SYLLABUS FOR A WEEK

EDEN IAS

STEPS (22nd to 28th OCTOBER, 2018)

Under unforeseen circumstances EDEN IAS reserves the right to make changes to the above schedule

1. MONDAY – GS I-(Architecture from ancient to modern times; Political

philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc; Effects of globalization

on Indian society; Tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world) 2. TUESDAY- GS II-(Indian Constitution-evolution, features,

amendments; Pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity; Mechanisms, laws, institutions and bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections; Important

International institutions) 3. WEDNESDAY- GS III- (Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and

minimum support prices; Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc; Disaster and disaster management; Science and Technology- developments and their

applications) 4. THURSDAY-GS IV-(Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service; Laws,

rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; Quality of service

delivery; Case Study) 5. FRIDAY- CURRENT AFFAIRS – (Current issues of national and

international importance relevant during the preceding week) 6. SATURDAY- -ESSAY-(Day of Essay Writing) 7. SUNDAY- Medals and results.

STEPS – MONDAY- 22/10/2018 Q1. “The Gupta age saw the revival of Brahmanism which found full expression in the carving of Brahmanical divinities.”- Elucidate (10) Q2. “Capitalism is an instrument to uphold the industrious use of resources in the short run and to enhance living style of people in the long run.”- Examine (10) Q3. “The impact of globalization on Indian and rural life has a tremendous influence which is both positive as well as negative.”- Analyse (15)

Q4. “The unique purpose of transportation is to overcome space, which is shaped by a variety of human and physical constraints such as distance, time, administrative divisions and topography.”- Comment (15)

STEPS – TUESDAY- 23/10/2018 Q1. Discuss the nature and functions of Pressure groups also highlight the procedures used by such groups. (10) Q2. “The Constitutional guarantee of a Welfare State shall remain elusive unless the state plays a positively discriminatory role with respect to the rights of women in India.”-Comment. (10) Q3. “While the English were anxious to protect individual rights from the abuses of Executive power, the framers of the American constitution were apprehensive of legislative tyranny”- In the light of the above statement discuss the “Idea of liberty” and “individual rights” enshrined in the Indian Constitution (15) Q4. “The World Bank reforms, when implemented, would promote inclusiveness, innovation, effi ciency and effectiveness.”- Elucidate (15)

STEPS – WEDNESDAY- 24/10/2018 Q1. “Increasing trend of urban flooding is a universal phenomenon and poses a great challenge to urban planners the world over.”- Comment (10) Q2. “Indian Railways has suffered from considerable under-investment during the last several years, consequently, capacity augmentation and the quality of service delivery have remained substandard.”- Analyse (10) Q3. “The idea behind MSP is to give guaranteed prices and assured market to the farmers and save them from the price fluctuations.”- In the light of the above statement discuss the role of MSP in creating a predictable and equitable crop price regime. (15)

Q4. “India’s ability to resolve its transport infrastructure challenges would depend, to a great extent, on the adoption of technological solutions like the Hyperloop”- Elucidate (15)

STEPS – THURSDAY- 25/10/2018 Q1. “The secret to happiness is freedom and the secret to freedom is courage.”-Substantiate (10) Q2. What is the difference between intuitive and empirical conceptions of conscience? (10) Q3. Write an account on John Rawl’s list of international morals. (10) Q4. Your childhood dream of representing India at an international-level competition materialised when you were selected as part of Team India in the Asian Games. During the competition, you witness a few senior athletes injecting a drug using a syringe, in private, on the eve of the competition. On inquiry you discover that the drug happens to be a prohibited drug under World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) guidelines. When you approach your seniors they claim that it is a performance enhancer and if you want to win medals for the country you must do the same. You are totally perplexed and bewildered by the situation, out of anxiety and fear you decide to bring the matter to the notice of the coach. However, to your utter astonishment you discover that the athletes are taking the drug at the advice of the coach. The Coach reprimands you and warns you that disciplinary action would be pending against you, if you do not adhere to his advice. Discuss the various options available to you under such circumstances. Examine the merits and demerits of all such options. Choose the best possible option giving reasons. (20)

STEPS – FRIDAY- 26/10/2018 Q1. “The implementation of the policy to promote Electric Vehicles in India primarily aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and cut oil expenses.”- Comment (10) Q2. “While India has made significant progress in raising enrollment rates in primary and secondary schools, she has been relatively less successful at preventing dropouts during this critical phase of learning.“ Elucidate (10) Q3. “Solid waste management, which is already a mammoth task in India, is becoming more complicated by the invasion of e-waste.”- Elaborate (15) Q4. Discuss the prospects and pitfalls of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Highlight the Indian stance on the issue. How should India proclaim her position regarding the BRI? (15)

STEPS – SATURDAY- 27/10/2018 Write an essay on any one of the following in not more than 1000-1200 words.

“Cleanliness is next to Godliness.” OR

“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” (125)

EDEN IAS

(MODEL ANSWERS)

STEPS-22/10/2018-GS I

Q1. “The Gupta age saw the revival of Brahmanism which found full expression in the carving of

Brahmanical divinities.”- Elucidate (10)

Answer:

The Gupta kings patronized Brahmanical Hinduism. In other words, the period witnessed the ascendancy

of Brahmanical religious beliefs like Vaishnavism, Saivism, Shakti worship etc. The rulers themselves

were ardent worshippers of Vishnu and accepted Vaishnavite titles like Parama Bliagabata, Parama

Bhattaraka etc. After the birth and growth of Buddhism and Jainism, Brahmanical Hinduism had lost its

earlier flavour. Its influence was at its lowest ebb during the reign of Buddhist rulers like Ashoka and

Kanishka. But with Gupta patronage and support Brahmanism got back its former position and glory.

Further, Brahmanism of the Gupta age was no longer the same Brahmanism of the later Vedic period.

The Gupta artists created various asanas and mudras for proper rendering of different moods and

activities attributed to the figures and figurines. The seated Buddha image at Sarnath, the statue of the

standing Buddha at Mathura and the Varaha image of Udaygiri are some of the finest examples of Gupta

sculpture.

With the revival of Hinduism, there emerged a conception of a Hindu House of gods. It was felt that the

gods and goddesses ought to have their own houses. With this concept temple architecture began to

grow in a new dimension. The use of stone masonry made its beginning. The chief surviving temples of

Gupta age are the Vishnu temple at Tigawa, Shiva temple at Bhumra, Parvati temple at Nachan-Kuthara,

the Shiva temple at Khoh and the Dasavatara temple at Deogarh. These temples, however, were not big

in size but were remarkable for their symmetry in forms, beauty in expression and appropriate

positioning of the parts.

From Besnagar a relief of the goddess Ganges, from Gwalior reliefs of flying apsaras, from Sondani the

slab representing a gandharva couple soaring in the air, from Khoh the Eka-Mukha Linga, and from

Bhumara a variety of sculptures reveal the same conception, poise and grace as are seen at Sarnath.

An approximately human-size representation of the god Hari-Hara (half Shiva-half Vishnu) from Madhya

Pradesh may be dated to the first part of the fifth century. Krishna, best known later as the eighth

incarnation of Vishnu, also appears in sculptures from the early fifth century. A representation of him

from Varanasi depicts him as Krishna Govardhanadhara, or bearer of Govardhana, in which the deity is

shown holding Mount Govardhana with his left hand, like a canopy, to protect the inhabitants of

Vrindavana from a deluge sent by Indra, who had been angered by the community’s inattention to him

in their devotion. All these point towards the influence of Brahmanism over Gupta art.

Q2. “Capitalism is an instrument to uphold the industrious use of resources in the short run and to

enhance living style of people in the long run.”- Examine (10)

Answer:

Capitalism is a type of social system that follows the belief of individual rights. From political

perspective, capitalism is the system of laissez-faire (freedom). Lawfully, it is a system of objective laws

that is rule of law in contrast to rule of man. In financial terms, when such freedom is applied to the

domain of production its result is the free-market. Earlier, this notion was not clearly explained. Several

economists and theorists assumed that capitalism has existed for most of human history.

Capitalism is commonly elucidated as an economic system where private actors are permitted to own

and control the use of property according to their own interests, and where the invisible hand of the

pricing mechanism coordinates supply and demand in markets in a way that is automatically in the best

interests of civilisation. In this system, Government is responsible for peace, justice, and tolerable taxes.

Capitalism has three level systems. On the first level, the markets, firms compete to secure their labour

and capital as well as to serve their customers. In second level, there is basic institutional foundations,

including physical and social infrastructure; physical infrastructure includes, among other things,

transportation and communications, and social infrastructure includes the educational, public health,

and legal systems. Additionally, the second level consists of the agents of the state who enforce the

rules and regulations, including specialized regulators who oversee behaviour in certain industries, such

as those that deal with food and drugs or transportation, and those who protect societal resources such

as the physical environment or safety in the workplace. The third level comprises of a political authority

typically one with specialized functions such as executive, legislative, and judicial branches. In turn, a set

of political institutions connect the political authority to the political markets and ultimately to civil

society, to which such an authority is finally responsible.

