most important topics for Mains 2018 30 most important topics for Mains 2018

Objective Syllabus is vast, quick revision of most important topics is must. The basic objective behind this booklet is to provide a synoptic compilation of 30 most important topics of General Studies from MAINS-2018 point of view. Aspirants would be able to revise every aspect of these topics within very short span of time.

Key Features • Topics selected from all the four papers of GS • Specifically targeted content oriented towards the Main Examination • Multi-dimensional coverage of each topic • Inter-disciplinary approach while dealing with any topic • Strategy to tackle every question • Backward linkages of current issues with static portion • Way to extract the essence of the question • Module structured to ensure the coverage of all 30 topics within the given time frame

Approach for every answer like: Introduction How to start an answer Inclusion of relevant reports, facts, flowchart, maps, concerned recent events  Body Balancing concept for the answer (realistic approach) Inter linkages of Paragraphs Conclusion of answer by being optimistic  Conclusion regarding the issue in the question (Depending on context)

Reference Material • NCERT Books • Standard Newspapers (The Hindu, Indian Express, Jan Satta and The Diplomat etc.) • Ministry websites and other important sites like IDSA. • Important International Reports like World Bank, IMF and UNO etc. • PIB and useful Government reports (NITI Aayog and ARC reports etc.) • Standard Magazines like Yojana, EPW, Down to Earth and Kurukshetra etc.

Web: www.chanakyaiasacademy.com 2 Toll Free No.: 1800 274 5005 Most Important Topics for UPSC Mains 1. Data Privacy 2. DNA Bill 3. Fugitive economic Offenders bill 4. Aadhaar and Privacy issues 5. The ban on cow slaughter/Beef Ban 6. Gender equality vs Religious practices 7. Ayushman Bharat : Health sector 8. Cashless economy 9. Economic growth vs Environmental conservation 10. Election Funding 11. Free Speech: Rights and Limits 12. Frequent promulgation of ordinance 13. Full statehood to Delhi: Should it be granted or not? 14. Interstate water disputes: Focus on Cauvery Water Dispute 15. Judicial activism and judicial overreach 16. Judicial appointment: Collegium vs NJAC 17. Kashmir unrest 18. Media freedom and responsible reporting 19. Muslim Personal law: Polygamy/Triple Talaq 20. Nationalism vs Regionalism 21. Dalit assertion and politics of reservation 22. Restriction on the entry of women in places of worship 23. Should India spend more on science or social welfare? 24. Supreme Court's judgement on caste, religion in polls 25. Parliamentary disruptions 26. Uniform civil code 27. Challenges that the economy faces: Falling rupee, increasing deficit etc. 28. Privatization of certain healthcare services 29. Agrarian crisis: Issues in farmer economy 30. Issues related to Social Media 31. Criminalisation of politics 32. Stubble burning in the neighbourhood of Delhi 33. Dangers of plastic pollution 34. 'Living wills'/Euthanasia 35. Separate State Flag in Karnataka 36. Net neutrality 37. The merger of PSU banks 38. Privatization of Air India 39. Capital Punishment/death sentence 40. Politics and economics of farm loan waiver

Web: www.chanakyaiasacademy.com 3 Toll Free No.: 1800 274 5005 41. Laws to ban certain social practices 42. Entry of foreign universities in India 43. Respecting national anthem 44. The special court for trying politicians 45. FRDI Bill 46. National Medical Commission Bill 47. Barring MPs from practising law 48. Controversy over changing the Constitution 49. Lateral entry: Professionalizing Governance or Committed Bureaucracy? 50. Section 377: Constitutionality vs Morality 51. Institutions of Eminence: Can the tag help to create world-class Universities? 52. Higher Education Commission of India 53. Recapitalization 54. Data protection: Privacy vs Innovation 55. Ayushman Bharat: Can it make India healthier? 56. SC/ST Act judgement: Protecting the innocent or diluting the protection? 57. Crisis in the sugar sector 58. Khap Panchayats and honour killing 59. National Policy on Biofuels 60. Should the SC proceedings be live streamed? 61. Doubling the Farmer's income 62. Is AI a danger to humanity? 63. What prevents women from working in India? 64. Special category status 65. National Register of Citizens 66. Price Deficiency Payment mechanism 67. Death penalty for raping minor 68. Mob Lynching: Is it becoming a new normal? 69. RTI amendments 70. India in SCO: Benefits and challenges 71. Minimum Support Price 72. Reservation in promotion for SC/ST employees 73. No detention under RTE 74. Interlinking of rivers 75. Compensatory Afforestation 76. Non-Performing Assets 77. Amendments to the Prevention of Corruption Act 78. Issues related to the appointment of Lokpal 79. Does RBI need more power to monitor Banks? 80. Office of the Speaker: Powers and Issues 81. Draft National Mineral Policy 2018

Web: www.chanakyaiasacademy.com 4 Toll Free No.: 1800 274 5005 Interpretation of “Key Words” Given in the Questions

• Discuss: Narrate various aspects and details of the statement. Just providing necessary detail about various aspects of the question will suffice the answer.

• Analyse: One by one each aspects of the statement are taken into consideration. While dealing with one aspect, examine it, discuss it and comment upon it and then conclude separately for that aspects without having relevance to others. But remember each aspects, differently analysed must be coordinated and conclusion should be formed as a whole, of the whole analysis.

• Elucidate: A statement is to be made intelligible by providing relevant facts and figures. you are not going to differ in such question but just follow the track it provides to you, just giving explanations, if required with examples, to elucidate i.e. convince the statement.

• Illustrate: To give example to the topic in the statement, to make it clear. Here too, relevant dates, quotations and facts can help to point out. One needs to follow the direction of the statement and to explain it in that way.

• Examine: The statement requires a close inspection to bring out facts throwing light on various merits and demerits and concluding on any one side.

• Review: It is an expertise inspection of any topic. What outcomes and results you get, produce there.

• Explain: With definition and necessary details, one can just be within the area of statement while explaining it.

Web: www.chanakyaiasacademy.com 5 Toll Free No.: 1800 274 5005 CONTENTS POLITY AND GOVERNANCE, SOCIAL ISSUES • Union State Relation • Inter State Council • Governor and Floor Test • Special Status: Andhra's Demands • Elections in India • Demand for a Hybrid Electoral System • Urge for Simultaneous Election • Issues with Representation of People Act • Indian Judiciary • Appoinment of Judge • Removal of Judges • SC Verdict on SC/ST POA Act. • Social Media • Fake News • Lateral Entry in Bureaucracy • E-Governance in India and Recent Initiatives

HISTORY • Quit India Movement

ECONOMY • Ease of doing business • Labour Reforms & Participation • NITI Aayog's Agriculture Agenda

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS • India-Myanmar Relation • India’s Engagement in Africa

ART & CULTURE • Jainism

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY • Big Data Analytics • Artificial Intelligence

ENVIRONMENT • India's Water Crisis • Dangers of Plastic Pollution

ETHICS • Ethics and Clinical Trial • Ethics and Organ donation

GOVERNMENT SCHEMES • Ayushman Bharat : Health sector

Web: www.chanakyaiasacademy.com 6 Toll Free No.: 1800 274 5005 UNION-STATE RELATIONS

Constitutional Provision on Union-State Relations The Constitution mentions detailed provisions to regulate the different dimensions of the relations between the Union and the states. The Union-state relations can be classified in following three categories: – Legislative relations – Administrative relations – Financial relations Union-state relation has been mentioned in Part XI of the Indian Constitution (Articles 245 to 263). The financial relationship between the Union and states has been mentioned in Part XII of the Constitution, including Article 280 which mandates for the President to set up a Finance Commission on certain interval. Indian Constitution is said to be federal but biased towards Union: Why? • Single Citizenship: no citizenship for states • Residuary power lies with Centre under Article 248. While many other federations such as the United States, Germany and Australia etc. confer such power on the states. • In case of any inconsistency between Union law and state law, Union law will prevail over. • Single Constitution for Union and States • Union can reorganize the name and geographical extent of states • Single integrated Judiciary for Union as well as states • Unitary tilt in case of Emergencies: The Indian Constitution has been architected to work as a federal government in normal times, but as a unitary government in emergency period. • Common All-India Services • Inequality of Representation in the Council of States: Bigger states has bigger role and smaller states has smaller role in Rajya Sabha. • Appointment of Governor by President (in reality it is Council of Minister) • Appointment of the High Court Judges by the President (in reality it is Council of Minister) • The Office of CAG: The CAG is an organization managed by the officers of the Indian Audit and Account Services which is a central service. CAG is concerned not only with the accounts and auditing of the Union Government but also those of the State governments. • Integrated Electoral Machinery for both Union and states • Flexible Constitution • Special Powers of Council of State over State List: Union can encroach on the field reserved for the States as and when it feels necessary. • Governor of a State reserves the right to reserve any Bill passed by the State Legislature for the consideration of the President. The President may accord his approval to such a bill or may withhold his assent. • Financial Dependence of States on Centre: Because having less sources of income, financial dependency of states has very much hindered the growth of States on federal lines. Reason for using “Unitary” in place of “Federation” According to Dr. Ambedkar, the Indian federation was not the result of an agreement among the states to join a federation and that the federation of India not being the result of an agreement; states do not have the right to secede from it. It also explains the fact that the Union is indestructible but not the States; States can be reorganised. WHAT ARE MAJOR ISSUES IN CENTRE-STATE RELATIONS? Legislative • Encroachment by Union on State list in extraordinary circumstances such as Emergency. • Discretion of governor in reservation of state bills for the consideration of the President.

Web: www.chanakyaiasacademy.com 7 Toll Free No.: 1800 274 5005 • Power with Union to reorganize the geographical extent of a state. Administrative • Appointment and Removal of Governor by Union. • Imposition of President’s Rule. • Deployment of Central forces in states to maintain Law and Order e.g. (AFSPA) • Control over officials in All India Services, CBI etc. Financial • Distribution of finance between Union and States. For e.g. many states are demanding special category status. • Through Terms of Reference of Finance Commission decided by Union there are allegations of discrimination in financial allocations to the states. STEPS TAKEN TO IMPROVE THE UNION-STATES RELATIONS After independence, the Union government took many steps to encourage a federal character to its functioning. • A National Development Council was established in 1952 and a National Integration Council had also been established in 1962. • Annual conferences were held between the Union and state chief ministers on finance, labour, food and other functional areas. • Following the initial recommendation of the First Administrative Reforms Commission (1969), endorsed by the Sarkaria Commission on Union-state relations (1988), first constitutional body—called the Inter-State Council (ISC)—was established in 1990. • But in later years, there was a gradual centralizing tendency emerged that diminished the federal character of political, legislative and administrative power of the states. • Government’s policy think tank, NITI Aayog adopted a bottom-up approach for developmental policy making. Here, new concepts like ‘cooperative federalism’ and ‘competitive federalism’ emerged. What can be done further? • Enactment over key legislations like land, labour and natural resources etc. by states must get expeditious Central approval. • States which are not performing well on WB's ease of doing business index, complain of infirmities of procedure and process. These are required to be made more transparent and acceptable. • On contentious issues like WTO obligations, international treaties or the environment, an institutional mechanism must be evolved where important decisions are apporopriately discussed with states.

Inter-State Council Why is this topic relevant? • Recently, Inter State council has been reconstituted. • ISC Standing committee held its 13th meeting. ESTABLISHMENT OF ISC • According to Article 263, it shall be lawful for the President to establish an ISC for inquiring, discussing and advising upon: - disputes which may have arisen between/among States; - subjects in which some or all of the States, or the Union and one or more of the States, have a common interest; - such subject and, in particular, recommendations for the better co-ordination of policy and action with respect to that subject; and - it was established on the recommendation of Sarkaria Commission by a Presidential Order in 1990. Structure: The ISC consists of the Prime Minister as the Chairman, Chief Ministers of all states and Union Territories, Administrators of UTs not having Legislative Assemblies and six union cabinet minister including Home Minister nominated by Prime Minister. Supreme Court has a jurisdiction under Article 131 to decide a legal controversy between the governments and ISC’s function is complementary to this jurisdiction of SC. It has a recommendatory role on issues relating to interstate, Centre-State and Centre and Union Territory relations. ISC is not a permanent constitutional body but it can be set up ‘at any time’ if it appears to the President of India that the public interests would be served by the establishment of such a council.

Web: www.chanakyaiasacademy.com 8 Toll Free No.: 1800 274 5005 SIGNIFICANCE OF ISC IN UNION-STATE RELATIONS • Resolving confrontation linked to state-state & union-state: In 2016 & 2015, 140 & 82 such issues were sorted out respectively. • Decentralized decision making: A decentralized polity needs interaction between various levels of government, and if this goal is to be achieved, Inter-State Council is a crucial first step. • Greater accountability of government is ensured: Being as a platform for dialogue and discussion, ISC makes the governments, both at Union and state level, more accountable for their actions. • Works as a safety valve: The ISC helps to bridge the trust deficit between the Union and the states and among the states. If not always a problem solver, it at least acted as a safety valve. • Absence of other avenues: Other avenue such as Zonal council (non constitutional body) for such issues, too have limited domain in terms of their geographical scope. Here ISC has a Scope for major role. • ISC is a Constitutional Body: Unlike other platforms for Union-State collaboration, ISC has constitutional backing which provides more strong footing to the states. • Cooperative federalism: In times of different political parties ruling the Centre and various states, the need for dialogue assumes a greater significance. Thus, ISC provides a platform for states to put their concerns and get it resolved. Criticism of ISC • ISC is seen as a mere ‘toothless tiger’. It needs to show that it can follow up. Thus, its effective presence will be valuable. • Recommendations of ISC are not binding on the governments. • A huge time gap between two meetings of ISC reduces its effectiveness and relevance. It does not meet regularly as recently Inter-State Council met after a gap of 12 years. What should be done to improve the functioning of ISC? • At present, return of the single-party majority government at the Centre has required the strengthening of inter- governmental mechanisms for the harmonious cooperation of the federal structure through the constitutional body like ISC. • Need of greater representation of various other stakeholders like corporate sector and civil society etc. • In present context, the Inter State Council should be further strengthened to become the effective platform for not merely administrative but also political and legislative cooperation between the Union and states. • It should function in such a way that it reflects the equal status of states and the Union. It should have its meetings on a fixed time interval, say, once in a year. • Although the ISC’s mandate is very broad, its aspiration has normally been limited to discussing affirmative action, welfare subjects and administrative efficiency and coordination. So its broad mandate is to be considered.

