(Chrome Ias) Mains CA - Magazine May - 270619174050

PERIODICAL
CA - MAGAZINE
2019
CHROME IAS ACADEMY
Consider this article that appeared in The  SUSTAINIBILITY: We need new ways to
Hindu: promote the sustainable development of
India’s small and medium towns.
https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-
ed/the-shape-of-an-urban-employment-  EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMMES: It is
guarantee/article26667360.ece worthwhile considering to introduce an
employment guarantee programme in urban
It consists of more than 1000 words. Further, it’s areas. Along with addressing the concerns of
not written in a reader friendly manner. underemployment and unemployment, such a
Now, look at this edited version of the article in programme can bring in much-needed public
a simplified form: investment in towns.
The shape of an urban employment  MADHYA PRADESH EXAMPLE: In Madhya

guarantee Pradesh, the new State government has
launched the “Yuva Swabhiman Yojana”
Category: GS 2 (International relations) which provides employment for both skilled
and unskilled workers among urban youth.
Current event that inspired this article: Such programmes can be emulated by other
India is in the midst of a massive jobs crisis. The States as well.
unemployment rate has reached a 45-year high  LOCAL BODIES FUNDS: ULB should receive
(6.1%) in 2017-18. funds from the Centre and the State at the
What is the job crisis the article talks about? beginning of each financial year so that funds
are available locally. Wages would be
It talks about three aspects of job crisis in urban disbursed in a decentralised manner at the
areas which are as follows: local ULB.
 CITIES & TOWNS: The unemployment  MGNERGA: Urban employment programme
problem is especially aggravated in India’s should not come at the expense of MGNREGA
cities and towns. but rather the two should go hand-in-hand.
 LOW WAGES & PRECARITY: Aside from  PUBLIC WORKS: Urban informal workers
unemployment, low wages and precarity with limited formal education can undertake
continue to be widespread. standard public works such as building and
maintenance of roads, footpaths and bridges
 INFORMAL SECTOR: In urban India the for a guaranteed 100 days in a year, at ₹500 a
majority of the population continues to day.
work in the informal sector.
 GREEN JOBS: “Green jobs” can be provided
It says that India’s towns have been ignored which include the creation,
by the govts in the following ways: restoration/rejuvenation, and maintenance of
urban commons such as green spaces and
parks, forested or woody areas, degraded or
waste land, and water bodies.
ENGINES OF GROWTH: Both State and Central governments tend to
treat towns as “engines of growth” for the economy rather than spaces
where thousands toil to make a living.
 CARE JOBS: Further, a set of jobs that will
cater to the “care deficit” in towns by
EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMMES: Programmes such as the Swarna
Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana (1997) that included an urban wage
providing child-care as well as care for the
employment component have made way for those focussed on skilling elderly and the disabled to the urban working
and entrepreneurship. class should be included.
URBAN PROGRAMMES: National-level urban programmes such as the
Smart Cities Mission and the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban  ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS:
Transformation (AMRUT) only benefit only a few towns. Unemployed youth with higher education can
assist administrative functions in municipal
ItURBAN LOCAL
suggests theBODIES: Most ULBs
following ( urbanto
solutions local
thebodies
urban ) are
struggling to carry out basic functions because of a lack of financial offices, government schools, or public health
unemployment
and human capacity.problem:
Further, with untrammelled urbanisation, they
are facing more challenges due to the degradation of urban ecological
centres, and for the monitoring,
commons.
PERIODICAL – CA MAGAZINE / MAY Page 1

CHROME IAS ACADEMY
measurement, or evaluation of environmental Addressing urban unemployment

parameters.
 Introduce an employment guarantee
 TRANSPARENCY & ACCOUNTABILITY: programme in urban areas.
Strong transparency and accountability  Madhya Pradesh’s “Yuva Swabhiman
structures — disclosure of information, Yojana” can be emulated by other States.
periodic social audits, public hearing, timely  Urban Local Bodies should receive timely
grievance redressal for workers should be and adequate funds.
employed.  Urban employment programme and
MGNREGA should go hand-in-hand.
The author makes the following conclusion
 “Green jobs” can be provided such as
about urban employment:
creation of green spaces and parks.
An urban employment guarantee programme  Child-care, elderly care and the disabled
not only improves incomes of workers but also care jobs can be provided.
has multiplier effects on the economy. Hence,  Unemployed with higher education can
the time is ripe for an employment guarantee assist administrative functions.
programme in urban India.  Strong transparency and accountability
structures should be employed.
One would find the above edited version quite
simple to read and understand.
Now, look at the precise summary of this article, Thus, a complex article has been made very
which comes handy while doing revision: easy to grasp and memorize which will
immensely help while writing answers.
How to use this article in answer writing?
Suppose, if you have to answer a question like

this:
Urban employment programme will not only

improve worker incomes but also have
multiplier effects on the economy. Discuss.
This question can be answered as follows to

obtain maximum marks:
The unemployment rate has reached a 45-year Step 1. Write a basic introduction on
high (6.1%) in 2017-18. employment. You can use some data in your
Dimensions of urban unemployment: introduction.
 Unemployment mainly in cities and towns. For example,
 Low wages and precarity is widespread.
 Majority of the urban population in informal NSSO 2017-18 shows that as unemployment
sector. rates increased, labour force participation rates
for all ages, fell sharply from 43% in 2004 to
Urban areas have been ignored: 37% in 2017-18.
 Towns are treated as “engines of growth” Step 2: Now, come to urban unemployment.
rather than job spaces. Write down the areas in which urban
 Govt job schemes such as SJSRY have employment is presently available in India.
ignored the unskilled.
 Smart Cities Mission and AMRUT benefit For example:
only a few towns. Construction
 Urban local bodies lack financial and human Manufacturing
capacity. Service sector, etc.