Capitalism is planned to uphold the industrious use of public resources in order fulfil consumer needs in

the short period and to enhance living style of people through time. As a result, its supervisory

frameworks give priority to promoting productivity instead of equalizing competitive resources on a

given day or during a given season. Same time, it is established that capitalism is controlled after the

fact, and not in real time the way organized sports are. The regulators do not stop the play to assess a

foul, nor halt the competition to scrutinise a controversial event via "instant replay." The economy

moves on and disputes are settled after the fact, in court if need be.

Q3. “The impact of globalization on Indian and rural life has a tremendous influence which is both

positive as well as negative.”- Analyse (15)

Answer:

Globalisation could be defined as the process by which the entire world is getting ‘more and more interconnected’. This integration has led to easier exchange of goods and services, speedier communication and easier flows of capital and labour. Rural development primarily concerned with uplifting people out of poverty. The effect of globalization on rustic social orders, there economy, condition should consequently be seen through this point of view. Real parts of globalization that identify with rustic life or its advancement which incorporates the commercialization of agribusiness and extension of agro-enterprises, the liberalization of universal exchange and promoting for sustenance and other horticultural items, the heightening and inner work migration, the expanding privatization of assets and administrations and the more extensive utilization of data and communication and advances. The impact of globalisation on rural poverty and development is an important topic, as most of the world’s poor reside in rural areas. Some authors argue that a country’s inability to integrate into the global economy may lead to shrinking of the economy and hence increase poverty, and that trade liberalization can help countries address poverty in more effective ways. However, as argued by few scholars, the net impact of globalisation on poverty is complex and context-dependent, and therefore, empirical evidence needs to be assessed to analyse the effects. Globalisation has the following positive impacts over rural areas

Increased efficiency

Better pricing of labour

Better access to energy due to increased power supply

Higher income levels

It integrated the rural hinterland

Created connected infrastructure

Access to e-commerce markets

Better organised production

Use of farm subsidies and HYVs Globalisation helped improve food productivity and production and helped transform rural agrarian societies. It has empowered the farmers to understand, reach out and compete in global markets. The new technologies, especially in irrigation, helped in addressing rural water stress and keeping agriculture viable. It has also helped change the agrarian society’s attitudes towards new technologies in farming. However globalisation has also negatively impacted rural India in the following ways

Rising Inequalities

Exposure to external risks

Destruction of Indian Family ethics and trend towards western imitation

Increased and Unfair Competition Globalization and trade liberalization in particular, holds huge potentials as well as some risks for the welfare of rural poor. It is evident from the preceding discussions that the impact of trade liberalization largely depends on the context as well as how it is managed. If the government invests in creating enabling conditions such as providing access to capital and credit, equitable land rights, technical assistance and timely information to the rural poor engaged in farm and non-farm livelihoods, trade

openness can reap enormous benefits for the rural communities. Establishment of institutions that can help small holder development is a precondition for successful participation in trade liberalisation. More importantly, the issue of high protectionism and imposition of tariff and non-tariff barriers by the developed countries on agricultural imports from developing countries needs to be addressed immediately. Without this, trade liberalization for the rural poor will not reap positive impacts. Q4. “The unique purpose of transportation is to overcome space, which is shaped by a variety of

human and physical constraints such as distance, time, administrative divisions and topography.”-

Comment (15)

Answer:

The unique purpose of transportation is to overcome space, which is shaped by a variety of human and physical constraints such as distance, time, administrative divisions and topography. Jointly, they confer a friction to any movement, commonly known as the friction of distance (or friction of space). In an ideal world, transportation would come at no effort in terms of cost and time and would have unlimited capacity and spatial reach. Under such circumstances, geography would not matter. In a real world, geography can be a significant constraint to transport since it trades space for time and money and can only be partially circumscribed. The extent to which this is done has a cost that varies greatly according to factors such as the length of the trip, the capacity of modes and infrastructures and the nature of what is being transported. Transport geography can be understood from a series of core principles:

Transportation is the spatial linking of a derived demand. Distance is a relative concept involving space, time and effort. Space is at the same time the generator, support and a constraint for mobility. The relation between space and time can converge or diverge. A location can be a central, where it generates and attract traffic, or an intermediate element where

traffic transits through. To overcome geography, transportation must consume space. Transportation seeks massification but is constrained by atomization. Velocity is a modal, intermodal and managerial effort.

These principles underline that there would be no transportation without geography and there would

be no geography without transportation. The goal of transportation is thus to transform

the geographical attributes of freight, people or information, from an origin to a destination, conferring

them an added value in the process. There are substantial operational differences between

transportation modes, particularly between passengers and freight, which often operated desperately.

The convenience at which this can be done varies considerably and is commonly labeled as

transportability.

Transportation is not necessarily a science, but a field of application borrowing concepts and methods

from a wide variety of disciplines. The specific purpose of transportation is to fulfill a demand for

mobility, since transportation can only exists if it moves people, freight and information around.

Otherwise it has no purpose. This is because transportation is dominantly the outcome of a derived

demand; it takes place because other activities are taking place. Distance, a core attribute of

transportation, can be represented in a variety of ways, ranging from a simple Euclidean distance – a

straight line between two locations – to what can be called logistical distance; a complete set of tasks

required to be done so that distance can be overcome. Any movement must thus consider its

geographical setting which in turn is linked to spatial flows and their patterns. The concept of flow has

four major components:

Geographical. Each flow has an origin and a destination and consequently a degree of separation. Flows with high degrees of separation tend to be more limited than flows with low degrees of separation.

Physical. Each flow involves specific physical characteristics in terms of possible load units and the conditions in which they can be carried. Flows, depending on the transportation mode, can be atomized (smallest load unit) or massified (moving load units in batches).

Transactional. The realization of each flow has to be negotiated with providers of transport services, such as booking a slot on a containership or an air travel seat. Commonly, a flow is related to a monetary exchange between provider of transportation and the user.

Distribution. Flows are organized in sequences where the more complex are involving different modes and terminals. Many transport flows are scheduled and routed to minimize costs or maximize efficiency, often through intermediary locations.

Transport is a multidimensional activity whose importance is

Historical. Transport modes have played several different historical roles in the rise of civilizations (Egypt, Rome and China), in the development of societies (creation of social structures) and also in national defense (Roman Empire, American road network). As such transportation offers a valuable perspective to understand the history of a region or nation.

Social. Transport modes facilitate access to healthcare, welfare, and cultural or artistic events, thus performing a social service. They shape social interactions by favoring or inhibiting the mobility of people. Transportation thus supports and may even shape social structures.

Political. Governments play a critical role in transport as sources of transport investments and as regulators of transport operations. The political role of transportation is undeniable as governments often subsidize the mobility of their populations such as providing highways, and public transit. While most transport demand relates to economic imperatives, many transport infrastructures have been constructed for political reasons such as national accessibility or job creation. Transport thus has an impact on nation building and national unity, but it is also a tool shaping policy.

Economic. The evolution of transport has always been linked to economic development. It is an industry in its own right such as car manufacturing, air transport companies or railways. The transport sector is also an economic factor in the production of goods and services. It contributes to the value-added of economic activities, facilitates economies of scale, influences land (real estate) value and the specialization of regions. Transport is both a factor shaping economic activities, and is also shaped by them.

Environmental. Despite the manifest advantages of transport, its environmental impacts are also significant. They include negative impacts on air and water quality, noise level and public health. All decisions relating to transport need to be evaluated taking into account the corresponding environmental costs and how they can be mitigated. Transport is therefore a dominant factor in contemporary environmental issues, including sustainability and climate change.

Transportation as a multidisciplinary endeavor can be approached through several fields of inquiry where some are at the core of transport geography, such as transport demand, nodes and networks, while others are more peripheral, such as natural resources, political geography and regional geography. Yet, they all contribute to the understanding of transport activities and their impacts of the economy, the society and the environment.

EDEN IAS

(MODEL ANSWERS)

STEPS-23/10/2018-GS II

Q1. Discuss the nature and functions of Pressure groups also highlight the procedures used by such

groups. (10)

Answer:

Pressure groups are forms of organisations, which exert pressure on the political or administrative

system of a country to extract benefits out of it and to advance their own interests. In the present

context these forms of organisations are broadly referred to a$ Civil Society Organisations (CSO).

Types of pressure groups

Institutional pressure group-These groups are formally organized which constitutes professionally employed persons. For example Bureaucracy, army, central election committee etc.

Anomic pressure group-These are the group that have analogy with individual self-representation. They may be constitutional or unconstitutional, perpetual infiltration such as riots, demonstration etc. For example ULFA. Naxalites, Kashmir liberal front etc.

