time have to work in resonance as most of
their work is interlinked.
 For example, a policy or a bill is made by the cabinet in Secretariat in Vizag and the bill has to be
passed in the legislature in Amaravati and if any conflict arises it has to be given judgment in the
high court situated in Kurnool. It will result in the traveling cost not only for the public
authorities but also for a common person, for example, a person in Kurnool has to travel about

700 km to get work done in Secretariat in Vizag. So a single capital not only reduces the cost but
also time is taken to get the work done.
 Coordinating between seats of legislature and executive in separate cities will be easier said than
done, and with the government offering no specifics of a plan, officers and common people alike
fear a logistics nightmare.
 The proposal to have the legislature and executive at different places will lead to an unnecessary
drain of resources for the state given that the ministers who perform both executive, as well as,
legislative functions will need to constantly move between the two capitals at the expense of the
state resources.
 Another counter-argument is strengthening the local bodies, both in urban and rural areas. If the
government’s goal is to decentralize development, the best way possible is the financial
strengthening of the local bodies, granting more money to execute their functions in the 11th
and 12th schedule of the Indian constitution. This not only results in the development of even
remote areas but also improve governance, as it increases the participation of common people
in the development process.
 People mostly farmers of 29 villages, who gave farmland in and around previously selected
Amaravati region, to the previous government in land pooling, where they are expecting to get
in return land and commercial building. Now they feel cheated after backing out of the
previously proposed single capital.
 This may result in people from other regions being skeptical (doubt) of the government’s
Promises in the future, making it very difficult in the land acquisition or pooling for any
development process.

Way forward:

 Given the advances in communications technology, it is not important to locate everyone in

the same place. We also have multiple judiciary benches in some states for the sake of
efficiency.
 Decentralization in the State should take place by empowering the local governments i.e.
the Panchayats and Municipal Corporations which were constituted after the enactment of
the 73rd and the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act.
 Multiple capitals should not be used as an instrument for the development of the region.
 The development of the region can be brought by making an investment in the
manufacturing and service sectors, bringing different policies benefiting the farmers and
ease of doing business, development of the infrastructure, development of the social-
cultural institutions such as universities, hospitals, etc.

45 years ago to the day what is considered as the biggest blot on Indian democracy-
emergency was imposed. Have we as a nation done enough since then to ensure that
institutions have been strengthened to withstand such an assault on the freedom of the
people? Critically analyse. (250 words)
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
This day 45 years ago in 1975 Emergency was proclaimed and imposed in India which even today
remains as the biggest blot on the Indian democracy. Thus the context of the question.
Key Demand of the question:
The question aims to analyse if we as a nation have done enough since then to ensure that
institutions have been strengthened to withstand such an assault on the freedom of the people.
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INSTA SECURE SYNOPSIS

Directive:
Critically analyze – When asked to analyse, you have to examine methodically the structure or
nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them as a whole in a summary.
When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the
topic and give a fair judgment.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Narrate briefly the historical background and situation of emergency imposed in 1975.
Body:
40 years ago to the day, what is considered as the biggest blot on Indian democracy was imposed on
the people. The internal emergency which was proclaimed by then congress government including
suspension of fundamental rights is considered one of the most traumatic periods for the fledgling
democracy. This time period is also seen as the coming of the age of the Indian democracy. But, later
the Indian parliament passed amendments to the constitution, the 44th amendment, to ensure that
the future governments will not find it easy to impose another emergency in the country.
Explain the ills of such an undemocratic act. Discuss how it led to transformative changes in the
system like – gave the beginning of the end of dominance by a single political party at the centre in
India.
The Emergency propelled several political leaders long in political wilderness straight into office, and
introduced the idea of an ‘opposition’ leader in the ruling structure. An enduring lesson India’s
political classes imbibed silently was on the importance of keeping control over state media and the
retention of the Emergency clause in the Constitution.
Conclusion:
Conclude that India has now become a more mature democracy; however democracy is always a
work in progress.
Introduction

Most commemorate the Emergency on June 26 as a reminder of the bleak 21 months when
democracy was derailed. The Emergency came into effect on June 25 at 11.45 pm when then
President, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed under Article 352(1), signed the proclamation, even though he was
alerted that it would be constitutionally untenable.

Body

Emergency era: Background

The socio-economic condition of India was in a dire state following the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation
War and the staggering influx of refugees. The US Government, too, stopped all aids to India leading
to an increase in commodity pricing and general distress among the people.

 Catalyst: In 1974, a student agitation by the Bihar Chatra Sangharsh Samiti received the support
of Gandhian socialist Jayaprakash Narayan, referred to as JP, against the Bihar government.

 Meanwhile, in Patna, JP called for "total revolution," asking students, peasants, and
labour unions to non-violently transform Indian society. He also demanded the
dissolution of the state government, but this was not accepted by Centre.

 Court Case: Raj Narain filed cases of election fraud and use of state machinery for election in the
Allahabad High Court. Allahabad High Court found Indira Gandhi guilty and declared her
election null and void and unseated her from her seat in the Lok Sabha.

 Indira Gandhi challenged this in Supreme Court. But the Apex court upheld the High
Court judgement.

 Grounds of Emergency declaration: The goal of the 21-month-long Emergency in the country
was to control “internal disturbance”.

 Indira Gandhi justified her steps in terms of national interest, primarily based on three
grounds.

 India’s security and democracy, rapid economic development and upliftment of the
underprivileged and intervention of powers from abroad which could destabilise and
weaken India.

 Censorship: All the newspapers in the country were asked to take permission before publishing
any anything by the Press Advisor.

 Opposition stifled: Most of Indira Gandhi's political opponents were imprisoned.

 Human Rights Violation: Several other human rights violations were reported from the time,
such as detention of peaceful protestors, custodial torture and mass-sterilization camps.

Changes post Emergency era to strengthen institutions

 44th Constitutional Amendment: It aimed to undo many changes done by 42nd Amendment and
ensure that emergency was not declared on dubious grounds.

 This loose and vague wording of “internal disturbance” was exploited when government
declared the emergency on June 25, 1975, effectively suspending fundamental rights
and division of powers.

 The word “internal disturbance” was removed and instead “armed rebellion” was
inserted. Internal disturbance not amounting to armed rebellion would not be a ground
for the issue of a Proclamation.

 Right of the media to report freely and without censorship the proceedings in
Parliament and the State Legislatures.

 The Janata Party included a provision stating that the cabinet ministers must give, in writing,
the advice to the president to declare Emergency.

 The amendments post-Emergency have ensured that Emergency can no longer be

imposed in a nonchalant manner

 Judiciary as protector of rights: Even during emergency, Article 20, 21 cannot be suspended and
this was upheld. Judiciary also struck down the MISA Act (The Maintenance of Internal Security
Act).

 Coalition era: Post emergency was the breakdown of the

 The 44th Amendment Act 1978 reversed the provision made by 42nd amendment act that
allowed the government to amend the constitution on its wish by Article 368. 44th Amendment
Act nullified this unjustified power to the government.

 The right to liberty is further strengthened by the provision that law for preventive detention
cannot authorise, in any case, detention for a longer period than two months, unless an Advisory
Board has reported that there is sufficient cause for such detention.

Shortcomings

 Dominance of Archaic Laws:

 India is a young nation but it is still ruled by old laws.

 For example, the police is governed by such colonial-era statutes as the Police Act of
1861, which predates independence by nearly a century.

 The archaic laws are inadequate in addressing contemporary challenges. Like the
Sedition Act – ideally such a law must be repealed in an era of free speech. Yet this is
being used extensively to suppress dissent.

 Lowering Standards of Parliamentary Scrutiny: In order to ensure that Parliament discharges its
law-making responsibilities effectively, the concept of Department-related Standing Committees
was introduced in March 1993.

 These committees are meant to scrutinize legislation pertaining to specific ministries.

 However, the majority of the bills were passed by the Parliament through a voice vote,
without much debating and without referring them to the parliamentary committees.

 For example, RTI Amendment Act (2019), UAPA Amendment Act (2019) - which have
huge implications on civil liberties, were passed without referring them to the
Parliamentary committee.

 One party dominant system: Like the Congress system of yester years, there is once again
dominance of one single party in the Parliament. Major decisions are being passed without
adequate debates and discussions.

 Weakened Opposition in India: Democracy works on the principle of checks and balances.

 It is these checks and balances that prevent democracy from turning into
majoritarianism.

 In Parliamentary system, these checks and balances are provided by the opposition
party.

 However, the majority of a single party in the Lok Sabha has diminished the role of an
effective opposition in the Parliament.

Conclusion

The 21 months of the Emergency had a lasting impact on India. Moreover, the Constitution was
amended in an autocratic manner, particularly in the 42nd amendment as the government enjoyed a
huge majority in parliament. This must serve as a reminder for the current institutions to ensure the
integrity of the Parliament and other constitutional bodies are maintained. Democracy must be
upheld and made more representative, with proper checks and balances on power politics.

Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges
pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local
levels and challenges therein.
What is arbitrary use of law? Discuss various forms of arbitrary use of power in the
country with suitable examples. (250 words)
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The article presents to us the case of Denial of bail to a pregnant woman and thus exposing us to the
fact of arbitrary use of power and threats from it.
Key Demand of the question:
The question asks us the arbitrary use of law and its manifestations in various ways.
Directive:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the
details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for
and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
There was a recent arrest and denial of bail to a pregnant woman for participating in protest against
the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019. This incident reflects virus of arbitrary use of power amidst
corona virus.
Body:
Explain what is arbitrary use of law? – It implies absence or selective use of law. Basic feature of
arbitrariness is to be at the mercy of the whim or fancy of someone else. For ex., biased treatment of
police when people violates law, police excesses like seizing driving license for small violations etc.
Then move onto explain the different forms of it – Political enslavement, Arbitrary exercise of social
power, Capitalist arbitrary use of power etc.
Discuss the negatives of such arbitrary use of power; explain what needs to be done.
Conclusion:
Conclude by suggesting solutions to prevent such arbitrary use of power and state that arbitrary
usage of power has no place in democratic country like India which violates basic freedom of citizens.
Introduction

The denial of bail to a pregnant student-activist, arrested for creating disorder on an ‘unprecedented
scale’ when all she appeared to have done was actively participate, like many others, in a protest
against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, proposed by the government. This has evoked
debate on arbitrary use of power to crush peaceful protests and dissent in the country.

Body

Arbitrary use of law: Meaning

 Arbitrary use of power, is implied by the absence or selective use of law. It is deeply
troublesome, when exercised by a democratically elected government.

 Frequent arbitrariness in the political domain leads to tyranny, quite like when persistently
present in the social sphere, it leads to slavery. Either way, it tramples upon basic freedoms.

 Individuals, communities or citizens cannot function freely without a stable set of expectations.
By stabilising expectations, laws enable significant freedoms, even as they restrict some others.

 Eg: Knowing that a person is legally eligible to drive on the left of the road, gives a sense
of security and freedom to drive without risking a headlong collision and regulate his
actions i.e. increases the predictability of leading life.

 Laws enable our actions and interactions to become broadly predictable. Many of our freedoms
require that the arbitrary, by which is meant ‘unpredictable, random or unexpected’ does not
throw us off balance. The arbitrary blocks freedom.

 When power is exercised arbitrarily by the state, a person is made to act not in accordance with
a legitimate, general rule but at the pleasure of state officials.

 The most extreme example of this is political enslavement, when an entire people are
colonised, subjected to the will of the colonisers, where laws, good or bad, flow from
the like and dislike of colonial masters.

Forms of arbitrary use of power in India

 Political enslavement: This occurs in places where there is lack of representation of people. A
whimsical and arbitrary use of power ensues when there is authoritarianism in the country. Eg:
Arab spring was a result of such abuse of power and it’s ramifications on the people.

 In India, for instance, NSA (National Security Act) has come under wide criticism for its
misuse by the authorities. Experts describe the validity of the Act even during peacetime
as 'anachronism'.

 Capitalist arbitrary use of power: Unbridled capitalism is marked by an absence of laws to

regulate labour; workers can be hired or fired at the will of the employer and no fixed hours of
work exist.

 Unregulated wage-labour works pretty much like slavery.

 Post pandemic crisis, many states were considering increasing the working hour limits in
the factory, thereby overriding the Factory Act.

 This will lead to exploitation of people and is manifest injustice to the lower strata of the
economy.

 Arbitrary use of social power: Though slavery in its older form does not exist, modern slavery is
still perpetuated due to arbitrary use of power. This is true in case of most unorganized sector
workers who do not have any social security benefits and are at the mercy of their employers.

 For eg: Exploitation of workers such as harassment, non-payment of wages, sexual

assault on women continues to occur and goes unnoticed.

 Loss of freedom

 During the Emergency, Opposition leaders were thrown in jail on the false charge of
conspiring against the state and thereafter a small crack unit began to arbitrarily control
the activity of anyone politically significant.

 Internet shutdown: Ironically, a new report from Brookings Institute shows that India
has the dubious position of reporting the highest number of incidents involving the

government-mandated shutdown of internet access while it also runs Digital India

Programme.

 Increasingly governments are resorting to shutting down the internet as the go-
to solution for maintaining law and order like in case protests emanating from
Citizenship Amendment Act, Ayodhya dispute judgement etc.

 These shutdowns curb free speech online and have other multidimensional
implications.

 The grounds of preventive detention, to be used in very rare cases, must likewise
assume that the suspicion of offence is well-grounded, based on available evidence, on
relevant information that satisfies any objective observer, and not on mischievous
allegations.

 Stifling legitimate dissent: The Right to Dissent is an important addition of expressing one’s
view, and on many of its most important constituent elements. It will enable practitioners and
citizens to claim their rights and participate more effectively in the project of democracy.

 Eg: The quick arrest of academicians, human rights activists’ journalists and thinkers by
the Maharashtra police in connection with the Bhima-Koregaon violence started
discussion on dissent in democracy

 The blanket labelling of dissent as anti-national or anti-democratic strikes at the heart

of our commitment to protect constitutional values and the promotion of deliberative
democracy. Eg: Arresting peaceful protestors of Citzenship Amendment Act

Conclusion

There is an inverse relation between arbitrary political power and freedom. Even democracies
contain authoritarian spaces within them where the law can be used to continuously harass
opponents. Post-emergency India restored faith in democracy. This must be upheld by those in
power, ensuring the sanctity of the freedom that was gained from the colonisers.

Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, functioning, conduct of business,

powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
“The Constitution avoids the tight mold of federalism and could be both unitary as well
as federal according to the requirements of time and circumstances.” Discuss in the
current context. (250 words)
Reference: Indian polity by Lakshmikant
Why the question:
The question is based on the concept of federalism as enshrined in the Indian constitution and its
uniqueness.
Key Demand of the question:
Explain the statement in question with its contextual understanding applied to the current pandemic
conditions.
Directive:

Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the
details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for
and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start with a brief introduction about the meaning of Federalism.
Body:
The body of the answer must capture the following dimensions – Explain that Federalism is a system
of government in which sovereignty is divided between a central authority and constituent political
units, such as states or provinces. A discussion on Indian Federalism and how its avoids the tight mold
of Federalism having both Federal and Unitary features Examining the flexibility of Indian Federalism
according to change in circumstances and time. Explain the case of federalism applied to current
conditions in the country discuss various issues. And suggest measures.
Conclusion:
Conclude with significance of such a model unique to India.
Introduction

India is a federal state where the Centre and the State are the Cooperating units of the polity. Yet
India is an asymmetrical federalism, with the balance of power tilting in the favour of the
Centre. Article 256 deals with Union-state relation and State’s obligation while Article 365 mandates
the state governments to follow and implement the directions of the Central government.

Body

Unitary features of Indian federalism

 Article 355 enjoins the Union to “… ensure that the government of every State is carried on in
accordance with the provisions of this Constitution”.

 Example: When State governments raised concerns about the NPR, the Union insisted that
States are under a constitutional duty to implement laws passed by Parliament.

 Article 356 not a dead letter: Centre has the power to impose President’s rule under Article 356
if it’s laws are not complied by states.

 Centrally sponsored Schemes: CSS is the biggest component of Central Assistance to state plans
(CA), where states don’t have much flexibility.

 Enforcement of International Treaties and Agreements. This provision enables the central
government to fulfil its international obligations (Art. 253).

 The Lokpal and the Lokayuktas Bill, 2011 was introduced in the Parliament through the
provisions of this particular article.

 Article 200: Reservation of state Bills by Governor for President’s assent.

 Article 256 mentions that the executive power of every state shall be so exercised as to ensure
compliance with laws made by Parliament and any existing laws, which apply in that state, and
the executive power of the Union shall extend to the giving of such directions to a state as may
appear to the Government of India to be necessary for that purpose.

However, States are NOT mere administrative agencies

In the landmark S.R. Bommai judgment, Supreme Court said that States are not mere “appendages”
of the Centre.

 Legislative/Administrative

 Separation of Power: Schedule 7 of Constitution provides strict delineation of powers

between center and state. (Except during emergencies which comes under judicial review)

 Article 131 of the Constitution, which gives the Supreme Court exclusive jurisdiction to hear
cases between states and the Centre.

 Eg: Chhattisgarh moved SC against NIA Act in Jan 2020.

 Coalition governments: It has increased states’ bargaining power.

 Financial

 GST Council: Majority decisions have been based on consensus till now, while states gave
2/3rd of votes.

 Since 10th FC, state’s share has been continuously increasing till 14th FC by devolving 42%.

 Other Areas

 NITI Aayog: Replacing the erstwhile Planning Commission, the Aayog is promoting bottom-up
approach to development planning.

 Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas involves State’s as equal partners of development. There is a move
towards competitive and cooperative federalism.

Federalism in the times of pandemic

Issues

 State’s dwindling resources: The findings suggest that recent changes in India’s fiscal
architecture, including the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime, and increase in state shares for
the Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSSs) had placed state finances in a precarious position, even
prior to the crisis.

 Lockdown without prior notice: There was no prior consultation with states before the
lockdown was imposed on 25th It caused serious supply chains breakdown and
importantly migrant workers chaos.

 Struggling for fiscal space: The announcement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the Rs 20-
lakh crore Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan (Self-reliant India Campaign) package left many
scrambling with the fiscal maths

 Increasing dependency on Centre: The dependency of states on the Centre for revenues has
increased, with the share of the revenue from own sources declining from 55% in 2014-15 to
50.5% in 2020-21.

 Yet despite the sticking issues, there is a federal spirit that is being displayed in the interest of
the people in the country.

 Unique brand of federalism: India’s flexible federal structure which has come handy in an
emergency situation.
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 Unlike the United States, another large federal country where the Washington and states are
engaged in a vicious battle to keep their controls, India’s unique band federalism has
allowed for a swift and coordinated response to tackle the pandemic.

 States are autonomous: While the Centre and its key ministries such as Home and Health have
taken the lead in developing protocols and advisories, states are autonomous enough to act in
their own ways.

 For instance, Kerala has developed its own model, so also Odisha and Rajasthan.

 Even district administration in Agra and Bhilwara have done well to contain the infection
within the broad federal framework.

 Empowering the states: The NDMA is placed in the Entry 23 of the Concurrent List thereby all
tiers of government including the third tier institutions such as municipal and rural local bodies
are empowered to contribute in disaster management and mitigation activities.

 Once full lockdown was announced by the Centre, it directed all the states to invoke Section
2 of the EDA, 1897.

Way-Forward

To sum up, for a large federal country of a mind-boggling diversity, India’s ability to fight Covid-19
pandemic largely rests on how well it manages its Centre-state relation.

 When compared with other large federal countries such as the US, the country has done very
well to minimize the frictions and provide a sense of direction to the states.

 However, tackling Covid-19 as seen from the experience of other countries would require
a differential and agile response across states and the Centre has at best to play the role of
a mentor in providing leadership and resource support.

 The rigid approach as evident in lockdown phase would prove a major hurdle. States must
be cleared their dues and be given ample fiscal space to ensure economy is revived.

 States must be allowed to lead in terms of reviving economy, generating income support, jobs
while contain the virus at the same time.

 The next big change will come when the current Centre-state relationship gets redefined in a
way that enables the 28 states to become federal in the true sense – as self-sustaining economic
territories in matters of energy, water, food production and waste recycling.

 Our economic geography of production, transport and communication has to change – it has to
become distributive rather than being focused towards the Centre.

 Centrally distributed funds will need to be directed specifically to build the capacities of each
state.

 The instruments will enable them to embark on a sustainable economic recovery whose base
is widely distributed across the various panchayats and districts of each state.

 Driving distributive recovery will be energy, transport, supply chains, public administration,
rule of law, agriculture and rural development.

 In short, the real cooperative federalism which the Centre has been espousing for many years is
now put on test and the Centre must ensure states are given full cooperation to battle the
challenge.

Latest incidents reasserted again and again that anti-defection law of the country is
scant to prevent defections. Analyse the statement and Suggest measures to make anti-
defection law more effective. (250 words)
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The article talks about the misuse of anti-defection law.
Key Demand of the question:
One has to narrate the recent incidents that are clear evidences of misuse of anti-defection law. And
suggest measures to make the law more effective.
Directive:
Analyze – When asked to analyse, you have to examine methodically the structure or nature of the
topic by separating it into component parts and present them as a whole in a summary.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Recent incidents in Manipur reflect state of Indian democracy in general and violation of anti-
defection law in specific.
Body:
One can start by presenting the case of Manipur – explain the course of events that happened and
highlight the misuse of anti-defection law.
Talk about the features of the anti-defection law in the country; The Tenth Schedule was inserted in
the Constitution in 1985 by the 52nd Amendment Act. It lays down the process by which legislators
may be disqualified on grounds of defection by the Presiding Officer of a legislature based on a
petition by any other member of the House etc.
Then present the loopholes in it. Highlight the lacuna and challenges associated.
Suggest measures to overcome the same.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
Introduction

Recently, some of the sitting MLAs in the Manipur government defected to the opposition creating
instability in the state’s polity. This politics of defection in Manipur is not unique, there have been
some other recent examples of defection in Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh and
Uttarakhand.

Body

Background

 For a very long time, the Indian political system was impacted by political defections by
members of the legislature. This situation brought about greater instability and chaos in the
political system.
 Thus, in 1985, to curb the evil of political defections, the 52nd constitution amendment act on
anti-defection was passed and the 10th Schedule was added in the Indian Constitution.
 91st Constitution Amendment Act-2003 was enacted and was aimed at limiting the size of the
Council of Ministers to debar defectors from holding public offices, and to strengthen the anti-
defection law.

Flaws of the current Anti-defection law

 Does not prevent Defection: The Anti-defection law has failed to curb “horse trading” and
defection, leading to toppling of governments through machinations of corrupt legislators.

 Eg: The 17-MLA’s of coalition government resigned in Karnataka, leading to change in

government. The 17 MLA’s later contested from the party that formed new government.

 Wholesale defection: The law prevents individual defections, but not wholesale defections.

 Eg: Congress government in Madhya Pradesh lost majority due to resignations of MLA’s.

 Against the true spirit of representative democracy: The anti-defection law seeks to provide a
stable government by ensuring the legislators do not switch sides.

 However, this law also enforces a restriction on legislators from voting in line with their
conscience, judgement and interests of his electorate.

 Impedes legislative control on government: The anti-defection law impedes the oversight
function of the legislature over the government, by ensuring that members vote based on the
decisions taken by the party leadership.

 In short, if legislators are not able to vote on laws independently, they would not act as an
effective check on the government.

 The Anti-Defection Law, in effect, dilutes the separation of powers between the Executive
and the Legislature – and centralises power in the hands of the executives.

 Role of presiding officer of the house: The law lays down that legislators may be disqualified on
grounds of defection by the Presiding Officer of a legislature based on a petition by any other
member of the House.

 However, there are many instances when presiding officers play a part with the vested
interests of a political party/government in power.

 Also, the law does not specify a time period for the Presiding Officer to decide on a
disqualification plea.

 The decision thus is sometimes based on the whims and fancies of the presiding officer.

 Affects the debate and discussion: The Anti-Defection Law has created a democracy of parties
and numbers in India, rather than a democracy of debate and discussion.

 In this way, it does not make a differentiation between dissent and defection and weaken the
Parliamentary deliberations on any law.

Steps to be taken

 To be used for major decision making: Several experts have suggested that the law should be
valid only for those votes that determine the stability of the government. e.g. passage of the
annual budget or no-confidence motions as recommended by Dinesh Goswami Committee.

 Non-partisan authority: Various commissions including National Commission to review the

working of the constitution (NCRWC) have recommended that rather than the Presiding Officer,

the decision to disqualify a member should be made by the President (in case of MPs) or
the Governor (in case of MLAs) on the advice of the Election Commission.

 Independent committee for disqualification: Justice Verma in Hollohan judgment said that
tenure of the Speaker is dependent on the continuous support of the majority in the House and
therefore, he does not satisfy the requirement of such independent adjudicatory authority.

 Also, his choice as the sole arbiter in the matter violates an essential attribute of the basic
feature.

 Thus, the need for an independent authority to deal with the cases of defection.

 Intra-party democracy: 170th Law Commission report underscored the importance of intra-
party democracy by arguing that a political party cannot be a dictatorship internally and
democratic in its functioning outside.

 Thus, the parties should listen to the opinions of the members and have discussions on the
same. This would give the freedom of speech and expression to its members and promote
inner-party democracy.

 Limiting Speaker’s discretion: Recent Supreme Court Judgement ruled that Speaker must decide
on disqualification within three months of receiving application. It cannot be the discretion of
the Speaker to take no action.

Conclusion

There is a need to prevent unholy defections that lead to instability in the governance
system of the nation. The current law is clearly flawed and has not effectively curbed defection due
to lure of power and money. There is a need for a more rationalised version of anti-defection laws
which will help establish a truly representative democracy.

Participation and representation are fundamental elements of a democracy. Discuss the

challenges faced by democracy in guaranteeing inclusive participation and
representation. (250 words)
Reference : Indian Polity – Laxmikanth
Why the question:
The question is from the static portions and aims to ascertain the challenges faced by democracy in
guaranteeing inclusive participation and representation.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss in what way participation and representation are fundamental elements of a democracy; also
explain the challenges faced by democracy in guaranteeing inclusive participation and
representation.
Directive:
Debate – Weigh up to what extent something is true. Persuade the reader of your argument by citing
relevant research but also remember to point out any flaws and counter- arguments as well.
Conclude by stating clearly how far you agree with the original proposition.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by explaining how the concepts of rights, freedom and equality are most central to the theme of
democracy.
Body:
Explain what you understand by Representative Democracy and Participatory Democracy.
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Present in detail arguments about Representation and Participation in Democracy, highlight its
importance.
Elucidate upon the challenges faced by democracy in guaranteeing inclusive participation and
representation.
Present the case of India.
Conclusion:
Conclude with importance of such elements to ensure success of a democracy.
Introduction:

Democracy is a form of government in which power ultimately comes from the people who
are governed, either through direct voting or through elected representatives. India is today the
largest functioning democracy in the world. The “State of Democracy in the World in 2018” index
report titled “Me Too? Political participation, protest and democracy” was published recently by the
Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). India was ranked 41, a mid-range country among flawed
democracies.

Body:

Participation and representation are two fundamental elements and principles of

democracy. They affirm that a democracy is dependent on its citizens and that this ownership is
expressed through meaningful participation by and representation of all citizens in democratic
institutions and processes.

Representative democracy is the system of government where citizens elect a

representative to represent them. It is limited in the sense that participation in government is
infrequent and brief, being restricted to the act of voting every few years. The elected
representative communicates the views of his constituents and secures their interests. In a
representative democracy, government is the expression of the will of people. Discussion, debates,
deliberations and dissents are the ways in which people exchange ideas and take decisions.

Participatory democracy involves more lay citizen participation in decision making and
offers greater political representation than traditional representative democracy, e.g., wider control
of proxies given to representatives by those who get directly involved and actually participate.

Challenges faced by democracy of India:

 Illiteracy, Poverty, Gender Discrimination, Casteism, Communalism, Religious

Fundamentalism, Regionalism, Corruption, and Criminalization of Politics are still plaguing
Indian Democracy.

 According to the last two reports, there is a rise of “conservative religious ideologies” in the
country.

 Vigilantism, violence, narrowing scope for dissent, threat to minorities and marginalized groups
has affected India's democratic values.

 Important issues like horse-trading in politics, the anti-defection law, pros and cons of post-poll
alliances and discretionary powers of the governor has brought to light the various challenges
facing Indian democracy.

 Journalists are increasingly under attack, with murders taking place in several areas.

 As a result of limited scope for fair reportage, the Indian media is classified as only “partially
free”. This is a fact which is also supported by the “Freedom in the World Report, 2018”.

 Unlike pre-poll alliances, where the voters are aware of whom they are voting for, post-poll
alliances present a new set of challenges.

 Anti-Defection law does not seem to be doing much to stop MLAs from defecting.

 Dynastic politics, lack of strong opposition at the center and Religion based politics. Ex:
Government's decision to classify Lingayats as a religious minority in Karnataka.

 The delay in disposal of cases by the courts is a concern to people.

 Misuse of data on social media sites, privacy of users and the power of social media to influence
important political outcomes.

Way Forward:

 Universal literacy i.e. education for all, poverty alleviation, elimination of gender discrimination,
removal of regional imbalances, administrative and judicial reforms and sustained economic,
social and environmental development.

 A set of rules which would curb the menace of defection as well as the misuse of powers of the
governor’s office is required.

 A defecting MLA must be disqualified from contesting or becoming a minister for at least six
years.

 A distinction needs to be drawn whether a member is leaving a party for ideological differences
or for money and power.

 In case of hung assembly, whether the governor must call the single largest party first, or a post-
poll alliance, the process must be uniform across the country.

 The governors’ discretionary powers must be abolished and replaced with clear guidelines based
on the Sarkaria Commission.

 The Judiciary must attend to urgent cases on an urgent basis; drop the practice of sealed
envelopes except in the rarest cases; be independent and be seen as independent in
appointments; and set a strong benchmark on issues related to rights in particular.

 Stricter data protection laws are required to ensure that political parties do not indulge in
practices that involve undue influencing of voting behaviour.

 Voter education, electoral reforms and periodical highlighting of the performance (or non-
performance) of elected representatives should be high priority.

 People must exercise their right to vote, participate in democracy and contribute towards the
development of the country.

 The youth must be aware of the problems that the country is facing and choose the candidate
who is most likely to bring about a change

 Democracy cannot survive without both citizens’ participation and politicians’ accountability.

 The promises of democracy can only be realized through collective action in civil society.
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 The state must respect the articulation of the politics of voice and not just the politics of the
vote.

Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and

issues arising out of their design and implementation.
“A call for Atmanirbhar Bharat is just the right impetus for local manufacturing in a
world overly dependent on China”, Do you agree? Comment. (250 words)
Reference: Live Mint
Why this question:
The article explains how India’s economy can gain from opportunities thrown up after Covid.
Key demand of the question:
Discuss the potential and prospects of having Atmanirbhar Bharat as the right impetus for local
manufacturing in a world overly dependent on China.
Directive:
Comment– here we have to express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an
overall opinion thereupon.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
First explain the ground situation in the economy owing to the Covid situation.
Body:
Discuss then the challenge that the Covid situation has thrown in front of the Indian economy and in
what way we have to understand and realize this as an opportunity that the Covid situation is giving
us to become a self-reliant economy against the huge dependence on China. Explain the impact of
becoming self-reliant economy on the local manufacturing. Suggest that a balanced approach is
needed where the economic ties with China are not totally done away with yet we are not depending
on it completely.
Conclusion:
Conclude with positives of becoming self-reliant economy.
Introduction:

The Prime Minister recently brought up the importance of local manufacturing and
consumption of locally produced goods to revive the economy that is hit badly by the ongoing health
pandemic. He emphasized that Indians needed to become “vocal for local”. In continuation,
Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan was also announced to urge Indians to be “vocal about local” brands
and buy products made domestically in a speech themed around a self-reliant nation. He hinted that
the government would need to undertake major reforms in order for the Indian industry to play a
major role in the global supply chain.

Body:

Importance of local manufacturing:

 There are about 361 products (foreign plus Indian) recognised for their uniqueness and
registered with the Geographical Indications (GI) registry.
 The registered Indian products include those from the agriculture, horticulture, textiles, food,
and manufacturing sectors.
 Much of these products have, however, just remained ‘local’ and over time could disappear
from the production calendar if they are not given a market push.

Issues with self-reliance for the manufacturing sectors:

 The world including India is currently overly dependent on China for raw materials and now is
the right time to challenge this hegemony, as companies look for alternative manufacturing hubs
in their bid to de-risk.
 Electrical equipment such as smartphones and computers are a key part of India’s import bill.
The value addition in India’s electronics industry is limited to mostly assembly, while the country
depends on imports to access most of the primary and critical components used to make them,
including printed circuit boards (PCBs).
 For instance, around 88 per cent of the components used by the mobile handsets industry are
imported from countries like China.
 Over 60 per cent of the country’s medical devices are imported as well. Other products heavily
imported into the country are cells and modules used by the country’s solar power industry
 India’s pharmaceutical industry is capable of making finished formulations, and also has
domestic manufacturers of several key ingredients used to make them. However, the industry
also imports some key ingredients for antibiotics and vitamins currently not manufactured in
India. The country is currently trying to encourage domestic firms to make these key ingredients,
known as fermentation-based APIs. However, this may take a few years.
 India imported around Rs 249 billion worth of key ingredients, including fermentation-based
ingredients, in FY19, and this accounted for approximately 40 per cent of the overall domestic
consumption, according to CII.
 Medical devices like ventilators also rely on imports of several crucial components like solenoid
valves and pressure sensors.
 Some auto manufacturers depend on imports for various components, while the country’s
electric vehicles industry is dependent, “to a large extent” on Chinese imports for chemicals
used to make cathodes and battery cells.
 Local dyestuff units in India are also heavily dependent on imports of several raw materials,
while specialty chemicals for textiles like denim are also imported.
 For instance, when China initiated its lockdown of Wuhan earlier this year during the COVID-19
pandemic, nearly 20 per cent of India’s dyes and dyestuff industry production was hit due to a
disruption in raw material.

Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan: the right impetus:

 India could be their destination of choice, provided we offer a conducive environment.

 A conducive business climate with better infrastructure and logistics, simplified land and
labour laws and single window clearances can enable India to develop a robust manufacturing
ecosystem.
 This will help attract foreign capital, latest technology, create jobs and boost our exports.
 We must also focus on Skill and Scale to be both quality and cost competitive and serve a
global customer base.
 Huge scope exists in sectors such as pharma, electronics, automobiles and defence machinery,
not only to be self-reliant but also capture a decent slice of the global supply chain.

Policy measures needed for manufacturing sector for greater local production:

 A key issue holding back manufacturing in the country and a lack of flexibility in labour laws, high
costs and low availability of land and high cost of electricity.

 Some states including UP and Madhya Pradesh have relaxed some labour laws with Karnataka
likely to follow suit.
 It will be very important for the government to take initiatives and announce more relief
packages.
 The government to provide cash infusions that allow companies to give workers jobs and buy
raw materials.
 The government will also need to increase the insolvency limit for SMEs and MSMEs to 1 crore
from 1 lakh.
 India’s manufacturers could learn a lot from the IT sector’s experience in promoting the large-
scale development of s
 Continued focus on education will help attract foreign investment and also help the economy
overcome the challenges.
 Favorable market access policies
 Investor’s confidence must be improved.
 Improving physical infrastructure from transport systems to the power sector is essential.
 Enhancing the flexibility of labour regulations.
 FDI policy requires a review to ensure that it facilitates greater technology transfer, leverages
strategic linkages and innovation.
 Attractive remuneration to motivate people to join the manufacturing sector

Conclusion:

‘Vocal for Local’ should protect industry — yet not lead to protectionism. Winston
Churchill famously said after World War II, “Never let a good crisis go to waste”. The current
pandemic will test the resilience and agility of the Indian economy for sure. However, it will also
throw up some new opportunities – it is up to us to capitalize on them and emerge stronger on the
other side of this pandemic.

Discuss the challenge of law enforcement post-COVID-19 across the world and in India
specifically. (250 words)
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The article talks about the challenge of law enforcement post-COVID-19 across the world and in India
specifically.
Key Demand of the question:
The question is straightforward and aims to discuss the challenge of law enforcement post-COVID-19
across the world and in India specifically.
Directive:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the
details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for
and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by suggesting facts that COVID-19 has turned the world upside down. There is hardly any
aspect of our life that has been left untouched by the pandemic. In a society struck by a deadly virus,
strict maintenance of public order is most essential. Only then can those affected by the disease be
looked after and given the best medical care.
Body:
Explain the following factors in detail –

Law enforcement is as important as healthcare during the current crisis.

The police have been endowed with the task of ensuring strict observance of guidelines; include
physical distancing during the lockdown phase.
COVID-19 will affect future law enforcement, which will require the management of new patterns of
crime.
Explain the change in the numbers (of the crimes), highlight the new trends in the crime.
The pandemic and the lockdown have ensured that many crimes have gone down. However, many
other crimes have gone up or will assume new forms in the near future.
As India enters the unlock mode, it is critical that law-enforcement officials think of ways of dealing
with new challenges in maintaining law and order.
Conclusion:
Conclude that the COVID experience provides an important lesson for the law enforcement agencies.
An active police-public relation can be a critical building block for future.
Introduction:

COVID-19 has turned the world upside down. There is hardly any aspect of our life that has been left
untouched by the pandemic. In a society struck by a deadly virus, strict maintenance of public order
is most essential. Only then can those affected by the disease be looked after and given the best
medical care. Law enforcement agencies have a key role to play in both supporting the
implementation of public health measures to contain the outbreak and in preventing specific
criminal activities arising from this context.

Body:

Law and Order situation during the COVID-19 lockdown period:

 Overall drop in crime:

 As the roads were deserted and there was nearly zero traffic on major highways, it ensured a
sharp reduction in traffic accidents and fatalities caused by such accidents.

 Antisocial elements could be kept at bay because of which trespass and burglary also became
more difficult crimes to commit.

 Major cities that generally report a high number of crimes found a drop in crime levels during
the lockdown period.

 Delhi Police reported a 70% fall in heinous crimes (murders and rapes) between April 1 and
15 compared to the same period last year.

 Similarly, in Chennai, the total number of crimes dropped by 79% in the March 25-April 15
period over the February 25-March 15 period.

 Uptick in domestic violence:

 On the other hand, the lockdown period saw a worrying surge in domestic violence cases.

 For example, the Tamil Nadu Police has reportedly received 2,963 calls on domestic violence
in April alone.

 There are two major factors for this rise. Most men are at home, either without work or in
fear of losing their job.

 Data show that domestic violence increases when there is greater unemployment. The fear
and insecurity of these men cause tension at home and unfortunately, women become the
victims of this tension.

 The non-availability of liquor during the lockdown period, which caused frustration among
those men who are habituated to drinking daily is considered as the second reason for the
rise in domestic violence.

 Also as health workers are busy combating the pandemic, there is little help for domestic
violence victims during times such as the current times. This shows that epidemics leave
women and girls more vulnerable to violence.

Challenges of law enforcement post-COVID-19 across the world and in India:

 A further significant challenge in some countries is to retain public trust through and beyond
the crisis.