CHROME IAS ACADEMY
Elaborate a bit. years to 2020. It also aims to hold the urban

registered unemployment rate below 5
Step 3: Mention few issued related with urban percent
unemployment:
Step 8: Suggest the steps Indian govt or state
For example: govt are taking to address urban unemployment.
Large workforce in informal sector For example,
Lack of unskilled jobs
Inadequate funds with local bodies Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana- National
Uncertainty of jobs Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM).
Low wages, etc Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY)
Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Protsahan Yojana
Elaborate a bit. Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana
Step 4: Suggest ways to improve urban (PMKVY), etc.
employment in India. Step 9: Write an optimistic conclusion.
For example, For example,
Green jobs India is about to become the fifth largest
Care job economy in the world. An urban employment
Administrative assistance jobs guarantee programme will not only improve
Public work maintenance job, etc incomes of workers but will also havemultiplier
Elaborate a bit. effects on the economy.
Step 5: Explain how urban employment Step 10: Can draw a diagram/flowchart
opportunities will help people. showing urban employment trends.
Increased incomes For example,

Access to education
Access to health services
Sanitation, etc
Elaborate a bit.
Step 6: Suggest how urban employment will

now only benefit workers but also impact the
overall economy in a positive way.
Consumption will increase

Savings will increase
Improved health will lead to better
workforce
Improved education will enhance
demographic dividend, etc.
Step 7: Make a comparison with urban

employment in other countries.
For example,
Thus, we will help you not only develop
China’s labor force was one of the most
understanding on a current topic important for
important factors contributing to the
Mains, help absorb essential arguments, facts
country’s unparalleled economic
and data but at the same time held deepen your
development over the past decades.
knowledge and learn proper answer writing
China is striving to create more than 50
technique to obtain maximum marks in exam.
million new jobs in urban areas over the five

CHROME IAS ACADEMY
SUBSISTENCE WORK: Most women in India

are engaged in subsistence-level work in
agriculture in rural areas, and in low-paying
jobs such as domestic service and petty
home-based manufacturing in urban areas.
BETTER EDUCATION: With better
education, women are refusing to do casual
wage labor or work in family farms and
enterprises.
Consider this article that appeared in The
Hindu:
What can be done to increase women
https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op- participation in workforce?
ed/the-gender-ladder-to-socio-economic-
transformation/article27016152.ece  A two-pronged approach must entail
facilitating women’s access to decent work
It consists of more than 900 words. Further, it’s by providing public services, eliminating
not written in a reader friendly manner. discrimination in hiring, ensuring equal and
decent wages, and improving women’s
Now, look at this edited version of the article in security in public spaces.
a simplified form:
 It must also recognize, reduce, redistribute,
The gender ladder to socio-economic and remunerate women’s unpaid work.
transformation
 On the question of work, women’s demands
Category: GS 2 (Women empowerment) such as gender-responsive public services
such as free and accessible public toilets,
Current event that inspired this article: safe and secure public transport, and
adequate lighting and CCTV cameras must
India’s recent election was noteworthy in many be met.
respects, one of them being the unprecedented
focus on women’s employment  Fair and decent living wages and
appropriate social security including
What do the data on women employment maternity benefit, sickness benefit,
show? provident fund, and pension should be
provided.
 LOWEST GLOBALLY: Currently, the
participation of women in the workforce in  There is a need for policies which ensure
safe and dignified working and living
India is one of the lowest globally.
conditions for migrant workers. For
 DECLINE TO 23%: The female labour force example, in cities, governments must set up
participation rate in India fell from 31.2% in migration facilitation and crisis centres
2011-2012 to 23.3% in 2017-2018. This (temporary shelter facility, helpline, legal
aid, and medical and counselling facilities).
decline has been sharper in rural areas.
 They must also allocate social housing
spaces for women workers, which include
What are the factors responsible for low rental housing and hostels. They must
workforce participation? ensure spaces for women shopkeepers and
hawkers in all markets and vending zones.
COMPLEX SET OF FACTORS: The answers
can be found in a complex set of factors  There is a need to enumerate and
including low social acceptability of women remunerate the unpaid and underpaid work
working outside the household, lack of they undertake in sectors such as
access to safe and secure workspaces, agriculture and fisheries.
widespread prevalence of poor and unequal
wages, and a dearth of decent and suitable
about urban employment:
jobs.

CHROME IAS ACADEMY
Unless policymakers correctly assess and Thus, a complex article has been made very
address the structural issues which keep women easy to grasp and memorize which will
from entering and staying in the workforce, immensely help while writing answers.
promising more jobs — while a welcome step —
is unlikely to lead to the socio-economic How to use this article in answer writing?
transformation India needs. Suppose, if you have to answer a question like
One would find the above edited version quite this:
simple to read and understand. More than a ‘more jobs’ approach, addressing
Now, look at the precise summary of this article, structural issues which keep women away from
which comes handy while doing revision: the workforce is a must. Comment.

Step 1. Write a basic introduction on women

participation in workforce. You can use some
data in your introduction.
For example,
The female labour force participation rate in

The female labor force participation rate in India India fell from 31.2% in 2011-2012 to 23.3% in
fell to 23.3% in 2017-2018. 2017-2018.
Factors responsible for low workforce Step 2: Now, come to factors responsible for
participation low participation of women in workforce.
 Low social acceptability of women working For example:
outside the household
 Lack of access to safe and secure Patriarchal society
workspaces Poor wages
 Widespread prevalence of poor and unequal Lack of suitable jobs, etc.
wages
Elaborate a bit each one of the above.
 Dearth of decent and suitable jobs
Step 3: Mention the impacts of low participation
Way forward: of women:
 Facilitating women’s access to decent work For example:
 Recognize, reduce, redistribute, and
remunerate women’s unpaid work. Financial dependence
 Gender-responsive public services such as Social oppression
public toilets, public transport, etc. Inadequate child care
 Fair and decent living wages and Lack of assertion of rights
appropriate social security Loss to GDP, etc.
 Safe and dignified working and living
Elaborate a bit each one of the above.
conditions for migrant workers
 Social housing spaces for women workers Step 4: Suggest ways to improve participation of
women in workforce:
Conclusion
For example,
Unless the structural issues which keep women
from entering and staying in the workforce are access to decent work
addressed, promising more jobs is unlikely to equal pay
lead to the socio-economic transformation remuneration of unpaid work