Associations pressure group-These are organized specialized groups formed for interest articulation but to pursue limited goal. For example Trade union, student association, teachers association etc.

Non-Associations pressure group-These are the informal groups include caste group, language group, syndicate, Ghanaian group etc.

The capacity of pressure groups id determined by leadership, organizational abilities, mass media,

economic power base and mobilizations technique. Beside this they are using lobbying method, strike,

bandh, demonstration, funding political parties, using party platform etc. Even pressure group role is

indirect it facilitates many vital roles in administration. The various roles of pressure groups are as

follows-

Role in legislature-Pressure groups tries to introduce their chosen person into legislature. They

help political parties on the eve of election and prepares election manifesto.

Role in executive-Pressure group tries to fill high executive posts with men of their own choice

i.e. selection of cabinet, distribution of portfolios and P.M selection due to prevalence of

collation government. And henceforth influences policy implementation process.

Role in Bureaucracy- Bureaucrats are politically neutral and hence pressure group tries to

oblige them by putting good remarks that protect their interests. Bureaucrats have long

tenure and so they be in contact with them to oblige.

Role in judiciary-appointment of judges in political affairs and here pressure groups plays

important role in that high judicial offices are occupied by them.

There are a variety of procedures via which the pressure groups could exert influence. These include –

via Ministers and civil servants, Parliamentary Lobbying, demonstration, gherao, strike, pressure and

campaign through media, use of party platforms etc

Q2. “The Constitutional guarantee of a Welfare State shall remain elusive unless the state plays a

positively discriminatory role with respect to the rights of women in India.”-Comment. (10)

Answer:

Positive Discrimination is an approach which takes factors including race, color, religion, gender, sexual

orientation, or national origin into consideration in an attempt to mitigate the oppression of

underrepresented social groups.

In recent decades feminist scholars have drawn attention to the importance of welfare state policies for

women’s economic autonomy. Gender relations—embodied in the sexual division of labor, compulsory

heterosexuality, gendered forms of citizenship and political participation, ideologies of masculinity and

femininity, and the like—profoundly shape the character of welfare states. Likewise, the institutions of

social provision—the set of social assistance and social insurance programs and universal citizenship

entitlements to which we refer as “the welfare state” —affect gender relations. Until recently, two

broad approaches to gender relations and welfare states predominated: one which saw states

contributing to the social reproduction of gender hierarchies, and a second which saw states having an

ameliorative impact on gender inequality.

Women require positive discrimination because in the past they were considered as slaves/objects in a

patriarchal society. Presently, they are still dominated by men in a lot of social environments: family,

work, on the street, and many other environments. For this reason women should have more benefits in

society as an attempt to even out their disadvantaged status.

The determination by women to pull themselves into the mainstream of socio-economic cum political

activities can only be enhanced by policies that discriminate in their favour, which should be

implemented by the male-controlled governance system.

The Constitution of India not only grants equality to women but also empowers the State to adopt

measures of positive discrimination in favour of women for neutralizing the cumulative socio economic,

education and political disadvantages faced by them. Fundamental Rights, among others, ensure

equality before the law and equal protection of law; prohibits discrimination against any citizen on

grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth, and guarantee equality of opportunity to all citizens

in matters relating to employment. Articles 14, 15, 15(3), 16, 39(a), 39(b), 39(c) and 42 of the

Constitution are of specific importance in this regard.

The edifice of our Constitution is built upon the concepts crystallised in the Preamble. We promised to

our people a democratic polity which carries with it the obligation of securing to the people liberty of

thought expression, belief, faith and worship; equality of status and of opportunity and the assurance

that the dignity of the individual will at all costs be preserved. Unless these constitutional guarantees

are delivered the idea of a welfare state will remain shallow.

Q3. “While the English were anxious to protect individual rights from the abuses of Executive power,

the framers of the American constitution were apprehensive of legislative tyranny”- In the light of the

above statement discuss the “Idea of liberty” and “individual rights” enshrined in the Indian

Constitution (15)

Answer:

The concept of liberty is, no doubt, a modern political concept. Liberty as an inalienable social and

political attribute of individuals emerged in the formation of the modern political discourse in the West.

The liberty has always been defined differently in different lines, at different places and by different

school of though. The reason for different meaning of liberty in different times is definitely due to varied

types of Government and their varied relation with their subjects. The meaning of liberty has two

dimensions negative and positive. In a negative sense, it implies the absence of restraints as far as

possible. A classic defender of this argument like John Stuart Mill says that 'all restraints quo restraints is

an evil leaving people to themselves is always better than controlling them'.

The Constitution of England is unwritten hence there is, in England, no code of fundamental rights as

exists in the Constitution of United States. This does not mean that there are no individual rights in

England without which democracy would become a sham promise. The foundation of individual rights in

England is negative and the rights are available only against the executive fiats. The courts of England

are practically powerless when compared to the US courts. In America there is a bill of rights that

imposes restrictions on both executive and legislative actions. They are fundamental in the strict sense

of the term. The constitution is the source of individual liberty in India. Part III of the Constitution is

rightly described as the Magna Carta of India. It contains a very long and comprehensive list of

‘justiciable’ Fundamental Rights. In fact, the Fundamental Rights in our Constitution are more elaborate

than those found in the Constitution of any other country in the world, including the USA. Thus the

Indian arrangement is akin to the American system but with slight modifications i.e. Parliament can

modify the individual rights but cannot eliminate them or destroy their spirit. In simple words

fundamental rights are part of the basic structure

The Supreme Court has ruled that the power of the Parliament to amend the Constitution under Article

368 also includes the power to amend Fundamental Rights. The word ‘law’ in Article 13 includes only

ordinary laws and not the constitutional amendment acts (constituent laws). Therefore, the Parliament

can abridge or take away any of the Fundamental Rights by enacting a constitutional amendment act

and such a law will not be void under Article 13.

If we can establish this democratic ideal of individual rights in the 21st century, it can be the great

century of freedom, prosperity and peace. It can be the century of tolerance for and the dignity of the

individual. It can be a century of domestic civility and international harmony. It can be a century with

far less political corruption, violence and deception. Will it be that kind of century? That depends upon

each and every one of us, and whether we want such a liberal world and are willing to defend it as an

ideal and to do what is necessary to bring it about.

Q4. “The World Bank reforms, when implemented, would promote inclusiveness, innovation, effi

ciency and effectiveness.”- Elucidate (15)

Answer:

Created soon after the end of the Second World War, the IMF and World Bank are powerful international financial institutions which hold immense sway in orchestrating efforts to deliver the elusive fruits of prosperity to the majority of countries in the world, which are still considered to be in the transitional phase of becoming developed. The World Bank lends money and provides advice to developing countries for programmes aiming to boost economic growth and reduce poverty. The IMF provides funds to countries in financial crisis, particularly in order to ensure that they can pay their international debts, to ensure stability of the broader international financial system. The ability of both these entities to fulfill their lofty aims, however, remains a question of much contention around the world. In fact, the very manner in which these two entities are themselves governed is also an issue which continues to be mired in controversy. The World Bank Group is advancing multiple reforms to promote inclusiveness, innovation, effi ciency, effectiveness, accountability, and results. It is expanding cooperation with the United Nations, the IMF, other multilateral development banks, donors, civil society, and foundations. The goal of these reforms is to realize a World Bank Group that represents the international economic realities of the 21st century,

recognizes the role and responsibility of a growing number of stakeholders, and provides a larger voice for developing countries. The reforms center on five themes:

Reforming the lending model. The Bank is modernizing its financial services and lending model to provide more tailored responses to borrowers’ needs. The approach calls for closer attention to results and for streamlined processes, improved supervision, and higher-risk investments.

Increasing voice and participation. The Bank is seeking to elevate the influence and representation of developing and transition countries in the Bank Group, with an additional seat on the Board of Executive Directors for Sub-Saharan Africa and an increase in the voting power of developing countries.

Promoting accountability and good governance- Governance and anticorruption are key concerns of Bank operations across sectors and countries. The Bank’s focus on governance and anticorruption is based on the mandate to reduce poverty: a capable and accountable state creates opportunities for the poor.

Increasing transparency, accountability, and access to information-The Bank’s Access to Information Policy offers opportunities for the Bank to share its global knowledge and experience with a wide audience and to enhance the quality of its operations by providing more information about projects and programs than ever before.

Modernizing the organization- The Bank is undergoing a series of reforms to make it a better development partner. First, it is modernizing its lending and knowledge products and services to better serve its clients and better support their efforts to reduce poverty. Second, the Bank is improving the way the institution shares and accesses knowledge and expertise from inside and outside the institution. Third, it is modernizing the processes and systems underpinning the Bank’s work.

