Paper 2 General Studies

General Studies 2
Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social

Sector/Services relating to Health
4) The quality of health services in urban and rural India, in both the
public and private sectors, continues to be abysmal, as millions of
patients travel to access health services elsewhere. Critically
comment. (200 Words)
The Hindu
General Studi
According to WHO health is a complete physical, mental and social well being not merely absence of
dieseases
Indias healthcare system is at 112 out of 190 countries. India spends only 4% of its GDP on this sector.
Condition of private & public sector both remains appalling besides many policies like NRHM & UHP.
Wide gaps between rural and urban populations, staggering 70% of the population still lives in rural
areas and has no or limited access to hospitals. Consequently, the rural population mostly relies on
alternative medicines.
Urban centers have numerous private hospitals earning better profitability for investors compared to
the not-so-profitable rural areas & health of their patients.
Only 5% of Indians are covered by health insurance policies resulted in a nascent health insurance
market which is only available for the urban high income population.
There are handfuls of programmes: the Community Health Insurance programme for the BPL
population and LIC policy for senior citizens. These plans designed to pay upfront cash and then get
reimbursed by filing a claim which is not an easy task for poor and illiterate people.
India faces a growing need to fix its basic health concerns in the areas of HIV, malaria, TB etc.
Children born underweight and 7% die before their fifth birthday. Small percentage of the population
has access to quality sanitation. India spends only 30 % of its total health budget on primary
healthcare.
India is the third-largest exporter of pharmaceutical products in terms of volume, but still facing
stock out of many kits like HIV & TB.
There is urgent need to look in this matter and need to invest in improving preventive and primary
health care, sanitation, waste management and health education. An increase in health budget with
more policies like 100% FDI in medical devices sector need to observe in order to integrate India with
lessons from its past.
Health care is the most prioritized requirement for the mankind, as obvious; ironically its
improvement pace in Indian context does not seem as a priority concern. Repetitive crises in malaria
and dengue make frequent news in India and diabetes and heart diseases are taking huge masses into
their grip. As per the economic survey 2013-14, the expenditure of India on health as percentage of
GDP is only 1.4%.
To provide health care to the people govt hospitals and private hospitals are both active but still
people go elsewhere to accesses the health care. Reasons are following1)-Inefficiency of govt hospitals- Govt hospitals are lacking in sufficient no of doctors and no. of beds.
Many govt doctors open their private clinic and charge a high fee. Lesser no. of AIMS and lack of
technical expertise in the field of health sector forces many people to go out.
2)-Costly private sector- Private sector charge huge amount and treatment provided are also not up to
that level.
3)-Stocking out of the medicine-Many a time medicines like HIV testing kits and later of HIV drugs
were found out of stock.
4)-Brain drain-many a time best doctors opt to work abroad and hospitals lack expertise
5)-Lack of trust- peoples found it better to go out for healthcare access as their opinion include
indigenous doctors inefficient and lack of expertise. Because of frequent disasters as happened in
recent Chhattisgarh sterilization case people lose their trust in Indian
doctors.
6)- Use of antibiotics- Use of antibiotics are generating the problem of anti-microbial problem and for
better treatment peoples are flocking elsewhere for the treatment.
Though govt of India is doing a lot in the direction of health care access on the national level. National
AIDS policy, polio muhim, revised tuberculosis Control program etc are worthy to mention but these
seems to be ineffective to find their objectives. Its high time for the govt of india to take efficient
measures in the form of increasing spending in the health sector, preventing brain drain,
regularization of govt hospitals and private hospitals and finding technical expertness by R&D in
health care sector. As Prevention is better than cure and swachha bharat abhiyan seems to be fit in
this line.
We need to do following things:

1) We know lot of our problems are due to continued neglect, a lack of focus on prevention and
insufficient investment in health, or a focus on addressing diseases i.e., the social determinants of
health. We need to focus on it.

2) We need to learn from other areas of the world like gaza and Africa where things got worsened due
to neglect of basic things .
3) We need to provide sufficient nutrition, safe habitation, better air quality, sanitation, healthseeking behaviours, safety, and reduced conflict.
4) Government need to increase its budget and not cut it.
Despite of lowest resources invested in the sector compared to world,indian govt has started several
health missions to improve awareness and medical facilities among masses like NRHM(National
Rural Health Mission),NSBY(National Swasthya Bima Yojana) ,AYUSH and ASHA etc.The govt need
to successfully implement these missions and there is a need to utilize resources properly then only it's
possible that we can develop economically as well as socially
Article 41 in The Constitution Of India 1949

41. Right to work, to education and to public assistance in certain cases The State shall,
within the limits of its economic capacity and development, make effective provision for
securing the right to work, to education and to public assistance in cases of unemployment,
old age, sickness and disablement, and in other cases of undeserved want

42. Provision for just and humane conditions of work and maternity relief The State shall
make provision for securing just and humane conditions of work and for maternity relief

47. Duty of the State to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living and to improve
public health The State shall regard the raising of the level of nutrition and the standard of
living of its people and the improvement of public health as among its primary duties and, in
particular, the State shall endeavour to bring about prohibition of the consumption except
for medicinal purposes of intoxicating drinks and of drugs which are injurious to health
31-12-2014
General Studies 2
Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements
involving India and/or affecting Indias interests
3) If one looks at ongoing mega-regional trade agreements that are
being negotiated around the world, it is apparent that India is left
behind from becoming part of new interconnected global trade and
investment environment. In this regard, examine why is it important for

India to be part of these agreements and how it can do so. (200 Words)
Business Standard
Of the three mega-regional trade agreements- Transatlantic Trade and Investment (TTIP), the TransPacific Partnership (TPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), India is
included only in the RCEP, whose policy standards are expected to be lower than in the other two. In
addition, there are other few reasons which make this situation undesirable for India.
Eight of the sixteen RCEP countries are part of the TPP initiative and are more likely to adopt the
higher standards of the TTIP and TPP, primarily due to the fact that TTIP and TPP account for about
half of the world trade and would give these economies access to Western markets. The integrity of
RCEP can be further undermined as all ASEAN countries are not members of the TPP.
Such a scenario may weaken the RCEP and stall Indias attempts at gaining access to international
markets. Also, Chinas inclusion in the RCEP may require India to sign an FTA with it, which will be
detrimental to our economic interests as our trade deficit with China is already high. This calls for
greater participation in the other two RTAs to offset any loss of business due to RCEP's weakening or
domination by China.
Although India has the option of joining the TPP, the membership requires greater focus on
environmental and labour laws, and IPR issues. Conforming to these standards will be beneficial for
India in the long run. India can also look to sign BITs with countries of Africa and South America
which require greater investments to develop their natural resources, but are left of the three megaRTAs.
Importance for India:

1. It will allow India to a large market and thus is concomitant with our Make in India policy.
2. India's niche sectors like IT, pharmaceuticals are world class and will gain a bigger market.
3. Such regional trade blocks can provide the milieu for cooperation in other areas like
security, or political cooperation.
1. Interlinkage of trade, investment, services and global value chain
2. Enhance global competitive position
3. FDI can be leveraged for technology transfer
4. outward investment can be leveraged for access to foreign market
4- TTIP and TPP account for about half of world trade and these two agreements, not RCEP,
will likely dominate the standards that will ultimately determine the possibility of linking up
with global value chains.
Steps to be taken by India:
1. Shore up India's manufacturing sector and develop niche areas with world class quality.
2. Leverage outward FDI to enhance competitiveness by its strategic use.
3. Reforms and modernize standards and streamline procedures, making it easy for inward FDI.
4. Increase rank in 'ease of doing business index', and increase awareness of intellectual property.
4. Increase bilateral participation as a step towards multi member trade fora.
Steps to be part of global trade agreement

1. Create effective policies conducive to trade, investment and manufacturing
2. strengthen domestic regulatory framework to allow for stricter enforcement
3. cultivate and enhance global industry standards
4. raise the level of "ease of doing business index"
1. Beyond WTO:
The signatory countries, even though members of the WTO, will trade on preferential terms only
within each other, thus giving the non-signatories a global competitive disadvantage.
2. Manufacturing:
The Make in India vision will be well complimented with such agreements as they:
a. Provide larger markets for the Indian Goods
b. Provide greater flow of capital as investment into the industries
c. Through imposition of standards in the working processes, it will also bear an indirect effect on the
average quality of life enjoyed by workers in India
3. Regional Threat:
With China being a member to these important regional agreements, there will be a higher tendency
towards economic uni-polarisation in Asia, and will also have implications on the political and
military threat India will
have from China.
4. Political and Strategic:
Smaller grouped regional agreements also leads to stronger political and strategic relationships
between those countries, and by remaining out of these clusters India will face a major political and
strategic setback
5. Cultural Exchange
With greater cultural exchange possible in a smaller set of countries, India will have a lot to learn and
teach to the world than what it can do on a multi-lateral platform like the WTO
The steps India can take to be included in these agreements are as following:
1. Improve standards of processes and procedures, matching the global standards to invite partners as
well as FDI
2. Build a competitive edge in sectors in which India has an inherent capability, such that its value
addition
to the global supply chain is unsubsitutable
3. Build capabilities in the white areas of the global economy
4. Enter more bilateral agreements to gradually proceed towards multi-lateral agreements
5. To protect the domestic industries from the threats that such agreements bring, increase awareness
about Intellectual Property, Terms of Trade, etc
1/1/2015
Topic: Indian Constitution- significant provisions; Important aspects of

governance, transparency and accountability
4) Will you support if the government invokes the Section 69A of the
Information Technology Act and directs internet service providers to
implement this section? Justify. (200 Words)
The Hindu
Section 69A (power of blocking public access to Internet contents) of the Information Technology Act
and the Information Technology (Procedures and Safeguards for Blocking of Access of Information by
Public) Rules. Here, the
owner of the website is not heard before passing orders to block the
content. In addition, orders issued under section 69A can not be
appealed in the Cyber Appellate Tribunal but only in the High Court.
Article 19(2) Nothing in sub clause (a) of clause ( 1 ) shall affect the operation of any existing
law, or prevent the State from making any law, in so far as such law imposes reasonable
restrictions on the exercise of the right conferred by the said sub clause in the interests of the
sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State, friendly relations with foreign
States, public order, decency or morality or in relation to contempt of court, defamation or
incitement to an offence.
The reason for section 69A:
1. In a highly interconnected world, the internet has often been used by terrorists and other
organizations for propaganda, and criminal activities.
2. The constitution itself places resonalble restrictions on Article 19, in freedom of speech and
expression, as hurtful and malicious comments and activities may trigger communal, regional
violence.
3. The fast and dynamic content of the internet makes section 69A an imperative.
But the blatant misuse of this sections can be seen in various cases:
1. It can be used for snooping, which can be for political or personal vendetta, and disregards
individual rights.
2. The vague definition of public interest lead to interpretations which meet some agenda.
3. The fast and dynamic content of the internet makes it impractical and impossible for the
corporations to regulate it in realtime, if at all.
Solution:
Section 69A can be if there are accompanying protocols to deal with the exigencies. All urgent cases
should be duly submitted for review to a third party within a time frame. Other cases can have prior
consent.
Practically, the content in large websites can only be taken down after reports, so crowd sourcing can
be used to notify objectionable content, which can be removed after review.
Careful monitoring of internet is an ongoing debate across the world. In the 21st century, internet still
has a huge role to play. In this context, the regulators, parliament and media should monitor
communications online and take necessary action taking care not to curb freedom of speech and at the
same time developing vibrant online market place.