 A global recession may also exacerbate preexisting and intensifying rural crime and conflict,
such as between farmers and herders that is playing out across Africa and often is very deadly,
even deadlier than local militancy and terrorism.

 Increased cyber-crimes:

 As huge numbers of people move to digital platforms for work and social interaction, we are
also seeing a shift in cybercrime.

 For instance, in Norway multiple public and non-public mobile health apps are being rapidly
launched to track COVID-19 in society, sparking concerns over safety and privacy matters.

 In the UK, bogus ‘coronavirus tracker’ apps have been identified, which threaten to infect
devices with malware, while new scams impersonate government departments, health
organizations and videoconferencing services.

 New portals in India have been launched to get people to donate money for the cause of
combating COVID-19.

 These fraudulent sites have been able to cheat a large number of people.

 Prevention of probable rise in organized crime:

 The pandemic is both a threat to and an opportunity for, organized crime, especially illicit
drug trade.

 The organized gangs may infiltrate health services and make profits through the sale of
prescription drugs that are not otherwise easily available to the public.

 some forms of criminal activity have also declined — for example, stricter border controls
and less international mobility has brought the unintended benefit of hindering the
international drug trade, although trade in illicit fake COVID-19 medicine has become a new
challenge.

 Prison management:

 A major challenge would be keeping prisons free of the virus.

 Many prisons have taken steps to insulate prisoners who reported positive for the virus from
the rest of the inmates.

 Increasing technology-use in policing:

 CCTV systems, facial recognition technologies, crowd sourcing, artificial intelligence, and big-
data mining have been an increasing feature of both the anti-crime world and the
authoritarian world.

 Sometimes, such virtual and/or remote technologies can play a vital, positive role for
enforcing domains where direct physical policing is scant or impossible, such as in the
dangerous case of water theft.

 Other times, they are a tool of unprecedented spying on society and repression.

Way forward:

 To maintain the public trust, policing requires to be sensitive to the local context, with greater
situational awareness by police officers on the ground and more effective communications
campaigns and dialogue with the public and businesses regionally and nationally.
 The pandemic has strengthened, if not accelerated, the need for more collaborative ways of
working and partnerships within and across the public and private sectors, moving towards a
more inclusive approach that embeds societal responsibility.
 Police have already shown skillful use of social media to disseminate all relevant information to a
majority of the population, both in urban and rural areas.
 Apart from policymakers, the police leadership will have to introspect on its recent experience
and draft a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure that will educate all police persons in
the country.
 This move will eventually take care of future virus waves, if any.
 The Supreme Court recently directed the States and Union Territories to constitute high-
powered committees to consider releasing convicts who have been jailed up to seven years on
parole, in order to decongest prisons.
 Strengthening the digital infrastructure to track the digital frauds and crimes.

“Atmanirbhar Bharat is not just a slogan but a vision with deep roots in India’s
intellectual tradition”, discuss the statement and explain how Atmanirbharta is about
resilience and decentralisation, and not isolationism. (250 words)
Reference: What is Atmanirbhar Bharat? Indian express page 6 Delhi edition

Introduction

In order to understand the intellectual underpinnings of Atmanirbhar Bharat, therefore, it is

necessary to skip past the socialist-era connotation of the term to an earlier era of thinkers like
Swami Vivekananda.

In this context, the idea of self-reliance is about resilience, leveraging internal strengths, personal
responsibility, and a sense of national mission (or “Man Making” to use the late 19th century
expression of Swami Vivekananda).

Body

It is important, at the very onset, to clarify that this idea of self-reliance is not about a return to
Nehruvian import substitution or autarkic isolationism. The prime minister emphasised that his
vision includes active participation in post-COVID global supply chains as well as the need to attract
foreign direct investment.

Atmanirbharta: Resilience not isolationism

 It should be clear that it is not a return to licence-permit raj and inspector raj of the socialist era.
 Impetus to Innovation: Far from suggesting a centralised, top-down model directed from the
“commanding heights” of the Planning Commission, the prime minister spoke of freeing Indian
entrepreneurship and innovation from bureaucratic hurdles.
 Vocal for local: This is about decentralised localism that takes pride in local brands, emphasises
resilience and flexibility, and encourages local capacity-building and indigenisation.
 Agri-reforms: The recently announced liberalisation of the agriculture sector is a good
illustration of this world view and its economic implications.
 The first reform seeks to bypass the APMC regime through a central law that would allow
farmers the freedom to sell across State borders, the other proposes a framework
for farmers (Contract farming) to enter into pre-sowing contracts that would purportedly
help assure them of offtake volumes and prices.
 Draconian Laws scrapped: The scrapping of the ECA-APMC system enables localised decision-
making by farmers even as they can participate in a national common market or export to the
global market.
 Similarly, traders can now invest in supply-chains and agri-businesses without the fear of
being arbitrarily labelled a hoarder by an inspector.
 The government still has a role but it is as an enabler, providing soft and hard infrastructure.
 Encouraging MSME’s:
 Flexibility to Industry: There is an unapologetic commitment to privatisation of non-strategic
public sector entities, opening up of new sectors like space to private investment,
decriminalisation of most aspects of corporate law, greater flexibility in labour laws, and so on.
 Maintaining welfarist policy: Nonetheless, the above emphasis on flexibility and personal
endeavour should not be confused with a completely laissez faire market economy.
 Self-reliance also means a commitment to resilience at multiple levels — at a national level,
an industry level, and at an individual level.
 For example, the government has indicated that it would provide various forms of incentives
and protection to key industries — for example, inputs for the pharmaceuticals industry.
 We have just witnessed how the vagaries of global supply chains can choke a key industry
when it is needed most.
 Similarly, the incentive structure of defence procurement has been changed to encourage
indigenisation even as foreigners are encouraged to manufacture in India.
 Resilience through safety nets: The same idea of resilience, when applied to individuals and
vulnerable social groups, calls for the creation of safety nets.
 This explains the effort to create a health insurance system (Ayushman Bharat), and the
direct benefit transfer mechanism based on Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile.
 Notice how an intellectual framework of self-reliance leads to health insurance and direct
benefit transfer (that is, resilience) but not to Universal Basic Income (that is, dependence).

Way-Forward

 A decentralised system, where economic entities are expected to be self-reliant, requires a

generalised system of social trust and the ability to enforce contracts.
 In turn, it implies a need to carry out administrative reforms and, more specifically, reform of the
legal system.
 As argued repeatedly in recent Economic Surveys, the inefficiencies and delays of the legal
system are now the single biggest hurdle to economic development.
 This is not just about the judicial process but the wider ecosystem of rules, regulations, policing,
investigation and so on.

Conclusion

Self-reliance implies that product and factor markets are made flexible in order to allow the Indian
economy to adapt to the problems and opportunities of an emerging post-COVID world. So, when
we speak of self-reliance, it is about standing up confidently in the world, and not about isolationism
behind “narrow domestic walls”.

Write a short note on Kumahar Sashaktikaran Yojana while highlighting the role of role
of Khadi and village Industries Commission? (250 words)
Reference: Financial Express .
Why the question:
KVIC distributed electric potter wheels to 80 families under Kumhar Sashaktikaran Yojana, Thus the
context of the question.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss the Kumahar Sashaktikaran Yojana while highlighting the role of role of Khadi and village
Industries Commission.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Kumhar Sashaktikaran Yojana: It is an initiative of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC)
for empowerment of potter’s community.
Body:
Discuss the objectives of the Kumhar Sashaktikaran Yojana. Explain the benefits of the scheme.
Training for advanced pottery products, providing new technology pottery equipment like the electric
Chaak, Market linkages and visibility through KVIC exhibitions.
Then discuss the role of Khadi and village Industries Commission, present its key roles and
responsibilities. Discuss its objectives. Plan, promote, facilitate, organize and assist in the
establishment and development of khadi and village industries in the rural areas in coordination with
other agencies engaged in rural development wherever necessary.
Conclusion:
Conclude with importance.
Introduction:

Kumbhar Sashaktikaran Program is an initiative of the Khadi and Village Industries

Commission(KVIC) for empowerment of potters’ community in the remotest of locations in the
country. The main objective of Kumhar Sashaktikaran Yojana is to bring back the potters’
community to the mainstream. The program reaches out to the potters in: U.P., M.P., Maharashtra,
J&K, Haryana, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Assam, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Telangana and Bihar.
The products of the potters range from Kulhar to decorative pieces like flower vase, sculptures and
interesting traditional utensils like spherical bottles with narrow mouth, Lotas with long spouts,
and other spherical utensils used for cooking as well as decorative pieces.

Body:

The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) recently launched its flagship “Kumhar
Sashaktikaran Yojana” in Pokhran – a small town in the Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan where India
conducted its first nuclear test – to restore the lost glory of the pottery site. The KVIC distributed 80
electric potter wheels to 80 potter families in Pokhran which has a rich heritage in terracotta
products.

Benefits provided:

 Training for advanced pottery products

 Latest, new technology pottery equipments like the electric wheels (Chaak)
 the KVIC also provides equipment like blunger and pug mills for mixing clay for making pottery
products.
 Market linkages and visibility through KVIC exhibitions

Outcomes:

 Due to the supply of electric wheels (chaaks), the potters have reaped the following benefits.

 More production with less hours of work.

 Less noise and better health benefits

 Less power consumption with smooth transition to higher speeds

 The machines have eliminated drudgery from the process of pottery making and resulted in
higher income of potters by 7 to 8 times.

The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) is a statutory body established by an Act of
Parliament (Khadi and Village Industries Commission Act of 1956). In April 1957, it took over the
work of former All India Khadi and Village Industries Board.

Functions:

 It is an apex organization under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, with
regard to khadi and village industries within India.
 It seeks to – “plan, promote, facilitate, organise and assist in the establishment and
development of khadi and village industries in the rural areas in coordination with other
agencies engaged in rural development wherever necessary.”
 It helps in building up reserves of raw materials for supply to producers.
 The commission focuses on creation of common service facilities for processing of raw materials,
such as semi finished goods.
 To improve the quality of Khadi products and to ensure their better acceptability for marketing,
KVIC is implementing schemes like Market Promotion and Development Assistance (MPDA)
Scheme, Khadi Reform and Development Programme (KRDP).

The Commission has three main objectives which guide its functioning. These are:

 The Social Objective – Providing employment in rural areas.

 The Economic Objective – Providing salable articles.
 The Wider Objective – Creating self-reliance amongst people and building up a strong rural
community spirit.

Conclusion:

The Kumbhar Sashaktikaran Program is aligned with the Prime Minister’s call for “Aatmanirbhar
Bharat” and strengthening of potters aimed at creating self-employment while also reviving the
dying art of pottery. By providing potters with modern equipment and training, the scheme tries to
reconnect them with the society and revive their art.

Development processes and the development industry —the role of NGOs, SHGs,
various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other
stakeholders.
Discuss the need to actively engage local communities and civil society for containment
of pandemics like COVID-19. (250 words)
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
Amidst the global agony facing every country, COVID-19 requires a new and better approach in the
country to deal with the pandemic situation and that mainly involves engaging local communities
and civil societies in action.
Key Demand of the question:
Bring out the need and importance of actively engage local communities and civil society for
containment of pandemics like COVID-19.
Directive:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the
details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for
and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
In short, highlight the current situation of the Covid-19 in the country and across the world.
Body:
The question is straightforward and aims to evaluate the importance of actively engaging local
communities and civil society for containment of pandemics like COVID-19. Discuss and present the
case of India, highlight the role being played by various NGOs, civil society organisations. Explain why
they are essential – discuss the constraints of the government.
Conclusion:
Conclude by reasserting importance of the same.
Introduction:

The community engagement and civil societies have a pivotal role in ensuring the success of India’s
anti-coronavirus campaign. The accredited social health activist (ASHA) – the community health
workers – have over time become de-facto public health employees rather than being community
representatives enjoying the unswerving confidence of people as originally envisaged. However, at
times, these community workers have been easy targets to attacks by public due to misconception,
frustration and public anger.

Body:

Crucial importance of community engagement:

 First, a concoction of local culture, values and beliefs can lead to blithe disregard of the
coronavirus threat and gravely endanger containment and mitigation efforts.
 Second, threatened livelihoods due to lockdowns and a resultant downplaying of the
coronavirus risk can instill indignation and non-cooperation, as witnessed in the case of many
migrants.
 With our weak social support system, we cannot afford quarantine allowances like in Sweden
and Singapore; even the entitled modest relief could get delayed.
 Third, there is increased likelihood of repeat lockdowns due to the virus likely to bounce back,
which will greatly test public patience and co-operation.
 Lastly, we also need to remember the trust deficit between health workers and the public that
has lingered on since decades, given our unsatisfactory public and profiteering private health
care.

Community Engagement leads to the lower levels of De-centralization:

 Community engagement is a pre-requisite for risk communication, which entails effectively

communicating the threat due to the virus, instilling the right practices and etiquette, and
combating rumours and stigma.
 Till date, the government’s machinery to communicate risk has served a thin upper- and middle-
class segment quite well.
 However, with COVID-19 moving briskly towards slums and rural hinterlands, one should not be
surprised if such incidents of non-cooperation start surfacing at a brisk pace too.
 Rural awareness generation and community engagement has unto now comprised mainly of
engaging with local panchayats, disseminating publicity material in local vernacular, and calling
on the participation of civil society organisations.
 For our anti-coronavirus campaign to be a success, community engagement has to ensue on a
war-footing, much akin to the production of ventilators and masks.
 Like the Antyodaya approach, it has to embrace the remotest community stalwart who enjoys
the community’s confidence and is perceived as an impartial non-state agent.
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 One may say that we are too far into the pandemic to focus on risk communication.
 But community engagement is more than just risk communication. It is the bedrock of
community participation, the need for which will only be felt even more acutely as the epidemic
worsens.
 Contact tracing activities will have to pick up as COVID-19 increasingly percolates to rural areas.
 Enhancing testing for SARS-CoV-2 and concomitant expansion of quarantine, isolation, and
treatment activities along vast expanses will tremendously strain our thin public health
machinery. This will not be possible without community participation at every step.

Way forward:

 Strongly involving the nearly 2.5 million informal health-care providers would become crucial for
a range of activities.
 Makeshift arrangements for transportation and care, such as motorcycle ambulances and mobile
medical units, will need to be made.
 Further, initiatives such as community kitchens of Kerala will assume tremendous importance in
cases of a stringent and prolonged lockdown.
 These, along with simply a strict adherence to social distancing throughout the pandemic,
cannot be conceived without full community participation.
 Urgent reinforcing and galvanising of community engagement activities will largely decide the
trajectory COVID-19 undertakes in India.
 Recruiting a medical workforce, augmenting infrastructure, and manufacturing personal
protective equipment on a war footing unless these go hand-in-hand with the former, will result
in undermining of both.

Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and
States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions
and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable
sections.
Do you think introduction of unconditional regular pay checks at maximum universality,
at least till the economy normalizes is the need of the hour? Analyse. (250 words)
Reference: The Hindu
Why This Question:
The article talks about the utility of universal basic income concept and its relevance amidst current
situation.
Key Demand of the question:
Answer must analyse in what way the option of offering unconditional regular pay checks at
maximum universality, at least till the economy normalizes is the need of the hour.
Directive:
Analyze – When asked to analyse, you have to examine methodically the structure or nature of the
topic by separating it into component parts and present them as a whole in a summary.
Structure of the Answer:
Introduction
Explain the context of the economic crisis brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Body

The lockdown in place to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in economic
misery to a large section of the population. The migrant laborers have been adversely affected by the
lockdown measures.
With almost 90% of India’s workforce in the informal sector without minimum wages or social
security, the economic circumstances will be worse in India than compared to developed countries.
Explain slowing world growth, discuss the employment woes in the country and suggest how the idea
of universal basic income can be of great help to tackle the situation.
Conclusion
Conclude with way forward.
Introduction:

The ongoing crisis is creating changes that could end up dividing society into pre- and post-COVID-19
days. These changes are also likely to exacerbate the novel challenges accompanying the fourth
industrial revolution. Many consider a universal basic income (UBI) programme to be a solution that
could mitigate the looming crisis caused by dwindling job opportunities.

Body:

Need for UBI in India during the current Pandemic:

 Lockdowns in some format are expected to be the norm till the arrival of a vaccine.
 With almost 90% of India’s workforce in the informal sector without minimum wages or social
security, micro-level circumstances will be worse in India than anywhere else.
 By adopting the Universal Basic Income, the India’s huge capacity and infrastructure-building
requirements will support plenty of hands in the foreseeable future.
 The frequent sight of several thousands of migrant labourers undertaking perilous journeys on
foot in inhumane conditions is a disgraceful blight on India.
 One way to ensure their sustenance throughout these trying times is the introduction of
unconditional regular pay checks at maximum universality, at least till the economy normalises.
 UBI in its true sense would entail the provision of an unconditional fixed amount to every citizen
in a country.
 UBI is also deliberated as an effective poverty-eradication tool.
 Supporters of this scheme include Economics Nobel Laureates Peter Diamond and Christopher
Pissarides, and tech leaders Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk.
 A universal programme would not only be more appropriate but it will also reduce the burden of
the bureaucracy as it is engaged in identifying the deserving beneficiaries of any targeted
programme.
 It aims to ensure in reduction of distress due to migration.
 The minimum income security would enable individuals to plan their lives better and undertake
more meaningful activities rather than be trapped in distress-driven activities in search of
subsistence.

Challenges in Implementing Universal Basic Income in India:

 There is a growth of disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence are ushering in

productivity gains that we have never seen before and are also steadily reducing human capital
requirements, making jobs a premium.
 The high cost involved in implementing UBI is a major factor contributing towards lack of
political will in working towards the universal basic income in India.

 With over 90% of the India’s workforce is employed in the informal sector without minimum
wages or social security.
 It is viewed as a means to demolish complex welfare bureaucracies while recognizing the need
for some social transfer obligations in a way that doesn’t weaken incentives significantly.
 It would reduce the motivation for work and might encourage people to live off assured cash
transfers and it is simply unaffordable.

Measures to successfully implement Universal Basic Income in India:

 The Economic Survey (2016-17) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had proposed quasi-
basic income schemes that leave out the well-off top quartile of the population as an effective
means of alleviating poverty and hunger.

 QUBRI (quasi-universal basic rural income):

o It is targeted only at poorer people in the rural areas.

o The scheme is no longer universal.

o It excludes the not-so-poor in rural areas as morally it should.

o All the schemes, rural and urban, could be cash transfer schemes, which Aadhar and the
digitisation of financial services will facilitate.

 Strengthening of institutions of the state to deliver the services the state must (public safety,
justice, and basic education and health), which should be available to all citizens regardless of
their ability to pay for them.

 The institutions of the state must be strengthened also to regulate delivery of services by the
private sector and ensure fair competition in the market.

 A better solution to structural inequality is universal basic capital (UBC). People own the wealth
they generate as shareholders of their collective enterprises. Amul, SEWA, Grameen, and others
have shown a way.

Conclusion:

The 2017 Economic Survey had flagged the UBI scheme as “a conceptually appealing idea” and a
possible alternative to social welfare programmes targeted at reducing poverty. The universal basic
income could increase the agricultural wages and the subsequent welfare schemes such as Mahatma
Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). UBI is a powerful idea whose
time even if not ripe for implementation, is ripe for serious discussion.

Tribal people in India are largely excluded by Governments at the Centre and States. In
this context throw light upon the significance of the Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana.
(250 words)
Reference: pib.gov.in
Why the question:
The article talks about the context of Money in hands of Tribal people during COVID-19
Pandemic. Thus the context is Tribal recovery in times of COVID pandemic
Key Demand of the question:
One has to explain the challenges in addressing the concerns of the tribal pockets in the country and
in what way often the policy measures taken by both centre and state ignore them.
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Structure of the answer:

Introduction:
Explain the statement – Tribal people in India are largely excluded by Governments at the Centre and
States by substantiating it with necessary facts.
Body:
The Van Dhan Scheme is an initiative of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and TRIFED. The question is
amidst the welfare schemes and policies that the government is focusing at with tribal people of
India as the target group. Discuss the mandate and key features of Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan
Yojana. Explain how the scheme is specifically aimed at the tribal population of the country.
Conclusion:
Conclude with what needs to be done to address the situation and ensure welfare of the tribals.
Introduction

The tribal population in India is nearly 104 million (8.6%), is a small minority numerically but
represents an enormous diversity of groups. They vary in respect of language and linguistic traits,
ecological settings in which they live, physical features, size of the population, dominant modes of
making a livelihood, level of development and social stratification.

Body

Problems faced by Tribal population due to non-inclusion in welfare process

 Varied Problems across communities :

 Health : For instance, recently Seven adults of the KhariaSavar community died within a span
of just two weeks. Their lifespan is approximately 26 years less than the average Indian’s life
expectancy.

 Nearly 10% in West Godavari District are affected by Sickle Cell Anaemia.

 Alienation : The problems in Red Corridor areas (especially Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya
Pradesh) is governance deficit and unfinished land reforms that has deprived the well being
of tribes.

 There is widespread infighting amongst tribes of North-East for natural resources and also of
territorial supremacy.

 Isolated Tribes such as Sentinelese as still hostile to outsiders. The government must enforce
“eyes on hands off ” policy in these cases.

 The Jarawa community is facing acute population decline due to entry of outsiders into the
area(The Andaman Trunk Road, among other projects, has cut into the heart of the Jarawa
reserve).

 Denotified, semi-nomadic and nomadic tribes are yet to be included as Scheduled Tribes.

 Their traditional occupations (snake charming, street acrobatics with animals) are now illegal
and alternative livelihood options are not provided.

 Certain tribes have been characterised as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) (earlier
known as Primitive Tribal Groups) on the basis of their greater ’vulnerability’ even among the
tribal groups. There are 75 such tribes in India.

 There is a large number of anemic women amongst the tribes. There is a shortfall of 6,796 sub-
centres, 1,267 primary health centres (PHCs) and 309 community health centres (CHCs) in the
tribal areas at an all-India level as on March 31, 2015.

 Gaps in rehabilitation: There are gaps in the rehabilitation of the tribal community members
displaced by development projects.

 Only 21 lakh tribal community members have been rehabilitated so far of the estimated 85
lakh persons displaced due to development projects and natural calamities.

Significance of PM Van-Dhan Yojana

Pradhan Mantri Van DhanYojana (PMVDY) is a Market Linked Tribal Entrepreneurship Development
Program for forming clusters of tribal SHGs and strengthening them into Tribal Producer Companies
has been launched with participation from all the 27 States from the Country.

 It seeks to improve tribal incomes through value addition of tribal products.

 Increasing Income of Tribal Population : Minor Forest Produce (MFP) is a major source of
livelihood for tribals living in forest areas.

 The importance of MFPs for this section of the society can be gauged from the fact that
around 100 million forest dwellers depend on MFPs for food, shelter, medicines and cash
income.

 It provides them critical subsistence during the lean seasons, particularly for primitive tribal
groups such as hunter gatherers, and the landless.

 Tribals derive 20-40% of their annual income from MFP on which they spend major portion
of their time.

 Women Empowerment: This activity has strong linkage to women’s financial empowerment as
most of the MFPs are collected and used/sold by women.

 Employment: MFP sector has the potential to create about 10 million workdays annually in the
country.

 Three stage value addition would be the corner stone for enhancing incomes of the tribals under
the scheme.

 The grass root level procurement is proposed to be undertaken through Self Help Groups
associated with implementing agencies.

 Convergence and Networking with other Govt. departments/scheme shall be undertaken to

utilise the services of existing SHGs like Ajeevika, etc.

 These SHGs shall be appropriately trained on sustainable harvesting/collection, primary

processing & value addition and be formed into clusters so as to aggregate their stock in
tradable quantity and linking them with facility of primary processing in a Van Dhan Vikas
Kendra.

 Capacity Building: Under Van Dhan, 10 Self Help Groups of 30 Tribal gatherers is constituted.
The establishment of “Van Dhan Vikas Kendra” is for providing skill upgradation and capacity
building training and setting up of primary processing and value addition facility.

 Working under the leadership of Collector these groups can then market their products not
only within the States but also outside the States. Training and technical support is provided
by TRIFED.

 It is proposed to develop 3,000 such centres in the country.

 The Van Dhan Vikas Kendras will be important milestone in economic development of tribals
involved in collection of MFPs by helping them in optimum utilization of natural resources and
provide sustainable MFP-based livelihood in MFP-rich districts.

Conclusion

The scheme can go a long way in augmenting the lives of tribal population with better resources,
income and skills. It strives to create better redistribution of resources and welfare of tribal
community.

The Universal Basic Income, implementation of which has repeatedly been debated in
India, seeks to alleviate poverty. Critically discuss the possibility of UBI in India in light of
COVID-19 pandemic impact. (250 words)
Reference : The Hindu
Why this question:
In its report on human rights in India, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has informed
the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) that the recommended implementation of a
universal basic income was “under examination and active consideration” of the Centre.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must weigh the pros and cons of the concept of Universal basic income as to how the
minimum income proposal would not absolve the state of its core responsibilities of providing food,
education and healthcare for the poor but however It will strengthen the State’s ability to deliver on
its promise of a guaranteed minimum standard of living .
Directive word
Critically Discuss– this is an all-encompassing directive which mandates us to write in detail about the
key demand of the question. we also have to discuss about the related and important aspects of the
question in order to bring out a complete picture of the issue in hand.
Structure of the answer
Introduction:
The ongoing crisis is creating changes that could end up dividing society into pre- and post-COVID-19
days. Give a brief about how people are being pushed into poverty and need for a social security net
in the form of basic income.
Body:
Discuss the details of –
What is Universal Basic Income (UBI)?
Why Universal Basic Income?
How does it work, pros and cons.
challenges that the state may face in Implementation of UBI.
Case studies supporting your opinion.
Conclusion:
UBI, though a noble idea, but should not completely outdo the existing essential social
services/schemes related to education and health which are not only the core functions of the state
but also indispensable for meaningful and dignified individual existence. However, the alternatives to
UBI can be explored like direct benefits transfers, conditional cash transfers and other income
support schemes which also hold the potential to yield the above mentioned benefits.

Introduction:

Universal basic income is a form of social security in which all citizens or residents of a country
regularly receive an unconditional sum of money, either from a government or some other public
institution, in addition to any income received from elsewhere. The payment is enough to cover the
cost of living. The goal is to provide financial security.

In its report on human rights in India, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has informed
the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) that the recommended implementation of a
universal basic income was “under examination and active consideration” of the Centre.

Body:

UBI characterizes the basic income in five divisions — Periodic (being paid at regular intervals, not
lump sum), cash payment (not in kind or vouchers, leaving it on the recipient to spend it as they
like), individual (not to households or families), universal (for all), and unconditional (irrespective of
income or prospects of job).

Current importance of UBI:

 The ongoing crisis is creating changes that could end up dividing society into pre- and post-
COVID-19 days.
 IMF has projected global growth in 2020 to be -3.0%, the worst since the Great Depression. India
is projected to grow at 1.9%.
 These changes are also likely to exacerbate the novel challenges accompanying the fourth
industrial revolution.
 Today, disruptive technologies like artificial intelligence are ushering in productivity gains that
we have never seen before.
 They are also steadily reducing human capital requirements, making jobs a premium.

The pros of UBI include:

 Fights Poverty and vulnerability: Poverty and vulnerability will be reduced in one fell swoop. It
increases equality among citizens as envisaged in our DPSP.

 new social contract: A social contract that will empower citizens with the freedom of choice. UBI
treats beneficiaries as agents and entrusts citizens with the responsibility of using welfare
spending as they see best; this may not be the case with in-kind transfers. Nobel
laureate Amartya Sen had also propounded that choice should be given to people, which will
lead to development.

 Better targeting of poor: As all individuals are targeted, exclusion error (poor being left out)
is zero though inclusion error (rich gaining access to the scheme) is 60 percent.

 Example: The India Human Development Survey found that in 2011-12 about half of the
officially poor did not have the BPL card, while about one-third of the non-poor had it.

 Fighting technological unemployment: With IR4.0 on the rise, there is an increase in the
automation leading to loss of many white and blue collared jobs. UBI can act as a sort of security
net for the millions of people who will be left jobless by the tech revolution.

 Supporting unpaid care workers: Those with ill or differently abled relatives are often forced to
quit their jobs and look after them full-time. UBI would allow care-workers to support
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themselves, encouraging care work and taking pressure off public services that provide care to
the sick and elderly.

 Expanding the middle class: The economic growth of high-income countries is making the rich
richer, but having very little effect on the working classes. The research of economists
Emmanuel Saez and Thomas Piketty showed that “the bottom half of earners went from making
20 percent of overall income in 1979 to just 13 percent in 2014. The top 1 percent, on the other
hand, have gone from making 11 percent to 20 percent. The pie has gotten vastly bigger, and the
richest families have reaped bigger and bigger pieces from it.” UBI would help balance this
inequality and expand the ever-shrinking middle class.

 Insurance against shocks: This income floor will provide a safety net against health, income and
other shocks.

 Improvement in financial inclusion Payment: transfers will encourage greater usage of bank
accounts, leading to higher profits for banking correspondents (BC) and an endogenous
improvement in financial inclusion. Credit – increased income will release the constraints on
access to credit for those with low income levels.

 Psychological benefits: A guaranteed income will reduce the pressures of finding a basic living
on a daily basis.

 Ending abuse: Those who suffer domestic abuse, mainly women, become trapped in violent
situations because they don’t have the means to leave them. UBI would make leaving an abusive
partner easy, and would unleash the potential of countless people trapped by domestic
violence.

 Administrative efficiency: A UBI in place of a plethora of separate government schemes will

reduce the administrative burden on the state.

The cons of UBI:

 Conspicuous spending: Households, especially male members, may spend this additional income
on wasteful activities.
 Disincentive to work: A minimum guaranteed income might make people lazy and opt out of the
labour market.
 Gender disparity induced by cash Gender norms may regulate the sharing of UBI within a
household – men are likely to exercise control over spending of the UBI. This may not always be
the case with other in-kind transfer
 Implementation: Given the current status of financial access among the poor, a UBI may put too
much stress on the banking system.
 Poor fiscal capacity: India doesn’t have the fiscal capacity to implement Universal Basic Income.
Economic Survey calculations showed that a 75% universality rate with an annual Universal
Basic Income of Rs 7,620 per year at 2016-17 prices will cost about 5% of the GDP. Economist
Pranab Bardhan showed that inflation– indexed Universal Basic Income of Rs 10,000 at 2014-15
prices—about three-quarters of that year’s poverty line—will cost about 10% of the GDP.
 Distort labour Market: Universal Basic Income can create distortions in the labour market. A
steady, permanent and guaranteed income without any work is likely to affect labour mobility
and participation. It can cause a rise in the wages too.

 Political economy of universality: ideas for self-exclusion Opposition may arise from the
provision of the transfer to rich individuals as it might seem to trump the idea of equity and
state welfare for the poor.
 Exposure to market risks (cash vs. food): Unlike food subsidies that are not subject to
fluctuating market prices, a cash transfer’s purchasing power may severely be curtailed by
market fluctuations.

Economic Survey 2016-17 views:

 Universal Basic Income should replace the welfare scheme. The Economic survey wants UBI to
replace and NOT supplement the existing social welfare, anti-poverty schemes like MGNREGA,
PMJSY etc
 Economic Survey has suggested replacing all current cash transfers with universal basic income.
 Survey in a bold step ensured that universal basic income will not be distributive in nature. The
burden to distribute the income will not be shared by the rich.
 The Survey points out that the two prerequisites for a successful UBI are: functional JAM (Jan
Dhan, Aadhar and Mobile) system as it ensures that the cash transfer goes directly into the
account of a beneficiary and Centre-State negotiations on cost sharing for the programme.

Way Forward:

 QUBRI (quasi-universal basic rural income):

 It is targeted only at poorer people in the rural areas.
 The scheme is no longer universal.
 It excludes the not-so-poor in rural areas as morally it should.
 All the schemes, rural and urban, could be cash transfer schemes, which Aadhar and the
digitisation of financial services will facilitate.
 Strengthening of institutions of the state to deliver the services the state must (public safety,
justice, and basic education and health), which should be available to all citizens regardless of
their ability to pay for them.
 The institutions of the state must be strengthened also to regulate delivery of services by the
private sector and ensure fair competition in the market.
 A better solution to structural inequality is universal basic capital (UBC). People own the wealth
they generate as shareholders of their collective enterprises. Amul, SEWA, Grameen, and others
have shown a way.

Discuss in detail the challenges faced by the disabled during the pandemic. (250 words)
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The article highlights the dismal conditions and the challenges faced by the disabled during the
pandemic.
Key Demand of the question:
Explain in detail the challenges faced by the disabled during the pandemic.
Directive:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the
details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for
and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by explaining how the pandemic has various implications for people with disabilities.

Body:
List down the various facets wherein the disabled face issues differently – Lack of employment
opportunities, Medical needs, lack of access to service etc. The challenges faced by the differently-
abled people point to a larger problem of invisibilisation of the struggles of persons with disability.
People with disability have no representation in Parliament; hence, nobody cares to ensure the
policies made for the differently-abled are intersectional in nature. Policies being framed seem to
be oblivious to the needs of the specially-abled individuals.
Conclusion:
Suggest measures to be taken to resolve such issues being faced by the disabled, the government
needs to step in with enhanced support for this vulnerable class of people. This could involve
enhanced assistance for the differently-abled. Medical needs of this section should receive special
attention. Policies being framed during the pandemic need to take into consideration the special
needs.
Introduction:

India has about Twenty-six million or 2.21 per cent of India’s population is disabled as per Census
2011 while as per World Health Organization, 15 per cent of the world’s population is disabled. For
persons with disabilities(PwDs), the pandemic and consequent lockdown have come with diverse
challenges, from sourcing essential supplies to accessing medical treatment, exercising social
distancing and much more. PwDs, including those with physical, sensory and cognitive limitations,
are facing a hard time during this coronavirus crisis given that there is also lack of access to accurate
information, social distancing and isolation norms. To make matters worse, PwDs with compromised
immunity and chronic conditions tend to be at a higher risk of getting coronavirus.

Body:

According to a report by the National Centre for the Promotion of Employment for Disabled
Persons (NCPEDP) — which includes results from a study of 1,067 people with disabilities (about
73% male, 27% female) — over 73% of those surveyed experienced serious difficulties due to the
lockdown.

Major challenges faced:

 The first is communication—getting information can be more difficult for people with vision,
hearing, and even cognitive disabilities, as popular news sources may not be accessible,
especially when information is changing quickly.
 The second barrier involves adopting recommended public health strategies, such as social
distancing and washing hands. For example, frequent hand-washing is not always feasible for
people with certain types of physical disabilities.
 The third, equitable access to health care, is a long-standing barrier worsened by COVID-19. This
ranges from getting a coronavirus test to being seen in an emergency room. For instance, drive-
up testing may be impossible if you rely on state mobility services.
 There are also existing barriers in health care settings that are exacerbated as the industry aims
to meet the surge of COVID-19 cases. For example, the use of personal protective equipment,
including masks, can make communication more difficult for patients with hearing loss.
 Additionally, the allocation of medical resources is a concern. There’s fear that medical resource
allocation, including ventilators, may be discriminatory against patients with disabilities, and
complaints have been filed in multiple states about these rationing policies.

Challenges faced by the disabled in particular during the pandemic:

 People with visual impairment and blindness:

 They depend upon touch for most of their daily activities.

 They need to hold the hand of an escort to move around.

 They cannot read the messages that the rest of the population can see.

 They cannot practice social distancing unless there are innovative approaches like keeping a
safe distance using a white cane.

 Hearing impaired:

 For the hearing impaired, especially those who are not literate, they cannot hear the
message or read it.

 Since many depend on lip-reading, they are compromised when the person giving a
message is wearing a mask.

 None of the messages in the media is using sign language interpreters. The physically
disabled cannot reach a wash basin or may not be able to wash their hands vigorously.

 Mental health issues:

 People with mental health issues cannot comprehend the messages.

 Children and adolescents with conditions like cerebral palsy or Down’s Syndrome need to
be assisted in feeding.

 people with disabilities have a higher risk of conditions such as diabetes and hypertension
which are high-risk factors for COVID-19 mortality.

 People with communication disabilities don’t know how to express their problems.

 Other challenges faced:

 They may not be eating properly and may experience higher stress because they are unable
to understand what is happening all around them on which they have no control.

 Women with disability have additional issues. They are vulnerable to exploitation and even
more so during a pandemic.

 Many of them have children without disability and are highly stressed as to how they can
care for their children and family members because they are not supported to care for
them.

 Routine health needs that they have are also not provided as health centres or
transportation facilities are not accessible.

Measures that can be taken:

 By Government:

 India has signed up to achieving sustainable development goals of which cornerstone is

universal access to health and education and equity.

 The government and the organisations working with people with disabilities have to make
efforts to convert prevention and care messages on COVID into an accessible format.

 Health facilities should prioritise the needs of people with disabilities over the rest of the
population.

 Decreasing waiting time in hospitals for them will reduce contact with other asymptomatic
carriers of the novel coronavirus or frank cases.

 Their medicine needs have to be provided for.

 Mobile health teams can provide them services at home rather than they travel to
hospitals.

 A dedicated helpline can be set up for this so that the medical team can reach them.

 They need to be assured of supplies of soap or sanitisers and tissues.

 By Civil Society Organizations:

 Technology-savvy professionals can help to make information available in an accessible

format for people with disabilities.

 Students with disabilities also need to be provided support so that they can keep up
academically.

 So the online teaching programmes for them should also be available in an accessible
format.

 Civil society should volunteer their time to provide this sort of support.

 Since many of them will not be able to access professional carers during a lockdown, civil
society volunteers should help.

 Even for supporting cooking and other self-care activities volunteers should step in.

 Inclusive society is the need of the hour.

Conclusion:

A country’s development is measured by its social support and inclusive policies. We need to set
high standards and not succumb to the ‘might is right’ philosophy and abandon people with
disability in this crisis.

Account for the challenges involved and measures to be taken for the provision of
health services to pregnant women and mothers in the Covid times in the country. (250
words)
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The editorial points to the death of a pregnant woman in Noida after being turned away from a
number of private and government hospitals, raising questions about effectiveness of welfare
measures for pregnant women and the state of maternal health in the country.
Key Demand of the question:

One must account in detail for the challenges involved and measures to be taken for the provision of
health services to pregnant women and mothers in the Covid times.
Directive:
Account – Weigh up to what extent something is true. Persuade the reader of your argument by
citing relevant research but also remember to point out any flaws and counter- arguments as well.
Conclude by stating clearly how far you are in agreement with the original proposition.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by suggesting details such as – Over the last 15 years, the state has been promising maternal
well-being to pregnant women provided they turn up at public hospitals during labour, and has been
providing a cash incentive to those that have institutional birth.
Body:
Suggest issues that However, during lockdown, the state appeared to have missed out on charting
out plans to ensure the health and well-being of those women expected to give birth. Frontline
workers were pressed into community surveillance, monitoring and awareness building for COVID-
19. The public health system was overburdened with handling the pandemic: most secondary and
tertiary hospitals were either those designated as COVID-19 facilities or those unequipped with
enough PPE kits. Though pregnant women have been identified as people being ‘high risk’, reference
on the need to provide emergency services for pregnant women was lacking. Suggest what should be
the way forward? – How should the state acknowledge the lacunae in the health system, present the
possible role that private sector could play etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude that improved maternal health was the lynchpin around which public health systems had
been strengthened over the last 15 years.
Introduction:

The term “maternal nutrition” focuses attention on women as mothers, on their nutritional
status as it relates to the bearing and nurturing of children. At the same time, women also play vital,
if often unacknowledged, roles in their families, communities, and societies. However, the poor
nutritional status of many women in India today compromises their capacity to meet the vigorous
demands of their multiple roles as mothers and productive workers.