However, developing countries have become increasingly frustrated with the slow pace of these

promised reforms. It is ironic that an entity like the World Bank, which is committed to the process of

improving accountability and good governance across the developing world, cannot get its own house in

order. There are also economic imperatives which compel the need for reforming both the IMF and the

World Bank. The global economy is currently fraught with anxieties over China’s slowdown, weakening

emerging markets and lingering disparities within and across countries around the world. The IMF’s

ability to respond to potential economic crises tailored to individual member countries’ circumstances

requires not only a reformed vision but also increased financial backing. The level of financial

commitment estimated to enable the IMF alone to function another decade is well over a trillion dollars.

Allowing a greater share to emerging countries within its governance structures would bolster the IMF’s

available financial resources. Moreover, governance reforms would further enable both the IMF and the

World Bank to reassess their existing programmatic approaches, and to also gain increased legitimacy

and effectiveness within the developing world.

EDEN IAS

(MODEL ANSWERS)

STEPS-24/10/2018-GS III

Q1. “Increasing trend of urban flooding is a universal phenomenon and poses a great challenge to

urban planners the world over.”- Comment (10)

Answer:

Flooding in urban areas is caused by intense and/or prolonged rainfall, which overwhelms the capacity

of the drainage system. Urban flooding is significantly different from rural flooding as urbanization leads

to developed catchments, which increases the flood peaks from 1.8 to 8 times and flood volumes by up

to 6 times. Consequently, flooding occurs very quickly due to faster flow times (in a matter of minutes).

Urban areas are densely populated and people living in vulnerable areas suffer due to flooding,

sometimes resulting in loss of life. It is not only the event of flooding but the secondary effect of

exposure to infection also has its toll in terms of human suffering, loss of livelihood and, in extreme

cases, loss of life.

National Disaster Management (NDMA) Guidelines on Urban Flood Management

In 2010, NDMA had issued guidelines on Urban Flood Management in India, to create a National Hydro-

meteorological Network.

1) The guidelines say that for providing early warning, the Central Water Commission (CWC) CWC

should maximize the real-time hydro-meteorological network to cover all urban centres to

effectively deal with the problem of urban flooding

2) Use of Doppler Weather Radars to be expanded to cover all urban areas in the country

3) An inventory of the existing storm water drainage system to be prepared. The inventory will be

both watershed based and ward based.

4) Catchment to be the basis for planning and designing the storm water drainage systems in all

ULBs

5) All future road and rail bridges in cities crossing drains to be designed such that they do not

block the flows resulting in backwater effect

6) Every building in an urban area must have rainwater harvesting as an integral component of

the building utility.

7) Low-lying areas in cities have to be reserved for parks and other low-impact human activities.

8) Encroachments on the drain should attract penal action.

9) Pre-monsoon desilting of all major drains to be completed by March 31 each year.

10) Urban Flooding has to be dealt as a separate disaster, de-linking it from riverine floods which

affect the rural areas.

11) Suitable interventions in the drainage system like traps, trash racks can be provided to reduce

the amount of solid waste going into the storm sewers.

12) Inlets to be provided on the roads to drain water to the roadside drains and these has to be

designed based on current national and international practices.

13) Every building in an urban area must have rainwater harvesting as an integral component of

the building utility.

14) Concept of Rain Gardens to be incorporated in planning for public parks and on-site storm

water management for larger colonies and sites those are to be developed.

15) Flood hazard assessments should be done on the basis of projected future scenarios of

intensities and duration of rainfall and land use changes.

Q2. “Indian Railways has suffered from considerable under-investment during the last several years,

consequently, capacity augmentation and the quality of service delivery have remained

substandard.”- Analyse (10)

Answer:

With the quickening pace of modernization, the Railway travelers today expect much more from the

system than the railways did in the past. Although the development of railways in our country took

place rapidly, still there are numberless problems in the path of steady growth. The main problems are

stated as under

1. Old Track and Poor State of Rolling Stock.

The major problem faced by Indian railways is that the tracks are old and outdated. These old tracks cause many serious railway accidents. This has also resulted in speed restrictions. Virtually, every new timetable, running time of all trains has been increased while railways in other advanced countries are reducing it drastically.

2. Travel without Tickets:

Another problem that is being faced in India is that a large number of passengers travel without purchasing tickets. Indian railways have to bear extra loss of about Rs. 5 crore every year on account of traveling without tickets.

3. Railway Accidents:

The incidence of railway accidents in our country is greater as compared to other countries of the world. Accidents occur due to the errors and negligence of the employees.

4. Attack on Railways:

The Indian railways had to suffer a heavy loss of crores of rupees. The railways are attacked during the time of disturbances and violence's that arise in any part of the country. For instance, there was heavy loss of railways in the movements of West Bengal, Telangana and Assam etc.

5. Lack of Modern Management:

There is a lack of modern management as railway failed to attract adequate incentives and suitable talent. In addition to it, it could not make economic analysis for perspective planning tariff.

6. Outmoded Technology:

The rolling stock technology is absolutely outmoded. The system is beset with excessive man-power and manpower development has not kept pace with technology up gradation. This has made railways incapable of coping with increasing transport demand and of raising and improving the traffic volume and flows at lower unit cost of operation.

7. Problem of Replacement:

The problem of replacement of old and obsolete railways engines, wagons and other equipment has created a serious problem in India.

8. Problem of Laying Double Lines:

Most of the railway lines are single lines which create great inconvenience to the railway organization and passengers.

9. Inadequate Investment:

The railway transport has lagged behind the requirement due to inadequate investment. The shortcoming has been highlighted by different committees, The National Transport Policy Committee, The Rail Tariff Enquiry Committee and The Railway Reforms Committee.

10. Competition with Road Transport:

The competition with road transport is growing in intensity, both in passenger and in goods transport. The lack of coordination between railways and road transport has lowered the earning capacity of the railways. This has further caused delay in traffic movement and inconvenience to passengers.

Bibek Debroy Committee on Restructuring of Indian Railways

Need for the creation of separate tariff regulator so as to keep railway away from politics. Railway’s recruitment should be done by single entity instead of UPSC, SSC Further needs to decentralize railway operation to increase efficiency. Need to decrease cross subsidization by keeping a balance between freight and passenger fare.

Railway budget should be merged with the annual budget. Shifting towards online procurement and auctioning.

Anil Kakodkar Committee on Railway Safety

Need for an independent body like Railway Safety Authority under the government with chairman and experts from outside.

Complete elimination of both manned and unmanned level crossings within the stipulated time. Need for advanced signalling system based on continuous track circuiting and cab signalling

similar to European train control system Level-II on the entire trunk route of about 19,000 route kilometres.

Continuous monitoring of all the bridges in terms of scientific measurements of deflections/displacements, water level and flow velocity on a continuous basis and data should be communicated to the office of the concerned Chief Bridge Engineer for monitoring.

A robust and powerful Safety Architecture should be there to have a safety oversight on the operational mode of Railways.

If these recommendations are implemented it would resolve some of the problems currently faced by

the railways and would propel growth of the Indian railways. The following steps could attract

investments

Construction, operation and maintenance of suburban corridor projects through PPP.

High speed train projects. Dedicated freight corridors. Railway electrification. Signaling systems. Freight terminals. Passenger terminals. Infrastructure in industrial parks pertaining to railway line/siding including

electrified railways lines and connectivity to main railway line. Mass Rapid Transport Systems (MRTS)

Q3. “The idea behind MSP is to give guaranteed prices and assured market to the farmers and save

them from the price fluctuations.”- In the light of the above statement discuss the role of MSP in

creating a predictable and equitable crop price regime. (15)

Answer:

Based on the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), the Department of Agriculture and Co-operation, Government of India, declares Minimum Support Price (MSP) for 22 crops before the sowing season. The idea behind MSP is to give guaranteed prices and assured market to the farmers and save them from the price fluctuations. It insulates farmers from the unwarranted fluctuation in prices caused by the variation in supply (largely influenced by the monsoon), lack of market integration, information asymmetry and other elements of market imperfection plaguing the agricultural markets. The guaranteed price and assured market are expected to encourage higher investment and in adoption of modern technologies in agricultural activities. Further, with globalization resulting in freer trade in agricultural commodities, it is very important to protect farmers from the unwarranted fluctuation in prices, provoked by the international level price variations. The system of Minimum Support Price (MSP) system acts as a tool for the government to control sharp fall and rise in the prices of any crops. This helps keep a floor price which does not let the prices fall below a certain point. This can also be used as a tool to control inflation by way of rising prices