Governor and Floor Test

Why is this topic relevant? In May, 2018 Karnataka legislative assembly elections were held and after election, in formation of government, role of governor was under criticism. Governor and his role • In the Constitution, office of Governor is mentioned under Articles 152 to 162. • Under the constitutional scheme, the Governor’s mandate is substantial such as: - Discretionary role in government formation - Reporting to the Centre on the breakdown of constitutional machinery in a State - Continuing the chain of command as well as effective communication between the Union and the State - Reserving his assent to Bills passed by the State Assembly - Issuing ordinances if the need arises. Web: www.chanakyaiasacademy.com 9 Toll Free No.: 1800 274 5005 • As a constitutional figurehead who ensures the continuance of governance in the State, even in times of constitutional crisis, his role is usually that of a neutral arbiter in disputes settled informally within the different strata of government, and as the conscience keeper of the community. What is present issue? Article 164(1) confers power on the governor for the appointment of chief minister. According to Supreme Court’s clarification of Article 164(2), the only condition chief ministerial candidate has to satisfy is that he/she should be commanding majority on the floor of the House. States allege that this discretionary power is being misused by governors. For example, • In case of Goa and Manipur, the single largest party was not invited first to form the government unlike in Karnataka. Thus, raising question mark on the role of Governor and also creating the role for Supreme Court to take cognizance of the issue. Repercussion of misuse of this discretion (Article 164) It may promote horse trading of MLAs, defections against the spirit of tenth schedule and decline in public trust in the office of Governor. Various other Issues of Controversy Related to Role of Governor • Articles 200 and 201: These articles are related to the power of the Governor to withhold his assent to a bill along with reserving the bill for the consideration of the President. There are allegations by the states that this provision has often been misused by the governor who acts on behest of the Union government. • Article 356: This Article is related to recommendation of the imposition of constitutional emergency in a state. States allege that this provision has often been misused by the governor for satisfying the demands of his political masters. However, in S.R. Bommai v. Union of India case Supreme Court held that such exercise of control of the Union executive over the State executive is against the basic scheme of the Constitution of India. • Appointment by Centre: The office has been reduced to becoming a retirement package for politicians for being politically loyal to the government of the day. As a result, a candidate wedded to a political ideology could find it difficult to adjust to the necessities of a constitutionally mandated neutral seat. • Arbitrary removal before the expiration of their tenure: In B.P. Singhal v. Union of India case Supreme Court Judgment has called for a fixed tenure for Governors to encourage neutrality and fairness in the discharge of their duties. Despite this, it is not being implemented on ground. Suggestions to resolve the issue Sarkaria Commission and a constitutional bench judgment in Rameshwar Prasad v. Union of India, 2005 opined that: • The party or alliance of parties with widest support in the Legislative Assembly should be invited to form the Government. • If there is a pre-poll alliance or coalition, it should be considered as one political party and if such coalition commands the majority, the leader of such coalition shall be invited by the Governor to form the Government. • If no party or pre-poll coalition gets a clear majority, the Governor should select the CM in the order of preference listed below: - The alliance/coalition of parties which had pre-poll alliance commanding the largest number. - The largest single party staking a claim to form the government with the support of others. - A post-electoral alliance/coalition with all partners joining the government. - A post-electoral alliance/coalition with some parties joining the government and the rest of the parties supporting from outside. • M. M. Punchhi Commission, in a case of a hung Assembly, recommended that the governor should follow “Constitutional conventions”. • While S.R. Bommai case related to discretion of Governor does not apply to hung assembly but it laid emphasis on floor test in the House within two days (48 hours) (although it can be extended to 15 days) so that state legislature should decide the matter and Governor’s discretion should simply be a triggering point.

Web: www.chanakyaiasacademy.com 10 Toll Free No.: 1800 274 5005 Way Ahead • In place of career politicians, “eminent persons” from other walks of life should be appointed as governors. • Supreme Court to investigate claims of mala fide intention in the Governor’s report, a similar extension to cover mala fide intention in the invitation process in forming government could be a possible solution. • The rules governing government-formation should be clarified in the Constitution itself. • The Governor must be true to the oath of office and must make sure that the person he/she invites to be Chief Minister will be able to command majority and to form a responsible and reasonably full term government in the State.

BASED QUESTION “Office of Governor in India acts as a check upon both federalism and popular democracy”. Critically comment. (250 words) Way to tackle this question Introduction: Mention the Constitutional provision related to the office of governor and its powers. Also mention articles. Body: Discuss, why Constitutional assembly retained the office of governor and how the office has been misused for political gains and how that impacts the federal structure of India and its popular democracy. For example, • Mention the discretionary power of governor which provides huge scope for blatant misuse, discuss the need for protecting national integrity and sovereignty in a newly created democratic republic etc. • discuss the significance of the office in present times. e.g during emergency, secessionist movements in different parts of the country etc. Conclusion: Express a fair and balanced opinion on the need and desirability of the office of the governor and suggest measures to improve.

Special Status: Andhra’s Demands Why is this topic relevant? Recently, Andhra Pradesh MPs have been demanding and protesting for special category status for the AP which Union government has refused. What is Special Category States (SCS)? The underlying principle for special status was that certain states, because of inherent features, have a low resource base and cannot mobilize resources for their development. However the Constitution of India does not include any provision for categorization of any State as a SCS. • The notion of a special category state was first introduced in the year of 1969 by the Fifth Finance Commission based on the Gadgil formula. The formula was amended various times to suit the contemporary needs. In 1991 the Gadgil-Mukherjee formula was accepted that was in use till the Fourteenth Finance Commission. Why is Andhra demanding so? The demand is being made on the basis of Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act which provides that “the Union Government may make appropriate grants and also make sure that adequate benefits and incentives in the form of special development package are provided to the backward areas of that State”. While Centre agreed to provide the monetary equivalent of SCS but has denied granting the status on the basis that Fourteenth Finance Commission doesn’t provide for such treatment to Andhra Pradesh. Challenges for SCS demands • The populist promise to grant the SCS during elections creates further rise in such demands. Aside from Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Bihar and Rajasthan had demanded SCS status. • The 14th Finance Commission effectively eliminated the concept of Special Category States after its recommendations were accepted in 2015.

Web: www.chanakyaiasacademy.com 11 Toll Free No.: 1800 274 5005 • SCS was awarded by the now-defunct National Development Council, on the recommendation of the earstwhile Planning Commission, based on criteria evolved by it that was criticized for being arbitrary, for example, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh were denied this status after their creation in 2001 just because they didn’t share an international boundary. • The per capita Central plan assistance received by SCS states was four times more than that for “general category” states. Besides, they received tax incentives aimed at attracting industries, along with capital investment subsidy, excise duty and income tax exemptions, and transportation cost subsidies. Still, these incentives mostly failed to industrialise these states. Further Suggestions Since Planning Commission dissolved, there has been a sharp reduction in the allocation to SCS and the difference between funds allotted to SCS and other States have been substantially reduced and the status has remained largely symbol of Political mileage. • The recommendations by Raghuram Rajan Committee (2013) for the introduction of the “least developed states’ category (based on the 10 uniformly weighted indicators for monthly per capita consumption expenditure, education, health, household amenities, poverty rate, female literacy, population percentage of the Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe, urbanization rate, financial inclusion and physical connectivity) and abolition of “SCS” may be introduced for better considering the development needs of individual states. • With recent raise in tax devolution to 42% and decrease in normal central assistance to states, the benefits under SCS have cut down. But there is still a requirement of evolving more equitable methods of fund devolution.

Elections in India

Who is responsible for conducting election? According to constitutional scheme Article 324 provides that the power of superintendence, direction and control of elections to Parliament, state legislatures, the office of President of India and the office of Vice President of India shall be vested in the election commission. The Election Commission of India is a permanent, all-India and an independent body established by the Constitution of India directly to ensure free and fair elections in the country. Feature of electoral system in India • Universal adult franchise enables all citizens to take part in the governance system. • Abolition of Communal Representation • Reservation of Seats for SC/ST • Joint Electorate • Secret Ballot • Independence of Election Commission • Single Member Constituencies: one representative from one constituency • Important Role of Political Party • Free and Fair Election • First past the post system • “NOTA” or ‘None of the Above’ is there, as an option, to the voters of India in most elections. Through the usage of NOTA, a citizen can choose not to vote for any candidates who are contesting the elections. Burning issues in election in India • Electoral Reforms - Demand for a Hybrid Electoral System - Simultaneous Elections • Issues Related to Representation of People’s Act • Issues with Election Commission • Issues in delimitation of constituencies

Web: www.chanakyaiasacademy.com 12 Toll Free No.: 1800 274 5005 Demand for a Hybrid Electoral System

What is a Hybrid Electoral System (HES)? A hybrid/mixed system is an electoral system in which two systems are combined into one system reflecting the positive features from more than one electoral system. In a mixed electoral system, there are two electoral systems using different formulae running alongside each other. The votes are cast by the same voters and contribute to the election of representatives under both systems. One of those systems is a majority/plurality system (or occasionally an ‘other’ system), usually a single- member district system, and the other a List Proportional Representation system. • MMP was originally used to elect representatives to the German Bundestag (German federal parliament) and later, has been adopted by Bolovia, Lesotho and Newzealand as well. Types of Hybrid Electoral System There are two forms of Hybrid Electoral System: (i) When the results of the two types of election (FPTP & PR) are coupled, with seat allocations at the Proportional Representation level being dependent on what happens in the plurality/majority (or other) district seats and compensating for any disproportionality that arises there, the system is termed as a Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) system. (ii) Electoral system, in which two sets of elections are detached and distinct and are not interdependent on for seat allocations, the system is termed as a Parallel system. While an MMP system normally results in proportional outcomes, a Parallel system is likely to give results the proportionality of which falls somewhere between that of a plurality/majority and that of a Proportional Representation system. Different types of Electoral Systems: • First Past the Post System • Proportional Representation • Mixed systems also sometimes referred to as Hybrid System in India In India, both First Past the Post System as well as Proportional Representation systems of voting is followed. For instance, in the elections for the Lok Sabha we have First Past the Post System and for the Presidential Elections we follow Proportional Representation. What is FPTP? The First Past the Post system is the easiest form of plurality/majority system, using single member districts and candidate- centred polling. The voter is presented with the names of the nominated candidates and casts vote by choosing one, and only one, of them. The victorious candidate is simply the person who gets the most votes; in theory, the candidate could be elected with two votes, if every other candidate only got a single vote. Why have we chosen FPTP? • At the time of independence, most population was not literate. In such a condition, Proportional Representation (PR) system would have been complex to understand. • Before independence, numbers of elections were held regularly on FPTP basis. So, Indian population was already familiar with it. • Favour to stability: Proportional Representation system seemed unsuitable to the parliamentary government due to the propensity of the system to multiply political parties leading to instability in government. • Proportional Representation system establishes party as a major centre of power whereas First Past the Post system gives an individual as a representative of the people of certain specific area. Given India’s circumstances at the time of independence this was a big worry for our leaders as people connected more to their leaders rather than a particular political party. Reason for demand of HES (a) It is argued that the will of the people and majority aspirations are not getting reflected in election results with current First Past the Post electoral system. (b) The conditions have changed since the current system of First Past the Post system was adopted (one party rule). But now because of a division of votes, a party with even 20% share does not obtain a single seat, while a party with 28% can obtain disproportionately large number of seats. The case in point is Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections held in March, 2017. Web: www.chanakyaiasacademy.com 13 Toll Free No.: 1800 274 5005 (c) This system is followed by various European countries effectively. (d) The Law Commission’s 170th and 255th report also have suggested that 25% or 136 more seats should be added to the existing Lok Sabha and be filled by Proportional Representation. (e) Many persons point out that the present system reflects a “Minority democracy” which has been ruling the nation since independence. Disadvantage of MMP & Case of New Zealand MMP can give rise to what are called ‘strategic voting’ anomalies. In New Zealand in 1996, in the constituency of Wellington Central, some National Party strategists appealed voters not to cast vote for the National Party candidate because they had analysed that under MMP his election would not give the National Party another seat but basically replace an MP who would be elected from their party list. It was therefore better for the National Party to look for a candidate elected from another party, providing that candidate was in sympathy with the National Party’s ideas and ideology, than for votes to be ‘wasted’ in support of their own candidate.

Urge for Simultaneous Election

Why is this topic relevant? In recent times, the push by Prime Minister and his government for simultaneous elections at the Centre and the states has gathered pace. • Recently, Law Commission of India has also released a white paper on Simultaneous Elections. • A year ago, NITI Aayog also advocated simultaneous election. Simultaneous Election (SE) means: • It means arranging the Indian election cycle in a way that elections to Lok Sabha and State Assemblies are synchronized together under which voters in a particular constituency cast their vote for both State Assembly and Lok Sabha the same day. • It does not mean that voting across the country for Lok Sabha and State Assemblies needs to take place on a single day. • Election to the local bodies cannot be included in Simultaneous Elections because it is a part of state list as well as the number of local bodies is huge. Why Simultaneous Election? • First and foremost advantage of Simultaneous Elections is stability in governance. This was even mentioned in the 117th report on Reform and Electoral Laws (1999) by the Law Commission of India. • It would cut down the massive expenditure that has been pegged at around Rs.4,500 crore. • Elections in states causes the imposition of Model Code of Conduct (MCC) suspend the entire development programme and activities. If all elections are held in one particular year, it will offer a clear four years to the political parties to concentrate on good governance. • Continuous election has an effect on the functioning of crucial services. The rallies and the like do cause traffic problems as well as hammering of productivity. • As a final point simultaneous election they would decrease the type of manpower and resource deployment needed for the conduct of elections. Challenges of Simultaneous Election • The foremost challenge to SE lies in getting the party political consensus desirable to bring an amendment in the law. • It is unsettled point that whether it is practically viable for the Election Commission of India to conduct elections at such a huge scale. • Even if SE is achieved it would not be easy to sustain it because the fact that (under Art 83(2) & 172(1)) Lok Sabha and state assemblies do not have fixed tenure. • It will not be in favour of spirit of federalism as Ill-informed voters’ choices may lead to National issues influencing electorate’s behaviour for voting in State legislative Assembly elections and vice versa.