The pandemic has amplified many inequalities and shows up sharply the state’s abdication of
responsibility for prevention of lives lost, putting the entire responsibility of health protection on the
individual citizen.

Body:

Challenges faced by pregnant women and mothers during Covid times:

 Over the last 15 years, the state has been promising maternal well-being to pregnant women
provided they turn up at public hospitals during labour, and has been providing a cash incentive
to those that have institutional birth.
 Elaborate tracking systems have been instituted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to
track every pregnant woman, infant and child until they turn five.
 Even though recent epidemics have identified pregnant women as people being ‘high risk’, no
reference was made this time on the need to provide emergency services for pregnant women.
 However, during lockdown, the state appeared to have forgotten those women expected to give
birth.
 Frontline workers were pressed into community surveillance, monitoring and awareness
building for COVID 19.
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 The public health system was overburdened with handling the pandemic: most secondary and
tertiary hospitals were either those designated as COVID-19 facilities or those unequipped with
enough PPE kits.
 Many of the pregnant women and women in general are anemic in India, leading to
complications during child-birth. This was aggravated due to lack of due healthcare during
lockdown.
 Many instances of women delivering outside the healthcare facilities due to lack of admission to
hospitals were visible.
 In these 12 weeks, the approximately 9,00,000 pregnant women (15% of the six million women
giving birth) who needed critical care had to face enormous hurdles to actually obtain treatment
at an appropriate hospital.
 Added to this were the women who have had miscarriages or sought abortions: that would be
another 45,000 women every single day.
 The government rather belatedly issued a set of guidelines a month after lockdown started, but
that only compounded the confusion.
 Pregnant women had to be ‘recently’ tested and certified COVID-19-negative to enter a ‘general
hospital’ but it was not clear how this can happen once they are in labour, as the test results
need a day’s turnaround at the very least.
 Around 80% doctors and 64% beds are in the private sector, clinics have closed down and
private hospitals have stepped back fearing infections, while larger hospitals have begun
charging exorbitant amounts.

Measures needed:

 The health policymakers need to acknowledge the shortcoming of an overstretched and under-
resourced system in responding to the critical care needs of pregnant women during crises.

 The role of the private sector needs to be scrutinized in providing a supporting hand to the
Government during crises times.

 ICDS System Strengthening: There should be a mechanism for growth monitoring which would
include, early registration and weight monitoring, monthly weight monitoring, quarterly
height/length monitoring.

 Improved Service Delivery: Will include convergence of services such as Immunization,

institutional delivery, drinking water and sanitation and efficient service deliver.

 Use of information technology (ITC): use of ICT interventions for addressing under nutrition
includes

o Real time Monitoring-Population, target groups etc.

o Nutrition Mapping

o Data Analysis-Connecting Gaps.

 An inclusive and holistic approach: including controlling/regulating food price, strengthening

the public distribution system (PDS) and income support policies for making food cheaper are
important steps.

 In order to improve their income and food situation, it is therefore crucial that women obtain
access to resources, that is, to credit, land, and agricultural means of production.

 Gender equality is one of the means to improve the income thereby diverse food basket of the
people. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations estimates that if women
farmers had the same resources as men, it would have led to 150 million fewer hungry people.

Conclusion:

Improved maternal health was the lynchpin around which public health systems had been
strengthened over the last 15 years. As the country slowly emerges from a total lockdown into a
longer-term management strategy, it is time to consider doing things differently for improving
maternal well-being. The health service delivery system is at the core of maternal nutrition
interventions; strengthening them will go a long way in improving the health of women in India.

Discuss the key concerns associated with use of drugs without Randomized Clinical
Trials and scientific evidence. Also present the role of regulatory authority in India in
approving such drugs. (250 words)
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
Covid-19 has thrown many questions and the answers are still not available. It has not only exposed
the dire situation of the public health infrastructure, but also the opacity with which drug/medical
device approvals are given.
Key Demand of the question:
One has to explain in detail the concerns associated with use of drugs without trials and scientific
backing and its impact on the health of public. One should also throw light on the role of regulatory
authority in India.
Directive:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the
details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for
and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start with fact that recently, Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has granted approval to
Favipiravir for the treatment of COVID-19 patients with mild or moderate symptoms.
Body:
Talk about evidence based medicines. Explain that It requires the testing of pharmaceutical drugs
through Randomized Clinical Trials (RCT) wherein one set of patients get a placebo (or an alternate
therapy) and the other set of patients gets the investigational drug. Discuss the concerns associated
with it.
Discuss specific concerns associated with use of drugs without Randomized Clinical Trials and
scientific evidence.
Then discuss the role of regulatory authority in India in approving such drugs present the role of
regulatory authority in India in approving such drugs.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
Introduction:

The pandemic has not only exposed the dire situation of the public health infrastructure, but
also the opacity with which drug/medical device approvals are granted in India. The Drugs Controller
General of India (DCGI) has approved Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, an Indian pharmaceutical
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company, to sell generic versions of Favipiravir for the treatment of COVID-19. This drug, originally
invented by a Japanese company, was meant to treat influenza. However, there is no scientific
consensus on the efficacy of the drug on COVID-19.

Body:

Procedure for establishing the efficacy of drug:

 There is no information on the DCGI’s website explaining the scientific basis of its approval of
Favipiravir for COVID-19.
 Evidence-based medicine requires the testing of pharmaceutical drugs through randomised
clinical trials (RCT) wherein one set of patients get a placebo (or an alternate therapy) and the
other set of patients gets the investigational drug.
 Neither the doctors nor the patients know who gets what drug.
 If the set of patients that gets the investigational drug shows a better outcome, it can be
presumed that the drug has a demonstrable therapeutic effect on the disease in comparison to
the comparator.
 This is the gold standard for demonstrating the efficacy of a drug in treating a particular disease.
 The data collected from such clinical trials are usually published in a peer-reviewed journal
where they are subject to scientific scrutiny.
 This system has worked during this pandemic to disprove claims that hydroxychloroquine was
useful in treating COVID-19.

Key concerns associated with use of drugs without Randomized Clinical Trials (RCTs) and scientific
evidence:

 RCTs revolutionized how physicians thought and practiced, and greatly augmented their
effectiveness in curing disease and relieving suffering. However, most medical treatments
achieve much less dramatic results: some people seem to improve, some not, and some worsen.
 To evaluate their overall benefit, sophisticated human trials are required.
 RCTs are necessary to justify the use of new drugs for specific complaints, but most existing
drugs lack such justification.
 Unproven treatments raise false hopes and detract from better ones. Thus drugs, indeed all
treatments, require scientific evaluation.
 Drugs are costly, and almost all have side effects that offend Hippocrates’ aphorism. One
harmed patient is justified only if the disease is serious and many others can expect some good.
 Unproven treatments raise false hopes and detract from better ones. Thus drugs, indeed all
treatments, require scientific evaluation.
 If the drugs are highly priced, then the manufacturer stands to make a fortune once there are
bulk orders for the drug.

Role of regulatory authority in India in approving such drugs:

 Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) is a department of the Central Drugs Standard Control
Organization of the Government of India responsible for approval of licenses of specified
categories of drugs such as blood and blood products, IV fluids, vaccines, and sera in India.

 Drug Controller General of India, comes under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

 DCGI lays down the standard and quality of manufacturing, selling, import and distribution of
drugs in India. Its important functions are:

 Acting as appellate authority in case of any dispute regarding the quality of drugs.

 Preparation and maintenance of national reference standard.

 To bring about the uniformity in the enforcement of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.

 Training of Drug Analysts deputed by State Drug Control Laboratories and other
Institutions

 Analysis of Cosmetics received as survey samples from CDSCO (central drug standard
control organization)

Conclusion:

Vaccines, like most new drugs, are meant to follow a clinical testing process spanning four
stages, starting with pre-clinical tests and ending with phase III studies conducted on thousands of
patients. After approval from the regulator, the firm has to continue monitoring the use of its
vaccine on patients and submit post-marketing surveillance details, which checks for any long-term
unintended adverse effects of the product.

A culture of secrecy around drug approvals serves no purpose except to benefit pharmaceutical
companies. However, if the drug does not work as advertised, the DCGI could end up promoting
widespread misuse of this drug and a false sense of security amongst the population. The regulator
would be responsible for promoting irrational medicine as it has been on previous occasions.

Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services

relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
The Indian healthcare system needs to go through a radical overhauling, to become
more sustainable as well as responsive. Examine (250 words)
Reference: Indian Express
Why This Question:
The article talks about the necessary reforms required in the health system that have been exposed
by the Covid crisis.
Key Demand of the question:
Explain the radical overhauling that is required in the health care system of the country to ensure it
becomes more sustainable and responsive.
Directive:
Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must look into the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it,
investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so
we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications.
Structure of the Answer:
Introduction
Discuss the current situation that has exposed the lacunae in the Indian health care system.
Body
One must remember that the question is not pertaining only to the pressures posed by the corona
crisis on the healthcare system, and its about the loopholes in the system that have been prevalent
over decades. Give suitable examples of the past that has repeatedly hinted at the lack of physical
infrastructure, social infrastructure, doctors etc. List in detail the issues. Discuss suggestions to
address these problems such as role of private sector, NGOs etc. role of the government.
Conclusion
Conclude with way forward.
Introduction:

Post-Independence there has been a significant improvement, in the health status of people.
Public health and health services have been synonymous in India. This integration has dwarfed the
growth of a comprehensive public health system, which is critical to overcome some of the systemic
challenges in healthcare. Poor strata of population have denied proper health care due to lack of
universal healthcare.

Body:

The major challenges faced by healthcare system in India are:

 Finance: At about 1.3% of the national income, India’s public healthcare spending between
2008 and 2015, has virtually remained stagnant. This is way less than the global average of 6 per
cent. It is a herculean task to implement a scheme that could potentially cost Rs 5 lakh per
person and benefit 53.7 crore out of India’s 121 crore citizenry, or roughly about 44% of the
country’s population. Over 70 per cent of the total healthcare expenditure is accounted for by
the private sector.
 Crumbling public health infrastructure: Given the country’s crumbling public healthcare
infrastructure, most patients are forced to go to private clinics and hospitals. There is a shortage
of PHCs (22%) and sub-health centres (20%), while only 7% sub-health centres and 12%
primary health centres meet Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) norms.

 Approximately 70 per cent of the healthcare services in India are provided by private players. If
private healthcare crumbles due to economic constraints or other factors, India’s entire
healthcare system can crumble.
 High Out of Pocket Expenditure: Reports suggest that 70% of the medical spending is from the
patient’s pockets leading to huge burden and pushing many into poverty. Most consumers
complain of rising costs. Hundred days into the PMJAY, it remains to be seen if private hospitals
provide knee replacement at Rs 80,000 (current charges Rs 3.5 lakh) bypass surgery at Rs 1.7
lakh (against Rs 4 lakh).
 Insurance: India has one of the lowest per capita healthcare expenditures in the world.
Government contribution to insurance stands at roughly 32 percent, as opposed to 83.5 percent
in the UK. The high out-of-pocket expenses in India stem from the fact that 76 percent of Indians
do not have health insurance.
 Doctor-Density Ratio: India has a doctor-to-population ratio well below the level recommended
by the WHO — 1:1,445, which adds up to a total of roughly 1,159,000 doctors. The WHO says
the ideal ratio is 1:1,000.
 Shortage of Medical Personnel: Data by IndiaSpend show that there is a staggering shortage of
medical and paramedical staff at all levels of care: 10,907 auxiliary nurse midwives and 3,673
doctors are needed at sub-health and primary health centres, while for community health
centres the figure is 18,422 specialists.
 Rural-urban disparity: The rural healthcare infrastructure is three-tiered and includes a sub-
center, primary health centre (PHC) and CHC. PHCs are short of more than 3,000 doctors, with
the shortage up by 200 per cent over the last 10 years to 27,421. Private hospitals don’t have
adequate presence in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities and there is a trend towards super specialisation in
Tier-1 cities.
 Social Inequality: The growth of health facilities has been highly imbalanced in India. Rural, hilly
and remote areas of the country are under served while in urban areas and cities, health facility
is well developed. The SC/ST and the poor people are far away from modern health service.
 Poor healthcare ranking: India ranks as low as 145th among 195 countries in healthcare quality
and accessibility, behind even Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
 Commercial motive: lack of transparency and unethical practices in the private sector.
 Lack of level playing field between the public and private hospitals: This has been a major
concern as public hospitals would continue receiving budgetary support. This would dissuade
the private players from actively participating in the scheme.
 Scheme flaws: The overall situation with the National Health Mission, India’s flagship
programme in primary health care, continues to be dismal. The NHM’s share in the health
budget fell from 73% in 2006 to 50% in 2019 in the absence of uniform and substantial increases
in health spending by States.

Steps taken up currently:

 The National Health Policy (NHP) 2017 advocated allocating resources of up to two-thirds or
more to primary care as it enunciated the goal of achieving “the highest possible level of good
health and well-being, through a preventive and promotive healthcare orientation”.
 A 167% increase in allocation this year for the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) —
the insurance programme which aims to cover 10 crore poor families for hospitalisation
expenses of up to ₹5 lakh per family per annum.
 The government’s recent steps to incentivise the private sector to open hospitals in Tier II and
Tier III cities.

 Individual states are adopting technology to support health-insurance schemes. For instance,
Remedinet Technology (India’s first completely electronic cashless health insurance claims
processing network) has been signed on as the technology partner for the Karnataka
Government’s recently announced cashless health insurance schemes.

Measures needed to strengthen the existing state of Health infrastructure in the country are:

 There is an immediate need to increase the public spending to 2.5% of GDP, despite that being
lower than global average of 5.4%.
 The achievement of a distress-free and comprehensive wellness system for all hinges on the
performance of health and wellness centers as they will be instrumental in reducing the greater
burden of out-of-pocket expenditure on health.
 there is a need to depart from the current trend of erratic and insufficient increases in health
spending and make substantial and sustained investments in public health over the next decade.
 A National Health Regulatory and Development Framework needs to be made for improving
the quality (for example registration of health practitioners), performance, equity, efficacy and
accountability of healthcare delivery across the country.
 Increase the Public-Private Partnerships to increase the last-mile reach of healthcare.
 Generic drugs and Jan Aushadi Kendras should be increased to make medicines affordable and
reduce the major component of Out of Pocket Expenditure.
 The government’s National Innovation Council, which is mandated to provide a platform for
collaboration amongst healthcare domain experts, stakeholders and key participants, should
encourage a culture of innovation in India and help develop policy on innovations that will focus
on an Indian model for inclusive growth.
 India should take cue from other developing countries like Thailand to work towards
providing Universal Health Coverage. UHC includes three components: Population coverage,
disease coverage and cost coverage.
 Leveraging the benefits of Information Technology like computer and mobile-phone based e-
health and m-health initiatives to improve quality of healthcare service delivery. Start-ups are
investing in healthcare sector from process automation to diagnostics to low-cost innovations.
Policy and regulatory support should be provided to make healthcare accessible and affordable.

Conclusion:

India needs a holistic approach to tackle problems in healthcare industry. This includes the active
collaboration of all stakeholders viz. public, private sectors, and individuals. Amore dynamic and pro-
active approach is needed to handle the dual disease burden. A universal access to health makes the
nation fit and healthy, aiding better to achieve the demographic dividend.

Cyber bullying has emerged again as a major concern confronting children due to peaks
in the e-learning processes, Discuss the concerns and explain what needs to be done to
tackle the menace? (250 words)
Reference: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Why the question:
With Covid situation forcing most countries to switch gears to online education ranging from schools
to colleges, the biggest concern being raised is that of cyber bullying.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss the concerns associated with respect to online education and the issues of cyber bullying
associated with it, also suggest methods to overcome the challenge.

Directive:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the
details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for
and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Discuss the concern in the question, quote facts suggesting cyber bullying in the country.
Body:
Explain how cyber bullying has become a virtual offense with real consequences in the country.
Discuss how the risk of cyber bullying is alarming and its assessment and prevention become even
more urgent. Explain who is most vulnerable. Apart from children, adults also get bullied online on a
regular basis. Cyber bullies, commonly referred as trolls on the internet, basking in anonymity have
the power of abusing and harassing a person without fear of any ramification of their actions.
Politicians, actors, and sportspersons get cyber bullied routinely and report the distress it causes to
them.
Conclusion:
Conclude with suggestions to address the issues both long term and short term.
Introduction:

Cyberbullying is defined by PK Smith et al. as an “aggressive, intentional act carried out by a group or
individual, using electronic forms of contact, repeatedly and over time against a victim who cannot
easily defend himself or herself.” Most definitions of bullying rely upon three criteria; intent to
harm, imbalance of power, and repetition of the act.

Body:

Cyber Bullying:

 Cyber bullying can occur through SMS, Text, and apps, or online in social media, forums, or
gaming where people can view, participate in, or share content.
 It includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone
else.
 It can include sharing personal or private information about someone else causing
embarrassment or humiliation.
 Some cyber bullying crosses the line into unlawful or criminal behaviour.

Reasons for increasing Cyber bullying:

 The increasing access to affordable data service has given rise to these faceless evil worldwide –
young children, in particular teenagers, being the most vulnerable victims.
 The language and content of Web series: The certain shows running on amazon prime or Netflix
are not appropriate for teenagers. Teenagers try to adapt that language used in the TV series or
shows.
 Nuclear families and isolation of children: Most of the families in India are nuclear families and
parents are going to their job regularly so the children’s get neglected and isolated. Therefore,
many are not able to identify what the child is going through.
 Cyber bullying, under the Information Technology Act, is not an offence. The Act was last
amended in 2008. Since then, social media has exploded in the country. The ground reality of
2017 is vastly different

 Cyber bullying does not qualify in the category of cognizable criminal offences. Only if it is in
aggregated form for example, someone created fake profile of others and used that account for
detrimental things that only qualifies as offence of impersonation.
 Most of the time the victim is a juvenile but at the same time the person who is committing this
crime is also a juvenile and therefore this is covered under juvenile justice act. So the role of
police authority in the conventional manner is limited hence registering an FIR and arresting the
juvenile, these scenarios are not possible
 Under-reporting of cases. The reasons are People don’t want unnecessary media publicity; the
current process is very slow; and there is low confidence in the ability of the system
 The US has often failed to share information vital to dealing with cybercrime. It denies access to
data held by companies such as Google and Facebook
 Because Cyberbullying is difficult to track, many victims feel helpless and unable to cope with it,
especially if the bullying is personal and long-drawn

Government Initiatives against Cyberbullying:

 Guidelines by NCERT: Because of lack of awareness about cyber bullying among the children’s,
teachers as well as the parents, NCERT came up with three guideline booklets one for teachers
one for school and one for students. For students it’s in the form of DO’s & DON’Ts.
 Government of India is come up with ministry of home affairs Cybercrime reporting portal
gov.in.
 For generating awareness in state of Delhi, Delhi police has come up with an initiative in which
Police visits school administration to get aware of cyber bullying and also engage workshops for
computer teachers.

Other measures needed:

 Family/home measures:

 Parents can make a vast and positive difference by talking with their children. Like sexuality
education in general, the topic of pornography is not one big talk but rather a series of
discussions that easily can arise from the content of songs, music videos, video games,
movies and unintended or intended exposure to sexually explicit images.

 Parents can help their children develop a critical eye when viewing media, so they see the
lies, and differentiate that fiction from the joy in loving equitable and respectful
relationships.

 Parents need to explain to children that the same rules apply during interactions online, as
they do in person

 Government level:

 National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal shall be designated as the national portal under-
reporting requirements in the POCSO Act in case of electronic material

 Union Government shall be empowered through its designated authority to block and/or
prohibit all websites/intermediaries that carry child sexual abuse material

 Law enforcement agencies should be permitted to brake end to end encryption to trace
distributors of child pornography.

 Use of Artificial intelligence:

 Tools can be developed which can analyse the behaviour of every internet user. So it can help
prevent the user from falling into cyber bullying.

 Developing some mobile applications that can alert parents if the child is under threat of
cyber bullying.

 Prevent malware attacks by tying up with antivirus agencies.

 Academic measures:

 School diaries should carry an anti-bullying pledge.

 Schools shall undertake training programmes for parents at least twice a year, making them
aware of hazards for children of free access to smartphones, internet at an early age.

 The subjects related to cyber bullying and cyber security should be made mandatory instead
of only guidelines.

 In school there should be cyber cell where one could report their grievances whether by its
name or anonymously.

 Multipronged approach to handle cases:

 Need to handle the cases of cyber bullying through multipronged approach such as
counselling through Psychiatrist, approaching police, etc.

Conclusion:

Cyberbullying is an online problem that needs to be dealt with offline, and like Theodore Roosevelt
popularly said “Knowing what’s right doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right,” merely
acknowledging cyberbullying as a problem is not enough anymore. It is also imperative that mental
health professionals use their critical expertise in formulating and implementing school- and
community-wide approaches to cyberbullying prevention.

Examine the need and prospects of making research in health sector self-reliant in the
country. (250 words)
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
The article talks about the need and prospects of investments and adherence to the policy of self-
reliance in the health sector.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss in detail the need and prospects of making research in health sector self-reliant in the
country.
Directive:
Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must look into the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it,
investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so
we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Explain the current Covid situation and highlight in what all possible aspects it has put heavy pressure
on the present healthcare system.
Body:
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Explain first in what way the pandemic has transformed the global health landscape. Discuss then
the importance of vaccines; explain why we need self-reliance in this domain.
Take hints from the article and explain the relevance of having an enabling ecosystem for
development of vaccines, studies on new diseases etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude that It is time the government, technical experts and private companies ensure that these
researchers have access to the resources and tools that can make India truly atmanirbhar.
Introduction:

The term “health research,” sometimes also called “medical research” or “clinical research,” refers
to research that is done to learn more about human health. Health research also aims to find better
ways to prevent and treat disease. Health research is an important way to help improve the care and
treatment of people worldwide.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of vaccines. Vaccines have always been the
frontrunners in saving lives: With their help, we are able to prevent the death of two to three million
children globally every year.

Body:

Need for Self-reliant Health Research in India:

 India still faces a huge economic burden due to Non – Communicable Diseases, struggles to
balance accessibility, affordability and quality and is unable to hike public health budgets.
 The high population of India with poor living conditions and lack of Water, Sanitation and
Hygiene (WASH) facilities lead to spread of many diseases.
 Rising incidents of zoonotic diseases like Nipah, Ebola, COVID etc.
 Advances in information-based medical research could also facilitate the movement toward
personalized medicine, which will make health research more meaningful to individuals.

Prospects of Self-reliant Health Research in India:

 Helped fight off many diseases:

 It is because of vaccines that we managed to eradicate highly contagious diseases such as

smallpox, which used to kill millions only a few decades ago.

 In India, vaccines have helped us defeat polio — the country was certified polio-free by the
World Health Organization (WHO) in 2014.

 In 2015, the country also eliminated maternal and neonatal tetanus.

 Export potential: India is one of the largest producers and exporters of vaccines in the world. In
fact, many vaccines in the national immunization programme are produced in India and
manufactured by Indian companies.

 Boosts Make in India: This has been made possible through regular investments in ramping up
our manufacturing capacity through programmes like Make in India.

 Addresses Neglected diseases: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has made great
strides in that direction — it has developed effective vaccines against Japanese encephalitis
(JENVAC), shigella (technology transfer to Hillman Labs) and the Kyasanur forest disease.

 ICMR has also provided research funding for initial and validation studies for the rotavirus and
polio vaccines.

 Helps reduce the inequality in accessibility, affordability and availability of quality healthcare.

Challenges faced:

 Lack of finance for R&D facilities: Though the expenditure in R&D has increased over the years,
the ratio has remained stagnant
 Private investments in R&D have severely lagged public investments in India.
 Universities in India play an insignificant role in research activities. Research has been
concentrated in specialized research institutes under different government departments. Role of
universities has mainly been restricted to teaching.
 Further, there is no collaboration between the industry-academia leading to a huge gap in
inter-transfer of ideas and technology /infrastructure between each other.
 No One Health approach towards diseases.
 Innovation and research in vaccines have not been adequately prioritized.
 Though India has improved its IPR regime, the protection of intellectual property remains weak
in some areas owing to inadequate laws and ineffective enforcement.

Way forward:

 To make India a global leader, there should be concerted efforts to activate the triple-helix
model of innovation that involves intensifying collaboration between research institutes,
industry, and the government.
 We need to approach research and innovation from the bottom-up — this means increasing
research in biotechnology, medical innovation, and public health at the university level.
 India needs early-stage financial investment to propel a research and innovation ecosystem for
the development of new vaccines.
 The ICMR is in the process of setting up the National Institute of One Health to study zoonotic
diseases, enabled by the Rs 20-lakh-crore package recently announced by the government.
 The government and academia must come together to prioritise the development of cost-
effective tools of public health importance like vaccines.
 The country needs a comprehensive approach to mobilize resources for this purpose. Indian
researchers, and the country’s public health community at large, have stood up to the various
public health challenges faced by the country.
 It is time the government, technical experts and private companies ensure that these
researchers have access to the resources and tools that can make India truly self-reliant.

With country still at risk from the Covid pandemic, need for behavioural change at a
large level is the only best cure available under current circumstances, Comment. (250
words)
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The article talks about the current situation of the lockdown in the country and the dismal conditions
caused due to the Covid pandemic.
Key Demand of the question:
One has to explain in detail how in such circumstances there is need to understand the importance of
behavioural change among people.
Directive:
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Comment– here we have to express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an
overall opinion thereupon.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Though the over 2, 00,000 current novel coronavirus cases in India looks huge it is still modest for a
country with a population of over 1.3 billion people.
Body:
In short first present the background of the situation. The measures taken in India, like
the nationwide lockdown, had helped to slow transmission. The doubling time of cases in India was
about three weeks at this stage. Hence, the increase in epidemic though not exponential is still
growing.
Explain what the challenges are – Specific issues in India regarding a large amount of migration, the
dense populations in the urban environment and the fact that many workers had no choice but to go
to work every day could lead to a sudden spurt in the number of cases.
Discuss the importance of behavioural change in such circumstances. Quote relevant examples to
justify the importance.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.

Introduction:

The Covid-19 pandemic has caused social and economic disruptions all around the globe. WHO
executive director said that there were specific issues in India regarding large amount of migration,
dense populations in the urban environment and the fact that many workers had no choice but to go
to work every day. COVID-19 has not “exploded” in India, but the risk of it happening remains as the
country moves towards exiting the lockdown that was imposed in March 2020 to contain the
disease.

Body:

While there is no doubt that India’s health infrastructure is inadequate and needs considerable
improvements, the real success of dealing with a crisis of this magnitude and scale depends to a
large extent upon dealing with certain other sociocultural factors that go beyond the physical
infrastructure of health centers, dispensaries, hospitals, and so on.

Need for behavioural change:

 The impact of the pandemic was different in different parts of India, and varied between urban
and rural settings.
 People especially in country like India live in very dense localities where physical distancing
becomes difficult to follow, requires utmost care maintain distancing.
 Unlike many countries that the virus has affected, the case of India presents unique concerns
owing to its geographical vastness and the complexity of its cultural and religious diversity,
beliefs, and practices coexisting with poor social indicators, such as lower life expectancy,
higher fertility, and high child mortality.
 Wide illiteracy, poverty, poor sanitary conditions, open defecation and manual
scavenging further add to its woes.
 These health and social indicators underscore the gravity of the situation that can worsen
conditions in the face of a massive community outbreak.

 All of this demonstrates the glaring reality of a vulnerable population that can potentially worsen
the situation.
 In many urban areas, it is impossible to maintain physical distancing and it becomes very
important for people to wear face coverings when they are out, at offices, in public transport
and educational institutions.
 Overuse of Public transportation beyond its capacity especially in city like Mumbai where local
sub-urban trains run with huge crowd, therefore work from home must be new normal for
maximum people.
 Misguidance in the form of suggesting cow urine as a protection against the virus; religiously-
oriented obligations that discourage social distancing;
 Mass disregard and refusal to adhere to rules restricting and in some cases prohibiting
altogether cultural gatherings suggest that such behavior escapes the particularity of any one
religious, cultural and geographic identity.
 Home remedies and dubious advisories that are rapidly spreading through WhatsApp and other
social media platforms also weaken the resolve for preventive behavior.
 India’s strong cultural and religious tradition of communal celebrations as well as close
interactions with extended family members and neighbors constitute major social and
behavioral factors that pose serious challenges

Some instances of behavioural changes brought in India due to COVID Pandemic:

 Jharkhand has set up isolation wards to treat migrants in each gram panchayat and is
distributing masks to all villagers.

 Uttar Pradesh

 It is distributing Swachhata Kits, each with 3 triple-layered masks, 2 antiseptic soaps & a
sanitizer bottle to most backward Musahars and Vantangiya.

 A special online portal is identifying all who have come from outside state and abroad after
March 15. Not just that entries are being made village-wise and updated by each block.

 Panchayat bhavans and schools are being used as isolation wards. And tracking of all safai
karmcharis fogging vulnerable areas is through Google Docs monitoring system.

 Tripura has seen shifting of local markets to football and cricket fields to maintain social
distancing.

 Himachal Pradesh/ West Bengal

 Self-help groups (SHGs) & ward members are used for making sanitisers and masks and
special sanitation and social distancing campaigns are being run by them in villages.

 West Bengal

 It is using community vehicles to sell vegetables, fish, fruits procured from SHGs in villages.

Ways/Means to bring in behavioural changes in Indian society:

 All of this points to the significance of ensuring dissemination of the right form of awareness
and dispelling pseudoscientific practices.
 At the same time, global grassroots policy experiences suggest that in contexts such as in India,
health-related information alone helps little.
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 It is imperative to bring behavioral changes to reap maximum benefits from public health
interventions.
 Social and behavior change communication (SBCC) may be employed as a potential strategy to
increase awareness of the effectiveness and the necessity of preventive measures – such as
home quarantine and social distancing – under the broad framework of health communication.
 SBCC employs mass media, community-level activities, interpersonal communication, ICTs, and
new media to carry out its objectives.
 Such evidence-based communication programs can help enhance knowledge, shift attitudes,
and change public behaviors.
 Preventive behaviors such as home quarantine and social distancing must be combined with
efforts at dispelling rumors and misinformation as well as efforts to allay fears and concerns.
 Discipline in public life or civic sense among people has to be inculcated through influence and
persuasion.

Conclusion:

Needless to say, fighting the COVID-19 crisis essentially requires a holistic approach that sufficiently
integrates the infrastructural, social, behavioral, psychological aspects to prepare us for any
emergency response. As things transpire, this is going to be a long battle with an emerging, and
potentially reemerging, pathogen. It needs to be fought with good science and proper health care. In
the long run, India must increase its public health spending to build a robust health care
system and deal effectively with overriding religious considerations, social beliefs, and cultural
practices to enhance the scientific temper of the people.

Do you think the time is ripe for the government to invest heavily in R&D to develop the
AYUSH system of medicine? Discuss. (250 words )
Reference: Financial Express
Why the question:
COVID-19 teaches the hard lessons that every country must have a competent system of medicine
closely linked with research and development, because human health can only improve through
innovation. Thus the context of the question.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss the need to bolster AYUSH system and emphasis on the need to integrate it with general
system of medicine.
Directive:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the
details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for
and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Briefly comment on the AYUSH system of medicine and its importance in India.
Body:
AYUSH(Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy)- a system of alternative medicine, a form
of “natural therapy”- claims to treat diseases for which allopathy, or Western medicine, currently
offers no cure. Discuss then the need to bolster the system amidst testing times exposed by the
pandemic, discuss the importance of R&D. Highlight steps that need to be taken.
Conclusion:
Conclude by pressing on the need to revive the system so as to make the health sector more robust
and ready to face inevitabilities.
Introduction:
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AYUSH is the acronym of the medical systems that are being practiced in India such as Ayurveda,
Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy. These systems are based on definite medical
philosophies and represent a way of healthy living with established concepts on prevention of
diseases and promotion of health. The basic approach of all these systems on health, disease and
treatment are holistic.

Ministry of AYUSH had issued an advisory on various immunity enhancing steps from the time tested
approaches of Ayurveda. The advisory is reiterated again in these testing times to support the efforts
of all as a measure towards enhancing one’s immunity.

Body:

Significance of AYUSH in India in current times:

 In the wake of the Covid 19 outbreak, entire mankind across the globe is suffering. Enhancing
the body’s natural defence system (immunity) plays an important role in maintaining optimum
health.
 Prevention is better than cure: While there is no medicine for COVID-19 as of now, it will be
good to take preventive measures which boost our immunity in these times.
 The Ministry of AYUSH recommended some self-care guidelines for preventive health measures
and boosting immunity with special reference to respiratory health. These are supported by
Ayurvedic literature and scientific publications.
 Following the AYUSH ministry initiative many state governments also followed up with
healthcare advice on traditional medicine solutions to enhance immunity and disease-resistance,
which are particularly relevant against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic.
 the Ministry of AYUSH has also proposed to include AYUSH solutions in the district level
contingency plans being drawn up to contain COVID -19 in all the districts across the country.
 The Odisha State Government has decided to rope in AYUSH doctors to strengthen the frontline
medical teams in combating Covid-19 in their respective areas of posting.

Potential of AYUSH:

 A number of initiatives to promote AYUSH have been recently announced.

 Creation of AYUSH wings in defence and railway hospitals.

 Providing soft loans and subsidies for the establishment of private AYUSH hospitals and
clinics.

 Establishing institutes of excellence in teaching and research in AYUSH.

 12,500 dedicated AYUSH health and wellness centers are planned to be set up under the
Ayushman Bharat mission.

 AYUSH, represent a pluralistic and integrative scheme of health services. AYUSH can play an
important role in realizing the dream of ‘New India’ by providing quality healthcare and medical
care for its citizens. The ‘New India’ also needs to be a ‘Healthy India’ where its own traditional
systems can play a significant role.

 With statistics repeatedly indicating that there is a severe shortage of doctors in India with a
mere 80 doctors per lakh population. AYUSH provides a way to increase healthcare access

 AYUSH presents an opportunity to realize the potential of medical pluralism in the current
environment where prevention is emphasized along with curative aspects.

 AYUSH industry may create 26 mn jobs by 2020 according to Government reports.

 Given the rising popularity of AYUSH and alternative medicine, AYUSH could help boost medical
tourism in India.

 Ayush interests will be served far better if the government were to push for concerted research
on this, with the gold standard of clinical trial/research—randomised, double-blind, placebo-
controlled studies—or any other widely accepted standard of trial rigour, applying.

 The government even set up a task force to oversee Ayush research in the country in May 2020.

Challenges faced:

 Health professionals have often questioned the measures advised by Ayurveda, Unani and
Homeopathic medicine to deal with serious illnesses.
 Non-integration into mainstream medicine: Our efforts to mainstream AYUSH medicine has
been to regard that the major problem lies in the fact that there is a very less proportion of
AYUSH in the present mix. Hence, the integration of AYUSH into the health-care system has been
focused on having more AYUSH facilities or having them in the place where there aren’t any
without worrying about the actual effectiveness of such a move.
 Status gap: The subservient status of AYUSH has been the major hurdle. AYUSH has been
fraught with multiple issues like including dishonest practices and claims by some AYUSH
practitioners leading to the ridicule of AYUSH treatments and procedures by sceptics. The
mindless cosmeticisation and export promotion of AYUSH products has led to a bad perception
of AYUSH.
 The isolationist approach goes against the cherished ideal of modern medicine to embrace
concepts that are backed by evidence. In the case of traditional medicine, an isolationist attitude
could deter scientific scrutiny and block some potential value addition.
 Quality standards of Medicines: Scientific validation of AYUSH has not progressed in spite of
dedicated expenditure in past.
 Lack of human resources: Practitioners are moving away from traditional system for better
opportunities
 The existing infrastructure remains under-utilized.
 The 2013 Shailaja Chandra report on the status of Indian medicine and folk healing,
commissioned by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, noted several instances in States
where National Rural Health Mission-recruited AYUSH physicians were the sole care providers in
PHCs and called for the appropriate skilling of this cadre to meet the demand for acute and
emergency care at the primary level.

Way forward:

 It is important to gather scientific evidence for the safety and efficacy of AYUSH medicines and
practices.
 Work towards capacity building and developing a critical mass of competent professionals in the
AYUSH sector through quality education and training at national and international levels.
 True integration of traditional and modern systems is the need of the hour. This would require a
concerted strategy for facilitating meaningful cross-learning and collaboration between the
modern and traditional systems on equal terms.
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 The Chinese experience of integrating Traditional Chinese Medicine with Western medicine
makes for a good example.
 An Indian parallel could envision the integration of education, research, and practice of both
systems at all levels. This can include training of AYUSH practitioners in modern medicine
through curriculum changes and vice versa.
 Need to ensure substantial groundwork with respect to the prerequisites of an effective
integration.
 Building a strong traditional medicine evidence corpus.
 Standardizing and regulating AYUSH practices and qualifications.
 Delineating the relative strengths, weaknesses, and role of each system in an integrated
framework.
 Negotiating the philosophical and conceptual divergences between systems.
 Addressing the unique issues associated with research into AYUSH techniques.
 An integrated framework should create a middle path — fusing the two systems, while still
permitting some autonomy for each.
 Accordingly, a medium- and long-term plan for seamless integration should be developed
expeditiously in view of the massive drive for achieving universal health care already underway
in the country and considering the vast potential of AYUSH to contribute to this cause.

Conclusion:

To push Ayush, the government must take a cue from China’s efforts on Traditional Chinese
Medicine (TCM)—invest heavily to become an R&D leader itself and help design research protocols
that have acceptance across systems of medicine. Perhaps, then, Ayush might get the boost that Tu
Youyou’s medicine Nobel meant for TCM.

The problems in India’s health sector ranges from deteriorating quality to unaffordable
service delivery. Comment (250 words)
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
The question is in the contextual relevance of the current conditions of the healthcare system and in
what way it is in a dismal picture.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss the problems in India’s health sector, comment on the aspects of affordability and its
deteriorating quality.
Directive:
Comment– here we have to express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an
overall opinion thereupon.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Briefly comment on the current issues and challenges the health sector is facing in the country.
Body:
The health sector in India faces numerous problems. With the new national health policy, Ayushman
Bharat the government aims to achieve better and inclusive health standards for all. But problems in
India’s health sector ranges from deteriorating quality to unaffordable service delivery making it
difficult for the government in achieving its intended outcomes. Discuss the reasons for the
deteriorating quality and unaffordability. Present the case study of current pandemic and in what
way it’s the poor and vulnerable who have been badly exposed to the lack of above two
factors. Suggest efforts of the government in this direction.
Conclusion:
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Conclude by giving a way forward.

Introduction

In terms of access and quality of health services, India was ranked 145 out of 195 countries in a
Lancet study published in 2018, below countries like China (48), Sri Lanka (71) Bhutan (134) and
Bangladesh (132).