The concept of Minimum Support Price (MSP) system acts as a surety to farmers so that their crops get the fair amount for their produce and helps them sustain their losses and does not affect them drastically. This helps them cover the minimum amount expenses in cultivating the crops and pay of the debts which they have. Minimum Support Price (MSP) also helps government control the growth of crops which are low in production. The government can offer more price support for these crops so that more and more farmers are tempted to grow these crops with an assurance that they will recover a certain amount from the government with guarantee. The government can use these crops to be sold at government fair price shops at a price lower than market rate. This will also help the government in making these crops available to the below poverty

line people at a lower price. This will also help the government recover some amount and reduce the losses of the government. The financial system plays a vital role in the smooth functioning of the Indian economy. It is very important that these institutions do not fail as they are majorly run on funds procured by public at large. In case of waive off of loans these create a heavy burden on the banks/financial institutions. These waive offs often lead to foreclosure of banks and specially the small agricultural institutions. According to studies, most of the drought affected farmers are small and medium scale farmers. These farmers do not procure loans from financial institutions. They prefer loans from private money lenders which are not covered under these schemes. In fact farmers who produce on large scale are often seen getting rid of their debt with the help of these schemes. Any interference by the government kills the competition. This affects the agents who procure the crops at lower prices and sell them at higher prices and earn profits. This mainly disturbs the working of people who sell these outputs from farmers into the open market. Minimum Support Price (MSP), however, has more advantages than dis-advantages and if managed properly it can be used by the government as a powerful tool in stabilising the economy. This will mainly help reduce the burden on financial institutions as banks are mainly run of funds procured by the public at large. The produce purchased by the government can also be sold at fair price shops to people below poverty line. This will help reduce though not completely but partially the burden on the government in respect of recovering the prices promised to the farmers. Q4. “India’s ability to resolve its transport infrastructure challenges would depend, to a great extent,

on the adoption of technological solutions like the Hyperloop”- Elucidate (15)

Answer:

A Hyperloop is a proposed mode of passenger and/or freight transportation, first used to describe an

open-source vactrain design released by a joint team from Tesla and SpaceX. Drawing heavily from

Robert Goddard's vactrain, a hyperloop is a sealed tube or system of tubes through which a pod may

travel free of air resistance or friction conveying people or objects at high speed while being very

efficient.

Hyperloop Technology is dubbed as fifth mode of transportation. It is system of magnetically levitating

capsules (pods) that are sent at high speeds through low-pressure tubes. It envisages tube modular

transport system that runs free of friction. It uses linear Induction motors in it to control speed of pods.

It is still in trial stages in different countries and not been implemented for practical use anywhere in

world yet.

Hyperloop is two-to-three times faster than fastest high speed rail and claimed to have speeds even

greater than commercial air travel. It has smaller civil engineering footprint, with no direct emissions or

noise compared to railways. Hyperloop system’s capital cost per mile is 60% that of high-speed rail, and

is less expensive to operate. Furthermore, Hyperloop departures could happen with a low frequency of

a pod every 20 seconds which is not possible in railways

How does it really work?

Hyperloop has four key features

1) The passenger capsules aren't propelled by air pressure like in vaccuum tubes, but by two electromagnetic motors. It is aimed to travel at a top speed of 760 miles per hour. 2) The tube tracks do have a vaccuum, but not completely free of air. Instead, they have low pressure air inside of them.

Most things moving through air tubes will end up compressing the air in the front thus, providing a cushion of air that slows the object down. But the hyperloop will feature a

compressor fan in the front of the capsule. The compressor fan can redirect air to the back of the capsule, but mostly air will be sent to the air bearings.

3) Air bearings are ski like paddles that levitate the capsules above the surface of the tube to reduce friction.

4) The tube track is designed to be immune to weather and earthquakes. They are also designed to be self-powering and un-obstructive. The pillars that rise the tube above the

ground have a small foot-print that can sway in the case of an earthquake. Each of the tube sections can move around flexibly of the train ships because there isn't a constant track that capsules rely on.

And solar panels on the top the track supply power to the periodic motors.

Advantages

Hyperloop is two-to-three times faster than fastest high-speed rail and claimed to have speeds

even greater than commercial air travel.

It has smaller civil engineering footprint, with no direct emissions or noise compared to railways.

Hyperloop system’s capital cost per mile is 60% that of high-speed rail, and is less expensive to

operate.

Furthermore, Hyperloop departures could happen with a low frequency of a pod every 20

seconds which is not possible in railways.

Challenges

It requires heavy investments and therefore effective public and private sector coordination is

prerequisite for implementing it.

It consumes high-power compared to railways.

Technical challenges and accidents may hamper its progress.

Possible Advantages for India

To transform urbanization and our current modes of transportation we need disruptive technology

Remarkable shift in which we perceive urbanization as a person can stay in Chennai and work in Bengaluru

It will be environmentally sustainable with no direct emissions

It will be cost efficient

Co- development will essentially mean access to technology

It is in line with the government’s aim to Make in India, which will create local manufacturing jobs

Concerns

Concerns whether a developing country like India should invest in a technology which is still at experimental stage

There exist regulatory challenges, whether hyperloop will come under railways or civil aviation or an entirely new body

Safety concerns are yet to be addressed

India’s ability to solve its transport infrastructure challenges by partnering with the private sector to

embrace new technologies like hyperloop, as is being with the Mumbai-Pune project or the Amravati

project, is unique and worth emulating. Such dynamism will prove rewarding for India, as supporting

supplier ecosystems for hyperloop systems take shape in the region, creating local jobs, tax and export

revenue potential. As India leads the world in the global deployment of the hyperloop technology, it is

well positioned to unlock significant opportunities for growth and careers on the forefront of the next

transport revolution.

EDEN IAS

(MODEL ANSWERS)

STEPS-25/10/2018-GS IV

Q1. “The secret to happiness is freedom and the secret to freedom is courage.”-Substantiate (10)

Answer:

T rue happiness is the ultimate feeling of freedom. You experience the freedom of choice when you live

from the inside out, not allowing your happiness to be defined by the traditional benchmarks, but

creating your own. Listening to your own inner voice and trusting your choices will lead you to a life of

happiness.

There is nothing as valuable in the life of a man as freedom. If you give the man all the wealth of the

world, make a palace of gold for his residence and provide him the best food available in this world but

take away his freedom, his life is miserable. There is no happiness in life, if we are dependent on others

as Saint Tulsidas had said, “One who is dependent, has no happiness even in his dreams.” (Paradhin

Sukh Sapneu Nahi). It is, therefore, no surprise that the ultimate goal of human life is said to be Mukti

which means liberation or freedom. Though, we often understand the meaning of Mukti as the freedom

‘from this world’ i.e. from the cycle of life and birth, it can also be inferred as freedom ‘within this

world’.

When we are faced with challenges, sometimes it takes strength and courage to have a positive outlook

on life. All of these factors bring forth happiness, which is a powerful form of healing. If you are not

afraid, you are free. Courage is the most important of all the virtues, because without courage you can't

practice any other virtue consistently. You can practice any virtue erratically, but nothing consistently

without courage. Courage allows a person to enjoy his/ her freedom consistently and thus achieve

happiness hence the edifice of freedom stands on the pillars of covert and overt courage.

Q2. What is the difference between intuitive and empirical conceptions of conscience? (10)

Answer:

Conscience can be defined as a person’s moral sense to determine a conduct as right or wrong. It acts as

a guide to one’s behaviour. As per medieval philosophers there are two aspects of conscience viz.

“conscientia” and “synderesis.” While “synderesis” refers to the ineradicable and infallible basis of

conscience in human nature, “conscientia” refers to the more particular judgments we make about our

actions. As per modern philosophers the two aspects of conscience are “sentimentalist” and

“rationalist”. Rationalist refers to conscience that is based on the voice of reason for judging one’s

action, while sentimentalist is based on one’s feeling to decide whether a course of action is correct or

incorrect.

Conscience is a cognitive process that elicits emotion and rational associations based on an individual's

moral philosophy or value system. Conscience stands in contrast to elicited emotion or thought due to

associations based on immediate sensory perceptions and reflexive responses. In common terms,

conscience is often described as leading to feelings of remorse when a person commits an act that

conflicts with their moral values. An individual's moral values and their dissonance with familial, social,

cultural and historical interpretations of moral philosophy are considered in the examination of cultural

relativity in both the practice and study of psychology. The extent to which conscience informs moral

judgment before an action and whether such moral judgments are or should be based on reason has

occasioned debate through much of modern history between theories of modern western philosophy in

juxtaposition to the theories of romanticism and other reactionary movements after the end of the

Middle Ages.

Religious views of conscience usually see it as linked to a morality inherent in all humans, to a beneficent

universe and/or to divinity. The diverse ritualistic, mythical, doctrinal, legal, institutional and material

features of religion may not necessarily cohere with experiential, emotive, spiritual or contemplative

considerations about the origin and operation of conscience. Common secular or scientific views regard

the capacity for conscience as probably genetically determined, with its subject probably learned or

imprinted (like language) as part of a culture.