Web: www.chanakyaiasacademy.com 14 Toll Free No.: 1800 274 5005 • Frequent elections cause the politicians come back to the voters and enhance accountability of politicians to the public. In this way the politicians remain in touch with ‘pulse of the public’ and the result of elections at different levels can make sure the government to take the necessary ‘course correction’. • Simultaneous Election takes care of only ‘national’ parties because parties contesting in only one State would anyway be equally burdened. • It may lead to restriction of the legislature’s power to unseat a government. It would be compulsory to have a ‘constructive vote of no-confidence’. This means that no opposition party would be able to table a no-confidence motion except it has the capacity to also simultaneously form a new government. Election Commission’s ‘One year one election’ formula The election commission has provided an alternative to ‘one nation one election’. It is ‘one year one election’. Many a year, state assembly elections are held in two batches when their terms are set to end within six months. If it is extended from six months to one year, more states can be clubbed in one batch. That will make it “One Year, One Poll”. That may be a good compromise. What does the draft paper of Law Commission say? • A definition of “simultaneous elections” may be added to Section 2 of the 1951 Act. • Articles 83 and 172 of the Constitution (dealing with term of both Houses of Parliament and state legislature respectively) along with sections 14 and 15 of the 1951 Act (dealing with notification of general elections in both Houses of Parliament and state assemblies respectively), be appropriately amended. This would mean that the new Lok Sabha and assembly, constituted after mid- term elections, shall remain only for the remainder of the term. • The Anti-defection Law laid down under paragraph 2(1) (b) of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution should be repealed as an exception to avoid stalemate in the Assembly due to Hung Parliament. • Sections 14 & 15 of Representation of People Act, 1951, be amended to extend the statutory limit of 6 months for the issuance of notification of general elections to offer the flexibility to Election Commission in conducting the simultaneous election. • A substitute to premature dissolution of assembly due to no-confidence motion could be that the members while moving such an alternative may also put forward an option for forming an alternative government. • Prime Minister/Chief Minister may be elected to lead the Lok Sabha/Assembly, by full house like electing the speaker of the Lok Sabha, providing stability to the government. Way Ahead To prevent frequent elections it is necessary to have stable elected bodies. It is important to note that a no-confidence motion is not mentioned in the Constitution or any law, for that matter. It finds place in Rule 198 of the Rules and Conduct of Business of the Lok Sabha, which states that 50 or more members can move a no-confidence motion. If it succeeds, the government has to resign and if no other party or parties can form the government, premature elections follow. Example of Germany The Law Commission of India in its report of 1999 has mentioned the problem of premature and frequent elections. It had recommended an amendment of this rule on the lines of the German Constitution, which makes provision that the leader of the party who wants to replace the chancellor has to introduce the no-confidence motion along with the confidence motion. If the motions succeed, the President appoints him as the chancellor. If such an amendment to Rule 198 is made, the Lok Sabha would prevent premature dissolution without diluting the cardinal principle of democracy that is a government with the consent of the peoples’ representatives with periodical elections. It will also be consistent with the notion of collective responsibility of the government to the House as mentioned in Article 75 (3) of the Constitution.

BASED QUESTION ‘System of one year one election’ would be much better for India rather than one nation one election. Examine. (250 words) Way to tackle the question Introduction: Describe what is EC’s idea of one year one election, and also point out the other option of one nation one election. Web: www.chanakyaiasacademy.com 15 Toll Free No.: 1800 274 5005 Body: Mention in points, why the EC’S idea is better e.g. it will involve fewer amendments to the constitution, it will respect the essence of the exercise of popular will, different from one nation one election which prioritizes economic costs of elections over the exercise itself, it will prevent clubbing of national and state issues, it will not destroy federalism much, not much issues generated by emergencies like need to hold by-election etc. Conclusion: Point out the significance of the exercise of the election, and the diverse structure and aspirations of India which requires respect for popular will and democracy.

Issues with Representation of People Act

What is Section 29A? It is regarding registration of political parties with the Election Commission. What are Issues with section 29A? • It does not give EC the power to de-register a political party. • Lack of regulatory power is leading to mushrooming of political parties. • Presently, about 20 percent of registered political parties contest election and remaining 80 percent parties create excessive load on electoral system and public money as they are entitled to various incentives. • Recently, Supreme Court has decided to examine the powers of ECI in term of disqualifying convicted persons from forming political parties or becoming office-bearer of a party under this section. What is Section 33(7)? It allows a candidate to fight from two seats at the same time. (This section was added after recommendation of Dinesh Goswami Committee to restrict candidates to contest from more than two seats earlier) What are issues with Section 33(7)? Recently ECI has favored amendments in this section to allow contesting from one seat. Earlier, Law Commission also proposed the same. Contesting from two is opposed because: • Additional financial burden on public exchequer for holding a by election against the resultant vacancy. • Not fair to upcoming leaders who have to vacate their seat so that the bigger leaders can get their second seats. • Used as an Insurance to Failure against their poor political performance • Discriminatory for candidates with relatively lower financial clout. • If the principle of ‘One person, one vote’ is the norm in democracy then ‘one candidate, one constituency’ should also be followed. • Injustice to the voters as it gives perception of vacated seat as less important constituency and element of betrayal to the voters. • If existing provisions are retained, then candidate contesting from two seats should bear the cost of the bye-election to the seat vacated.

India Judiciary

There are three wings of the government—Legislature, Executive and Judiciary. The Indian Judiciary administers an integrated law system of legal jurisdiction, in which precedents and legislation, customs, all codify the law of the land. • Judiciary is that branch of government which interprets law, settles disputes and administers justice. Laws are like dead letters without courts to explain and expound their meaning. • Judiciary is the watchdog of democracy, guardian of the constitution as well as champion of liberty. • There are different levels of judiciary in India—different types of courts, each with varying powers depending on the tier and jurisdiction conferred upon them. They form a strict hierarchy of importance, in line with the order of the courts in which they sit, with the Supreme Court of India at the top level, followed by High Courts of respective states with district judges sitting in District Courts and Magistrates of Second Class and Civil Judge (Junior Division) at the lowest level.

Web: www.chanakyaiasacademy.com 16 Toll Free No.: 1800 274 5005 • In India, the courts from top to bottom deal with the disputes arising under the laws enacted by the Union Parliament as well as by state legislatures. • Chapter IV under Part V of the constitution (Union) deals with the Supreme Court. The constitution and jurisdiction of Supreme Court is mentioned in detail from articles 124 to 147.

Burning Issues in India Judiciary - Appointment and removal of judges - Supreme Court’s Verdict on SC/ST PoA Act - Accountability and transparancy in judiciary - Verdict on Section 377 and Euthanasia

Appointment of judges Why is this topic relevent? Recently, Union government returned the SC Collegium’s recommendation to elevate Justice K.M. Joseph (CJ of Uttarakhand HC) to Supreme Court. Later he has been elevated to SC. Constitutional and legal aspect of Judges Appointment • According to Article 124, the President shall make SC Judges appointments after consulting with the CJI and other SC and HC judges as he considers necessary. While for HC judges’ appointment, President (under Article 217) should consult the CJI, Governor, and Chief Justice of the High Court concerned. • Three Judge Cases made an arrangement of Collegium system where a committee of the Chief Justice of India, four senior judges of the Supreme Court and three members of a high court (in case of appointments in the said high courts) take decisions related to appointments and transfer of judges in the Supreme Court and High Courts. • National Judicial Appointment Commission (NJAC): 99th Constitutional Amendment Act created NJAC as proposed constitutional body to replace the Collegium system of appointing judges. However, SC struck down the Act as it violates the independence of judiciary and Principle of Separation of Powers between the executive and judiciary, which is a basic feature of the Constitution. Thus, restoring the Collegium System of Appointment of Judges. • The government drafted a Memorandum of Procedure in 2016 to set a fresh set of guidelines for making appointments to the higher judiciary. However, there is lack of agreement between government and judiciary as of now. What does the Draft Memorandum of Procedure (MoP), 2016 say? • “Merit and integrity” should be “prime criteria” for appointment of judges to the higher judiciary. • Performance Appraisal for promotion as chief justice of a High Court: by evaluation of judgments delivered by a High Court judge during the last five years and initiatives undertaken for improvement of judicial administration. • For appointment of judges to the apex court, the “prime criteria” should be “seniority as chief justice/ judge of the High Court”.

Web: www.chanakyaiasacademy.com 17 Toll Free No.: 1800 274 5005 • Up to three judges in the Supreme Court must be appointed from among the eminent members of the Bar and distinguished jurists with proven good track record in their respective fields. • Setting up a permanent secretariat in Supreme Court for maintaining records of high court judges, scheduling meetings of the Collegium, receiving recommendations as well as complaints in matters related to appointments. • Inclusion of National security and public interest as the new ground of objection to appoint a candidate as a judge. The objections under this will be conveyed to the collegiums which will then take a final call. What are the problems with Collegium System? • Constitutionality: Constituent Assembly had rejected the proposal to vest the Chief Justice with veto power over appointments. • Violation of constitutional Provision: According to 214th Law commission of India Collegium is a clear violation of Article 74 which demands President to act on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers. • Undemocratic: Collegium system is non-transparent and closed in nature as there exists no system of checks and balances which is essential to a democracy. • Disturbing Balance of Power by the Second Judges case as provided by the constitution between executive and judiciary. • Uncle Judges Syndrome: Law Commission in its 230th report said that nepotism, corruption and personal patronage is prevalent in the functioning of the collegium system • Merit vs Seniority: There have been numerous cases where people with better qualifications and better track records have been sidelined to make way for someone incompetent due to seniority rule. What are the possible solutions? • Power Balance: Law Commission, in its 2008 and 2009 reports, suggested that Parliament should pass a law restoring the primacy of the CJI, while ensuring that the executive played a role in making judicial appointments. • System to ensure judicial primacy but not judicial exclusivity: The new system should ensure independence, accommodate the federal concept of diversity and demonstrate professional competence and integrity. The trend across liberal, constitutional democracies is towards such a commission which preserves judiciary’s primacy while also divorcing its membership from the executive. • Criteria for Appointment: Eligibility criteria to judge the performance and suitability must be formulated objectively and must be made public. The reasons for appointment or non- appointment can be only understood well in the context of such a criterion. Recently Supreme Court Collegium has decided to disclose all its recommendations in Public Domain indicating the reasons. • Early Finalisation of Memorandum of Procedure (MoP): SC in Justice Karnan case underlined the need to revisit the process of selection and appointment of judges to the constitutional court. • A complete and periodically updated database of potential candidates which is accessible to the public. • Applications to be invited by nomination/ advertisement in consultation with members of the Bar and Bar organisations. • Inputs must be sought from the public with regard to shortlisted candidates while providing immunity (from laws of contempt & defamation) and confidentiality to citizens. • A complete record of video/audio of collegium deliberations.

Removal of Judges

Why is this topic relevent? • Vice president of India/ Presiding Officer (PO) in Rajya Sabha has rejected the impeachment motion passed to remove the CJI. • It calls for understanding the whole impeachment procedure, a tool to ensure judiciary’s credibility. Constitutional provisions related to removal of judges • There is no specifically any provision in the Constitution that deals with the impeachment of the CJI. • Proved misbehaviour or incapacity is mentioned in Article 124(4) of the Constitution.

Web: www.chanakyaiasacademy.com 18 Toll Free No.: 1800 274 5005 • It is the ground for impeachment of a Supreme Court judge. The CJI is only the first among equals. • Hence, the CJI too, like other judges of the SC and HCs, can be impeached on this ground. Impeachment procedure • The Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968 contains details of the process. • The motion is to be signed by 50 members of Rajya Sabha or 100 members of Lok Sabha. If it is admitted, an inquiry committee will probe the charges. • It will consist of an SC judge, a Chief Justice of an HC and a distinguished jurist. • If the charges stand proven, the motion is to be presented to each House of Parliament. • It has to be passed by a majority of the House and 2/3rds of those present and voting in the same session. • Even if the charges are proved, the Parliament is not bound to remove the judge. • Finally, the President will issue the order removing the judge. • Judge’s Right - The particular Judge has the right to be heard. • However, this is not available at the time of admission of the motion. • During the inquiry, the judge has the full right to defend. But there are complexities • Impeachment process is neither entirely political nor entirely judicial. It is a fine and judicious blend of the two. • Admission of the impeachment motion, constitution of inquiry committee, and its findings are in the nature of judicial processes. • But the adoption of the motion by Parliament is certainly a political process, as members do vote along party lines. • The complexity of the impeachment process has ensured that no judge has been removed so far. Presiding Officer’s (PO) role • The presiding officer may admit or refuse to admit the motion. • But the PO should not ideally take over the role of the inquiry committee. • The Presiding Officer is not supposed to mechanically admit any motion. • It means that the requisite number of members having signed the motion is not the only criteria. • Proved misbehaviour is the ground for the removal of a judge. • But it is the job of the inquiry committee to give a finding on whether the charges are proved. • But again, the charges could sometimes be prima facie totally without substance. • In that case, the PO has the right to block the motion at this initial stage itself. Criteria of “proved misbehaviour” • ‘Incapacity’ and ‘proved misbehaviour’ has not been defined in the Constitution. • The misconduct of a judge (whose removal is under consideration) is to be proved outside Parliament before a non- parliamentary committee to avoid political mala-fide intention. The Judges (Inquiry) Bill, 2006, defines ‘proved misbehaviour’: (a) wilful or persistent conduct bringing dishonour or disrepute to the judiciary (b) wilful or persistent failure to perform the duties of a judge (c) wilful abuse of judicial office, corruption, lack of integrity or committing an offence involving moral turpitude • The Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill, 2010, proposed to broaden the definition of misconduct. • Under this, ‘lack of integrity’ included rendering judicial decisions for collateral or extraneous reasons. • Giving judgements or any other acts that have the effect of subverting the administration of justice. • The failure to furnish a declaration of assets and liabilities or wilful giving of false information was included within ‘misbehaviour’.

Web: www.chanakyaiasacademy.com 19 Toll Free No.: 1800 274 5005 • The Supreme Court itself has laid down that misbehaviour is a wider term. • Therefore, if, due to a judge‘s conduct, the judiciary’s credibility has suffered, it can be considered ‘Misbehaviour’. Why was the current motion rejected? The Vice-President is not duty-bound to give reasons.However, in this case, M Venkaiah Naidu has given complete reasons. He has said that misbehaviour has not been proved. There was little merit in any of the charges laid for impeachment. The charges are said to have been based on mere suspicion and assumption. He says the signatories themselves are unsure of the reliability of the charges. He has considered the implications for judicial independence if an investigation is ordered on unreliable charges. Ruling - He cited one of the earlier Supreme Court ruling in this regard. Accordingly, Chairman (or Speaker) has to act with utmost care, caution and responsibility. Seriousness of the imputations, nature and quality of the records has to be kept in mind. The effect on public administration of justice and independence of the judiciary are also to be considered. Is this present matter a case for “proved misbehaviour or incapacity”? • The main charge against CJI is that he misused his control over the roster. • Cases were assigned selectively with a view to influence their outcome. • But the question is whether impeachment is an option in the absence of concrete material to establish this charge. • Evidently, the Opposition is divided on initiating impeachment proceedings.

