Highly Exam Relevant Model Answers

UPSC CSE MAINS 2023

GS-III (Paper - Paper-IV)
 UPSC CSE 2023 EXAM
(MODEL ANSWERS GS-III)
1. Faster economic growth requires increased share of the manufacturing sector in GDP, particularly of MSMEs.
Comment on the present policies of the Government in this regard. (10 Marks)
Approach
Introduction: Introduce with recent data of manufacturing sector and MSMEs
Body
 Explanation of the Importance of Manufacturing and MSMEs
 Present policies of Government to promote MSMEs in manufacturing.
 Issues in present policies of Government
 Way Forward/Suggestions
Conclusion: Conclude by relevant statements

Introduction: The manufacturing sector contributes to around 16-17% of India’s GDP and employs around 50 million
people, making it the second largest employer after agriculture. Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) play a vital
role in the manufacturing sector, contributing around 6.11% of GDP and 38.4% of manufacturing gross value added (GVA)
according to the data provided by Annual Survey of Industries (ASI).

Significance of Manufacturing For Faster Economic Growth

 Contributes to GDP: MSMEs contribute around 6.11% of India's GDP and 38.4% of manufacturing gross value
added (GVA). This highlights the significance of MSMEs for the faster economic growth of India.
 Reduce dependence on agriculture: Excessive dependence on primary sector led to nearly 50% of the population
remaining in the agricultural sector by producing only 17% of GDP.
 Employment for unskilled: The service sector, while offering employment opportunities, tends to require highly
skilled individuals for its jobs. Whereas the development trend oriented towards the manufacturing sector often
generates employment opportunities for informal workers.
 Export potential: India has reached $418 billions of manufacturing exports in fiscal year 2022 (FY22). As per
recent report, India is expected to scale up its manufacturing exports to $1 trillion by 2027-28 which can greatly
contribute to economic growth.
 Trade Surplus: A robust manufacturing sector and higher exports can bridge the trade deficit with multiple nations.
 Higher Tax Revenues: Growth in the sector can attract more investments and higher revenue and profit generation
which in turn would aid the government through taxes.
 Diversification of jobs: It aids in the diversification of jobs available in the secondary and tertiary sectors.
 Rural Development: 51% of MSMEs are located in rural areas. MSMEs will aid in the industrialization of rural
areas at a low capital cost.
Need of MSMEs for Faster Economic Growth
 Reduce disguised employment: MSMEs help in modernization of agriculture and minimizes people reliance on
agriculture by creation of jobs in secondary and tertiary sectors.
 Employment Transition: The MSME sector is one of the key drivers for India’s transition from an agrarian to an
industrialised economy.
o Example: MSME sector is 2nd largest employer in country after agriculture.
 Inclusive Growth: MSME falls under the ownership of Women, Rural groups, traditional craftsmen and thus
promotes a balanced growth.
 Indigenous Growth: MSMEs can help develop India’s domestic strength and substitute foreign products.
 Domestic Supply Chain: They can create an environment where MSME acts as ancillary to larger industries and
integrate the whole supply chain.
 Export Potential: Global Manufacturing has shifted to developing nations, thus the potential to increase exports to
the developed nations increases for India.

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o Example: The contribution of MSMEs in exports stood at 42.6% (April 2022-August 2022). Exporting
manufactured items from MSMEs boosts trade
 Supporting Industries: MSMEs can support larger industries by becoming part of the industrial ecosystem and act
as ancillary units for large enterprises.

Present policies of Government to promote manufacturing sector, particularly MSMEs:

1. Acts/Institutions
 MSME Development Act: The MSME Development Act was passed in 2006 to provide a legal framework for the
promotion and development of MSMEs. The Act provides MSMEs with a number of benefits, including access to
credit, tax breaks, and marketing assistance.
 National Small Industries Corporation Limited (NSIC): It is mandated for promoting, aiding and fostering
growth of micro and small enterprises in the country, usually on commercial basis.
 National Institute for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, (NI-MSME): It is responsible for enterprise
promotion and entrepreneurship development and enabling enterprise creation.
 Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP): It aims to strengthen institutions and governance at the
Centre and State, improving Centre-State linkages and partnerships and improving access of MSMEs to market and
credit, technology upgradation and addressing issues of delayed payments and greening of MSMEs.
2. Schemes
 Credit linked capital subsidy scheme: It has been implemented by the government for upgradation of the technology.
 Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS): Launched during the Covid crisis as a part of the relief
package, the scheme provided 100 per cent guarantee coverage to the banks and NBFCs, to encourage them to lend
to MSMEs who were facing a liquidity crunch due to delayed payments and lockdowns in several markets.
 Mudra scheme: It is the first ever credit scheme designed for micro entrepreneurs or household enterprises for
availing credit free loans for working capital and investment purposes.
 Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) Scheme: It encourages MSMEs to import capital goods at concessional
rates for manufacturing products for export.
3. Policies
 Changes in categorization of MSMEs: Based on annual turnover.
o Micro Enterprise: Investment in Plant and Machinery or Equipment is less than INR 1 crore and Annual
Turnover is less than INR 5 crore.
o Small Enterprise: Investment in Plant and Machinery or Equipment is less than INR 10 crore and Annual
Turnover is less than INR 50 crore.
o Medium Enterprise: Investment in Plant and Machinery or Equipment is less than INR 50 crore and Annual
Turnover is less than INR 250 crore.
 Public Procurement Policy for Micro and Small Enterprises: Mandatory 25% annual procurement from MSEs
by Central Ministries/ Departments/ Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) including 4% from MSEs owned
by SC/ST and 3% from MSEs owned by Women entrepreneurs. 358 items are reserved for exclusive procurement
from MSEs.
 Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan: To promote self-reliance includes several measures to boost the manufacturing
sector, such as Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes for various industries.
 Make in India: It is aimed at increasing the manufacturing sector's contribution to 25% of GDP by 2022 from
around 16% in 2014. FDI inflow increased to $64.37 billion in 2019-20 from $45.15 billion in 2014-15,
showcasing the initiative's impact.
 National Manufacturing Policy: Implementation of the National Manufacturing Policy in 2011, with the
objective of increasing manufacturing's share of the GDP to 25%.

Issues in present policies [Students: The below part should be written in smart art format]
 Infrastructure gap: Inadequate infrastructure hampers MSMEs, particularly in outsourcing, limiting their global
competitiveness and growth.

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 UPSC CSE 2023 EXAM
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 Finance and regulatory hurdles: Limited access to timely finance, affecting 16%, forces MSMEs to rely on their
resources hinders growth.
 Policy fragmentation: Inconsistent MSME policies result in uneven development and entrepreneurship programs.
Nationwide, cohesive efforts are vital for global competitiveness.
 Market access challenges: MSMEs faces difficulties in accessing wider markets, both domestically and
internationally which limits their growth potential and market reach.

Way Forward
 Establish independent regulatory body: Government should create an independent regulatory body which can
advise and provide consultancy to MSMEs.
 Promote exports from MSMEs: Encourage MSMEs to focus on exports through incentives and simplified
procedures.
 Development of market: Promoting Small to Medium Enterprise (SME) bond issuances can provide a boost to debt
capital markets participation of MSMEs.
 Digitization of MSMEs: Digitizing the MSMEs help to enhance efficiency and reliability, cutting costs, and
keeping up with latest technological trends.
 Reduce regulatory burden: Simplify multiple procedure and promote business-friendliness to increase foreign
investment in manufacturing and MSMEs.

Conclusion: Manufacturing sector, particularly MSMEs are key ingredients to faster economic growth as they will enhance
job creation, increase the exports and create multiplier effect on other sectors in economy.

2. What is the status of digitalization in the Indian economy? Examine the problems faced in this regard and suggest
improvements. (10 Marks)
Approach
Introduction: Definition of Digitalization
Body
 Status of digitalization in the Indian economy: Mention facts related to digitalization and status of
government initiatives.
 Problems faced in digitalization in Indian economy.
 Improvements needed in digitalization.
Conclusion: Conclude by relevant statements

Introduction: Digitalization or the digital transformation of the economy is essentially the introduction of information and
communication technologies (ICT) in order to increase efficiency, productivity and competitiveness of sectors of economy to
provide new revenue and value-producing opportunities.

Status of Digitalization in Indian economy

 Growth potential: As per Ministry of Electronics & IT report, India is poised to be a trillion-dollar digital
economy and could support 60 to 65 million digitally enabled jobs by 2025-26.
 Economic Impact: The core digital economy’s contribution to GVA increased from 5.4% in 2014 to 8.5% in 2019.
The digitally dependent economy accounted for an estimated 22% of India’s GDP in 2019, with a growth rate
outpacing the overall economy.
 Digital Consumers: India is one of the top three global economies with respect to the number of digital consumers.
 Internet user base: India has the second-largest internet user base in the world, with over 800 million users. It is
expected to increase to 900 million by 2025.

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 Digital payments: India's digital payments market is growing rapidly, with over 100 billion digital transactions in
2022- 23. The digital payments value to GDP is 86.2% (RBI).
 E-Commerce: India's e-commerce market is also growing rapidly, with a projected value of $175 billion by 2025.
This is being driven by the increasing convenience and affordability of online shopping.
 Digital literacy: 759 million active internet users- 399 million from rural and 341 million from urban.
 Software: India is the world's third-largest producer of software. It is also home to some of the world's leading
technology companies, such as Infosys, TCS, and Wipro.
 Digital penetration: Over 45% of population in India is online and has ease of access, usage of online services and
receives quality services (RBI Financial Inclusion Index 2021).
 Government Digitalization: The Indian government has digitized services, expanding Aadhar coverage to 99% of
the population. Direct benefit transfers (DBT) saved 1.1 crore out of 6 crores spent on subsidies in 2018.

Key initiatives taken by government for digitalization:

 Aadhaar: Aadhaar provides 12 digit biometric and demographic based identity that is unique, lifelong, online and
authenticable. Over 135.5 crore residents have been enrolled.
 DigiLocker: Digital Locker provides an ecosystem with collection of repositories and gateways for issuers to upload the
documents in the digital repositories. Digital Locker has more than 13.7 crore users and more than 562 crore documents are
made available through DigiLocker from 2,311 issuer organizations.
 Digital India: Increased India's internet user base to over 800 million, the second largest in the world.
 Unified Payment Interface (UPI) is the leading digital payment platform. It has onboarded 376 banks and has
facilitated 730 crore transactions (by volume) worth Rs 11.9 lakh crore.
 Skilling of people: The government has trained over 50 million people in digital skills under Skill India mission.
The government launched a new scheme in 2022-23 to train 1 million youth in artificial intelligence and machine
learning.
 National Optical Fiber Network (NOFN): Renamed as BharatNet, aims to connect all 250,000 Gram Panchayats
(rural local bodies) in India through high-speed broadband internet, expanding digital access to rural areas.
 e-Governance Portals:
o National e-Governance Portal (NeGP): A unified portal for various government services and information.
o MyGov: A citizen engagement platform for collaborative governance and policy discussions.
o Digital India Portal: A gateway to various digital initiatives and services aimed at transforming India into a
digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.
 e-Filing Systems:
o e-Filing of Income Tax Returns: Online platform for tax filing.
o Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN): E-filing for GST returns.
o MCA21: E-filing for company documents.
 Digital Service Delivery Platforms:
o e-Hospital: An online platform for booking appointments and accessing healthcare services in government
hospitals.
o e-Passport Seva: A system for applying and processing Indian passport services electronically.
o e-Courts: A digital platform for accessing court-related information and services, including case status and
judgments.

Problems faced in digitalization in Indian economy:

 Digital divide: Only about 40 percent of the population has an internet subscription, indicating that a substantial
portion of the population still lacks access to the digital economy. Further, over 60% of women in 12 states and UTs
have never used the internet (NFHS report).
 Lack of skilled manpower: As per NASSCOM report, India would need 95 lakh people in IT industry itself by
2026 and of which 55 lakhs should be digitally skilled across key digital technologies such as cloud computing, AI,
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big data analytics and IoT etc.
 Data privacy and security: India witnessed 13.9 lakh cybersecurity incidents in 2022. The ransomware breaches
were up by 13% in 2022, a jump greater than the past five years combined.
 Infrastructure development: Digitization requires substantial investments in technology infrastructure and resources, which
can be challenging for small businesses with limited financial capabilities.
 Regulatory challenges: Lack of clear and consistent regulations for the growth of digital businesses.
 Interoperability challenges: Ensuring seamless communication and compatibility among diverse digital systems
and platforms remains a significant challenge.
 Content and data localization complexities: Addressing concerns related to data storage and localization policies
is crucial, as it can impact cross-border data flow and business operations.