CHROME IAS ACADEMY
Public toilets, public transport, etc. https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-

dignified working and living conditions ed/conservation-minus-the-
Social housing spaces for women workers people/article27051606.ece
Elaborate a bit each one of the above. It consists of more than 800 words. Further, it’s
not written in a reader friendly manner.
Step 5: Provide some of the govt. schemes to
facilitate women participation in workforce. Now, look at this edited version of the article in
a simplified form:
For example,
Working Women Hostel Scheme

Mahila E-haat Conservation minus people?
Pradhan Mantri Matritva Vandana Yojana
STEP scheme, etc Category: GS 3 (Environment)
Elaborate a bit. Current event that inspired this article:
Step 6: Write an optimistic conclusion. In February this year, India, one of the world’s
17 mega-diverse countries issued a court order
For example, which stood to evict more than a million forest-
dwelling people from their homes.
Addressing of structural issues which keep
women from entering and staying in the Importance of this court order
workforce can lead to their socio-economic
transformation. Although this order was subsequently stayed,
though temporarily, it provides valuable insights
Step 7: Can draw a diagram/flowchart showing into India’s conservation objectives and
urban employment trends. approaches. Given the country’s size and
biodiversity-richness, a decision of this nature
For example,
has consequences for global natural heritage.
Importance of involvement of communities
Involving communities living in and around

natural resource-rich areas in the
management and use of these resources is
an effective tool of conservation that has
been recognized across the world.
This was affirmed by the 1980 World

Conservation Strategy of the International
Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN),
and the Earth Summit’s 1992 Statement of
Forest Principles and the Convention on
Biological Diversity.
Further fillip came from the IUCN’s Policy

Statement on Sustainable Use of Wild Living
Resources in 2000, and the Convention on
Biological Diversity’s 2004 Addis Ababa
Principles and Guidelines for the
Sustainable Use of Biodiversity.

The reality of conservation in India:
Hindu:

CHROME IAS ACADEMY
 India has been a vocal member of the above Role of Communities has been ignored in India:
conventions. But at home, things operate
rather differently.  The Third National Wildlife Action Plan,
introduced in 2017 is of the view that locals
 India’s conservation legislation is separated hinder conservation. Where communities
into those that protect forests and its are to be involved, it distinctly avoids the
produce, and those that target wildlife attribution of rights and instead frames
conservation. usage within a bureaucracy-controlled
format.
 Both the Indian Forest Act, 1927 and the
Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 create  In 2018, there was a Draft National Forest
different types and grades of protected Policy that emphasized the protected area
areas, and contain provisions to restrict or model of conservation that leaves little
outlaw local use of natural resources and room for communities.
landscapes.
 The Supreme Court’s order in early 2019,
 From the 1980s, there were a number of currently held in abeyance, mandated the
policies that mirrored the global shift eviction of those forest-dwellers whose
towards inclusive conservation, such as the claims under the Forest Rights Act have
1988 National Forest Policy, the 1992 been rejected.
National Conservation Strategy, the National
Environment Policy of 2006 and the 2007  In March 2019, a comprehensive overhaul
Biosphere Reserves Guidelines. of the Indian Forest Act was proposed. This
amendment introduces provisions for
 While these people-friendly policy extinguishing rights granted under the
statements made their way into India’s Forest Rights Act. Further, it grants the
conservation docket, its earlier exclusionary forest bureaucracy unprecedented powers
conservation legislation continued to stay in to enter and search the premises of forest-
place. dwellers on suspicion, arrest without
warrant and use firearms to meet
 In an attempt to bridge this divide, the 1990 conservation goals.
Joint Forest Management Guidelines (JFM)
created community institutions for co-
management, in collaboration with the
forest bureaucracy. Although it initially The author makes the following conclusion:
registered some success stories in certain
State authority that is usually reserved to tackle
parts of the country, JFM committees are
terrorism, insurgency and organized crime is
widely critiqued as being bureaucracy-
heavy, with little real devolution of powers now to be deployed to safeguard biodiversity.
to local communities. While other countries are recognizing the value
of community-involved conservation models,
 A dramatic shift in the Indian conservation India is stridently and steadfastly moving in the
paradigm came in 2006 through the Forest opposite direction.
Rights Act that went beyond sanctioning
local usage, to conferring rights to local One would find the above edited version quite
communities over forest land and produce. simple to read and understand.
Given a hostile bureaucratic environment,
the legislation faltered, except in certain Now, look at the precise summary of this article,
pockets. which comes handy while doing revision:
 India’s conservation policies and legislation

over the years reveal a dichotomy of intent
and action. Certain progressive policy
documents are put in place checking off
India’s international commitments.
However, a wholly different picture
emerges during the course of its operation
on the ground.

CHROME IAS ACADEMY
 In March 2019, the proposed amendment to

Indian Forest Act extinguishes rights granted
under the Forest Rights Act.
Conclusion
While other countries are recognizing the value of
community-involved conservation models, India is
moving in the opposite direction.
Thus, a complex article has been made very
easy to grasp and memorize which will
Recently, the Supreme Court issued ordered
eviction of more than a million forest-dwellers. How to use this article in answer writing?
Importance of this court order Suppose, if you have to answer a question like
this:
It provides valuable insights into India’s
conservation objectives and approaches. Unlike the rest of the world, India is stridently
moving away from community-involved
conservation models. Discuss.
Importance of involvement of communities
Involving communities is an effective tool of obtain maximum marks:
conservation. This was affirmed by the 1992 Earth
Summit and IUCN. Step 1. Write a general introduction on
community forestry.
The reality of conservation in India
For example,
 India’s conservation policies and legislation
over the years reveal a dichotomy of intent and In forest conservation, participation is often
action. associated with community forestry, which
 Indian Forest Act, 1927 and the Wildlife refers to forest management or co-management
Protection Act, 1972 contain provisions to by people living close to the forest. Community
restrict local use of natural resources and forestry is often associated with South and
landscapes. Southeast Asia, but it is also common in other
region
 Joint Forest Management Guidelines
(JFM), 1990, created community institutions Step 2. Now, come to the current context. You
for co-management, in collaboration with the can use some data here.
forest bureaucracy.
For example,
 Forest Rights Act, 2006 conferred rights to
local communities over forest land and Recently, India, one of the world’s 17 mega-
produce. diverse countries issued a court order which
stood to evict more than a million forest-
dwelling people from their homes.
Role of Communities ignored in India
Step 3: Now, mention how community role has
 Third National Wildlife Action Plan, been recognized internationally:
introduced in 2017 is of the view that locals
hinder conservation. For example:
 In 2018, there was a Draft National Forest It is an effective tool of conservation that
Policy that left little room for communities. has been recognized across the world, for
 The Supreme Court’s order in early 2019 example, by Earth Summit’s 1992,
rejected claims under the Forest Rights Act. Convention on Biological Diversity, etc.