Body

Problems in India’s health sector

 There is a massive shortage of medical staff, infrastructure and last mile connectivity in rural
areas. Eg: Doctor : Population 1:1800 and 78% doctors cater to urban India (population of 30%).

 Massive shortages in the supply of services (human resources, hospitals and diagnostic centres
in the private/public sector) which are made worse by grossly inequitable availability between
and within States.

 Data from the National Health Profile-2019, the total number of hospital beds in the country
was 7,13,986 which translates to 0.55 beds per 1000 population.

 Furthermore, the study also highlighted that 12 states that account for 70 per cent of India’s
1.3 billion population were found to have hospital beds per 1000 population below the
national average of 0.55 beds.

 For example, even a well-placed State such as Tamil Nadu has an over 30% shortage of
medical and non-medical professionals in government facilities.

 Health budget: The health budget has neither increased nor is there any policy to strengthen the
public/private sector in deficit areas. While the Ayushmaan Bharat provides portability, one
must not forget that it will take time for hospitals to be established in deficit areas.

 This in turn could cause patients to gravitate toward the southern States that have a
comparatively better health infrastructure than the rest of India.

 Infrastructure constraints: There are doubts on the capacity of India’s infrastructure to take on
the additional load of patients during pandemics like Covid-19 as seen recently.

 There is a growing medical tourism (foreign tourists/patients) as a policy being promoted by

the government, and also domestic patients, both insured and uninsured.

 Absence of primary care: In the northern States there are hardly any sub-centres and primary
health centres are practically non-existent. First mile connectivity to a primary healthcare centre
is broken. For eg, in Uttar Pradesh there is one PHC for every 28 villages.

 Out of pocket expenditure high: Even the poor are forced to opt for private healthcare, and,
hence, pay from their own pockets. As a result, an estimated 63 million people fall into poverty
due to health expenditure, annually.

 Inequities in the health sector exist due to many factors like geography, socio-economic
status and income groups among others. Compared with countries like Sri Lanka, Thailand
and China, which started at almost similar levels, India lags behind peers on healthcare
outcomes.

 Rural medical practitioners (RMPs), who provide 80% of outpatient care, have no formal
qualifications for it. People fall prey for quacks, often leading to grave disabilities and loss of life.

 Dependency on import: Compounding the problem of poor health infrastructure and low
spending, especially in the current COVID-19 environment that has caused
significant disruptions to the global supply chains, is India’s dependence on medical devices
imports.

 As per IMA data, India’s medical devices imports were around Rs 39,000 crore in FY2019,
having seen a growth of 24 per cent from the previous year.

 Numerous Schemes: The Government has launched many policies and health programmes but
success has been partial at best. The National Health Policy(NHP) 2002 proposed to increase
Government spending on health by two to three per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP)
by 2010 which has not happened yet. Now, the NHP 2017, has proposed to take it to 2.5 per
cent of the GDP by 2025.

 Healthcare without holistic approach: There are a lot of determinants for better health like
improved drinking water supply and sanitation; better nutritional outcomes, health and
education for women and girls; improved air quality and safer roads which
are outside the purview of the Health Ministry.

Steps needed

 Prioritize primary health care: The current approach requires re-emphasizing the missing
priority on PHCs and CHCs for developing comprehensive primary care.

 Achieving comprehensive primary care requires a paradigm shift from disease-control

vertical programmes to community-led, people-oriented primary care.

 Strengthen State’s capacity: Sharper focus in the resource-starved states should be on

improving efficiency in spending without compromising equity, and this can be attained by
designing programmes that would cover a large number of people and a wide range of diseases.

 For example, POSHAN Abhiyan to be strictly rolled out in BIMARU

 Since the states have higher responsibility than the Centre in matters related to health, the
blueprints of primary care can further be redefined in view of the local needs.

 This should be the policy agenda for the low-performing and resource-constrained states.

 Low cost healthcare: It is relevant to develop low-cost primary care service delivery
models involving nurses and allied health professionals which can lower the burden on the
public health system marked by the stress of a low doctor-strength.

 Task force and collaboration : The triple helix model of innovation,e., bringing together the
government, academia and industry, now more than ever. To this end, the Government of India
has established a ‘COVID-19 Taskforce’ with the objective of mapping together various
technological advancements related to COVID-19 in public R&D labs, academia, start-ups, and
industries.

 The task force has already identified over 500 entities in the fields of medicines, ventilators,
protective gear, among others.

 India has seen the benefits of such collaborations in the past – in 2014, the Rotavac vaccine
was developed under the leadership of Dr M K Bhan, as part of an international consortium
that included India’s Department of Biotechnology and other partners from academia and
industry.

 Locally aligned: India needs to design health services to meet local needs with the opposite
referral mechanism to secondary- and tertiary-care, and this can produce better health
outcomes with a considerable cost-advantage.

 In this context, the role of public health professionals, those who can help design outreach
and preventive programmes and implement the continuing health programme effectively,
assumes paramount importance. Eg: Telemedicine

 India lacks the required number of public health professionals. The shortage is severe in many
parts of the country, especially poorer states like Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan.

 The focus should be to train a pool of social workers, psychiatrists, counsellors with public
health orientation who could then transform the primary healthcare delivery system in the
country.

 Ayush doctors can prescribe Allopathy medicines after a bridge course.

 Along with Ayushmaan Bharat (PMJAY), focus must be laid on strengthening the primary health
centres with basic diagnostics and services, with district hospitals equipped with multi-specialty
capabilities and services to people. Especially for the poor who cannot afford quality health care
in private hospitals.

 Generic medicines: Access to medicines through Jan Aushadhi Kendra Scheme. It is mandated
to offer 2000 medicines and 300 surgicals in all districts by 2024.

Conclusion

Especially in times of Pandemics like Covid-19, the significance and loopholes of Indian public health
sector are led bare. It gives an opportunity to reform and rehaul the healthcare sector to be better
equipped for future emergencies. It calls for a people-centred, decentralized public health system
that socializes the cost of healthcare.

Discuss why e-learning may not be a sustainable solution to the COVID-19 education
crisis in India? (250 words)
Reference: The Hindu

Introduction:

The coronavirus pandemic has shuttered educational institutions across the globe. Closure of
schools, colleges and universities, shutdown of routine life of students and teachers, disruptions in
education and the education ministry remaining incommunicado, have created an unprecedented
situation and thrown many unexpected challenges to administrators, educators, teachers, parents
and students.

Body:

Impacts on education due to COVID-19 pandemic:

 school and university closures will not only have a short-term impact on the continuity of
learning for more than 285 million young learners in India but also engender far-reaching
economic and societal consequences.
 The pandemic has significantly disrupted the higher education sector as well, which is a critical
determinant of a country’s economic future.
 A large number of Indian students—second only to China—enroll in universities abroad,
especially in countries worst affected by the pandemic, the US, UK, Australia and China.
 Many such students have now been barred from leaving these countries. If the situation persists,
in the long run, a decline in the demand for international higher education is expected.
 The bigger concern, however, on everybody’s mind is the effect of the disease on the
employment rate. Recent graduates in India are fearing withdrawal of job offers from corporates
because of the current situation.
 The Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy’s estimates on unemployment shot up from 8.4% in
mid-March to 23% in early April and the urban unemployment rate to 30.9%.

Challenges:

 India is far behind some developing countries where digital education is getting increased
attention.
 In countries where e-learning is popular, students have access to various online resources such
as Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) which help students, teachers and professionals
upgrade their skills.
 The major challenge in EDTech reforms at the national level is the seamless integration of
technology in the present Indian education system, which is the most diverse and largest in the
world with more than 15 lakh schools and 50,000 higher education institutions.
 Further, it is also important to establish quality assurance mechanisms and quality benchmark
for online learning developed and offered by India HEIs as well as e-learning platforms (growing
rapidly).
 Many e-learning players offer multiple courses on the same subjects with different levels of
certifications, methodology and assessment parameters. So, the quality of courses may differ
across different e-learning platforms.
 Democratization of technology is now an important issue, comprising internet connectivity,
telecom infrastructure, affordability of online system, availability of laptop/desktop, software,
educational tools, online assessment tools, etc.
 Since our education system has not trained our teachers and students to think creatively and
manage in a crisis situation, and has underplayed the importance of e-learning, they are
unprepared for the transition from the classroom to online.
 Parents feels too pressed, having to support their children’s classes while working from home
themselves.
 The physical classroom does not only impart the syllabus. Children are also socialised, and there
is an element of sport and play which is absent in virtual learning.
 The matrix for socialisation is not replicated on an LCD screen.
 Poor are disconnected and irrespective of background, some children cannot relate to the online
classroom, and many more are losing out on midday meals.

Measures needed:

 There should be ease of digital access and the ability of parents to support learning at home.

 Online classes offered as live teaching can be sustained only with a mix of activities, worksheets
and interactive sessions.
 Teachers should have a structured plan which does not suffocate or burden them and also keep
the students involved.
 All institutions will have to chalk out an infrastructure plan which can be used in such a crisis.
 Teachers need to be considerate about how children feel or what they are going through these
days so an understanding should be developed.

Going forward, the use of technology in teaching or recruitment will lead to a new era wherein the
best of faculty will be available from across the globe to students. Education quality will be gauged
not just by the quality of faculty but will also have quality of IT infrastructure and familiarization of
the faculty will digital teaching technologies as important parameters.

Conclusion:

To summarize, education must continue. Students should keep learning. The lockdown period
should be productive. Educators should think creatively and introduce innovative ways of learning.
In a country where access to the Internet and high-speed connectivity is a problem, and the digital
divide is an issue, it is important to address the challenges. Those who are involved in education
planning and administration should give a serious thought to reducing the digital divide in the
country and popularize digital learning.

Stigma and awareness are two separate issues although interlinked and need to be
addressed in parallel in order to tackle the burden of mental illness in India. Do you
agree? Elucidate. (250 words)
Reference : The Hindu
Why the question:
The question is in the backdrop of increased incidences of suicide cases being witnessed in the
country owing to depression and lack of mental health- its stigma and awareness.
Key Demand of the question:
One must discuss the two key factors – stigma and awareness that are necessary to be tackled to
deal with the burden of mental health illness in India.
Directive:
Elucidate – Give a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the particular context.
You must be defining key terms where ever appropriate, and substantiate with relevant associated
facts.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start with some key facts/data talking about mental health illness and its burden in India.
Body:
Define first what mental health is – Mental health is defined as a state of well-being in which every
individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work
productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community. Explain the
issues associated with it. Bring out the concerns around stigma associated with it and the lack of
awareness. Suggest how it can be addressed, what steps need to be taken.
Conclusion:
Conclude that if individuals continue to view mental illness with apprehension and resistance, it will
remain difficult for people with mental health concerns to seek the support they require due to the
fear of being labeled or judged.
Introduction:

Mental health is defined as a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own
potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able
to make a contribution to her or his community. (WHO) With over 18% of India’s population aged
10-17, the future of the country will be driven by this segment.

Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput has been found dead at his Bandra residence in Mumbai
recently. He was supposedly battling a depression and died by suicide.

Body:

Status of Mental health in India

 According to an estimate by the World Health Organization (WHO), mental illness makes about
15% of the total disease conditions around the world.
 The same estimate also suggests that India has one of the largest populations affected from
mental illness.
 As a result, WHO has labelled India as the world’s ‘most depressing country’.
 Moreover, between 1990 to 2017, one in seven people from India have suffered from mental
illness ranging from depression, anxiety to severe conditions such as schizophrenia, according to
a study. It is no exaggeration to suggest that the country is under a mental health epidemic.
 More than 450 million people suffer from mental disorders. According to WHO, by the year
2020, depression will constitute the second largest disease burden worldwide (Murray & Lopez,
1996).

Major challenges in tackling Mental health issues in India:

 Stigma:

 Depression and mental health are taboo subjects in India. A deterioration in mental health
is equated with insanity in India quite often resulting in naming and labelling.

 That mental health is not a priority in a country where basic amenities like clean water,
power, food, education and housing are sorely lacking is not surprising, but deep stigma
also contributes to the denial and shame around the subject, cutting across lines of religion,
class, caste and gender.

 The what-will-people-say mentality is so widespread that some village programs have

attached psychological services to the local temples so that people can seek help in the
guise of religious activity to avoid the shame of exposure.

 This mentality is propagated in no small measure by the insensitive and tone-deaf attitudes
toward mental health.

 For instance, Indian politicians and public personalities often ridicule their opponents by
weaponizing terms like “dumb,” “deaf,” “mentally ill,” “retarded,” “bipolar,”
“handicapped,” “dyslexic” and “schizophrenic.”

 A survey conducted by The Live, Love, Laugh Foundation revealed shockingly callous and
misinformed attitudes toward mental health in India.

 Sixty percent of respondents agreed with the statement that mentally unhealthy people
should “have their own groups” so that healthy people are not “contaminated,” while the

same number also believed that lack of self-discipline and willpower was one of the main
causes of mental illness.

 Given its negative impact on treatment seeking, adherence and effectiveness, the stigma
associated with mental illness can be considered as a major public health problem.

 In spite of efforts to reduce the stigma around mental health, there is an increase in societal
and individualist pressures on individuals.

 Awareness:

 There is no substantial increase in the awareness of mental health and its implications. This
disparity may in turn cause mental health negligence and potentially suicidal thoughts or
behaviour.

 Education in India doesn’t discuss depression and mental health.

 It lacks values system and focuses on material life driven education leads to mechanization
of individuals and thus deprives them of life forces and essence of living.

 General attitude towards mental health:

 We are conditioned to try and meet expectations that are made by people other than
themselves, and pressure or failure to meet those expectations may cause distress.

 A few other causes of self-harm or suicidal thoughts are internalising negative emotion and
mental health concerns, family history of mental health issues, knowing, identifying, or
being associated with someone who has committed suicide.

Measures needed:

 A revolution in mental health care systems is needed, where clinicians, psychologists, etc. are
trained in suicide prevention as a part of the curriculum.
 Inter-agency working such as referral to a psychologist by GP’s can help early identification of
issues. In terms of policy, it is of importance to have guidelines, reports or visions for mental
health.
 The need of the hour is to sensitize and educate individuals about the signs and symptoms of
mental illness while normalizing the idea of seeking support for themselves and their loved ones.
 There needs to be more open discussion and dialogue with the general public, and not just
experts on this subject, which will in turn help create a more inclusive environment for people
with mental illness.
 Remove the stigma:
 Talk more about mental health issues, depression and suicides in every circle to ensure the
stigma attached to coming out in the open about your mental health is removed.
 This is of primary importance as stigma is what inhibits those who need help in reaching
out, and it’s the responsibility of individuals and communities as much as the government
to drive it away.
 Watch for warning signs:
 It’s not just people who’ve made past attempts who are at high risk of committing suicides.
 You should learn all you can about the warning signs for suicide – like withdrawal from the
world, sudden calmness, self-harming behaviour and making preparations – and reach out
to people who show these signs.
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 It’s also very important to take threats of suicide seriously, especially among adolescents.

Way Forward:

 Mental health situation in India demands active policy interventions and resource allocation by
the government.
 To reduce the stigma around mental health, we need measure to train and sensitize the
community/society.
 This can happen only when we have persistent nationwide effort to educate the society about
mental diseases.
 We also need steps to connect the patients with each other by forming a peer network, so that
they could listen and support each other.
 Moreover, people experiencing mental health problems should get the same access to safe and
effective care as those with physical health problems.
 Additionally, mental illness must mandatorily be put under the ambit of life insurance. This will
help people to see mental illness with the same lens as they use for physical diseases.
 When it comes to providing the right care to patients with mental illness, we need mental
healthcare intervention to the patients, we need innovative models to deepen the penetration
of services and staff. One such model is accredited social health activist (ASHA) by the ministry
of health and family welfare, Government of India. Under this model, community health workers
not only educate and sensitize women and children about mental diseases but also guide them
to reach the right expert in their locality.
 We need a constant stream of funds for educating and creating awareness about mental health
and chronic issues around it.
 The need of the hour is to provoke masses to learn about mental health through campaigns like
Swachh Mansikta Abhiyan. This will help them address mental issues in a timely and effective
manner and live a stress-free life.
 The campaign will also encourage people to talk about their mental well-being and reach out to
a therapist or psychiatrist, in case they need to do so.
 Timely intervention, awareness about the issue, availability of professional help and
appropriate policies is the only way to improve the situation.
 It is thus imperative to believe and propagate that people with mental illness deserve to live
their lives with dignity and confidence.
 It requires a collaborative public-private-social partnership to change things considerably.

Conclusion:

Stigma and Awareness need to be addressed in parallel in order to tackle the burden of mental
illness in India. If individuals continue to view mental illness with apprehension and resistance, it will
remain difficult for people with mental health concerns to seek the support they require due to the
fear of being labelled or judged.

In conclusion, be kind, compassionate and empathetic towards all. Everyone is fighting their own
battle, some more silently than others. It’s time to add value and enrich one another’s lives. Mental
Illness is real, hard, disabling and needs addressal and treatment. People should seek professional
help as soon as the need arises. Early detection and intervention of a psychological condition will
allow you to live the life you deserve.

Do you agree to the fact that the current Corona crisis is a great opportunity to re-
invent healthcare delivery in India through telemedicine? Debate. (250 words)
Reference: Financial Express
Why the question:
The article talks about establishment of Swasth platform; a digital platform for Covid-19 care.
Key Demand of the question:
One must discuss in what way the current Corona crisis is a great opportunity to re-invent healthcare
delivery in India through telemedicine.
Directive:
Debate – Weigh up to what extent something is true. Persuade the reader of your argument by citing
relevant research but also remember to point out any flaws and counter- arguments as well.
Conclude by stating clearly how far you agree with the original proposition.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Discuss the current conditions of the health sector in the country.
Body:
Explain what you understand by Telemedicine, how it can help take Indian health system to next level
and address the current distress facing the sector.
Highlight that telemedicine and such technologies can together the best of resources in the country
to provide free healthcare to bring quick relief during the crisis.
Quote the case study of Swasth – it facilitates seamless, remote interaction between registered
medical practitioners and patients through multiple modes of video and telephony. It deploys AI
based triaging to determine the care required, culminating in a digitally signed prescription and
treatment advice. Along with the free consultations, Swasth will also provide services like home
quarantine assistance, diagnostics, pharmacies, hospital bed discovery and booking assistance at a
subsidized cost.
Conclusion:
Conclude with importance and relevance of technologies to crisis situations such as that of COVID-19.
Introduction

The current Covid-19 pandemic which has affected more than 10 million people worldwide has
manifestly exposed the crisis in global health systems. In India, the pandemic exposed the chinks in
the healthcare system such as lack of Critical Care units, hospital beds and healthcare workers to
patient ratio leaving them overwhelmed.

Body

Current Status of Healthcare System

 India's expenditure on the health sector has risen meagerly from 1.2 per cent of the GDP in
2013-14 to 1.4 per cent in 2017-18. The National Health Policy 2017 had aimed for this to be
2.5% of GDP.

 There is a massive shortage of medical staff, infrastructure and last mile connectivity in rural
areas. Eg: Doctor: Population 1:1800 and 78% doctors cater to urban India (population of 30%).

 For example, even a well-placed State such as Tamil Nadu has an over 30% shortage of
medical and non-medical professionals in government facilities.
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Re-inventing healthcare systems with Telemedicine

Telemedicine: Telemedicine allows health care professionals to evaluate, diagnose and treat
patients at a distance using telecommunications technology.

 The shortage of doctors is limiting face-to-face consultations among patients. Secondly, India
also has a shortage of hospital beds, which makes hospitalization tricky. Telemedicine will
reduce the time of consultations and improve the quality of healthcare services in urban as well
as rural areas, removing many of infrastructural challenges.

 Telemedicine is a sector that bridges the healthcare gap between rural India and urban India.

 In rural India, where the access to medical facilities, specialist's opinion and advance healthcare
amenities are limited, telemedicine acts as a healthcare provider bringing access to the specialist
doctors to these areas.

 The advantages are peculiar in the current context, when putting distance between people is
paramount, as tele consultations are not barred even when health care professionals and
patients may have to be quarantined.

 The advancement of telecommunication capabilities over the years has made the transmission
of images and sound files (heart and lung sounds, coughs) faster and simpler.

 Pilot telemedicine experiments in ophthalmology and psychiatry have proven to be of

immense benefit to the communities.

 Telemedicine has advantages like: Reduced travel expenses of patients, time saving, easy access
to specialized doctors, decreases the load of missed appointments and cancellations for
healthcare providers, increasing patient load and revenue for hospitals, improving follow up and
health outcome, increased reach to inaccessible areas.

Case Study: Swasth

A coalition of over 100 healthcare specialists have come together to launch Swasth, a nationwide
telemedicine platform for Corona care, which digitally connects citizens to the best doctors and
wellness providers. The mobile app-based service leverages India’s technology prowess to deliver
equal and affordable healthcare to 1.3 billion people, cutting across geographical and income
divides.

 This indigenous digital healthcare system is being launched at a time when the Covid-19
pandemic has challenged traditional service providers.

 Swasth facilitates seamless, remote interaction between registered medical practitioners and
patients through multiple modes of video and telephony.

 It deploys AI based triaging to determine the care required, culminating in a digitally signed
prescription and treatment advice.

 Along with the free consultations, Swasth will also provide services like home quarantine
assistance, diagnostics, pharmacies, hospital bed discovery and booking assistance at a
subsidised cost.

 All doctors on the Swasth platform are duly verified and undergo specially designed training
programmes on tele-consultation and Covid-19 clinical protocols.

 Swasth is in full compliance with the industry-accepted cybersecurity norms for healthcare
platforms.

 It uses a defence-in-depth approach to ensure that data is securely transmitted, stored,

managed and accessed.

 Currently, the app supports consultation in Hindi, English and Gujarati and will be expanded to
25 Indian languages.

Thus, technology plays a crucial role in fight against COVID-19. The pandemic has contributed to the
understanding of various ways in which available technologies can be put to better use and
presented people with multiple opportunities to harness these devices, techniques and methods to
get on with life in the time of lockdown.

Conclusion

Among the primary uses of technology is telemedicine that can help reach patients where access to
medical care is difficult. While unleashing the full potential of telemedicine to help people, experts
and government agencies must be mindful of the possible inadequacies of the medium, and securing
sensitive medical information; such cognisance should guide the use of the technology.

What is Yukti 2.0? How will it benefit the higher education system of India? Discuss.
(250 words)
Reference: Times Of India
Why the question:
Recently Union HRD Minister virtually launched ‘YUKTI 2.0’ platform for Higher Education Institutes
in New Delhi. Thus the question.
Key Demand of the question:
One has to discuss the prospects of Innovations to educate youth to fight against COVID
Directive:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the
details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for
and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by explaining what Yukti 2.0 is.
Body:
Earlier, the Minister had launched the YUKTI (Young India combating COVID with Knowledge,
technology
And Innovation) web portal on 11 April, 2020. The portal intends to cover the different dimensions of
COVID-19 challenges in a very holistic and comprehensive way.

Its main objective is to ensure that Students, teachers and researchers in higher educational
institutions are getting appropriate support to meet the requirements needed to advance their
technologies and innovations.
Explain the significance of the portal that it will prove to be a milestone towards promoting
Innovations and entrepreneurship culture in our higher education system and involve youth in nation
building.
Conclusion:
Conclude with importance that it will also help the government to identify bottlenecks and formulate
appropriate policies to strengthen the innovation ecosystem in the country.
Introduction

The Ministry of Human Resources and Development has launched an initiative ‘YUKTI 2.0’ to
help systematically assimilate technologies having commercial potential and information related to
incubated start-ups in higher education institutions.

Body

Yukti 2.0

In line with the mission of making Bharat 'Atmanirbhar', YUKTI 2.0 initiative is a very important step
in that direction. It will help youngster who have innovative start-up ideas, to convert it into
enterprises. The portal database will provide the state of the innovation ecosystem of our higher
educational institutions.

Benefits to higher education system in India

 Creation of Database: The Ministry has invited students, faculty members, startups and other
stakeholders of higher education institutions to register on the YUKTI portal and share their
technologies and innovations.

 Benefits of Database:

 Database shared will be showcased to the investor community such as businessmen,

farmers and industrialists i.e. students will be able to sell their ideas.

 However, preliminary innovations won’t be showcased on YUKTI 2.0 but only

those which have commercialisation potential.

 It will provide a clear picture of the state of the innovation ecosystem of our higher
educational institutions.

 It will help the government to identify bottlenecks and formulate appropriate policies to
strengthen the innovation ecosystem in the country.

 Further, it will offer innovative and cost-effective solutions to the problems faced by the
country.

 Earlier the Human Resources Ministry conduct Smart Hackathon, to build solutions/prototype to
most testing challenges facing the country such as sanitation, healthcare access, hunger among
others.

 This is an extension of the same idea, with more beneficial advantages. It will aid the
youngsters to pursue their ideas to reality and acts as a platform for investors to invest
in such ideas.
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 Collaborative Platform: It will also help as a platform for collaboration of ideas between colleges
and academic institutions. Students can work on similar ideas, with better inputs from different
institutions.

 Nation Building: This portal will prove to be a milestone towards promoting innovations and
entrepreneurship culture in our higher education system and involving youth in nation building.

 Better Intellectual Property regulation will be an outcome of such a portal. India’s patented
ideas will increase which will have commercial benefits helping the country create niche
products.

Conclusion

The portal intends to cover the different dimensions of COVID-19 challenges in a very holistic and
comprehensive way. Through this portal, the Ministry of Human Resource Development will
endeavour to ensure that students, teachers and researchers in higher educational institutions are
getting appropriate support to meet the requirements needed to advance their technologies and
innovations.

Analyse the aspects of developing our own domestic medical industry by creating a
strong local ecosystem. (250 words)
Reference: Financial Express
Why the question:
The article talks about how India should have a strong local system for the comprehensive
development of domestic medical industry.
Key Demand of the question:
Present a detailed analysis of the aspects of developing our own domestic medical industry by
creating a strong local ecosystem.
Directive:
Analyze – When asked to analyse, you have to examine methodically the structure or nature of the
topic by separating it into component parts and present them as a whole in a summary.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Healthcare being the most critical, India has to evolve imaginative policies and usher in reforms that
will accelerate its economic revival. Developing our own domestic medical industry is the best way
forward.
Body:
One can start by pointing out the lacunae in the domestic health industry in the country; Lack of
adequate infrastructure, supply chain and logistics; High cost of finance; inadequate availability and
cost of quality power; Limited design capabilities. Suggest methods to address these concerns and
explain how the best way is to develop a local ecosystem, take hints from the article and present
points.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
Introduction:

The medical device industry is a unique blend of engineering and medicine. It involves the
creation of machines that are then used to support life within the human body. Medical devices
include Surgical Equipment, Diagnostic equipment like Cardiac imaging, CT scans, X-ray, Molecular
Imaging, MRI and Ultrasound-imaging including hand – held devices; Life Support equipment like

ventilator, etc. as well as Implants and Disposables. Given the importance, it needs not only careful
regulation but also the highest ethical standards.

Body:

Current scenario of Medical devices industry in India:

 Medical devices sector in India is very small in size as compared to the rest of the manufacturing
industry, though India is one of the top twenty markets for medical devices in the world and is
the 4th largest market in Asia after Japan, China, and South Korea.
 India currently imports 80-90% of medical devices of the $15 billion market, the vast majority of
which are unregulated for quality and safety.
 The government has approved setting up four medical device parks with a view to support Make
in India initiative and provide world-class treatment at affordable prices.
 The parks will be set up in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Uttarakhand and
Gujarat have also approached the Centre for such parks.
 To ensure that all medical devices meet certain standards of quality and efficacy, the Union
Health Ministry notified medical equipment used on humans or animals as “drugs” under
Section 3 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, with effect from April 1, 2020.

Challenges faced by the Medical devices industry in India:

 Lack of adequate infrastructure, supply chain and logistics;

 High cost of finance;
 Inadequate availability and cost of quality power;
 Limited design capabilities; and
 Low focus on R&D and skill development.
 The industry is still at a nascent stage with sub-optimal penetration and usage of medical
devices. This demands innovation and R&D from the medical device industry in order to push for
indigenization.
 The lack of regulatory systems, harmonized standards, accreditation, legal requirements,
proper guidance on quality and best practices are affecting the medical devices industry
adversely.
 Medical devices continue to be under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 and industry
representatives are pushing for a comprehensive regulation that views medical devices
separately, through the entire life-cycle of the product, from design to tests on patients,
incorporating doctor feedback, and surveillance of patients in whom the implants are used, etc.
 The penal system in the Drugs Act is a disincentive for medtech investors. The Act is not
appropriate for innovative engineering products like medical electronics.
 Presently, India does not have any legal provisions to compensate patients facing health
problems due to implants or the use of faulty medical devices. Under the law, companies are
liable to pay compensation only when something goes wrong during a clinical trial.
 The Johnson and Johnson’s faulty hip implant device case is symptomatic of the failure of
regulatory mechanisms to counter corporate forgery, lack of administrative accountability,
breach of business/medical ethics of big pharma, and the lack of consumer/patient awareness.
 Investors shy away from an unpredictable, incomplete and incorrect regulatory environment. In
the absence of norms, domestic manufacturing suffers as a surgeon is unsure of trying an
unregulated device from a startup on a patient.

Measures needed:

 Formulate “Medical Device Regulatory Act”: Medical devices should be treated distinctly from
drugs and a separate chapter for medical devices should be made in the existing Drugs &
Cosmetics Act.
 Create necessary bodies to drive the policies: Set up an independent body with a permanent
office and support staff to promote and facilitate the medical device industry with
representatives from all related government departments as well as Industry.
 Addressing artificial inflation where labelled MRP of medical devices, instead of protecting
consumers, has become a license to charge full MRP, which may lead to profiteering at
retail/hospital-end.
 By rationalizing trade margin over import landed price, a consumer can gain and not feel
exploited post-Covid-19. This will also help Make in India, as already proven in stents and knee
implants, and lead to demand creation for domestic manufacturing.
 Preferential treatment in government procurement: Preference may be given to medical devices
that are being manufactured in India with an additional preference for medical devices
manufactured under the MSME sector.
 Medical device testing centers should be set up preferably in the PPP model.
 Designate “Centers of Excellence” (CoE) for supporting product development and validation.
 Set up a Skill development committee with representatives from the Medical devices industry,
academia (NIPERs) and Healthcare Sector Skill Council (HSSC) under the National Skill
Development Council (NSDC).
 Separate price control order for medical devices.

Way forward:

 Medical devices sector, being a critical sector dealing with human lives, needs to be given
sufficient attention on an urgent basis to make the sector effective and transparent with the aim
to make healthcare devices affordable and accessible to the masses.
 India being a large market for medical devices should tap the potential generated by the Medical
Devices Industry by strengthening its domestic framework that would greatly help in realizing
the vision of “Make in India”.
 The focus needs to shift from chasing investment value by foreign brands and onto creating an
ecosystem for making in India.
 Healthcare being the most critical, India has to evolve imaginative policies and usher in reforms
that will accelerate its economic revival. Developing our own domestic medical industry is the
best way forward.

Conclusion:

The Covid-19 crisis has shown that Indian medical device manufacturers can scale up manufacturing
to tackle spiked demands for ventilators and other life-saving medical supplies. The Covid-19
pandemic has taught us to be self-reliant and self-sufficient first, and not seek solutions outside the
country. We are hopeful that Aatmanirbhar Bharat will strengthen the domestic medical devices
industry to compete globally and make India a global medical devices manufacturing hub. It will also
make India powerful enough to cope up with the challenges to its healthcare security emanating
from China.

Issues relating to poverty and hunger.

Do you think Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA),
2005, is still a shining example of a radical and rational systemic change to address the
challenges being faced by the poor in the rural areas of the country? Elucidate. (250
words)
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
The article talks about the a radical and rational systemic change that MGNREGA is potential of
bringing in the current conditions and austerity caused due to the Covid situation in the country.
Key Demand of the question:
One has to explain in what way Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act
(MGNREGA), 2005, is still a shining example of a radical and rational systemic change to address the
challenges being faced by the poor in the rural areas of the country.
Directive:
Elucidate – Give a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the particular context.
You must be defining key terms where ever appropriate, and substantiate with relevant associated
facts.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
In short explain the current conditions of the rural poor in the country amidst the pandemic.
Body:
One has to explain the key features of the scheme, but remember the answer is not about discussing
the scheme in itself but about discussing the nuances of the scheme, as to how it is radical and
rational and is capable of bringing systemic change in the system and aid in addressing the current
situation.
Explain that with the Act in place – Any citizen in rural India now had the legal right to demand work
and was guaranteed 100 days of work with minimum wages provided by the government. And it
proved its worth very quickly — a grassroots, demand-driven, Right to Work programme,
unprecedented in its scale and architecture, focused on poverty alleviation. Millions have been saved
from hunger and worse in the 15 years since its inception.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a positive note; highlight the importance of the scheme in the current situation.
Introduction:

With rural distress deepening across India and private consumption growing anaemically, calls for
ramping up the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), are
growing louder ahead of the upcoming budget. Proponents of MGNREGS believe that it may be the
only ammunition in the government’s arsenal to fight rural poverty. Critics, though, have labelled
the scheme as leaky, wasteful and simply ineffective.

Body:

Current scenario:

 The monthly demand for rural jobs under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment
Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) has touched a new high at 3.95 crore until May 20, with analysts
saying it will most likely cross 4 crores by the end of the month.
 This is significantly higher than the month-wise demand this year, which was 2.48 crore in
January, 2,92 crore in February, 2.70 crores in March and 1.77 crore in April, according to the
Ministry of Rural Development data.
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 It is also much more than the monthly average demand of 2.3 crores in 2019-20.
 The spike in May this year is indicative of the huge job losses all around, particularly in the
informal sector, where lakhs of workers have suddenly become unemployed owing to the
lockdown.

Reasons for increase in demand for MGNREGA:

 The high number of people seeking work under the MGNREGA is due to desperation.
 Most of these workers have gone home and have no work hence they are seeking jobs under
the scheme.
 An analysis of the data shows there is a spike in demand for MGNREGA jobs in May-June when
the sowing season for kharif crops is set into motion.
 The data also shows that states which have seen reverse migration of workers have seen a sharp
rise, most significantly in Uttar Pradesh. The total number of applications in UP was 17.4 lakh in
March and 12.7 lakh in April. This jumped to 49.3 lakh until May 20.
 The increasing demand for MGNREGA jobs only seems to confirm what many organisations have
projected about unemployment.
 According to the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), rural unemployment rose from
8.49% in March 2020 to 22.67% on April 29, 2020.

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA):

The MGNREGA was launched in 2006 in order to provide at least 100 days of guaranteed
employment to rural households. It is the largest scheme run by the Ministry of Rural Development
(MoRD). Data on key metrics such as wages, inflation, and consumption suggests that the truth lies
somewhere in the middle. While MGNREGS can provide income security to its beneficiaries, its
overall impact on the rural economy will be limited unless it is implemented with greater resources
and greater care.

Impact of MGNREGA:

 MGNREGA works have demonstrably strong multiplier effects are yet another reason to improve
its implementation.

 It is a labour programme meant to strengthen participatory democracy through community

works. It is a legislative mechanism to strengthen the constitutional principle of the right to life.

 It has helped in increasing rural household income.

 It has not only helped in increasing groundwater table in the last one decade, but also
agriculture productivity, mainly cereals and vegetables and fodders.

 The water conservation measures, including farm ponds and dug wells, have made a difference
to the lives of the poor.

 While the scheme was earlier focused on creation of community assets, in the last three years,
individual assets have also been emphasised.

 It has provided goat, poultry and cattle shed as per the need of poor households.

 One national study found that MGNREGS has created valuable public goods which have
augmented rural incomes.

 Another national study found that, even after deficiencies in implementation, MGNREGS may
have improved nutrition outcomes.

 Even consumption has been shown to improve if MGNREGS is implemented well. A 2018 study
of a better-implemented version of MGNREGS in Andhra Pradesh, where there was significantly
less leakage or payment delays, estimated that MGNREGS increased income households’
earnings by 13% and decreased poverty by 17%

 MGNREGS can smoothen food consumption of rural poor by providing them with an alternate
source of income during the agricultural lean season.

 According to a study conducted by New Delhi-based Institute of Economic Growth.

 there has been an 11 per cent increase in rural household income,

 5 per cent increase in cereal productivity and

 32 per cent increase in vegetable productivity,

 Some instances of success:

 Rise in water table varies from 30 per cent in Muktsar to 95 per cent in Vizianagaram.

 Sasur Khaderi-2, a tributary of the Yamuna River flowing through Teliyani block of Fatehpur
district, 150 km south of Lucknow, was revived under MGNREGS. The 46 km-long stream
originating in Thithoura Lake was encroached over time, resulting in its drying up. Its revival
generated 205,000 person days of work and cost around Rs 4 crore.

Challenges:

 Aadhar has been hastily implemented for the MGNREGA. Several MGNREGA payments have
been rejected, diverted, or frozen as a consequence.
 The delay in the payment of wages which is captured in the system is intentionally suppressed to
avoid paying delay compensation.
 There are numerous cases of MGNREGS payments getting diverted to Airtel wallets and ICICI
bank accounts.
 In a recently concluded survey on common service centres in Jharkhand for Aadhar-based
payments, it was found that 42% of the biometric authentications failed in the first attempt,
compelling them to come later.
 the MGNREGA wage rates in 18 States have been kept lower than the States’ minimum
agricultural wage rates.
 In the last five years, the average person days of work generated per household under
MGNREGA remained less than 50 across years
 The scheme is running out of funds due to increased demand for work.
 Droughts and floods in several States have led to an increased demand for work.
 Data show disparity in MGNREGA wages across States.
 Agricultural minimum wages exceed MGNREGA wages in almost all states.
 The total MGNREGA expenditure reported by States has risen, but the year-on-year growth has
fallen below 5%.
 The act continues to fight widespread corruption and administrative negligence.
 In some areas of certain states, MGNREGA work opens only during specific seasons and time.
 Since April 2014, the work completion rate has been declining.

 Jharkhand being one of the poorest states and having huge dependence on MGNREGA, has the
lowest wage rates.

Way Forward:

 MGNREGA should be converged with other schemes of the government. For example, Green
India initiative, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan etc.
 There has been a delay in the completion of works under MGNREGA and inspection of projects
has been irregular. Also, there is an issue of quality of work and asset creation under MGNREGA.
 After the additional Rs 40000 crore allocated, the budget for 2020-21 is now above Rs 100k
crore.
 This is the highest allocation for MGNREGA in any year since the passage of the law. However,
the allocation, which amounts to 47 % of the GDP continues to be much lower than the World
Bank recommendations of 1.7 % for the optimal functioning of the program.
 There is a need to strengthen the demand-driven aspects of MGNREGA through a focus on
local level social audits, funding and tracking of outcomes.
 State governments must ensure that public work gets started in every village. Workers turning
up at the worksite should be provided work immediately, without much delay.
 Local bodies must proactively reach out to returned and quarantined migrant workers and help
those in need to get job cards.
 In order to improve transparency and the accountability of Sarpanchs, it is recommended
that MGNREGA projects be tracked right down to the village-level and not just the Gram
Panchayat level as is the practice now.
 The Supreme Court in the Swaraj Abhiyan vs. Union of India case stated that said that the delay
caused in stage-2 was not taken into account for the purpose of payment of compensation.
 Incorporation of ICT infrastructure at grassroots level, so that the data is available in public
leading to better transparency and accountability.
 Social audits, mandated by law under MGNREGA, should be strengthened to reduce the data
suppression and under-representation of job demand.