Improvements in digitalization:
 Regulator for digital payments: Setting up of an independent payments regulator within the framework of RBI as
suggested by Ratan Walal Committee (2016).
 Investing in digital infrastructure: The government needs to invest in developing digital infrastructure, such as high-
speed internet and data centers. This will help to improve access to theinternet and digital services.
 Strengthen IPR protection: Since the digital economy is heavily based on intellectual property, strict protection to
patent and copyright work, whether produced in India or elsewhere, also needs to be implemented.
 Enhance Digital Literacy: Collaboration between government and private sector for investing in digital literacy
programs to bridge digital divide in rural areas. Encourage the adoption of digital payment systems like UPI to promote a
cashless economy.
 Cybersecurity Measures: Strengthen the cybersecurity infrastructure with continued investment in digital infrastructure
including broadband expansion and 5G rollout.
 Incentive innovation: Support for fintech and tech startups should continue through initiatives like incubators,
accelerators, and funding programs to drive innovation in the digital space.
Conclusion: India has developed a unique and cogent digital story to tell. The digitalization has transformed the Indian
economy in a number of ways by boosting economic growth, creating jobs, improving productivity, and expanding access to
markets. However, the journey is ongoing and there is significant untapped potential in India's digital public infrastructure
space which needs to be realized.

3. How does e-technology help farmers in production and marketing of agricultural produce? Explain it.
(10 Marks)
Approach
Introduction: Explain e-technology in agriculture
Body
 Mention benefits of e-technology in production
 Mention benefits of e-technology in marketing of agricultural produce
 Mention few initiatives of e-technology in Agriculture
Conclusion: Conclude by relevant statements

Introduction: E-technology, encompassing various digital tools and platforms, has revolutionized the agricultural landscape
in India by significantly aiding farmers in both the production and marketing of agricultural produce. E-technology in
agriculture refers to E-agriculture which is to designing, developing and applying innovative ways to use information and
communication technologies in agriculture for improving productivity and efficiency.

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 UPSC CSE 2023 EXAM
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Benefits of e-technology in production
 Access to information: E-Technology helps farmers by providing them with market prices, weather forecasts,
farming techniques, crop diseases, and best farming practices.
o Example: Agrisnet, a comprehensive web portal provides farmers information related to quality of inputs, and
government services.
 Crop monitoring: IoT devices like sensors, drones, and smart irrigation systems are used on farms to monitor
temperature, crop health, soil moisture, and temperature in realtime.
o Example: AgroSky, an Indian startup using ground-based sensors for real-time weather and crop monitoring,
aiding over 1 million farmers to enhance yields and reduce costs.
 Proper usage of inputs: Balanced utilization of fertilizers and pesticides is possible with the help of e-technology.
o Example: Village knowledge centres (VKCs) provide technical information related to agricultural inputs and
use of fertilizers and pesticides.
 Efficient irrigation: E-technology can be used to manage irrigation more efficiently. According to a report by the
World Bank, irrigation management using e-technology can help farmers to save up to 40% of their water
consumption.
o Example: Farmers can use soil moisture sensors to automatically turn irrigation systems on and off when
needed.
 Access to financial tools: E-technology helps farmers to access credit, insurance, subsidies and payment transfers
efficiently which are crucial for the production.
o Example: SBI Yono Krishi app to meet farmers finance, inputs and advisory needs.
 Access to government schemes: e-technology enables seamless transfer of subsidies and other benefits which helps
farmers in the production phase.
o Example: Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme provides income support to farmers
directly into their bank accounts using Aadhar-based technology.
 Precision farming: E-technology enables precision farming through the use of GPS- guided tractors and drones.
They help optimize the use of resources like seeds, fertilizers, and water, resulting in increased crop yields.

Benefits of e-technology in marketing of agricultural produce

 Better price discovery: E-marketing platforms provide real-time price information from various markets, enabling
farmers to make informed decisions about when and where to sell their produce at the best prices.
o Example: e- NAM (National Agriculture Market) connect farmers directly with buyers and traders, eliminating
intermediaries and ensuring better prices for their produce.
 Direct linkages: Farmer-producer companies connecting directly with retailers/consumers.
o Example: ITC's e-Choupal.
 Reduction in Transaction Costs: By eliminating intermediaries and reducing transportation costs, e-marketing
platforms ensure that a larger share of the profit goes directly to the farmers.
o Example: In Kerala, with increase in mobile networks, transaction costs got reduced resulting in increased
income for farmers.
 Access to e-commerce: E-commerce platforms can provide farmers with direct access to consumers, allowing them
to sell their produce at a remunerative price.
o Example: Open Network for digital commerce used to sell tomatoes recently.
 Supply chain management: E-technology can be used to improve supply chain management by tracking the
movement of produce from the farm to the consumer.
 Market intelligence: Data analytics tools can provide insights into consumer preferences and market trends, helping
farmers make data-driven decisions to optimize their marketing strategies.

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ICT Initiatives for agricultural sector in India

1. Public sector initiatives
 Agrisnet: It is a comprehensive web portal serving the farmer community by providing information related to
quality of inputs, government schemes and providing services through use of ICT.
 Agricultural Marketing Information Network (AGMARKNET): It aims to pace up agricultural marketing
system through broadcasting information about influx of agricultural commodities and their prices to producers,
consumers, traders, etc.
 SMS Portal/m-Kisan Portal: This portal is aimed to provide information about diverse agricultural activities,
provide seasonal advisories and provide various services directly to farmers through SMSs in their local
languages.
 Kisan Call Centers (KCCs): They aim provide extension services to the farming community in local
languages. Agricultural scientists also visit the field to get an idea about complex agricultural problems to
resolve them.
2. Private sector initiatives
 eSagu: It provides customized solution to farmers’ problems and advise them from sowing to harvesting by
analysing digital photographs and videos uploaded by farmers.
 Digital Mandi: It is an e-trading platform for facilitating farmers and traders to sell and procure agricultural
produce beyond geographical and temporal limitations effortlessly.
 eArik: It is an integrated platform to enhance accessibility of agricultural information and technology in north-
eastern India. It delivers agricultural specialist advice on crop cultivation, crop management and marketing.
 aAQUA (Almost All Questions Answered): It is a multilingual online system that facilitates farmers by
advising them, solving their problems and answering their questions related to agriculture.
 Reuters Market Light: It aims to deliver customized information to the registered farmers via mobile-SMS. It
offers information on crops, diseases, and market prices.
 Agronxt: It is a multitasking platform where farmers can get inputs, agriculture advice, weather condition etc.
It thrives to contribute to agriculture industry by delivering farmers usable, reliable and timely information that
maximizes farm profitability.

Conclusion: E-technology has revolutionized agriculture in India by empowering farmers with real-time data, market access,
digital tools for production and marketing and bridging gaps in farming sector. Embracing it further, India can envision an
empowered, efficient, and economically thriving agrarian community.

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 UPSC CSE 2023 EXAM
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4. State the objectives and measures of land reforms in India. Discuss how land ceiling policy on landholding can be
considered as an effective reform under economic criteria.
Approach
Introduction: Briefly mention about land reforms
Body
 Objectives of land reforms in India
 Measures of land reforms in India
 Land ceiling policy as an effective reform under economic criteria
 Issues with land ceiling policy
Conclusion: Conclude by relevant statements

Introduction
Land reform refers to efforts to reform the ownership and regulation of land. It is basically redistribution of land from those
who have excess of land to those who do not possess with the objective of equitable redistribution of land and increasing
productivity and decreasing poverty.

Objectives of Land reforms

 Social justice: To address the concentration of land ownership and redistribute land to the landless and marginalized
sections of society.
 Enhancing Agricultural Productivity: To promote efficient land use and productivity by providing land to those
who can cultivate it effectively.
 Reduce poverty and inequality: To reduce rural poverty by providing land to landless agricultural laborers and poor
farmers.
 Ensure Food security: To ensure food security for the country by undertaking land consolidation reforms.
 Protection of tribals: To protect the rights of tribals by ensuring that their traditional land is not taken over by the outsiders.
 Development purpose: Land reforms were also considered essential for promoting non-agricultural purposes like
development and manufacturing in the country.

Measures of Land reforms

 Abolition of intermediaries: Zamindari Abolition Act, 1950 abolished the zamindari system of land ownership, in
which landlords collected rent from peasants.
o Example: Operation Barga Under Zamindari Abolition in West Bengal
 Tenancy reforms: Abolition of intermediary tenures and bringing the tenants into direct relations with the state has
given the tiller of the soil his rightful place in the agrarian system.
o Example: Bombay Tenancy and Agricultural Lands Act, 1948 (Maharashtra)
 Consolidation of land holdings: The term ‘Consolidation of holdings’ refers to amalgamation and redistribution of
the fragmented land with a view to bringing together all plots of land of a cultivator in one compact block.
Consolidation of Landholdings Act, 1972 provides for the consolidation of fragmented landholdings into larger,
more contiguous units.
 Land ceilings: The term ‘ceiling on land holdings’ refers to the legally stipulated maximum size beyond which no
individual farmer or farm household can hold any land.
o Example: Kerala’s land reform act
 Modernization of Land records: Digitizing land records to improve transparency, reduce land- related disputes,
and enhance land administration efficiency.
 The Forest Rights Act, 2006: This act recognizes the rights of forest-dwelling communities and individuals over
forest land and resources.

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 Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013:
It provides for fair compensation and rehabilitation to land owners and tenants who lose their land due to land
acquisition for public purposes.

Land ceiling policy as an effective reform under economic criteria

 Prevention of land monopoly: It has prevented excessive land accumulation and has ensured that land resources
are distributed more efficiently among a larger section of the population.
 Land use efficiency: Smaller landholdings due to land ceilings promote efficient land use as farmers are
incentivized to make the best use of their limited land.
 Economic Inclusivity: By limiting land concentration, land ceiling policies empower marginalized communities
and reduce income inequality, contributing to overall economic inclusivity.
 Access to credit: It has facilitated institutional credit and extension services for the small and marginal farmers who
have secure ownership rights.
 Poverty alleviation: By providing land to landless laborers and poor farmers, land ceiling policies have contributed
positively in reduction of poverty. More than 10 lakh people became beneficiary from ceiling laws implemented in
West Bengal alone.
 Employment generation: It generates employment opportunities and income sources for the landless and marginal
farmers who receive surplus land.
 Fosters rural development: It promoted inclusive growth by addressing agrarian unrest and land related conflicts
in rural areas.
 Infrastructure Development: With land ceilings, surplus lands were utilized for community projects and public utilities.

Issues
 Existence of loopholes: In most of the states, landowners were able to evade the regulations and were able to escape
from having their surplus land taken over by the state.
 Benami transfers: In most cases landowners managed to divide the land among relatives and others, including servants, in
so-called ‘benami transfers’ – which allowed them to keep control over the land.
 Others: Exemptions for religious and charitable institutions, falsification of land deeds, judicial interventions, non-
availability of land records, inefficient administration and lack of political-will etc. led to the failure of the land ceiling.

Conclusion
Land ceiling, beyond just a social tool, mirrors economic wisdom, fostering productivity and equity. It has played a crucial
role in achieving the objectives of equitable land distribution and social justice.

5. Introduce the concept of Artificial Intelligence (Al). How does Al help clinical diagnosis? Do you perceive any
threat to privacy of the individual in the use of Al in healthcare? (10 Marks)
Approach
Introduction: Definition of Artificial Intelligence
Body
 Significance of AI in clinical diagnosis
 Privacy concerns in the use of AI in healthcare
 Way Forward to address privacy concerns
Conclusion: Conclude by relevant statements

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 UPSC CSE 2023 EXAM
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Introduction: Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to the simulation or approximation of human intelligence in machines. It encompasses
various technologies like machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision, enabling systems to perform tasks that
typically require human intelligence. It is being used today across different industries from finance to healthcare.