CHROME IAS ACADEMY
Elaborate a bit.
Step 4: Now explain how India is not following a

community driven conservation:
For example:
Third National Wildlife Action Plan is of the

view that locals hinder conservation
Draft National Forest Policy, 2018 left little Consider this article that appeared in The
room for communities. Hindu:
Supreme Court’s order in 2019 rejected https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/a-
claims under the Forest Rights Act. wake-up-call-on-proprietary-
The proposed amendment to Indian Forest seeds/article27072442.ece
Act extinguishes rights granted under the
Forest Rights Act. It consists of more than 1000 words. Further, it’s
Elaborate a bit.
Now, look at this edited version of the article in
Step 5: Show how the above approach is in
a simplified form:
contrast to India’s envisaged policy of forest
conservation:
For example, A wake-up call on proprietary seeds

Joint Forest Management Guidelines (JFM), Category: GS 3 (Agriculture)
1990, created community institutions for
co-management, in collaboration with the Current event that inspired this article
forest bureaucracy. PepsiCo was suing small farmers in India for
Forest Rights Act, 2006 conferred rights to growing a potato variety that is used in its Lay’s
local communities over forest land and chips. However, due to national and
produce. international pressure PepsiCo backtracked.
Elaborate a bit. The downward spiral of small-scale farming
Step 6: Provide some suggestions in favour of  So many small farmers are, like the ones
role of community in forest conservation: targeted by PepsiCo, reliant, directly or
indirectly, on proprietary seeds.
For example,
 Typically these seeds are grown in high
National Forest Policy must envisage input (fertilizer-pesticide-irrigation)
increased role of communities. environments that, over time, erode local
Provisions of Forest Rights Act should be biodiversity.
properly implemented.
Supreme Court should become sensitive to  Between the expense of buying these seeds
the rights of forest dwellers, etc. and inputs, and the loss of the skills and
social relationships needed to do otherwise
Step 7: Write a visionary conclusion. (through the saving and exchange of seeds
For example, of indigenous varieties), small-scale farming
looks set to continue on its downward spiral
State authority should be deployed to safeguard of lower income, status and dignity.
biodiversity. India, like other countries should
recognize the value of community-involved Are farmers to blame for relying on
conservation models. proprietary seeds?
 No one can blame farmers for thinking that

proprietary seeds are better. Since the days

CHROME IAS ACADEMY
of the Green Revolution, agricultural agricultural research, education and

extension officers have taught farmers to extension services. For example, know-how
buy ever-higher-yielding seeds. contained in ancient Indian treatises like the
Vrikshayurveda and the Krishi Parashar
 The Plant Variety Protection law permits falls within the scope of what international
farmers not only to save and resow conventions such as the Convention on
(multiply) seeds, but also to sell them to Biological Diversity refer to as ‘indigenous
other farmers, no matter what the original and traditional technologies’.
source of the seeds is.
Conclusion
What is the concern with proprietary seeds?
The lawsuit by PepsiCo must be a wake-up call
Where farmers could be using genetically to the government and policymakers who need
distinctive seeds adapted to local conditions and to do much more to secure sustainable rural
farming traditions, they are instead adapting societies, protect soil health and promote seed
local conditions and traditions in order to use sovereignty for the economic development of
genetically standardized seeds, to ruinous effect. Indian farmers and of the entire nation.
It is the time for paradigm shift One would find the above edited version quite
 To get a sense of what can be done, it may simple to read and understand.
be useful to take a peep into recent Now, look at the precise summary of this article,
regulatory efforts in Europe. which comes handy while doing revision:
 The EU permits and encourages, inter alia,
the use and marketing for organic
agriculture without having to comply with
most of the arduous registration and
certification requirements.
 EU is supporting the creation markets and

marketplaces facilitating trade of
heterogeneous seeds.
How can India shift its agriculture from a

high-yield ideal to a high-value one? PepsiCo was suing small farmers in India for
growing a potato variety that is used in its Lay’s
 First, small farmers must be educated and
chips.
encouraged with proper incentive
structures, to engage with agriculture that The downward spiral of small-scale farming
conserves and improves traditional/desi
(heterogeneous) seeds in situ, rather than  Many small farmers are reliant, directly or
with “improved”, proprietary varieties. indirectly, on proprietary seeds.
 Second, an immutable record-keeping  These seeds are grown in high input

system, perhaps block-chain or DLT, is environments that erode local biodiversity.
needed to break the link between the
 High inputs, loss of the skills and social
profitable and the proprietary. Such a relationships has lowered income, status and
system would allow India to keep proper dignity.
track of where and how their
seeds/propagation materials and the Are farmers to blame for relying on proprietary
genetic resources contained therein are seeds?
being transferred and traded.
 Agricultural extension officers have taught
 Third, India’s invaluable traditional farmers to buy ever-higher-yielding seeds.
ecological knowledge systems need to be
revived and made a part of mainstream