Commonly used metaphors for conscience include the "voice within", the "inner light", or even Socrates'

reliance on what the Greeks called his "daimōnic sign", an averting inner voice heard only when he was

about to make a mistake. Conscience, as is detailed in sections below, is a concept in national and

international law, is increasingly conceived of as applying to the world as a whole, has motivated

numerous notable acts for the public good and been the subject of many prominent examples of

literature, music and film.

Intuitive conscience is the ability to know about something directly based on instinct without any logical

reasoning, while empirical conscience is subjective in nature and is based on practical experience. In

large societies incest is a taboo. The taboo is more of generated from the intuitive conscience.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy the first social reformer of India stood the test of time and firmly opposed Sati. It

was his empirical conscience which strengthened his resolve to firmly deal with the opposition he

encountered and finally take the fight against sati to logical end.

Q3. Write an account on John Rawl’s list of international morals. (10)

Answer:

John Rawls was an American political philosopher in the liberal tradition. His theory of justice as fairness

describes a society of free citizens holding equal basic rights and cooperating within an egalitarian

economic system. His theory of political liberalism delineates the legitimate use of political power in a

democracy, and envisions how civic unity might endure despite the diversity of worldviews that free

institutions allow. His writings on the law of peoples set out a liberal foreign policy that aims to create a

permanently peaceful and tolerant international order.

Much of Rawls's presentation of the law of peoples parallels the presentations of political liberalism and

justice as fairness. As a liberal society has a basic structure of institutions so, Rawls says, there is an

international basic structure. While Rawls does not say that the international basic structure has a

pervasive impact on the life chances of individuals, the rules of this basic structure are coercively

enforced (for example, Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990 was coercively reversed by a coalition of other

countries). The principles that should regulate this international basic structure thus require

justification. The justification of these principles must accommodate the fact that there is even more

pluralism in worldviews among contemporary societies than there is within a single liberal society.

Rawls puts forward eight principles for ordering the international basic structure:

Peoples are free and independent, and their freedom and independence are to be respected

by other peoples.

Peoples are to observe treaties and undertakings.

Peoples are equal and are parties to the agreements that bind them.

Peoples are to observe the duty of nonintervention (except to address grave violations of

human rights).

Peoples have a right of self-defense, but no right to instigate war for reasons other than self-

defense.

Peoples are to honor human rights.

Peoples are to observe certain specified restrictions in the conduct of war.

Peoples have a duty to assist other peoples living under unfavorable conditions that prevent

their having a just or decent political and social regime.

All of these principles, with the exception of the last one, are familiar from contemporary international

law (though Rawls's list of human rights for principles 4 and 6 is shorter than the list in international

law). Rawls also leaves room for his law of peoples to accommodate various organizations that may help

societies to increase their political and economic coordination, such as idealized versions of a United

Nations, a World Trade Organization, and a World Bank.

Q4. Your childhood dream of representing India at an international-level competition materialised when

you were selected as part of Team India in the Asian Games. During the competition, you witness a few

senior athletes injecting a drug using a syringe, in private, on the eve of the competition. On inquiry you

discover that the drug happens to be a prohibited drug under World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)

guidelines. When you approach your seniors they claim that it is a performance enhancer and if you

want to win medals for the country you must do the same. You are totally perplexed and bewildered by

the situation, out of anxiety and fear you decide to bring the matter to the notice of the coach.

However, to your utter astonishment you discover that the athletes are taking the drug at the advice of

the coach. The Coach reprimands you and warns you that disciplinary action would be pending against

you, if you do not adhere to his advice.

Discuss the various options available to you under such circumstances. Examine the merits and demerits of all such options. Choose the best possible option giving reasons.

(20) Hint:

Stakeholders: - The athlete (Me); Team India; the Coach; Team Management; WADA; Asian Games

organising Committee; Sports Authority of India; Ministry of Sports and Youth Welfare.

Issues with the case- Legality of the use of the performance enhancing drug, which is listed in the WADA’s list of

banned substances or not.

India’s image may get tarnished in the international arena

Lack of awareness or lackadaisical attitude of the athletes regarding punishments for using such

drugs.

Unethical practices propagated by the coach, who is supposed to ensure sports ethical values of

honesty, hard work and dedication without shortcuts.

In such a scenario, I will first clear my conscience regarding any doubts about following the advice of the

athletes/coach. This might be against my value system. So, following in the footsteps of senior athletes

is not an option for me. Other options are:

Warn the athletes/coach against using such drugs in the future.

Merits

Gives a choice to the fellow athletes before complaining.

Resolution of the issue at the team-level.

Demerits

Warning may not be taken seriously.

Coach may punish me on disciplinary grounds to silence me.

Doping may get detected if they participate in the Competition.

Unfair competition.

Complaint directly to the higher authorities accompanying the contingent

Merits

Fair competition Higher authorities may appreciate the

Swiftness of my complaint.

Demerits

No chance to the athletes/coach to explain their actions.

Innocent athletes may get framed as well.

Higher officials may also be involved along with the coach

Complaint after the competition is over

Merits

Performance of the team will not be affected in the competition.

Provides ample time for assessment of my options.

Demerits

Athletes/coach may deny the wrongdoings.

Non-resolution of my fear and conscience crisis during the competition.

Doping may get detected, which will tarnish India’s image globally.

My final course of action would be guided by my belief in Gandhian ethics i.e. “Be the change you

wish to see in the world”.

Firstly, I’d try clear a few doubts by obtaining the firsthand information i.e. whether the drug being used is banned or not as well as affirming the role of the coach and other members in it.

Then, I would try to persuade the fellow athletes to stop the drug’s use, as it is illegal and goes against sports ethics. I would try to convince them that it can be detrimental to both their careers and India’s image.

In case they disagree, I would warn the coach of about possible punitive actions against the

ongoing malpractices.

If the coach ignores my warning, I would be left with no choice but to write a written complaint

mentioning the use of illegal drugs to Team managers and SAI officials accompanying the

contingent or to Minister and MoS, of Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

EDEN IAS

(MODEL ANSWERS)

STEPS-26/10/2018-CURRENT AFFAIRS

Q1. “The implementation of the policy to promote Electric Vehicles in India primarily aims to reduce

greenhouse gas emissions and cut oil expenses.”- Comment (10)

Answer:

The use of non-renewable and polluting sources for the production of energy has taken environmental

pollution to a whole new level. The increasing global warming has an impending need on us to stop the

use of non-renewable resources and reduce carbon emissions. Since the industrial age, the atmospheric

carbon content is rising. Carbon emissions from vehicles amount for a typical passenger vehicle is 4.7

metric tons per year. The largest human source of carbon emission is from combustion of fossil fuels.

The development of electrical engine in vehicles has created a replacement for the internal combustion

engines paving way for the Electric Vehicles (EV). EVs have been adopted by many countries since it

development creating a positive impact on the environment. We are now going to see the opportunities

and challenges impending over implementing electric vehicles in India.

Types of Electric Vehicles

A. Ground Vehicles

Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)

Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs)

Rail borne Electric Vehicles

B. Airborne Vehicles

Manned & Unmanned Electric Aerial Vehicles

C. Seaborne Vehicles

Electric Boats

Advantages of using Electric Vehicles

A. Cheaper to operate

EVs are cheaper to operate since they have high efficiencies and fuel economies thereby reduce cost for

the owner. The electricity to charge an EV is about one third as much per kilometer to purchase fuel for

vehicle.

B. Cheaper to maintain

BEVs have less moving parts than those had by conventional combustion engine vehicles. There is less

servicing and no expensive systems such as fuel injection and exhaust systems, which are not needed in

an EV. PHEVs have petrol engine and need servicing hence costing more than BEVs but they also have an

electric propulsion system, which requires less moving parts leading to less depletion of petrol engine

parts.

C. Environment Friendly

EVs are less polluting, as they have zero exhaust emissions [3]. If you opt to use renewable energy to

charge your EV, you can reduce green house gas emissions even more. Some EVs are made of eco-

friendly materials such as the Ford Focus Electric, which is made of recycled and bio based materials and

the Nissan Leaf, which is partly made of recycled plastic bottles, old car parts and second hand

appliances.

D. Health Benefits

The reduced harmful emissions will lead to better air quality, which is good for our health. EVs are also

produce much less noise compared to petrol/diesel-based vehicles.

E. Safer

EVs have a low center of gravity thereby making them less likely to capsize. They also have low risk of

fires and explosions. Their body construction gives them more durability hence making them safer

during collisions.

Challenges

Cost of EVs-The cost of EVs should be reasonable and the EVs produced should hold proper value for

money.

Efficiency of EVs in India -The EVs in India on an average provides around 120 km on a full charge in turn

making them unsuitable for long drives. EVs in India lack speed, which may turn off buyers. The top two

India made EVs have speed of 85 km/hr.

Demand for EVs -Increase in demand will help in achieving vision 2030. Increase in demand of EVs will

lead to increase in requirement for energy and raw materials to for the battery

Vehicle Quality -Good vehicle quality will lure more customers. Better quality vehicles ensure trust

among customers.