Significance of AI in clinical diagnosis

 Medical imaging: AI algorithms can analyze medical images (e.g., X-rays, MRIs, ultrasounds and CT scans) and assist
healthcare providers in identifying and diagnosing diseases more accurately and quickly.
o Example: Deep Mind’s algorithms.
 Data analysis: Using algorithms, AI can mimic human cognition in the analysis, presentation and comprehension of
complex medical and health care data.
o Ex: IBM's Watson for Oncology provides treatment recommendations based on a patient's medical history.
 Disease prevention: AI can also aid in the early detection and prevention of diseases by capturing the vitals of
patients.
o Example: Advanced AI tools enable us to detect cancer at early stage with more precision by spotting even a
subtle change in gene
 Predictive analysis: AI can analyze complex patterns of patient data and predict disease risk factors based on
genetic and lifestyle data.
o Example: As per recent study, AI-powered cancer diagnosis tools can help to improve the accuracy of cancer
diagnosis by up to 10%.
 Development of new diagnostic tools: AI can be used to develop new diagnostic tools to treat the diseases more
efficiently.
o Example: An AI-powered diagnostic tool can be used to identify patients with a high risk of developing
Alzheimer's disease.
 Personalized Medicine: AI could allow clinicians to optimise the timing and dosage of medication for individual
patients, or screen patients using their individual health profiles, rather than the current blanket criteria of age and
sex.
o Example: Tempus platform
 Drug Discovery and Development: AI expedites drug discovery by identifying potential drug candidates and
forecasting their effectiveness.
o Example: Benevolent AI, a reputed pharma giant uses AI to discover new drug targets and repurpose existing
drugs.

Privacy issues in the use of AI in healthcare

 Surveillance issues: AI systems often rely on collecting and analyzing vast amounts of data, raising concerns about
privacy and surveillance. Many wearable devices constantly monitor an individual’s health data which is in hands of
large tech companies with access to AI.
 Informed Consent: AI systems are complex and difficult to understand. Patients may not fully understand how their data is
used in AI applications. Furthermore, AI algorithms can misuse patient data for profiling and targeted advertising
purposes.
 Data breaches: AI systems rely on large amounts of data, which can be vulnerable to data breaches. If a data breach
occurs, sensitive patient data could be stolen or leaked. Example: Quest Diagnostics suffered a data breach affecting
millions of patient records.
 Profiling issues: AI algorithms can inherit biases from the data they are trained on, potentially leading to disparities in
diagnosis and treatment recommendations. Example: A study showed that pulse oximeters, which measure the amount of
oxygen in blood are less accurate on people with darker skin than lighter skin.
 Re-identification Risks: AI can re-identify individuals from supposedly anonymized health data, compromising
patient privacy.
 Long-term data use: Patients may not anticipate how their data will be used in the long term and this raises
questions about data retention and future usage.
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Way Forward
 Institute standards: When deploying AI in healthcare, organizations should follow a framework that will
standardize production while ensuring ethical model.
 Proportionality and do no harm: The use of AI systems in healthcare must not go beyond what is necessary to
achieve a legitimate aim. Risk assessment should be used to prevent harms which may result from such uses.
 Data protection: Privacy must be protected and promoted throughout the AI lifecycle in healthcare sector.
 Non-discrimination: AI actors should promote social justice, fairness while taking an inclusive approach to ensure
AI’s benefits are accessible to all.
Conclusions: AI holds immense potential to transform the healthcare landscape, elevating clinical diagnosis and treatment to
unprecedented levels of accuracy and efficiency. However, there is a need to regulate the use of collected health related data.
The recent ICMR Ethical Guidelines for Application of AI in Biomedical Research and Health Care is a step in right
direction in this regard.

6. Discuss several ways in which microorganisms can help in meeting the current fuel shortage. (10 Marks)
Approach
Introduction: Give a brief background about microorganisms and their role in fuel production
Body
 Several ways through which microorganisms help in meeting fuel shortage
 Advantages of microbial fuel production
 Challenges and concerns
Conclusion: Conclude on a suggestive note

Introduction: Microorganism or microbe is an organism that is microscopic which can be bacteria, fungi, archaea or
protozoa. Their diverse metabolic capabilities offer innovation solutions in meeting the current fuel shortage through various
biofuel production methods, contributing to sustainable energy alternatives.

Several ways through which microorganisms help in meeting fuel shortage

 Biofuel production: Microorganisms like algae leads to production of all types of bio-fuels such as biodiesel,
gasoline, butanol, propanol and ethanol with high yield.
o Ex: Oleaginous microorganisms can accumulate lipids, which can be converted into biodiesel.
 Bioethanol production: Microorganisms like yeast and bacteria play a pivotal role in fermenting sugars derived
from feedstocks like corn and lignocellulosic biomass. Yeast fermentation converts sugars to ethanol, an alternative
to gasoline.
o Example: Saccharomyces cerevisiae
 Biodiesel synthesis: Algae synthesize lipids which get converted to biodiesel. The lipids can be converted to
biodiesel through transesterification.
o Example: Jatropha for biodiesel production, Chlorella and Spirulina
 Hydrogen production: Microalgae have capacity for producing hydrogen by photobiological reaction. Hydrogen is
produced by direct or indirect photolysis of water.
o Example: Clostridium acetobutylicum, can ferment biomass to produce hydrogen gas (H2).
 Microbial fuel cells: It is a bioelectrochemical device that can generate electricity by the use of electrons obtained
from the anaerobic oxidation of substrates. It uses the metabolic activity of microorganisms to generate electricity
from organic matter.
o Example: Geobacter sulfurreducens in MFCs produce electricity from wastewater.
 Methane generation: Anaerobic microorganisms break down organic waste, producing methane-rich biogas.
o Example: Methanogenic bacteria in sewage treatment plants produce methane gas.

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 Waste to Energy conversion: Microbes can convert various organic waste materials such as agricultural residues
and lingo-cellulosic biomass, into biofuels.
o Example: Food waste into biogas
 Bioremediation and Biofuels: Certain microorganisms can clean contaminated environments such as oil spills
while simultaneously produce biofuels.
o Example: Alcanivorax borkumensis
 Reduce need for fertilizers: Microorganisms can improve crop growth and reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers
and pesticides, thereby reducing power usage by fertilizer industry.
o Example: Mycorrhizal fungi and nitrogen-fixing bacteria
 Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU): Microorganisms can capture and convert carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from
industrial processes into biofuels by microbial electro-synthesis or gas fermentation.

Advantages of microbial fuel production

 Sustainable energy source: Microbes absorb CO2 during growth, balancing the emissions. It is carbon-neutral and
reduce greenhouse gas emissions from conventional fuel production.
 Versatility: Microbes can process varied feedstocks, including non-food resources.
 Waste to Energy: Microorganisms convert waste materials like agricultural residues into various biofuels, leading
to waste utilization. Example: Bagasse to Ethanol.
 Economic growth: It will create new jobs in the market and spur the economic growth.
 Energy security: It will lessen oil imports and in the long-term will lead to energy security for the nation.

Challenges
 High cost of production: The technology for the production of biofuels from microorganisms is still in nascent
stage, thus the initial costs are very high.
 Contamination control: Microbial cultures used in biofuel production can be vulnerable to contamination by other
microorganisms affects purity, product quality and consistency.
 Technical challenges: Commercial production at large scales remains challenging. Further there is lack of robust
microbes and lack of stable bio-catalyst systems.
 Food security concerns: Biofuel crops might compete with food crops putting pressure on land resources, raising
food security concerns.

Conclusion: Microorganisms offer a promising solution to alleviate the global fuel shortage by production of alternative
fuels. Recognizing their importance, the government of India has taken various steps such as GOBARDHAN, ethanol
blending etc. to promote fuel generation using microorganisms. By investing further in microbial technologies, India can
leverage the potential of these tiny organisms to meet its growing energy demands and achieve sustainable energy future.

7. Dam failures are always catastrophic, especially on the downstream side, resulting in a colossal loss of life and
property. Analyze the various causes of dam failures. Give two examples of large dam failures. (10 Marks)
Approach
Introduction: Contextual introduction
Body
 Mention various causes of dam failures
 Examples of two large dam failures
Conclusion: Conclude by relevant statements

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Introduction: A dam failure refers to an uncontrolled release of water from a reservoir through a dam as a result of structural
failures or deficiencies in the dam. Recently, thousands of people have been killed following the catastrophic collapse of two
dams in eastern Libya.

Causes of dam failures

1. Natural factors
 Earthquake prone zones: Many of the dams in India are located in the earthquake zones. Seismic activity
leads to ground shaking, potentially causing dam failures.
 Landslides: Landslides near or within reservoirs will lead to displacement of large volumes of soil and rock,
resulting in dam failure.
 Flooding: When a dam is unable to handle excess water flow during heavy rain or flooding, it can lead to over-
topping and eventual failure.
 Growth in vegetation: Changes in the ecosystem around a dam, such as vegetation growth, can affect dam
performance.
2. Human factors
 Poor Design and Construction: Inadequate engineering design or construction methods can lead to weak dams
that are prone to failure.
 Aging dams: Around 4% of the dams in India are more than 100 years old and they have not been renovated.
 Lack of monitoring: There are varying degree of inadequacies in meeting the current standards of dam safety. As per
CAG report the structural strength of 348 large dams are suspect and they have not been inspected for over a decade.
 Non-compliance: The current institutional framework does not have statutory mandate hindering the
implementation of safety standards.
 Siltation and Sedimentation: Accumulation of silt and sediment in reservoirs can reduce a dam's storage
capacity and affect its overall stability.
 Operational Mistakes: Errors in dam operation, such as improper release of water or failure to respond to
changing conditions, can lead to failure.
 Sabotage and Terrorism: Deliberate acts of sabotage or terrorism can compromise dam integrity and lead to
catastrophic failures.
 Climate Change: Altered precipitation patterns and increased extreme weather events due to climate change can
impact dam safety.

Examples of large dam failures

1. National
 Machchhu dam, 1979, Gujarat: The failure was caused by excessive rain and massive flooding leading to
the disintegration of the earthen walls of the dam. The dam's structural inadequacies and improper
maintenance aggravated the situation. The resulting floodwaters inundated several downstream towns and
villages, causing extensive destruction and claiming thousands of lives.
 Tiware Dam Breach, 2019, Maharashtra: Tiware Dam experienced a tragic breach in July 2019. Heavy
rainfall led to the dam overflowing and subsequently collapsing, resulting in the loss of several lives and
extensive damage to downstream areas.
2. International
 Libya Dam Collapse (2023): Eastern Libya experienced devastating flooding triggered by heavy rains
from Mediterranean storm Daniel. More than 11,000 people have been killed and tens of thousands are
missing following the catastrophic collapse of two dams in the eastern Libyan city of Derna.

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 Banqiao Dam, China (1975): Located in China, the dam collapsed under the influence of Typhoon Nina.
It stands as one of the most lethal dam collapses in history. The ensuing catastrophe resulted in flooding,
leading to the loss of an estimated 26,000 lives and inundated around 30 cities.

Conclusion: Dam failures are a substantial threat, necessitating continuous efforts in research, engineering, and management
to mitigate their causes and prevent future calamities. A comprehensive dam safety policy should be finalized quickly to act
as a guiding principle towards protection of dams.

8. What is oil pollution? What are its impacts on the marine ecosystem? In what way is oil pollution particularly
harmful for a country like India? (10 Marks)
Approach
Introduction: Mention about oil pollution
Body
 Impacts of oil pollution on marine ecosystem
 Harmfulness of oil pollution for India
Conclusion: Conclude by relevant statements

Introduction: Oil pollution, also known as marine oil pollution, occurs when the crude oil or petroleum related products are
released into marine ecosystem, causing harm to marine life and ecosystems. It can occur through various means such as oil
spills from vessels, offshore drilling operations, and transportation activities.