CHROME IAS ACADEMY
 The Plant Variety Protection law permits Agriculture is the most important sector of
farmers to sell seeds to other farmers. Indian Economy. Indian agriculture sector
accounts for 18 per cent of India's gross
The concern with proprietary seeds domestic product (GDP) and provides
Farmers are adapting to local conditions and employment to 50% of the countries workforce
traditions in order to use genetically standardized Step 2. Now, come to the current context.
seeds, to ruinous effect.
For example,
Time for paradigm shift
Recently, PepsiCo was about to sue small
 It may be useful to take a peep into recent farmers in India for growing a potato variety
regulatory efforts in Europe. that is used in its Lay’s chips.
o The EU encourages the use and marketing for Step 3: Now, mention the reasons why Indian
organic agriculture.
agriculture has low productivity.
o EU is supporting the creation markets and
For example:
marketplaces facilitating trade of
heterogeneous seeds. Many small farmers are reliant, directly or
indirectly, on proprietary seeds that erode
How can India shift its agriculture from a high-
local biodiversity.
yield ideal to a high-value one?
High inputs, loss of the skills and social
 First, small farmers must be educated and relationships has lowered income, status
encouraged in traditional/desi agriculture. and dignity.
Lack of irrigation facilities
 Second, an immutable record-keeping system Lack of mechanization
is needed to break the link between the Small landholdings
profitable and the proprietary. Agricultural loan, etc
 Third, India’s invaluable traditional ecological Elaborate a bit.
knowledge systems need to be revived.
Step 4: Now explain the impacts of low-value
Conclusion yield:
The lawsuit by PepsiCo must be a wake-up call to For example:
the government and policymakers for the economic
development of Indian farmers and of the entire Poverty
nation. Suicides
Export issue
Thus, a complex article has been made very Nutrition problem
easy to grasp and memorize which will Impact on other sectors of economy
immensely help while writing answers. WTO issue
Farm protests, etc.
Elaborate a bit.
this: Step 5: provide solutions to follow the path of
high value yield:
How can India shift its agriculture from a high-
yield ideal to a high-value one? Explain. For example,
This question can be answered as follows to Small farmers must be educated and
obtain maximum marks: encouraged in traditional/desi agriculture.
An immutable record-keeping system is
Step 1. Write a general introduction on
needed to break the link between the
agriculture.
profitable and the proprietary.
For example, India’s invaluable traditional ecological
knowledge systems need to be revived, etc.

CHROME IAS ACADEMY
Step 6: Write a visionary conclusion. Now, look at this edited version of the article in
a simplified form:
For example,
The lawsuit by PepsiCo must be a wake-up call

to the government and policymakers who need Resolving India’s banking crisis
to do much more to secure sustainable rural
societies, protect soil health and promote seed Category: GS 3 (Economy)
sovereignty for the economic development of Introduction
Indian farmers and of the entire nation.
The new government will have to crack a
serious and unresolved problem: India’s
Step 7: Can draw a diagram/flowchart on banking sector. To do so, it needs clarity on how
agriculture. the problem arose in the first place. Only then
can it discard simplistic and ideologically-driven
For example, solutions in favour of those that can be effective.
What Non-performing assets data say?
 Non-performing assets (NPAs) at

commercial banks amounted to ₹10.3
trillion, or 11.2% of advances, in March
2018.
 Public sector banks (PSBs) accounted for

₹8.9 trillion, or 86%, of the total NPAs.
 The ratio of gross NPA to advances in PSBs

was 14.6%. These are levels typically
associated with a banking crisis.
 In 2007-08, NPAs totalled ₹566 billion (a

little over half a trillion), or 2.26% of gross
advances. The increase in NPAs since then
has been staggering?
Understanding the Origin of the NPA crisis
 The answer lies partly in the credit boom of

the years 2004-05 to 2008-09. In that
period, commercial credit (or what is called
‘non-food credit’) doubled.
 It was a period in which the world economy

as well as the Indian economy were
booming. Indian firms borrowed furiously
in order to avail of the growth opportunities
they saw coming.
 Most of the investment went into

infrastructure and related areas — telecom,
Hindu:
power, roads, aviation, steel. Businessmen
https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/resol were overcome with exuberance, partly
ving-indias-banking-crisis/article27097047.ece rational and partly irrational. They believed,
as many others did, that India had entered
It consists of more than 1300 words. Further, it’s an era of 9% growth.

CHROME IAS ACADEMY
 Thereafter, many things began to go wrong. What can be the plans to prevent such crises?
Thanks to problems in acquiring land and
getting environmental clearances, several  Wholesale privatization of PSBs is not the
projects got stalled. Their costs soared. answer to a complex problem. We need a
broad set of actions, some immediate and
 At the same time, with the onset of the others over the medium-term and aimed at
global financial crisis in 2007-08 and the preventing the recurrence of such crises.
slowdown in growth after 2011-12,
revenues fell well short of forecasts.  One immediate action that is required is
resolving the NPAs. Banks have to accept
 Financing costs rose as policy rates were losses on loans (or ‘haircuts’). They should
tightened in India in response to the crisis. be able to do so without any fear of
The depreciation of the rupee meant higher harassment by the investigative agencies.
outflows for companies that had borrowed
in foreign currency.  The Indian Banks’ Association has set up a
six-member panel to oversee resolution
 This combination of adverse factors made it plans of lead lenders. To expedite
difficult for companies to service their loans resolution, more such panels may be
to Indian banks. required. An alternative is to set up a Loan
Resolution Authority, if necessary through
 Higher NPAs mean higher provisions on the an Act of Parliament.
part of banks. Provisions rose to a level
where banks, especially PSBs, started  The government must infuse at one go
making losses. Their capital got eroded as a whatever additional capital is needed to
result. recapitalize banks — providing such capital
in multiple instalments is not helpful.
 Capital from the government was slow in
coming and it was barely adequate to meet  RBI needs to develop better mechanisms for
regulatory norms for minimum capital. monitoring macro-prudential indicators. It
Without adequate capital, bank credit especially needs to look out for credit
cannot grow. bubbles.
 Even as the numerator in the ratio of gross  Actions needs to be taken to strengthen the
NPAs/advances rose sharply, growth in the functioning of banks in general and, more
denominator fell. Both these movements particularly, PSBs.
caused the ratio to shoot up to a crisis level.
 Governance at PSBs, meaning the
NPA problem has been more concentrated in functioning of PSB boards, can certainly
PSBs improve. One important lesson from the
past decade’s experience with NPAs is that
 PSBs had a higher exposure to the five most management of concentration risk — that is,
affected sectors — mining, iron and steel, excessive exposure to any business group,
textiles, infrastructure and aviation. sector, geography, etc. — is too important to
 PSBs accounted for 86% of advances in be left entirely to bank boards.
these five sectors.  The RBI has from April 1, 2019, the limit for
 Infrastructure projects were impacted by exposure to any business group has been
the global financial crisis and environmental reduced from 40% of total capital to 25% of
and land acquisition issues. In addition, tier I capital (which consists of equity and
mining and telecom were impacted by quasi-equity instruments). The limit for a
adverse court judgments. Steel was single borrower will be 20% of tier 1 capital
impacted by dumping from China. (instead of 20% of total capital).
 Thus, the sectors to which PSBs were  Other aspects of concentration risk remain
heavily exposed were impacted by factors to be addressed. Overall risk management at
beyond the control of bank management. PSBs needs to be taken to a higher level.