Conclusion:

It is in some of these contexts that strengthening an existing universal programme such as the
MGNREGA would have been a prudent move instead of introducing a hasty targeted cash transfer
programme. At a time of such acute distress, there is a need to the Central government to improve
the existing universal infrastructure of the MGNREGA before plunging into a programme pretending
to augment farmers’ income. MGNREGA is a bottom-up, people-centred, demand-driven, self-
selecting and rights-based programme. Thus, MGNREGA remains crucial for integrated resource
management and livelihoods generation perspective.

Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-

governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens
charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.
Do you agree to the fact that current urban governance structure must begin rebuilding
internal systems, ensuring convergence and fixing accountability to ensure its
sustainability to future shocks like pandemics? Elucidate. (250 words)
Reference: Indian Express
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Why the question:

The article brings to us the issues that the current urban systems are facing owing to which they are
undergoing breakdown in their machinery amidst the pandemic situation.
Key Demand of the question:
Explain the need of rebuilding internal systems, ensuring convergence and fixing accountability in the
current urban governance structure.
Directive:
Elucidate – Give a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the particular context.
You must be defining key terms where ever appropriate, and substantiate with relevant associated
facts.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Briefly point out at the current conditions that the urban systems are facing in the country amidst the
pandemic.
Body:
Explain that a comparative analysis of the emerging coronavirus cases across India clearly shows that
rural areas have fared extremely well in comparison to urban areas in enforcing the various Ministry
of Home Affairs guidelines related to the lockdowns and, consequently, in containing the overall
spread of COVID-19. Discuss the fundamental reasons that have led to this gap between the urban
and rural systems. Explain what measures need to be taken to empower the urban systems and its
internal machinery. Suggest policies that are already in place in this direction.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
Introduction:

Twenty-five years ago, the Constitution underwent a significant transformation with the passage of
74th Constitutional Amendment. It gave constitutional status to democratically elected urban local
bodies. Despite a constitutional mandate, urban local governance has not measurably improved the
conditions in India’s cities. A majority of the uncontrolled COVID-19 spread has occurred in urban
areas and metropolitan cities, despite them having better health infrastructure.

Body:

The recent findings which exposed the chinks in the armor of Urban governance structure:

 A comparative analysis of the emerging coronavirus cases across India clearly shows that rural
areas have fared extremely well in comparison to urban areas in enforcing the various Ministry
of Home Affairs guidelines related to the lockdowns and, consequently, in containing the overall
spread of COVID-19.
 There is a stark contrast between the socio-economic and demographic landscape of the rural
and urban areas.

Need for rebuilding internal systems, ensuring convergence and fixing accountability in the current
Urban Governance structures:

 No Complete Decentralization:
 Failure of States to implement the provisions of the 74th Amendment.
 Local governments are financially constrained and do not have the administrative capacity to
carry out its functions.
 Districts are not well-recognised by the public in the urban areas and the district
administration machinery is not even used by many government departments.

 Notably, most of the functions that the gram panchayats and other departments perform in
rural areas are usually monitored and supervised by district collectors — this is not the case
with the municipalities in urban areas.
 Depoliticisation:
 There is increasing depoliticisation of local government in recent years.
 These seek to ring fence projects from local government.
 g. Central government programmes such as the Smart Cities Mission.
 This programme mandates the creation of special purpose vehicles (SPVs) for Smart Cities.
 SPVs will have operational independence.
 They will have autonomy in decision making and implementation.
 State government can further delegate the decision-making powers available to the ULBs to
the Chief Executive Officer of the SPV.
 Disempowerment:
 Even for performing functions that are within its purview, local government requires State
government permissions.
 These include functions like levying local taxes or undertaking civic projects above a certain
budget.
 Municipalities are not yet autonomous units to be truly called as the “third tier” of
government in India’s federal system.
 The creation of parallel institutions further disempowers the elected local government.
 It shows how higher levels of government distrust local politics.
 Multiple authority points:
 Multiplicity of authorities and institutions in the urban areas with one function being
managed by one institution only — and which is publicly accountable.
 Lack of Right Dataset:
 a large portion of the population comprises daily wagers, street vendors, rag-pickers and
migrants who do not have address proofs in the city.
 Poor Public participation:
 In the villages, the holding of chaupals, and gram sabhas and gram panchayat meetings at the
local panchayat bhawan are frequent. The same can’t be said for cities where people are
“unavailable” and do not “participate actively” in public discussions in settings that
governments take cognizance of, such as ward committees.
 In the current scenario, multiple wings of the urban administration interact with citizens
incoherently, often on a piecemeal basis — and the urban citizen, consequently, doesn’t feel
as involved in public decision-making.
 Parastatal agencies:
 Various parastatal agencies are created by the State government.
 These further deny municipal corporations their political role.
 g. urban development authorities (building infrastructure), public corporations (water,
electricity, transportation services, etc)
 Even urban planning and land-use regulation is with State government-controlled
development authorities.
 Regulatory lacunae:
 In rural areas, the regulatory functions — such as town planning, enforcing building by-laws
and renewal of trade licenses — are relatively more straightforward as the scale is small
compared to urban areas.

Other challenges faced by Urban Local Governance structures:

 Elected representatives at the city-level are rendered powerless by making them subservient to
the State government.
 In most municipal corporations, while the mayor is the ceremonial head, the executive powers
are vested with the State government-appointed commissioner.
 Urban development authorities and public corporations are accountable to the State
government, not the local government.
 Even urban planning and land-use regulation (globally a local government function) is with State
government-controlled authorities.
 Programmes such as the Smart Cities have special purpose vehicles (SPVs) which have
“operational independence and autonomy in decision making and mission implementation”.
 The creation of parallel institutions that disempower the elected local government shows how
higher levels of government distrust local politics.
 Even for performing functions that are within its purview (such as levying local taxes or
undertaking civic projects above a certain budget) the local government requires State
government permissions.
 Hence, municipalities are not yet autonomous units that can be genuinely called as the “third
tier” of government in India’s federal system.

Measures needed:

 A beginning in this direction could be made by designating the district magistrate as the ex-
officio municipal commissioner, and also ensuring that the line department functionaries report
to the DM in the field.
 This will ensure accountability of performance, and will also ensure easy grievance redressal
which is currently a nightmare for the urban citizen because one usually doesn’t know the
correct grievance redressal authority for specific complaints.
 A re-empowered DM can operate a centralised call centre where anyone can register any
grievance related to any department, and since all of them would be reporting to the DM, he can
then directly engage the concerned department for an early resolution of the grievance.
 A reformed urban governance machinery needs to invest in building a credible database of the
urban poor and migrants, along with mapping their skills that is maintained centrally at the
office of the re-empowered district magistrate.
 The urban poor may be granted new types of identification documents which can be held by the
people in addition to those pertaining directly to their native place: The national migrant
database, announced in May by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is a step
in this direction.
 To garner meaningful public feedback in urban areas, the unified urban governance structure led
by the DM needs to take cognisance of new emerging social settings where the public is most
easily accessible for interaction.
 These include interacting with the public over Facebook Live chats, Zoom sessions, emails,
WhatsApp, Twitter, and radio shows. Public meetings must be held at places and at times that
cause minimum disruption to the citizens’ daily schedules.
 a reformed urban district administration shall have to increasingly use technologies such as
mobile-governance, geo-spatial platforms for zonal regulations and property tax, tele-education,
and block chain-based networks for record keeping and verification for better regulatory
functions.

Way forward:

 Local governments must be increasingly acknowledged as inherently political spaces.

 The present model of urban governance vesting power in a singular municipality should be
relooked.
 Urban governance reforms should focus on political empowerment of local government that
promotes local democratic accountability.

Conclusion:

As we initiate a post-COVID-19 Aatmanirbhar nation-building exercise, the current urban governance

structure must begin rebuilding internal systems, ensuring convergence and fixing accountability at
the level of the urban district magistrate.

India and its neighborhood- relations.

India-Nepal ties must be dominated by opportunities of future, not frustrations of past.
Critically analyze. (250 words)
Reference : The Hindu Indian Express
Key demand of the question:
As Nepal prepared to vote on Saturday for a new map amidst the ongoing Kalapani territorial
dispute, the Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday reiterated India’s civilisational ties with Nepal.
The question wants us to delve deep into the issue and bring out the reasons behind the downfall in
the Indo-Nepal ties, as witnessed in the recent times. We also have to form a personal opinion on the
issue as to how should we proceed in this regard.
Directive word:
Critically analyze- here we have to examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by
separating it into component parts, and present them as a whole in a summary.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
write a few introductory lines about the Indo-Nepal relationship- shared culture and long historic ties,
open border etc.
Body:
Bring out the frustrations of the past that has led to downfall of the relations. Talk about the India
Nepal border issues that recently has led to low in our bilateral ties; the Madhesi agitation, the
resultant economic blockade and India’s open criticism of the Nepal at that time; mention India’s
discomfiture with the volume of Chinese investment in hydropower and infrastructure and transport
projects in Nepal; India is also seen as being interfering in Nepal’s internal politics and policy
making; Highlight how China is waiting in the wings to fill in the gap that lackadaisical attitude on
part of India can create.
Discuss how should we proceed further. E.g briefly discuss the need to revitalize communication with
Nepal; respecting each other’s sovereignty and non-interference in domestic affairs; restricting
diplomatically sensitive statements; How the focus should be on implementation of projects
Way forward
Conclusion:
based on your discussion, form a fair and a balanced conclusion on the given issue.
Introduction:

Nepal is an important neighbour of India and occupies special significance in its foreign policy
because of the geographic, historical, cultural and economic linkages/ties that span centuries. India

and Nepal share similar ties in terms of Hinduism and Buddhism with Buddha’s birthplace Lumbini
located in present day Nepal.

The inauguration of the “new road to Mansarovar” on May 8 2020, in the midst of a global pandemic
by India’s defence minister has strained the relations between Nepal and India. As Nepal prepared to
vote for a new map amidst the ongoing Kalapani territorial dispute, however, the Ministry of
External Affairs reiterated India’s civilisational ties with Nepal.

Body:

Reason for dispute between India & Nepal:

Over Lipulekh pass:

 Lipulekh pass is located atop the Kalapani at a tri-junction between India, China and Nepal.
 Lipulekh pass is an ancient route made for trade and pilgrimage purposes by Bhutiya people. The
route was closed by India following the Indo-China war of 1962.
 The Indo-Nepal border dispute over Lipulekh dates back to 1997 when for the first time Nepal
raise objections against the decision of India and China to open Lipulekh pass for travelling to
Mansarovar.
 However, lately in the beginning of May 2020, India reopened the route for Kailash Mansarovar
pilgrimage after constructing 22 km long road on the pass.
 Lipulekh pass opens from Gunji village.
 Nepal claims that the village and the road is its territory.
 On the other hand, India and China signed a trade treaty in 1954 declaring Lipulekh pass as the
Indian gateway.
 Moreover, both the countries signed another treaty in 2015 for trading through Lipulekh Pass.
 However, this time Nepal protested against the move staking claim over Kalapani area.

Over Kalapani:

 India’s Indo-Tibetan Border Police has been controlling the Kalapani and nearby areas since the
Indo-China war of 1962.
 Though treaty of Sugauli clearly mentions about the Kali River and its location in Nepal, there
were a few subsequent maps drawn by British surveyors which show the origin of Kali river from
different places.
 This digression from the treaty led to territorial disputes between India and Nepal.
 Even the size of Kalapani is different in various sources
 Indian Government claims that a ridgeline located towards the east of Kalapani territory is a part
of the Indian Union. The treaty of Sugauli mentions nothing about this ridgeline.
 Nepali Government claims that towards the west of Kalapani flows the main Kali river which falls
in its territory. As per the Treaty of Sugauli, the Kali River is located in Nepal’s western border
that it shares with India. The treaty was signed between Nepal and British East India Company in
1816.

Prospects of India-Nepal Relations:

 Trade and economy:

 India is Nepal’s largest trade partner and the largest source of foreign investments, besides
providing transit for almost the entire third country trade of Nepal.

 Indian firms engage in manufacturing, services (banking, insurance, dry port), power sector
and tourism industries etc.

 Connectivity:

 Nepal being a landlocked country, it is surrounded by India from three sides and one side is
open towards Tibet which has very limited vehicular access.

 India-Nepal has undertaken various connectivity programs to enhance people-to-people

linkages and promote economic growth and development.

 MOUs have been signed between both the governments for laying electric rail track linking
Kathmandu with Raxaul in India.

 India is looking to develop the inland waterways for the movement of cargo, within the
framework of trade and transit arrangements, providing additional access to sea for Nepal
calling it linking Sagarmath (Mt. Everest) with Sagar (Indian Ocean).

 Development Assistance:

 Government of India provides development assistance to Nepal, focusing on creation of

infrastructure at the grass-root level.

 The areas assistance include infrastructure, health, water resources, and education and rural
& community development.

 Defence Cooperation:

 Bilateral defence cooperation includes assistance to Nepalese Army in its modernization

through provision of equipment and training.

 The Gorkha Regiments of the Indian Army are raised partly by recruitment from hill districts
of Nepal.

 India from 2011, every year undertakes joint military exercise with Nepal known as Surya
Kiran.

 Cultural:

 There have been initiatives to promote people-to-people contacts in the area of art &
culture, academics and media with different local bodies of Nepal.

 India has signed three sister-city agreements for twinning of Kathmandu-Varanasi, Lumbini-
Bodhgaya and Janakpur-Ayodhya.

 Humanitarian Assistance:

 Nepal lies in sensitive ecological fragile zone which is prone to earthquakes, floods causing
massive damage to both life and money, whereby it remains the biggest recipient of India’s
humanitarian assistance.

 Indian Community:

 Huge number of Indians lives in Nepal, these include businessmen, traders, doctors,
engineers and labourers (including seasonal/migratory in the construction sector).

 Multilateral Partnership:

 India and Nepal shares multiple multilateral forums such as BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India,
and Nepal), BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi Sectoral Technical and Economic
Cooperation) NAM, and SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) etc.

Other challenges:

 Internal Security is a major concern for India; Indo-Nepal border is virtually open and lightly
policed which is exploited by terrorist outfits and insurgent groups from North Eastern part of
India eg. supply of trained cadres, fake Indian currency.
 Overtime trust deficit has widened between India-Nepal because of the Indian reputation for
delaying implementation of various projects.
 Nepal over the years has witnessed chronic political instability, including a 10-year violent
insurgency, damaging Nepal’s development and economy.
 There is anti-India feeling among certain ethnic groups in Nepal which emanates from the
perception that India indulges too much in Nepal and tinkers with their political sovereignty.
 The establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and China and its growing influence in
Nepal has resulted in declining traditional leverage of India in Nepal.

Way forward:

 On border issue:

 The two countries have managed to settle about 98% of the common border.

 More than 8,500 boundary pillars have been installed reflecting the agreed alignment.

 As both countries are laying claim to the same piece of land, the time has come for both
countries to sit for talks to solve this issue.

 Completion of the ongoing process of updating the 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship:

 India must recognise that as in all other developing economies, Nepal’s aspirational young
population is also looking beyond the open Indian border for opportunities, and its desire to
turn his “land-locked” country into a “land-linked” country with a merchant navy must be
considered positively.

 People-to-people inter-dependence must lead the relationship along with civil society and
business-commercial level interactions.

 India’s major foray should be in innovation and technology transfer, multidisciplinary dialogues,
educational and technical institutions, local and global migration management and skills and
capacity-building.

 India needs to finish the infrastructure projects on time for instance Pancheswar project has
been pending for over 20 years now.

 Nepal could be the fountainhead of climate change knowledge and connect to India’s larger
dynamics of the management of the ecology of hills and mountains.

 Effective delivery on the pending projects, the remaining ICPs, the five railway connections,
postal road network in the Terai and the petroleum pipeline so that connectivity is enhanced
and the idea of ‘inclusive development and prosperity’ assumes reality.
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 India should maintain the policy of keeping away from internal affairs of Nepal, meanwhile in the
spirit of friendship India should guide the nation towards more inclusive rhetoric.

 With its immense strategic relevance in the Indian context as Indian security concern, stable and
secure Nepal is one requisite which India can’t afford to overlook.

 India needs to formulate a comprehensive and long-term Nepal policy.

The border disputes with China are posing a major test to the India-China bilateral
relations. Deliberate.(250 words)
Reference: The Hindu

Introduction:

The India-China border has been witnessing tensions over the past month, with incidents reported in
at least four different locations along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). These include the Pangong
lake in Ladakh, the Galway valley and Demchok.

Body:

Previous standoffs between India and China:

 Depsang plains:

 In 2013, when Chinese troops pitched tents on India’s side of the LAC on the Depsang plains,
similar to Pangong Tso.

 The UPA government was under fire, both for being weak on China and for its reticence.

 While the government was being publicly attacked for doing nothing, it had privately
conveyed to China that if the stand-off didn’t end, an upcoming visit by Premier Li Keqiang
would be off.

 If that demand had been made public at the time, China would have only dug in its heels,
even if the government may have won the headlines of the day.

 Chumar stand-off:

 The government adopted a similar strategy during the 2014 stand-off at Chumar, which
coincided with President Xi Jinping’s visit to India.

 Xi’s visit went ahead, while India quietly but forcefully stopped the Chinese road-building and
deployed 2,500 soldiers, outnumbering the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

 The PLA withdrew.

 Both sides disengaged and followed a moratorium into patrolling into contested areas, which
was observed for many months thereafter.

 Doklam stand-off:

 In 2017, the government came under particularly intense fire because it stayed studiously
silent through a 72-day stand-off at Doklam.

 Indian troops crossed over into Bhutan to stop a Chinese road construction on territory India
sees as Bhutanese but China claims.

 By extending the road, India argued, China was unilaterally altering the India-Bhutan-China
trijunction.

 Beijing demanded an unconditional withdrawal.

 When both finally disengaged, neither divulged the terms.

 It would later emerge that the deal struck involved India withdrawing first.

 China then stopped construction, and the status quo at the face-off site was restored.

Border stand-offs are affecting the India-China bilateral relations:

 Regional security competition in India’s neighbourhood:

 The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) today leverages China’s resources, Nepal settling its border
with China in the 1960s, China’s sharing of nuclear technology with Pakistan in the 1970s,
Bangladesh importing Chinese military hardware in the 1980s, and Chinese backing for the
military junta in Myanmar in the 1990s.
 Economic relations:
 It grew after 2003 but Indian enthusiasm waned as Chinese market access proved limited and
the trade deficit widened.
 Global governance cooperation:
 China and India found common cause at BRICS, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB),
and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
 Beijing’s emphasis on international coalition-building was eventually surpassed by its own
superpower ambitions.
 India consequently began balancing even as it normalised ties with Beijing.
 Nuclear programme:
 China was a major driver of the India-US civil nuclear agreement, which enabled defence and
technological relationships with the US and its allies (including Europe, Japan and Australia).
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 China’s overt opposition to India’s waiver at the Nuclear Suppliers Group in 2008 indicated its
unease with that development.

Measures needed:

 First, it needs to keep the Opposition informed, which it is clear it hasn’t.

 Second, it needs to proactively engage with the media, even if that may be through low-key
engagement as was the case on June 9, that does not escalate into a public war of words.
 At the same time, expectations of having a public debate about the intricacies of every border
stand-off — or for the Prime Minister to weigh in even while negotiations are ongoing — need to
be tempered.
 This will only risk inflaming tensions, and reduce the wiggle room for both sides to find an off-
ramp.
 The broader objective shouldn’t get lost in political debates.
 That objective is to ensure India’s security interests remain protected — and that the status quo
on India’s borders isn’t changed by force.

Way forward:

 Protocols agreed to in 2005 and 2013, detailing the rules of engagement to prevent border
incidents, must be adhered to.
 There is a need to follow the principles agreed to in the previous agreements between the two
countries which call for “mutual and equal security” in border negotiations.
 The most realistic solution will involve only minor adjustments along the LAC.
 Need for a renewed effort to resolve the boundary dispute to maintain peace and tranquility in
border areas.
 India and China should “reinforce communication and coordination in international affairs and
make the international order more just and equitable”.
 Maintain regular contact and advance the development of bilateral relations in all areas.
 Seeking mutually acceptable resolutions on the differences with due respect for each other’s
sensitivities, concerns and aspirations
 Need to respect each other’s Sovereignty and sincere adherence to Panchsheel (Five Principles
of Peaceful Coexistence).
 A strong India-China relationship is important not only for the mutual benefit of the people of
India and China, but also for the region and the world.

Conclusion:

Past incidents have shown that quiet diplomacy, coupled with strong military resolve that deters any
Chinese misadventures, has been more effective than public sabre-rattling, even if we may be
inhabiting a media environment that misconstrues loudness as strength, and silence as weakness.

Do you think the diplomatic fallout of the territorial dispute between India and Nepal is
likely to be serious, which could lead to difficult days ahead for both countries as well
as for the South Asian region? Analyse. (250 words)
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The Lower House of Nepal’s Parliament has unanimously voted for the Second Constitution
Amendment Bill, which guarantees legal status for the new political map of the country that includes
part of Indian Territory in Uttarakhand.

Key Demand of the question:

One must discuss the ongoing issue between India and Nepal and the repercussions of the same on
the bilateral relations of the two as well as upon the entire south Asian region.
Directive:
Analyze – When asked to analyse, you have to examine methodically the structure or nature of the
topic by separating it into component parts and present them as a whole in a summary.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Discuss briefly the background of the territorial dispute between the two countries.
Body:
Explain the territorial dispute in detail , The territorial dispute stems from the fact that Nepal claims
the land to the east of river Kali, which forms the country’s western border. Nepal claims right to the
region and says India was allowed to station troops there in the 1950s and that India has refused to
remove forces from the region ever since. Discuss India’s contention to the claims made by Nepal.
The current development will lead to further complicating the Indo-Nepal border negotiations as
Foreign Secretaries or senior envoys have no right to negotiate on the provisions of Nepal’s
Constitution.
Conclusion:
The diplomatic fallout of the territorial dispute is likely to be serious, which could lead to difficult days
ahead for Nepal-India Relations as well as for the South Asian region.
Introduction:

The inauguration of the “new road to Mansarovar” on May 8 2020, in the midst of a global pandemic
by India’s defence minister has strained the relations between Nepal and India. Nepal government
recently passed the constitutional amendment ratifying a change in its map which includes India’s
territories in Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh district.

Body:

Cause of the dispute:

 The Kalapani region derives its name from the river Kali.
 The new map of Nepal includes Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura, territories that India
controls.
 The territorial dispute stems from the fact that Nepal claims the land to the east of river Kali,
which forms its western border.

 Nepal’s claims to the region is based on this river as it became the marker of the boundary of the
kingdom of Nepal following the Treaty of Sugauli signed between the Gurkha rulers of
Kathmandu and the East India Company after the Gurkha War/Anglo-Nepal War (1814-16). The
treaty was ratified in 1816.
 As per Kathmandu’s understanding, the river originates from Limpiyadhura in the higher
Himalayas.
 It is thus said to give Nepal access to a triangular-shaped land defined by Limpiyadhura-Lipulekh
and Kalapani.
 India opposes the notion and says the origin of the river is much further down (to the east),
which reduces Nepal’s territorial demand.

Impact of the fallout on India –Nepal ties:

 Regardless of the accusations on who is more responsible for the downslide in ties, Nepal’s quick
move on the amendment leaves little space for diplomacy now.
 The fact that the vote was unanimous implies the futility on India’s part to portray Mr. Oli alone
as wholly responsible.
 The Indian government has in the past not hesitated to take tough measures. For instance, the
2015 blockade that severely affected land-locked Nepal
 The Nepali government seeks to build its legacy by overturning what it calls “unequal”
agreements made by the earlier monarchy.
 It could thus reverse old commitments on open and unsecured border posts.
 In turn, it could cause a security nightmare for India if Nepal opens up other parts of their long
boundary.
 Both sides moved quickly to manage the recent fallout of border firing by Nepali police on a
group of Indians that left one dead.
 The same readiness is needed now to manage the fallout of the recent amendment vote.
 Both sides should cooperate to preserve the once celebrated “special” relationship between
India and Nepal.

Impact on the South Asian region:

 The regional forums like SAARC which is already strained would be further deteriorate the South
Asian unity, which is currently the least connected areas in world.
 Multilateral agreements like BBIN, SASEC etc. would also be impacted due to the souring India-
Nepal ties.
 India’s neighbourhood first policy could be sabotaged.
 More such border issues can crop up between other countries which could strain the relations
and in-turn peace and harmony between neighbours.
 China could use this as a leeway to get closer to Indian neighbours, thereby singling out India.

Way forward:

 On border issue:

 The two countries have managed to settle about 98% of the common border.

 More than 8,500 boundary pillars have been installed reflecting the agreed alignment.

 As both countries are laying claim to the same piece of land, the time has come for both
countries to sit for talks to solve this issue.

 Completion of the ongoing process of updating the 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship:

 India must recognise that as in all other developing economies, Nepal’s aspirational young
population is also looking beyond the open Indian border for opportunities, and its desire to
turn his “land-locked” country into a “land-linked” country with a merchant navy must be
considered positively.

 People-to-people inter-dependence must lead the relationship along with civil society and
business-commercial level interactions.

 India’s major foray should be in innovation and technology transfer, multidisciplinary dialogues,
educational and technical institutions, local and global migration management and skills and
capacity-building.

 India needs to finish the infrastructure projects on time for instance Pancheswar project has
been pending for over 20 years now.

 Nepal could be the fountainhead of climate change knowledge and connect to India’s larger
dynamics of the management of the ecology of hills and mountains.

 Effective delivery on the pending projects, the remaining ICPs, the five railway connections,
postal road network in the Terai and the petroleum pipeline so that connectivity is enhanced
and the idea of ‘inclusive development and prosperity’ assumes reality.

 India should maintain the policy of keeping away from internal affairs of Nepal, meanwhile in the
spirit of friendship India should guide the nation towards more inclusive rhetoric.

 With its immense strategic relevance in the Indian context as Indian security concern, stable and
secure Nepal is one requisite which India can’t afford to overlook.

 India needs to formulate a comprehensive and long-term Nepal policy.

Do you think Delhi must have a long-term plan to deal with flexing of muscle by Beijing
at the Line of Actual Control? Critically analyse. (250 words)
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
The question is amidst the recent face-off between India and China where 20 Army personnel were
killed in a clash with Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh this week.
Key Demand of the question:
One has to explain the need of a long term plan to deal with the issues associated with China on the
LAC.
Directive:
Critically analyze – When asked to analyse, you have to examine methodically the structure or
nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them as a whole in a summary.
When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the
topic and give a fair judgment.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by explaining the current context between India and China along the LAC.
Body:
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Firstly, explain in what way the military-technological balance between India and China is vast and
rapidly growing. China out produces out-innovates and out-strategizes India on a daily basis. Discuss
the historical background briefly. Explain that Growing power differential is what lies behind China’s
assertion in Ladakh. Between Doklam, a few years ago, and the current volatility at the LAC with
China, it is important to understand these situations as part of a broader picture about global
politics, the reality of China’s capacities and broad spectrum tactical options, and India’s own
strategic goals and capabilities and options. Suggest what India should do, what should be its long
term plan.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way ahead.
Introduction

Tensions flared up on India-China Border in Eastern Ladakh’s Galwan Valley region as Indian Army
and China’s PLA suffered casualties in a violent faceoff on 15th June. Indian and Chinese soldiers
were in an eye ball to eye ball standoff in the region for over a month now. Indian Army said that
there was loss of 20 lives on the Indian side.

Body

In the past few years, India-China relations have gone through a tumultuous phase which include a
series of disputes b/w the two countries, including the Doklam standoff, Beijing’s shielding to
Pakistan and India’s principled and consistent stand at CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic corridor). On
the other hand, India’s acceptance of the USA’s concept of the ‘Indo-Pacific’ and revival of the
‘Quad’ reflects the state of decline in Sino-India relationship.

Why the current stand-off?

 The current standoff between India and China on the banks of Pangong-tso and the massive
build-up of Chinese troops on the other side of the LAC indicate a shift in policy from an ‘inch-
by-inch’ intrusion to an all-out aggressive posturing.

 Infrastructure Development along the LAC: In the past decade, India has worked hard to
strengthen its position on the border and its presence along the LAC.

 India is close to completing a major upgrade of border roads, including a strategic military-
use road that connects an airfield at Dalut Beg Oldie in the northern tip of the western
sector with the villages of Shyok and Darbuk toward the south.

 Completed in 2019, this “DS-DBO road” greatly facilitates the lateral movement of Indian
forces along the western sector, reducing travel time by 40%.

 Chinese dominance and deterrence posture in the DBO sector is an effort by the PLA to prevent
India from executing its plan for rapid border infrastructure development.

 It will significantly improve India’s capacity to rapidly deploy in the area near the LAC in
Ladakh.

 This prospect worries China.

 Since the border has never been clearly demarcated, it leads to contested perspectives.

 The standoff between India and China near the Pangong-tso that started in early May 2020 has
resulted in a full-scale troop mobilisation by both countries along the LAC in Ladakh.

Previous Arrangements

 Past agreements signed:

 1993: Maintenance of Peace and Tranquillity Along the LAC

 1996: CBMs in the Military Field Along the LAC

 2005: Modalities for the Implementation of CBMs in the Military Field Along the LAC

 2012: Establishment of a Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-

China Border Affairs

 2013: Border Defence Cooperation Agreement

 In 2005, in signing the agreement on the Political Parameters and Guiding Principle for the
Settlement of the India-China Boundary Question, China accepted under its Article VII that “In
reaching the boundary settlement, the two sides will safeguard due interests of their settled
populations in border areas.”

Long-term plan needed to deal with China

 The spectrum within which a boundary settlement could realistically be sought is an LAC-plus
solution at one end, and a Package Proposal without Tawang on the other.

 If the ‘plus’ on the Indian side could be, LAC demarcation as international boundary, while
China could settle, for only free access to Tawang for its pilgrims, then there could be a meeting
ground somewhere in the middle of the spectrum.

 It would seem more realistic that the two sides should settle for more CBMs (Confidence
Building Measures) to maintain peace and tranquility on the Sino-Indian border.

 The clarification of the LAC which the Chinese have so far resisted, after having agreed to do so
earlier, could be a starting point

 In the world of realpolitik, based on practical rather than moral or ideological considerations, a
velvet glove is effective when it is backed up by an iron fist.

 Economic might and cultural influence work best when reinforced with courage to deal with
a bully.

 India must pursue aggressive infrastructure development and be prepared with defence
arrangements to protect territorial integrity.

 A fresh Ladakh policy must be charted, which should include suggestions from local
communities including ones who live in the frontier regions. We also need to bridge the void
between frontier villages and the local administration.

War is not a solution

 Material costs of limited war for both parties far outweigh potential gains

 For China, conflict on the border with India would diminish its ability to meet security
challenges in the South China Sea, thus making it vulnerable to the United States, which
Beijing considers its primary security competitor.

 It seems unlikely that Beijing would want to risk a two-front war.

 Additionally, reputational damages suffered due to COVID-19 and pre-existing fears

surrounding China’s rise will all temper Beijing’s pre-emptive use of military force.

 For India, the primary security challenge remains Pakistan-based terrorist infiltration on the
Kashmir border.

 More importantly, beyond the protection of vital strategic points, the vast tracts of disputed
land along the LAC do not hold any important material resources such as oil, precious
mineral reserves.

 The benefits of territorial aggrandizement are therefore, limited to deterrence value and
the natural terrain offers few advantages to offensive forces.

Conclusion

The current crisis unfolding along the LAC appears on one level to be a continuation of the trends
witnessed in foregoing years. But this time, the latest encounters are occurring at multiple locations
along the LAC which suggests a high degree of Chinese premeditation and approval for its military’s
activities from the very top. India must be proactive to resist any Chinese transgressions and at the
same time utilise its diplomatic skills to tone down the tensions.

Present a detailed analysis of the strategic significance of the Galwan valley region. (250
words)
Reference: Thewire.in
Why the question:
Recently Violence in the Galwan Valley on the India-China border has claimed the lives of 20 Indian
soldiers. Thus the situation necessitates us to examine the strategic significance of the Galwan valley
region.
Key Demand of the question:
One has to present a detailed analysis of the strategic significance of the Galwan valley region.
Directive:
Analyze – When asked to analyse, you have to examine methodically the structure or nature of the
topic by separating it into component parts and present them as a whole in a summary.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Briefly highlight the background of the question. Recently, the Chinese Foreign Ministry in a
statement claimed that the entire Galwan valley is located “on the Chinese side of the Line of Actual
Control (LAC)”, which followed a statement from the People’s Liberation Army stating that “China
always owns sovereignty over the Galwan Valley region”. However, India has dismissed such claims.
Body:
One can start by explaining the geographical presence of the region and its importance to both India
and China. Explain what makes the region strategically important to both the countries. The Galwan
River has its source in Aksai Chin, on China’s side of the LAC, and it flows east to Ladakh, where it
meets the Shyok river on India’s side of the LAC. The Galwan valley refers to the land that sits
between steep mountains that buffet the Galwan River. Explain the nuances around the LAC; it lies
east of the confluence of the Galwan and Shyok rivers in the valley. The Galwan valley is strategically
located between Ladakh in the west and Aksai Chin in the east. At its western end are the Shyok river
and the Darbuk-Shyok-Daulet Beg Oldie (DSDBO) road. Its eastern mouth lies close to China’s vital
Xinjiang Tibet road. Discuss the concerns associated. Suggest what needs to be done.
Conclusion:
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Conclude with fair and balanced approach to address the situation.

Introduction

The trajectory of the India-China crisis beginning at Pangong Tso lake on May 5 and the
ensuing tragedy, the death of 20 Indian soldiers and Chinese casualties in the Galwan Valley on June
15 2020 raises some important questions on the contours of the Asian Century largely pillared so far
by China.

Body

Background

 The truth about the border is that perceptions on the Eastern, Middle and Western sector are
markedly different in India and China, which explains why Indian media routinely cites 3,500
kms of border and China 2,000 kms.

 What drove the border confrontation was India’s growing proximity to the US.

o The abrogation of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution that gave special status to
Jammu and Kashmir, was a point of conflict.

 The Galwan valley in eastern Ladakh that saw a violent face-off between Indian and Chinese
troops has strategic significance because of its proximity to the vital road link to Daulat Beg
Oldie (DBO), the world’s highest landing ground that lies close to the Line of Actual Control and
serves as an important aerial supply line.

 India is engaged in building up border infrastructure in this area, including the all-weather 255
km Darbul-Shayok- DBO road.

o The road runs almost parallel, at places very close to the LAC and extends up to the
base of the Karakoram Pass, which when complete, will reduce the travel time from Leh
to DBO from the present two days to just six hours.

Strategic Significance of Galwan Valley Region

 The Galwan valley connects with Shyok on the road under construction and lies between DBO
and Chushul to the south near Pangong Tso, another hot spot, providing convenient access to
Shyok and the areas beyond.

 Control of the ridgeline along the valley also allows domination of the road.

 Looking eastwards, control of the Galwan valley gives access to the Aksai Chin plateau, through
which part of the Xinjiang-Tibet highway passes.

 While the road is highly prone to Chinese interdiction or long-range artillery, it serves a vital
peace time role in maintaining forward posts and building up reserves.

o An alternate route to DBO is being developed from a different axis in Ladakh that has
adequate depth from the LAC.

 During the 1962 Sino-Indian conflict, Indian posts in the Galwan Sector were attacked and
overwhelmed by the Chinese, resulting in casualties and some prisoners-of-war.

o After the war, this sector largely remained dormant till the recent face-offs.

 A strategically important bridge called Bailey Bridge in the Galwan Valley of Eastern Ladakh has
been made “functional” amid the ongoing tensions with China in the region.

o It links Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) and is not on the track moving to Patrol Point 14 (PP14)
and neither on Galwan river.

 The Galwan Valley area comes under Sub Sector North (SSN), which lies just to the east of the
Siachen glacier and is the only point that provides direct access to Aksai Chin from India.

 Analysts say China is suspicious that the Indian constructions in the area are meant to facilitate
quick movement of soldiers if any attempt is made to recapture Aksai Chin.

Challenges for India

 India’s alignment with the US, the presence of Tibetan government-in-exile in India, and the
aggressive claims on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Gilgit Baltistan — through which the
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) passes only strengthen China’s suspicion about India’s
intention.

o This is especially true after New Delhi made statements on Aksai Chin in its new political
map, after the abrogation of Article 370.

 China believes that, India’s strategic aim in the long term is to restore the status quo ante 1950
by recovering Aksai Chin and other areas captured/secured by China.

 The most important Ladakh sector is with Indo Tibetan Border Police, (ITBP).

o There are concerns about serious lapses in patrolling, and failure of intelligence
agencies, else such large scale built-up of Chinese in the Galwan river sector and Fingers
area would have been known well in time.

 China was also irked by India necessitating foreign direct investment from any country that
shares a land border with India to go through government scrutiny.

 Chinese, from time to time have ingresses into the un-demarcated border and have been gaining
land through their inch by inch strategy (or Salami Slicing Technique).

o The current face-off shows an aggressive posturing and all out violence in defiance of
the border agreements of the past.

Way Forward

 The spectrum within which a boundary settlement could realistically be sought is an LAC-plus
solution at one end, and a Package Proposal without Tawang on the other.

 It would seem more realistic that the two sides should settle for more CBMs (Confidence
Building Measures) to maintain peace and tranquility on the Sino-Indian border.

 The clarification of the LAC which the Chinese have so far resisted, after having agreed to do so
earlier, could be a starting point

 In the world of realpolitik, based on practical rather than moral or ideological considerations, a
velvet glove is effective when it is backed up by an iron fist.

o Economic might and cultural influence work best when reinforced with courage to deal
with a bully.

o India must pursue aggressive infrastructure development and be prepared with

defence arrangements to protect territorial integrity.

Conclusion

India and China are amongst the largest economies, demography, markets and militaries of the
world. Therefore, it is in the interests of both the countries to align their energies for the growth and
development of their people, region and global peace.

Do you think time has come for India to realize and work on better and meaningful
engagements with Taiwan? Explain and give your opinion. (250 words)
Reference: Hindustan Times
Why the question:
The article emphasizes on the fact that it’s time for India to now engage with Taiwan more
meaningfully.
Key Demand of the question:
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Discuss in detail the need to engage with Taiwan for New Delhi given the current circumstances.
Directive:
Explain – Clarify the topic by giving a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the
particular context. You must be defining key terms where ever appropriate, and substantiate with
relevant associated facts.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Explain briefly the relations of India with Taiwan from past to present.
Body:
Start discussing the China factor – The India-China border stand-off in the Galwan Valley, following
China’s incursion into Indian Territory, is a reminder of India’s perennial problems with China.
Explain how this situation is a chance to both India and Taiwan to introspect on their policies and
reach out to each other.
Discuss the importance of Taiwan to India – Taiwan is already a part of the United States’ Indo-
Pacific vision. It is an important geographical entity in the Indo-Pacific region. India’s vision of the
Indo-Pacific is inclusive and it must encourage the participation of Taiwan and other like-minded
countries. India is already a major focus country in Tsai Ing-wen’s New Southbound Policy, launched
in 2016. Under this, Taiwan aims to increase its international profile by expanding political,
economic, and people-to-people linkages.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way ahead.
Introduction:

The bilateral relations between India and Taiwan have improved since the 1990s despite
both nations not maintaining official diplomatic relations. India recognises only the People’s
Republic of China (in mainland China) and not the Republic of China’s claims of being the legitimate
government of Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau – a conflict that emerged after the Chinese
Civil War (1945–49). However, India’s economic & Commercial links as well as people-to-people
contacts with Taiwan have expanded in recent years.