5) Critically examine why the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is
important for USA. Also examine how India will get benefited if the TPP
is finalized and implemented. (200 Words)
Business Standard
Importance for the USA:
1. The scaling up of intellectual property rights will benefit the US corporations immensely, like music,
movies, pharmaceuticals etc.
2. The increased standards can erode the cost competitiveness of its competitors.
3. It will be an alternative to the WTO talks which had recently been blocked by India.
4. The US can make inroads in the economies of Asia, which has thus far been dominated by China.
India is not a member of TPP, so implementation of TPP can erode India of some of its export
markets, and lead to pushing of new IPR laws in the WTO which India has thus far objected to.
If India becomes a part of TPP, then,
1. India will have new markets for its exports, only if manufacturing becomes more competitive and
other niche areas like pharmaceuticals move up the value chain by investing in research and
development. Otherwise, it can be a disaster for India as the new IP laws can curb generic drugs
sector.
2. India can find allies and move closer to the US as a hedge against China.
Ultimately, the costs involved are too great. The initiatives which India opposed in the WTO are
included in the TPP. Unless India itself becomes a net exporter of Intellectual property products, there
need to be several modifications in TPP for India to join.
02/01/2015
Topic: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing

countries on Indias interests, Indian
diaspora.
4) Write a critical note on The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act
(FATCA)? Examine why Indian financial institutions have been asked to
register with the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS ). (200 Words)
Business Standard
Business Standard-2
Fatca is an american anti tax evasion act. It makes it mandatory for foreign financial institutions to
provide information about clients who could be subject to American tax laws, and failure will do so
will result in a 30% withholding tax in all payments from the US.
This required registering with the US's Internal Revenue Service through a web based platform. Since
Indian companies too have substantial dealing with the US, despite the absence of an
Intergovernmental agreement, they have been asked to comply.
Earlier, tax information was shared on "request", which was both slow and easy for tax evasion.
FATCA :
-------1.The US government has enacted Foreign Account Tax
Compliance Act (FATCA), which is primarily intended to detect and thus
discourage tax evasion.
2.Under this Act, the financial institutions in signatory countries
have to report their American clients to the US' Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
3.Since India has agreed to sign Model-1 Inter Government Aggrement with US on FATCA, financial
institutions in India will have to register with IRS and obtain Global Intermediary Identification
Number (GIIN).
Some Issues with FATCA:
--------------------------1. There is lack of complete reciprocity from the US counter parts.
2. Lack of symmetry in reporting standards.
3. It might become very difficult to keep track of all the investments.
Reasons for Indian financial institutions have been asked to resister with
US' IRS :
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------1.If a financial institution does not comply to FATCA, it would have to pay 30 per
cent penalty tax on all its US revenues, including dividend, interest, fees and
sales.
2.It results into simplification of compliance process for financial institutions in India.
3.Other Benefits:
-Withholding tax issue can be avoided
- It would give relief to NRIs from the burden of double taxation
1. What is FATCA?
The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) is legislation put in place by the United
States government. Its purpose is to ensure that foreign financial institutions provide
the US government with information about clients who could be subject to American tax laws.
2. What does it mean for Indian institutions?

Indian institutions, too, will have to sign up with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for this
purpose. They have to obtain a Global Intermediary Identification Number (GIIN) before
January 01, 2015, according to a regulatory circular. They will have to report the assets of
such clients to the IRS.
3. What happens if they don't sign up?

Financial institutions which do not sign up with IRS will face a 30% withholding tax on all
payments from the US. This means that every time a non-compliant bank, brokerage or
mutual fund get Rs.100 from the US; Rs.30 will be deducted by the US tax authorities.
Topic: Development processes and the development industry- the role

of NGOs
5) Recently the government stopped foreign funding of few NGOs
working in India accusing them of affecting development processes in
India. Critically discuss the role of NGOs in development processes.
Also comment if the governments decision is correct. (200 Words)
The Hindu
NGO are autonmous organisation which work to improve the condition of marginalised and poor
sections of the society. They achieve their goals by pressurising government to legislate or change
policy decision(eg Right to Information Act), complementing development work of govt by providing
services with private and public sector, by monitoring and evaluating govt services and by
representing the interests of specific groups like women and children. They have helped to improve
service delivery, greater transparency, rights of the marginalised and raise issue of significant
importance. Also, they have ensured fairer, more honest, transparent, democratic and accountable
governance which is more tolerant of diversity and pluralism. They have helped marginalised by
providing microfinance through self help gorups. Also they have helped protect the environment and
have spread awareness towards climate change and sustainable development.
1. Sustainable development
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have played a major role in pushing for sustainable
development at the international level. have been key drivers of inter-governmental negotiations,
ranging from the regulation of hazardous wastes to a global ban on land mines and the elimination of
slavery.
2. Deepening democracy
Great role in the shaping and implementation of participatory democracy. Their credibility lies in the
responsible and constructive role they play in society. They have played crucial role in giving voice to
people in many instances through peoples movement.
3. Strengthening democracy
By pressing for greater electoral reforms by using tools such as PIL .
4. Socio economic development
NGO's have been part of implementation of various government policies . They have created great
awareness and reduced distance between people and government.
5. Social justice
They help empower women , vulnerable groups etc . Recently an Indian shri Kailash Satyarthi has
been awarded Noble peace prize by recognising his efforts to prevent child labour through his NGO "
Bachapan Bachao"
The NGOs play a vital role in the keeping a check on the malafide activities and intentions and has
covered almost all the sphere of activities be it human trafficking, child labor, women harassment,
environment protection etc. These institutions keep a vigil on various activities of private sector ,
govt., individuals and groups. The basic funda behind them cropping up is to pave way for the
sustainable development, women protection, environment and ecological protection and many others.
It has been also observe that many times NGOs works as a off door platform for government also to
serve the larger national interest. SEWA, Ralegan siddihi and SSA are some eminent NGOs in this
regard.
A study done by Society For participatory Research In India ( PRIA) highlighted that 42.7% of total
receipt of NGOs are foreign fund.
However, they have been also criticised on many accounts. Firstly, accountability of NGO is upwards
toward their funders and they have been accused of taking forward the point of their funders. Also, it
has been argued that foreign funders have tried to halt the development process of India. Secondly,
their legitimacy has been questioned on the account that they have no public mandate. Thirdly,
transparency in funding has also been questioned. Fourthly, they have only raised questions and
mobilised masses but have not come forward with alternative strategy for a course of action. Finally,
they have been accused of undermining the democratic system.
India has also seen a rise in these institutions in the recent past and this change is a positive
significant one until and unless it has borne in it some Political Subversion, as India has witnessed off
lately in the severe opposition of its development project from the NGOs that too foreign based. Yes,
Foreign Based NGOs , viz. the vehement opposition of the Kudankulam nuclear power project by the
Greenpeace a US based NGO .
The Bank Information Centre (BIC) is an NGO-based in Washington that tracks World Bank and
Asian Development Bank (ADB) funded projects worldwide, but has a special focus on India. New
York-based NGO 350.org which works on climate-change and the California-based Sierra Club have
been opposing coal imports from Australia for Indian therma
There has been rising demand from the political parties in power to stop foreign fundings for NGOs.
However, this is not the desired line of action as it will hinder participative governance. There needs to
be made transparency about the spendings of the funds of NGOs while at the same time letting them
participate in the process of decision making.
The move by the MHA to stop the funding of these NGOs can be seen as a necessary political action
because given the pattern that all these are US based and are vehemently opposing and moving
masses against the govt projects. Definitely there can be sniffed a political conspiracy , strengthening
this argument is the flocking of the US based NGOs in India whi are equivocally critical of
development projects
Topic: Important aspects of governance, transparency and

accountability
6) What are the essences of effective governance? Critically comment
on Indias record in providing effective and transparent governance to
its citizens post liberalization period. (200 Words)
The Hindu
::: The essence of effective governance is defined to include pro-people agenda, citizens participation,
all-round women empowerment, equality of opportunity to the youth and transparency. Inclusiveness
with special attention to the socially and economically disadvantaged sections and minorities is also
included in the scheme of effective governance.:::
Some of the measures taken toward enhancing transparency and effective governance post 1990 are:
1. Implementation of RTI Act 2005.
2. Use of IT enabled services on various fields of govt bill payments, birth and death certificate
issuance, passport seva kendra, e-governance, computerisation of land records, providing ICT to
Rashtriya Madhyamic Sikhsa abhiyan, free ITI to any youth for skill development and hardware
course, e-choupal, online suggestions during Five Year Plannings, e-challan, soft copy documentation
on various courts, NATGRID, etc. Computerisation leads to transparent and corruptionless
administration.
3. With 73 and 74 amendment in 1992, Central govt has enabled local governance through distribution
of power to panchayat and nagar nigams
4. Enlarging economic inclusiveness to lower down economic inequality among people.
5. COPRA Act for consumer grievances redressal, Public service bills for tracking progress, RTE for
enforcing Fundamental rights.
fter Liberalisation India has seen some of these ideas of Effective Governance being fulfilled.By
launching several Voter's Education drives,Election Commission has ensured People's active
participation in elections.People's Participation is also improving in other political events through
various initiatives.
Government in its prerogative have tried to formulate policies so that benefits can be disseminated to
all section and all parts of the country, some of those initiatives can be summed up as MGNREGA,
PMGRY, PMGSY etc. but somewhere down the line given the fact that India has huge population and
has huge demands with government having limited resources have been left unmet.
03/01/2015
Topic: Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions

and responsibilities of various
Constitutional Bodies.
3) The institution of the governor has been sidelined in the
administering of tribal areas despite clear constitutional guidelines to
the contrary. In the light of some of recent related events, critically

comment on the statement. (200 Words)
EPW
One of the most important roles amongst other duties is their function in administering tribal areas. The governors are vested
with clear and unambiguous powers in the Fifth Schedule Areas for safeguarding tribal interests in the nine states to which the
schedule applies. The governors role in the protection of scheduled tribes was spelt out in the Government of India Act 1935;
tribal lands were then categorised as excluded and partially-excluded areas for the the aboriginals and the backward people.
This meant that legislation would not extend to tribal areas, except on the direction of the governor. Post Independence, the
Constitution- makers reversed that role and set forth the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution. This permitted all legislation to
apply to Fifth Schedule Areas unless the governor deems it inapplicable for tribal communities. The governor has authority to
revoke an enactment at his sole discretion or after taking aid and advice from the Tribal Advisory Council (TAC).
The nations tribal population comprises the largest in the world, consisting of about a hundred million people. It is the governor
who is accountable for good governance apropos these communities. However, this has historically been a neglected role of
the governor: in actual fact, in many cases, governors have not delivered and tribal policy is determined by political or other
vested interests. This is evident in letters that were sent from the centre to the governor of Andhra Pradesh, E S L Narasimhan
in 2012 advising him to intervene and stop bauxite mining in tribal areas. The governor took cover under the chief ministers
decision rather than revoking the measures. Another example would be the case of Niyamgiri Hills vs Vedanta (2013) where it
was the Supreme Court intervening to empower tribal communities under the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas)
(PESA) Act.
The Constitution of India, through Article 244, has mandated the Governor of a State with wideranging powers for the administration of tribal areas under the Fifth and Sixth Schedule. The
governors of the 9 states which contain Scheduled Areas, are required to make an annual report to the
President regarding the administration of the Scheduled Areas of his respective state, on whose basis
the Union can direct the state to execute developmental measures for such areas.
However, the feasibility of this arrangement has been questioned by the people, mainly due to the fact
that the office of a governor is not an elected one and hence, he is not responsible for the well-being of
the people in the Scheduled Areas. That they are widely considered as agents of the political party
which occupies the Centre, further erodes their accountability.
Few recent events, such as the inaction of APs governor against bauxite mining in tribal areas, and
that of Orissas governor against the setting up of a steel-unit by POSCO in Orissa and of bauxite
mining in Niyamgiri, and the petition against the ceding of administrative power by the governor to
the CM of Chhattisgarh in Munshi vs State of Chhattisgarh are cases in point.
Niyamgiri hill controversy(Konds vs Vedanta) lies in Odisha associated with Konds .
The need of the hour is to sensitize State governors towards the requirements of the scheduled tribes
and ensure that their appointments and later decisions are not based on political considerations.
Involving the TACs of the Scheduled areas in the governor appointment can be an option. Also, the
governor should be appointed to head the TACs instead of the State CM to ensure greater
accountability from them.

244. Administration of Scheduled Areas and Tribal Areas
(1) The provisions of the Fifth Schedule shall apply to the administration and control of the
Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes in any State other than the States of Assam
Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram
The governors are vested with clear and unambiguous powers in the Fifth Schedule Areas for
safeguarding tribal interests in the nine states to which the schedule applies. But there lie various
arguement in this power being subdued or eroded .
1. According to constn
Governor has authority to revoke an enactment at his sole discretion or after taking aid and advice
from the Tribal Advisory Council (TAC). This permitted all legislation to apply to Fifth Schedule Areas
unless the governor deems it inapplicable for tribal communities.
Issues arsing are :
1. Single person authority
Should tribals rely on the benevolence of one individual in a state to protect their right, culture and
land. Also , his role is neither democratically accountable nor normatively viable within our
parliamentary institutions.
2. Is governor a representative of centre
centre has undermined the governors role by restricting autonomy and shaping the institution as
centres pet. Many times office of governor has been politicised by appointing persons who are close to
centre instead of a person of eminence .
3. Chief ministers intrusion into governor power
chief ministers of states have constrained governors by taking over their governing domain.
Ex : chief minister rather than the governor now heads the TAC in Chhattisgarh.
This sidelining of the governors explicit role under the Fifth Schedule is indicative of a failure of our
constitutional machinery. It represents an overthrow of constitutional provisions as well as a threat
towards the integrity both of the administration of tribal areas and of the role of the governor.
Thus , alternative model constructed with precise objectives and a clear mandate for the governor
could be useful to implement. post can be strengthened to determine individuals capable of viably
administering these responsibilities,instead of their political ideology.
Fifth
Schedule
Administration and control of scheduled areas and tribes
Provisions for administration of Tribal Area in Asom, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram &
Sixth
Schedule
Arunachal Pradesh
Reasons for problem in administration by governor- Post of Governor is simply seen as the agent of centre in the sate, this makes state government
hostile which results in lack of coordination in administration of tribal areas
-No clear guideline in appointment of governor which result in appointment according to center wish
resulting in the appointment of personals who lack in expertise in administering tribal areas
-No proper time frame for the post of governor which results in their removal according to center's
wish. Thus, by the time they understand how to administer, they are removed due to change in
government or else.
-Lack in seriousness on the governor side which can be seen in delay of submission of annual reports
of tribal development.
-Giving one man all the authority results in lack of collective decision making with all the stakeholders
which results in more problem
Topic: India and its neighborhood- relations.