CHROME IAS ACADEMY
This certainly requires strengthening of PSB  Most of the investment went into
boards. We need to induct more high- infrastructure.
quality professionals on PSB boards and
compensate them better.  Thereafter, many things went wrong such as
environmental clearances.
 Succession planning at PSBs also needs to
improve. Despite the constitution of the  Global financial crisis in 2007-08 and the
Banks Board Bureau to advise on selection slowdown after 2011-12
of top management, the appointment of  Financing costs rose as policy rates were
Managing Directors and Executive Directors tightened in India
continues to be plagued by long delays. This
must end.  The depreciation of the rupee meant higher
outflows for companies that had borrowed in
The author make the following conclusion on foreign currency.
this issue
 This made it difficult for companies to service
The task of accelerating economic growth is their loans to Indian banks.
urgent. This is not possible without finding a
solution to the problems that confront the NPA problem more concentrated in PSBs
banking system. There is ample scope for
 PSBs had a higher exposure to the five most
improving performance within the framework
affected sectors — mining, iron and steel,
of public ownership. It can be done. What is
textiles, infrastructure and aviation.
needed is a steely focus on the part of the
government.  PSBs accounted for 86% of advances in these
five sectors.
simple to read and understand. Plans to prevent such crises
Now, look at the precise summary of this article,  Wholesale privatization of PSBs is not the
which comes handy while doing revision: answer.
 One immediate action that is required is

resolving the NPAs.
 Indian Banks’ Association has set up a panel to

oversee resolution plans.
 Government must infuse additional capital

needed to recapitalize banks.
 RBI needs to develop better mechanisms for

monitoring.
The new government will have to resolve India’s
 Action needs to be taken to strengthen the
banking sector problem.
functioning of banks.
Non-performing assets data
 Governance at PSBs, meaning the functioning
 NPAs at commercial banks amounted to ₹10.3 of PSB boards, can certainly improve.
trillion in 2018.
 Succession planning at PSBs also needs to
 Public sector banks (PSBs) accounted for 86% improve.
of the total NPAs.
Origin of the NPA crisis
 Credit boom in 2004-05 to 2008-09; Indian Conclusion

firms borrowed furiously.

CHROME IAS ACADEMY
The task of accelerating economic growth is not Step 4: Explain the impact of NPAs on economy.
possible without finding a solution to the problems
that confront the banking system. For example,
Thus, a complex article has been made very  Reduce the profitability of banks but also
easy to grasp and memorize which will affect its credibility.
immensely help while writing answers  Shrinking of credit to industrial sector is
detrimental to industries and in turn to
economy.
 A fragile banking sector ultimately gives
Suppose, if you have to answer a question like way to the fragile economy, etc.
this:
Acceleration in economic growth is not possible

without addressing the problem of non- Step 5: Provide solutions to deal with the NPA
performing assets. Comment crisis.
This question can be answered as follows to For example,

obtain maximum marks: Wholesale privatization of PSBs is not the
answer.
Step 1: Write a brief introduction on non-
performing assets. Government must infuse additional capital
needed to recapitalize banks.
For example,
RBI needs to develop better mechanisms for
India holds the dubious distinction of having the
monitoring.
worst non-performing loan ratio among the
world’s major economies. Though the ratio for Action needs to be taken to strengthen the
banks has started falling now, it’s still very high functioning of banks.
and hurting the Indian economy.
Governance at PSBs needs improvement.
Step 2: Give some data on NPAs.
For example,
Step 6: Write an optimistic conclusion.
Non-performing assets (NPAs) at
commercial banks amounted to ₹10.3 For example,
trillion, or 11.2% of advances, in March The task of accelerating economic growth is
2018. urgent. This is not possible without finding a
Public sector banks (PSBs) accounted for solution to the problems that confront the
₹8.9 trillion, or 86%, of the total NPAs banking system. It can be done. What is needed
is a steely focus on the part of the government.
Step 3: Explain the origin of NPAs.

Step 7: Draw some diagram on NPAs.
For example,
 The root of NPA crisis lies in credit boom of

the years 2004-05 to 2008-09. In that
period, commercial credit doubled.
 The crisis was further fuelled with the onset

of the global financial crisis in 2007-08 and
the slowdown in growth after 2011-12, etc.

CHROME IAS ACADEMY
Philippines and the United States on return

from a fleet review in Qingdao.
What are the reasons behind the India’s

interest in Indian Ocean Region?
 The trigger for India’s newfound zeal at sea

is the rapid expansion of China’s naval
footprint in the Indian Ocean.
o Beyond commercial investments in Pakistan

and Sri Lanka, China has established a
Consider this article that appeared in The military outpost in Djibouti, a key link in
Hindu: Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/all- o Djibouti portends a future where China

out-at-sea/article27141593.ece would control key nodes skirting important
shipping lanes in the Indian Ocean, allowing
the PLA’s Navy (PLAN) to dominate the
It consists of more around 1000 words. Further, security dynamic.
it’s not written in a reader friendly manner.  Meanwhile, South Asian navies have been
Now, look at this edited version of the article in making their presence felt in the seas of the
a simplified form: subcontinent. In a quest for regional
prominence, Sri Lanka has positioned itself
as a facilitator of joint regional endeavours,
expanding engagement with Pacific powers
All out at sea which includes the Royal Australian Navy
Category: GS 2 (International Relations) and the U.S. Navy.
Current event that inspired this article:  With China’s assistance, Pakistan too is
becoming an increasingly potent actor in the
India is setting a high tempo of naval operations northern Indian Ocean, a key region of
in Asia. In recent weeks, a series of bilateral Indian interest.
exercises with regional navies in the Indian
Ocean have demonstrated the Indian Navy’s  Beijing has also been instrumental in
resolve to preserve operational leverage in strengthening the navies of Bangladesh and
India’s near seas. Myanmar, both increasingly active
participants in regional security initiatives.
The recent exercises of India that took place
in the Indian Ocean  In these circumstances, India has had little
option but to intensify its own naval
 In April, in their biggest and most complex engagements in South Asia.
exercise, Indian and Australian warships
held drills in the Bay of Bengal. Why does India need partnerships?
 This was followed by a much-publicised  The Indian Navy has played a prominent
anti-submarine exercise with the U.S. Navy role in the fight against non-traditional
near Diego Garcia. challenges in the Indian Ocean.
 Next, the Indian Navy held a joint exercise  While its contribution to the counter-piracy
‘Varuna’ with the French Navy off the coast mission off the coast of Somalia,
of Goa and Karwar. humanitarian assistance and disaster relief
(including in cyclone-hit Mozambique) has
 Further, two Indian warships participated in been substantial, a paucity of assets and
a ‘group sail’ with warships from Japan, the capacity has forced the Navy to seek