Body:

Highlights of India-Taiwan bilateral relations:

 In the last few years, there has been upgradation of the bilateral investment agreement,
promotion of major Taiwanese investments, expanding parliamentary exchanges and facilitating
track-two dialogues on regional issues.
 Taiwan’s relations with India have increased in breadth — spanning trade, research and
academia — as well depth — trade ties amounted to $7.5 billion in 2019, up from $1 billion in
2000.
 The Taiwanese government has a representative office, the Taipei Economic and Cultural
Center in India (TECC), responsible for facilitating collaboration on education, tourism, culture,
the media, and economic development.
 Taiwan’s increased investments have occurred in the face of cultural challenges, bureaucratic
hurdles, and pressure on India from domestic producers.

Need to work on bettering of India-Taiwan relations:

 China’s hegemony:

 The India-China border stand-off in the Galwan Valley, following China’s incursion into
Indian territory, is a reminder of India’s perennial problems with China.

 The recent violent clashes are an indication of Beijing’s hardline approach towards India.

 The clashes have confirmed is that this is not just about differing perceptions of the
boundary, but China’s blatant attempts to change the status quo.

 This is in clear violation of the Agreement on the Maintenance of Peace and Tranquility
along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the India-China border areas signed in 1993.

 Reducing dependence on China:

 Enhancing Taiwan-India relations is consistent with the Taiwanese government’s efforts to

decrease economic reliance on China and with Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy (NSP),
which improves upon the efforts of several of her predecessors.

 Taiwanese businesses are increasingly interested in shifting business ties from China to
India and policies that facilitate such cooperation could provide mutual benefits.

 Geo- Strategic:

 The unfolding dynamic around Taiwan will have significant consequences for India’s Act
East Policy and its emerging role in the Indo-Pacific Region.

 Strengthening Taiwan-India ties within the rubric of the NSP also overlaps with Taiwan’s
relationships with Australia, United States, and Japan.

 Because these three countries, along with India, have formed an Indo-Pacific entente
cordiale called the “Quad” to maintain a rules-based order in the region, Taiwan-India ties
can benefit from the positive synergy of collaboration in areas of trade, research, and even
defense.

 Moreover, India and Taiwan may see a convergence of security interests that could be
further developed through interactions between the strategic communities on both sides.

 A stronger relationship between India and Taiwan could increase tourism, improve research
and development, and promote educational ties, all of which are mutually beneficial.

 For the first time, Taiwan has officially started looking towards the six South Asian countries
— Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. India is a steering wheel for
Taiwan’s deepening engagement in the South Asian region.

 Geo-Economic:

 The unfolding trade war between the US and China is compelling Taiwan to accelerate its
plans to move its large manufacturing bases away from China to Southeast Asia and India.

 For India to promote industrial production and create jobs, the Taiwan connection with its
impressive small and medium enterprises is more than opportune.

 Taiwan’s GDP is about $600 billion and twice the size of Pakistan’s economy. And few
entities in the international system are today as eager and capable of boosting India’s
domestic economic agenda.

 Talent and technology:

 Taiwan has embarked on a big mission to attract skilled workers. With a declining birth rate
and growing emigration, Taiwan’s industry, education, and technology development could
do with Indian engineers and scientists.

 The synergy in human resources provides the basis for massive collaborations between the
universities, research institutions and technology enclaves in the two countries.

Concerns in the relations:

 India does not have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan yet as it adheres to the One-China policy.
 India’s China policy and its focus on stabilising relations with Beijing have led to the
marginalisation of Taiwan.
 When China protested the visit of an all-women parliamentarians’ delegation from Taiwan to
India in 2018, the momentum in India-Taiwan ties further slowed down.
 Taiwan has been an excellent example of containing the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Yet, Beijing
has been unjustly blocking Taipei’s participation at the WHO. India too has not tried to engage
Taiwan in dealing with the pandemic. Through its response to Covid-19, the island nation has
shown that it is beneficial to engage with it.
 Taiwan’s possible role in the emerging Indo-Pacific order has been under-appreciated.

Way forward:

 It’s true that India does indeed adhere to the ‘One China’ principle. But that shouldn’t stop us
from expanding appropriate relations with Taiwan which enjoys de facto sovereignty.
 India’s foreign policy priorities, particularly with regard to the Indo-Pacific, should accommodate
Taiwan.
 Along with military preparedness and aligning interests with key countries, Taiwan needs to be
included prominently in its long-term strategy towards China.
 Broad support from the Taiwanese public is necessary for increasing trade and people-to-people
contacts, as well as for pushing Taiwan’s ruling parties to increase ties with India.

Conclusion:

The ties with Taiwan should not be solely viewed through China’s lens, the current border
clashes with China has given a chance to both India and Taiwan to introspect on their policies and
reach out to each other. India can no longer just rely on the transactional and need-based policies of
major powers. It has to explore more options. This makes sense when Taiwan is willing to strengthen
ties with India and even domestic debate is tilting in favour of this. It is high time India engages
Taiwan bilaterally and also positions India-Taiwan ties in the regional context.

Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.

Change is the only thing that is constant. However multilateralism is resistant to
change. It. Discuss with examples. Also suggest how to uphold multilateral order in the
world in the current testing times. (250 words)
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The editorial talks about status of multilateralism after COVID19.
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INSTA SECURE SYNOPSIS

Key Demand of the question:

Directive:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the
details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for
and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
COVID19 shows below par performance of multilateral institutions and shown the need of reforms in
multilateralism.
Body:
Discuss the current scenario facing the world. Bring out the changing dynamics on the multilateral
stage of the world. Explain the changed role of countries such as US, China and others. Discuss what
should India’s stand be – India needs to avail Issue specific ‘coalitions of the willing’ but they are not
holistic solutions in ensuring global acceptance of norms. India visualizes world as Vasudhaiva
Kutumbakam, support for multilateralism will have to remain a primary pursuit. India needs to
patiently promote reforms while building partnerships to avail opportunities which may arise for
more fundamental change.
Conclusion:
Conclude that Multilateralism will survive despite threats from U.S. and also it is unlikely that China
will take over them. India must build partnership to promote reforms.
Introduction:

COVID-19 is the gravest and multi-faceted crisis many of us shall witness in our lifetime. Those
challenges are cross-domain in nature, with strong feedback loops. A disruption in one domain often
cascades into parallel disruptions in other domains. Given its scale and unpredictable impact, it has
the potential to shake the trust in Multilateralism and its institutions, but that shall be a devastating
mistake.

Body:

The current crisis is even more deserving of a multilateral response, because it presents challenges
above and beyond those previous threats. In what amounts to an economic perfect storm, the
pandemic has combined with pre-existing recessionary pressures, the broader disruption to global
trade.

Multilateral institutions have survived changes in the past:

 The post Second World War multilateral institutions have survived such departures.
 The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Paris and the
Human Rights Council in Geneva have survived the departure of the U.S.
 The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in Vienna continues despite
the withdrawal of the U.S. and many others.
 The World Health Organization (WHO), notwithstanding its visible shortcomings, will survive U.S.
threats.

The possible role that multilevel governance and multilateralism would play in post COVID-19
world:

 to enhance coordination on macro-economic policies, and take well-focused fiscal and monetary
measures on both sides of supply and demand in an effort to curb recession, create jobs, protect
livelihoods and stabilize the global economy.

 to sustain coordination in the UN, the G20 and other multilateral frameworks to keep up secure
and smooth functioning of global industrial and supply chains, and defend the multilateral
trading regime with the WTO as the cornerstone.
 to work for making development the centrepiece of the global macro policy agenda, and
expedite the delivery of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
 to champion the approach of consultation and cooperation for shared benefits in governance,
take the lead in advancing global governance reform along the right direction.
 to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests and space for development not just for ourselves
but also for all other emerging market and developing countries.
 The multilateral organizations should offer trade unions and social partners in general the space
and impetus necessary to participate in democratic and transparent multilateral decision-making
processes.
 It must also offer them the space to demand enhanced policy coherence, improved enforcement
and better accountability.

Immediate measures needed:

 There is still a chance for a coordinated push under the auspices of the G20 or the International
Monetary Fund.
 Jointly orchestrated monetary and fiscal policies would provide not just immediate stimulus but
also a boost in confidence, as would an agreement to reverse the protectionist policies of the
past few years.
 A mutual ceasefire in the trade war and a return to multilateral trade negotiations would directly
boost economic activity by restoring confidence and spurring investment.
 It would show that the international community is still capable of coming together in meaningful
ways to fight a global crisis.

Way forward:

 There is the need to move away from nationalistic urges and embrace the logic of international
cooperation through revived and strengthened multilateral institutions and processes.
 Relevant policy interventions: Whether at the domestic or the international level, the challenges
posed by the COVID-19 outbreak need to be understood and relevant policy interventions need
to be framed.
 The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) reflect the pathway for cross-national, cross-
domain policy framework.
 A leadership role by India in mobilising world collaboration would act as a beacon for the world
in the direction towards reviving faith in multilateralism for dealing with global challenges of
present nature.

Conclusion:

Taken together, joint action to tackle the pandemic, manage multiple economic shocks, and end the
trade war would both limit the severity of the downturn and accelerate the pace of the subsequent
recovery. Until recently, restoring multilateral cooperation and rebuilding confidence in the
institutions that USA has torn down was a noble objective. Now, it is an urgent and near-existential
one.

Discuss how government of India is using social media as a force multiplier in the times
of occurrence of disasters and their management. (250 words)
Reference: Yojana June 2020
Why the question:
The question aims to discuss in what way the government of India is using social media as a force
multiplier.
Key Demand of the question:
Explain the possible role that social media is playing in acting as a force multiplier to the GOI in the
times of occurrence of disasters and their management.
Directive:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the
details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for
and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Explain briefly the context of the question.
Body:
Whenever there is a big, unexpected crisis, citizens tend to panic and look for directions and
advisories from their elected representatives. What adds to the heat of the moment is the possibility
of (panic induced) Rumours that may lead citizens astray. Social media is now increasingly being
used by governments to reach out to citizens during such crisis.
Present the examples of COIVD-19, the cyclone Amphan etc. and explain how effective were the
digital media(Social media) tools to the government’s aid in addressing such situations.
List down efforts of the government through social media like – Indian Government‘s MyGov
platform has proven to be popular with citizens in this regard, other social media channels used by
the Indian Government (Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram) also promote citizen engagement,
participation, and transparency in this important relationship etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude with importance of social media tools.
Introduction:

The term “social media” refers to internet-based applications that enable people to
communicate and share resources and information. While they have enabled faster communication,
there are many challenges, of which information hygiene is the most important. The social media
forges a direct link between the public and emergency organizations and plays a very important role
in disseminating vital information to the public before, during and after disasters.

Body:

Social media as a force multiplier during times of disaster:

 Crisis and Disaster Management:

 Whenever there is a big, unexpected crisis, citizens tend to panic and look for directions and
advisories from their elected representatives.

 What adds to the heat of the moment is the possibility of (panic induced) rumours that may
lead citizens astray.

 Social media is now increasingly being used by governments to reach out to citizens during
such crisis.

 Two recent examples bear out this trend the first one is a cyclone alert from the National
Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) on India’s eastern coasts, while the other one is an
advisory from PIB to citizens for the lockdown imposed due to COVID19.

 Citizen Engagement:

 One of the best roles social media can play is to act as a medium for continuous engagement
between governments and its citizens.

 Citizens should feel their governments are participatory and welcoming, and be able to
contribute their ideas, comments and suggestions in policy formulation and program
implementation.

 The Indian Government’s MyGov platform has proven to be popular with citizens in this
regard.

 Apart from MyGov, other social media channels used by the Indian Government (Twitter,
Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram) also promote citizen engagement, participation, and
transparency in this important relationship.

 Citizen Grievances & Support:

 Social media has emerged as a very impactful, real-time channel for citizen grievances and
support.

 Most citizen services (specially the public facing ones) maintain active accounts on social
media and encourage citizens to directly reach out with their grievances.

 Sometimes when the query gets resolved quickly, citizens express their gratitude and elation
immediately.

 This expression can act as an authentic validation or testimonial for the service.

 The two examples below are common on social media these days–the first one is about a
traffic complaint to Mumbai Police, while the other one is a real-time grievance filed by a
traveler on Indian Railways to the Railways Bengaluru Division.

 Law & Order maintenance:

 Amongst governmental agencies, police departments are arguably one of the most active
users of social media channels.

 This is because their jobs hover around real-time, public facing situations, which are
frequently subject to rumours, false alerts etc.

 They are required to display trust in their public dealings and communicate unequivocally.

 The Police frequently needs to make public announcements– something that social media is
well-suited for.

However, social media poses challenges too during disasters:

 Threat of infodemic:
 In a country such as India, where 400 million turn to a single messaging app for sharing
news and stories about any and everything, more than 240 million are on Facebook and,

often, using it as the predominant source of news, a critical mass of misinformation leads to
misdirected behaviours.
 In times of crises, cybersecurity is critically important, he stressed, adding that a huge
number of people under lockdown or movement restrictions are now working and studying
remotely, making them susceptible to cybercrime.
 Some instances are hard to ignore some dominant narratives: Bioweapons origins of the
coronavirus (false); Bill Gates was behind it (false); UNICEF’s recommendations for warding
off infection (unauthorised).
 Spread hatred and mistrust:
 False information propagated through fake news have helped people developing racist
and xenophobic sentiments against people of Asian origin around the world, as we saw in
the case of Corona epidemic. Such messages can often be a means of reinforcing existing
prejudices.
 Anonymity:
 Police officers have expressed concern over multiplicity of fake profiles. There is no
accountability of a crime.

Way-Forward

 Promoting the culture of authenticity: The people who consume the data on an everyday basis
educate themselves and acquire the skills to tackle it.
 There is a need to shift towards a system where self- verification of information is an
‘internet skill’ and an important duty.
 This can be done simply by a quick search on Google, or checking for that information or
visiting the official websites to verify the accuracy of the data.
 Responsible citizenry: Consumers who play the central role in the spread of misinformation, are
also the most efficient and effective in debunking the various myths and fake news. This skill can
be taught via:
 Creating awareness on television and social media, or
 Innovative initiatives like ‘Fake News Classes’ introduced in government schools in Kerala,
where they teach students how to identify and spot misinformation.
 By asking questions like “What is the source of that (post/forward)?” before sending it to
other people.
 Proactive web monitoring: The Mumbai Police has launched a project called “Social Media Lab”
to check explosive content on various platforms and quell fake news.
 Initiatives such as ‘WhatsApp’s Checkpoint Tipline’, ‘The Logical Indian’ should create user
awareness regarding fake news.
 Crisis Protocols: Creating a crisis protocol for responding to emerging or active events, on an
urgent basis, so relevant information can be quickly and efficiently shared, processed, and acted
upon by all stakeholders with minimal delay.

Present the principles and purposes of the U N Charter. (250 words)

Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
Commemorative declaration marking the 75th anniversary of the signing of the U.N. Charter has
been delayed. Thus the question.
Key Demand of the question:

The question is straightforward and one must present the principles and purposes of the U N Charter
in detail.
Directive:
Present – A similar instruction to ‘explain’ whereby you are asked to show the workings of
something, making use of definite examples and statistics if appropriate to add weight to your
explanation.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Briefly state the history of coming of UN charter into action. The Charter was signed in San Francisco
on June 26, 1945 and came into force on October 24, 1945.
Body:
Discuss the objectives of the UN Charter – Conceived above all as a means to save future generations
from the scourge of war, the Charter calls for the organization to maintain international peace and
security; promote social progress and better standards of life; strengthen international law; and
promote human rights.
Explain the principles of it in detail.
Conclusion:
Conclude with importance.
Introduction:

The United Nations (UN) is an international organization founded in 1945. It is currently

made up of 193 Member States. The UN Charter of 1945 is the foundational treaty of the United
Nations, as an inter-governmental organization. The Statute of the International Court of Justice is
an integral part of the Charter. In a battle of and for words, a commemorative declaration marking
the 75th anniversary of the signing of the U.N. Charter was delayed as member states could not
reach an agreement on phraseology.

Body:

The UN Charter articulated a commitment to uphold human rights of citizens and outlined
a broad set of principles relating to achieving ‘higher standards of living’, addressing ‘economic,
social, health, and related problems,’ and ‘universal respect for, and observance of, human rights
and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion.’ As a
charter, it is a constituent treaty, and all members are bound by its articles. Furthermore, Article
103 of the Charter states that obligations to the United Nations prevail over all other treaty
obligations. The Charter consists of a preamble and a series of articles grouped into chapters.

The Purposes of the United Nations are:

 To maintain international peace and security, and to that end: to take effective collective
measures for the prevention and removal of threats to the peace, and for the suppression of
acts of aggression or other breaches of the peace, and to bring about by peaceful means, and in
conformity with the principles of justice and international law, adjustment or settlement of
international disputes or situations which might lead to a breach of the peace;
 To develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights
and self-determination of peoples, and to take other appropriate measures to strengthen
universal peace;
 To achieve international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social,
cultural, or humanitarian character, and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights

and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion;
and
 To be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations in the attainment of these common ends.

Principles of the UN Charter:

The Organization and its Members, in pursuit of the Purposes stated in Article 1, shall act in
accordance with the following Principles:

 The Organization is based on the principle of the sovereign equality of all its Members.
 All Members, in order to ensure, to all of them the rights and benefits resulting from
membership, shall fulfill in good faith the obligations assumed by them in accordance with the
present Charter.
 All Members shall settle their international disputes by peaceful means in such a manner that
international peace and security, and justice, are not endangered.
 All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against
the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner
inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations.
 All Members shall give the United Nations every assistance in any action it takes in accordance
with the present Charter, and shall refrain from giving assistance to any state against which the
United Nations is taking preventive or enforcement action.
 The Organization shall ensure that states which are not Members of the United Nations act in
accordance with these Principles so far as may be necessary for the maintenance of
international peace and security.
 Nothing contained in the present Charter shall authorize the United Nations to intervene in
matters which are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of any state or shall require the
Members to submit such matters to settlement under the present Charter; but this principle
shall not prejudice the application of enforcement measures under Chapter VII of the United
Nations Charter.

Conclusion:

Most countries in the world have now ratified the Charter. The United Nations Charter (1945) is
thus, both a multilateral treaty and the constituent instrument of the United Nations. The Charter of
the United Nations is a solid structure upon which we can build a better world. With this Charter the
world can look forward to the time when all worthy human beings may be permitted to live decently
as free people.

Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or
affecting India’s interests.
Brief about the disputed boundary areas between India and China, What are the
reasons for increased tensions? Suggest ways to address them.(250 words)
Reference: Live Mint , The HIndu
Why this question:
The India-China border has been witnessing tensions over the past month, with incidents reported in
at least four different locations along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).Thus the question.
Key demand of the question:

Highlight in detail the disputed boundary areas between India and China, the reasons for these
disputes and explain why they are on rise in recent times and also suggest methods to address them.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by quoting the recent flare up between the two countries with respect to the borders.
Body:
One has to explain in the answer bodies as to Which are the tension points? Why has the Line of
Actual Control not been clearly demarcated? Why is there a stalemate in boundary talks? Explain
that Face-off and stand-off situations occur along the LAC in areas where India and China have
overlapping claim lines. The LAC has never been demarcated. Differing perceptions are particularly
acute in around two dozen spots across the Western (Ladakh), Middle (Himachal Pradesh and
Uttarakhand), Sikkim, and Eastern (Arunachal Pradesh) sectors of the India-China border. Suggest
what needs to be done to overcome the situation.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
Introduction:

Body:

Contributing factors for the border stand-offs:

 Non-demarcated borders:

 The Line of Actual Control (LAC) is the disputed boundary between India and China.

 The LAC is divided into three sectors: western, middle and eastern.

 The countries disagree on the exact location of the LAC in various areas, India claims that
the LAC is 3,488 km long, while China believes it to be around 2,000 km long.

 The two armies try and dominate by patrol to the areas up to their respective perceptions
of the LAC. This often brings them into conflict.

 The LAC mostly passes on the land, but Pangong Tso is a unique case where the LAC passes
through the water as well.

 Strengthening of infrastructure by India:

 China, along the LAC, has enjoyed an advantage in infrastructure as well as terrain that is
more favourable to mobilisation of troops and resources.

 The broader context for the tensions appears to be a changing dynamic along the LAC,
wherein India seems to be catching up with China by improving its border infrastructure.

 Increasing assertiveness of China:

 The latest skirmishes at the Galwan Valley and Sikkim are somewhat unexpected as the
contours of the LAC are broadly agreed to in these sectors.

 The Galwan Valley incident was triggered by China moving in troops and equipment to stop
construction activity by India. India is claiming that the construction activity was well within
India’s side of the LAC.

 Failed negotiations:

 India has long proposed an exercise to clarify differing perceptions of the LAC to prevent
border stand-offs.

 India has argued that such an exercise could help both countries understand the claims of
the other, paving the way to regulate activities in contested areas until a final settlement of
the boundary dispute is arrived at.

 Maps were exchanged in the Middle Sector, but the exercise fell through in the Western
Sector where divergence is the greatest. China has since rejected this exercise, viewing it as
adding another complication to the on-going boundary negotiations.

The state of boundary negotiations:

 A three-stage boundary negotiation was proposed between India and China.

o Agreement on political parameters and guiding principles

o Evolving a framework to resolve the dispute

o Delineating and demarcating of the boundary

 The 22nd round of talks between the Special Representatives, National Security Adviser Ajit
Doval and China’s State Councillor Wang Yi, was held in Delhi in December 2019.

 Both “agreed that an early settlement of the boundary question serves the fundamental
interests of both countries” and “resolved to intensify their efforts to achieve a fair, reasonable
and mutually acceptable solution”.

 In 2005, an agreement on political parameters and guiding principles completed the first of
three stages of the talks. The agreement said both sides “shall safeguard due interests of their
settled populations in border areas”.

 The current, and most difficult stage involves agreeing a framework to resolve the dispute in all
sectors. The final step will involve delineating and demarcating the boundary in maps and on the
ground.

Prospects of a settlement:

 The likelihood appears remote. The main differences are in the Western and Eastern sectors.
 India sees China as occupying 38,000 sq. km in Aksai Chin. In the east, China claims as much as
90,000 sq. km, extending all across Arunachal Pradesh.
 A swap was hinted at by China in 1960 and in the early 1980s, which would have essentially
formalized the status quo. Both sides have now ruled out the status quo as a settlement,
agreeing to meaningful and mutual adjustments.
 At the same time, the most realistic solution will involve only minor adjustments along the LAC,
considering neither side will be willing to part with territory already held.

Way forward:

 India and China should “reinforce communication and coordination in international affairs and
make the international order more just and equitable”.
 Maintain regular contact and advance the development of bilateral relations in all areas.
 Seeking mutually acceptable resolutions on the differences with due respect for each other’s
sensitivities, concerns and aspirations
 Need to respect each other’s Sovereignty and sincere adherence to Panchsheel (Five Principles
of Peaceful Coexistence).
 A strong India-China relationship is important not only for the mutual benefit of the people of
India and China, but also for the region and the world.

Do you think the recent China’s unilateral measures with respect to Hong Kong will
erode both rights and prosperity in the city-state? Discuss. (250 words)
Reference: Indian Express
Why this question:
The question is premised on the fact of China’s unilateral measures with respect to the territory of
Hong Kong.
Key demand of the question:
One has to discuss the effects of recent China’s unilateral measures with respect to Hong Kong and in
what way it will erode both rights and prosperity in the city-state.
Directive:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the
details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for
and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Introduce by setting the context of the question.
Body:
Explain that China’s growing emphasis on the principle of “one country” has met resistance from
Hong Kong’s young activists, who underline the idea of “two systems”. China’s recent focus on
extending its national security laws to Hong Kong has sharpened the inherent contradictions in the
Anglo-Chinese compact and triggered large-scale protests against Beijing’s effort to tighten its grip
over the city. Discuss what it means to end the economy for Hong Kong, explain what the territorial
claims of China are, and highlight the international reaction.
Conclusion:
Conclude with what should be the ideal way forward.
Introduction:

Hong Kong, a city synonymous with bankers and brokers, has become a city of inventive protesters.
China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) has approved the decision to move forward with
the National Security Law on Hong Kong in a move critics say will fundamentally undermine the
freedoms that were enshrined in the territory’s laws when it was returned to Chinese rule in 1997.
The bill, passed by China’s parliament recently, signals the end of Hong Kong’s autonomy.

Body:

Background:

 Hong Kong was a British colony from 1841 when China ceded the island to the British after the
First Opium War – which had erupted over British traders smuggling opium into China.
 Britain handed Hong Kong back to China in 1997 as a ‘special administrative region’.

 The territory has been ruled under the ‘one country, two systems’ formula agreed by then U.K.
and Chinese leaders.
 Hong Kong citizens have more autonomy and freedom than mainland Chinese, but the elective
process is still partly controlled by China.
 At present, Hong Kong residents can only vote for pre-approved political candidates under
Chinese law, making it impossible for a critic of Beijing to get on the ballot.

Rationale behind the law:

The legislation itself has yet to be drafted, but the draft decision that was shared by the NPC
indicates the legislation will cover the following areas:

 Acts of secession

 Subverting state power

 Organising and carrying out terrorist activities and other behaviour that endangers national
security

 Activities that interfere with the internal affairs of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
(HKSAR) and involve foreign or external powers.

 It also raises the spectre of mainland intelligence agencies, “relevant national security organs”,
setting up shop in the territory, which the Hong Kong Bar Association has said is in contravention
of the Basic Law.

Impacts of China’s unilateral measures:

 China’s growing emphasis on the principle of “one country” has met resistance from Hong
Kong’s young activists, who underline the idea of “two systems”.
 China’s recent focus on extending its national security laws to Hong Kong has sharpened the
inherent contradictions in the Anglo-Chinese compact and triggered large-scale protests against
Beijing’s effort to tighten its grip over the city.
 China may use the changed law to target political opponents in Hong Kong.
 Extradited suspects are likely to face torture.
 Also, they say, the change in the law will deal another blow to Hong Kong’s already crumbling
autonomy.
 Article 4 of the Basic Law, the mini-constitution which governs post-colonial Hong Kong,
promises to “safeguard the rights and freedoms of the residents of the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region and of other persons in the Region in accordance with law”. The bill is
against Article 4 of the Basic law.
 It would further erode the freedoms people enjoy under the Basic Law.
 The issue thus brings to light the tensions between the Hong Kong’s Beijing-appointed elite rule,
and the expectations of civil society and pro-democracy movement.
 There are also concerns about the impact on Hong Kong’s much cherished judicial
independence, which has helped underpin investment and business and made the city an
international financial centre.

Other impacts:

 Hong Kong being the Asian financial hub was entering “a very difficult economic environment”
as trade declined and growth slowed.

 Industries like retail, catering and transportation have taken a hit because of the recent violent
unrest, with significant revenue drops.
 Southeast Asian countries remain concerned about adverse effects on tourism.
 The closure spread jitters in Southeast Asia’s tourism-oriented countries such as Thailand and
Singapore, as it disrupted Hong Kong residents’ plans to go abroad.

Conclusion:

Draconian laws will only escalate the situation further, jeopardising Hong Kong’s future as an open
Chinese international city. The majority of Hong Kongers support the maintenance of “one country,
two systems,” though their confidence in this arrangement may be waning. There is a need to
handle the situation peacefully and fulfil the demands of the protesters that is in the interest of the
nation and reflect the values of democracy. International community should come forward to ensure
that the matter is settled peacefully without the use of force by China.

Amidst Covid crisis, focusing on blue economy and environment protection to develop
region’s multilateral development is the immediate step for Indo-Pacific region.
Analyse. (250 words)
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
The article talks about the importance of renewing and shoring up the Indo-pacific multilateral
development amidst the current Covid crisis.
Key Demand of the question:
Explain the need to focus on blue economy and environment protection to develop region’s
multilateral development for the Indo-pacific region.
Directive:
Analyze – When asked to analyse, you have to examine methodically the structure or nature of the
topic by separating it into component parts and present them as a whole in a summary.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Explain that at a time when the focus of the international community is on public health and the
economic response to the coronavirus pandemic — and rightly so — one should also continue
reflecting on the concept of the Indo-Pacific and see how it can best serve regional stability at a time
of heightened tensions.
Body:
Discuss the impact of current Covid crisis on multiple aspects of the world – Traditional security
policies, including the exchange of information and military cooperation against traditional and non-
traditional threats, territorial disputes and international law etc. Discuss why it is important for the
Indo-Pacific region to focus on strengthening the regions’ blue economy and biodiversity.
Conclusion:
Conclude with the significance and the potential that the multilateral development holds for the
region.
Introduction:

Indo-Pacific region is a multi-polar region, contributing more than half of the world’s GDP
and population. Countries falling in the direct hinterland of the vast Indian and Pacific oceanic
expanse are termed ‘Indo-Pacific countries’. At a time when the focus of the international
community is on public health and the economic response to the coronavirus pandemic — and
rightly so — one should also continue reflecting on the concept of the Indo-Pacific and see how it
can best serve regional stability at a time of heightened tensions.

Body:

Need for immediate multilateral development in the Indo-Pacific region:

 The attributes of the Indo-Pacific are also highly appealing.

 The region comprises at least 38 countries that share 44 percent of world surface area and 65
per cent of world population.
 It accounts for 62 per cent of world–GDP and 46 per cent of the world’s merchandise trade.
 Traditional security policies, including the exchange of information and military cooperation
against traditional and non-traditional threats, have in no way lost their relevance in a COVID-19
world.
 The current crisis has, in fact, revealed the assertion of power politics.
 This is likely to have a negative impact on territorial disputes and international law, as the recent
tensions in the South China Sea have shown.
 Moreover, the tensions between the United States and China have been revived, accentuating
regional faultlines and urging countries to take sides.
 This would go against the objective of a multipolar Asia in a multipolar world.

Importance of multilateralism:

 Multilateralism, including in its regional dimension, regionalism, is all the more necessary since
the Indo-Pacific is characterized by limited political integration, and more intensely competing
ideological narratives in the wake of the public health crisis.
 In these circumstances, multilateralism is a tool that can help countries defuse tensions and
build common understandings of shared challenges.
 It is, moreover, an unequaled mechanism to promote international norms and principles and to
facilitate their implementation by increasing the cost of unilateral policies.
 It represents a multiplying — not undermining — factor of national policies.

Need for focusing on blue economy and environment protection:

 The blue economy and environmental protection should also be at the center of our Indo-Pacific
strategies.
 This conviction is derived from our diagnosis that inequalities within societies, marginalization of
some coastal populations, and vulnerability to climate change may well be aggravated in the
Indo-Pacific by short- and long-term factors, ranging from the COVID-19 crisis, uncooperative
appropriation of natural resources, as well as climate change, which creates environmental
insecurity.
 These factors have the potential to damage the social fabric of the people.
 Against this risk, protecting biodiversity and promoting a sustainable marine economy involves
developing new economic sectors, facilitating local job creation, preventing the predation of
certain projects when necessary, and upgrading their resilience to climate change.
 This would, for example, involve developing sustainable fishing industries that benefit the local
people and abide by the law.
 These are true components of a long-term agenda for the Indo-Pacific.

Way Forward for India:

 Economically and strategically, the global center of gravity is shifting to the Indo-Pacific. If the
region’s stakeholders don’t act now to fortify an open, rules-based order, the security situation
will continue to deteriorate—with consequences that are likely to reverberate worldwide.
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INSTA SECURE SYNOPSIS

 With joint military exercises, India will develop interoperability and standard operating
procedures, which will help in any joint military operation or even possibly a military alliance in
the future.
 The Quad Security cooperation among Japan, India, the US and Australia is increasingly
plausible. The time has come to proactively further this cooperation to ensure prosperity and
stability in the whole of Indo-Pacific.
 Groups like ASEAN and APEC will have to collectively approach China. Standing up to it and
physically stopping illegal Chinese construction will gain international attention and the
sympathy and backing of major powers.

Conclusion:

India is already assuming her responsibilities in securing the Indo-Pacific region. A strong India-US
partnership can anchor peace, prosperity and stability from Asia to Africa and from the Indian Ocean
to the Pacific. It can also help ensure security of the sea-links of commerce and freedom of
navigation on seas.

Discuss the possible intensive bilateral political and institutional engagements that can
happen between Delhi and Canberra. (250 words)
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
The article brings to us a detailed narration of the possible relations that India and Australia can
focus now amidst the Covid situation.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss the prospects of India and Australia bilateral as well as possible multilateral relations.
Directive:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the
details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for
and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start with the virtual summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Australian premier,
Scott Morrison which happened last week, is an important part of Delhi’s current diplomatic effort to
plug that big gap in India’s diplomatic tradition.
Body:
Discuss first the possible prospects that Australia has to offer India – Australia is rich in natural
resources that India’s growing economy needs. It also has huge reservoirs of strength in higher
education, scientific and technological research. In the global diplomatic arena, Australia punches
way above its weight. Its armed forces, hardened by international combat, are widely respected.
Canberra’s intelligence establishment is valued in many parts of the world. Australia has deep
economic, political and security connections with the ASEAN and a strategic partnership with one of
the leading non-aligned nations, Indonesia. Discuss the role of India towards Australia; explain the
prospects of bilateral engagements between the two.
Conclusion:
Conclude that it is only by building a series of overlapping bilateral and minilateral platforms for
regional security cooperation that Delhi and Canberra can limit the dangers of the growing
geopolitical imbalance in the Indo-Pacific.
Introduction:

India and Australia has shared a cordial relation with each other since a very long time and
has witnessed an increased commitment in recent past. Multiple engagement in fields such as
bilateral trade, strategic relations, student exchange programs, similar commitments towards
sustainable development has made this relationship all the more dynamic. As the global momentum
is markedly shifting towards the Indo-Pacific region it becomes imperative for both the nations to
stand in unison and provide the stability the region desires owing to the over-indulging nature of
China.

Recently, Prime Ministers of India and Australia held their first virtual bilateral summit and both
concluded nine agreements including the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) and the
Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA).

Body:

Extra Information: India-Australia bilateral relations:

Economic and trade relationship:

 The India-Australia economic relationship has grown significantly in recent years. India’s growing
economic profile and commercial relevance to the Australian economy is recognized, both at the
federal and state level in Australia.

 India’s exports to Australia stood approximately at US$ 4.6 billion (A$6.1 bn) in 2016 while
India’s import from Australia during the same period stood at US$ 11 billion (A$14.6 bn).

 India’s main exports to Australia are Passenger Motor Vehicle & machinery, Pearls, Gems and
Jewellery, Medicaments and Refined Petroleum while India’s major imports are Coal, Non-
monetary Gold, Copper, Wool, Fertilizers and Education related services.

 India-Australia also has a Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) which was established in 1989 to
enable interaction at a government and business level on a broad range of trade and investment
related issues.

 The two countries are currently discussing a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement
(CECA) which will provide greater market access to exporters of goods and services. The two
sides have exchanged their goods and services offer lists.

Strategic:

The Quad:

 The informal strategic Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QSD) that was initiated by Japan’s Prime
Minister Shinzo Abe in 2007 was largely in response to China’s growing power and influence.

 For Australia in 2007 therefore, to begin embroiling itself in any emerging military alliance with
Japan against China, in the absence of any formal reconciliation between Tokyo and Beijing over
the events of the Second World War (Nanking Massacre), was incompatible with our long-term
national interests.

 However, Australia later rejoined the dialogue in 2017 on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit,
signalling a re-ignition in Australia’s interest in the dialogue.

Defence relation:

 India–Australia both borders the Indian Ocean and has a shared interest in the maintenance of
freedom of navigation and trade.

 Australia recognizes India’s critical role in supporting security, stability and prosperity of the
Indian Ocean region. Australia and India are committed to working together to enhance
maritime cooperation and has a formal bilateral naval exercise (AUSINDEX) since 2015.

 From 2016-18, the armies of the countries conducted a joint military exercise dubbed “AUSTRA
HIND”.

Civil Nuclear Co-Operation:

 A Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement was signed in September 2014 which came into force in
November 2015 and provides the framework for substantial new trade in energy between
Australia and India.

 The deal ensures that Uranium mining companies of Australia can supply Australian uranium to
India for civil use with confidence that exports would not be hindered by domestic legal action
challenging the consistency of the safeguards applied by the IAEA in India and Australia’s
international non-proliferation obligations.

 It also ensures that any future bilateral trade in other nuclear-related material or items for civil
use will also be protected.

Consular Cooperation

 India and Australia signed The Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) and the Extradition Treaty
in June 2008, which has been ratified by both the Governments, and has come into force since
January 2011.

Possible intensive bilateral political and institutional engagements:

 there are a host of emerging issues — from reforming the World Health Organization to 5G
technology and from strengthening the international solar alliance to building resilience
against climate change and disasters — that lend themselves to intensive bilateral political and
institutional engagement.
 The two leaders must order their security establishments to develop strategic coordination in
the various sub-regions of the Indo-Pacific littoral.
 The eastern Indian Ocean that lies between the shores of peninsular India and the west coast of
Australia ought to be the top priority.
 Eastern Indian Ocean, connecting the two oceans, is at the heart of the Indo-Pacific.
 This is where Delhi and Canberra can initiate a full range of joint activities, including on maritime
domain awareness, development of strategically located islands and marine scientific research.
 The sea lines of communication between the Indian and Pacific oceans run through the
Indonesian archipelago.
 Given the shared political commitment to the Indo-Pacific idea between Delhi, Jakarta and
Canberra and the growing pressures on them to secure their shared waters, India and Australia
must seek trilateral maritime and naval cooperation with Indonesia.
 The current trilateral dialogue between Japan, Australia and India (JAI) can be expanded from
the diplomatic level to practical maritime cooperation on the ground.

 Paris and Canberra are eager to develop a trilateral arrangement with Delhi that will supplement
the bilateral cooperation among the three nations. Delhi must endorse the initiative.
 India and Australia must explore the possibilities for engagement between India and the Five
Power Defence Arrangement (FPDA).
 FPDA was set up back in 1971, after Britain pulled back most of its forces from the East of Suez.
The FPDA brings together the armed forces of the UK, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and New
Zealand.

Other possible areas of Cooperation

 Water: Australia and India face some similar challenges in water resources management,
particularly in managing over-allocation and water quality, while balancing the water needs of
the community, industry and maintaining system flows. Both the nations can come together in
finding a novel solution to this common problem.
 Energy: Meeting the energy needs of 240 million people, which currently lack access to
electricity, is a key priority for India. Australia is a natural partner for India in the energy sector
as it is a world leader in energy and the sector contributes around 10% to Australia’s GDP.
 Science and Technology: India and Australia have a strong track record of collaborating in
research and innovation. The $84 million Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF) is
Australia’s largest.