Impacts of oil pollution on marine ecosystem

 Release of harmful substances: Oil pollution releases certain substances such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
which can poison marine organisms and cause genetic mutations.
o Example: Seabirds' feather clumping
 On marine animals: Whales, dolphins are at risk from floating oil when surfacing to breathe or breach. Harm to
nasal tissue and eyes from oil has been postulated. Oil damages fur and feathers, leaving animals like sea otters and
birds vulnerable to the cold. Further, both birds and mammals can die from hypothermia as a result oil spills.
o Example: Exon Valdez oil spillin Alaska led to deaths of thousands of marine mammals.
 Damage to fishes: Oil exposure can harm adult fish, causing issues like slow growth, liver problems, and
reproductive difficulties.
o Example: Deepwater Horizon spill (Gulf of Mexico) caused abnormalities in fish embryos and reduced the
survival of fish larvae.
 On coral reefs: Corals are highly sensitive organisms which take a long time to recover from oiling. It can hinder
their growth, development, reproduction, and behavior, and can ultimately lead to death.
o Example: Mauritius oil spill (2020) led to coral bleaching.
 Loss of mangroves: Mangroves are highly vulnerable to oil exposure. Oil pollution can cause leaf deformities and
seedling deaths or progress to tree death.
o Example: Oil spills in the mangroves of the Godavari Delta have threatened these ecosystems.
 Contaminated marine products: Oil contaminates marine products like fishes and makes them unsafe for human
consumption leading to health consequences for communities relying on sea food.
o Example: The Cosco Busan oil spill in San Francisco Bay in 2007 led to a temporary ban on shellfish
harvesting impacting local shellfish industries.
 Disruption of food chain: Oil spill affects the entire food chain as it disrupts the photosynthesis in aquatic plants and
phytoplankton. It contaminates plankton and primary producers, causing a ripple effect through higher trophic levels.

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o Example: The Prestige oil spill off the coast of Spain in 2002 led to reduced phytoplankton populations
affected the entire ecosystem.
 Formation of Dead zones: Oil pollution reduces oxygen levels in the water, causing "dead zones" where marine
life cannot survive.
o Example: Gulf of Mexico's dead zone

Harmfulness of oil pollution on India

 Extensive Coastline: India has a vast coastline, making it highly vulnerable to oil pollution incidents.
o Example: Mumbai oil spill (2010) affected marine animals.
 High oil imports: Around 80% of India’s oil requirements is met through imports which makes India highly
vulnerable to incidents of oil pollution.
 Loss of livelihood: Oil pollution threatens the livelihood of the local fishing communities.
o Example: Chennai oil spill.
 Ecosystem diversity: India’s marine ecosystem is incredibly diverse, with a wide variety of species inhabiting its
coastal areas.
o Example: Western coast of India has rich biodiversity
 Affects Tourism: India's coastal regions attract tourists, and oil pollution can deter visitors and harm the tourism
industry.
o Example: Kerala beaches witnessed decline in tourist arrivals due to oil pollution.
 Effect on Power Plants: The power plants that are dependent on drawing or discharging sea water are severely
affected by oil spills.
 International shipping routes: India's proximity to international shipping routes increases the risk of oil spills from
vessels carrying hazardous cargo.
o Example: Oil spills in Arabian Sea pose a threat to west coast of India.
 Damage to biodiversity hotspots: Oil pollution risk prolonged damage to marine protected areas and mangrove
ecosystems.
o Example: Sundarbans mangroves are at risk from oil spills.

Way Forward
 Legislative measures: Currently there is no law in India that covers oil spills and the environmental harm they
cause. Thus, a comprehensive legislation must be enacted along with proper implementation of "National Oil Spill
Disaster Contingency Plan (NOS-DCP)1996.
 Technological investment: India needs to invest in advanced spill response technologies. Autonomous robots,
ultra-absorbent sponges can be employed for post-oil spill mitigation.
 Oil spill response plans: Develop and maintain oil spill contingency plans for high-risk areas, including coastlines
and shipping routes, alongside specialized rapid response teams for effective spill containment and cleanup.
 Awareness generation: Promote public awareness of responsible maritime practices and collaborate with
international organisations for disaster preparedness.

Conclusion: Oil pollution jeopardizes marine ecosystems and economies, with India being especially vulnerable due to its
extensive coastline and reliance on marine resources. Thus, proactive measures are essential to safeguard both India's marine
ecosystems and the well-being of its coastal communities.

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9. ‘Winning of Hearts and Minds’ in terrorism-affected areas is an essential step in restoring the trust of the
population. Discuss the measures adopted by the Government in this respect as part of the conflict resolution in
Jammu and Kashmir. (10 Marks)
Approach
Introduction: Introduce with objectives of WHAM
Body
 WHAM in terrorism-affected areas as an essential step to restore trust of people
 Measures adopted by government for conflict resolution in Jammu and Kashmir
Conclusion: Conclude by relevant statements

Introduction: Winning of ‘Hearts and Minds’ refers to a people-oriented process for establishing human, social and political
linkages in terrorism-affected areas for common good and reducing support for the extremist ideologies. The strategy aims to
reduce terror conflicts by promoting development and improved governance.

WHAM is an essential step to restore trust of people

Winning of Hearts and Minds restores the trust of people as the local population would feel that their grievances are being addressed,
fostering a sense of inclusion, stability, and hope for a peaceful future. This ultimately contribute to the long- term resolution of
conflicts and the restoration of peace and security in the region.

Measures adopted by government for conflict resolution in Jammu and Kashmir

Concerns/Conflicts in WHAM measures
Jammu and Kashmir
 Abrogation of Article 370 to bring J&K under the same legal framework as the rest of
Historical deprivation
India, enabling better integration and development.
 Prime Minister's Development Package: Investment in infrastructure, education,
healthcare to improve the living standards and create economic opportunities.
 Udaan Scheme provides skill development and employment opportunities to the youth in
J&K.
 Himayat Scheme provides training and placement to unemployed youth in various
Economic development
sectors.
 Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana: This scheme provides bank accounts to all adults in
Jammuand Kashmir.
 Saubhagya scheme provides electricity connections to all households in Jammu and
Kashmir.
 Back to Village program brings government officials to villages to interact with people
Lack of Good and listen to their concerns.
governance  J&K Reorganization Act reorganized former state into two Union Territories, J&K and
Ladakh for improved governance and administrative efficiency.
 Prime Minister's Development Package (PMDP) for infrastructure, road connectivity,
electricity, and healthcare facilities development
Lack of infrastructure  Connectivity Projects like Zojila Tunnel, Chenani-Nashri Tunnel, and the Ujh
Multipurpose Project focus on enhancing connectivity and ensuring all-weather access to
remote areas.
 Khelo India program promotes sports and games among youth in Jammu and Kashmir.
Youth Engagement  Encouraging youth to participate in sports and cultural activities fostering community
engagement

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 Facilitating political participation and representation of the people in local governance
to enhance political stability.
Political outreach o Local governance through measures like the DDC (District Development Council)
 Conducting elections and allowing local political participation to empower the people in
shaping their own governance.
 Counter-radicalization programs E.g: Rehabilitation of surrendered militants
Separatist Insurgency  All-party delegations for dialogue between stakeholders
 Project Sadhbhavana: Indian army helping the youth in shaping their dream.
Security measures with  Promoting community policing and involving local youth in maintaining law and order.
humane approach
 Encouraging cross-border dialogue with Pakistan to reduce tensions and find common
Less cross-border ground.
interactions  Cross-LoC bus service and trade between the Indian and Pakistani sides of Kashmir aim
to promote people-to-people contact.
Cultural preservation  Celebrating local festivals and encouraging cultural exchanges.
Media and information  Fostering a free and responsible media environment to ensure accurate reporting and
dissemination information dissemination.
 Government providing aid and relief to victims of violence, showcasing the government's
Humanitarian commitment to the well-being of the population.
assistance  Implementing social welfare schemes like Ayushman Bharat to improve healthcare.
 Providing subsidized ration and essential commodities to the needy.

Conclusion: Conflict resolution in terrorism-affected areas such as Jammu and Kashmir is a complex task which requires
multifaceted measures. A sustainable resolution to the problem require continuous engagement with all stakeholders, along with
addressing political and security challenges. Winning hearts and minds must continue to be a central aspect of these efforts to
achieve peace, trust, and stability in the region.

10. The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by our adversaries across the borders to ferry arms/ammunitions,
drugs, etc., is a serious threat to the internal security. Comment on the measures being taken to tackle this threat.
(10 Marks)
Approach
Introduction: Define unmanned aerial vehicles
Body
 Explain how use of UAVs by adversaries across borders is threat to internal security.
 Measures taken to deal with this threat.
 Concerns with the measures
Conclusion: Conclude with suggestions

Introduction: An unmanned aerial vehicle is a pilotless aircraft, also called a drone, is used traditionally for applications like
surveillance, mapping, forecasting, delivery of goods etc. However, in the recent times, UAVs are being misused by
adversaries for trafficking of drugs, arms, ammunition etc. which pose a serious threat to security of nation. In last three
years, around 30 incidents of recovery of drones involved in smuggling of Arms/Narcotics have been detected.
Example: Explosives-laden drones targeted Jammu Air Base in India (2021).

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UAVs are serious threat to internal security for a number of reasons including:
 Cross-border Smuggling: Unmanned aerial vehicles are used to smuggle weapons, ammunition, and other
contraband into the country.
 Difficult to detect: UAVs avoid traditional detection methods due to their stealth character.
 Surveillance and Reconnaissance activities: Drones are used by adversaries to conduct surveillance and
reconnaissance on security forces and other targets.
 Drug trafficking: UAVs are employed to transport narcotics, making it challenging for law enforcement agencies
to detect and interdict drug trafficking operations.
 Disruption of critical infrastructure: UAVs used by adversaries can disrupt critical infrastructure like power grids,
communication networks, and transportation, causing chaos and damage.

Measures taken to deal with this threat

 Formulation of Anti-drone policy: The Ministry of Civil aviation released an anti-drone policy (2021) that outlines
regulations for usage of drones. Regulations mandate the registration of drones and set no-fly zones, especially near
sensitive areas like military installations and border regions.
 Adherence to SOP: An anti-rogue drone SOP has been formulated and circulated to field units and is being
followed.
 Round the clock surveillance: Effective domination of the borders being done by BSF by carrying out round the
clock surveillance of the border, viz. patrolling, laying nakas, manning observation posts all along the International
Border.
 Deployment of anti-drone systems: The government has deployed anti-drone technology that includes
radiofrequency (RF) jammers, laser-based systems, and electromagnetic pulse (EMP) weapons to disable or
neutralize hostile UAVs.
 Co-ordination with local police: Local police is immediately informed as soon any such drone movement is
observed for search in interior areas. Depth Nakas are regularly laid in suspected dropping zones of drone.
 Involvement of local population: The general public in border areas have been sensitized and made aware of such
UAV/Drone activities, their likely security implications and are encouraged to inform about any such activities in
the rear areas to BSF and local police.
 Establishment of ARDTC: Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) established Anti Rogue Drone Technology
Committee (ARDTC) under supervision of DG BSF with mandate to evaluate the technology available to counter
rogue drone and certify its effectiveness in dealing with rouge drones.
 Research and Development: D4S anti-drone system based on Drone Detect, Deter and Destroy system by Defence
Research and Development organization (DRDO).
 International Cooperation: Collaborative efforts with countries and international forums to establish UAV norms.
Example: iCET between India and the US.

Concerns with the measures

 Absence of single comprehensive Anti- drone strategy.
 Conventional radar systems are not meant for detecting small UAVs.
 ‘One size fits all’ approach to anti-drone solutions may not work.
 Drone technology is evolving rapidly, with adversaries employing increasingly sophisticated and hard-to-detect
UAVs.
 The use of anti-drone tech like RF jammers and lasers may infringe on privacy rights and poses a security-privacy
balance concern.
Conclusion: With the advancements in drone technology, the security threats from it would also evolve and will become
difficult to tackle. Thus, there is a need for a comprehensive counter drone strategy that involves understanding of the
evolving risks posed by the malicious and illegal use of drones, as well as take a ‘full spectrum’ approach to deter, detect, and
disrupt drone misuse.
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11. Most of the unemployment in India is structural in nature. Examine the methodology adopted to compute
unemployment in the country and suggest improvements. (15 Marks)
Approach
Introduction: Briefly define structural unemployment
Body
 Reasons for existence of structural unemployment in India
 Methodology for computing unemployment in India
 Issues with current methodology
 Improvements needed in the methodology
Conclusion: Conclude by relevant statements

Introduction: Structural unemployment refers to the unemployment caused due to mismatch between the skills that workers
in the economy can offer, and the skills demanded of workers by employers. It occurs primarily due to technological changes,
globalization and long-term changes in the economy. As per PLFS (2019-20), the overall unemployment rate of India is
6.1%, urban unemployment at 7.7% and rural employment at 5.3%.