Supreme Court’s Verdict on SC/ST PoA Act

Why is this topic relevant? Supreme Court has indicated that the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act is being largely misused. In this judgment, judiciary has diluted some provisions of this Act by reinterpreting it. SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act (Major Provisions) The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) PoA Amendment Act, 1989, was introduced to safeguard the interest of vulnerable sections of the society. This Act had been amended in 2015 to cover newer forms of discrimination and crimes against Dalits and tribals. Some major provisions of the Act are as follows: • Establishment of Exclusive Special Courts and specification of Exclusive Special Public Prosecutors to facilitate expeditious and speedy disposal of cases. • Disposal of cases filed under PoA Act within two months, from the date of filing of the charge sheet. • Defining clearly the term wilful negligence of public servants at all levels, starting from the registration of complaint, and covering aspects of dereliction of duty under this Act. • Addition of presumption to the offences if the accused was acquainted with the victim, the court will presume that the accused was aware of the caste or tribal identity of the victim unless proved otherwise. Highlights of the SC’s verdict • Supreme Court in its judgment had made it clear that the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act should not perpetuate casteism. • The court said 15-16% of the total numbers of complaints filed in 2015 under the Act were false and many cases were filed to settle personal issues and harass adversaries. SC made this statement in the sense that any harassment of an innocent citizen, irrespective of caste or religion, is against the guarantee of the Constitution. • Supreme Court has tried to maintain a balance between protecting liberty of individuals and preserving the spirit of a law in favour of ‘Dalit’ sections. • SC has ruled that Section 18, which bars grant of anticipatory bail to anyone accused of violating its provisions, is not an absolute bar on granting advance bail to the person against whom, prima facie, there is no case. • Moreover, the Bench has barred the arrest of anyone just because of a complaint that they had committed an atrocity against a Dalit or a tribal person. • Regarding public servants, no arrest should be made until there is a written permission of the official‘s appointing authority. And for private citizens, the Senior Superintendent of Police in the district should permit the arrest.

Web: www.chanakyaiasacademy.com 20 Toll Free No.: 1800 274 5005 What are the problems with SC/ST PoA Act? • The conviction rates under the Act remain low which proves the lethargic approach of investigators and prosecutors to bring home charges against perpetrators of such crimes. • Even if courts are right in taking note of the tendency to misuse this law, society and lawmakers are justifiably worried about the sort of messaging contained in their rulings and observations. • The strong demands from political parties are that words of caution and rules against misuse may be needed to grant relief to the innocent, but nothing should be done to defang the law itself. Criticism of SC’s Verdict • SC claims that the act has not led to an increase in convictions so far and many file cases under this act against higher level bureaucrats to defame them. • SC also found that 15-16 percent of atrocity cases meet a premature end at the magistrate‘s desk without any proper evidence. • But from Supreme Court‘s earlier judgments it is obvious that SC has failed to establish the prevalence to any degree of abuse of the law. • It has now taken a single case to make a blanket amendment to the law, which has implications for all atrocity accused and not just public servants.

Ease of Doing Business Why is this topic relevant? Recently, India ranked at 100 out of 190 countries in World Bank Group’s Doing Business 2018 report. What is ‘ease of doing business’? • It is an index published by the World Bank. It is an aggregate figure that takes into account different parameters which define the ease of doing business in a country. • It is calculated by aggregating the distance to frontier scores of different economies. ‘Regulatory best practices’ for doing business as the parameter and benchmark economies according to that parameter are used in this distance to frontier score. Major findings of the current report • The recent ranking is an improvement of 30 positions over last year’s ranking. • This improvement made India to enter in the set of 10 “most improved” economies and a step ahead to breach the top 50 economies worldwide in terms of this index. • The World Bank rankings have not taken the GST into account since it was not implemented in the period being evaluated. How did India make it? The factors through which India could improve its ranking are as follows: (a) Greater ease in the payment of taxes online. (b) The possibility of submitting building plans in advance of applying for a construction permit. (c) Business incorporation that combines the Permanent Account Number (PAN) with the Tax Account Number (TAN). (d) Reduction in the time required to complete provident fund and state insurance applications. (e) Passage and implementation of the new insolvency and bankruptcy code. Where are the areas that need improvement? • The reforms and their impact were pronounced in big cities but not clearly noticeable in smaller cities and rural areas. • The government needs to work for effective implementation of the reforms introduced across all states uniformly. • Creating awareness of the reforms introduced is needed to enable the enterprises to avail these benefits. • Labour compliances need to be further eased.

Web: www.chanakyaiasacademy.com 21 Toll Free No.: 1800 274 5005 • In this context, the proposed Model Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Bill, 2016 is a step in the right direction. Negative aspect associated with the Report • Methodological challenges: India’s 30-point improvement in one year is not unique. Russia made a jump of 30 spots in the Doing Business 2014 report compared to the 2013 report. But this high ranking should be seen in the context of Russia’s dismal 114th rank in the Heritage Foundation’s Index of Economic Freedom (India ranks 143rd) and 131st rank in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index ( While India ranks 79th position). • Numbers concerned: Once the report releases the governments are only focusing more on improving their ranking as opposed to fixing ground realities. Over time, however, these rankings turned out to be a popular tool for nudging countries towards business-friendly reforms. • Ranking mechanism: In India’s case, the business environment in only Delhi and Mumbai are used to compile the national ranking. This has always been the case, even though there will be more cities included in future rankings. • These rankings also focus a lot more on the laws and rules that are on the books and do not necessarily capture the daily experiences of businesses. • World Bank’s chief economist recently claimed that the bank’s flagship “Ease of Doing Business” ranking might have been unfairly manipulated. Notably, the question raised is not about the technicality of continuously changing methodology but about the very integrity behind it. What is Chile’s case? • In the backdrop of WB’s chief economist recent claim, the immediate case in point was Chile. • Chile saw its ranking sway massively over the years, from 25 (2006) to 49 (2010) to 34 (2014) to 55 (2017). • The apprehension that Chile’s rankings were manipulated based on ‘which political faction ruled the country’, has taken root. • Researchers from the “Centre for Global Development (CGD)” have shown how changes in the methodology were employed to obtain such rankings. • It is possible that certain regimes make it easier to do business than others. • However, repeated revision in methodology evidently seems to have nudged results to achieve desired rankings. India’s Case in the backdrop of WB’s chief economist’s recent claim • Analysing the trend of rankings bring out huge illogical variations in rankings of many countries. • Notably, India’s rank has risen from 142 to 100 between 2014 and 2018. • Even though the World Bank has clarified that it stands by India’s ranking, questions on the authenticity of the country’s achievements continue. • Notably, ranking of India was already under criticism, as the WB ranking had limited its consideration to only the cities of Delhi and Mumbai. • World Bank has to address the shortfalls and integrity questions, to restore its credibility. Economic Survey (2017-2018) on ease of doing business Status India jumped 30 places to enter the top 100 for the first time in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Report, 2018. • It leaped 53 and 33 spots in the taxation and insolvency indices, respectively; an outcome of taxation reforms and IBC, 2016. • India also registered uptrends in protecting minority investors and obtaining credit, facilitation of electricity, etc. Concerns Huge number of delays and pendency of economic cases in Courts, Economic Tribunals and Tax department are there. • This is reflecting in terms of stalled projects, mounting legal costs, contested tax revenues and reduced investment. • These concerns hamper dispute resolution and contract enforcement. Government Measures The Government has taken a number of actions to improve the contract enforcement regime including:

Web: www.chanakyaiasacademy.com 22 Toll Free No.: 1800 274 5005 (i) Scrapping of over 1,000 redundant legislations (ii) Amending the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 2015 (iii)Commercial Courts Commercial Divisions and Commercial Appellate Division of High Courts Act, 2015 (iv)Expanding the Lok Adalat Programme • The Judiciary has also expanded the National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG). This is near to ensuring that every High Court is digitized. Suggestions The Survey recommends coordinated action between government and judiciary. • It calls for a Cooperative Separation of Powers between judiciary on one hand and executive/legislature on the other. • This is a horizontal variant of the vertical cooperation between the Union and States (Cooperative Federalism) in case of Goods and Service Tax. • The Survey also suggests considering efforts for alleviating pendency in the lower judiciary as a performance-based incentive for States. • Other suggestions in this regard include: (a) expanding judicial capacity in lower courts and reducing existing burden on HCs and the SC. (b) limited appeals by tax department considering its low success rate. (c) increasing state expenditure on judiciary, especially for modernization and digitization. (d) focussing on internal specialization and efficiencies of SC by creating more subject-matter and stage-specific benches. (e) prioritizing stayed cases, and imposing stricter timelines by courts, especially when involving government infrastructure projects. (f) improving Courts Case Management and Court Automation Systems.

Labour Reforms and Participation

Why is this topic relevant? In order to remove the multiplicity of definitions and authorities, government is in process to rationalize 38 central labour Acts by framing their relevant provisions under four major Codes: • Code on Wage • Code on Safety & Working Conditions • Code on Industrial relation • Code on Social Security & Welfare Problems faced by labours in India • Huge Informal Sector • Surplus Labour Force • Unskilled Labour • Lack of Absorption of Skilled Labour • Imperfections and Work Culture • Labour market in India is also facing the condition of some imperfections: (a) lack of adequate information regarding jobs (b) lack of suitable agency for the proper utilisation of labour force (c) child labour practices (d) Lack of proper manpower planning etc. • Such imperfections have been resulting in different hurdles in the way of absorption of labour force smoothly. • Work culture among the Indian labour force is not at completely good.

Web: www.chanakyaiasacademy.com 23 Toll Free No.: 1800 274 5005 • Militant Unionism • Unemployment • Lack of Labour Reforms Legal Status of labours in India • The Article 246 (with 7th schedule) of the constitution place the issues related to labour and labour welfarein the concurrent list. • Though, the exceptional matters related to labour and safety in oilfields and mines and industrial disputes concerning union employees come under Union List. • Our constitution has many Articles directed toward their interests for e.g. Article 23 forbids forced labour, 24 forbids child labour (in factories, mines and other hazardous occupations) below age of 14 years. • Article 43A was inserted by 42nd amendment – directing state to take steps to ensure worker’s participation in management of industries. • There are approx. 144 Union and state laws, most or all of which seek compliance from industries.

Economic survey on Labour Reform Initiatives The Survey points out the technology enabled transformative initiatives like: • Shram Suvidha Portal (facilitate reporting of Inspections, and submission of Returns) • Ease of Compliance (to maintain registers under different Labour Laws/Rules) • Universal Account Number • National Career Service portal (linking all employment exchanges) • These aim at reducing complexity in compliance and bringing transparency and accountability in labour laws enforcement. • Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017, offers women entitlement to enhanced maternity leave for a period of 6 months. • Mahila E-Haat is launched to provide e-marketing to products made/manufactured/sold by women entrepreneurs/SHGs/ NGOs. Legislation The legislative reforms in Labour sector include rationalizing 38 Central Labour Acts into 4 labour codes. • They are the Codes on Wages, Safety and Working Conditions, Industrial Relations, Social Security and Welfare. • Creation of employment opportunities and providing sustainable livelihoods for those in informal economy are the prime objectives. Gender Gap India’s gender gap in labour force participation rate is more than 50 percentage points. • This is relatively high among many developing countries. • Women workers are the most deprived in the labour market as they:

Web: www.chanakyaiasacademy.com 24 Toll Free No.: 1800 274 5005 - constitute a huge proportion among the low skilled informal worker category - engaged in low-productivity and low paying work • The lower participation of female workers in economic activities adversely affects the growth potential of the economy. MGNREGA The Survey indicates that there has been highest ever budget allocation under MGNREGA during 2017-18. • About 4.6 crore households were provided employment under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. • Out of this, 54% were generated by women, 22% by Schedule Castes and 17% by Schedule Tribes, indicating the social reach.

NITI Aayog’s Agriculture Agenda

Why is this topic relevant? Government’s think tank, NITI Aayog recently released its three-year action agenda (TYAA) for the government for reforming various sectors of the economy including agriculture. Why is this agenda? Despite lots of governmental initiatives like forming High Level Committee (HLC) on Management of Foodgrains, Task Force on Agriculture, Committee on Doubling of Farmers’ Income and restructuring the FCI problematic issues still persist. Some of them are as follows: • MSP: Minimum Support Prices scheme has not improved profitability in cultivation in the last three years. The situation is worse for producers of basic vegetables like potatoes, onions and tomatoes as prices at harvest time plunged to low levels. • Market: Efforts to reform APMC markets on the lines of model Act of 2003, and now of APLM, 2017, have not given desired result. The e-NAM scheme, which is supposed to work as an all India market ensuring better prices to farmers, also has some hurdles. It is still installing software in mandis to switch auctions to electronic ones, and also Inter-mandi and inter-state transactions are not very common. What should be done? NITI Aayog’s TYAA basically talks of action for: • increasing productivity of land and water • reforming agri-markets on the lines of e-NAM • reforming tenancy law • relief measures in the case of natural calamities and disasters However, there is a need for prioritising policy actions and emphasising the role of trade policy in agriculture. Market: Government should devise plans to buy directly from farmers’ group such as Farmer Producer Organisations(FPOs). The necessary logistics for grading, storage, movement, and linking them to organised retail (including e-retail) has to be set up. Government should also change certain laws including ECA (Export Credit Agency) laws to facilitate easy credit to local exporters of agri products. These would make market initiatives to have a more pro-farmer approach. Profitability: One way to improve farmers’ profitability is to open up exports of all agri-products, without any restrictions. Government can allow storage by private trade to build global value chains. Government should ensure that Pradhan Mantri FasalBima Yojana (PMFBY) delivers its objectives on compensation to farmers well in time to reduce loss in times of disaster. Irrigation: Government should make sure that NABARD’s Long-Term Irrigation Fund and Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana are carried out as per the plan. However, besides these, government should take forward the micro-irrigation (drip and sprinklers) projects to have a high water-use efficiency. Resocerces for investment: Enhancing Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) of food and fertiliser subsidies to targeted beneficiaries is needed, as this can release resources for investments.