Challenges:

 The region faces a range of traditional security challenges that relate to issues of trust in the
form of China which has emerged as a regional power and has little faith in rule based order.
 There are also a growing number of non-traditional and trans-boundary security challenges,
including terrorism, natural disasters and pandemics.
 Also, India faces unfavourable trade with Australia and despite opening talks for a
comprehensive economic cooperation agreement in 2011, the agreement which would have
significantly lowered the trade balance in favour of India, has remained elusive.

Way Forward:

 Shared values, shared interests, shared geography and shared objectives are the bedrock of
deepening India-Australia ties and the cooperation and coordination between the two countries
have picked up momentum in recent years.
 India no longer sees Australia at the periphery of India’s vision but at the centre of its thoughts.
 Both India and Australia share a vision of a free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific
region and cooperative use of the seas by adherence to international law including the United
Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and peaceful resolution of disputes rather
than through unilateral or coercive actions.
 The opportunity as well as challenge is that the two nations are at very different levels of
development. There can be converging and diverging interests.
 It is only by building a series of overlapping bilateral and minilateral platforms for regional
security cooperation that Delhi and Canberra can limit the dangers of the growing geopolitical
imbalance in the Indo-Pacific.
 Therefore, the future must be woven around the three pillars, which are economic relationship,
geostrategic congruence and people-to-people ties, and the glue that can bind this is a
sustained momentum.

Analyze the detrimental effect of the new cold war on multilateralism and elucidate on
India’s role and opportunity in such a scenario. (250 words)
Reference : The Hindu
Why the question:
The article analyzes the detrimental effect of the new cold war on multilateralism and articulates
India’s role and opportunity in such a scenario.
Key Demand of the question:
One must discuss the nuances of the new cold war, in what way it is a threat to multilateralism and
what are the opportunities for India amidst such a situation and what should India do.
Directive:
Analyze – When asked to analyse, you have to examine methodically the structure or nature of the
topic by separating it into component parts and present them as a whole in a summary.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by explaining the current situation facing the world.
Body:
Explain the nuances of new cold war, role of China, US and the other key countries. Discuss why the
clashes between these countries are leading to cold war and how that in turn is becoming a threat to
multilateralism. Explain if the clash between the U.S. and China marks a seismic shift within the UN
system. Discuss what should India’s role be, the world is questioning both the U.S.’ and China’s
exceptionalism. Hence, for India, the strategic issue is neither adjustment to China’s power nor
deference to U.S. leadership. In the new cold war, defined by technology and trade, not territory,
non-alignment is an uncertain option; India should craft a global triumvirate. By proposing an
alternative structure, India would not have to choose between the emerging power centres.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward for multilateralism.
Introduction:

The clash between USA and China during World health assembly in WHO has highlighted how west
and US led global order is changing. China is using technology, trade to balance the military
superiority of the USA. COVID 19 has accelerated this clash by lowering trust in values central to the
west like free markets. The coronavirus pandemic has made a fresh demand for a revived
multilateralism. In this backdrop, India could play a pivotal role, given the deficit of trust existing
with China in many countries.

Body:

Challenges faced by world:

 The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the varying nature of the challenges faced by the world.
 First, these challenges are cross-national in character. They respect no national boundaries and
are not amenable to national solutions only.
 Second, these challenges are cross-domain in nature, with strong feedback loops. A disruption in
one domain often cascades into parallel disruptions in other domains.
 The intersection of cross-national and cross-domain challenges demand multilateral approaches
to reach out any solution.
 However, there has been an upsurge in narrow nationalism, an assertion of parochial interests
over the pursuit of global (shared) interests, and a fostering of competition among states rather
than embracing collaboration.
 Thus, multilateralism is possibly at its weakest today.

Detrimental effect of the new cold war on multilateralism:

 The clash between China and the U.S. at the just concluded World Health Assembly in May
marks the end of the multilateralism of the past 70 years.
 The donor-recipient relationship between developed and developing countries has ended with
China’s pledge of $2-billion.
 The agenda-setting role of the G7 over UN institutions and global rules has also been effectively
challenged by WHO ignoring the reform diktat of the U.S. leading to its withdrawal, and
characterization of the G7 as “outdated”.
 The U.S. has also implicitly rejected the G20 and UN Security Council, for an expanded G7 “to
discuss the future of China”.
 Important shift in the UN: After World War II, the newly independent states were not consulted
when the U.S. imposed global institutions fostering trade, capital and technology dependence.
 This was done ignoring the socio-economic development of these countries.
 But social and economic rights have emerged to be as important as political and procedural
rights.
 Against this backdrop, China’s President Xi Jinping deftly endorsed the UN Resolution on
equitable access to any new vaccine.
 China has come out with alternative governance mechanisms to the U.S.-dominated
International Monetary Fund, World Bank and World Trade Organization with its all-
encompassing Belt and Road Initiative.
 The U.S., European Union and Japan are re-evaluating globalization as it pertains to China and
the U.S. is unabashedly “America First”.
 The world is questioning both U.S. and China’s exceptionalism.
 For India, the strategic issue is neither adjustment to China’s power nor deference to U.S.
leadership.

India’s opportunity in promoting multilateralism:

India will be involved in global institutions as:

 Chair of executive board of WHO’s World Health Assembly

 In 2021, India will become UN Security council’s non-permanent member
 BRICS chairmanship in 2021 will be with India
 G20 summit of 2022 will be hosted by India

India’s role in promoting multilateralism:

 Peaceful coexistence is a crucial condition for realizing Asian century. Freezing sovereignty and
non-interference in each other’s internal affairs should be agreed to by all.
 US interventions in Afghanistan, West Asia, Africa show how interference is counterproductive.
 Countering expansionism, India can provide an alternative vision of a multipolar world with
multipolar Asia with coexistence.
 New P5(Permanent 5) of UNSC that is not based on G7 but new realities of the world to be
established.
 Moulding global digital economy: National security will depend on digital technologies like cyber
security, Artificial intelligence(AI) etc. India must enhance its own capabilities and set the rules
for global framework by balancing state led(China) – market led (USA) mechanisms through a
public centric model.

 New principles of trade which prevent IPR monopolies and ensure public goods are shared in a
fair and humane manner, should be formulated.
 Global public goods should include public health, crop research, renewable energy and batteries,
even AI as its value comes from shared data. We have the scientific capacity to support these
platforms as part of foreign policy.
 Sustainable development to be pursued based on ancient civilizational values of Asian countries.
Restructuring of society and economy must be done based on these values. This promotes
alternatives to materialism and excessive exploitation which are prevalent due to unchecked
market liberalism.
 Ties with regional institutions like ASEAN, SAARC, BIMSTEC, EU need to be enhanced to bring out
this vision of non-coercive multilateralism. Such multilateralism will counter unilateralism as
seen with both the US and China.

Conclusion:

It is in this changed context that India should look upon its own reemergence, China losing influence
and the dynamics in its relations with the United States as Asia again becomes central to global
prosperity, with global governance, economy, scientific research and society in need of being re-
invented. We should use this opportunity to recover our global thought leadership, think Nalanda,
astronomical computation, the zero, Ayurveda, Buddhism, yoga and Ahimsa as well as clothing the
world for millennia.

Can the China’s growing economic and diplomatic clout be curbed by the newly formed
Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China? Analyse. (250 words)
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
A group of senior lawmakers from eight democracies including the US have launched the Inter-
Parliamentary Alliance on China to counter China. Thus the context of the question.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss the relevance of such an alliance in curbing or controlling the growing economic and
diplomatic clout of China.
Directive:
Analyze – When asked to analyse, you have to examine methodically the structure or nature of the
topic by separating it into component parts and present them as a whole in a summary.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Briefly discuss the ongoing equation between China and rest of the world.
Body:
Start by explaining the key features of the alliance; it is a new cross-parliamentary alliance to help
counter what the threat posed by China’s growing influence to global trade, security and human
rights. The group aims to “construct appropriate and coordinated responses, and to help craft a
proactive and strategic approach on issues related to China.” The list of participating nations
includes the US, Germany, UK, Japan, Australia, Canada, Sweden, Norway, as well as members of the
European parliament.
Conclusion:
Discuss the impact of Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China.
Introduction:

The Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) is a group of senior lawmakers from eight
democracies including the U.S. launched to help counter the threat China’s growing influence

poses to global trade, security and human rights. It was launched recently, comes as the US
struggles to muster a cohesive alliance to take on China’s growing economic and diplomatic clout
and as it leads foreign governments in condemning Beijing’s move to impose national security
legislation on Hong Kong that threatens the city’s autonomy.

Body:

Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC):

 IPAC is a new cross-parliamentary alliance to help counter what the threat posed by China’s
growing influence on global trade, security and human rights.

 The participating nations include the US, Germany, UK, Japan, Australia, Canada, Sweden,
Norway, as well as members of the European parliament.

 It is an international cross-party group of legislators working towards reform on how democratic

countries approach China.

 Comprised of legislators from eight democracies it will be led by a group of co-chairs who are
senior politicians drawn from a representative cross-section of the world’s major political
parties.

 The group aims to “construct appropriate and coordinated responses, and to help craft a
proactive and strategic approach on issues related to China.”

 IPAC will focus on five key areas of policy:

 safeguarding international law and ensuring that China is held to the standards of the
international legal order;

 upholding human rights and ensuring that these concerns are given due prominence in all
engagement with China;

 promoting trade fairness;

 strengthening security;

 promoting responsible development by protecting emerging economies from investment or

lending from China that compromises their national interests or institutions.

Reasons for launch of IPAC:

 The COVID-19 pandemic has forced policymakers to confront questions that have been the
elephant in the room for years.
 The undeniable fact that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) regime repressed the truth about
the coronavirus when it was first identified, silenced the brave whistleblowers who tried to alert
the world, and failed to report in a timely manner to the World Health Organization has caused
governments around the world to dramatically rethink their China policy.
 The resentment against Communist China due to its handling of the coronavirus is growing and
this development has rattled Beijing and Xi Jinping.
 The alliance believes that China’s economic rise is systematically putting the global, rules-based
order under severe pressure.
 China is bullying countries – both politically and economically – which are not toeing its line on
the coronavirus pandemic.
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 China has been asserting itself internationally. In May 2020, Chinese troops crossed the
contested border with India. The Chinese navy has also stepped up patrols in the South China
Sea.
 At the end of May 2020, Beijing’s announced it would implement national security laws in Hong
Kong, a move aimed at clamping down on anti-government unrest in the enclave.
 Add to this the regime’s flagrant breaches of its international treaty obligations to Hong Kong,
mass atrocities against the Uyghurs and others in Xinjiang, increasing repression throughout the
rest of China and aggression abroad.
 It is further combined with the very real need to engage China on climate change and to de-
escalate tensions with Taiwan and in the South China Sea, while considering how to reduce
dependency on China by diversifying supply chains.

Possible impacts of IPAC:

 Unlike many other initiatives, IPAC is not intended to be a think-tank per se. It won’t publish
reports or policy papers, or hold “campaigns.”
 Instead it is a loose network aimed at generating ideas that individual legislators might take
forward in their own respective contexts.
 The approaches may vary, and not every member will necessarily be signed up to every aspect
or issue.
 Some may choose to focus on human rights or economic “decoupling”; others might pursue
climate change or security. Some might call for targeted Magnitsky-style sanctions or a “life
boat” rescue package to offer sanctuary for pro-democracy activists in grave danger in Hong
Kong, while others may prefer to pursue constructive engagement with China on the issues
where we have no choice but to try to work with the CCP, such as climate change.
 The beauty of the alliance is that it is neither “hawkish” nor “dovish,” but rather brings “hawks”
and “doves” and realists in between together in a common recognition that if the free world is
to defend its values and interests, and protect the international rules-based order, we need a
coordinated approach towards China.

Conclusion:

Gathering such a diverse group of senior politicians from across the globe is no easy feat, and IPAC’s
success and value will be tested in the ability of people who may not agree on many things to
identify common ground and common values, and the need for a coordinated approach. Time will
tell what it impacts it has. But it says something of the importance of the challenge we face that this
alliance has come together, and it sends Beijing a clear message: it is no longer business as usual.

Tensions between North Korea and South Korea have re-emerged, Explain how the cold
war after World War II led to tensions in Korean peninsula in the history, Also discuss
role played by India in maintaining peace in the region. (250 words)
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
Recent events led to reemergence of tensions in Korean peninsula. The article explains in what way
U.S. must take measures to revive normalcy.
Key Demand of the question:
Explain the historical background of the tensions in the Korean Peninsula and the re-emerged
tensions of the day. One must present the role of India amidst such tensions from past to present in
the region.

Directive:
Explain – Clarify the topic by giving a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the
particular context. You must be defining key terms where ever appropriate, and substantiate with
relevant associated facts.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Present the current tussle between the two countries of the peninsula.
Body:
Explain the historical background of the peninsula – From 1910 till end of the WW-II, Korean
Peninsula belonged to Japanese Empire. After Japan surrendered in 1945, a provisional government
was set up in Korea, with the Soviet Union exercising control over the northern half and the United
States exercising control over the southern half (US and Soviet Union were allies). A boundary
between the two zones was set at 38th parallel. Present how no agreement could be reached and
thus the issues continue to re-emerge now and then.
Present the role of India from past to present with respect to the issue.
Conclusion:
Conclude that technically the Korea War is never over because no official peace treaty was ever
signed.
Introduction

The end of the Second World War left Korea divided between a Communist North controlled by the
Socialist camp and a South Korea dominated by the Western powers. In the last two years, hostilities
were reduced, due to the efforts of Moon Jae-in, South Korean PM, although short-lived.

By blowing up a joint liaison office on the border with South Korea and threatening to deploy troops
along the demilitarised zone, North Korea is back to aggressive posturing with the threat of war.

Body

Current Escalation

 Troubles began in the peninsula early this year after a deadline the North dictated to the U.S. to
achieve progress in the denuclearisation talks expired on December 31.
 North Korea has conducted missile tests this year, sending warning signals to Seoul and
Washington. Especially after the Singapore and Hanoi Summit (latter was cut short).
 The latest crisis was triggered by anti-North defector groups that sent out propaganda leaflets
via balloons across the border.
 Angered by the South’s refusal to crack down on them, Pyongyang has severed hotlines,
demolished the liaison office, and is planning to deploy troops along the border.
 Tensions now risk rolling back whatever little was achieved through engagement over the past
two years.

Cold War and Korean Conflict

 World War ll : From 1910 till end of the WW-II, Korean Peninsula belonged to Japanese Empire.

 After Japan surrendered in 1945, a provisional government was set up in Korea, with the
Soviet Union exercising control over the northern half and the United States exercising
control over the southern half (US and Soviet Union were allies).

 Ideological battle: The main protagonists of that political, economic, military and ideological
contest, the Soviet Union and the United States of America, intervened in the Korean War.

 The Soviet Union and its ally China backed North Korea, while the United States gathered an
alliance under the auspices of the United Nations (UN) to support the south.

 As far as American officials were concerned, it was a war against the forces of international
communism itself.

 The Korean war began on June 25, 1950, when some 75,000 soldiers from the North Korean
People’s Army poured across the 38th parallel.

 This invasion was the first military action of the Cold War. By July, American troops had
entered the war on South Korea’s behalf.

 North Korean invasion came as an alarming surprise to American officials. Many feared it was
the first step in a communist campaign to take over the world.

 For this reason, non-intervention was not considered an option by many top decision
makers.

 USA flew in its troops, and were successful in pushing back North Korean army out of the
38th In doing so, it went as far as the Yalu River, which is at the border between North Korea
and China.

 China called it a military aggression against it. Meanwhile, USA wanted to prevent a war
with China. The alternative, they feared, would be a wider war with Russia and China–or
even, as some warned, World War III.

 After some early back-and-forth across the 38th parallel, the fighting stalled and casualties
mounted with nothing to show for them.

 American officials worked anxiously to fashion some sort of armistice with the North
Koreans.

 Finally, in July 1953, the Korean War came to an end. In all, some 5 million soldiers and
civilians lost their lives

 The agreement allowed the POWs to stay where they liked; drew a new boundary near the
38th parallel that gave South Korea an extra 1,500 square miles of territory; and created a 2-
mile-wide “demilitarized zone” that still exists today.

Role Played by India in Korean War

 When North Korea invaded South Korea in 1950, India supported the US in the UN Security
Council, condemning North Korea as aggressor and calling for a ceasefire.

 But American pleasure was soon to turn into anger when they found that India abstained from
voting on another resolution calling for assistance to South Korea and the setting up of a unified
command for this purpose. This was India’s policy of non-alignment.

 India’s main concern was to prevent the entry of outside powers into the conflict. Nehru
appealed to Truman and Stalin and received a warm response from the latter.

 Progress of war: But meanwhile General MacArthur, crossed the 38th parallel into North Korea
and continued towards the Yalu river that separated Korea from China.

 Chou En-lai, the Chinese prime minister, warned the Western powers through the Indian
ambassador to China, K.M. Panikkar, of retaliation, but to no avail.

 India was the only link between the West and East in Peking at that time.

 China thereupon sent in waves of armed ‘volunteers’ and succeeded in pushing back
American troops to South of the 38th parallel, which resulted in huge Chinese, Korean and
American casualties.

 India as peace negotiator: Nehru tried again at this point to bring about an end to the war by
organizing a conference but the US queered the pitch with an ill-timed UN resolution declaring
China the aggressor.

 India voted against it because it was clearly MacArthur and not China who was the
aggressor in North Korea.

 A military stalemate ensued but despite India’s tireless efforts it took till June 1953 to get both
sides to agree to a ceasefire and evolve an acceptable formula for the repatriation of prisoners
of war.

 It was Krishna Menon who finally succeeded in fashioning a formula that the UN General
Assembly and, after Stalin’s death, the Soviet bloc accepted.

 A Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission was set up with an Indian, General Thimmayya, as
its Chairman, and an Indian ‘Custodian Force’ under his charge was made responsible for
the difficult task of repatriation of soldiers.

Conclusion

India can play a bigger role, considering its history in the Korean war and the non-partisan
handling of the issue. Given that there is a similar situation today, India can play a larger role in
defusing the tensions where USA was unsuccessful. This can propel India to assume its rightful place
as a global leader in the current world order.

The violent standoff between Indian and Chinese troops in Galwan Valley of Ladakh
region has thrown the spotlight on high-altitude warfare. In this backdrop discuss how
is high-altitude warfare fought and to what extent is India equipped for it? (250 words)
Reference: byjus.com
Why the question:
The violent standoff between Indian and Chinese troops in Galwan Valley of Ladakh region has
thrown the spotlight on high-altitude warfare and the challenges that troops face, particularly when
advantageous positions on the heights are occupied by the other side.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss the aspects of is high-altitude warfare, how is it fought and India’s capability vis-à-vis with
respect to it.
Directive:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the
details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for
and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by defining what is meant by high-altitude warfare.
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Body:
Discuss how high-altitude warfare fought? High-altitude warfare is fought keeping the terrain and
weather in mind. The kind of infrastructure and training that the troops require for high-altitude
warfare are key factors. The evolution of such warfare goes back a long way: European countries had
mountain brigades in view of the kind of terrain prevalent in those countries. The harshness of the
terrain calls for a specialized kind of training to prepare soldiers in terms of mindset and
acclimatization. Explain India’s capabilities with respect to it. One can discuss the historical, inherent
high-altitude warfare techniques Indians are equipped with.
Conclusion:
Conclude by highlighting the importance of such warfare to India owing to its territorial variations
across its neighborhood.
Introduction:

High-altitude warfare refers to warfare in the mountains or similarly rough terrain. It is

fought keeping the terrain and weather in mind. The kind of infrastructure and training that the
troops require for high-altitude warfare are key factors. The evolution of such warfare goes back a
long way: European countries had mountain brigades in view of the kind of terrain prevalent in
those countries. The harshness of the terrain calls for a specialised kind of training to prepare
soldiers in terms of mindset and acclimatisation.

The violent standoff between Indian and Chinese troops in Galwan Valley of Ladakh region has
thrown the spotlight on high-altitude warfare and the challenges that troops face, particularly when
advantageous positions on the heights are occupied by the other side.

Body:

The Indian Army has deployed its specialised high altitude warfare forces along the Line of
Actual Control (LAC) to counter any transgression by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in
any sector

Challenges faced by India at high-altitude warfare:

 Relief challenges:

 Weather constraints play a major factor.

 The world’s highest battlefield, Siachen, can be unforgiving even for the toughest; frequent
blizzards and sub-zero temperatures make it one of the most hostile places to live in, let
alone fight.

 Large parts of eastern Ladakh’s geography are well above 4,000 meters (above sea level).

 Physiological challenges:

 The reality is that for any altitude greater than 2,400 meters, it may take days for soldiers to
acclimatize to the new conditions.

 Poor acclimatization to high-altitudes could trigger the onset of deadly pulmonary oedema.

 At that kind of altitude, medical problems that could quite quickly manifest include
pulmonary oedema, frost bite, chilblains, snow blindness, and acute mountain sickness.

 Shooting and targeting also grows significantly more challenging at high altitudes.

 The load carrying capacity of individuals reduces drastically.

 Infrastructural challenges:

 In such a scenario, the possibility of mobilising timely reinforcements grows extremely

remote especially if the health of soldiers is not to be compromised.

 Supply of resources at these levels becomes a monumental challenge, especially since

diesel engines of armored vehicles and trucks also operate at low levels of efficiency.

 One of the lessons that the Kargil War taught the Indian Army was that artillery shells and
rifle rounds fly at unusual trajectories at high altitudes.

 Logistical challenges:

 The warfare constraints at the LAC stem from the altitude as well as the lack of local
infrastructure which is, presumably, one of the reasons why any previous dustups in the
region have fizzled out relatively quickly.

 One major challenge is that weapons jam, particularly in high-altitude areas.

 When a soldier is at a height of 17,000 ft or above, it is very cold, and he needs to grease
the weapons and clean the barrels at least once a week to ensure they function efficiently.
But at the time of combat, this becomes difficult.

 Vehicles do not start when fuel jams. If the fuel is diesel, it won’t ignite unless it is mixed
with thinners or other chemicals to make them thin enough to fire the engine.

 For communication equipment, troops need to carry more batteries because they drain
very quickly at high altitude. While a battery tends to last for 24 hours in the plains, it will
drain in 1-2 hours in these severely cold areas.

 Transport animals such as mules need to be used to maintain adequate supplies, which is
not an easy task.

India’s preparedness for high-altitude warfare:

 India is considered a hub of mountain warfare skills since most of the country’s north and
northeast requires such skills. Ladakh Scouts are considered the best in this kind of warfare.
 Indo Tibetian Border police force(ITBP) is a specialized mountain force and most of the officers
and men are professionally trained mountaineers and skiers
 Mountain chop, a tactic involved in such warfare, evolved in India where the mountainous
terrain is very difficult to scale.
 When there are vertical cliffs, it is generally perceived that the enemy that has taken defensive
positions will be less guarded from the side of difficult approaches.
 The troops are trained in skilled mountaineering techniques, rock-craft as well as mountain craft.
 Acclimatisation to avoid non-battle, cold casualties.
 Trainers who keep troops well-equipped and efficient to meet any contingency.

Conclusion:

With more than 200,000 troops in 12 divisions, the Indian mountain division is the largest
high-altitude battalion in the world. Since the 1970s, the Indian army has developed and increased

the size of the mountain division battalion and is also working to a mountain strike force of more
than 50,000 soldiers.

Planning has to be done in advance, with recces carried out in the mountains. There has to
be a contingency plan to first identify the tactical points that need to be used in case of an assault.
time and place need to be kept on top priority when deciding where the troops have to be stationed
and how they have to be mobilised. Without adequate trained troops who are well-versed with the
terrain and are properly acclimatised, it is not an easy game.

Should India boycott China, or focus on policies that support self-reliance and invest
sufficiently to be at par in terms of economies of scale with China. Deliberate.(250
Words)
Reference: Financial Express
Why the question:
The article covers in detail the recent happenings between India-China relationship and effects
thereafter.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss in detail what is the right approach in your opinion that India must take to resolve the issues
with China. Support the idea of self-reliance and importance of such policies.
Directive:
Deliberate – Weigh up to what extent something is true. Persuade the reader of your argument by
citing relevant research but also remember to point out any flaws and counter- arguments as well.
Conclude by stating clearly how far you agree with the original proposition
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
The increasing border tension between India and China at Galwan valley in Ladakh has led to an
increase in anti-China sentiments with people willing to “boycott” Chinese products and “promote”
domestic products.
Body:
Discuss the border skirmished between the two countries.
Explain why boycotting isn’t a good option to take for India, why India should focus on Self-
Reliance.
Provide suggestions on how India can overcome the reliance on China.
Discuss what policy aspects should India focus on.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
Introduction:

In the wake of the recent Indo-China conflict in the Galwan Valley, a section of Indians are
clamouring for a boycott of Chinese products and promotion of domestic manufacturing. This has
been further strengthened by Prime Minister’s clarion call for ‘“Aatmanirbhar Bharat” vision and
the “vocal for local” by giving self-reliance the status of a national mission. The emotional outrage
has been particularly pronounced on social media, with hash tags like Boycott China trending on
Twitter.

Body:

Rationale behind the move for the boycott of Chinese goods:

 Border skirmishes: Latest scuffle between soldiers of Indian army and People’s liberation army
in the Galwan valley which led to death of 20 Indian soldiers has angered the common
sentiments of Indian population.

 Predatory pricing: China has adopted the ruse of manufacturing goods at such low prices that
industries in other countries are unable to compete. Keeping a tab on what is in demand in the
market and delivering it in large numbers quickly and cheaply has become China’s forte.

 Increasing trade deficit: India’s trade deficit with China stood at $51.68 billion between January-
November 2019. Bridging this trade gap alone is a matter of concern.

 Data Security concerns: China’s increasing stakes in Indian start-ups and other technology
companies also raise major concerns over the protection of intellectual property rights, data
privacy, and national security. For instance, Alibaba is the single largest shareholder in Paytm,
which handles the daily financial transactions of millions of Indians.

 Global concerns: India isn’t the only country concerned about the Chinese government’s
influence over private technology companies’ foreign activities. E.g. opposition to Huawei in US
and EU.

 India should focus on building its own supply chain and occupying its domestic market.

 Indian government has shown its intent by scrutinising Chinese investment. According to the
Indian Ministry of Commerce, tighter restrictions on Chinese investment became necessary in
order to prevent “opportunistic takeovers” of Indian companies.

 Of all FDI inflows to India, Chinese investments have only been 0.52 percent since 2000. The
biggest increase has been in the acquisition of shares in existing businesses, including
pharmaceuticals companies—a source of concern during corona virus-related medical supply
chain fears. Chinese investment has also been directed toward technology start-ups. According
to a study, 18 out of 30 Indian “unicorn” companies have significant Chinese investment. E.g.
Paytm, Ola, Flipkart.

However, boycotting China is not as easy as data from key sectors show:

 Smartphones: Market size: Rs 2 lakh Cr. Share of Chinese products: 72%.

 Telecom Equipment: Market size: Rs 12,000 Cr; Share of Chinese products: 25%.

 Auto Components: Market size: 43.1 lakh Cr.; Share of Chinese products: 26%.

 Internet Apps: Market size: 45.0 Crore smartphone users; Share of Chinese products: 66% of
people use at least one Chinese app on their smartphones.

 Solar Power: Market size: 37,916 MW; Share of Chinese products: 90%

 Steel: Share of Chinese products: 18-20%.

 Pharma/API: Market size: 1.5 Lakh Crore; Share of Chinese products: 60%.

‘Boycott Chinese Products’ Movement is difficult in India:

 Trade deficit: In 2018-19, India’s exports to China were mere $16.7 billion, while imports were
$70.3 billion, leaving a trade deficit of $53.6 billion.

 Private Indian companies with Chinese investment: Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from China
stood at a total of $1.8 billion between 2015 and 2019. Chinese tech investors have put an
estimated $4 billion into Indian start-ups. Over a period of five years ending March 2020, 18 of
India’s 30 unicorns are now Chinese-funded.

 China’s dominance in the Indian digital market: Apps with Chinese investments constituted a
substantial 50% of top app downloads (both iOS and G Play combined) which includes web
browsers, data sharing and social media apps as per the Gateway house report.

 Startups: The payments and fintech app Paytm, e-grocer Bigbasket, education app Byju’s, ride-
hailing platform Ola, and hotel aggregator platform Oyo have received substantial funds from
Chinese investors as the latter have rapidly increased their footprint in the start-up space.

 It is difficult to ignore the fact that Chinese investment generates employment in India, and
matching these investments locally will take a fair amount of time. Thinking practically, it will be
extremely daunting for India to ignore Chinese investments

 A blanket ban on Chinese imports will hurt all small businesses at a time when they are already
struggling to survive, apart from hitting India’s ability to produce finished goods.

 We live in a world which, despite many recent setbacks to globalization, is inextricably

interlinked, with the supply chains of companies spanning various geographies.

 Large Indian companies like Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Mahindra & Mahindra and Sundaram
Fasteners have manufacturing units in China that cater to markets abroad as well as in India. In
several segments, the fate of an entire industry could be in jeopardy if its China links are
severed.

Way forward:

 India needs to look into the totality of its trade with China and Hong Kong.

 It must implement certain short- term to long-term plans to reduce its dependence on them.

 “Aatmanirbhar” focus of the government would build self-reliance in the ministries handhold
industries.

 India needs to reduce its import dependence in electronic and telecommunication sectors
through a long-term focus on building self-reliance in manufacturing.

 Import substitution manufacturing should attract interest subvention on credit, offsetting inland
freight disadvantage besides equalization of import tariff from free trade areas.

 Exporters could minimize their impact through strategies that involve a focus on other advanced
and emerging markets.

 Estimates indicate that a third of the Chinese imports constitute low-tech goods that were either
made earlier by Indians, or are still being made but in smaller quantities.

 These can surely be discouraged, and re-replaced by local products and brands.

 In addition, such attempts will prove to be a fillip for the hundreds of small and medium firms,
which have languished due to the lack of demand.

 If the MSME segment kicks off, the overall manufacturing sector will get a boost, which will
benefit the ‘Make in India’ scheme.

 As local sales grow, Indians will become competitive. They can emerge as exporters of these
products, and battle globally with China.

Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s

interests, Indian Diaspora.
Has the American civil rights movement lost relevance with Black citizens facing
multiple pandemics in the country? Critically analyse. (250 words)
Reference: Indian Express
Why This Question:
The article talks about the recent race tragedy that occurred in America and how Race shows up
pathology of its ideals and policies in the country.
Key Demand of the question:
Explain the situation in America with respect to the black citizens facing multiple pandemics.
Directive:
Critically analyze – When asked to analyse, you have to examine methodically the structure or
nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them as a whole in a summary.
When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the
topic and give a fair judgment.
Structure of the Answer:
Introduction
Start by explaining that the explosion of protest, violence, rioting, curfews and brutal police
crackdowns in the wake of George Floyd’s suffocation by police in Minneapolis is another chapter in
the long history of American democracy.
Body

Explain American civil rights movement, mass protest movement against racial segregation and
discrimination in the southern United States that came to national prominence during the mid-1950s.
This movement had its roots in the centuries-long efforts of African slaves and their descendants to
resist racial oppression and abolish the institution of slavery. Discuss the sufferings of the blacks in
the country. Take hints from the article and explain the ills of the situation and suggest what the
need of the hour is.
Conclusion
Conclude with suggestions as what needs to be done.
Introduction:

The recent explosion of protest, violence, rioting, curfews and brutal police crackdowns in the wake
of George Floyd’s suffocation by police in Minneapolis is another chapter in the long history of a
democracy whose self-image often cloaks its more sordid realities. It is a cliché about American
democracy that its original sin, “race”, shows up the pathology of each one of its ideals and its
policies: Everything from gun control, voting procedures, federalism, and the politics of welfare is
coloured by the shadow of race.

Body:

The Civil Rights Movement

 It is an umbrella term for the many varieties of activism that sought to secure full political, social,
and economic rights for African Americans in the period from 1946 to 1968.
 Civil rights activism involved a diversity of approaches, from bringing lawsuits in court, to
lobbying the federal government, to mass direct action, to black power.
 The efforts of civil rights activists resulted in many substantial victories, but also met with the
fierce opposition of white supremacists.

Emergence of the movement:

 The Civil Rights Movement did not suddenly appear out of nowhere in the twentieth century.
Efforts to improve the quality of life for African Americans are as old as the United States.
 By the time of the American Revolution in the late eighteenth century, abolitionists were already
working to eliminate racial injustice and bring an end to the institution of slavery.
 After the Civil War, during the period known as Reconstruction, the passage of the Fourteenth
and Fifteenth Amendments established a legal foundation for the political equality of African
Americans.
 Despite the abolition of slavery and legal gains for African Americans, racial segregation known
as Jim Crow arose in the South.
 The twentieth-century Civil Rights Movement emerged as a response to the unfulfilled promises
of emancipation, partly as a result of the experiences of black soldiers in the Second World War.
 African Americans fought in a segregated military while being exposed to US propaganda
emphasizing liberty, justice, and equality.
 After fighting in the name of democracy in other countries around the world, many African
American veterans returned to the United States determined to achieve the rights and
prerogatives of full citizenship.
 The Civil Rights Movement involved many different strategies and approaches, including legal
action, nonviolent civil disobedience, and black militancy.

Reasons why the racial discrimination still exists in the USA:

 Even as the Civil Rights Movement struck down legal barriers, it failed to dismantle economic
barriers. Even as it ended the violence of segregation, it failed to diminish the violence of
poverty.
 The first is, clearly, a president who has a political investment in polarisation, and many would
argue, racism. Incitement is in his nature. The Republican Party and its supporters have, tacitly,
made their peace with the white nationalism.
 The second is a deeper disenchantment in politics. There is a more energised Left, which has two
challenges. It is not clear that many Democratic governors or mayors have shown greater
capability in managing the politics or the institutional fallout from this crisis. This kind of violence
also seems to reflect a pervasive disenchantment with normal politics.
 Third, the general intellectual and social climate speaks to an even more pervasive and frenzied
breakdown of trust than ever.
 Finally, there is the enduring dilemma of race politics in the US. The Martin Luther King strategy
of civil disobedience, whose task is to expose racial violence, not indulge in it, ends up with his
assassination.
 Any protest is easily hijacked by the forces of violence; and the violence becomes the pretext for
denying the legitimacy of the underlying cause, and unleashing more repression.
 Even at this distance, it seems it has taken barely a couple of days for the narrative to shift from
police brutality to the fear of violence.

Conclusion:

The goal of full social, economic, and political equality still has not been reached. African Americans
continue to be incarcerated at a rate greatly disproportionate to their percentage of the population.
Black men are the most frequent victims of police brutality, while poverty rates among black
children and families are higher than among either whites or Latinos. Stereotypical portrayals of
African Americans remain prevalent in popular culture. Many black Americans suffer from poor
access to social services and from systemic inequalities in institutions like public education. As
successful as the Civil Rights Movement was, there still remains unfinished business in the struggle
for full equality.

The recent escalating tensions between USA and China bring to light a new era of cold
war. Analyse the possible impact and the international ramifications of it.(250 words)
Reference: The Hindu

Introduction

The relationship between the US and China was already teetering close to the edge of a cliff before
COVID-19, but the pandemic pushed it right off. A slew of recent announcements on China by U.S.
President Donald Trump is a clear indication that the competition between the U.S. and China is
likely to sharpen in the post-COVID world. Even with the handling of Covid-10 crisis, there have been
many verbal confrontations between the two nations.

Body

Background of US-China relations in recent times

 China’s claim to hegemony has been evident in recent times, especially with the policies it is
pursuing across the world.

 The Debt-trap Diplomacy and recent trade war with USA are examples of this policy
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 China is building an alternate trading system (the Belt and Road Initiative); a multilateral
banking system under its control (Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, New Development
Bank); its own global positioning system (BeiDou); digital payment platforms (WeChat Pay and
Alipay); a world-class digital network (Huawei 5G); cutting-edge technological processes in
sunrise industries; and a modern military force.

 It is doing this under the noses of the Americans and some of it with the financial and
technological resources of the West.

 Even with Covid-19 crisis looming large over the world, China pursued aggressive tactics in the
South China Sea.

Recent Escalation between US-China:

 It was Mr. Trump’s 2017 National Security Strategy document that, perhaps for the first time,
clubbed China along with Russia as a challenge to American power, influence and interests.
 Trade War
 More recently, On May 29, the Trump administration said it would revoke Hong Kong’s special
trade status under U.S. law.
 The administration also passed an order limiting the entry of certain Chinese graduate students
and researchers who may have ties to the People’s Liberation Army.
 The U.S. President has also ordered financial regulators to closely examine Chinese firms listed in
U.S. stock markets, and warned those that do not comply with U.S. laws could be delisted.
 USA Withdrawal from WHO:
 China’s decision to enact the new national security law for Hong Kong has been condemned in
unison by the U.S. and its Western allies as an assault on human freedoms.

Will it lead to New Cold War?

 A battle of ideologies that is being seen between US and China, has led to scholars term the
rivalry as a start of new cold war.

 USA has condemned China’s move to pass a security law for Hong Kong. Hong Kong is not only
a bastion for Western capitalism in the East, but more importantly the torch-bearer of Western
democratic ideals.

 This is similar to what Statue of Liberty stands for; it holds aloft the torch of freedom and
democracy for all those who pass through Hong Kong en route to China. USA sees the move
as an assault on beliefs, so to speak.

 On the other hand, USA’s handling of Covid-19 crisis was criticised heavily and people were in
awe of China which contained the pandemic within 3 months. It has fuelled a debate on the
superiority of the Chinese Model as an alternative to democracy.

 However, whether this debate will become an ideological underpinning for a new Cold war
depends on who wins in Washington, this November. Although, be it Democrats or Republicans,
both have their reservations with China.

 Nevertheless, lines are beginning to be drawn between the Americans on the one side and China
on the other. A binary choice is likely to test to the limit India’s capacity to maintain strategic
and decisional autonomy.

International Ramifications

 What started as a trade war between the United States and China is quickly escalating into a
death match for global economic, technological, and military dominance.

 Trade Disruption: The consequences of the breakdown in US-China relations is going to be very
grave for the world and for the global economy, because the ability of the US and China to work
together was the keystone of the whole arch of globalization and global trade.

 Economic ramifications: Accordingly, the US is sharply restricting Chinese foreign direct

investment in sensitive sectors, and pursuing other actions to ensure Western dominance in
strategic industries such as artificial intelligence and 5G.

 It is pressuring partners and allies not to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative, China’s
massive program to build infrastructure projects across the Eurasian landmass.

 Aggressive patrols: US is increasing Navy patrols in the East and South China Seas, where China
has grown more aggressive in asserting its dubious territorial claims.

 De-globalization: A full-scale cold war thus could trigger a new stage of de-globalization, or at
least a division of the global economy into two incompatible economic blocs.

 In either scenario, trade in goods, services, capital, labor, technology, and data would be
severely restricted, and the digital realm would become a “splinternet,” wherein Western
and Chinese nodes would not connect to one another.