4) Year 2000 was pivotal in the relationship between India and Russia.
Examine why and also throw light on how relationship between two
countries has evolved since then. (200 Words)
Frontline
India soviet union relations have been booming since 1955s when soviet PM khrushchev supported
India's sovereignty over disputed territory of kashmir and 'Portuguese coastal enclaves in India' .The
relationship was at peak in 1971 when soviet union helped India in Bangladesh liberation war by
countering USA tactically.
But after collapse of soviet union in 90s ,Year 2000 became a momentous time when both the
countries agreed for India-Russia annual summit held alternatively in their capitals.They signed
strategic partnership. This provided a fixed platform for bilateral dialogues, diplomatic treaties,
investment in energy,security and technology etc.
Since commencing of the annual bilateral summit, both countries have experienced boost up in
diplomatic, security in terms of border and energy,and trade relations.Some of the major sector where
relation evolved are:
1)Energy security:Partnership in Arctic, siberia and sakhalin oil and gas fields,along with Kudankulam
nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu.
2)Defence: Air superiority fighters like Sukhoi 30 mki,MIG29 and MIG29k,attack,anti submarine and
transport helicopters, Nuclear submarine INS chakra,Aircraft carrier INS vikramaditya and many
destroyers.Joint R&D,manufacturing of Brahmos missile, 5th generation fighter plane etc
3)Space: joint Research and development in space technology like Chandrayaan 2, Glonass,cryogenic
engines etc
4)Economic cooperation:cooperation in BRICS bank,Trade facilitation,relaxed Visa norms etc have
resulted in steep increase in bilateral trade.
5)Diplomatic:Continuous support for India's permanent seat in UN security council,Issue of
Kashmir,India's support for Russia in cremia and against sanctions by west,support in matters of
middle east etc
Thus year 2000 was a pivot in India-Russia relationship which enabled both countries to enhance
mutual cooperation in various sectors.
With the signing of "Declaration of Strategic Partnership" in 2000, India-Russia ties qualitatively
acquired a new character with enhanced level of cooperation in almost all areas of bilateral
relationship.
1) Political:
Russia has supported India in its bid for permanent seat in UNSC and over Kashmir issue. India has
supported Russia over Crimean issue. India does not support unilateral sanctions imposed on Russia
by west without UN support. the two countries collaborate closely at all international forums such as
UN, BRICs, G20.
2) Military:
Russia is 2nd largest supplier of arms to India. The military cooperation involves joint R&D and
production of advanced defense systems and technologies such as Brahmos missile system, 5th
generation fighter aircraft.
both sides engage in Joint Bi-annual military exercises "INDRA".
3) Energy:
Russia has agreed to construct 12 additional nuclear reactor in India by 2035.
ONGC and Rosneft have signed deal for joint exploration of oil and gas in Arctic offshore.
Russia Rosneft has agreed to supply 10 million tonnes of crude oil at concessional rates to India.
4) Trade & economy:

Russia has agreed to directly source raw diamonds to India to boost India's diamond industry and a
possibility of FTA is being explored on both sides to boost bilateral trade.
however recently India replaced Russia by USA as its largest military partner and Russia made arms
deals with Pakistan. this has led slightly strained the relationship. however issues can resolved
through negotiations.
Topic: mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for

the protection and betterment of vulnerable sections.
5) Recently he Supreme Court ruled that conducting a caste-based
census is against the law. Examine why. Also comment on suggestions
made by some scholars that caste bases census is necessary for
ensuring social justice to the scheduled caste members. (200 Words)
Frontline
In 1951, there were two cases before the High Court of Madras involving reservation for
backward classes in public services and in educational institutions: Champakam Dorairajan
vs State of Madras and Venkataraman vs State of Madras. The Madras High Court had
struck down the Communal Government Order passed by the Justice Party government in
Madras Presidency in 1921 that had provided for caste-based reservation. In the appeal, the
Supreme Court came to the conclusion that these two reservations were against the law.
In the Indra Sawhney vs Union of India (AIR 2000 SC 498) case, on November 16, 1992,
the Supreme Court held that the total quantum of reservation under Article 16(4) should not
exceed 50 per cent. The issue came up before the High Court of Madras which said that the
State government could continue with its reservation policy in the academic year 1994-95
and that the quantum of reservation should be brought down to 50 per cent afterwards.

the protection and betterment of vulnerable sections.
5) Recently he Supreme Court ruled that conducting a caste-based census is

against the law. Examine why. Also comment on suggestions made by some
scholars that caste bases census is necessary for ensuring social justice to
the scheduled caste members. (200 Words)
Frontline
Caste-based census in India was previously carried out in 1931 and the recent Madras
HC directive to the government for a fresh enumeration was based on the fact that the
SC/ST/OBC population has increased manifold since then and the reservation accorded
to them is disproportionate to their population percentage.
However, the SCs view that caste based census is against the law is logical since such a
census could lead to a controversial revamping of the quotas bestowed on the reserved
categories as well as violate the 81st Amendment (which applies the 50% ceiling on job
reservations). Further, in future the validity of the 77th Amendment (which declares
reservations in promotions unconstitutional in the Indira Sawhney Case) could also have
been questioned.
In post-independence India, the only caste-based census was carried out by the
government of Kerala in 1968. The report revealed that individuals belonging to higher
castes possessed more land and had higher per capita income compared to the general
population. This census alongwith the rise of the scheduled castes population has been
the main rallying point for scholars advocating caste-based census.
Although, it is true that the reserved categories particularly the tribals and dalits have
seen liitle upliftment in their conditions since the introduction of reservations, the
solution to this problem is not more reservations. What is necessary now is targeted
benefiting of those members of the reserved categories who are weakest economically.
The current governments plan of bringing about inclusive development is a progressive
step in this direction.

46. Promotion of educational and economic interests of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled
Tribes and other weaker sections The State shall promote with special care the
educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people, and, in
particular, of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, and shall protect them
from social injustice and all forms of exploitation
In 1951, there were two cases before the High Court of Madras involving reservation
for backward classes in public services and in educational institutions: Champakam
Dorairajan vs State of Madras and Venkataraman vs State of Madras. The Madras
High Court had struck down the Communal Government Order passed by the Justice
Party government in Madras Presidency in 1921 that had provided for caste-based
reservation. In the appeal, the Supreme Court came to the conclusion that these two
reservations were against the law.
6) Critically discuss the need for making the right to health a

fundamental right in India. (200 Words)
The Hindu
WHO
Down to Earth
The Right to Heath envisages provision of timely and appropriate healthcare along with
underlying determinants of heath, like adequate sanitation, nutrition, healthy
occupations, environment, and access to heath information.
Reasons for making heath a fundamental right:
1. Heath is the basic determinant of the capacity of a person. An healthy individual is
more productive and contributed more to the nation.
2. It is expected that by 2030, Indias populations will reach peak and would stabilise
and by 2050, our nation would be aging fast. Hence to provide better health coverage in
future, we need to ensure health as facility and infrastructure wise available, accessible
to all.
3. To meet Millenium development goal in more sustainable way.
2. Timely provision of healthcare and heath education will ensure focus on preventive
care rather than curative care.
3. It will ensure that out of pocket expenditure on heath does not drive a person to
poverty.
Reasons against making health a fundamental right:
1. Right to health assumes unlimited resources. The fact that we have failed to achieve
the 2% GDP spending on heath as proposed by the 2002 National Health Policy shows
us the reality.
2. With such severe lack of resources, a fundamental right to heath can cause severe
implementation problems.
3. Heathcare is not the only determinant of heath. Other social services also play a big
part. Making heath a fundamental right can diver funding from such services.
4. The logistical and financial constrains make right to heath unfeasible.
Right to heath should ensure provision of proper heath care, with accountability
mechanism and properly defined outcomes. But, as of now, severe resource constrains
inhibit us from making this right enforceable by the judiciary, even though we must
strive to do so.
Right to health is an implied part of Right to Life of Article 21 of the Indian constitution.
Indian judiciary had dealt certain cases related to health with the above view. But today
the condition of Health services in India are dismal with many hindrances for the
common citizen access to them with heavy out of pocket expenditure, dysfunctional
public healthcare system, poverty etc.
The proposal of making Right to Health a fundamental right is inevitable inorder to
ensure universal access to better healthcare systems. Below are the key aspects that will
change with the introduction of this right.
1. Justiciable nature of the right will enforce strict compliance on part of the public and
private healthcare institutions to deliver better services.
2. Affordability of citizens to services will be better as the current universal health
coverage inabilities are exposed and can be petitioned in courts of their exploitative
nature and for better delivery.
3.On the lines of Right to education and the change it brought in rural education, Right
to Health will improve the health services at Primary, Community and Sub Health
centres and people can now claim their right.
4. Accountability and responsibility of the institutions providing health services will be
enhanced and irregular and irresponsible activities like botched sterlizations etc will
reduce as the Apex court is at their behind monitoring.
Despite the right being fundamental right, there are other aspects that need to be
addressed like low public spendings on health, proportion of doctors and nurses,
infrastructure in govt health centres, high handedness of private institutions etc must be
addressed so that Right to Health becomes a real complement to the Right to Life of
every Indian.
Why health to be made as a fundamental right?
1.This will oblige the state to provide health care to all its citizen.
2.It make denial of health an offence
3.Government will be forced to invest more on health care. In draft policy it proposes to
spend 2.5% of GDP.
4.Right to health when made a fundamental right, will be in concurrence with what is
envisioned by WHO.
5.Making health a fundamental right will enhance the awareness of health among
various stake holders of the society.
6.This will empower the vulnerable and downtrodden section of population to access to
better health.
7.Supreme court will have a better vigilance over the health policies, actions and services.
Right to Health which is a bold move By Strong government at centre ,is aimed at
providing Uniform health coverage to all citizens across country .
Benefits
1 laxity in health coverage can be cured given its Enforcement is justiciable
2 As it goes "Health is wealth" Thus economic returns can be reaped which will
eventually a good use of demographic dividend
3 Uniform health coverage and Generic low cost drugs ,devices can also boost Pharma
sector and medical Devices FDi in the country.
4 Various equipments Require continuos usage ,which will be ensured by this and public
trust can Be gains subsequently as It todays holds with Financial institutions and led to
Jan dhan Yojana
5 Out of pocket Expenditure at beneficiary end and poverty related schemes expenditure
Both can be curbed
6 Health which is comprehensive in nature which requires adequate protein intake with
food grains thus ensuring proper utilisation of food thus minimal loss through wastage
in godowns
Concerns
1 Given it sets to increase to 3% of GDP , Limited resources has already caused financial
distress and Health cess proposed Seems inadequate
2 Their Is equal benefits provision to rich and poor , similar issue were faced in PDS
which later was targeted to lower classes through TPDS
3 Thailand Which is cited as example is very much tourism dependent country which
generates very high revenues compared to Our Industries .
4 Health which is state subject will still be seen as encroachment by centres due to
political motives which may not cooperate in the Policy causing centre -State conflict
5 Being justiciable ,another expenditure through enforcement of fundamental rights in
Judiciary can distress it.
6 Health is a broad subject , without financial , Food procurement infrastructure and
proper coordination it may be unviable to achieve it
Right to Health is a courageous and good step ensuring the level playing field to the
poorest to compete with the best,However, process of enactment to enforcement shall be
carefully Done.
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs323/en/

Sector/Services relating to Health
7) Critically analyse the important provisions of the draft National
Health Policy 2015 that was unveiled recently by the union
government. (200 Words)
The Hindu
Provisions of National Health Policy 2015

1. It envisages increasing the spending on heathcare to 2.5 % of GDP in the next five year.
This is still below the required funding to fill the gaps in the current deteriorating
heathcare system. But given that fact that we are still to achieve the 2% target set up the
2002 National policy on heath, this is a realistic step.
2. It makes denial of heathcare judiciable.
Even though this is a welcome step, but without improving access to heathcare service,
and improving quality and quantity of healhcare, poor healthcare is the same as denial.
Also, given the backlog of cases in the judicary, this further adds a burden.
3. Expore the creation of a heath cess on lines of education cess.