Web: www.chanakyaiasacademy.com 25 Toll Free No.: 1800 274 5005 Major agricultural issues raised in Economic survey (2017-18) Feminisation The Economic Survey points to a trend of ‘feminisation’ of agriculture sector: • This is a consequence of growing rural to urban migration by men. • There is an increasing number of women in multiple roles as cultivators, entrepreneurs, and labourers. • They make presence at all levels of the agricultural value chain. • It includes production, pre-harvest, post-harvest processing, packaging, and marketing. Significance Globally, empirical evidence suggests the decisive role of women in ensuring food security and preserving local agro- biodiversity. • Rural women are responsible for the integrated management and utilization of diverse natural resources to fulfill the daily household needs. • Importantly, the entitlements of women farmers will be the key to improve agriculture productivity. Measures The following measures have been taken to ensure mainstreaming of women in agriculture sector: • Earmarking at least 30% of the budget allocation for women beneficiaries in all ongoing schemes and initiatives. • Initiating women centric activities to ensure benefits of various beneficiary-oriented programs/schemes reach them. • Focusing on women self-help groups to connect them to micro-credit, ensuring representation in decision-making bodies. • Declaring 15th October of every year as Women Farmer’s Day, acknowledging the role of women in agriculture. Way Ahead Women farmers’ enhanced access to resources like land, seeds, water, credit, markets, technology and training is a necessity. India needs an ‘inclusive transformative agricultural policy’ aimed at gender-specific intervention. Mechanisation The survey highlights that Indian Farmers were adapting to farm mechanization at a faster rate in comparison to recent past. • Tractor industry of India has emerged as the largest in the world. • They account for about 1/3rd of total global tractor production. • The sale of tractors on a large scale reflects the level of mechanization. • In 1960-61, about 93% farm power was being provided by animate sources, which has cut down to about 10% in 2014-15. • On the other hand, mechanical and electrical sources of power have increased from 7% to about 90% during the same period. Is this mechanisation good? According to an estimate of World Bank, half of the Indian population would be urban by the year 2050. • It is estimated that the percentage of agricultural workers in total work force be around 25% by 2050. This is a huge drop from about 58 in 2001. • Moreover, intensive involvement of labour in various farm operations makes the cost of production of many crops quite high. • All these call for a more enhanced level of farm mechanization in India. What should be done? Institutionalization through custom service or a rental model is suggested for availing high cost farm machinery. • It could be adopted by private players or State or Central Organization in major production hubs. • This is significant to reduce the cost of operation. Land Holdings Consolidation There is high proportion of small operational holding in Indian Agriculture. The survey thus stresses the need for land holdings consolidation. This is especially essential for reaping the full benefits of agricultural mechanization.

Web: www.chanakyaiasacademy.com 26 Toll Free No.: 1800 274 5005 Interest Subvention Scheme • Under it, farmer can effectively avail short term crop loans up to Rs. 3 lakh to be repaid within one year at only 4% per annum. • It also gives loans at concessional rate of 7% for storage in ware houses accredited by Warehousing Development Regulatory Authority (WDRA) for upto 6 months post harvest for avoiding distress sale. Market Reforms • e-Nam: It aims at integrating the dispersed APMCs (Agricultural Produce Market Committee) through an electronic platform. It enables price discovery in a competitive manner to offer remunerative prices to farmers for their produce. • KCC: The Survey stresses the need for small and marginal farmers to hold their Kisan Credit Card (KCC). This is to avail post-harvest loans by storing their produce in the accredited warehouses. Farmers’ Income • The credit from institutional sources will complement all government initiatives to double farmers’ income by 2022. • These include Soil Health Card, Per Drop More Crop in Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY), Input Management, PMFBY, e-Nam, etc. Innovation • Agricultural R&D is reiterated as the main source of innovation for sustaining agricultural productivity growth in the long- term. The actual expenditure of Department of Agricultural Research and Education/ICAR has increased during 2010-11 to 2017-18. • During the current year (2017-18), investment in Agriculture Research and Education promoted new innovations in Agriculture. Evidently, there was significant number of patent applications at Indian patent Office (IPO). • New Varieties/hybrids tolerant to biotic and abiotic stresses were released for cultivation in different agro-ecologies of the country. These have been developed for Cereals, Pulses, Oilseeds, commercial crops and Forage crops (for use as feed for animals).

Social Media

Why is this topic relevent? Recently, Union Government has proposed to set up a social Media Communication Hub to focilitate information flow. Significance of Social Media Democracy provides opportunities to enhance the role of people in collective decision-making so that it is inclusive, equitable, transparent, accountable and justiciable. In this respect, social media has had a significant contribution towards making democracy even stronger than before. It started with the electronic media becoming its fourth pillar in 2000s and culminated with the growing role of internet in the form of social media. • After legislature, executive, Judiciary, Media and Common Man, the sixth pillar of the democracy is touted to be ‘Social Media’. All these pillars have the capacity to change the status-quo and undone wrongdoing. • The social media is a recent additive. It works on a virtual space almost without any constraint. The main platforms are Facebook, whats app and Twitter. The capacity of online activism through these platform is immense. • Social media has drastically changed the landscape in democratic polity in following ways: Role of Social Media in democratic government • Public’s outreach to Government - Greater mass involvement in decision-making, providing input to policies, sharing of ideas and innovative governance methods. - Faster complaint registration and grievance redressal. - Time and resource management with online execution of most formalities.

Web: www.chanakyaiasacademy.com 27 Toll Free No.: 1800 274 5005 • Government outreach to the public - Timely delivery of services. For eg, twitter has been a tool for the passenger of railways to redress their specific grievances. - Spreading awareness on its policies and schemes using facebook and twitter. Most political leaders, in government or opposition employ social media to interact with people. - Gauging public mood and response on its recent initiatives so as to modify it accordingly. It thus provides a platform to address the elitism that has creept in politics due to dislink with the public. • Public outreach to public - Act as vanguard of democracy: It is a tool of mobilisation so that protests against unfair policy decisions of govt or against any undemocratic and unconstitutional move can be held. Anna Hazare agitation was one such instance. - It allows maintaining a critical environment that questions on the doings and undoings. Hence it enriches public discourse. • Positives respect of social media - The hashtag activism empowers people to speak up unjustice without fear. Some recent examples are #not in my name, #MeToo. - Social media provide solidarity and sense of companionship to those unable to reach government or raise their voice. • Negatives aspect of social media - The unbridled exercise of power on online platform is out of government regulation. - Online abuse, hate speech and harassment is perpetuating with anonymity. - It has become a medium to influence youth by the terror outfits - The spreading of fake news which hampers peace and tranquility of a nation is rapid and complete. Conclusion In short, social media is a potent tool, and may be a revolutionary one, to further strengthen the ethos and principles of democracy in novel ways. A regulatory framework which allows sixth pillar of democracy to prosper in technological era is needed.

Fake News

Why is this topic relevent? With the advent of new age digital and social media fake news has actually pervaded all walks of life. What is fake news? Fake news refers to deliberate creation of misinformation or hoaxes spread via traditional print and broadcast news media or online social media shaping the belief of people around the nation and world. Its Impact Along With Recent Incidences • Influence Election process: As seen in US presidential election 2016 and Indonesia , Phillipines and eleswhere. • Ethnic Violence: Led by decepted internet content in Myanmar and beating of Assamese students in Bengaluru in 2012. • Antagonism : Led by malicious rumours and fake news during Kaveri water dispute seen in Karnataka especially Bengaluru. • Misinformation in Public Domain : via fake news of GPS tracking in newly introduced 2K currency notes post demonetisation Measures needed Regulating Social media and News Organisations - Mandate to put proper checks through rigorous internal editorial and advertising standards and imposing fines upon its inability to stop poliferating of fake news. - For example there has been a debate in US to count facebook and twitter as media organisations and penalized in case fake news is distributed.

Web: www.chanakyaiasacademy.com 28 Toll Free No.: 1800 274 5005 • Spreading Awareness - The legal and social consequences of fake news should be made aware about. • Legislation - Properly define broad forms of fake news to avoid unnecessary litigation and putting in place a strong monitoring mechanism for proper implementation. • Leveraging human resources with exisiting social media - Create Whatsapp group of reliable citizens in regions, so that news could be quickly verified, and appropriate clarification issued. Conclusion People themselves must cross check any news before reacting over it. If this happens effectively then it will definitely reduce the effect of fake news on society.

Lateral Entry in Bureaucracy

Why is this topic relevent? Recently, PMO has instructed the department of personnel and training to prepare a proposal for middle-rung lateral entry in ministries dealing with the economy and infrastructure. What is lateral entry? Legally to get into civil services like IAS, IPS etc. a candidate has to clear the three stages of UPSC Civil Services Examination (Prelims, Mains, Interview). Lateral entry into civil services means- bypassing this traditional process. Now the propsal is for selecting private individuals for appointment in the ranks of deputy secretary director and joint secretary. Why there is need for lateral entry? • Improved governance: The positive aspect of lateral entry is that it infuses fresh energy and thinking into an insular, complacent and often archaic bureaucracy. It facilitates the entry of right-minded professionals and the adoption of finest practices for making governance better. • Target oriented: There is more possibility that outside talent from the private sector may be target-oriented, which will improve the performance of the government. Also, more competition will encourage push civil servants to develop expertise in areas of their choice. • Shortfall in numbers: There is an overall 20% shortfall of IAS cadre officers alone in 24 state cadres. The Baswan Committee (2016) has pointed out how large states such as Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Rajasthan have a deficit of 75 to over 100 officers and their unwillingness to sponsor officers to go to the Centre on deputation is reasonable. Therefore, Lateral entry is a small step towards vital housekeeping in central government staffing and ought to be supported. • Socioeconomic development has transmuted to the point where the state’s methods of addressing them are coming in for a rethink. And new concerns have arisen, like the shift from the uniformity of centrally planned economic policy to the diverse demands of competitive federalism. Thus there is need to make way for talent pool outside the government. • The second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) has too recommended an institutionalized, transparent process for lateral entry at both the Central and state levels so that it increases the efficiency and efficacy of the governance.

What are the Challanges? • The width and depth of field experience which the civil services provide is difficult to attain for private players or outsiders. There would be inherent difficulties for external talent to bridge the gap between policymaking and ground level implementation better than career civil servants. • The proposal for lateral entry at senior decision-making levels, besides increasing the disconnect between policymaking and implementation, will also result in discriminatory sharing of the benefits and burdens of government service, with permanent civil servants left to bear the burden of “humble” implementation and lateral entrants getting the credit for “glamorous” policymaking positions, without having roughed it out in remote and rural India.

Web: www.chanakyaiasacademy.com 29 Toll Free No.: 1800 274 5005 • While there would certainly be a beeline for lateral entrants to join top policymaking positions, there would be no such great desire to serve the country at the ground level. • The best talent in lateral entry can be attracted only if there is reasonable assurance of getting top level managerial positions. This is true for not only government service but private sector also. Any leniency of the potential chance for growth would discourage competent and motivated talents. • Large-scale lateral entry would, in fact, amount to a vote of no-confidence in the government personnel management system, rather than in the highly dedicated, motivated and talented officers who have chosen to join the civil services. • The difficulty in evaluating performance in government sector is another obstacle to be reckoned with. It is difficult to assess the performance of a secretary to the government, given the sheer complexity and amorphous nature of the job. • Lateral entry would not by itself suffice for better performance orientation and better accountability. It would not be easy to measure the performance of lateral entrants as it would of career civil servants. • A good management always promotes and nurtures talent from within instead of seeking to induct leadership from outside. Any failure in this matter is mainly a failure of the system to identify and nurture talent at the appropriate stage. For this, the remedy lies not through lateral entry but through more rigorous performance appraisal and better personnel management. Way Ahead • A credible statintory agency should be entrusted with the responsibility of recruitment of these lateral entrants. • Lateral entry should not lead to politicisation of bureaucracy. • Government shoud also allow deputation of its officers to private sectors as well so that they get exposure to maket practices and fresh ideas. • The process of selection needs to be transparent.

E-Governance in India and Recent Initiatives

Why is the topic relevant? In the backdrop of recent spur over Aadhaar and GST, technology has major role in governance to play. What is e-governance? E-governance is understand as the use of information and Communication Technology (ICT) at all the level of the government in order to provide services to the citizens,interaction with business renterprises and communication and exchange of information between different ageneies of the government in a speedy, convemient efficient and transparent manner. • Aadhaar based - Digital Locker - E-Sign • PayGov payment to all PSU and major private banks • E-Taal; Electronic Transaction and Aggregation and Analysis Layer • Open government data platform; National Data Sharing and Accessibility Policy • Public Internet Access Program-CSCs; G2C services in rural areas • National Digital Literacy Mission i.e. mission to train at least one in each household • E-Bhasha; govt. websites multilingual i.e. in 12 languages • TARANG (Transmission App for Real Time Monitoring & Growth); mobile app and web base inter-state and intra-state transmission projects • E-Trans for bidding and reverse auctioning of power projects • DEEP (Discovery of Efficient Electricity Price), medium term e-bidding portal for power purchase, transparency in process of power procurement • ‘Early Harvest Program’; Public Wi-Fi cities more than one million population • The National Mission on Education through Information and Communication Technology (NMEICT); bridge rural and urban digital divide • Mother and Child Tracking System (MCTS)

Web: www.chanakyaiasacademy.com 30 Toll Free No.: 1800 274 5005 Jainism

Why is this topic relevant? • The President recently inaugurated the Mahamastakabhisheka, which is the largest gathering of Jains in the world, in Shravanbelgola, Karnataka. • Jain monk Tarun Sagar died on 1st September, 2018 at Delhi’s Radhapuri Jain temple after a prolonged illness. Tarun Sagar had a huge following in the Jain community. About Jainism Jainism is an ancient Indian religion that preaches to live lives of harmlessness and renunciation and this is the way to liberation and bliss. The essence of this religion is concern for the welfare of every being in the universe and for the health of the universe itself. A Jain is a follower of Jina. A Jina is a victor or Conqueror. The Jains are followers of few particular ascetics who obtained omniscience and who preached a doctrine which promises a super mundane bliss of eternal salvation. Tirthankara A Tirtha is a religious pilgrim place. A Tirthankara is a founder of a Tirtha. He achieves the enlightment and then shows the path to others. A Tirthankar attains Moksha or liberation at the end of his human life. There are 24 Tirthankaras of Jainism. The first Tirthankara was Rishabhdev and the most popular, last 24th Tirthankara was Mahavira. Mahavira: - Kundagrama where Mahavira was born is located in Muzaffarpur Bihar. - The most noteworthy text about Mahavira is Kalpasutra by Acharya Bhadrabahu I. Vardhamacharitra by Asaga was the first Sanskrit biography of Mahavira. 3 jewels of Jainism: - Right faith - Right knowledge - Right conduct The principles of Jainism as preached by Mahavir: - Rejected the authority of Vedas & Vedic rituals - Did not trust in the existence of god. - Believed in karma & the transmigration of soul. - Lead great infancies on equality Separation in Jainism • Around 300 century B.C Jainism was divided into 2 sects: Shwetambara • Svetambara (white-clad) is a term reflecting its ascetics practice of wearing white clothes, which sets it apart from the Digambara (sky-clad) Jainas, whose ascetic practitioners go naked. • Svetambara, unlike Digambaras, do not suppose that ascetics must practice nudity. • Svetambaras also consider that women are able to obtain moksha. They maintain that the 19th Tirthankara, Mallinath, was a woman. • The Svetambara tradition follows the lineage of Acharya Sthulibhadra Suri. • The Kalpa Sutra has mentioned some of the lineages in ancient times. The Svetambara monastic orders are branches of the Vrahada Order, founded in 937 AD. The most important among the classical orders today are the Kharatara (founded 1024 AD), the Tapa (founded 1228 AD) and the Tristutik. Digambaras • The Digambar sect of Jainism does not believe in the authority of the Jain Agama compiled by Sthulabhadra. • Digambar believe that by the time of Dharasena, the twenty-third teacher after Gandhar Gautama, knowledge of only one Anga was there.