Reasons for existence of structural unemployment in India

 Education and skill gap: Many people in India do not get jobs due to lack of requisite skills and due to poor
educational outcomes.
 Industrial Shift: As India transitions from an agrarian to a service-based economy, many lack the skills required for
newer jobs.
 Growth in population: The rapid growth of population strains the capacity of the market for job creation leading to
structural unemployment.
 Automation of industries: With technology availability, companies tend to reduce their labor force without
harming the overall output resulting in job loss and structural unemployment. For example, bank tellers face reduced
demand due to ATMs.
 Wage expectation gaps: High wage expectations can also hinder job matches which may lead to structural
unemployment.
 New technologies: The development of new technologies in India such as machine learning, data analytics across
various sectors result in some of the existing jobs becoming obsolete, leaving many people unemployed.
 Rigid Labor Laws: Stringent labour laws make it challenging for employers to hire and lay off workers which
result in reluctance in hiring.

Methodology for computing unemployment in India

 Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS): PLFS was launched by National Statistical Office (NSO) in 2017 and is
India’s first computer-based survey. PLFS provides detailed information on labor force participation, employment
status, and other relevant factors. As per the PLFS 2018-19, the unemployment rate stood at 6.1%, the highest in 45
years.
 Usual Status Approach: It captures long-term unemployment prevalent in the economy. It is determined using the
majority time criterion and refers to the activity status on which he/she spent a longer part of the year. It records
only those persons as being unemployed who had no gainful work for a major time during the 365 days
preceding the date of the survey and are actively seeking work.
 Current Daily Status Approach: The present activity status of the person with respect to whether a person is
employed or unemployed or outside the labor force is recorded for each day in the reference week. An individual
working for 4 hours or more but up to 8 hours on a day is recorded as employed for the full day.

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 Current Weekly Status (CWS): It classifies individuals based on their activities in the reference week preceding
the survey, providing a snapshot of current employment status.
 Population Census: While it does not provide detailed information on employment and unemployment, it provides a
baseline population count that is used as a reference for estimating the labor force. The 2011 Census indicated that the
workforce participation rate in India was about 39.8%.
 Labor Bureau Surveys: The Labor Bureau of India conducts surveys to collect data on employment and
unemployment. The Employment and Unemployment Surveys (EUS) and Annual Employment-Unemployment
Surveys (EUS-AEUS) are some of the surveys.
 State Employment Exchanges: They collect data on job seekers and job placements. While this data does not
provide a comprehensive picture of unemployment, it can give insights into the number of people actively seeking
employment.

Issues with current methodology [Students: The below part must be written in smart art format]
 Informal sector biasness: As highlighted by Arjun Sengupta Committee, the current sampling might not fully
encompass the heterogeneity of India's informal workforce.
 Seasonal employment: Agricultural employment which constitutes nearly 41.49% of the workforce, often sees
seasonal unemployment.
 Neglect of underemployment: The current methodology focuses only on traditional unemployment, neglecting the
underemployment. According to the PLFS data, the underemployment rate in rural areas was 27.7%, highlighting
the issue of people not fully utilizing their skills and education.
 Lack of inclusion of Gig workers: The current methodology does not provide comprehensive unemployment data
of the gig workers.
 Frequency of data collection: Quin-quennial surveys provide a snapshot of unemployment but may not capture
real-time changes in employment patterns. Further, irregularity in the NSS data collection often leads to gaps in
measuring the unemployment.
 Ignores Discouraged Workers: A discouraged worker is a person who is not actively seeking employment or who
has not found employment after long-term unemployment, but who would prefer to be working. The current system
does not account for these workers.
 Quality of Employment: The current methodology focuses on the quantity of employment but does not adequately
address the quality of jobs, including wages, job security, and social protection.

Improvements needed
 Regular and Frequent Surveys: Conducting annual or more frequent employment surveys, coupled with the use of
technology for real-time data collection, can provide a better understanding of changing employment patterns.
 Shorter Reference Periods: Using shorter reference periods helps to capture dynamic changes in employment.
 Focus on Informal Sector: The 73rd Round of NSSO emphasised the need to better capture data on the informal
sector, given its dominance in the Indian labour market
 Include underemployment: Include a measure of underemployment to capture part-time, low-wage, or informal
employment, providing a more holistic labour market view.
 Regional and Industry-specific Breakdowns: Improve the granularity of data by offering more detailed
information on unemployment rates at regional and sectoral levels. Detailed insights into sectors like agriculture,
handicrafts for nuanced policy-making.
 Skill Development Programs: Invest in comprehensive skill development programs to bridge the gap between the
skills possessed by the workforce and the skills demanded by the job market.
 Establishment of Labor Market Information System (LMIS): To provide real-time labor market information,
aiding both job seekers and employers in making informed decisions.

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 Collaboration with Private Sector: The Task Force on Employment and Exports, under the chairmanship of Dr.
Arvind Panagariya, recommended collaborations with private job portals to gather more granular employment data.
Conclusion: The current methodology to compute unemployment in India requires a comprehensive overhaul to capture the
changing intricacies of the labour market. By implementing the suggested improvements, India can work towards a more
dynamic and inclusive labor market, reducing structural unemployment over time.

12. Distinguish between ‘care economy and ‘monetized economy’. How can care economy be brought into monetized
economy through women empowerment? (15 Marks)
Approach
Introduction: Definitions Care economy and Monetized economy
Body
 Differences between care economy and monetized economy
 Integrating the Care Economy into a Monetized Economy through Women's empowerment
Conclusion: Conclude by relevant statements

Introduction: Care economy refers to the paid and unpaid labor and services that support caregiving in all its forms. It encompasses
direct activities such as feeding a baby, elderly care or nursing an ill partner, and indirect care activities such as cooking and cleaning.
This work is predominantly done by women in both formal and informal settings.
Monetized economy refers to the sector of the economy where goods and services are produced, exchanged, and measured in
monetary terms. It includes industries, services, and transactions with clear, quantifiable monetary value.

Differences between care economy and monetized economy

Parameter Care Economy Monetized Economy
Focus on social welfare, quality of life, and Profit generation and economic growth.
Objectives
well-being.
It encompasses tasks like child-rearing, elderly It involves businesses and professions with
Nature of activities
care, and household chores. a primary focus on generating income.
Contribution to GDP Mostly unaccounted Mostly accounted
It is not measured by indicators such as GDP. Measured by standard economic indicators
Measurement Value is measured in terms of the well-being such as GDP and GNP.
and quality of life it provides.
Predominantly women, who often work without Participants are both men and women.
formal wages or benefits. Women perform
Participation
76.2% of total hours of unpaid care work, more
than three times as much as men (ILO)
Foundational for the functioning of societies Directly impacts national economic
Economic Impact but its economic value remains largely indicators.
invisible.
Positive- stronger communities and social Negative - environmental degradation and
Externalities
cohesion. inequality.
Non-market based Market-based- Based on supply and
Exchange mechanisms
demand dynamics
Family members caring for each other, Manufacturing, retail, and other industries
Examples
volunteers in community organisations. contributing to economic output.

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Integrating the Care Economy into a Monetized Economy through Women's empowerment
 Valuing unpaid care work: Accept and acknowledge the economic value of care work, considering its vital role in
sustaining the workforce. The UN System of National Accounts suggests methods for estimating the value of
household services in this regard.
 Investing in care infrastructure: Building affordable and high-quality childcare and eldercare facilities, and
providing subsidies to families who need them.
 Flexible work arrangements: It allows women caregivers to participate in the monetized economy while fulfilling
caregiving responsibilities.
 Promoting skill development: Offer skill development programs to women in the care sector, enabling them to
pursue career opportunities in healthcare.
 Incentive employers: Tax breaks, subsidies and other financial incentives for businesses to provide childcare and
eldercare benefits to their employees.
 Professionalization of care work: Provision of training and certification programs for care workers, and
developing standards for care work. Furthermore, the jobs in the care sector should be formalised with competitive
wages, benefits, and social security.
 Promote women entrepreneurs: Encouraging entrepreneurship among women can provide opportunities for them
to monetize their skills and talents. Example: “Nari Shakti” grants by support women entrepreneurs in various
sectors.
 Equal Pay and Fair Recognition: Equal pay for equal work to recognize the contributions of women in caregiving
roles, both paid and unpaid.
 Promotion of SHGs: Self Help Groups, like the Kudumbashree Programme in Kerala can stimulate income-
generating activities for the women.
 Financial Inclusion: Support women’s access to financial services, enabling them to transform care activities into
income-generating ventures.
 Inclusion of carework in GDP: By including the unpaid domestic work and caregiving in GDP calculations, the
contribution of women will get due recognition.
 Research and policy making: Collection of data on the care economy's impact and develop policies based on
evidence to optimize its integration.
 Supportive Government Policies: Implementation of gender-inclusive policies such as maternity leave, parental
leave to enhance women participation.
 Public-Private Partnerships: Foster collaboration between public and private sectors to create caregiving solutions
and services.
 Public awareness: Enhance public awareness about significance of care economy and the value of care work. The
#ChooseToChallenge campaign by IWD (International Women's Day) emphasised celebrating women's
achievements and highlighted the value of care work.
Conclusion: The care economy and the monetized economy play distinct roles in society, with care activities often
overlooked and remain undervalued in economic discussions. Recognizing the importance of care economy and empowering
the women to monetize the care economy will unleash their potential, boost the inclusive economic growth trajectory and
improve the overall well-being of society.
Global Best Practices
 Sweden: Publicly funded childcare services and parental leave policies enable women to participate more fully in the
workforce, integrating the care economy into the monetized economy. It has also institutionalised child and elder care
services, ensuring caregivers receive formal wages and benefits.
 Brazil: “Bolsa Familia” program provides financial aid to families, often compensating mothers for childcare and
promoting child education.

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 Canada: It has implemented laws like the Employment Standards Act which ensure protections for caregivers,
including paid leaves and fair remuneration.
 Japan: The "silver economy" in Japan involves businesses catering to the needs of the elderly, creating jobs and
monetized opportunities in the caregiving sector.
 Philippines: TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) provides certification for domestic
workers, enhancing their skills and employability.

13. Explain the changes in cropping pattern in India in the context of changes in consumption pattern and marketing
conditions. (15 Marks)
Approach
Introduction: Contextual introduction
Body
 Changes in cropping pattern in context of changes in consumption pattern
 Changes in cropping pattern in context of changes in marketing conditions
Conclusion: Conclude by relevant statements

Introduction: The cropping pattern in India has witnessed significant shifts over the years influenced by changing
consumption patterns and marketing conditions. As per “State of Indian Agriculture Report” (2019), there is an increasing
transition from conventional staples to cash crops, with a growing focus on horticulture and commercial farming in India.

Changes in cropping pattern in context of changes in consumption pattern

 Shift towards high nutrition crops: From traditional staple crops like rice and wheat to high-value and high
nutrition crops like fruits, vegetables due to consumer preferences for a more diverse and nutritious diet.
o Example: Increased cultivation and consumption of Broccoli, avocados and kiwis.
 Cultivation of Fiber crops: Rising health consciousness has increased demand for food and fiber crops and
nutricereals.
o Example: Demand for Flax seeds increased exponentially.
 Rise in organic and specialty crops: Growing demand for organic and specialty crops, such as quinoa and exotic
fruits, has led to changes in cropping patterns.
o Example: Organic tea cultivation
 Demand for processed food: A rise in the consumption of processed foods has led to increased cultivation of crops
used for food processing industry.
o Example: Demand for potatoes, used in snack foods has risen.
 Crop intensification: High consumption of protein-rich foods led to increased cultivation of pulses, oilseeds, and legumes.
o Example: Production of Lenthils and Soyabeans has increased.
 Demand for Pulses: With a trend towards vegetarianism and an emphasis on health, pulses have gained prominence
as a primary protein source.
o Example: Production of pulses grew by 45 per cent from 1951 to 2008 and in the past decade by 65 per cent
between 2009-10 and 2020-21 (Ministry of Agriculture).
 Diversification of cereals: from rice and wheat to other cereals like millets and barley as consumers seek healthier
and gluten-free options.
o Example: Greater cultivation of millets like bajra and ragi.
 Transition in diet: With urbanization and increased income, there is a shift towards protein-rich and diversified foods.
o Example: Dairy foods and poultry

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 Cropping for Animal Feed: Changes in livestock farming practices have influenced cropping patterns as more
fodder crops are grown to meet the demand for meat and dairy products.
o Example: Cultivation of maize for animal feed seen substantial increase.
 Demand for fuel feed: Increased cultivation of crops such as Sugarcane for bagasse which is used in the production
of biofuels.
 Increase in oilseed production: The increased government focus on reducing edible oil imports has led to an
increase in oilseeds.
o Example: Soybean and groundnut cultivation has expanded. Healthier oils like olive and jojoba demand also
increased due to health consciousness.
 Cultivation of Genetically Modified Crops: To meet specific consumption needs like pest resistance, longer shelf
life, and enhanced nutritional content.
o Example: Bt cotton cultivation on large scale.
 Beverages and Industrial Crops: The growing domestic and international demand for beverage crops such as tea
and coffee, along with the industrial utility of rubber and jute has diversified cropping patterns.