This might be a possible source of revenue, but as the education cess shows, it is far from
adequate.
4. Universal access to free drugs, diagnostics in hospitals.
Even so, the national programms cover only 10% of the ailments. Over 75% of the noncommunicable diseases are outside the purview and only a limited communicable
diseases are covered.
5. Involving the elected local bodies in participating in district and sub district health
institutions.
Right to heath is a welcome step, but without ramping up the support infrastructure,
achieving it can be nonviable.
Concerns
1 A32 which means "right to constitutional remedies" Thus additional burden on
judiciary.
2Increase From 95o to Rs3800 ,which is still inadequate ,given weak infrastructure of
Government institution due to non maintenance
3 Health cess which is another cess [however inadequate] , additional man power ,
increased non plan expenditure for "net proceeds"
4 Given episodes of Sterilisation camps in CG and Eye camp in Punjab ,Public trust in
government institutes has already breached.
5 Health it state subject means at least 3 states are required to make it fundamental
right. Some might see as encroachment on state subjects as well.
It has been seen , many a times Out of pocket expenditure drives family into
poverty,Hence such Policy is surely a Promising ,However, Public trust is the Key here
which should be Priority.
05/01/2015
Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in

various sectors and issues arising out of their design and
implementation.
5) Women, Dalits and tribals, who are at the bottom of the pile,
are said to be the most affected because of the ordinance that
requires passing class 8 and 10 as eligibility criteria for standing
for elections at panchayat level. Critically examine why. (200
Words)
The Hindu
Firstly, literacy rates are below the national average in Rajasthan. Its 66 % in the state as
against the national average of 74 %. The figure stands at 61 % for rural Rajasthan and 45
% for women in rural areas. The figures are even lower for SCs and STs. The ordinance
will eliminate 95 % of the rural women and 80 % of the electorate from contesting
elections.
Secondly, one of the objectives behind enacting 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act was
to empower women, dalits and tribals. Reservation is also provided to these sections. But
with this ordinance, the very purpose of empowering these weaker sections will be
defeated.
Thirdly, the ordinance is in contrast to the Convention to Eliminate All forms of
Discrimination against Women, to which India is a signatory.
The ordinance militates against the very principle of deepening democracy at the ground
level and empowering weaker and oppressed sections. The PRIs have given these
sections an opportunity to be vocal and fight for their rights with courage and
determination. With this move, the government has taken a step backward on the path
to establish an egalitarian society.
Women, Dalits and tribals were the most marginalized section of the society since the
Vedic era but after independence certain provision is provided by the constitution to
safegaurd their interest.In the field of education still they are lagging behind in some
areas of the country and recent decision of Rajashthan that requires passing of class 8
and class 10 as eligibility criteria for election to panchayat level will be a most regressive
step.
Decision of govt will disqualify 95 % of the rural women and 80 % of the electorate from
standing election to the sarpanch and panchayat samiti.Ordinance will have
multidimensional effect on the marginalised section of the society and some of them are
1. Disempowerment of women , dalits and tribes- Ordinance will disempowered them as
the control of grass root level democracy will shift in to the hand of the elite class. It will
further promote the suppression and exploitation of weaker section.
2. Economic exploitation by the private school authority in relation with the decision of
govt to close the 17000 govt schools. Now Dalits and tribals will have to send their
children to the private school for education , charging of heavy fees will compel them to
poverty.
3.It will also prohibit the talented person who are knowledgeable in groundlevel
democracy and convincing power but illiterate to work for the welfare and development
of the society.
4.It has been often seen that it is literate not illiterate who promote the honour killing ,
corruption, stripping and parading women. Now after having power with them it will
support their cause and further exploit the people.
5.Further it will be violative of the A14 of the constitution which provide for the right to
equality to all section of society. Further effort made by govt to empower marginal
section till now will be get diluted.
Whatever is the motive of the ordinance by the govt but it will surely be a most regressive
step. Instead of focusing on providing socio economic welfare measures and protection
of interest of marginal section this ordinance will surely push them to vicious cycle of
disembowelment, oppression poverty.A move like assessing the capability of candidates
on the ground of their conviction and motivation to do well for society instead of
educational qualification should be followed.
However, it bears the most severe consequences on Women, Dalits and Tribals, for the
following reasons:
1. Historic disadvantage:
Due to the historic oppression that these sections face, their access to education has been
low and thus owing to the social construct of the country and not personal choice, even
well-intending hardworking candidates will be excluded. Further, lack of representation
in the given bodies will only deepen the existing disparity and the cycle becomes
unbreakable.
2. Political Disadvantage:
Given the patriarchal and class-dominated structure of the Indian Society, women and
scheduled categories have an inherent disadvantage in contesting elections. The
education requirements, which reduces their presence in the elections, will further make
them a political minority too.
3. Psychological Oppression:
Since these sections have historically been exploited, a move like this takes away the few
areas of encouragement and inspiration that help in the bottom-up empowerment of
these people
Topic: devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and

challenges therein (also Paper 3: Infrastructure)
6) What are municipal bonds? Recently government initiated a
process to identify few cities to issue such bonds. Examine why
and how these bonds will be issued. (150 Words)
Business Standard
Municipal Bonds, also known as Munis, are tax saving investments offered by the
municipal bodies to raise funds from the community for local area development. In view
of the plan towards Smart Cities, the Government of India has proposed to use Munis in
a few select cities in view of the following benefits it yields:
1. They help in saving tax for the individual, hence increased participation
2. Since the money invested is being used in the development of the local area, the direct
impact can be felt by the investors and hence greater accountability
3. It balances authority and responsibility at the community level, thus making the
process of development more effective and inclusive
4. Viable alternative source of funding, given the central funds are already under
pressure with Make in India
Municipal Bonds are being planned to be issued in the following manner:
1. Select five to six Tier II and Tier III cities, including smaller capitals and satellite owns,
to issue munis in
2. Issue a fixed number of bonds to the people of the given municipality (75% of the
population), for a fixed period (3 years) and at a fixed rate of interest (8%). The people
would be decided on first come first serve basis.
3. The issuing authority must fund a minimum of 20% of the Project Cost from the
munis, and incase is unable to reach minimum subscripion, must refund to the
applicants within 12 days
4. Depending on the success of Munis in the first phase, the option will be extend to
other towns as well. Some of the constraints that Munis might face in the first phase are:
a. Better alternative available for people with higher rate on interest
b. Absentia of Municipal Bodies causing lack of trust in them by people
c. Techno-managerial capacity of the municipal bodies
Municipal bonds are bonds being issued by urban local self government. IT is basically a
loan with a fixed rate of interest and maturity date issued and guaranteed by local
government.
Need :1. Financing urban and semi urban infrastructure like parks, buildings, sewers etc.
2. Inelastic taxes available with local bodies as a result they lack sufficient revenue.
3. Financial devolution hasn't taken place in several local bodies.
4. State government is starved of fund to finance local infrastructure need.
5. To streamline money in development of 100 smart cities and satellite towns.
Advantages
1.Makes local bodies financially independent.
2.Helps existing schemes like JNNURM,
3.Better avenues for investment for investors as the bonds are tax free.
Challenges:1. Bureaucratic hurdles.
2. Poor mobilization of funds in similar efforts in Ahemdabad.
3.Poor accounting and widespread corruption.
4. State government's reluctance to guarantee bonds in case of financial crisis.
SEBI guidelines to issue bonds:1. Maximum interest rate should be 8%
2. Maturity period atleast 3 years.
3. Municipal bodies need to invest 20% in the project by self.
4.Municipality should have good financial track record.
Municipal bonds are debt securities issued by states, cities, counties and other
governmental entities to finance capital projects, such as building schools, highways or
sewer systems, and to fund day-to-day obligations. Investors who buy municipal bonds
are in effect lending money to the bond issuer in exchange for a promise of regular
interest payments, usually semi-annually, and the return of the original investment, or
principal.
Government In India recently has asked Urban development ministery to identify few
cities where these bonds will be issues.
Why they will be issued:
1) To raise money for infrastructure projects.
2) To fund the smart cities locally by some of the resients.To make residents participant
in their own development.
3) Invester get the benefit of income tax exemption and a fixed interest rate so it is also a
good investment option.
Investers get benefits in state and local taxes also.
4) When residents will be the invester , they will be more aware and responsible towards
the city.
5) It will be a good alternative investment opportunity.

6) It will help Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission
7) It will help Municipalties to reduce their burden and make them more sufficient.
Recently Sebi has issued guidelines to list these bonds on exchanges and their tradings.
Sebi said that that issuing authorities would need to contribute at least 20 per cent of the
total project cost for which they wish to raise funds.
These municipal authorities would need to have a strong financial track record and such
bonds should have a minimum tenure of 3 years.
Only bonds carrying interest rate upto maximum 8 per cent per annum shall be eligible
for being notified as tax-free bonds.
These bonds will be of immense help if the municipalties will be able to remove hurdles
like lack of interest among investors, the sorry state of finances at many municipal
bodies, shoddy accounting of their books, bureaucratic hurdles, lack of interest at the
central and state levels, and the issue of who will guarantee these bonds.
LIMITATIONS
-other attractive instruments with higher returns for the investors
-techno-administrative capabilities of municipal corporations
-municipal bodies lacking credence due to historical and financial aspects
-less powers given to the bodies, investor resists in investing
-bureaucratic hurdles
-corruption is widespread
-lack of accounting techniques

countries on Indias interests
7) Analyse the impact of falling global oil prices on India. (200
Words)
The Indian Express
Crude oil is more than a dark syrupy liquid which fuels engine and turbine. It is the raw
material for many PSUs, plastic, fertilizer industries. With the tumbling price of crude oil
since last 2 years, it brought hopes and concerns for India. Its impact has already started
making marks.
Some of the positive impacts are:
1. With low petroleum prices, there will be indirect boost in automobile sector and hence
manufacturing sector and employment.
2. As 80% of Crude oil is imported in India, lowered price will lead to lesser outgoing
payment and hence shrinking CAD and fiscal deficit which is sign of healthy economics.
3. India can look for Oil based power plant for short term in North east where power is
major issue till the time the Hydel project is not setup there.
4. With cut in transportation price, food inflations has already gone down.
5. Oil refineries like ONGC and IOCL can save money for future innovation,
infrastructure building and making it strong.
6. Govt will have surplus amount for welfare schemes
7. Govt can completely rely on import of crude oil and save domestic rigs for future and
improving refineries technologies which are not to the match of latest US efficient
refineries machineries.
8. Plastic and Fertilizer industry who depends on oil price will see progress and hence
sbusidy expenditure of govt on fertiliser will be lowered.
9. Diesel and Petroleum subsidy which account for 0.3% of GDP and Fertiliser subsidy is
for 0.1% GDP, it means we can gain on some part of 0.4% subsidy with lowered oil price.
10. With low oil price Fracking technology of US will not be remunerative and hence the
Guar Gum which India used to export will be stopped affecting new found income
prospect to many rural farmers will be snatched away.
Negative impacts are:
1. More pollutions due to combustion engine which will lead to Global warming.
2. Lesser innovation toward improving energy efficiency of vehicles globally.
3. Global decline of economy dependent on oil export may lead to another dangerous
recession and will affect Indias economy.
4. Indias neighbour consists of OPEC countries and Indias export depends on healthy
economics of this country.
5. More lowering of oil may lead to destructive competition of oil selling among OPEC
countries which will be a vicious cycle of downfall and hence affect India economy.
6. Depreciating currency of Russian and OPEC countries because of oil price leads to
indirect rise of Dollars, it will also indirectly depreciate Rupees.
7. Oil diplomacy with Vietnam in South China sea will weaken as low oil price is
demotivating factor to explore by ONGC Videsh Limited.
Falling oil price is good for all, but there will be long term effect if it will not be
controlled soon, it will lead to economic ruin of many countries and invite major
recession arising from middle east. India being engaging more and more internationally
will be affected and its ambitious economy will be hurt with recession hit
Being the fourth largest oil importer in the world, the drop in oil prices augurs well for
our economy due to savings amounting upto $40 billion dollars and possible decrease in
the trade deficit. Lower prices of oil will decrease inflation and allow people to invest
more resulting in greater returns. This cycle can continue and drive greater growth in the
economy.
However, there are certain drawbacks as well. Decreasing oil prices will adversely impact
the oil economies like Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Qatar, resulting in decreasing exports to
such countries. Being the sixth largest exporter of petroleum products, India's revenue
from this sector will also decrease. The recent decline in share prices of Bharti Airtel and
Bajaj Auto are cases in point. Such countries may also cut down the number of migrant
workers whose annual remittances are around $70 billion. Decline in oil prices also
lowers commodity prices like those of minerals and agricultural products, leading to
lower income. Demands for cuts in natural gas will increase and greater consumption of
petrol and diesel will also result in more pollution.
On the geopolitical side, adverse impacts on the oil monarchies like Saudi Arabia and
Oman will render them unable of delivering welfare services and may result in a second
Arab Spring. Countries like Iran and Russia may also experience political instability,
which may result in blowbacks for India.India can leverage this situation by entering into
oil-for-infrastructure barter deals to boost exports and use the gains from oil sector to
offset the high initial cost for tapping renewable resources
Topic: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population