Batteries -The batteries used by electrics are cars made up of nickel, aluminum, cobalt, graphite and

lithium, which are all rare earth materials. The availability of these materials is scarce and the amount of

these materials available may not be able to produce enough batteries to power the expected amount

of electric vehicles to be produced. The increasing demand for lithium around the globe given its scarcity

on the Earth’s surface will make it challenging to meet India’s EV requirement.

Electricity Generation

There must be enough electricity generation capacity to meet the increasing demands for charging

infrastructure and local consumer utilization. There is presently shortage of electricity in many parts of

India and a major part of energy generation of the country is still dependent on fossil fuels.

Anti – EV Elements -Anti – EV activists, supposedly fringe elements hired by oil companies or fossil fuel

dealers try to thwart growth of EVs. Amsterdam recently witnessed an Anti – EV vandalism case

involving damaging of 2 TESLAs

Global Energy Demand –Future fall in Oil prices can decelerate the pace of growth of electric vehicles.

Land Availability -Availability of land to setup charging stations in urban areas where land scarcity is

present is a difficult task. Moreover, a substation nearby is a requirement for a charging station.

The implementation of EVs in India aims primarily to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and cut oil

expenses. The vision 2030 put forth by the Indian Government is an ambitious and difficult task. The

Government should make the most out of the opportunities available and find suitable ways to tackle

the challenges impending over the implementation of EVs. India’s obligation towards many environment

friendly agreements has given it a situation where it is prompted to implement vision 2030.

Q2. “While India has made significant progress in raising enrollment rates in primary and secondary

schools, she has been relatively less successful at preventing dropouts during this critical phase of

learning.“ Elucidate (10)

Answer:

On the basis of the 71st round of the National Sample Survey (NSS) carried out in 2014 and taking into account the 6-18 age group, out-of-school children in this age group were more than 4.5 crores in the country. The proportion of out-of-school children was higher in rural India (17.2%) than in urban India (13.1%).

Frequent and Common Reasons for dropping out of school

The most important reason for boys to drop out of school was to take up jobs to supplement the family earning.

For girls, it was the compulsion to participate in household work.

There is also a prejudice against educating girls that is prevalent in India.

An important reason for drop-out is the socio-economic conditions of the parents of the children. Therefore, calls for a more comprehensive approach that is not reflected in the RTE Act.

The most important social reason for drop-out is a lack of awareness of the importance of school education and of the fact that education is now a legal right.

According to the RTE Act and the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, these out-of-school children fall under the category of child labour.

It is, therefore, not surprising that the largest number of child labourers in the world is in India.

What can be done to bring more children to school?

We would not have been confronted with this high proportion of drop-outs if all the provisions of the RTE Act had been implemented within the time limit prescribed in the Act (latest by April 2015).

The Act provided for the availability of a school at a distance of 1 km from the residence of the child at the primary level and 3 km at the upper primary level

Until an adequate number of schools at the prescribed distances from the children’s homes becomes available, it would be necessary to provide secure modes of subsidised travel to schools, particularly for girls

Another important provision which ought to have been included in the RTE is financial support to poor parents, adequate to enable them to send their children to school

If these provisions had been implemented, a major reason for drop-out (the distance of school) would have been eliminated.

Another Important Concern: Pupil-teacher ratio (PTR) particularly in Private Schools:

It is the most critical requirement. But it has got the least public attention. All other forward-looking provisions of the Act such as continuous assessment, a child learning at her own pace, and ‘no detention’ policy is contingent on a school with an adequate number of teachers.

No meaningful teaching-learning is possible unless trained teachers are physically present at school. It is impractical to expect quality education without this.

Need of the Hour: All round development and learning of every Indian child:

Students should get time for various other activities that enable their all-round development and make them better human beings. At the stage of development of cognitive skills, students need to be given full freedom.

Life education, value education, skill building and experiential learning should become a major part of their education contributing to bringing out the best in each child.

A habit of visiting libraries and learning should be encouraged. Learning should be provided with a local context for enabling a child to build up her knowledge

with much ease and understanding. India is a diverse country and therefore, learning needs are also diverse which needs to be

addressed accordingly.

Way Forward

Pedagogical approach: The processes and methodology must be holistic, should address cognitive and psycho-social needs of out of school children. A fear-free environment and the use of local language are essential to attract and keep girls in school.

Curriculum Design: a special “accelerated curriculum” is also essential to curb the dropout rate. Higher order aspects must also be included in the curriculum so the girls not only acquire information but also the soft skills that are necessary for success in life.

Building leadership skills in girls is critical to enable them to confront the challenges that keep them out of school, negotiate for their education and take decisions for themselves.

Teacher Development: Teachers are critical to the success of this approach. Their training should not only enable them to transmit the curriculum effectively, but also act as a friend and mentor to the girls. Teacher training should include building their awareness and understanding of marginalisation experienced by their students.

Monitoring progress of the initiative, inclusive of child assessment: A process for tracking the progress of an individual child is essential to support them so that they can attain their full potential.

Community Involvement: There is a simultaneous need to work with the families and the larger community to support and sustain progress.

Q3. “Solid waste management, which is already a mammoth task in India, is becoming more

complicated by the invasion of e-waste.”- Elaborate (15)

Answer:

E-waste or Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) are loosely discarded, surplus, obsolete,

broken, electrical or electronic devices.

In India, the quantity of “e-waste” or electronic waste has now become a major problem. Disposal of e-

waste is an emerging global environmental and public health issue, as this waste has become the most

rapidly growing segment of the formal municipal waste stream in the world.

Environmentally Sound Management (ESM) of e-waste will also

improve ranking of India in these areas.

India ranks 155 out of 178 nations in Environmental Performance

Index. It also ranks poorly in various indicators like 127 in Health

Hazards, 174 in Air Quality, 124 in Water and Sanitization

Issues related to E-waste in India

1. Volume of E-waste generated India stands fifth in e-waste generation producing around 1.7 lakhs metric tonnes per annum 2. Involvement of Child Labor In India, about 4.5 lakh child laborers in the age group of 10-14 are observed to be engaged in various E-waste activities and that too without adequate protection and safeguards in various yards and recycling workshops. So, there is a urgent need to bring out effective legislation to prevent entry of child labor into E-waste market- its collection, segregation and distribution. 3. Ineffective Legislation There is absence of any public information on most SPCBs/PCC websites. 15 of the 35 PCBs/PCC do not have any information related to E-waste on their websites, their key public interface point. Even the basic E-waste Rules and guidelines have not been uploaded. In absence of any information on their website, specially on details of recyclers and collectors of E-waste, citizens and institutional generators of E- waste are totally at a loss to deal with their waste and do not know how to fulfill their responsibility. So, there is failure in successful implementation of E-waste Management and Handling Rules, 2012. 4. Lack of infrastructure There is huge gap between present recycling and collection facilities and quantum of E-waste that is being generated. No collection and take back mechanisms are in place. There is lack of recycling facilities. 5. Health hazards E-waste contains over 1,000 toxic materials, which contaminate soil and ground water. Exposure can cause headache, irritability, nausea, vomiting, and eye pain. Recyclers may suffer liver, kidney and neurological disorders. Due to lack of awareness, they are risking their health and the environment as well. 6. Lack of incentive schemes No clear guidelines are there for the unorganized sector to handle E-waste. Also no incentives are mentioned to lure people engaged to adopt formal path for handling E-waste. Working conditions in the informal recycling sector are only slightly worse than in the formal sector. No incentive schemes for producers who are doing something to handle e-waste. 7. Poor awareness and sensitization Limited reach out and awareness regarding disposal, after determining end of useful life. Also Only 2% of individuals think of the impact on environment while disposing off their old electrical and electronic equipment. 8. E-waste imports Cross-border flow of waste equipment into India- 80 percent of E-waste in developed countries meant for recycling is sent to developing countries such as India, China, Ghana and Nigeria. 9. Reluctance of authorities’ involved Lack of coordination between various authorities responsible for E-waste management and disposal including the non-involvement of municipalities. 10. Security implications End of life computers often contains sensitive personal information and bank account details which, if not deleted leave opportunity for fraud.

11. Lack of research Government must encourage research into the development and standards of hazardous waste management, environmental monitoring and the regulation of hazardous waste-disposal.

An effective take-back program providing incentives for producers to design products that are less

wasteful, contain fewer toxic components, and are easier to disassemble, reuse, and recycle may help in

reducing the wastes. It should set targets for collection and reuse/recycling, impose reporting

requirements and include enforcement mechanisms and deposit/refund schemes to encourage

consumers to return electronic devices for collection and reuse/recycling. End-of life management

should be made a priority in the design of new electronic products.

Q4. Discuss the prospects and pitfalls of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Highlight the Indian stance

on the issue. How should India proclaim her position regarding the BRI? (15)

Answer;

Proposed Solutions to the Problem of e waste

Domestic legal framework to address these gaps in import of E Waste

• Need to address safe disposal of domestic waste.