Web: www.chanakyaiasacademy.com 31 Toll Free No.: 1800 274 5005 • According to tradition of Digambar, Mahavir, the last Jain tirthankara, was unmarried. After taking permission of his parents, he renounced the world at the age of thirty. The Digambara believe that after attainment of enlightenment, Mahavira was free from human activities like hunger, thirst, and sleep. • Monks in the Digambar tradition do not wear any clothes. They use to carry only a broom made up of fallen peacock feathers and a water gourd with them. • One of the most prominent scholar-monks of Digambara tradition was Acharya Kundakunda. He wrote Prakrit texts such as Samayasar and Pravachansar. Samantabhadra and Siddhasena Divakara were other important monks of this tradi- tion. Jaina Council • First Council was held at Patliputra (modern bihar) by Suthabhandra in the beginning of 3rd century BC & resulted in the compilation of 12 Angas. • Second council was held at Vallabhi (modern Gujarat) in the 5th century BC under the leadership of Devardhi kashmashravan and resulted in the final compilation of 12 Angas & 12 Upangas. Jain Literature It is called Jain Agamas. These canonical texts of Jainism are based on Mahavira’s teachings. There are in all 45 texts. Jain literature includes 12 Angas, 12 Upanga Agams, 6 Chedasutras, 4 Mulasutras, 10 Prakirnaka sutras and 2 Culikasutras. Ahimsa is the fundamental principle of Jainism. Most Jains are vegetarians and this practice reflects their faith in the principle of Ahimsa. Apart from that there are 5 Mahavratas: - Non-violence (Ahimsa) - Truth (Satya) - Non-stealing (Asteya) - Chastity (Brahmacharya) - Non-possession (Aparigraha) Mahamastakabhisheka • It is the head anointing ceremony of the Bahubali which is observed once every 12 years in the Digambar Jain tradition. • The Gomateshwar statute is of Bahubali, the son of Rishabhanath, the first in the line of the 24 Jain tirthankaras. • The statue has been depicted in kayotsarga posture. Kayotsarga means to give up one’s physical comfort and body move- ments, thus staying steady, either in a standing or other posture, and concentrating upon the true nature of the soul. • The statue is said to be built by Chavundaraya who was the commander-inchief as well as the Prime Minister of the Ganga King Rachamalla during the later period of 10th century A.D. About Shravanbelgola • A group of Jain monks under the leadership of Bhadrabahu migrated from Ujjain to Shravanbelgola in response to a serious famine during the reign of Chandragupta Maurya. • The group of monks that migrated came to be known as Digambaras (sky clad or naked) and the group of monks who stayed in the north under Sthulabhadra came to be known as Shvetambara (White-robed). • Later Chandragupta Maurya handed over his kingdom to his son Bindusara and chose to spend his last days at Sravanbelagola. Jaina Architecture Jains also made prolific temples. Rock-cut caves at Aihole and badami which have figures of Jain trithankaras was built during the Chalukyan period. The Dilwara Jain temples at Mount Abu were built by Chalukya Dynasty Kings between 11th and 13th century. There are five Jain caves at Ellora. Other caves are Tiger cave at Udaygiri and Sittannavasala Cave at Padukottai.

BASED QUESTION Q. “Jaina religion is said to be a transtheistic religion”. Examine, how transtheistic nature of Jainism is reflected in its art and architecture. (200 Words)

Web: www.chanakyaiasacademy.com 32 Toll Free No.: 1800 274 5005 Way to tackle the question In the intro, mention that ideology of Jainism has had profound impact on its art. Also write its enduring importance. In the body, there are TWO parts of the question, address demand of each part: First, how Jainism is a transtheistic religion and how its unique nature has affected art and architecture. In the second part, divide it into 3-4 parts (each for Art, cave architecture, temple architecture etc) In the conclusion part, write about relevance and significance of Bahubali as an embodiment of peace and non-violence (since it is in news).

India-Myanmar Relation

Why is this topic relevant? • Prime Minister of India paid his first (bilateral) official visit to Myanmar. Earlier he had visited the country in 2014 to attend the ASEAN-India Summit. What are the highlights of the visit? • The timing of the visit was contentious because Myanmar‘s army had launched brutal counter-attack against. • Rohingya muslim rebels in Rakhine province which has geographical proximity to Mizoram. India chose to ignore global condemnation of the assault which has sent 1,25,000 people to take shelter in Bangladesh. Moreover, India issued a statement condemning the recent terrorist attacks in northern Rakhine State, wherein several members of the Myanmar security forces lost their lives. India is of the view that it must be sensitive to Myanmar’s fear of secessionist ethnic groups. • Eight MOUs were signed between India and Myanmar during this visit. Why Myanmar is important for India? • India and Myanmar share 1,640-km border with each other. Myanmar is central to India’s strategic North-East considerations. • India is keen to keep Myanmar in its orbit; mindful of how China is is getting closer to its neighbour. • Myanmar needs more diplomatic friends as it has irritants with its neighbours like Thailand and Laos. • Thus Myanmar has been one diplomatic success for India in this backdrop. What should be done? • India needs to strengthen relations by boosting its economic interests in the country. • The Sittwe port built by India in troubled Rakhine province, but it has not been maintained. India need to concentrate on that. • India could promote creation of a fisheries industry in the area. Important issues between India and Myanmar • The Rohingya crisis: India does not directly engage with the issue of Myanmar’s treatment of its Rohingya Muslim minor- ity. But India condemned the recent terrorist attacks in northern Rakhine State in a measure of support to Myanmar. Further both sides agreed that there will be no glorification of terrorists as martyrs. • China factor: As China’s profile continues to rise in India’s vicinity, New Delhi would like to enhance India’s presence by developing infrastructure and connectivity projects in the country. India has found it difficult to counter China’s growing presence in Myanmar. • Project delays: India is losing friends because of widespread discontent over continuing delay in completion of flagship projects — Kaladan and the India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway. Conceived over a decade back, they are sched- uled to be completed by 2019. • Inadequate public awareness about the recent projects on IT and agriculture that our government completed on time. Officials need to develop an effective communication strategy, and a new management mechanism that fast-tracks the flagship projects. • Despite mutual consensus on the value of people-to-people exchanges, actual progress is negligible due to the absence of an enabling instrument.

Web: www.chanakyaiasacademy.com 33 Toll Free No.: 1800 274 5005 Way Ahead While external factors could reduce this crisis, they cannot resolve it. The seeds for the solution lie in Myanmar itself. • ASEAN has to play the leading role here; it needs to formulate a mechanism to deal with the crisis by equitable distribu- tion of the refugees among member nations • The International community should provide financial aid to the countries who will house the refugees. • Annan-led commission put a report which argues for a citizenship verification process-the Rohingyas have been stripped of citizenship under Myanmar’s 1982 citizenship law-to increase the social and economic participation of the Rohingyas, may offer some useful suggestions.

BIG Data Analytics Why is this topic relevant? Government is trying to collect data of all of its citizens through Aadhaar, CMS (Central Monitoring System) and NATGRID projects; this in turn may initiate the issue of Right to Privacy. What is big data? • Big data is a term for data sets that are so large or complex that traditional data processing application software is inad- equate to deal with them. • Presently almost 90% of the world’s data was generated during the past two years. • “Big data” is referred to the use of predictive analytics, user behavior analytics, or certain other advanced data analytics methods that extract value from data. • Big data can be understood as the consolidation and centralization of public data inputs from various spheres of activities like commercial, consumer based, census, or even Aadhar controlled personal information. Why is it useful? • Good Governance • Tackling Antibiotic Resistance • Infrastructure and transport systems can be improved as Singapore has done it. • Cellphones data can help direct relief efforts in the aftermath of a natural disaster. • Power-usage data can be analysed to optimize energy grids and plant power generation • Discoms in India are already using data from last-mile sensors to implement measures for cutting down aggregated tech- nical and commercial losses. • The use of information technology, open source data, and proper governance will help in improving human development indices. • Crop-related ground data helps crop insurance companies for accurate assessment of risk and speedy settlement of claims. What are the problems associated? • Challenges include capture, storage, analysis, search, sharing, transfer, updating and information privacy. • Cyber security: recent ransomware attacks have uncovered the vulnerability of even the developed countries towards hacking. • Validation and verification is yet another issue. False figures and facts and then formulating the policies would create more problems. • Ethical issues related to Big Data analytics is a debatable point. The issues range from Anonymization of data to what data should be collected and what use it should be put to. • India lacks infrastructure for efficient data collection and management . There is scope of drain of economic wealth of a nation. Financial rewards of big data are enjoyed by the MNCs located in USA. • Big data is like a double edged sword and it will be wise to handle it with utmost care and conscience.

Web: www.chanakyaiasacademy.com 34 Toll Free No.: 1800 274 5005 Way Ahead Big data initiative and consequently its privacy concern needs to be balanced. Moreover, while privacy is necessary for a functional democracy, it is not the only causality of big data. What disturbs besides privacy concern is a digital replay of colonial era exploitation by replacing mineral resources and raw materials with data. Particularly India being a developing country and having less stringent laws regarding cyber security needs to first ensure a safe and secure platform with stringent laws dealing with data.

Artificial Intelligence

Why is this topic relevant? • The NITI Aayog has presented a discussion paper on artificial intelligence in India. • Humanoid robot sophia visited India this year. Artificial Intelligence • The term, Artificial Intelligence was first used in 1956 by John McCarthy • Artificial Intelligence is a technique of making a computer, a computer-controlled robot, or software perform human-like tasks. • AI can be defined as the ability of machines to perform cognitive tasks like learning, thinking, perceiving, problem solving and decision making. • AI has two subsets: Machine learning and Deep learning • Machine Learning contains the use of algorithms to parse data and learn from it. This enables making a determination or prediction. • Deep learning is technique for implementing machine learning. ETHICAL ISSUES INVOLVED IN AI • Transparency: When AI is involved in cognitive works with social dimensions, such as decision of an AI enabled car during an accident (resolving famous Trolley Problem of ethics), and it is important that the AI algorithm developed for it is transparent. • Biasedness: The algorithms used in artificial intelligence are discrete and, in most cases, trade secrets. They can be biased, for example, in the process of self-learning, they can absorb and adopt the stereotypes that exist in society or which are transferred to them by developers and make decisions based on them. • Predictability: The algorithms taking over social functions must be predictable to those they govern. The local, specific behavior of the Artificial Intelligence may not be predictable apart from its safety, even if the programmers perform everything right. • Accountability: If an AI system fails at its assigned task, who should be made responsible for it? • Safety Issues: AI machines can use their intelligence in specific domains for which they are designed. They might not work in a situation which has never been envisioned. This can create safety issues for others. • Maneuverability: The AI algorithms can be manipulated by people who want to take advantage e.g. criminals willing to carry a gun in airplane can find a loophole in machine vision system and can exploit the flaws in it compromising lives of all other. • Moral Status: At present Artificial Intelligence systems have not been given any moral status. Therefore, they can be copied, deleted, changed or terminated as the programmers are pleased. But, future Artificial Intelligence systems can have both sentience and sapience. Discriminating them will tantamount to racism. • Lack of consciousness: There is possibility that a future AI system is sapient but does not have sentience or consciousness in it. In that case should they have a moral status like other sentient beings. • Super-intelligence: A sufficiently intelligent AI system can redesign itself or can create a better successor system and so on leading to intelligence explosion. Whether this super-intelligence will be good or evil to human kind will depend upon its technological capabilities and ethicality. Though the probability of creating technologically advanced being is high, how can one create an AI system which when executes becomes more ethical than the original programmer?