 Now that the US has imposed sanctions on ZTE and Huawei, China will be scrambling to
ensure that its tech giants can source essential inputs domestically, or at least from friendly
trade partners that are not dependent on the US.

 Bipolar world again: In this balkanized world, China and the US will both expect all other
countries to pick a side, while most governments will try to thread the needle of maintaining
good economic ties with both.

 After all, many US allies now do more business (in terms of trade and investment) with China
than they do with America.

 Yet in a future economy where China and the US separately control access to crucial
technologies such as AI and 5G, the middle ground will most likely become uninhabitable.

 Everyone will have to choose, and the world may well enter a long process of de-
globalization.

Conclusion

The Sino-American relationship will be the key geopolitical issue of this century. Some degree of
rivalry is inevitable. But, ideally, both sides would manage it constructively, allowing for cooperation
on some issues and healthy competition on others. In effect, China and the US would create a new
international order, based on the recognition that the (inevitably) rising new power should be
granted a role in shaping global rules and institutions.

Discuss the impact of US’s withdrawal from the Persian Gulf region, How will it strain on
regional security structure? Critically examine the impact.(250 words)
Reference : The Hindu
Why the question:
The article talks about the Persian Gulf and the importance of security in the region.
Key Demand of the question:
One must discuss the impact of US’s withdrawal from the Persian Gulf region, How will it strain on
regional security structure.
Directive:
Critically examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we have to look into the topic (content words) in
detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question.
While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications.
When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the
topic and give a fair judgment.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by talking about the Persian Gulf region, its geography, political relevance, history etc.
Body:
Highlight the historical control in this region by different empires. Bring out the reasons that have led
to tensions in the area; The region is also known for its unrest because of two reasons: Many powers
act in the region to influence countries creating proxy command centres. The sectarian divide
between Saudi Arabia and Iran; Leading to clashes and heightened tensions. Then discuss the role of
US, Regional Instability and changed priorities of USA. Discuss the impact of it. Highlight the impact
of it on India.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.

Introduction:

The current adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on India’s economic relations with
the Gulf Cooperation Council(GCC) countries has now become a matter of concern. In this scenario,
India’s interests would be best served if stability in the Persian Gulf littoral region is ensured
properly.

Body:

Geo-strategic importance of Persian Gulf region:

 The lands around the Persian Gulf are shared by eight countries- Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait,
Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
 These countries are major producers of crude oil and natural gas, and thereby contribute
critically to the global economy and to their own prosperity.
 The area has approximately two-thirds of the world’s estimated proven oil reserves and one-
third of the world’s estimated proven natural gas reserves.
 This factor has added to their geopolitical significance.
 A considerable amount of sea trade passes through the gulf, leading to heavy traffic in the
region.

Possible impact of US’s withdrawal from the Persian Gulf region:

 With the Islamic State mostly defeated and the threat of terrorism on the decline, the thinking
goes, the United States no longer needs an active presence in the region. The U.S. is finally
drawing down its military presence from Iraq.
 The U.S. has been waging war in the Gulf for more than two and a half decades, since it took up
arms against Iran in the closing stages of the Iran-Iraq war.
 Historically, oil and “energy security” have been at the heart of American strategy in the Gulf.
 A stable Persian Gulf benefits the United States indirectly, by safeguarding a global economic
and security interest in the steady supply of Middle East energy.
 If the United States withdraws from the region and hands the responsibility of those issues to
another power (or set of powers), it will certainly give rise to another hegemonic power in the
region that is hostile to U.S. interests.
 Such a change would copper-fasten the United States’ loss of great-power status.

Strain on regional security structure:

 The geopolitical factors and conflicts elsewhere in the West Asian region i.e. Yemen, Syria and
Libya have aggravated global and regional relationships and hampered the U.S.-Iran relation that
was to be established on the multilateral agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme.
 Due to the changing priorities of the US, the perceptions of declining U.S. commitment to sub-
regional security have been articulated in recent months.
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 Saudi Arabia is a fading power, UAE, Qatar and Iran are emerging as the new regional leaders
and Oman and Iraq will have to struggle to retain their sovereign identities.
 The GCC has effectively ended, and OPEC is becoming irrelevant as oil policy moves to a
tripartite global condominium.

Importance for India:

 The Gulf is an integral part of India’s ‘extended neighbourhood’, both by way of geographical
proximity and as an area of expanded interests and growing Indian influence.
 India is dependent on the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states for 42 per cent of its overall
oil imports; three of the top five oil suppliers to India are Gulf states.
 Indians make up the Gulf states’ largest expatriate community, with an estimated 7.6 million
Indian nationals living and working in the region; especially in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
 The GCC is India’s largest regional-bloc trading partner, which accounted for $104 billion of trade
in 2017–18, nearly a 7 per cent increase from $97 billion the previous year. This is higher than
both India–ASEAN trade ($81 billion) and India–EU trade ($102 billion) in 2017-18.

Framework for stability and security:

 The framework for stability and security in the region should be able to answer various
questions such security for whom, security by whom and security against whom and what
should be the purpose of the security.

 The framework should be able to address the security and stability issues at the local, national
and the global level.

 The important ingredients of such a framework would thus be to ensure:

 Conditions of peace and stability in individual littoral states

 Freedom to all states of the Gulf littoral to exploit their hydrocarbon and other natural
resources and export them

 Freedom of commercial shipping in international waters of the Persian Gulf

 Freedom of access to and outlet from, Gulf waters through the Strait of Hormuz

 Prevention of emergence of conditions that may impinge on any of these considerations

 Prevention of conflict that may impinge on the freedom of trade and shipping

Way Forward:

 With the Arab League entombed and the GCC on life-support system, the Arab states of the
Persian Gulf region are left to individual devices to explore working arrangements with Iraq and
Iran.
 The previous experience has shown that the alternative of exclusive security arrangements
promotes armament drives, enhances insecurity and aggravates regional tensions and it
unavoidably opens the door for Great Power interference.
 Indian interests would be best served if the stability in the Persian Gulf littoral is ensured
through cooperative security since the alternative of competitive security options cannot ensure
durable peace

With regard to both new and continuing traditional challenges to international peace
and security, Discuss India’s latest approach towards UNSC. (250 words)
Reference: News on air
Why the question:
External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar asserted that India’s overall objective during the fresh
tenure in the UN Security Council will be the achievement of “N.O.R.M.S., New Orientation for a
Reformed Multilateral System”.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss India’s approach towards UNSC in detail.
Directive:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the
details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for
and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Highlight the changing dynamics of the world countries and at the UNSC.
Body:
Explain that India’s approach at the United Nations Security Council will be guided by the tenets of
Samman, Samvad, Sahyog, Shanti and Samriddhi. New Orientation for a Reformed Multilateral
System. New opportunities for progress, an effective response to international terrorism, reforming
the multilateral system, comprehensive approach to international peace and security and promoting
technology with a human touch as a driver of solutions have been underlined as the key priorities for
the country in its stance at the UN Security Council.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.

Introduction:

The UNSC consists of 15 members: 10 non-permanent and five permanent members — China,
France, Russia, the UK and US. India is the single endorsed candidate for the Asia-Pacific seat in the
non-permanent member category. The elections for five non-permanent members will be held by
the UN General Assembly on 17 June, in which India is likely to be elected for the eighth time.
External Affairs Minister released India’s priorities for the two-year UNSC term that begins from
January 2021.

India, in July 2019, had won the unanimous support of all countries in the 55-member Asia-Pacific
Group at the UN in support of its bid for a non-permanent seat at the UNSC for a 2-year term in
2021-22. India must leverage this latest opportunity to project itself as a responsible nation.

Body:

India had last assumed the role of a non-permanent member at the UNSC in 2011-12. Prior to that, it
was a non-permanent member for 1950-51, 1967-68, 1972-73, 1977-78, 1984-85 and 1991-92.

Role and Significance of UNSC:

 The Security Council is the United Nations’ most powerful body, with “primary responsibility for
the maintenance of international peace and security.
 Its powers include the establishment of peacekeeping operations, the establishment of
international sanctions, and the authorization of military action through Security Council
resolutions.
 It is the only UN body with the authority to issue binding resolutions to member states.
 Under the UN Charter, all Member States are obligated to comply with Council s decisions.

Need for reforms in UNSC:

 Regional representation

 Supporters of UNSC reform claim that there is a huge European bias in P-5 due to the
presence of the United Kingdom and France including Russia.

 While regions like Latin America, Caribbean group, Arabs and Africa do not have a single
permanent member. Similarly, there is a western bias in UNSC. As China is the only Asian
country among the five permanent members of UNSC.

 Thus a large chunk of the population and many different regions of the world remain
unrepresented in the permanent membership of UNSC.

 It seems highly unfair that the whole continent of Africa does not have a single member in P-
5 despite the fact that most of the affairs of the body concern this part of the globe only.

 So regions like Africa and Latin America and others will have to be accommodated in the
reformed UNSC.

 Changing geopolitics:

 The victors of World War II shaped the United Nations Charter in their national interests,
dividing the permanent seats, and associated veto power, among themselves.

 It has been 72 years since the foundation of UNSC.

 During this period, the geopolitical realities have changed drastically, but the Council has
changed very little.

 Question of Veto:

 All five permanent members of UNSC enjoy a veto power.

 Veto is a kind of negative vote by a permanent member that prevents the adoption of a
proposal, even if it has received the required overall votes by the members.

 Sadly, veto power is grossly misused by the permanent members in their own national
interest.

 g. out of 24 vetoes over the last 20 years, 15 have been used by the United States to protect
Israel.

 This also badly affects the conduct of the business of UNSC as many important proposals
involving substantive issues get blocked due to use of veto by any of the five permanent
members.

 G-4 and India s quest for a permanent seat:

 In recent decades, India has been very vocal in demanding for a permanent seat in UNSC. It is
also part of G-4, a group of 4 nations (India, Brazil, Germany and Japan) to lobby for
permanent positions on the UNSC or at least to make the council more representative.

 Many member-states have been pledging support for our aspiration for permanent
membership. Several P-5 countries have also announced their support. At present, China is
the only P-5 member opposing India s bid.

 G-4 wants to expand the permanent seats in the UNSC to 10 to include 6 new members G-4
nations apart from one seat to Africa and one seat to Arabs

 Transparency and Working Methods:

 While the expansion of the Security Council has been hotly debated across the world, debate
on the working methods of the Council, an equally important aspect of reform to many
member states, has attracted less attention.

 It is true that UNSC has been functioning in the most non-transparent and non-consultative
way.

 The undemocratic nature of UNSC within the supposedly democratic UN has compromised
the overall credibility of the United Nations.

India’s new approach towards UNSC as non-permanent member:

 Keeping in the mind the massive changes brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic both
geopolitically as well as economically, External Affairs Minister said India has plans for a ‘Five S’
approach to the world from the UNSC seat — Samman (respect), samvad (dialogue), sahayog
(cooperation), shanti (peace) and Samriddhi (prosperity).
 External Affairs Minister asserted that India’s overall objective during the fresh tenure in the UN
Security Council will be the achievement of O.R.M.S. – New Orientation for a Reformed
Multilateral System.

 India will strive to achieve a “concrete and result-oriented action at the security council for an
effective response to international terrorism”.
 There is a need to reform multilateralism to reflect contemporary realities and make a
comprehensive approach to peace and security guided by dialogue, mutual respect and
commitment to international law.
 As a rule-abiding democracy and as a positive contributor to the security of the global commons,
India will work constructively with partners to overcome old and new fault-lines.
 New opportunities for progress, an effective response to international terrorism, reforming the
multilateral system, comprehensive approach to international peace and security and promoting
technology with a human touch as a driver of solutions have been underlined as the key
priorities for the country in its stance at the UN Security Council.

Way forward:

 India should once again become a consensus-builder, instead of being detached as it has
become to be.
 India’s singular objective as a non-permanent member should be to help build a stable and
secure external environment.
 In doing so, India will promote its own people’s prosperity, regional and global security and
growth, and a rule-based world order.
 It could emerge a partner of choice for developing and developed countries alike.
 There is a deficit of international leadership on global issues, especially on security, migrant
movement, poverty, and climate change.
 Given this, India has an opportunity to promote well-balanced, common solutions.

Conclusion:

In recent times the credibility of UNSC has suffered a severe blow as it has been ineffective and
inefficient in tackling the conflicts in different parts of the world such as Syria, Ukraine etc. in most
of these situations UNSC has remained mere a mute spectator. Therefore, the demand for reforms
in the council has become a necessity to restore its credibility and effectiveness in maintaining
international peace and security.

In the context of current Covid conditions facing the entire world discuss the prospects
of diplomacy in digital age. (250 words)
Reference The Hindu
Why the question:
The article talks about the e-diplomacy experiment, its prospects and challenges.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss the idea of diplomacy in digital age, its significance, prospects and challenges.
Directive:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the
details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for
and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Briefly define what you understand by digital diplomacy.
Body:
Diplomacy in the digital age refers to new methods and modes of conducting diplomacy with the help
of the Internet and ICTs and describes their impact on contemporary diplomatic

practices. Technology impacts diplomacy and the way it is practiced in a number of ways,
identifying new actors, tools and processes of diplomacy and international relations.
Discuss the recent summits that happened between India and other countries like Australia etc. and
highlight the prospects of such diplomacy.
Discuss the challenges and concerns associated.
Conclusion:
Conclude with importance of changing policies and methods in changing world.
Introduction:

Digital diplomacy or e-Diplomacy or Virtual diplomacy refers to diplomacy carried out in a

virtual fashion through the use of technology and the Internet, other than traditional face-to-face
technology. At its broadest, the term ‘digital diplomacy’ signifies the altered diplomacy associated
with the emergence of a networked globe. At its narrowest,
the term encompasses the decision-making, coordination, communication, and practice of
international relations as they are conducted with the aid of information and communications
technologies.

Recently, the first India-Australia Virtual Leaders’ Summit was held where important strategic
decisions, ranging from military interoperability to jointly tackling the pandemic, were made.

Body:

The development of social media tools has changed the way diplomats interact with people,
communities, non-governmental organizations and even foreign governments. Diplomats have
quickly understood that Facebook, Twitter and other similar social media tools provide an
opportunity to spread important information in a very fast manner and at almost no cost. The rise of
social media has basically opened a new area for competition on the international stage. Foreign
services are now competing for virtual influence on top of geopolitical influence, and one can
imagine a scenario where virtual supremacy could someday be more important than geopolitical
supremacy. Social media has diplomatic clients all over the world and on all continents.

Merits:

 IT enabled diplomacy provides great opportunities for countries, especially the ones in
transition.
 By using innovative ICT tools such as social media, e-services and open data platforms, foreign
services can leapfrog and play a greater role on the international stage.
 Smaller states during the realization of their foreign policy face many challenges. The main
challenge which limits the foreign policy execution of these states is the financial capacity.
Digital diplomacy favors all kinds of states, but mostly small states.
 It enables smaller countries to “punch above their weight” and earn a space at the same table
with other strong international stakeholders.
 e-diplomacy is an easy and cheap tool for other purposes, too: responding to disasters,
gathering information and managing relationships. Some diplomats also use Twitter to
communicate among themselves.
 International practice shows that competent use of digital diplomacy tools can bring big
dividends to those who invest in it. Moreover, digital diplomacy does not always require
financial investments. On the contrary, it is often aimed at reducing costs.

 Social media enable diplomats to observe events, gather information, and identify key
influencers. They also provide channels to influence beyond the traditional audience. They can
help in consultation process, policy formulation and help to share ideas.

Limitations:

 Implementation of virtual diplomacy has its risks. Data protection and security, infrastructure
set-up and institutional frameworks are issues countries should think about very carefully.
 It is doubtful that major breakthroughs or deals requiring the direct intervention of leaders can
happen without all the protocols and structured dialogues in person.
 Mutual trust, which is probably the most important concept in international cooperation, can be
built only by personal interaction.
 Diplomatic missions play an important role in promoting economic and trade ties and people-to-
people contact. Public diplomacy is critical in strengthening cultural and educational exchanges.
 There is a possibility of e-diplomacy becoming less productive as online summits will simply not
satisfy the broader political goals and bigger objectives that heads of state carry with them.
 The international diplomatic community has already had a negative experience with the leaking
of US State Department cables, which endangered the cooperation between different
international players. Nevertheless, modern technology offers possibilities which could mitigate
the risks.
 Obviously, we should not expect virtual diplomacy to totally replace traditional diplomacy.

Way forward:

 The British scholar Ernest Stow dubbed “summits a permanent feature of diplomatic
topography”. It has been a maxim in diplomacy that face-to-face interactions at the highest level
mark the zenith of foreign relations.
 In-person summits will restart one-day but the online interlude has to go on because diplomacy
has to go on.
 However artificial and unsatisfying the video conferencing medium is, having some summit is
better than no summit at all. Key partners have to get on with it and hold high-level meetings as
part of their strategic signaling.

Conclusion:

Virtual diplomacy is being embraced in different forms, by an increasing number of countries and
international organizations and it is gaining more and more ground with respect to traditional
diplomacy. Nevertheless, it’s without any doubt that virtual and traditional diplomacy could be
compliment goods, economically speaking.

Case study: One of the best examples of IT replacing some aspects of the traditional diplomacy is the
Virtual Embassy of the United States to Teheran, Iran. It is a website that was developed by the US
State Department after the closure of the US Embassy in Tehran. The Virtual US Embassy is no
different than any other US embassy website. The significance of this project is that it opens up a new
diplomatic space – the virtual one. For the first time in diplomatic history, a country is using the
Internet to establish a virtual presence in a particular part of the world. The concept of a “virtual
embassy” has great potential and that such an online presence can serve as much more than a
source of information about politics, economy, trade or cultural affairs between countries. A virtual
embassy can serve as a platform to provide e-services to people from the sending and receiving

states. This innovative approach inevitably does not have the full functionality of a traditional
embassy or consulate but it is the next best thing when such an embassy or consulate does not exist.

What was China’s (Xi Jinping’s) “Peaceful Development Policy”? Discuss the reasons for
sudden aggressive behaviour of China towards its neighborhood countries. (250 words)
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The question is about ascertaining reasons for sudden aggressive behaviour of China towards its
neighborhood countries.
Key Demand of the question:
Directive:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the
details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for
and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
The violent clashes in the Galwan Valley and the Chinese aerial incursion into the Taiwanese Air
Space, has occurred on the same day recently.
Body:
Give a brief backgrounder as to what was China’s (Xi Jinping’s) “Peaceful Development Policy”?
During the first decade of 21st Century, China, though registered satisfactory growth rate, also was
suffering from the problem of unemployment and many of its people still being under the Poverty
Line – The Rich – poor divide. This is the core economic angle of the policy, while the security angle
also, here is a significant mention. The neighborhood of China was slowly turned out to be hostile, as
US, Japan, and India were a coalition.
Start explaining how as the policy of Peaceful Development, is no longer a trustworthy option for
China, it has started to retain the word peace only as a decorative term.
Conclusion:
Conclude with what should be the way forward, how the situation should be resolved.
Introduction:

China’s “Peaceful Development Policy”, also referred to as “peaceful development,” states

that China will develop economically by taking advantage of the peaceful international environment,
and at the same time maintain and contribute to world peace by its development. The policy was
articulated by Chinese leaders in 2003 to counter international fears about Beijing’s growing
economic and political might. In 2004, Premier Wen Jiabao said China’s rise “will not come at the
cost of any other country, will not stand in the way of any other country, nor pose a threat to any
other country,” according to the official Xinhua news agency. The policy is intended to create “an
environment that maximizes the chances of China’s economic development”.

Body:

China’s recent approach towards its neighbourhood is against its “Peaceful Development Policy”:

 Recent development was the third Chinese incursion into Taiwan’s airspace within a week.
 Two months ago, Chinese vessels had entered the waters of Malaysia and Vietnam.
 In May 2020, Chinese Coast Guard ships pursued Japanese fishing boats in waters claimed by
both countries.
 All these incidents point to a newfound aggressiveness in China’s approach towards its already
troubled neighbourhood, from the Himalayas to the South and East China Seas.

 The recent violent clashes between Indian and Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley of eastern
Ladakh, a Chinese J-10 fighter briefly entered Taiwan’s air defence zone, prompting the self-
ruled island to scramble its aircraft in response.
 This was the first time in 45 years that blood was spilt on the India-China border.

The reasons for sudden aggressive behaviour of China towards its neighborhood countries:

 Recently, in an annual policy blueprint, China dropped the world “peaceful” in referring to its
desire to “reunify” with Taiwan, ending a nearly 30-year-long precedent.
 This sharp turn marks China’s most major policy decisions post-COVID-19.
 Relations with the U.S. are particularly bad, with the Trump administration openly targeting
China for its handling of the pandemic.
 When Australia pushed for an investigation into the pandemic outbreak, Beijing punished the
country by imposing trade curbs.
 In Hong Kong, which has been seeing anti-China protests for a year, Beijing has introduced a new
national security law, granting itself broader powers in the Special Administrative Region.
 In the middle of the COVID-19 outbreak, China now appears to be overseeing an expansive
foreign policy that pushes the boundaries.

Conclusion:

The whole series of positions China has taken with respect to Taiwan, Tibet, Hong Kong, national
sovereignty or whatever problems they have with the U.S. is an indication that China seems to have
come out of its “peaceful rise” policy. The “China Dream”, laid out by President Xi after he took
power in 2012, seeks to turn the country into a wealthy, strong and modern global power by 2049,
the centenary of the Communist revolution.

What do you understand by Vaccine Nationalism? Is it against the fundamental

principles of vaccine development and global public health? Discuss the challenges and
concerns associated with it. (250 words)
Reference: Down to Earth
Why the question:
The United States has now twice indicated that it would like to secure priority access to doses of
COVID-19 vaccine. Other countries, including India and Russia, have taken similar stances.
This prioritization of domestic markets has become known as vaccine nationalism.
Key Demand of the question:
Explain in detail the concept of Vaccine Nationalism and debate on how it is against the fundamental
principles of vaccine development and global public health.
Directive:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the
details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for
and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Vaccine nationalism occurs when a country manages to secure doses of vaccine for its own citizens or
residents before they are made available in other countries. This is done through pre-purchase
agreements between a government and a vaccine manufacturer.
Body:
Discuss the experiences of past when vaccine nationalism was practiced by nations. Then move onto
explain how ‘vaccine nationalism’ could block vulnerable populations’ access to COVID-19 vaccines.
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Vaccine nationalism is not new. During the early stages of the 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic, some of the
wealthiest countries entered into pre-purchase agreements with several pharmaceutical companies
working on H1N1 vaccines. Explain the concerns and challenges associated with it.
Conclusion:
Conclude that more needs to be done. International institutions — including the WHO — should
coordinate negotiations ahead of the next pandemic to produce a framework for equitable access to
vaccines during public health crises. Equity entails both, affordability of vaccines and access
opportunities for populations across the world, irrespective of geography and geopolitics.

Introduction:

Vaccine nationalism occurs when a country manages to secure doses of vaccine for its own
citizens or residents before they are made available in other countries. This is done through pre-
purchase agreements between a government and a vaccine manufacturer. Instead of working
together to craft and implement a global strategy, a growing number of countries are taking a “my
nation first” approach to developing and distributing potential vaccines or other pharmaceutical
treatments.

The United States has now twice indicated that it would like to secure priority access to doses of
COVID-19 vaccine. Other countries, including India and Russia, have taken similar stances. This
prioritisation of domestic markets has become known as vaccine nationalism.

Body:

Instances of Vaccine Nationalism:

 Paul Hudson, the CEO of Sanofi, said that the United States “has the right to the largest pre-
order” of a vaccine due to the investment agreement the company signed in February with the
U.S. Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA). Protests from
European Union officials forced Sanofi to backtrack.
 The chief executive of the Serum Institute of India, the world’s largest producer of vaccine doses,
said most of its vaccine “would have to go to our countrymen before it goes abroad.”
 AstraZeneca reported that due to the U.K.’s $79 million investment, the first 30 million doses of
the vaccine it’s developing with the University of Oxford would be allocated to that country.
Then, on May 21, the United States pledged as much as $1.2 billion to the company in order to
obtain at least 300 million doses, with the first to be delivered as early as October. The pledge to
AstraZeneca is part of the USA’s Operation Warp Speed for securing vaccines for Americans as
early as possible.

Challenges posed by Vaccine nationalism:

 Unequal access:

 Vaccine nationalism is harmful for equitable access to vaccines.

 It further disadvantages countries with fewer resources and bargaining power.

 It deprives populations in the Global South from timely access to vital public health goods.

 Taken to its extreme, it allocates vaccines to moderately at-risk populations in wealthy

countries over populations at higher risk in developing economies.

 COVID-19 has already taken a higher toll on black and Latino populations.

 Price rise:

 It will lead to hike in the price of drugs.

 Such a price may mean that fewer citizens and residents especially those who are uninsured
or underinsured would have access to the vaccine.

 Monopoly:

 Does any government deserve to obtain exclusive rights for a vaccine that may be priced
too high?

 Most vaccine development projects involve several parties from multiple countries.

 With modern vaccines, there are very few instances in which a single country can claim to
be the sole developer of a vaccine.

 Global issue:

 And even if that were possible, global public health is borderless. As COVID-19 is illustrating,
viruses can travel the globe.

 Inequality and poverty:

 If COVID-19 vaccines are not made available affordably to those who need them, the
consequences will likely be disproportionately severe for poorer or otherwise vulnerable
and marginalised populations.

 Without broad access to a vaccine, these populations will likely continue to suffer more
than others, leading to unnecessary disease burden, continued economic problems and
potential loss of life.

Way forward:

 Experts in epidemiology, virology, and the social sciences — not politicians — should take the
lead in devising and implementing science-based strategies to reduce the risks that Covid-19
poses to the most vulnerable across the globe and to reduce transmission of this novel virus for
all of us.
 To avoid ineffective nationalistic responses, we need a centralized, trusted governance system
to ensure the appropriate flow of capital, information, and supplies.
 One innovative financing mechanism is the advanced market commitment (AMC)
model: Donors make a commitment to subsidize the purchase of a yet-to-be-developed vaccine
for developing countries, providing vaccine manufacturers with an incentive to invest in what’s
needed to bring a vaccine to the developing world market.
 Beyond financing, we need a global coordinated effort to estimate and account for the available
global workforce of vaccinators, operationalize mass vaccination programs, implement plans for
equitably allocating vaccines on a prioritized basis, and verify the delivery of vaccines.
 Public health leaders can integrate key lessons on allocation and distribution from previous
experiences with polio and smallpox vaccination efforts.
 We must leverage our global governance bodies to aid in doing all this and planning and
strengthening health systems to operationalize national vaccine campaigns.

 The WHO’s Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator is a starting point for countries to test
collaborative approaches during the current pandemic.

Conclusion:

In the midst of this global pandemic, we must leverage our global governance bodies to allocate,
distribute, and verify the delivery of the Covid 19 vaccine. We need the science — not politics — to
inform the global strategy.

Do you think time is ripe for India to develop a comprehensive Underwater Domain
Awareness strategy to not lose sight of her surrounding seas? Analyse. (250 words)
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
The article talks about comprehensive Underwater Domain Awareness strategy and its importance.
Key Demand of the question:
Explain the need and importance of comprehensive underwater domain awareness strategy.
Directive:
Analyze – When asked to analyse, you have to examine methodically the structure or nature of the
topic by separating it into component parts and present them as a whole in a summary.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by explaining that at a time when China’s pre-meditated military moves along our northern
boundary are drawing the nation’s attention, it is important that we don’t lose sight of our
surrounding seas.
Body:
Explain what you understand by comprehensive underwater domain awareness strategy.
Discuss why it is essential to Build Maritime Domain Awareness, and especially Underwater Domain
Awareness (UDA) capabilities and technology, both domestically and with like-minded partners, and
explain how it should be given the highest priority.
Take hints from the article and list down the need for the same.
Conclusion:
Conclude with the existing efforts of the government of India in this direction, suggest what more
needs to be done.
Introduction:

India in the 21st century is no more satisfied with merely managing its own issues; it aspires
to manage global affairs. The recent pre-meditated movement of China’s People Liberation Army
(PLA) along the northern boundary of India has drawn the nation’s attention towards it. The
Underwater Domain has remained rather unexplored in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), it poses
significant challenges with the geo-strategic and geo-political realities. While the attention is
important during the current situation but still we should not lose our sight on our surrounding seas.
This calls for a nuanced approach and could offer substantial opportunities for India’s youth to shape
their future.

Body:

Need to develop a comprehensive Underwater Domain Awareness strategy:

 The Chinese claim that they are serving the interests of global scientific research but it is well-
known that China uses civilian research vessels to gather crucial oceanographic data, such as
sub-sea and sea-bed conditions, for military purposes.

 According to a recent survey by Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (CSIS), between April 2019
and March 2020, China deployed 25 maritime survey missions in the Indo-Pacific.
 The Australians voiced concern over the activities of the Chinese vessel Xiang Yang Hong No. 1 in
international waters between the Australian mainland and Christmas Island as they were
suspected that aside from marine science research, the ship was also studying submarine routes
from Australia into the South China Sea.
 China follows a “pattern of denial and obfuscation” in its military expansion overseas as initially
it denied its intention to militarise the Spratly Islands but eventually acknowledged that they
serve a military purpose.
 It is also believed that PLA Navy (PLAN) intelligence-gathering ships have sailed India’s coast-line
to gather information on naval facilities and ships.
 The recent Chinese behaviour in the South China Sea does not give reason for optimism that it
will respect the laws of other coastal states like India.
 It is a reasonable presumption that the completion of Gwadar and the use of Ream (Cambodia)
will make it easier for China to sustain naval deployments, including submarines in the Indian
Ocean.
 It should be presumed that in the coming years, the Chinese could raise their efforts to secure
significantly improved data in the seas between the Malacca Straits and Djibouti, especially in
the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea.
 The rapidly evolving Blue Economy resulting in increasing noise levels in the oceans that get
further amplified by anti-piracy operations, has led to unnatural migration patterns and constant
stranding of marine mammals

Importance of Underwater Domain Awareness Framework:

 The collection of vital hydrographical data is critical to China’s understanding of the sub-surface
environment, particularly around the Andaman Islands, which is a choke-point from the Chinese
perspective, as well as to monitor our own submarine movements.
 It transcends the security discourse and integrates all key stakeholders including the security
apparatus, blue economic entities, environmental regulators and disaster management
authorities, and science and technology providers) to facilitate pooling of resources and
synergising efforts for ensuring safe, secure, sustainable growth for all in the region.
 It will help in monitoring developments and predicting the events before they occur rather than
record them as they happen.
 Nearly 80 percent of the population lives within 20 nautical miles from the coast which
highlights the need of high preparedness to deal with any unforeseen contingency.
 It assumes great significance, given the disruptions in international waters and surrounding seas,
to the marine ecology and the growing dependence of the world on sea for food security in the
face of a declining fish stock.
 UDA infrastructure and systems collect and interpret data which can be used in
multidimensional manner by multiple stakeholders.
 In order to map 20 lakh square kilometer of India’s Exclusive Economic Zone, India needs to
build unconventional data collection tools and methods.
 It is a concept that attempts to facilitate pooling of resources and seamless exchange of
information for a cogent maritime strategy, particularly for optimum management of the
undersea domain.

Challenges associated with Underwater Domain Awareness Framework:

 The lack of focus on UDA capacity building has also resulted in avoidable expenditure on
importing western systems that may not work optimally given the different nature of the waters
across the world’s oceans.
 While the Underwater Domain has remained rather unexplored in the Indian Ocean Region
(IOR), it poses significant challenges with the geo-strategic and geo-political realities.
 Sea blindness impacts the academia and there is hardly any maritimerelated course in the
academic or research institutes, given the maritime potential that we possess as a nation.
 The lack of awareness is a major cause of concern and we have failed as a nation to recognize
the maritime potential right from policy, to technology and innovation and also human resource
development

Way forward:

 The creation of Maritime Domain Awareness and especially Underwater Domain Awareness
(UDA) capabilities and technology, both domestically and with like-minded partners, should be
given the highest priority in order to counter future Chinese intrusion in India’s Coastal Waters.
 The policymakers need to look at India’s position in the 21st century from a very different prism
and navigate through the current realities with respect to Underwater Domain Awareness
(UDA).
 India is well-poised in the Indian Ocean Region to take a leadership role because of its strategic
location, but this cannot happen unless it upgrades its acoustic infrastructure.
 India’s ambitions to expand its footprint in the maritime domain both for inland waterways
development as well as outward thrust with initiatives such as Sagarmala and Security and
Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) and the national Maritime Agenda-2020 but it is imperative
to develop internal UDA capacities and capabilities.

Analyze the likely impact of the U.S Visa ban both on American and Indian economies
and the bilateral relationship between the two countries. (250 words)
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The U.S. administration has halted the processing and issuance of non-immigrant work visas, thus
the context of the question.
Key Demand of the question:
The article analyzes the likely impact of the policy measure both on American and Indian economies
and the bilateral relationship between the two countries. Thus one has to provide for detailed
analysis of the same.
Directive:
Analyze – When asked to analyse, you have to examine methodically the structure or nature of the
topic by separating it into component parts and present them as a whole in a summary.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
In short explain the current situation.
Body:
Discus the impact of such a decision on America and on India separately; The U.S. firms or others
with U.S. operations who rely on skilled foreign nationals working in the U.S. will be unable to make
new hires as long as the ban stands.
Talk about its effects on Indian corporates, Industry, Indian IT majors building up their order books as
they limp back through an economic recovery in India is likely to be seriously undermined by this
move.

Conclusion:
The Indian government response has been muted, limited to highlighting the importance of highly-
skilled Indian professionals to imparting a competitive edge to the U.S. economy.
Introduction:

The White House recently made a proclamation halting the processing and issuance of non-
immigrant work visas of several types, with the stated aim of this sweeping policy being to stop
foreign workers snagging American jobs, especially at a time of deep economic distress brought on
by the COVID-19 pandemic. The important questions on this latest policy shift by Mr. Trump on
immigration relate to whether it will muddy the waters of the U.S.-India relationship

Body:

Who will be affected?

The order by the Donald Trump administration includes

 H-1B visa for skilled workers – a large proportion of which goes to Indian nationals,
 H4 visa – the dependents of the H-1B seek this.
 H-2B visa– issued to seasonal workers in the landscaping and hospitality industries.
 L-1 visa – for intra-company transfers
 L-2 visa– the dependents of the L-1 visa holders.
 J-1 visa– for students on work-study summer programmes and related occupations.

Impacts on Indian Economy:

Negatives:

 Service exports affected:

 The major services exports from India to the U.S. are in the telecommunications, computer
and information services, research and development, and travel sectors.

 Indian IT companies:

 Indian IT companies are amongst the biggest beneficiaries of the US H-1B visa regime.

 Since 1990s, Indian IT companies have utilised a huge share of the total number of visas
issued each year.

 As of April 1, 2020, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) had received about
2.5 lakh H-1B work visa applications.

 Indians had applied for as many as 1.84 lakh or 67% of the total H-1B work visas for the
current financial year ending March 2021.

 Apart from the suspension, the executive order has also made sweeping changes to the H-
1B work visa norms.

 So, the visa issuance will no longer be decided by the currently prevalent lottery system.

 Personal and Professional challenges:

 There are several unfortunate people who travelled outside the US before the lockdown to
apply for a new H1B visa so that they can return to join their jobs

 Due to Covid-19, a large number of individuals working or staying in the US are stranded in
India. They might not be able to come back until the end of this year.

 This will prolong their separation from family members and also make it significantly harder
for them to hold onto their US-based jobs

Positives:

 Opportunities for local Indians in USA:

 Indian IT companies also offer subcontracts to Indian nationals already present in the US
with valid H-1B visas.

 g. Bangalore-based Wipro spends as much as 20% of its revenue to subcontract Indian

workers with valid H-1B visas

 In all, the changes are largely disadvantageous to the Indian IT companies.

 Probable Increase in Remittances:

 With this ban, already employed skilled workers from India may get higher salaries which in
turn would increase inflow of remittances.

 Addressing Brain Drain:

 Newly graduated skilled workers would seek opportunities in India itself, thereby
addressing the issue of brain drain.

 Enhanced Self-Reliance:

 India desperately needs the skilled workforce to work within the country in order to
become more self-reliant and to realise the dream of Make in India and the 5 trillion-dollar
economy.

Impacts on USA economy:

Positives:

 Strengthens local employment:

 S has the potential to shore up the flagging economy and open up more jobs for U.S.
persons.

 The overall unemployment rate in the USA nearly quadrupled between February and May
of 2020, producing some of the most extreme unemployment rates ever recorded.

 Protects domestic workers against significant employment threat:

 The move intends to protect the domestic workers who had been impacted due to a
contraction in the economy in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

 The entry of additional workers through the H-1B, H-2B, J, and L non-immigrant visa
programmes presents a significant threat to employment opportunities for domestic
workers by undercutting their jobs.

Negatives:

 Affects USA tech industry:

 It’s true that most of the H-1B visa holders are Indian, and the vast majority are employed
by US tech titans, not Indian companies. In 2019, of the 388,403 H-1Bs, 72% were from
India. This would cripple the US Tech industry as opined by Tech leaders.

 Companies such as TCS, Infosys, Wipro and Cognizant are the biggest beneficiaries of the
visa along with the US tech firms such as Google, Facebook and Amazon.

 Prolonged ban will have an impact on the tech supply chain in the US as these companies
will not have the ability to move resources at the back of the ban.

 Loss of skilled workers:

 High-skilled Indian professionals bring important skill sets, bridge technological gaps and
impart a competitive edge to the US economy

 They have also been a critical component of the workforce that is at the forefront of
providing COVID-19 related assistance in key sectors, including health, information
technology and financial services

 Legal challenges:

 Multiple lawsuits are likely to be filed as several US employers depend on high-skilled H1B
workers, especially in healthcare and technology

Impacts on India-US Bilateral relations:

 The ban on work visa would muddy the relations between India and USA.
 The most important foundations of this special friendship between India and America are our
people-to-people relations, be it professionals or students, Indian diaspora in America has been
the biggest contributor to this.
 People-to-people linkages and trade & economic cooperation, especially in technology and
innovation sectors, are an important dimension of the US-India partnership

 The gaping hole in America first policy was the fact that the number of jobs purportedly saved
from immigrants for U.S. persons was relatively small compared to the number of jobs going to
foreign nationals who enter the U.S. on non-immigrant visas.
 Despite the work visa ban, which is to protect U.S. persons from loss of livelihoods to foreign
nationals, it is still unclear that tangible economic benefits of this sort can be achieved at this
juncture.
 The H-1B programme in particular plays a crucial role in addressing the shortage of healthcare
professionals while also providing other key sectors of economy with talent from around the
world to not only fill jobs but create new ones.
 Legal immigration is a positive for the American economy and visa programs allow American
companies to secure qualified, legal labour throughout the world which will not be the same
after the move.

Conclusion:

The long-term implications of the executive order are also causing concerns. As the Google
CEO rightly said, immigrants have played a crucial role in making the USA a global leader in cutting
edge technology. Suspending the visas will only weaken the USA’s economy and its health care
workforce at a time when there is a need to strengthen the both. Politics should not trump smart
policy and the ingenuity of migrant workers should be harnessed to revive an economy in dire
straits.

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