Changes in cropping pattern in context of changes in marketing conditions

 Market-Oriented Farming: Farmers focusing on crops that have reliable demand and better price prospects leading
to the cultivation of high-value crops.
o Example: Cultivation of crops like tomatoes, which have strong market demand.
 Export potential: Farmers are motivated to cultivate crops suitable for export markets to capitalize on higher prices.
o Example: India's cotton production, basmati rice production, flowers production such as roses and marigolds
has surged to meet international demands.
 Contract Farming: With rise of contract farming farmers are incentivized to grow specific crops demanded by
these companies.
o Example: Production of hybrid maize for a poultry company.
 Price stability: Farmers shifting their focus to more stable and profitable crops.
o Example: Farmers switching from sugarcane to soybeans due to better price stability.
 Supply chain infrastructure: Better transportation, storage and processing facilities led to farmers growing crops
which require advanced handling.
o Example: One of the factor for increased potato production is due to availability of good cold storage facilities.
 Government Policies: Changes in government policies such as minimum support prices (MSPs) which influence
marketing conditions can influence cropping choices of farmers.
o Example: Programs like 'Operation Green' have bolstered the production of perishable goods
 Technological Advancements: Digital platforms and direct selling has allowed farmers to diversify into sectors like
dairy and poultry, aligning them more closely with market trends.
o Example: e-NAM portal
 E-commerce: Rise in delivery services such as blinkit and swiggy has increased consumption demand for exclusive
products.
o Example: Cherry tomatoes which is grown traditionally in north India now grown in Telangana.
 Globalization: Access to global markets has led to the cultivation of crops which can be traded internationally.
o Example: Exports of pickled Cucumber and Gherkins changed cropping patterns in Karnataka.

Conclusion: India's cropping pattern has evolved, mirroring consumption trends and marketing dynamics. Farmers have
successfully adapted their choices to cater to changing consumer preferences and to maximize their economic returns in
response to market dynamics and government policies. As India continues to grow economically and urbanize, the synergy
between cropping patterns, consumption trends, and marketing conditions will remain a critical aspect of agricultural
development and food security.

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14. What are the direct and indirect subsidies provided to farm sector in India? Discuss the issues raised by the World
Trade Organization (WTO) in relation to agricultural subsidies. (15 Marks)
Approach
Introduction: Distinguish between direct and indirect subsidies
Body
 Mention direct and indirect subsidies provided to farm sector in India
 Issues raised by WTO in relation to agricultural subsidies
 Way Forward
Conclusion: Conclude by relevant statements

Introduction: India with a majority of its population still engaged in agriculture, provides various subsidies to support the
farm sector. These subsidies can be categorized into direct and indirect subsidies.
Direct farm subsidies are given directly to farmers or agricultural producers while the indirect subsidies are provided
indirectly through policies affecting input costs, market prices, or credit availability.

Direct Subsidies
 Crop price support The government guarantees a minimum s u p p o r t price (MSP) for various agricultural crops
such as wheat, rice to protect farmers from price fluctuations.
 Input Subsidies: Subsidies on fertilizers, seeds, and irrigation facilities are provided to reduce the cost of cultivation.
Example: Urea subsidy
 Credit Subsidies: Farm credit at concessional interest rates is offered through programs like the Kisan Credit Card
(KCC) scheme. The interest subvention scheme provides short-term crop loans at reduced interest rates.
 Power subsidy: Government provides subsidized electricity for agricultural use. The State governments offer lower
electricity rates for agricultural pumps.
 Crop Insurance Subsidy: The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) offers crop insurance at subsidized
premiums to protect farmers against crop loss.
 Loan Waivers: Periodic debt relief measures where the government waives off outstanding loans of farmers is also
a kind of direct subsidy.
 Export Promotion Schemes: APEDA provides logistics and non-tariff facilities which help in promotion of export
of agricultural products.
 Income support to farmers: Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) provides INR 6,000 annually in
three equal instalments directly to farmers' bank accounts to provide income support to all small and marginal land-
holding farmers and their dependents.

Indirect subsidies
 Infrastructure development: Building and maintenance of rural infrastructure like roads, storage facilities, and
market yards.
 Water subsidy: Access to water at nominal or no cost through government-funded irrigationprojects.
 Transport Subsidy: Subsidized transportation rates for the movement of agricultural produce help reduce logistical
costs.
 Machinery and equipment subsidy: Various states offer subsidies on the purchase of agricultural machinery and
equipment to promote mechanization in farming.
o Example: Punjab provides subsidy of 40% on the purchase of agricultural machinery and equipment.
 Research and Extension Services: Government investment in agricultural research and extension services,
benefiting farmers indirectly. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) conducts research and
disseminates knowledge to farmers.

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Issues Raised by WTO
 Trade Distortive: The WTO has raised concerns that India's MSP and input subsidies can distort international trade by
leading to overproduction and exports at prices lower than the cost of production.
 Classification of subsidies: WTO Classifies subsidies into permitted and non-permitted. But there is no consensus
on categorization and definition of a particular subsidy.
 Reservations on Blue Box Measures: India has reservations on subsidies provided under this, as they might favor
developed nations.
 Food Stockholding issue: Concerns raised over India's public stockholding for food security purposes (buffer stock
for PDS), considering it could distort trade.
 Special Safeguard Mechanism: India has sought a mechanism to protect its farmers from surges in imports or price drops.
 Aggregate Measurement of Support (AMS): India has been criticized by the WTO for exceeding the permissible
limits of domestic support, particularly related to Aggregate Measurement of Support (AMS) under the Agreement
on Agriculture.
 Export Subsidies: India's agricultural export incentives, under schemes like the Merchandise Exports from India
Scheme (MEIS), have been challenged as they potentially distort trade.
 Transparency and Reporting: Lack of transparent reporting of agricultural subsidies by member countries which
hinder monitoring compliance with established rules and limits.

Way Forward [Students: The below part should be written in smart art format]
 Rationalize Input Subsidies: Reduce subsidies on inputs like fertilisers and electricity gradually in order to reduce
overuse and wastage.
 Market reforms: Enhance market connectivity and reduce intermediaries to ensure better price realisation for
farmers.
 Promote direct subsidy transfers: As recommended by MS Swaminathan committee, the government should
implement Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) more widely to ensure subsidies reach intended beneficiaries.
 Decentralized Procurement: Promote decentralized procurement of food grains to reduce the need for buffer stock
for PDS and other government schemes.
 Promote research and development: Increased investment in agricultural research and improve the reach of
extension services to lessen the provision of subsidies.
 Proactive engagement in WTO: India needs to engage proactively in WTO negotiations to safeguard the interests
of its farmers while adhering to international commitments. India in this regard has been working on reforms to
ensure thatagricultural subsidies comply with WTO norms while protecting the interests of farmers.
Conclusion: Subsidizing India’s agricultural sector is a necessity to protect its farm sector. However, it is equally important to
acknowledge and mitigate the trade distortions that may arise as a consequence. Striking a balance between domestic welfare and
international commitments will define India's agricultural diplomacy and its food security future.

15. The adoption of electric vehicles is rapidly growing worldwide. How do electric vehicles contribute to reducing
carbon emissions and what are the key benefits they offer compared to traditional combustion engine vehicles?
(15 Marks)
Approach
Introduction: Start with some recent data
Body
 Rapidly growing adoption of electric vehicles worldwide
 Explain how electric vehicles contribute to reducing carbon emissions.
 Key benefits offered by electric vehicles compared to traditional combustion engine vehicles.
Conclusion: Conclude by relevant statements

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Introduction: Electric vehicle (EV) sales in India topped the 1 million mark in less than nine months in 2023, a milestone
that took an entire year in 2022. Electric vehicles are important as they promise significant carbon emission reductions
compared to conventional vehicles. The global adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) has gained momentum as countries strive
to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change.

Rapidly growing adoption of electric vehicles worldwide

 As per International Energy Agency(IEA) estimates, globally 10% of passenger vehicles sold in 2022 were all-
electric which 10 times more than it was just five years earlier.
 IEA’s annual Global Electric Vehicle Outlook shows that more than 10 million electric cars were sold worldwide in
2022 and that sales are expected to grow by another 35% this year to reach 14 million.

Electric vehicles reducing carbon emissions

 Zero Tailpipe Emissions: An electric vehicle can help you reduce your carbon footprint because there will be zero
tailpipe emissions. One can reduce the environmental impact of charging your vehicle further by choosing
renewable energy options for home electricity.
 Decreased Carbon Intensity of Electricity: As the electricity grid becomes cleaner and incorporates renewable
energy sources, the carbon footprint of EVs decreases.
 Reduced Well-to-Wheel Emissions: EVs often have lower well-to-wheel emissions when considering the entire
energy supply chain, including electricity generation.
 Reduced Oil Dependency: EVs reduce the demand for fossil fuels, decreasing carbon emissions associated with oil
extraction, transportation, and refining.
 Energy Efficiency: The emissions impact of electric vehicles is much lower than petrol or diesel vehicles. From an
efficiency perspective, electric vehicles can covert around 60% of the electrical energy from the grid to power the
wheels, but petrol or diesel cars can only convert 17%-21% of the energy stored in the fuel to the wheels.
 Reduced lifecycle emissions: EVs produce fewer emissions over their lifetime when compared to gasoline-powered
vehicles, even when accounting for manufacturing and disposal.

Benefits offered by electric vehicles compared to traditional combustion engine vehicles

 Low maintenance cost: Electric vehicles have very low maintenance costs because they don’t have as many
moving parts as an internal combustion vehicle. The servicing requirements for electric vehicles are lesser than the
conventional petrol or diesel vehicles.
 Quiet and Smooth Operation: Electric motors are quieter and offer smoother acceleration. They provide instant
torque, delivering quick acceleration and responsive driving performance.
 Higher energy conversion: Electric motors are approximately 85% efficient in converting energy to vehicle
movement, compared to only 12-30% for ICEs.
 Energy Independence: EVs reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels, enhancing energy security for countries.
 Employment opportunities: The development of EV technology fosters innovation and job creation in sectors like
battery manufacturing and renewable energy.
 Lower running costs: The running cost of an electric vehicle is much lower than an equivalent petrol or diesel
vehicle. Electric vehicles use electricity to charge their batteries instead of using fossil fuels like petrol or diesel.
 Urban Mobility Solutions: EVs like Ather 450X offer sustainable urban mobility solutions, addressing India's
growing urbanization challenges.
 No noise pollution: Electric vehicles have the silent functioning capability as there is no engine under the hood.
 Tax and financial benefits: Registration fees and road tax on purchasing electric vehicles are lesser than petrol or
diesel vehicles.
Conclusion : Electric vehicles represent a significant step towards reducing carbon emissions and combating climate change.
To maximize their potential, a comprehensive approach encompassing infrastructure development, research and development
and public awareness is imperative for a greener future. EVs play a crucial role in achieving the target of net zero emissions
by 2070.
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16. What is the main task of India’s third moon mission which could not be achieved in its earlier mission? List the
countries that have achieved this task. Introduce the subsystems in the spacecraft launched and explain the role of
the Virtual Launch Control Centre’ at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre which contributed to the successful
launch from Sriharikota. (15 Marks)
Approach
Introduction: Give a brief background of Chandrayaan-3
Body
 Main task of India’s third moon mission
 List of countries that have achieved this task
 Subsystems in the spacecraft
 Role of Virtual Launch Control Centre
Conclusion: Conclude by relevant statements

Introduction: Chandrayaan-3 is a lunar exploration mission by Indian Spacе Research Organization (ISRO). Its main task is
to achieve a successful soft landing on the Moon's surface. It has made history by becoming the first mission to soft-land on
the lunar south pole, a region that has never been explored before.