• Tie recycling in with take-back product

• The Framework should address the issue of E waste imports for reuse and recycling.

• Attract investment in this sector

• Link up activities of informal sector with formal sector

• Provide for appropriate framework for processes

• Promote adequate ESM technologies for recycling

• Incorporate precautionary principles and polluter pays

• Insist on domestic processing

• Then make sure the company you select has capacity to handle every type of E-Scrap.

• Promote recycling units to ease process and to encourage generators to have proper e-waste

disposal

• Impart training to generators on e-waste handling

• Awareness program on recycling

• Fix duties and responsibilities to recyclers

• Tax incentives for scrap dealers

• Reward and reprimand schemes for performance and non-compliance of e-waste management

PROSPECTS OF THE BRI BRI spans some 65 countries in Asia, Africa and Europe covering 70 per cent of the world population, three-quarters of its energy resources, a quarter of goods and services, and 28 per cent of global GDP ($21 trillion). Beijing’s rationale appears to be clear: these are large, resource-rich nations in close proximity to it with a severe infrastructure deficit, which China has the resources and expertise to redress. By boosting connectivity, China can hope to spur growth in the short term, gain access to valuable natural resources in the mid-term and create new booming markets for its goods into the extended future. China’s inability to fully absorb its supply-side production capacity — the problem of under-absorption — has been an inherent feature of China’s economic story. Since the 2008 global economic crisis, China’s investment-intensive export-oriented model, relying on massive reciprocal import demand in high income economies to absorb Chinese production, has widely been acknowledged as unsustainable. The steel sector has become symbolic of this overcapacity. For instance today, China can produce 1.2 billion metric tons of steel, 50 per cent more than what is required for domestic and export markets.

The key motive for China appears to be much bigger and more ambitious. It wants to consolidate its position at the centre of global supply and manufacturing networks. This is crucial for the outlook of the global economy over the coming decades. China understands that as its economy matures and income levels rise, the lower-wage industries that have fuelled the country’s growth so far will migrate to less-developed nations where labour costs are lower. An overriding objective of BRI is to address China’s deepening regional disparity as the country’s economy modernises. Beijing hopes its transnational infrastructure building program will spur growth in China’s underdeveloped hinterland and rustbelt. By investing in infrastructure, Xi hopes to find a more profitable home for China’s vast foreign-exchange reserves, most of which are in low-interest bearing American government securities. He also hopes to create new markets for Chinese companies, such as high-speed rail firms, and to export some of his country’s vast excess capacity in cement, steel and other metals. And by encouraging more Chinese projects around the South China Sea, the initiative could bolster China’s claims in that area. Xi has launched BRI at a time when Chinese foreign policy has become more assertive, even aggressive. This has meant that BRI is often interpreted as a geopolitical venture rather than a purely economic one. There is considerable truth in this assessment. BRI is one of President Xi’s most ambitious foreign and economic policy projects. At the recent 19th Congress of the Chinese Communist Party, BRI was enshrined in the Party Constitution signalling the depth of Chinese commitment, giving it greater policy heft and added pressure to succeed. Many foreign policy analysts view this initiative largely through a geopolitical lens, seeing it as Beijing’s attempt to gain political leverage over its neighbors and to rapidly fill the vacuum created by the increasingly isolationist policies being pursued by US President Donald Trump. Trump's withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement has played into China's hands. Trump's dependence on Chinese support to contain North Korea has also given greater leverage to China. Making this bold vision into reality will require an extraordinary alignment of financial resources, technical skills, political commitment and international cooperation. None of these can be taken for granted. It is estimated that financial resources to the tune of $4.4 trillion ($1.4 trillion for SREB and $3 trillion for the maritime component) would be required to implement the initiative. China has claimed that nearly $900 billion worth of deals are already underway. Beijing’s plan is for China-led financial institutions to lend money to countries willing to participate in BRI to create the required infrastructure, deploy the surplus Chinese manpower to build them and ensure that China’s hitherto idle state-owned enterprises construct them. It is however a moot point whether China on its own will be able to marshal the requisite financial resources required for this ambitious venture. Moreover, it is debatable if Chinese or regional financial institutions would be willing to extend credit to countries with dubious credit-worthiness. Thus far, a significant amount of Belt Road investment has flowed to countries with relatively weak credit profiles. 42 out of the 68 countries identified under BRI are either rated below investment grade or not rated by Moody’s at all. At the same time, China’s armed forces are being upgraded and reoriented to protect Chinese investments and personnel abroad. According to informed estimates, China’s Navy, for instance, plans to build 400 warships and 100 submarines by 2030.

There is an equally important strategic imperative. If it materialises, BRI, which will girdle the globe, will extend China’s economic, diplomatic and military power well beyond its borders and across the world and place China virtually on par with the US. China’s ambition is to achieve this by 2049, the hundredth anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

PITFALLS OF THE BRI China will need its neighbors’ cooperation for realization of its objectives. However, it’s handling of regional antagonism in recent years has further exacerbated tensions in the area. The BRI vision statement claims “Principles of Peaceful Coexistence” which include a “mutual respect for each other’s sovereignty.” Contrary to this, China has escalated sovereignty disputes by pressing territorial claims against its neighbors.

A vital reason for India to stay away from the Belt Road Forum on May 14-15, 2017 in Beijing was China's utter disregard for India's core concerns on its sovereignty and territorial integrity with respect to the $ 56 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which has been billed as the flagship project of this initiative.

In the South China Sea, China has challenged Vietnamese claims by moving a state-owned oil

rig into disputed waters and constructed airstrips suitable for military aircraft on disputed features in the Spratly Islands. China has shown total contempt for international law by rejecting the ruling of the UN tribunal regarding its claims in the South China Sea.

On the Doklam Plateau in 2017, China challenged Bhutan’s sovereignty by attempting to

extend a road into disputed territory leading to a military standoff with India. These actions directly contradict the BRI vision statement and send a signal to China’s neighbors that it will aggressively use its instruments of power to assert claims over disputed territories.

China's approach to CPEC, Bhutanese and South China Sea disputes increases the perception that China is unwilling to harmonize regional stability and security with its nationalist objectives.

A few recent cracks in Beijing's plans for dominance and influence highlight the complicated road to infrastructure based leverage faced by China.

On November 14, 2017, according to a South China Morning Post report, the government of Nepal decided to abandon the $2.5 billion deal to build the Budhigandaki hydroelectric project dam with the Chinese state company China Gezhouba Group. The deal was scrapped because it was signed without an open tender process, which was required by law. Ironically, the agreement was originally signed a few weeks after Nepal joined the BRI.

Then, Pakistan, China's all-weather friend, also decided to pull out of the $14 billion Diamer-Bhasha dam with China because it refused to accept the strict deal conditions.

In both cases because the terms were considered by the recipient countries, which are closely tied to China, to be unfair and inequitable. This inevitably also raises issues about the commercial viability and financial credibility of some other projects. The Belt and Road seems to be faltering in its initial, conceptual financial stage. Another glaring example is that of Hambantota port which has become the proverbial millstone around Sri Lanka's neck. A worrying development emerged in July, 2017 when Sri Lanka was forced to give control of the deep-water port to China for 99 years in exchange for Chinese debt settlement. Huge delays in implementation of high profile, prestigious projects in Singapore, Indonesia and several other countries have occurred due to serious local obstacles and problems. If full transparency is ensured through competing public tenders, the adequacy, suitability and quality of the Chinese equipment being used could also soon become issues of concern. The importation of tens of thousands of Chinese workers to install Chinese equipment displacing the employment for locals also leads to significant political fallout. The above discussion points to an urgent need for China to rethink and reconfigure its financing strategy for overseas development projects. Several analysts have expressed concern that smaller states could become overly dependent on Chinese loans and trapped in debt servitude to Beijing. To make matters worse, China is finding it hard to identify profitable projects in many belt-and-road countries (Chinese businessmen in central Asia call it “One Road, One Trap”).

It is essential for China to go back to the drawing board, engage in serious and sincere dialogue with its neighbours and participants in BRI, ensure respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, uphold the internationally accepted norms of transparency, good governance and observe principles of financial responsibility, skill and technology transfer etc for the Initiative to have some possibility of success.

INDIA’s TAKE ON THE BRI We are of firm belief that connectivity initiatives must be based on universally recognized international norms, good governance, and rule of law, openness, transparency and equality. Connectivity initiatives must follow principles of

financial responsibility to avoid projects that would create unsustainable debt burden for communities; balanced ecological and environmental protection and preservation standards; transparent assessment of project costs; and skill and technology transfer to help long-term running and maintenance of the assets

created by local communities. Connectivity projects must be pursued in a manner that respects sovereignty and territorial integrity.