by the Centre and States and the
performance of these schemes;
8) In India though unorganized workers make up the bulk of
working population they are kept out of many of government
benefits. In this light, examine what measures have been taken
by the governments at state and centre to address the problems
faced by this section of population. (200 Words)
The Hindu
Unorganized sector is low paid and devoid of any of the social security benefits like
insurance, health care, maternity benefits, and old age pension etc constitutes 87% of
total labour force of India. The Government has enacted certain legislations for the
protection of these workers:
Central Government operates Welfare Funds for beedi workers & mine workers to
implement schemes in areas of housing, health & medical care, education to the
children.
Construction workers constitute 2nd largest segment of the unorganized sector. Under
Building and Other Construction Workers (RECS) Act, 1996 & Cess @ 1% levied to
provide financial assistance. The states of Kerala and Pondichery, Delhi, MP, Gujarat,
Uttaranchal and West Bengal have started its implementation.
National Old Age Pension Scheme, Indira Awas yojna, NREGA, PMGSY, NRHM, many
insurance schemes like UHIS, Schemes for handloom weavers & fishermen is to secure
the working conditions & housing, health & pension benefits.
Many southern states like Kerala Tamilnadu, Maharastra, West Bengal, MP, Punjab,
Goa and Gujarat have initiated many schemes on the line of GOI for welfare of this
sector.
The Unorganized Workers Social Security Act, 2008, passed after the setting up of the
NCEUS in 2004 under Arjun SenGupta.
India is plagued with many issues in labour sector and demands revolutionary reforms,
recent initiatives to issue the smart cards under UWSS act, 2008 is a good step but many
initiatives need to follow to channelize the benefits to these large vulnerable sector of our
country especially in northern undeveloped states like UP, Bihar.
The unorganized sector forms more than 80% of the employed workforce in the country,
and contribute more than 50% of the National GDP. However, this sector often does not
get the benefits of statutory provisions and welfare measures like pension, minimum
wages, maternity benefits, safety standards at workplace etc. By extending the state
services to them, not will their individual rights as citizens of India be upheld but also
the overall productivity be enhances and their contribution to the GDP would attain its
potential.
In light of the above, the Government has taken the following measures to address the
problems of this sector, both at Central and State levels:
Central:
1. Aadhar, to give a recognized identity to all people so that they can avail the benefits
from state for which they are eligible. Most beneficiaries of this scheme come from the
informal sector. Recent proposals are now coming from states to link Aadhar to various
smart cards and other services to have a target delivery of benefits towards the workers
of the unorganized sector
2. Unorganized Workers Social Security Act 2008, that constituted Nation Social
Security Board which focuses on the social security schemes for the workers such as
health, maternity, education for their children, etc.
3. Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana for BPL families in unorganized sector, giving
insurance upto Rs 30,000 per family per annum
4. Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme, providing a pension of Rs
200/month to all above 60
years of age
5. Building and Other Construction Workers (RECS) Act, 1996 having a provision for
financial assistance towards the workers
6. Street Vendors Act 2014, extending state services to the street vendors who constitute
the largest section of the unorganized sector
7. Aam Admi Bhija Yojana for landless agricultural labourers
State:
1. Gujrat, leading in the measures taken towards workers, has to its credit Shramyogi
Kalayn Mela , Shramyogi Suvidha Web Portal and helpline and the U-Win card which
incorporates all the welfare
schemes for labourers.
2. Maharashtra Kerala and Andhra Pradesh have launched various schemes for housing,
education, health, pension, etc
Despite such measures, there is little improvement in the state of the workers in the
unorganized sector and
thus the focus areas must now also start including certification of existing skills, skill
development, identity portability, increased awareness and most importantly ease of
processes to encourage the sector to come under the regulatory regime than stay out of
it.
1)NSDC provides skills to youth which allows them to get jobs in formal sector. Job
creation with Make in India campaign.
2)RSBY has been extended to rag pickers, rickshaw pullers(don't remember when, but
yes extended)
3)A reference to NRLM can be made i guess
4)Many vocational schemes. Like Udaan (I guess, difficult remember their names for
south Indians like me)
06/01/2015
Topic: Parliament and State Legislatures functioning

4) The procedure of the promulgation of ordinances is inherently
undemocratic. Whether an ordinance is justifiable or not, the issue of a
large number of ordinances has, psychologically, a bad effect. Critically
comment with suitable examples. (200 Words)
The Indian Express
Article 123 of the Constitution has empowered the President to promulgate directives if
the Parliament is not in session and they carry the full force of the law. However, most
other democratic countries have not placed such powers upon the executive. Provisions
for passing ordinances are widely considered as remnants of our colonial legacy and the
GoI Act, 1935.
Ordinances were envisaged to be promulgated when a situation of emergency would

arise and the deliberations on the issue by the Parliament would not be possible. On
many occasions such ordinances have played a positive role. The governments attempt
to demonetize large rupee denominations in 1978 to prevent illicit money transfers, the
Ancient Monument ordinance 2010 which was promulugated to meet the deadline of
High court order, Indian Medical Council (amendment)ordinance 2011 under which the
Govt. dissolved the MCI.
However, ordinances have generally been based on political consideration rather than on
principles of good governance. The promulgation of the SARFAESI Ordinance in 2002,
when the bill was being deliberated by the concerned Standing Committee, the
promulgation of the Electricity Regulatory Commissions Ordinance in 1998, one day
before the government had agreed to convene, and the previous governments ordinance
to shield convicted legislators are all instances when the Executive's unilateralism sent a
wrong message about the country's democratic bearings.
The Executive has been given wide-ranging powers such as the power to declare an
emergency, setting up of important administrative authorities (e.g. PFRDA, UIDAI) etc.
without Parliamentary Approval. Restraining the ordinance-making power to prevent
further concentration of power by the Executive is the need of the hour.
Article 123 empowers the president,on the advice of the union cabinet to promulgate
ordinance to effect important policy responses in period of emergency or when the
Parliament is not in session.The keywords here are absence of legislature and national
interest.
However both these factors have been manipulated and repeatedly violated by successive
Indian state and national governments.
Bankswere nationalised in 1969 two days befor parliament was to be convened to bypass
political opposition.Bihar saw 50 ordinances passed in a single day in name of
extraordinary needs.Preseently,the union government is accused of going the ordinance
route in land acuisition ,GSt bill etc to enforce governmental agenda without democratic
screening of its provisions and intentions.
Ordinances undermine democratic norms of accounatbility,discussion and responsibility
of the government.It undermines the Parliament by violating the principle of separation
of powers.The opportunity of renewing ordinances, as in sugar ordinance renewed for 13
consecutive years,provides government of the day opportunity to play vote bank politics.
The genuine spirit of democracy lies in opposition exhibiting effective check on ruling
party's powers to prevent it from becoming despotic and in upholding interests of every
section of the country.Ordinances skirt around such opposition and erode the
accountability of the government to the parliament.
However,it may be said that when legislature continue to be stalled for political reasons
and rendered infructious,governments find it easier to resort to and sometimes are also
justified in issuing promulgations to carry forward the interests of the nation.
Article 123 of the constitution grants ordinance making powers to the President under
unforeseen and extraordinary circumstances. For example, SEBI ordinance was
promulgated in 2013 which empowered it to crack down on bogus ponzi schemes.
However, ordinance making powers have been criticized on various grounds. First, they
are used in an arbitrary and excessive manner by the executive to meet their political
ends. But, they should be used only when urgently required by the circumstances.
Second, ordinance making does not involve the legislators who are chosen
representatives of people and thus amount to tyranny of executive over the state. Third,
ordinances in themselves are undemocratic as they have not been passed after due
deliberation,discussion and debate as is the case with ordinary laws or amendments to
the constitution.
The above criticisms are not unfounded for as seen in the case of various ordinances. For
example, recently the insurance ordinance was promulgated liberalizing FDI in
insurance sector in India. Here, the circumstances did not necessitate urgent
promulgation and the country could have comfortably waited for the next Parliament
session.
There is other side to the story as well. Opposition parties employ obstructionist tactics
during Parliament sessions which ensures that no work is done. In such a scenario,
executive is left with no choice but to resort to the ordinance channel.
But under no circumstance excessive and ordinance making powers are justified. While
sufficient safeguards has been mentioned in the constitution, it is the duty of the
government in power that they exercise the ordinance route only when necessary. They
can do so by maintaining clear communication with their opponents and making an
honest attempt to address their concerns. This would hopefully lead to consensus across
political parties on issues of national importance and minimize the need to resort to
ordinance tool.
Topic: Development processes and the development industry- the

role of NGOs
5) Do you think the activities of non-governmental organisations
(NGOs) in India should be regulated by an independent regulatory
body? Critically discuss the various issues related to

accountability of NGOs and governments role in ensuring the
same. (200 Words)
The Hindu
As the World Bank defines NGOs as "private organizations that pursue activities to
relieve suffering, promote the interests of poor, protects the environment, provides basic
social services, or undertake community development", the role of NGO's in Indian
society has created a remarkable benchmark in their contribution to the nation-building,
Non-governmental organizations were intended to fill a gap in government services but
in India NGOs are slowly gaining a position in decision making. State Governments are
sometimes tightly bound by a nexus of NGOs, political bodies, commercial organizations
and major donors/funders, making decisions that are sometimes against long term
national interests.
A recent CBI report states that only about 10% of over 22 lakh NGOs file their annual
income and expenditure statements with the authorities they are registered with. IB
report identified foreign-funded NGOs that are negatively impacting Indias economic
development. A significant number of foreign funded Indian NGOs have been noticed to
be using people centric issues to create an environment which lends itself to stalling
development projects. these include agitations against nuclear power plants, uranium
mines, coal-fired power plants, genetically modified organisms, ega industrial projects
(POSCO and Vedanta), hydel projects (at Narmada Sagar and in Arunachal Pradesh) and
extractive industries (oil, limestone) in the North East. The negative impact on GDP is
assessed by IB to be 2-3% per annum. The IB report adds that Greenpeace India is
assessed to be posing a potential threat to national economic security.
Under Indian law only those organizations that are registered with the Foreign
Contributions Registration Act are eligible to receive funds from foreign donors. NGOs
should be transparent about their source of funds. Transparency on source of funds will
end concerns of alleged misconduct. In India NGOs are under-regulated, political, and
recipients of large government and international donor funds. Governments have no
access to the number of projects or amount of funding received by these NGOs. There is
a pressing need to regulate this group while not curtailing their unique role as a
supplement to government services.
The current governments aversion to foreign funding of NGOs is based on the premise
that these NGOs are being used by foreign players to promote their specific global
agenda and in the process impede any progressive measures undertaken by the
government. This argument draws strength by the pivotal role played by NGOs in
organizing resistance movements against projects like the DVC, the Kudankulam nuclear
reactor, the DMIC etc.
The recent findings by the CBI that only 10% of NGOs in India file their balance sheets
further reinforces the government viewpoint. Also, NGOs have often been accused of
misusing the funds accorded to them and engage in corruption. A recent IB report had
accused several major civil rights groups of advancing the Maoist cause and engaging
with separatist forces in Kashmir and the NE.
In spite of these issues, NGOs are critical stakeholders in the development process and
have full legitimacy in a democratic framework. These organizations have given voice to
the powerless and have been an essential force in finding an equitable and sustainable
balance between the interests of different stakeholders.
In this backdrop, a middle-ground needs to be found. To prevent any misuse of funds or
corruption in NGOs, they can be asked for comprehensive disclosures as they enjoy tax
benefits and might qualify as public authorities under the RTI Act. The government
cannot prevent foreign contributions to NGOs when it itself is a recipient of huge capital
from organizations like World Bank, IMF etc. and often has to heed their policies.
Instead, the government can look to setup an independent regulatory framework which
can work to bring about greater transparency in the functioning of NGOs.
Topic: India and its neighborhood-: Also related to Paper