Web: www.chanakyaiasacademy.com 35 Toll Free No.: 1800 274 5005 Way Ahead • Although current AI systems offer few ethical issues, they need to be more predictable and trans parent when social roles are involved. • The French strategy can be adopted which proposes to develop transparent algorithms that can be tested and verified, determining the ethical responsibility of those working in artificial intelligence, creating an ethics advisory committee, etc. • Resolutions can be brought to regulate Robotics, and code of ethical conducts can be brought for Robotic engineers, as well as Research ethics committees. • Four ethical principles can be followed in Robotics Engineering such as: (a) Beneficence: robots should act in the best interests of humans (b) Non-maleficence: robots should not harm humans (c) Autonomy: human interaction with robots should be voluntary, and (d) Justice: the benefits of robotics should be distributed fairly

BASED QUESTION Analyse the benefits and risks of advancement in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in India. (200 Words) Way to tackle the question In the intro part, mention advancements in Artificial Intelligence field and their emerging benefits and risks for India which faces huge challenges and potentials. Body: In the body, the question contains two parts - Benefits and Risks. You should point out facts – such as breakthroughs, India’s AI policy (if any), industry readiness etc. Conclusion: In the conclusion, write about interplay between Big Data, Deep Learning and AI, and their prospective implications for poverty, food security and right of people in India. (Or come up with better conclusion)

India’s Water Crisis Why is this topic relevant? Government’s think tank NITI Aayog released the findings of a study warning that India is facing its ‘worst’ water crisis in history and that quantity of potable water demined will exceed supply by 2030 if steps are not taken. Major findings of the report • At present, 600 million Indians face high to extreme water stress and about two lakh people die every year due to inad- equate access to safe water. • The NITI Aayog’s findings are part of a study that ranked 24 States on how efficiently they managed their water. • Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh took the top three spots, in that order, and Jharkhand, Bihar and Haryana came in last in the ‘Non-Himalayan States’ category. • Himachal Pradesh—worst affected due to water crises this year—led a separate 8-member list of States clubbed together as ‘North-Eastern and Himalayan.’ These two categories were made to account for different hydrological conditions across the two groups. What is the problem with water management? • India’s growing population woes aside, climate change is seen as a major factor in the country’s water crisis. The quality of the water pumped is increasingly becoming cause for concern due to pollution in ground water in many areas. Scientific evidence also points to over- exploitation. • Not much attention is being paid to the availability of a resource like water, or to its distribution. • By 2050, energy generation is set to engulf a much larger proportion of water usage. This should further push India towards renewable resources since thermal power plants are highly water-intensive and currently account for maximum water usage among all industrial applications.

Web: www.chanakyaiasacademy.com 36 Toll Free No.: 1800 274 5005 • The absence of proper water policies have led to the relentless exploitation of groundwater resources. Since the legal system fails to give gram sabhas, panchayats and urban governing bodies a prevailing say in the regulation of water, the present framework remains mostly top-down and is incapable of addressing local situations adequately. • The responsibilities and activities of the Central Water Commission are restricted to surface water resources resulting in a total disregard of other components of water resources in the hydrological cycle, especially the groundwater. • The Central Water Commission does not have an expertise on issues concerning the environment and the socio-economic aspects of water. • Lack of efficient sewage management is leading to drinking water mixed with drainage in cities. • With growing demands of water, conflicts are arising between States and communities are claiming their rightful share of water. • Agriculture is the most important sector in water use not domestic consumption. Due to this the groundwater depletion is taking place at a random pace. Initiatives taken to conserve water in India • Water is a state subject and it is the primary responsibility of the states to take necessary measure to conceive a, plan, execute and manage water resources projects. • Solid waste management rules 2016 for effective management of waste in urban areas. • Mihir shah committee was set up and the following main recommendation was made. • In the new water resource governance scenario facing the country, there is a need to envisage a high-level central organisation like National water commission that is forward looking, strategic, agile and trans-disciplinary in its skill set. It can take consideration of the multiple areas like River rejuvenation, Aquifer mapping and participatory groundwater management, Urban and industrial water management, knowledge management and capacity building etc. • Rain water harvesting was made mandatory in Tamil Nadu so the precedent can be followed in other states as well. • With Pradhan mantra krishi sinchayi yojana government is focussing on irrigation reforms as well. • The National Water Policy (2012), with an emphasis on the need for appropriate ground water planning, development and management was formulated. Additionally, a ‘Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Ground Water in India’ was intro- duced and circulated to State Governments in 2013, envisaging construction of artificial recharge and rainwater harvest- ing structures • Comprehensive amendments to various Waste Management Rules including Municipal Solid Waste, Plastic Waste, Haz- ardous Waste, Bio-medical Waste and Electronic Waste notified. What further can be done to conserve water? • EcoSan toilets • Use of Bio-Toilets • Contour farming • Ground water conservation • Inter-basin transfer of water • Adoption of drip sprinkler irrigation • Management of growing pattern of crops • Selection of crop varieties • Nutritional management • Role of antitranspirants • Reducing evapotranspiration • Recycling of water • Reuse of wastewater • Reduce the loss of water due to evaporation

Web: www.chanakyaiasacademy.com 37 Toll Free No.: 1800 274 5005 • Water Treatment for Domestic Use - Watershed Management - Individual And Community Role

BASED QUESTION Discuss critically pattern of water usage in Indian cities and India’s preparedness to cope up with water crises in near future. (250 Words) Way to tackle this Question Introduction: In the introduction, quote NITI Aayog’s recent report and highlight how poor is water situation in Indian cities. Write a line on indiscriminate usage of water and government’s apathy towards this. Body: In the body, as per question’s demand there are TWO main parts. Within each part, identify 3-4 dimensions and write related points for them. Data and facts are important for this answer. You can give a brief case study of a city (Bangalore, Mumbai or Delhi) for the whole answer. Briefly write few solutions too. Conclusion: In the conclusion, write about the need for having sense of urgency in dealing with impending water crisis.

Ethics & Organ Donation

Recently, National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) give priority to foreign patients over Indian patients waiting for a donor heart transplant. What is Organ donation? • Organ donation is the donation of biological tissue or an organ of the human body, from a living or dead person to a living recipient in need of a transplantation. • Transplant: A transplant is a medical procedure where one person’s dysfunctional organ or tissue is replaced by that of a healthy person, thus restoring its function. Ethical Issues Involved in organ transplantation • Justice versus benefit in allocation: Due to shortage of donors, the question of who should get the organs—the one who is the sickest or the one who is waiting for long, or the one who can get benefited the most or to the richest person in queue—becomes an ethical dilemma. • Individual belief system: The treatment of body and its parts after death has great significance for an individual not only for religious and spiritual reasons, but also in terms of cultural and social perspectives. • Monetizing body parts: Selling an organ for the need of money raises question of ethics and exploitation of poor sections. There are countries like Iran where buying a Kidney is legal. • Coercion: In India, opt-in system is followed and only the willing donors can donate their organs but several times it is found that women have been forced to donate their organs to the male family members. • Non-informed donation: Scandals of trafficking of organs raise issues regarding informed consent of the donor. Potential risks of donation: At times, donors are unaware of the potential risks and aftereffects they may undergo. The well-being of donor needs to be placed above than the recipient. • Non-universality: The development and use of technology related to organ and tissue transplants is quite expensive and beyond the affordability of many people. Positive values attached to organ donation Regardless of these issues, there are various positive values attached to organ donation as well: • Altruism: the act of donation is a selfless act of giving a valuable thing to other person who needs it. • Saving of life: Organ donation of a dead or dying part gives the gift of a new life to the receiver. Way Ahead However, due to complex ethical issues involved in organ donation, the Government must try to regulate it.

Web: www.chanakyaiasacademy.com 38 Toll Free No.: 1800 274 5005 • People should be encouraged to donate in case the benefits to patient and society is more than the harms to the donor. • The step towards altruistic donation is good because it can check organ trafficking, as well as those who have to sell their organs out of poverty. • The living donor should be tested psychologically as well to find out whether the consent is coerced or genuine. • There should also be an opt-out structure where people who are not willing to donate their organs might make a will about it.

BASED QUESTION Discuss the legal mechanisms are available regulate organ transplantation in India? (250 words) Way to tackle the question Introduction: What is organ transplantation? Body • Discuss the legal mechanism available in India. • Then highlight the required policy changes. e.g building the capacity of public hospitals, subsidising transplantation, enabling affirmative action in the allocation process in favour of public hospitals etc. • Mention that health is a state subject then many states have ratified the Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994 and the Transplantation of Human Organs Rules – 1995. Also, discuss the salient provisions of this legal mechanism. Conclusion: Express a fair balanced and concise conclusion on the given issue.

Ethics & Clinical Trial Why is this topic relevant? • Increasing number of people is over-volunteering for clinical trials in order to supplement their income. There is a disturbing trend that is putting at risk the health of serial volunteers as well as the reliability of trial data. • Recently an RTI response, received by NGO Swasthya Adhikar Manch, revealed that a total of 24,117 cases of deaths and “serious adverse events” (SAEs) due to clinical trials occurred between January 2005 and September 2016. What are Clinical Trials? Clinical trials are research studies that explore whether a medical strategy, treatment, or device is safe and effective for humans. Before a drug is launched in market, it has to be tested for its safety and efficacy. This is done in various stages, with a large pool of patients after which the data from the trials is assessed. • In India, Central Drug Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) regulates this field under Drugs and cosmetics Act. • India has been a preferred destination due to the availability of large genetic pool with a wide spectrum of diseases, educated work force and lower operational costs. Various principals to be followed in clinical trial: • Informed consent and Voluntary Agreement of the participant • Maintain privacy of the participant • Accountability and transparency while conducting trials • Research and trial details should be in public domain. Ethical issues involved Although clinical trials aim at improving human health and well-being by identifying better methods to treat, cure or prevent illnesses, yet various ethical issues are also associated with this process: • Emphasis on Utilitarian approach: Here some people are exposed to risks and burdens for the benefit of society at large. • Absence of informed consent: In 2009, an international NGO had launched a $3.6 million human papillomavirus (HPV) trial in India and tested two vaccines on 16,000 tribal girls in Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat, apparently without informed consent from the girls’ parents.

Web: www.chanakyaiasacademy.com 39 Toll Free No.: 1800 274 5005 • Problem with ethics committee: Ethics committees are constituted to monitor the ongoing drug trials. However, it is often found that in most cases ethics committee is not constituted. Further people on such committees are not well trained nor these committees work independently and there are issues of conflict of interest. • Commerce without morality: Pharmaceutical companies focus on maximising profits through shoddy trials and instances have been found where there was no compensation paid to victims of irresponsible trials. • Corruption: The Indian Parliamentary Committee, in its 59th report on family and healthcare, had established collusive nexus between drug manufacturers, some functionaries of regulatory bodies and some medical experts. • Absence of Transparency and Accountability: Results of trails are withheld by corporats. Also when things go wrong there is little regard given to the people on whom trial is conducted. • Exploiting vulnerabilities: There is an over-representation of low-income groups among trial subjects. This shows that subjects are being chosen on the basis of their vulnerability and need of money rather than scientific reasons. At times, there is an element of coercion and non-voluntariness in their participation. Way Ahead Compulsory registration of all clinical trials before any dosing starts. This will help in stopping illegal trials. Audio visual recording of informed consent in trials is important. Ethics committee of the Institute must also be accredited (recommendation of Ranjit Roy Choudhury Expert Committee). Society at large must consider the valuable service that clinical research subjects perform by making drugs safe for the rest of us. Civil society’s vigilance is vital.

Quit India Movement In 2018, it was 75th anniversary of the Quit India Movement. The theme of this year’s celebration was “sankalp se siddhi” urging the people to take the pledge to fight poverty and malnutrition. Why Movement started? After Cripps’ departure, Gandhi framed a resolution calling for British withdrawal and a non-cooperation movement towards any Japanese invasion. The Congress Working Committee assembly at Wardha (July 14, 1942) accepted the concept of a struggle. The motives had been several: • The failure of the Cripps mission to resolve the constitutional deadlock. • There used to be famous disgruntlement due to the fact of rising expenditures and scarcity of rice, salt, etc. and due to the fact of factors such as commandeering of boats in Bengal and Orissa. • News of reverses suffered with the aid of the British in South-East Asia and an invincible British fall down better popular willingness to give expression to discontent. • The manner in which the British evacuated from South-East Asia leaving the people to their fate. • The leadership wanted to prepare the masses for a possible Japanese invasion. The ‘Quit India’ Resolution In July 1942, the Congress working committee met at Wardha and declared that it would authorize Gandhiji to take charge of the non-violent mass movement. The resolution usually referred to as the ‘Quit India’ resolution. Proposed by Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru and backed by Sardar Patel, it was approved by all India congress committee meeting in Bombay. Spread of the Movement Gandhi had cautiously maintained the tempo by person civil disobedience actions or satyagraha, organisational revamping and a consistent propaganda campaign. In the early morning of August 9, 1942 in a single sweep, all the top leaders of the Congress have been arrested and taken to unknown destination. Arrest of top leaders left the younger and militant laments to their own initiative. With the significant leaders out of the picture, younger Aruna Asaf Ali, until then extraordinarily unknown, presided over the congress committee session on August 9, and hoisted the flag.

Web: www.chanakyaiasacademy.com 40 Toll Free No.: 1800 274 5005 Parallel Governments Parallel governments were established at many places: • Ballia (in August 1942 for a week)–under Chittu Pandey. He received many Congress leaders released. • Tamluk (Midnapore, from December 1942 to September 1944)–Jatiya Sarkar undertook cyclone remedy work, made sure supplies to schools, provided paddy from the wealthy to the poor, organised Vidyut Vahinis, etc. • Satara (mid- 1943 to 1945) – named “Prati Sarkar”, was once organized in the leadership of Y.B. Chavan, Nana Patil, etc. Village libraries and Nyayadan Mandals were organized, prohibition campaigns have been carried on and ‘Gandhi marriages’ had been organized. Businessmen (through donations, safe haven and cloth help), students (acting as couriers), simple villagers (by refusing statistics to authority), pilots and educate drivers (by turning in bombs and other material) and authorities officers which includes police (who exceeded on secret data to the activists) have provided active help. Extent of Mass Participation The participation used to be on many levels: • Youth, especially the college students of colleges and colleges, remained in the forefront. • Women, in particular college and university girls, actively participated, and included Aruna Asaf Ali, Sucheta Kripalani and Usha Mehta. • Workers went on strikes and confronted repression. • Peasants of all states were at the heart of the movement. Even some Zamindars participated. These peasants focused their offensive on symbols of authority and there used to be complete absence of anti-zamindar violence. • Government officials, especially those belonging to lower rank police and administration, took part resulting in erosion of government loyalty. • Muslim helped by means of giving shelter to underground activists. There have been no communal clashes for the duration of the movement. The Communists did not participated the movement; in the wake of Russia (where the communists were in power) being attacked with the aid of Nazi Germany, the communists started to help the British hostilities in opposition to Germany and the ‘Imperialist War’ became the ‘People’s War’. The Muslim League did not support the movement, fearing that if the British left India at that time, the minorities would be oppressed by the Hindus. • The Hindu Mahasabha boycotted the movement. • The Princely states confirmed a low-key response. Evaluation • Left except leaders, there used to be no restraint and violence became common. • Major storm centers of the movement were in eastern United provinces, Midnapore, Bihar, Maharashta, Karnataka. • Students, employees and peasants had played major role in the movement while the bureaucracy and upper classes remained largely loyal. • Loyalty to government suffered sizeable erosion. This also reflected how deep nationalism had reached. • The movement reflected the truth that it used to be no longer feasible to rule India until India wishes so. • The factor of spontaneity was once higher the before, however major part of this popular initiative had been sanctioned by the top leadership itself, subject to some restrictions, of the instruction. Also, the Congress had been ideologically, politically and organizationally getting ready for the long term struggle. national motion After Quit India, there could be no retreat. • In this struggle, the common human beings displayed unparalleled herosim and militancy. The repression they bore was the most brutal, and the circumstances under which resistance was once showed had been most adverse.