CHROME IAS ACADEMY
partners willing to invest resources in joint

security endeavours.
 Partnerships are vital to the Indian Navy’s

other key undertaking: deterring Chinese
undersea deployments in South Asia.
Let’s analyze India’s Ocean focus
 Chinese investments in port infrastructure

in Kenya, Sudan, Tanzania and Mozambique
have grown at a steady pace, even as it has
sought to expand its presence in the
western Indian Ocean.
India is setting a high tempo of naval operations
 In response, India has moved to deepen its in Asia.
own regional engagement, seeking naval The recent exercises of India in the Indian
logistical access to French bases in Reunion Ocean
and Djibouti, where the second phase of
‘Varuna’ will be held later this month.  Indian and Australian warships held drills in
the Bay of Bengal.
 Yet, India’s Indian Ocean focus makes for an
essentially defensive posture.  Anti-submarine exercise with the U.S. Navy
Notwithstanding improvements in bilateral near Diego Garcia.
and trilateral naval engagements, it hasn’t
succeeded in leveraging partnerships for  Joint exercise ‘Varuna’ with the French Navy
strategic gains off the coast of Goa and Karwar.
 With India’s political leadership reluctant to  Indian warships participated in a ‘group

militarise the Quadrilateral grouping or to sail’ Japan, Philippines and US.
expand naval operations in the Western Reasons behind the India’s interest in Indian
Pacific, the power-equation with China Ocean region
remains skewed in favour of the latter.
 Rapid expansion of China’s naval footprint
in the Indian Ocean.
on this issue
 South Asian navies have been making their
India is yet to take a stand on a ‘rules-based
presence felt in the seas of the subcontinent.
order’ in littoral-Asia. A wariness for sustained
operations in China’s Pacific backyard has  Pakistan too is becoming an increasingly
rendered the Indian Navy’s regional strategy a potent actor in the northern Indian Ocean.
mere ‘risk management’ tactic, with limited
approach to shape events in littoral-Asia. Need of partnerships for India
 A paucity of assets and capacity has forced

the Navy to seek partners.
simple to read and understand.  Partnerships are also vital to deter Chinese
Now, look at the precise summary of this article,
which comes handy while doing revision: Analyzing India’s Ocean focus
 India has moved to deepen its regional

engagement.
 However, it hasn’t succeeded in leveraging

partnerships for strategic gains

CHROME IAS ACADEMY
Conclusion  Pakistan too is becoming an increasingly

potent actor in the northern Indian Ocean.
Indian Navy’s regional strategy is a mere ‘risk
management’ tactic, with limited approach to
shape events in littoral-Asia.
Step 4: Write about the recent naval exercises
done by India in the Indian Ocean Region.
Thus, a complex article has been made very For example,

immensely help while writing answers.  Anti-submarine exercise with the U.S. Navy
near Diego Garcia.
 Joint exercise ‘Varuna’ with the French Navy
Suppose, if you have to answer a question like off the coast of Goa and Karwar, etc.
this:
India’s engagements in the Indian Ocean reveal

a tactically proactive but strategically defensive Step 5: Analyse India’s policy in the Indian
mindset. Analyse. Ocean Region.
This question can be answered as follows to For example,

obtain maximum marks: India has moved to deepen its regional
Step 1. Give a brief introduction on Indian engagement. However, it hasn’t succeeded in
Ocean Regions. leveraging partnerships for strategic gains
For example,
Indian Ocean holds a great strategic importance Elaborate a bit.

for India. India is setting a high tempo of naval Step 6:
operations in Asia. Recently, a series of bilateral
exercises with regional navies in the Indian Provide some suggestions on this issue.
Ocean have demonstrated the Indian Navy’s
resolve to preserve operational leverage in For example,
India’s near seas. India need partners in the Indian Ocean
region to pursue its strategic goals.
Step 2: Now, explain the significance of Indian A paucity of assets and capacity make it
Ocean Region for India. necessary to seek partners.
For example, Partnerships are also vital to deter Chinese

Maritime Trade
Security
Natural resources, etc. Step 7:
Elaborate a bit. Provide a conclusion.
Step 3: Now write about the recent rise of For example,
India’s interest in Indian Ocean Region.
India is yet to take play a leading role in the
For example, India –Ocean region. The Chinese factor has
 Rapid expansion of China’s naval footprint rendered the Indian Navy’s regional strategy a
in the Indian Ocean. mere ‘risk management’ tactic. What is needed is
the approach to shape events in this region.
 South Asian navies have been making their
presence felt in the seas of the subcontinent.