3: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning,
6) The average Indian was slightly better off than the average
Chinese in the initial years after Indian independence. Critically
analyse how and why China developed faster than India to
become worlds second largest economy in the world. (200
Words)
The Hindu
With China and India attaining Independence almost near same time , despite both
having same economic conditions, China today is second largest economy with no cases
of poverty , India still contribute to one third of poor in world .
1. Nature of state
While Chinese followed communism , India was a democratic socialist . Citizen in China
had relatively lesser rights . This helped it achieve goals with greater determination .
Quote from Mao Zedong " power flows from barrel of gun " indicates kind of ruler they
had .
2.Domestic Political impact
While between 1967 to 1991 Indian polity saw various phases such as greater
centralisation , political crisis, national emergency , coalition government there was no
stability in ideology, while China was stable under rule of communist .
3. Economic reforms
Chinese despite being communist realised importance of privatisation and globalisation
and there first generation economic reforms took place in 1990s . India did it late only in
year 1991.
4. Ideology basis
India found difficult to move away from its socialist ideology and was only forced to
when there was domestic crisis. Chinese began to reform the model of communism
according to its needs for greater good .
With stable political situation and having demography and demand with it , India is
heading towards being robust economy and better development indicators .
Chinese and Indian economies were similar after end of their colonial rule. However,
today China is much ahead due to its pragmatic policies and their effective
implementation.
- soon after independence, China followed agrarian reforms focusing on agricultural
productivity and total production. It followed the principle of 'each according to his work
rather each according to his need.
- after consolidating agricultural gains, it followed heavy industrialization for both
consumer and capital goods. Successful agricultural reforms has increased the
purchasing power of the masses and industrial outputs could now easily be consumed in
domestic markets and manufacturing provided jobs to people coming out of farms.
- during reforms, it allowed foreign capital inflows in economy and got better managerial
and other skills. This also ensured better products in the domestic market and reduced
dependency on imports
- after 1985, it opened its economy for full foreign participation. It should be noted that it
was willingess of China to open its economy rather compulsion in case of India
- it followed heavy export oriented policy and got huge inflow of foreign capital. This also
ensured that it did not face any BoP crisis like India
- recently, since wage has gone up and domestic opportunities are saturating, it has
started investing in projects located in outside country. For better development of
interior regions like Tibet, Xinxiang, it is following Maritime Silk Route plan.
However, the picture is not so cozy and its during faster development China is facing
many concerns also - wage costs have gone up; one child policy has left little to reap
demographic divident; focus on 'imitation' rather 'innovation' has resulted in largely low
and semi-skills; expansionist policy has resulted in strained relationship with neighbours
and demand is rising for democracy. China has no doubt, showed unprecedented growth
and has become second largest economy. But to sustain such growth, it needs to address
these concerns, else it can become a smooth track, but impediments ahead could derail it
into future.
India has fallen behind in economic growth than China, for which these factors are
responsible
1) Multiparty Democracy - led to changes in policies every time an election took place.
Also it led to narrow thinking on growth only till the next election to present good
picture of the achievements. In recent year the govts have been quite shaky due to
coalition governments and push and pull of the politics.
2) Lack of Coherent Policy - The policies kept changing and hit and trial method used did
not provide much success. In initial years focus on building capital industries was
emphasised inspite of lack of needed skills and literacy level. Also, focus on industry led
to neglect of agriculture which led to near famine condition in 1970s leading to again
change of policy from Industrial development to green revolution.
3) Deteriorating Ethics - corruption, nepotism, regionalism, crony capitalism etc has
impoverished India of its moral values. Also, they led to inefficiencies in adminstration.
Red tapism in bureaucracy also played its part.
4) Closed Economy till 1990 - Led to lack of foreign investments and suppression of
private industries leading to lack of competition for public sector companies leading to
decreased efficiency and productivity.
5) Frequent Wars - Hostile neighbours in China, Pakistan, Bangladesh and military
regime of Myanmar and maoist insurgency in Nepal made India spend more on military
and less on development. Wars with Pakistan and China led to losses of revenue and
deprive india of High status enjoyed during Nehruvian era on the International platform.
At the same time, China with one party system and without any major wars in the mean
time, with a seat in UNSC was able to guide things to its advantage and was able to
improve its economy.
Topic: various quasi-judicial bodies

3) As a quasi-judicial body how has the Securities and Exchange
Board of India (Sebi) performed in fulfilling its mandate? Critically
evaluate. (200 Words)
Business Standard
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pg
software name is TEXT TO MAP.
SEBI is the regulator for the securities market in India. The main function of the SEBI is
to protect the interests of investors in securities and to promote the development of, and
to regulate the securities market and for matters connected therewith or incidental
thereto. But off lately the operations of the SEBI have come under debate and probing by
the CBI with the investigations being done on the Bank Of Rajasthan, MCX-SX, Saradha
scam, and various officials being questioned.
SEBI has diligently fulfilled its job for which it is created but the allegations coming in
the picture from the persons questioned in the Saradha Scam case , in fact over 40
officials have been pinpointed to have involvement in passing and twisting regulations to
give a free pass to Saradha. These allegations will not only erode the investors confidence
in India but will have a larger and more wounding impact on the foreign investment in
India.
As a quasi judicial body SEBI has got many powers to discharge its duties and it can also
pronounce certain restrictions , disciplinary actions on the defaulters and on for noncompliance of market rules. SEBI has been instrumental in taking quick and effective
steps in light of the global meltdown and the Satyam fiasco.
The recent questioning of the SEBI officials by CBI has severely affected day to day
business of the market regulator. Officials are ready to cooperate but it must be kept in
mind that allegations are coming in from the accused itself, so before questioning a
thorough probe must have been done oon the legitimacy of the accusations made, so that
it may not be the case of malafide intentions to denigrate the entire regulatory
mechanism.
sebi established under a statute in 1992 to regulate security market with "semi
autonomy" and "quasi judicial powers". because of such quasi judicial powers it "can
award punishment" to the violators of its rules. since 1992 it has been successful in
regulating financial environment in India with very few exceptions.
compared to well evolved western market regulators SEBI is a bit younger, yet
successfully conducting its duties. but yet there are certain problem areas. a few are
mentioned below.
1. ill defined jurisdiction- in case of "ULIPs" issue IRDA offered a tussle with SEBI.
2. lack of jurisdiction and supervisory powers- led to "Sahara's OFCD scam".
3. poor frame work with regards to "insider trading" and participatory note.
4. this it is also failing in maintaining confidence in investors-" a simple rumor could
erode millions worth assets from adani group". SEBI could not do any thing in this
regard to this.
5. poor corporate governance rules are still prevailing the scene.
but with recent "SEBI amendment act" and " company's act" SEBI is awarded with
"search and seize authority". and it gave guidelines with regards to "insider trading". But
when it come to participatory notes the issue still needs clear cut answers. " illegal
money from abroad is also to be addressed".
all in all, our SEBI is still in its evolving phase. but relatively gaining more expertise in a
lesser span of time to protect the interests of millions of investors in India.

the protection and betterment of vulnerable sections; Also, Paper1 Indian society
4) In India, the inter-state migrants whose number is very large,
face numerous problems in accessing government services or in
being part of democratic processes such as electoral process.
Critically examine major social, economic and political problems
these migrants face and governments response in addressing
these problems. (200 Words)
The Hindu
Given the vast disparities within different regions in India, migration has become a
common phenomenon in search of better economic opportunities, more security and a
stable future. However, outnumbering the benefits are the various challenges that are
faced by migrants, especially from rural to Urban. Some of the challenges are:
1. Political
Lack of adequate identity of the migrants and absence of inter-operable votings rights
devoids this large section of the population from participating in the elections and
choosing their representatives.
2. Economic
a. Most of the Government services are extended on state-specific basis (MNREGA, PDS,
etc), and consequently movement of an underprivileged family outside their home state
also devoids them of the Government services and benefits.
b. Opportunities available for migrants are restricted to lower level jobs, owing to
language and identity constraints, which not only deepens their position of a social
outcast but also perpetuates the trend for future generations.
c. With no adequate proof of identity, migrants are also unable to access commercial
services like banking, housing, etc, and therefore become possible breeding grounds of
crime.
3. Social and Cultural
a. With frequent shifting from place to place, successive generations of the migrants lose
their native cultural identity, and thus feel further isolated from the civic life
b. Non-acceptance by the local people of a region, added with the economic status of the
migrants, further makes them an outcast.
To address the aforementioned challenges, Government has taken the following steps:
1. Proposed provision of ballot voting for the migrants
2. Given a portable unique identity (Aadhar) to the migrants, on the basis of which they
can avail services they are eligible for from any part of the country. Valid identification
also opens doors to financial inclusion, commercial services and economic opportunities.
3. Skill development for capacity building of migrants
4. Enhancing rural opportunities through programs like NRLM
Thus, with the above steps the Government is targetting the core reasons for migration
and that of the issues of migrants, ie better opportunities and valid proof of identification
respectively
As India becomes more connected, with increased opportunities, and niche sectors in
specific geographical areas, migration has increased in search of jobs, education,
marriage etc.
Problems face by migrants
1. Economic problems
1.1. Poor migrants, who migrate mostly for survival, are unable to establish their identity
as most of them don't have their birth certificates, or because of non acceptance of
documents in the migrant state. This leads to loss of access from social services and
entitlements.
1.2. Due to the above problem, they are unable to take benefit of services meant for the
economically vulnerable sections. Lack of access to education further helps in
intergenerational transmigration of poverty.
1.3. Lack of access to financial services as they are unable to comply with KYC norms.
2. Social problems
1.1. In a ethinically and culturally diverse country such as India, migrant face the
problem of acceptance, and are often subjected to violence. Violence against migrants
from bihar and bengal in Assam, or against Tamilians in Mumbai in the 1980s, show
how migrants are thought of stealing oppurtunities meant for the local population.
1.2. The cultural and linguistic diversity and illiteracy among migrants hamper their
integration efforts.
3. Political problems
1.1. Migrants lack the right to vote in another constituency, and are unable to vote in
their home constituency, and thus unable to vent their grievance through the political
process.
1.2. They are also subject to political vendetta in their migrant state, which the rise of
nativistic political parties like Shiv Sena in Mumbai shows.
Thus, establishment of identity, inclusion in the financial sector, extension of political
rights can make the life of migrants much easier as after all, migration is one of the signs
of modernization and urbanization.
Government Initiatives
1. Govt has revised SC/ST act and amended IPC to prevent oppression of SC/STs and NE
people
2. SC/ST and NE ministry provides separate hostels to students in universities like DU,
JNU etc
3. Wife can have identity independent of husband through separate Aadhar, PAN card
etc
4. Reservations in govt jobs and educational institutes for development of marginalised
sections
5. Suggestion for voting through postal ballot for ISMs is with Supreme Court
6. Govt planning to undertake caste-based census
7. Loan-taking made easier through Priority Sector Lending and relaxed KYC norms
8. Special scholarships for NE students announced
9. Shifting of identification of laborers to AADHAR and subsidies to DBT
10. National Housing Mission and National Health Policy etc launched
11. The Interstate Migrant Workers Act, 1979 to regulate the condition of service for
migrant labors.
Conclusion
For improving the condition of interstate migrant Govt need to take following steps:
To amend the Inter-State Migrant Workman Act, 1979, to make it more effective in
addressing the problems of migrant labour in India.
To ensure the right to education for all migrant children
To set up crches for children below three years of age at the migrants' worksites
To form civil society monitoring groups for migrant welfare.
To develop feeling of unity among all citizens and realize them that India is a one
country and not a set of many
countries.
Growth polarization has led to increased rate of migration from backward regions of the
country to more developed one. Migrants do not have a permanent address in the cities
they migrate which implies that they cannot avail of BPL cards, ration cards, voter ID
cards or any other identity proof. This automatically leads to their social, cultural,
economic an political exclusion as these documents are the prerequisite for availing state
services.
Some of the problems faced by migrants include:
Economic
-Cannot avail benefits of social security schemes like PDS
-No access to housing and therefore have to dwell in slums. Most of the slums are
unregulated colonies with no access to water, sanitation, electricity and cooking gas
-To avail of basic services like water and cooking gases, they have to resort to black
market channels.
-Little or no access to education for schooling of their children as schools also demand
permanent address proof for admission
-No access to social security schemes like pensions scheme
Social
They face severe discrimination from natives of the city and are culturally and socially
excluded from the mainstream. This creates sense of frustration which culminates into
heinous crimes and social instability
Political
Back home in villages, Gram Panchayats provides a platform for them to voice their
concerns. However, in cities they do not have such access. Moreover, since the cannot
exercise their voting rights in cities, they do not an interest group for the politicians. In
sum, their needs and concerns get neglected.
In recent times, government has shown some interest in addressing problems of
migrants. Steps such as regulation of slum dwelling, implementation of RSBY scheme,
enabling postal voting are cases in point. However, more needs to be done given their
staggering number. While in short-term social security schemes for them must be
strengthened, in the long-term there is no option but to adopt a more regionally
balanced growth model.
Topic: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population

by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes;
5) Indias small and marginal farmers have been facing variety of
problems thanks to various factors ranging from climate to policy
matters. Examine these major problems, their cause and also

evaluate governments interventions to address these problems.
(200 Words)
The Hindu
Farmers are the backbone of the nation- Gandhiji