Web: www.chanakyaiasacademy.com 41 Toll Free No.: 1800 274 5005 BASED QUESTION Quit India Movement was unique from all mass movements of Gandhi? Critically analyze. (250 words) Way to tackle the question Introduction:Mention a brief background of quit India movement – slogan of Do or Die given by gandhiji, 2nd World war had heightened fears and sensitivities. Body • Examine the how Gandhiji directed the movement. • Disciplined anarchy vs complete lawlessness • Control in hands of regional movements • Difference obvious from NCM where Chauri Chaura led to termination of movements but in QIM, no such appeal by Gandhi Etc. • Examine the important points of QIM which made it unique • Examine whether QIM was actually distinct from other mass movements • Point out that Gandhiji was a very efficient tactician who knew how to mobilize people. Earlier he was trying to associate the masses into the freedom struggle, now that popular sentiment was with him; he wanted to give a final push for independence. War of position vs year of maneuver of Gandhi Conclusion: Sum up your arguments and present your view.

Ayushman Bharat : Health sector Why is this topic relevant? • The Union Cabinet has approved the launch of a new Centrally Sponsored scheme Ayushman Bharat -National Health Protection Mission (AB-NHPM) having central sector component under Ayushman Bharat Mission anchored in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. • As per the survey report recently released by Lancet, India is ranked number 145 out of 195 countries in relation to health services. In this survey, India is far behind China, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Bhutan. • NITI Aayog presented a comprehensive Health report named Healthy States, Progressive India Report. What do we mean by health? According to World Health Organization, health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. The factors of good health are: availability of various types of health services, and an individual’s lifestyle choices, personal, family and social relationships. Status of health system in India National Health Profile 2018 provides following picture of health system in India: • With the government spending just 1.3 per cent of the GDP for public healthcare, way less than the global average of 6 percent. • One allopathic government doctor in India, on an average, attends to a population of 11,082, which is 10 times more than the WHO recommended doctor-population ratio of 1:1,000. • The report reflects the consistent indifferent approach of the government in terms of public health spending. The report mentions that country spent only 1.02 percent of its GDP on healthcare in the financial year 2015-16. • This gloomy figure puts India below other low-income nations like Maldives (9.4), Sri Lanka (1.6), Bhutan (2.5) and Nepal (1.1). Globally, Sweden spends the largest amount on public healthcare by dedicating 9.2 percent of its GDP. • Along with the life expectancy rate, there is notable progress in health indicators such as the infant mortality rate and maternal mortality rate (MMR) in the country. Though the IMR at the national level stands at its lowest i.e. 34 per 1,000 live births, yet, the gap between rural (38) and urban (23) mortality rate is still high. • With rabies having a 100% fatality rate amongst 97 cases reported in the year, it remained one of the most lethal communicable diseases in the country for the year.

Web: www.chanakyaiasacademy.com 42 Toll Free No.: 1800 274 5005 Problems associated with Healthcare Sector in India • Lack of adequate data and monitoring: Lack of adequate data and monitoring is the key reason for the poor quality of public healthcare services in India. The health ministry’s real-time health management information system (HMIS) suffers from poor quality and data gaps e.g. the NFHS report itself comes after a gap of approximately ten years. The lack of adequate monitoring also threatens India’s disease surveillance system. • Huge gap between existing staff and required staff: It is estimated that, in rural areas, the gap between staff in facilities and those required was 76% for doctors, 52% for midwives and nurses, 88% for specialists and 58% for pharmacists. • Costlier expenditure on healthcare: The country’s average out-of-pocket expenditure on healthcare is one of the highest globally, at 68%, and this means that of every Rs 100 spent by the public on healthcare, Rs 68 comes from their own pocket. This costlier expenditure on healthcare pushes 7% of the population in India below poverty threshold every year. • Because of low insurance coverage around 2/3rd of total out of pocket expenditure is on medicines making the treatment expensive. As per a research paper by TISS, out-of-pocket health expenditures account for nearly one-sixth of India’s poverty burden. • There is a shortage of Primary Health Centres (PHC) and Community Health Centre (CHC) specifically in rural areas more than 70% of population lives. These weak primary health facilities hamper the productivity of workers & lower their earning. Ayushman Bharat—National Health Protection Mission Ayushman Bharat is an initiative to address health, holistically in primary, secondary and tertiary care systems covering both prevention and health promotion. The scheme aims to provide cashless benefits of Rs. 5 lakhs to Rs. 10 Crores for poor families in the country. It includes all the levels of healthcare delivery, from primary to tertiary. IT HAS TWO COMPONENTS NAMELY, Health And Wellness Centre (HWC) • HWC’S will be upgraded form of primary health centres (PHC).The focus area includes non-communicable diseases and infectious diseases, along with neonatal and maternal care.HWC will primarily focus on early detection and prevention. This is significant; in a sense that the burden on secondary and tertiary health system will reduce if early detection takes place. Moreover, rural areas will benefit the most as HWC spreads across India. National Health Protection Scheme (NHPS) NHPS is an insurance scheme which covers a family at a cost of upto Rs. 5 lakhs per annum. This scheme will cover primary and tertiary treatment for lower income groups, reducing the out of pocket expenditure and offering the choice for treatment at a private hospital. Strategy of Scheme • Establishment of Ayushman Bharat National Health Protection Mission Agency at National Level and State Health Agency, to ensure proper implementation of Scheme at National, State, and UT levels. • The States and UTs can implement scheme through an insurance company or directly through Trust/Society. This would increase ambit of the scheme at ground levels. Merits of the Scheme • A Strong Network of 1.5 Lakhs Health and Wellness Centers across the Country would constitute the foundation of India’s new healthcare system. • It will cover more than 10 Crore Poor and Vulnerable Families in the Society. • The support from trained nurses and health workers will increase the availability of proper healthcare facilities in the vicinity for residents of rural India. • Vulnerable sections of the society would have access to healthcare for almost all medical and surgical conditions that can occur in a lifetime. • Package rates decided by Government for private hospitals would help in keeping the costs low and affordable for many. • It will generate employment, especially for women, also making them economically empowered.

Web: www.chanakyaiasacademy.com 43 Toll Free No.: 1800 274 5005 Challenges • Major Challenge would be Implementation and Governance of the Scheme. • The Private Hospitals are based on profit motives and fixing rates of medical procedures would increase chances of hospitals neglecting poor patients. The Healthcare is a Goal under Sustainable Development Goal 2030 Goal-3 of Good Health. The Scheme would make sure Proper Healthcare Facilities for Most Vulnerable Sections of the Society.

Way Forward • An incentive-based model for the government hospitals can be helpful in improving their performance and ease some of the supply constraints. The government should hire healthcare services from the private players, wherever the government doesn’t have the wherewithal to cater to the demand. • Well-defined list of conditions that will be covered, adoption of standard clinical guidelines for diagnostic tests and treatments suitable for different disorders, setting and monitoring of cost and quality standards, and measuring health outcomes and cost-effectiveness. • Providing insurance covers will help improve the health system in the country. In fact, there is a need for a robust healthcare infrastructure in the remotest corners of the country where all the people have an easy access to all the medical facilities. Also, budget allocation needs to be increased for fruitful implementation of the core purpose of the scheme.

Dangers of Plastic Pollution Why is this topic relevant? India was the global host to World Environment Day this year. The theme for year of 2018 was ‘beat plastic pollution’. What is plastic? Plastics are organic polymers of high molecular mass and usually contain other substances. They are generally synthetic, mainly derived from petrochemicals. Because of their low cost, ease of manufacture, versatility, non-corrosiveness and imperviousness to water, plastics are utilized for multiple purposes at different scales. What does the statistics say? • Globally, one million plastic bags and one million plastic bottles are used every minute. Approximately 50% of our plastic use is single use (disposable) and it constitutes 10% of the total waste generated. Web: www.chanakyaiasacademy.com 44 Toll Free No.: 1800 274 5005 • In 2015, scientists pointed out that “of the nearly 7 billion tons of plastic waste generated, only 9% was recycled, 12% incinerated, and 79% accumulated in landfills or the environment”. • Every year, 13 million tonnes of plastic end up in the oceans. A study reflected that 20 rivers (mostly from Asia) carry two- thirds of plastic waste to the ocean; the Ganga’s contribution to this is one of the highest. • Plastic disposed of on land takes much time in degradation and its chemicals leach into the surroundings. Potable water samples analysed from 14 countries, including India, reflected that 83% have micro-plastics concentrations. • A report from United Nations Environment Programme indicates that the overall annual natural capital cost of plastic use in the consumer goods sector is $75 billion. Sources of Plastic generation • Continental plastic litter such as Bottles and container caps, Food Wrappers and Containers, Plastic bags, Straws and stirrers etc. enters the ocean largely through storm-water runoff. • Merchant ships expel cargo, used medical equipment, sewage and other types of waste that contain plastic into the ocean. • The major ocean-based source of plastic pollution is discarded fishing gear (including traps and nets). International efforts to curb the menace • MARPOL: International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (later modified as MARPOL) is an international agreement that addresses plastic pollution. • Honolulu Strategy: In 2011, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the United States and UNEP created the Honolulu Strategy—a planning tool to reduce plastic pollution and its impacts. • Clean Seas campaign: In February 2017, UNEP announced the Clean Seas campaign, asking for individuals, industries, and member states to voluntarily commit to an action of their choice to reduce plastic pollution. Recently at Nairobi, in the United Nations Environment Assembly, more than 193 nations passed a resolution to do away with plastic pollution in our seas. However, it’s not a legally binding treaty. Steps taken by the Government • Swachh Bharat Mission initiatives will further boost the pace of reducing the usage of plastic. • Bio-Medical Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2018 which is aimed to protect the environment and human health from infectious bio-medical waste. • Through Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 the minimum thickness of plastic carry bags has been increased from 40 microns to 50 microns. • The notification which is under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 has provisions to impose penalties with a prison term of up to seven years and/or a fine of Rs 1 lakh, on those who violate its provisions. Way Forward • The government should ban plastic production and encourage recycling through appropriate policies. • The ‘Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016’ need to be strictly implemented. • We should act as responsible citizens with a determination towards maintaining hygienic surroundings. • Mass public awareness on the dangers of plastic hazards is a prerequisite. • Eco-friendly substitutes (cloth/jute, bags/paper, leaves/areca leaf plates, paper straws) should be developed. For this, scientific and financial support (soft loans and subsidies) is needed. • Charges for plastic bag use and deposit-refund for plastic bottles may be valuable options. • The Swachh Bharat Mission should be projected as a platform for plastic waste management. We cannot transform our world into a ‘plastic planet’. What is needed is collective public effort to reduce plastic pollution and safeguard our ecosystem/biodiversity.

India’s Engagement in Africa Why is this topic relevant? • Prime Minister of India paid an official Visit to Republic of Rwanda (23-24 July), Republic of Uganda (24-25 July) and Republic of South Africa (25-27 July). This was the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Rwanda and the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Uganda in over 20 years.

Web: www.chanakyaiasacademy.com 45 Toll Free No.: 1800 274 5005 • Recently for Africa, Government of India approved the opening of 18 new Indian missions up from current 29 missions over four years (2018-2021) with an objective to spread out its footprints. • According to World Bank, growth of economy of African continent is estimated to be 3.2 percent in 2018. Six of the world’s fastest growing economies lie here. Economic importance of Africa for India • Africa‘s global outreach was once largely towards the western world, but in recent times India, Japan and China have started to mark their presence in this continent. For India, strengthening economic ties with Africa is quite important though trading patterns currently remains small overall. • Also, Indian private sector is yet to reap full benefit of the investment climate in Africa, which could return huge profits. • Africa exports raw materials and imports manufactured goods and India-Africa trade reached from $11.9 billion (2006) to $62.66 billion (2018). India’s approach towards Africa • Focus Africa: Launched by India in 2002-03, the key objective of the programme is to increase interactions between the two regions by identifying the field of bilateral trade and investment. • Developmental programmes: For instance Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation, Team 9, and Pan Africa e- network, among others—intended at building institutional and human capacity and enabling skills and knowledge transfer. • People Centric approach: Augmenting Africa‘s productive capacities, expanding skills and knowledge, and investing in SMEs are on the cards. India‘s cross-border connectivity initiatives with Eastern African countries are a natural extension of its policy to strengthen people-to-people ties. • Establishing training institutes: India has established over 100 training institutes in various African countries, including areas ranging from agriculture, vocational training, rural development and food processing to information technology and entrepreneurship development. • Joint Initiatives: India, Japan and number of African nations have also launched a trilateral initiative, the Asia Africa Growth Corridor (AAGC). This is to build up ‘industrial corridors’ ‘institutional networks’ for the growth of Asia and Africa, and to encourage development cooperation. • Military ties: India‘s security and defence cooperation with Africa is largely limited to anti-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia. Other facets include - deployment of Indian forces to UN peacekeeping missions in Africa, and joint- naval patrolling of Western Indian Ocean. These engagements are mostly with Tanzania, Kenya, Mozambique, and the island nations of Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar and Comoros. • Connectivity: India’s African cross-border connectivity initiatives has three primary dimensions: Maritime-port connectivity under the government's—Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) and the SagarMala initiative; Digital connectivity under the Pan African e-Network project on tele-education and tele-medicine and Air connectivity through direct flights between Indian and African cities. • India assisted to build the Presidential Palace and the Parliament in Ghana. At present, it is helping to construct the Parliament building in Swaziland, in the aftermath of India President’s April visit. Way Forward In the backdrop of China setting up its first overseas military base in Djibouti, relations with the continent will also signify strategic quality. Expecting India to have a policy for the whole continent that is geographically, socio-culturally, and economically diverse may not be easy but beneficial. However, by being an active partner in Africa’s development and facilitating a comprehensive engagement, India stands to gain enormously.

–****–

Chanakya IAS Academy Wish You Good Luck.....

Web: www.chanakyaiasacademy.com 46 Toll Free No.: 1800 274 5005