Main tasks of India’s third moon mission

 To demonstrate end-to-end capability in safe landing and roving on lunar surface.
 To demonstrate rover roving on the moon and
 To conduct in-situ (on-site) scientific experiments.
 Prepare a three dimensional atlas of both near and far side of the Moon
 To develop and demonstrate new technologies required for interplanetary missions.

Countries that have achieved the task of a soft landing on the Moon
 The United States: The United States achieved soft landings on the Moon with its Apollo missions. USA has done
the most number of soft landings on the moon.
 Soviet Union (Russia): Luna 9- First soft moon landing in 1966. It included robotic missions that collected data and
samples from the lunar surface.
 China: It has successfully conducted soft landings on the Moon with its Change missions. Chang'e-4 made the
historic first-ever landing on the far side of the Moon in 2019.
 India: Recently, India became the fourth country to land on Moon and the first country to soft land on its south pole
when lander Vikram Lander descended on Moon’s surface successfully.

Subsystems in the spacecraft

 Structure: It consists of an indigenous Lander module (LM), Propulsion module (PM) and a Rover with an objective of
developing and demonstrating new technologies required for Inter planetary missions.
 Lunar Lander (Vikram): Chandrayaan-3 will be equipped with a highly sophisticated lander capable of performing a
soft landing on the lunar surface. The lander consists of various payloads:
o Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment (ChaSTE) to measure the thermal conductivity and temperature
o Instrument for Lunar Seismic Activity (ILSA) for measuring the seismicity around the landing site
o Langmuir Probe (LP) to estimate the plasma density and its variations.
o A passive Laser Retroreflector Array from NASA is accommodated for lunar laser ranging studies.
 Rover (Pragyan): The Lander will have the capability to soft land at a specified lunar site and deploy the Rover which
will carry out in-situ chemical analysis of the lunar surface during the course of its mobility.
 Launcher: The launcher identified is LVM3 M4 which will place the integrated module in an Elliptic Parking Orbit
(EPO) of size ~170 x 36500 km.

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 Advanced Navigation and Autonomous Systems: To navigate the lunar terrain and ensure a safe landing, it is expected
to have advanced navigation and autonomous systems to adjust its trajectory and landing approach as needed.
 Communication Systems: These systems enable communication between the spacecraft and mission control on Earth.

Role of Virtual Launch control centre

 Remote Monitoring: It allows to remotely carry out system checkouts on the launch vehicle prior to a mission to
make sure that they are working properly. Before launch, system check-outs of electronics, actuators and commands
were carried out from the VLCC.
 Data Analysis and integration: It collects and analyzes data from various sensors and instruments on both the
launch vehicle and the spacecraft.
 Simulation and Testing: It conducts simulations and testing scenarios to prepare for various emergencies which
may occur during launch.
 Real-time decision-Making: During critical phases of the launch, it has taken various decisions such as assessing
weather conditions and making adjustments to the launch schedule if necessary.
 Safety Protocols: It enforces safety protocols and can initiate mission abort procedures if necessary to protect the
spacecraft and mission objectives.
 Coordination: It coordinates the
various teams and departments
involved in the launch, ensuring that
all activities are synchronized.
 Communication Hub: It served as a
central hub for communication
between the launch team, mission
control, and other relevant
stakeholders, ensuring seamless
coordination during the launch.
 Leveraging advanced technologies:
The VLCC leverages advanced
technologies like artificial
intelligence, machine learning, and
automation to enhance launch
operations' efficiency and reliability.
 Overall Management: It provided
oversight of the entire launch
operation, ensuring that all
components of the mission were
integrated and synchronized for a
successful soft landing.
Conclusion: Chandrayaan-3 represents
India's determination to explore and
understand the Moon's enigmatic landscape
while contributing to the broader global
efforts in lunar research. It is described as a
promising test bed to demonstrate
technologies required for future deep-space missions which would help “stimulate the advancement of technology, promote
global alliances and inspire a future generation of explorers and scientists”.

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17. Comment on the National Wetland Conservation Programme initiated by the Government of India and name a
few India’s wetlands of international importance included in the Ramsar Sites. (15 Marks)
Approach
Introduction: About National Wetland Conservation Programme
Body
 Features of National Wetland Conservation Programme
 Positive contributions of NWCP
 Issues/Challenges with the NWCP
 Way Forward
 Mention few India’s wetlands of international importance included in Ramsar sites
Conclusion: Conclude by relevant statements

Introduction: The National Wetland Conservation Programme (NWCP) is a centrally sponsored scheme launched by
government of India in 1985 to protect and conserve wetlands across India. NWCP and National Lake Conservation Plan
(NLCP) have been merged into a centrally sponsored scheme namely ‘National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-
systems’ (NPCA) in 2013

Features of National Wetland Conservation Programme

 Objectives of the Scheme
o To lay down policy guidelines for conservation and management of wetlands in the country;
o To undertake intensive conservation measures in priority wetlands;
o To monitor implementation of the
programme; and
o To prepare an inventory of Indian
wetlands.
 Activities covered: It includes wastewater
interception, diversion, treatment, weed
control, afforestation and community
participation.
 Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Environment,
Forests and Climate change (MoEFCC) is
currently implementing the scheme for
conservation and management of wetlands
on cost sharing basis between Central
Government and respective State
Governments.
o It has designated 115 wetlands in 24
States and 2 Union Territories of the
nation for conservation and
management under the programme.
 Four pronged approach
o Developing baseline information –
Wetland Brief Document
o Rapid assessment of wetlands
condition – Wetland Health Card
o Stakeholder platforms to enable participatory management – Wetlands Mitras

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o Management planning addressing wetlands’ biodiversity and ecosystem services, values and threats –
Wetland Integrated Management Plan.
 Biodiversity Conservation: The programme aims to protect and conserve the unique biodiversity found in wetland
ecosystems.
 Sustainable Livelihoods: Many communities depend on wetlands for their livelihoods through activities such as
fishing and agriculture. The NWCP focuses on sustainable livelihoods for these communities.
 Integration with NPCA: NWCP and National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP) have been merged into a centrally
sponsored scheme namely ‘National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-systems’ (NPCA) in 2013

Successes of NWCP
 Wetland Identification: The program has successfully identified and mapped numerous wetlands across India,
providing critical data for conservation efforts.
 Conservation Efforts: The National Wetland Conservation Programme (NWCP) prioritizes conservation and wise
use of wetlands. Its efforts have led to restoration of water quality in Chilika Lake and invasive species management
in Keoladeo Ghana.
 Regulation and Monitoring: The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, under the NWCP sets the
regulatory framework for protection of wetland. NWCP has taken steps to address the issues of illegal aquaculture and
encroachments in Kolleru lake, monitored land-use changes in Loktak lake.
 Biodiversity enhancement: Protection of breeding grounds in Pulicat Lake and safeguarding migratory paths (Eg:
Point Calimere).
 Water Quality Improvement: NWCP has led to improved water quality in several wetlands due to better
management practices and pollution control measures.
 Community Participation: The NWCP emphasizes local community involvement for sustainable wetland
management. It promoted community-based tourism in Vembanad Kol.
 Research and Capacity Building: It has promoted research to enhance the understanding of wetland ecosystems.
 Awareness generation: The NWCP has played a significant role in raising awareness about wetland conservation in
India. It has facilitated the designation of Ramsar Sites and the development of management plans for these wetlands.

Issues/Challenges with NWCP

 Enforcement issues: The enforcement of wetland regulations and preventing illegal activities such as encroachment
and pollution remains a challenge in many regions.
 Encroachment issues: Unauthorized encroachments and land use changes poses a significant threat to protection of
wetlands leading to their degradation and loss.
 Lack of comprehensive legislation: The absence of a comprehensive national legislation for wetland protection has
hindered effective conservation efforts.
 Less finances: There is a lack of dedicated financial resources for wetland conservation, leading to limited
implementation of management plans.
 Limited role of State government: The limited role of the state government has led to delayed implementation and
assessment on a yearly basis.
 Health monitoring of wetlands: Lack of regular Check with adequate data to maintain wetlands' ability to sustain
diversity and deliver ecosystem services.
 Lack of Research and Development: Scientific research and the adoption of integrated techniques can be the most
viable solution in wetland conservation.
 Community Involvement: Engaging local communities in wetland conservation is crucial, but this aspect needs
further strengthening in the NWCP.

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Way Forward
 Data Collection: Collecting and compiling information on various wetland properties and variables influencing
the features.
 Collaboration with state government: Robust institutional mechanism in collaboration with the state government
is needed for effective implementation of NWCP.
 Strengthen compliance mechanism: Ensure compliance with various stakeholders and rules for wetland
conservation can be effective in wetland management.
 Increased community participation: Activating communities and stakeholders to promote beneficial wetlands
behavior.
 Incorporate climate resilient strategies: NWCP should include climate resilient strategies such as measures to
protect wetlands from sea-level rise and extreme weather events.

Examples of India's wetlands of international importance included in the Ramsar Sites

 Chilika Lake, Odisha: It is the largest coastal lagoon in India and a hotspot of biodiversity. It supports a diverse
range of aquatic flora and fauna, including the Irrawaddy dolphin. While the NWCP has made efforts to protect
Chilika Lake, there are various challenges such as illegal encroachments, unsustainable fishing practices and
pollution from surrounding areas.
 Tsomoriri, Ladakh: A freshwater to brackish lake lying at 4,595m above sea level, with wet meadows and borax-
laden wetlands along the shores. The site is said to represent the only breeding ground outside of China for the
black-necked crane, and the only breeding ground for bar-headed geese in India. It is considered sacred by local
Buddhist communities and water is not used by them.
 Sundarbans, West Bengal: The Sundarbans is the largest mangrove forest in the world and is home to the Bengal
tiger. It plays a crucial role in coastal protection and supports numerous species of flora and fauna. Despite its
protected status, the NWCP faces challenges in dealing with habitat degradation due to climate change, rising sea
levels, and human activities.
 Tampara lake, Odisha: It supports at least 60 species of birds, 46 species of fishes, at least 48 species of
phytoplanktons, and more than seven species of terrestrial plants and macrophytes. It is an important habitat for
vulnerable species such as Cyprinus carpio, common pochard (Aythya ferina), and river tern (Sterna aurantia). It is
also placed in the Wetland Atlas prepared by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in 2010.
Conclusion: The NWCP has strategically advanced India's wetland conservation, combining ecological imperatives with
socioeconomic necessities. It has made significant strides in wetland conservation and management. However, NWCP faces
several challenges that need to be addressed in order to ensure the long-term sustainability of these critical ecosystems.

18. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has predicted a global sea level rise of about one metre
by AD 2100. What would be its impact in India and the other countries in the Indian Ocean region? (15 Marks)
Approach
Introduction: Contextual introduction
Body
 Mention impact of global sea level rise on India
 Mention impact of global sea level rise on other countries in IOR
Conclusion: Conclude by relevant statements

Introduction: The sea level rose 4.5mm a year on average between 2013 and 2022, the highest ever. It is over three times
higher than the rate at which they rose between 1901 and 1971. As per IPCC report, the global sea level may rise 1.1 metre
by 2100 which is likely to have a direct impact on the lives of 680 million people living in low-lying coastal zones.

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Impact of global sea level rise on India
 Coastal erosion: India with a 7,516 km long coastline will experience exacerbated coastal erosion due to sea level rise. India
may lose 1,500 square kilometres of land by 2050 due to sea-induced erosion
o Example: Versova Beach in Mumbai has experienced significant erosion due to rising sea levels.
 On Agriculture: Sea level rise and storm surges leads to saltwater intrusion in the coastal areas such as West
Bengal and Odisha which impacts agriculture productivity and groundwater quality.
o Example: Coastal aquifers in West Bengal may suffer from saltwater intrusion.
 Infrastructure loss: The critical infrastructure such as ports, airports, roads, and power facilities will be at risk of
damage or inundation, affecting transportation and economic activities.
o Example: United Nations Disaster Risk Reduction Report (UNDRRR) the potential cost of property damage
due to sea level rise could be in the hundreds of billions of dollars.
 Loss of habitat: The mega-cities in India such as Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Kochi risk submergence in low-lying
areas.
o Example: In Mumbai, the coastal areas of Colaba and Cuffe Parade has already witnessed a loss of habitat due
to sea-level rise.
 Increased Flooding: Higher sea levels will exacerbate flooding during monsoon seasons, causing extensive damage
to homes and infrastructure. Coastal cities like Mumbai will experience more frequent and severe flooding.
o Example: Chennai experienced devastating floods in 2015, which were exacerbated by heavy rainfall and
rising sea levels.
 Ecosystem damage: Sea level rise causes destruction of natural resources like mangroves, coastal reefs along
coastal line.
o Example: Coral reefs in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are threatened by bleaching due to warmer waters
and sea level rise.
 Environmental refugees: Due to sea level rise, many coastal communities will have to be displaced and lose their
livelihoods.
o Example: Island residents in Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep will have to lose their homes and livelihoods
as their homes will be inundated.
 Security Concerns: Climate-induced migration due to sea level rise can lead to conflicts affecting regional
stability.
o Example: Climate-induced migration may lead to resource conflicts in regions like Assam.