The same farmer is in very pathetic condition with average income 6500 per month, with
growing cost of living how can he survive? The feeder of the nation is in miserable
condition that need to be addressed for the development of the country.
The challenges faced by farmer:
->33 percent of the farm house holders are having land less than 0.44 hectare, which will
be even divided in future generation.
->only 5percent of farmers know about the minimum support price for their produce.
->Farmers are not aware about the crop insurance.
->Farmers will be cheated by the middleman.
->Farmers are not educated to have information about the crops to grown that suits their
soil type.
->Major part agriculture is monsoon driven, if monsoon fails then it will affect the crops.
->75percent of the irrigation is dependent on the ground water thus leads to the over
utilization of the underground water.
->50percent of the farmers are dependent on the loan by local moneylender with the
interest rates as high as 15-20 percent.
The steps taken by government:
->Financial support by priority banks.
->Subsidy on the drip irrigation, current, diesel for the use of ground water.
->Employment assistance by MNREGA scheme.
->Broadcast about the weather in the region.
->Soil test and report about the crop supported by the government agencies.
->Investment in research and development agencies like ICAR for improving yield.
Government has taken the step to address the grievances of the farmers in the
bureaucratic level, farmers opinion should be considered before implementing any
scheme.
Indian farmers especially small and marginal are under great stress.it is being revealed
from from NSSO 70th round findings ,which estimated more than 50% of farm
households in debts,farm holdings of 90% shrinking to less than 2 hectares.most

worringly most findings have deteriorated even from previous ms swaminathan report
on national commission on farmers.
major problems associated with vulnerability of marginal farmers include1)flawed aspects of green revolution(a)regional disparity- targeted assistance to only selective regions nw india,coastal
andhra etc
(b)social disparity- institutional help for credit,bore well etc was availed by rich farmers
only.
(c) agricultural disparity- overemphasis on only selected crops ruined traditional crops
such as millet.
2)failure of land reforms- petty politics and loopholes in land ceiling act never allowed
proper land reforms except kerala.
3)very low penetration of institutional financial credit in rural areas, in fact priority
sector lending has neither benefited farmers nor banks,higher chunk being appropriated
by rich farmers,besides heavy corruption keeps needy at bay.
4)market reform failure- role of middlemen not decreasing even after adoption of model
APMC act making farmers much vulnerable.
5)not proper diversification of agriculture-though adoption of rainbow revolution did
envisioned overall development but in absence of market exposure,food processing
infrastructure they have not impacted small farmers on large scale.
6)vagaries of monsoon- over 60% of indian agriculture dependent on monsoon.
Govt has attempted several approaches specially targeting marginal farmers such as
1)financial schems- (a)criteria of priority sector lending by banks(b)subsidies on
diesel,kerosene,drip irrigation,farm machinery etc
2)employment generation - such as IRDP, SGSY,MNREGA act etc
3)institutional structure for agriculture development
(a)Funding for research via ICAR, state agriculture university.
(b)national plans such as -droght prone area development programme,rashtriya krishi
vikas yojna,national mission on sustainable agriculture etc
(c)personalized help- soil testing, phone based technical guidance etc.
The dismal state of farmers depicts failure of schemes, major overhaul is agriculture
sector is need of hour, governments approach towards establishing a grand alliance
between farmers,market and credit institutions is must not only for farmers but also
food security and robust economy of country.
"Of Indias 121 million agricultural holdings, 99 million are with small and marginal
farmers, with a land share of just 44 per cent and a farmer population share of 87 per
cent."
These farmers are facing multitudes of problems as stated below:
1. Nearly 70% of land holdings are fragmented which limits the farmer to use only
traditional methods and hence with limited productivity makes agriculture an
uneconomical and unsustainable endeavour.
2. Over-dependence on monsoon on agriculture and lack of irrigation facilities.

3. HYV and GM seeds are not just costly but they also require high amount of fertiliser
input which these farmers are not able to get.
5. Over dependence on traditional crops like rice and wheat makes market skewed and
farmers do not get remunerative prices.
6. Because of lack of education, farmers have lack of market understanding. Less than
30% of farmers borrow from institutional sources rest borrow from local moneylenders
and end up stuck in perpetual debt.
7. Supply channel bottlenecks like inefficient public procurement system,
storage/granaries, lack of export market creation etc
Government's intervention to address these problems:
1. Cooperative farming - Pooling of land at village level, banks will also find it easier to
give them loans, better inputs & technologies can be applied and threat of loss of crop
will be shared and minimised.
2. Government has realised dependence of monsoons and have given due attention to
canal construction in various programs and schemes like IRDP, SSGY and MgNREGA
etc. States like Tamil Nadu are providing 100% subsidy on micro-irrigation.
3. Crop diversification is being adviced and Government has been vigilant about
renumerative MSP which also do not skew the production in favour of one crop.
4. ICAR has been focusing on breeding higher yeilding seeds.
5. States have been vigilant about the problem of spurious seed.
6. Govt is promoting FPOs, SHGs etc for better financial inclusion of farmers.
Indian agriculture constitues 54.6% and farmers are the backbone of our economy.it has
nearly 121 million agricultural landholding. Majority of them are small and marginal
farmers accounting to 99 million and they constitute 87% of farmers.though we have
increased our production and exports indian farmers are facing lot of problems and this
is leading them to do suicide.the major problems are
1)60% of our agriculture rainfed,so weather conditions like monsoon,rainfall play a
major role.
2)farmers not getting proper water.irrigation-major factor
3)droughts &floods.
4)soil fertility getting depleted in its nutrients because of overchemicalisation.
5)farmers are not getting appropriate profits for their products.the middlemen
&industries are getting higher benefits for this.
GOVTS INTERVENTION TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM:
1) Small Farmers Development Agency (1971), Integrated Rural Development
Programme (1980), Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY, 1999) and the
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act.these are all only
providing jobs for them.long term food security & ecological sustainability is ignored.
2) Drought Prone Area Programme (1974) -only for drought proofing. livelihoods and
growth-focussed development should have been the goal of this program.
3) National Policy on Farmers (2007) focussed on improving farmer income through
better risk management and an improved price policy. Implementation is lacking
because 30% farmers getting loans from institutional credit systems
4) Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (2011) allocated Rs.10 lakh to each district to prepare
and
implement the Comprehensive District Agriculture Plan with the participation of local
panchayats.farmers needs are not addressed here.
Measures:
1)govt should encourage dry land agriculture with integrated farming particularly in
western india where there is low rainfall.
2)drip irrigation, inter-linking of livers,rainwater conservation in ponds,lakes will
provide solution to farmers for water. state govts should provide subsidies to the farmers
for micro irrigation because initial cost is high.
e.g)tamilnadu providing 100% subsidy for micro irrigation.
3)lack of investments in research needs to get addressed.because they will test the
fertility of soil and advice the farmers what crops they should put and proper methods to
take care and promoter greater water efficiency.
4)dependence on GM crops should be reduced.organic farming should be encouraged.
5)govt need to focus on skill development and give training to high tech agricultural
technologies.farmers will get a great benefit from this program.
By addressing all these problems,farmers will reap benefits and india can shine in its
agricultural productivity and production and achieve food security and self sufficiency in
other crops also.
India's small and marginal farmers account for substantial agricultural production in
terms of both vegetables as well as cereals. Recent 70th NSSO reveals that small &
marginal farmers are under great stress due to:
1) over reliance of agriculture on monsoons: is detrimental to agricultural production.
often leads to complete loss of harvest. State has failed to develop desperately required
irrigation
facilities.
2) deeply fragmented holdings: 33% of farm households have less than 0.4 hectares of
land. These small sized holdings go against the principle of "economies of scale" and
renders agricultural economically unviable proposition.
3) lack of financial inclusion: slightly less than reduce 30% of small and marginal
farmers borrow from institutional credit systems. rest continue to rely on local noninstitutional
credit sources. This has only lead to growing indebtness of peasantry.
4) bureaucratized planning: various yojanas/programmes including RKVY-2011 have
failed to reflect farmer's need, ignored best practice and discussions are chaired by
bureaucrats & local politicians and participation of local panchayat/community is in
name only.
5) faulty practices: increased growing of HYV in arid regions with over-reliance on
ground water for irrigation has lead to water stress in increased no. of districts.
6) flawed research: ICAR has focused on HYV of rice & wheat and ignored local varieties
and coarser cereals. lack of fund for research.
7) Inflation: prices of agricultural inputs have increased while benefits of food inflation
has been eaten away by intermediaries.
Topic: Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States,

issues and challenges pertaining to the devolution of powers and
finances up to local levels and challenges therein; Paper
1: Social empowerment
6) The Rajasthan Panchayati Raj (Second Amendment)
Ordinance, 2014 is a major setback to the constitutional mandate
of ensuring gender equality in panchayati governance. Critically
comment. (200 Words)
The Hindu
Recently, Rajasthan state government has passed an ordinance fixing the minimum
educational qualification for the panchayati raj elections. For the post of sarpanch, Class
VIII is the minimum qualification, while posts in the zilla parishad require a Class X
pass. Government justifies that a lot of fund is being channelised to panchayats these
days and keeping an updated record of finance & expenditure needs a person who is
literate. Government's rationale is also that it will encourage literacy among masses.
However, Critics also say that by this ordinance Government has not only shrugged the
onus of spreading literacy but has also penalised the masses who've been left illiterate
because there were neither any schools when they were young nor has government put
any efforts to give them literacy at later period.
Critics also argue that literacy level in Rajasthan is one of the lowest, more so among the
women and tribals which is the absolute lowest in India. According to 2001 census, this
will keep around 82.5% of people out of the democratic process. nearly, 90% of them will
be women and tribals. In this way, the ordinance will make the panchayati raj institution
elitist, gender-biased and out of reach of people whose talents and capabilities do not
have a certificate of formal education institutions.
Hence this ordinance is a major setback to ensuring gender equality in panchayati
governance.
Recently state government of Rajasthan came up with "Rajasthan Panchyati Raj (2nd
amendment) Ordinance, 2014" which introduces educational qualifications of secondary
education in order to be able to contest panchayat elections. For the post of Sarpanch,
Class-VIII is minimum qualification while for the posts in zila parisad, Class-X pass is
mandatory.
The rationale of law is to encourage literacy and education.The ordinance is
constitutionally valid is it seeks to give voice directive principles of state policy
enumerated in Part-VI of Indian constitution. But the problem is not with the ends but
the means through which this law seeks to promote education & literacy.
1. Women in rural India already suffer from massive inequality in literacy rates primarily
due to increased societal biases against women in Indian society. The literacy rate of
rural women is nearly 45% in comparison to corresponding male literacy which is nearly
76%. such a law will go on to reduce women's participation in active politics by debarring
majority potential woman candidates. Thus the law goes against the constitutional
mandate of ensuring equality.
2. Moreover freedom to vote goes hand in hand with freedom to contest elections. any
law which encourages literacy (as envisaged in directive principles) cannot prevail over
constitutional freedoms (as envisaged in fundamental rights).
3. The law will encourage influential people to obtain fake educational certificate.
it would have been better had the law mandated that after winning election and joining
office Sarpanch or the Zila parisad officer not having requisite educational qualification
shall be required to obtain such qualification with a time span of 3-4 years. Thus office
bearers of local government institutions could have served as an example to rest of local
community and ensured growth of democracy at grassroot in the long run.
The ordinance claims to promote education and literacy but

as it proposes to put a rider on who all can contest elections it ignores the right to
expression, a fundamental right under article 19, which encapsulates act of voting which
comes along with freedom to contest elections. It further creates an intra-gender divide
as influential women will be able to circumvent this ordinance by obtaining false
certificates from schools.
The very premise of this ordinance is questionable in the
light of the fact that 20% of union cabinet ministers are below class 12th
pass. Education is indeed a desirable quality for leadership but it is not
indispensable, for Panchayati governance requires one to be ethical and sensitive
towards local problems and not some pompous degrees.
14/01/2015
Topic: India and its neighborhood- relations

4) Some foreign policy experts argue that Indonesia qualifies as
Indias critical strategic partner in the region. But in recent
months it is being observed that Indonesia is forging close
relationship with China rather than with India. Critically analyse
why. (200 Words)
Business Standard
Indonesia has been linchpin in indian look east policy(now act east policy).geographical
proximity,liberal secular democracy,close cultural contacts contemprorarily shared
vision of multi polar world,strategic maritime cooperation,complimentary trade(palm
oil,coal,IT services) makes us natural partners.
Nevertheless, Indian relation has been dwarfed by china because of several reasons
1)Financial capitala)prospects of cheap loans from AIIB of which indonesia was also founding member.
b)Maritime silk road(MSR)- chinese offer of development of several indonesian ports
seems more lucrative to indonesia.
contararily, india has neither finalized its sagar mala project nor has that cash surplus to
fund projects in other countries
2)In active diplomacya) relations have frozen indo-indonesia devoid of high level visits, even multi lateral
summit like ASEAN, east asia summit could not break the slumber.
b)poor use of soft power such bollywood(highly popular in indonesia),cultural
similarities in building long term partnership.
3)meager trade between indo-indonesia compared with china has further dampened
overall relationship.
Nevertheless, respectable indian presence in inevitably all major indonesian sectors as
well liberal muslim base in both countries is cohesive factor,more importantly India and
Indonesia can together put their own imprint on the emerging Asian landscape,
preventing a politically authoritarian and culturally monochromatic alternative.
Indonesia bears a great strategic importance for india. After myanmar; Indonesia can be
considered a gateway for india to establish strategic significance in distant south east
asia. But growing intimacy between china and Indonesia and China's policy to expand its
strategic influence in distant persian gulf areas and africa along with indian ocean shows
comcern for india. Some of the reasons for degrading relationship between india and
Indonesia are--Lombok strait
------------The naval exercises of china here in cooperation with Indonesia is a matter of concern
for india. It is connecting link between java sea and indian sea.
Natuna islands
------------The strategic chances of resolving dispute here between china and Indonesia brings the
both countries closer.
Hainan island
-------------
The improvements in this island by china and its importance to Indonesia brings the
both country closer.
Economic influence
-----------The newly established asian infrastructure bank sponsored by china paves a new way for
fund to Indonesia from china.
Maritime expectation of Indonesia
----------------The intention of Indonesia to become maritime power axix in world is seen to be fulfilled
by China's policy of constructing maritime silk route.
Solutions
---------1/ india can make an initiative with Australia as Indonesia bears strategic importance for
Australia to lessen the gap between india and Indonesia.
2/ Through smart diplomacy india can cooperate with US and japan to counter the
influence of china in Indonesia.
3/ india can strengthen naval exercises and maritime policy with Indonesia through
dialogue process.
4/ india can form joint intelligence group with Indonesia regarding jihadist; a common
threat to both; which will bring them closer.
Thus; an attempt has been made to evaluate the relationship between india and
indonesia.

Sector/Services relating to Education
5) The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER), 2014, says only
an average 48.1 per cent of Class V children across India can read
a Class II-level text. From your own experience of school days, or
from observations you might have made in your surroundings,
critically comment on the reasons behind such low levels of
learning outcomes in Indian schools. (200 Words)
The Hindu
he numbers from the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER), 2014 are not at all
shocking, they
are just augmenting the India's poor performance in the programme for International
Student Assessment tests (PISA) in which India stood at 71st place out of 73 countries.
What is surprising
and daunting is the blind eye of various state government who just keep
boasting about the number of school they opened, teachers they hired but not at
all at talk about such statistics.
Quality standards in education vary across the country as schooling is governed by the
state level laws legislated by around 35 governments in the different states and union
territories and the resources that it invests in the school system. Some perceived facts,
that account for poor education quality are:
Teaching Eligibility Test as employment guarantee programs
In various state such as U.P. there is great craze among rural and urban youth to become
primary teacher through state conducted TET. When they become teacher and are
posted in far corners of the state. They just attend school for couple of months and most
of the time sit in their home enjoying their salaries. This had led to the prevalence of
primary school nexus which provide share of bribes from primary school teacher to
upper officials. Similar is the case with other large states like Maharasthra, Rajasthan
etc.
High Teacher to Student Ratio and Multitude of roles played by teachers
There are high no. of reports that only one school teacher handles the complete primary
school in a village. In similar cases a teacher has to play the role of administrator,
facilitator for mid-day meals, manage various classes etc. it is obvious in such
circumstances why quality is always at the stake.
Absence of an Accountable system
While attending school I precisely remember that our teachers had to go through annual
review process and scrutiny which made teacher to up keep their quality of teaching, but
such system are prevalent only in private school. Until and unless similar accountable
processes are not implemented quality is only going for a free
fall.
Both public and private school enrollment has increased sgnificantly around the country
but, as the report by ASER points out, learning levels have remanined stubbornly low.
Even though children are moving up the grade they fail to master the grade-level
conpetencies they are expected to; like the report says - only an average 48.1 per cent of
Class 5 children across India can read a Class 2-level text.
This could be attributed to a number of factors:
1. Lack of qualified teachers - owing to the political pressure many government schools
have regularised the contract teachers who were not qualified otherwise.
2. Size of class - An ideal teaching ration should be 1:30 but in private schools it can go as
high as 1:70! hence teachers are unable to pay attention to students indivisually.
3. Poor pedagogy and curriculum which stresses more on rote-learning then conceptual
understanding. Teachers are pressurised to cover the syallabus rather than help students
learn.
4. India does not follow TaRL (Teaching at the Right Level) system and students are
given classes based on their age and not their calibre and learning capabilities.
5. With a removal of board exams till class X and even regular examinations from many
schools there is no student evaluation going on. Hence students do not learn and still
end up moving to higher grades.
What needs to be done:
1. Setting up of quality teachers training insitution all over India for capacity building of
staff. Proposed Madan mohan malviya teachers training insititute is a good step in this
direction.
2. Government should be ready to invest more in education sector to build infrastructre
and hire more qualified teachers tpobring down the teacher-pupil ratio of a 1:30.
3. Curriculum should be updated and stress of TaRL should be given.
4. Continuous and Comprehensive evaluation (CCE) which restructures testing practices
is a good move in the direction to ensure a systematic evaluation. Teachers should be
given freedom to refine and customise this based on curriculum. Whatever method of
evaluation is used, a rigrous evaluation of it is needed to ensure that it is working.
5. More community participation is required - like IIT students who go to nearby villages
to teach science and maths and to keep a check on teacher's attendance and other
infrastructural issues.
6. an equally important expect is that teaching should be promoted as a good career
option so that talent should be attracted in this field.
15/01/2015
Topic: Salient Features of Representation of People Act;

Constitutional Bodies ; Important aspects of Governance; Indian
Diaspora
5) Write a note on recent efforts by the government to bring NRIs into the
electoral process. Does this move deepen democracy in our country in any
way ? (150 Words)
The Hindu
The recent efforts by the Government to give NRIs the voting rights through postal
ballot is a welcome step towards deepening democracy for the below reasons:
1) Inclusiveness: A true democracy accounts for every section of the society, as
NRIs are very much a part of India either emotionally or legally, hence,
allowing them to cast vote would make Indian democracy more mature.
2) Fundamental Rights: As filled in the petition, the denial of voting rights was
against the Fundamental Rights and hence the Supreme Court Judgment upheld the
supremacy of Fundamental Rights over Representation of People's Act.
3) Pillars of democracy: Government action as per Judicial order and Election
Commission wish ensure that the various pillars of democracy are equally
important in India.
However, above effort may face challenges as the postal ballot procedure is cumbersome
and only giving rights to vote is not enough, the Government and Election
Commission need to ensure that the people staying miles apart should be
facilitated to be able to exercise their rights.
Amendment to RPA, 1952 section 20 which seeks NRIs to vote in election through eballot is indeed a welcome step. Increase in around 18000 votes per constituency in
General Election for Lower House does matter the course of future governments.
Moreover, these votes are hard to get adulterer by false promises and freebies most
famous tool of political parties during elections. These votes are also cast by literate and
genuine people who wish to ensure their motherland thrives in 21st century.
Section 20A of RPA already allowed NRIs to vote since ammendment in 2010. However,
it required them to be physically present in the constituency which made it impractical
and defeated the very purpose of ammendment. However, recent SC's direction to allow
the NRIs to vote from overseas through a postal ballot has been accepted by the
government.
This is a commendable move which clearly recognises the fact that NRIs have an equal
right to exercise their electoral choices; because in the globalised & interconnected
world, with increasing transborder migration, the policies of the government in their
homeland affect their fate, life and business in another country. This will reconnect
Indian diaspora to India. With an increase of average 18000 votes per constituency, this
will definitely deepen the democracy, acknowledging the fact that NRIs are
indespensible part of Indian democratic process and strengthening the spirit of
Nationhood in them & all.

countries on Indias interests
6) Not withstanding recent economic crisis, Russia under Putin
has witnessed resurgence in both the economic and geo-political
front. Assess the factors that were responsible for this resurgence.
(200 Words)
Business Standard
Putin started off in the Yeltsin Era of painful economic transition and capitalised on it
later as his stature grew to an uncompromising nationalist leader. Amidst global
opposition, a falling rouble and the New Cold War, Putin has catapulted Russia into
economic and geopolitical resurgence. The factors responsible are:
a)Oil and Gas - by consolidating oil and gas exports to European countries and using
Energy as a medium of politics. Hes also been turning to energy-hungry East Asian
countries such as China, South Korea and Japan now, as part of Russias Eastern Pivot
strategy.
b)Multinational Groupings - Russia continues to play a crucial role in BRICS, SCO, G8
etc and has recently established EEU - Eurasian Economic Union, with its neighbours.
Its believed Putin wants to recreate the Soviet Union. This has come despite the western
sanctions and isolation of Russia.
c)Communism and China - the ideology continues to expand and its growing partnership
with China towards a US-NATO containment strategy has seen cooperation with Chinas
New Silk Route too.
d)Global Leadership - Putin played the upper hand in resolving the chemical weapon
crisis in Syria with OCW and in denuclearising Iran too. The former even earned him a
Nobel Peace prize nomination!
e)Protectionism- punishing dissent in any form by tighter control of media, and

international operations of the FSB. The western sanctions were replied back too, with
similar sanctions from Russias end. Also, Russia is yet to ratify the International
Criminal Court despite being a signatory.
f)Popular Image - Putin has held a popular nationalist image in Russia and still has a
reputation worldwide as he managed to finish among the top few in TIME Person of the
Year poll for 2014.
e)Defense -Under Putin, Russia also became one of the top Defense exporters. Some of
its beneficiaries are geopolitically critical nations and some are believed to be backdoor
recipients.
Apart from the above, Putin has well understood the newer dimensions of Russias
economic and geopolitical challenges. Thats been justified with the introduction of
digital deterrence and communication capabilities like SORM and Glonass, the Russian
analogues to the American PRISM and GPS respectively. And even though the country is
gripped with recession and sanctions, it does have some good economic cushioning - it
still has the fifth largest forex reserves in the world riding high on the traditional
saviours Energy and Defense. Coupled with it has been some forward policies too such as
boosting the IT sector and setting the Rouble free for market determination.
Topic: Important International institutions, agencies and foratheir structure, mandate.

7) To what extent do you blame NATO and EU expansionism vis-a-vis
Russian resurgence for the eruption of Cold war 2.0 ? (200 Words)
The Hindu
After the disintegration of erstwhile USSR, a large no. of political thinkers hoped for a
"global village". But sadly their expectation remained a chimera . NATO & EU expansion
are largely to be blamed for this newly evolving COLD WAR 2.0..
1. NATO ,despite the disappearance of WARSAW Pact, has existed & its gradually
spreading its tentacles.
2. Due to the increasing presence of NATO along the eastern border of Russia, the later is
ostensibly feeling vulnerable.
3. Also entry of Baltic countries like Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia are scuttling Russian
dream of establishing the grand "Eurasian economic union".
4. The sanctions of EU on Russia, are making these inclusions more bitter for the latter.
EU is the largest oil & natural gas customer of the Russia.
5. It will also deter the Moscow's hegemony on the neighbouring nations.
6. Thus as per the theory of "Prisoner's dilemma", Russia is also behaving in more
aggressive manner. Annexation of Crimea & continuous interference in eastern Ukraine
are aggravating the situation.
7. The sanctions on Moscow is also not auguring well for India ,as it is paving way for
defence partnership between Pakistan- Russia.
Thus after 23 years of apparent detente, it seems cold war has again revived. Its
imperative for the involving nation to shun hubris & play more constructive role.

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General Studies 2

Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social

We need to do following things:

health. We need to focus on it.

Article 41 in The Constitution Of India 1949

Article 42 in The Constitution Of India 1949

Article 47 in The Constitution Of India 1949

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Importance for India:

Steps to be part of global trade agreement

Topic: Indian Constitution- significant provisions; Important aspects of

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Topic: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing

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3. What happens if they don't sign up?

Topic: Development processes and the development industry- the role

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the contrary. In the light of some of recent related events, critically

Article 244 in The Constitution Of India 1949

Administration and control of scheduled areas and tribes

Topic: India and its neighborhood- relations.

4) Trade & economy:

Topic: mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for

Topic: mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for

5) Recently he Supreme Court ruled that conducting a caste-based census is

Article 46 in The Constitution Of India 1949

6) Critically discuss the need for making the right to health a

Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social

Provisions of National Health Policy 2015

3. Expore the creation of a heath cess on lines of education cess.

Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in

Topic: devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and

5) It will be a good alternative investment opportunity.

Topic: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing

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Ordinances were envisaged to be promulgated when a situation of emergency would

Topic: Development processes and the development industry- the

body? Critically discuss the various issues related to

Topic: India and its neighborhood-: Also related to Paper

Topic: various quasi-judicial bodies

Topic: mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for

Topic: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population

matters. Examine these major problems, their cause and also

Farmers are the backbone of the nation- Gandhiji

households in debts,farm holdings of 90% shrinking to less than 2 hectares.most

2. Over-dependence on monsoon on agriculture and lack of irrigation facilities.

Topic: Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States,

The ordinance claims to promote education and literacy but

Topic: India and its neighborhood- relations

Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social

Topic: Salient Features of Representation of People Act;

Topic: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing

e)Protectionism- punishing dissent in any form by tighter control of media, and

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