Impact of global sea level rise on countries in IOR

 Maldives: A one-meter rise could lead to the submergence of several islands, displacing its entire population.
Maldives are already grappling with the need for planned relocations due to sea level rise. The sea level rise would
also significantly impact tourism affecting livelihood.
 Bangladesh: Bangladesh's densely populated coastal regions would face severe flooding and displacement. The sea
level rise and increased salinity have affected rice and shrimp farming. Rising sea levels in Bangladesh could
displace over 1.3 million people by 2050. Coastal regions in Bangladesh like Khulna and Barisal, will experience
mass displacement.
 Sri Lanka: Coastal cities and agricultural areas in Sri Lanka would be at risk, affecting its food security and
economy. Fisheries, a primary source of income for many in the region, will be impacted due to changing marine
ecosystems. Sri Lanka's northern coastal areas, known for rice cultivation will suffer land loss due to sea level rise.
 Small Island Nations: Small island nations in the Indian Ocean, such as Seychelles and Mauritius, would face
similar threats to the Maldives, with potential submergence of low-lying areas. Coral reefs in the Seychelles and the
Chagos Archipelago will face bleaching and degradation.

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 Maritime disputes: Sea level rise could also lead to international disputes over maritime boundaries, resource
rights, and migration. It can alter maritime baselines used in UNCLOS-defined zones, potentially shifting outer
boundaries landward resulting in increased maritime disputes.
Conclusion: Sea-level rise is a major existential threat to developing nations such as India and other Indian ocean region
(IOR) countries. The governments must prioritize climate resilience, sustainable development and the protection of
vulnerable coastal communities to tackle this impending challenge. Collaborative regional efforts, stringent mitigation
strategies, and global cooperation are imperative to address this looming crisis in order to safeguard our future.

19. What are the internal security challenges being faced by India? Give out the role of Central Intelligence and
Investigative Agencies tasked to counter such threats. (15 Marks)
Approach
Introduction: Briefly mention the internal security challenges faced and role of central agencies
Body
 Mention various internal security challenges being faced by India
 Role of Central Intelligence and Investigative Agencies tasked to counter these threats
Conclusion: Conclude by relevant statements

Introduction: India is affected by many internal security challenges like terrorism, insurgency, communalism, cyber threats
etc. which affect the nation's governance and stability. As per World Internal Security and Police Index, India ranks 104 out
of 127 countries due to a variety of internal security threats present in the nation. Central Intelligence and Investigative
Agencies act as the vigilant custodians, deciphering these threats and responding strategically to safeguard the nation's
security.

Internal security challenges faced by India

 Left-wing extremism: Although LWE geographical spread is contained to 53 districts across 9 states in 2020, there
is an increased attempt to revive presence in areas where naxalism had lost appeal.
 Drug trafficking and Gunrunning: India is wedged between two largest areas of illicit opium production, the
Golden crescent (Afghanistan) to the west and Golden triangle (Myanmar) in the east. This proximity has increased
India’s vulnerability to drug trafficking and gun running.
 Maritime security: India by virtue of having a large coastal frontage of over 7516km, 1200 islands and over
20,00,000 km square of EEZ is faced with wide range of maritime challenges such as infiltration and illegal
migration, transnational organized crimes, piracy and armed robbery etc.
 Communal and Ethnic Tensions: India experiences periodic communal and ethnic tensions, often leading to
violence. For instance, the 2002 Gujarat riots and the 2020 Delhi riots were instances of communal violence.
 North-east insurgency: North East India has been in turmoil since independence. The oldest insurgency dates back
to 1947 with Nagas raising the issue of their sovereignty. Since then insurgent movements have sprung up in most
parts of the constituent states of the region.
 Separatist movements: India grapples with insurgency in states like Jammu and Kashmir, where separatist
movements persist.
 Terrorism: India faces the persistent threat of terrorism from various groups, both domestic and foreign. Prominent
examples include the 2008 Mumbai attacks and recent attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.
 Illegal migration and refugees: Influx of migrants and refugees from neighboring countries like Sri Lanka,
Bangladesh, and Myanmar poses an internal security challenge for India.
 Cyber-attacks: As per recent report, India witnessed 13.9 lakh cybersecurity incidents in the year 2022. India is
ranked 2nd in cyber security breaches and 5th most vulnerable country in the world in terms of cybersecurity
breaches.

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Role of Central Intelligence and Investigative Agencies
 Intelligence Bureau (IB): The IB is India's internal intelligence agency responsible for collecting intelligence within
the country. It is instrumental in gathering intelligence related to terrorism threats.
 Research and Analysis Wing (RAW): While primarily an external intelligence agency, RAW occasionally plays a role in
countering internal threats with international links. It helps in tracking the activities of terrorist groups operating from abroad
by providing critical information on border developments.
 National Investigation Agency (NIA): The NIA is the central agency responsible for investigating and prosecuting
terrorism-related cases. It is tasked with investigating and prosecuting terrorism-related cases. It also investigates
cases related to insurgency and Naxalism.
 Central Armed Police Forces: Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Border Security Force (BSF) play
crucial roles in maintaining law and order in conflict-prone areas.
 Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI): The CBI investigates complex and high-profile cases, including political
corruption and organized crime. Cyber Crime Cell of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is responsible for
countering cyberthreats.
 National Counter-Terrorism Center (NCTC): A proposed agency aimed at improving the effectiveness of
intelligence sharing, analysis and operational coordination to prevent terrorism efforts among various intelligence
and security agencies.
 National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID): A proposed intelligence-sharing network to facilitate information
exchange among various agencies.
 National Cyber Security Agency: It addresses cyber threats and vulnerabilities. Collaborates with other agencies to
protect critical digital infrastructure.
 Directorate of Revenue Intelligence: It enforces laws that prohibit smuggling of gold, drugs, electronic gadgets,
foreign currency and other precious items.
 State Police Agencies: They play a frontline role in maintaining law and order and countering various security challenges at
the state level. They often collaborate with central agencies for intelligence sharing and joint operations.

Conclusion: India's internal security challenges are diverse and complex, ranging from traditional threats like terrorism and insurgency
to emerging challenges in cyberspace. Collaborative efforts between various central intelligence and investigative agencies, backed by
robust policy measures, will pave the way for a secure and cohesive nation.

20. Give out the major sources of terror funding in India and the efforts being made to curtail these sources. In the
light of this, also discuss the aim and objective of the No Money for Terror (NMFT) Conference recently held at
New Delhi in November 2022. (15 Marks)
Approach
Introduction: Provide definition of terror funding
Body
 Mention the major sources of terror funding in India
 Efforts made to curtail these sources
 Aims and objectives of No Money for Terror (NMFT) Conference held in New Delhi
 Way Forward
Conclusion: Conclude by relevant statements

Introduction: Terrorist financing refers to the solicitation, collection or provision of funds with the intention that they may
be used to support terrorist acts or organizations. Recently the National Investigation Agency (NIA) raided seven locations in
Kashmir in a 2020 case of alleged terror funding by some NGOs that had raised the cash in the guise of charity.
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Major sources of terror funding in India
 External state sponsorship: Terrorist groups receive financial support from external state actors, which may provide
funds, weapons, and training.
 Hawala Transactions: It involves transferring money without a physical movement of cash. Terrorist organizations
have exploited this method to move funds across borders and finance their activities.
 Extortions and Kidnapping: In north-east, extortion and kidnapping is the fundamental basis for funding all forms of
terrorism.
 Counterfeit currency: In Jammu and Kashmir, counterfeit currency has been a major source of funding terrorism.
 Criminal activities: Human trafficking, drug trafficking and gunrunning are some of other criminal activities which are
major source of terrorist activities.
 Narcotics Trade: Some terrorist organizations engage in the narcotics trade to fund their activities. They either produce
or traffic drugs and use the proceeds to finance terrorism.
 Charitable institutions: Through charitable donations and diaspora support based on common identity such as religion
or ideological.

Efforts to curtail these sources

 Six pillar strategy: India's strategy against terror funding is based on these six pillars:
o Strengthening the Legislative and Technological Framework
o Creation of a Comprehensive Monitoring Framework
o Actionable intelligence sharing mechanism and strengthening of the investigation and police operations
o Provision for confiscation of property
o Prevent misuse of legal entities and new technologies, and,
o Establishing international cooperation and coordination
 Stringent Laws: India has enacted stringent laws such as Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and
Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) to track and prevent terror financing.
 Establishment of Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs): To gather and analyze financial information to identify
suspicious transactions linked to terror financing.
 National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID): It is a seamless and secure database which provides information on
terrorists, economic crimes etc.
 Beyond-Border Cooperation approach: India has proposed a permanent secretariat to coordinate bid to fight
terror funding. The overall approach of “Beyond-Border Cooperation” is the basis for countering terror funding on a
global level.
 International Cooperation: India cooperates with international organizations like the Financial Action Task Force
(FATF) to combat terror financing on a global scale.

No Money for Terror (NMFT) Conference, New Delhi 2022

 Aim: The Conference aimed to bring together global leaders, experts, and policymakers to discuss and strategize
against terrorist financing.
 Objectives
o Global Cooperation: Foster greater collaboration among nations to combat terror financing, with a focus on
regional cooperation.
o Identification of channels: The growing links of terrorism with organized crimes such as narcotics, crypto-
currency have increased the possibility of terror financing manifold. The primary goal of this conference is to
identify various channels and ideate a practical and workable roadmap against terror financing, identifying its
various channels.
o Strengthening of Legal and Regulatory Frameworks: It focuses on the legal, regulatory, and cooperation

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aspects related to combating terrorist financing.
o Policy Formulation: It has facilitated discussions on formulating effective policies and strategies to prevent
and counteract terror financing.
o Technology and Innovation: It explored innovative technological solutions for monitoring and disrupting terror
financing networks.
o Intelligence sharing: Promote the sharing of intelligence and financial information among nations to track
illicit money flows.
o Develop a Unified Front: Work toward a unified and coordinated global response to choke off the financial
lifelines of terrorist groups.
o Share Best Practices: Share successful strategies and best practices in tracking and preventing terrorist
funding.
o Capacity Building: It aimed to enhance the capacity of nations in tracking and curbing the flow of funds to
terrorist organizations.
o Awareness generation: Raise awareness about the evolving nature of terror financing and its impact on
security.

Way Forward
 3T strategy: The strategy of “Trace, Target, and Terminate”, to be adopted from low-level economic offenses to
more organized economic crimes.
 Specific and collective approach: Across all stages of terror financing, such as fund-raising, fund movement,
layering through other crimes, and finally, usage for terrorist activities, have to be cracked down at each stage. Each
stage requires a “specific but collective approach” on a global scale.
 Comprehensive monitoring framework: Establish a comprehensive monitoring framework involving cooperation,
coordination, and collaboration among all intelligence and investigative agencies.
 Strengthen asset recovery: Strengthen the legal and regulatory framework for asset recovery.
 Technological measures: Develop a robust mechanism against the misuse of Next Generation Technology. Prevent
the use of new financial technologies, virtual assets like crypto-currencies, wallets etc., for terror activities.
 Capacity building: Continuous capacity building of counter-terror and financial intelligence agencies of all
countries.

Conclusion: Prevention of terror funding in India requires a multifaceted approach which combines robust financial tracking,
leveraging technology, intelligence sharing and international collaboration in the form of listing of countries by Financial
Action Task Force (FATF). No Money for Terror (NMFT) Conference spirit signals a robust fight against these insidious
financing mechanisms, aiming for a more secure future free from terrorist attacks.

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