CHROME IAS ACADEMY
Step 8: Draw a diagram on this issue.  its judgment on linking rivers, for which
there is no parliamentary legislation; and
For example,
 in its unpredictable decisions in cases
relating to freedom of speech and
expression, such as the recent one in which
a leader was asked in the bail order to
apologise for sharing a meme, despite the
guarantee in Article 19(1)(a) of the
Constitution.
Types of jurisprudence
 According to the positivist theory laid down

by jurists such as Jeremy Bentham and John
Austin in the 18th and 19th centuries, law is
to be distinguished from morality and
religion.
 In positivist jurisprudence, the centre of

gravity of the legal system is statutory law,
i.e., law made by the legislature. It holds that
lawmaking is not the job of the judges, but
of the legislature. Hence, judges should be
restrained and not activist in their
approach.
 In view of the well-established principle of

Consider this article that appeared in The separation of powers of the three organs of
Hindu: the state, judges should not perform
legislative or executive functions, and each
https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op- organ of the state should remain within its
ed/the-need-for-judicial- own domain, in order to avoid chaos.
restraint/article27141605.ece
 On the other hand, sociological
It consists of more around 900 words. Further, jurisprudence, as developed in Europe and
it’s not written in a reader friendly manner. the U.S. by jurists such as Rudolph Ritter
and François Geny, shifts the centre of
gravity of the legal system from statute to
a simplified form:
laws made by judges. It gives wide
The need for judicial restraint discretionary powers to judges to make
laws.
Category: GS 2 (Polity)
 Sociological jurisprudence can be criticized
Introduction in that the court can lay down anything as
The Supreme Court is resorting more to judicial law according to its own subjective notions.
activism rather than judicial restraint, which is
 Positivist jurisprudence places heavy
problematic. reliance on the literal rule of construction,
Recent examples of judicial activism because departing from it would give a free
handle to each judge to declare the law
Judicial activism can be seen in: according to his own notions, and this
would result in legal anarchy. For example,
 its recent judgment on ordering time limits
to burst firecrackers on Diwali, which is a  Article 124, which prescribes how Supreme
function of the legislature; Court judges are to be appointed, does not

CHROME IAS ACADEMY
talk of any collegium system. Yet, it is the One would find the above edited version quite
collegium which decides the appointment of simple to read and understand.
judges, despite the founding fathers of the
Constitution not envisaging the same Now, look at the precise summary of this article,
anywhere. which comes handy while doing revision:
Instances of sociological jurisprudence by

the Supreme Court
 The Second Judges Case (1993) and Third

Judges Case (1998), which created the
collegium system of appointment of judges,
were not based on any provision in the
Constitution.
 Despite the unanimous will of Parliament in

favour of the National Judicial Appointments
Commission (NJAC), the Supreme Court
declared the NJAC Act to be unconstitutional The Supreme Court is resorting more to judicial
on the grounds that it would affect the activism rather than judicial restraint.
judiciary’s independence.
Recent examples of judicial activism
 In recent times, the Supreme Court has
increasingly adopted the sociological school  time limits to burst firecrackers on Diwali
of jurisprudence in an aggressive manner.
 judgement on linking rivers
Is sociological jurisprudence justified?
 recently, a leader was asked to apologize for
 In a parliamentary democracy, the buck sharing a meme
ultimately stops with the citizens, who are
Types of jurisprudence
represented by Members of Parliament.
 Positivist theory: lawmaking is not the job of
 The Supreme Court was never envisaged to the judges, but of the legislature.
perform the role of an unelected, third
legislative chamber. Yet it is performing this  Sociological jurisprudence: court can lay
role not in exceptional circumstances, but in down anything as law according to its own
its everyday functioning. subjective notions.
 Of all the three organs of the state, it is only Instances of sociological jurisprudence by the
the judiciary that can define the limits of all Supreme Court
the three organs. This great power must
 It created the collegium system which was not
therefore be exercised with humility and
based on any provision in the Constitution.
self-restraint.
 Despite the unanimous will of Parliament in
 The usage of sociological jurisprudence can
favour of the NJAC, the Supreme Court
be justified in very rare circumstances, such
declared the NJAC Act to be unconstitutional.
as in the Supreme Court’s decision to strike
down Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code.  In recent times, the Supreme Court has
increasingly adopted the sociological school of
Conclusion
jurisprudence in an aggressive manner.
The Supreme Court should limit its usage of the
Is sociological jurisprudence justified?
sociological school of jurisprudence to only the
most exceptional situations, and employ the  In a parliamentary democracy, the buck
positivist school as far as possible. ultimately stops with the citizens, who are

CHROME IAS ACADEMY
 Sociological jurisprudence can be justified in Pros:

very rare circumstances, such as striking down
of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code. keeps legislature accountable
upholds constitutional values, etc.
Conclusion
Cons:
sociological school of jurisprudence to only the disrupts the principle of separation of
most exceptional situations, and employ the powers
positivist school as far as possible. leads to a situation of policy paralysis, etc.
Elaborate a bit.
Thus, a complex article has been made very Step 4: Justify whether judicial activism is
easy to grasp and memorize which will overall good for democracy:
immensely help while writing answers. For example,
How to use this article in answer writing?  In a parliamentary democracy, the buck
Suppose, if you have to answer a question like ultimately stops with the citizens, who are
this:
 Sociological jurisprudence can be justified in
Lawmaking is not the job of the judges, but of
very rare circumstances, such as striking down
the legislature. Comment.
of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code.
Step 5:
Give suggestions on this issue:
Step 1: Write a brief introduction:
For example,
For example,
 Only in rare circumstances, judicial
The recent trend in the Supreme Court is to rely
activism should be resorted to.
more on the sociological school of jurisprudence
 Parliament should act responsibly while
and less on the positivist school. In other words,
making a law
the court is resorting more to judicial activism
 Proper scrutiny of legislations should be
rather than judicial restraint. This sociological
done by parliamentary committees.
jurisprudence adopted by Supreme Court is
 Public opinion should be taken on a wide
problematic.
scale
 Administrative issue should not be
interfered with by the court, etc.
Step 2: Give current examples of judicial
activism or sociological jurisprudence shown by Step 6:
Supreme Court:
Write a conclusion:
For example,
For example,
 time limits to burst firecrackers on Diwali
 judgement on linking rivers sociological school of jurisprudence to only the
most exceptional situations and employ the
 recently, a leader was asked to apologize for positivist school as far as possible.
sharing a meme, etc
Step 7:
Step 3: Now discuss the pros and cons of judicial
activism.. Draw a diagram on this issue:
For example:

CHROME IAS ACADEMY
History of Indian manufacturing
In India manufacturing has never been the

leading sector in the economy other than during
the Second and Third Plan periods.
Core to growth
 No major country managed to reduce

poverty or sustain growth without
manufacturing driving economic growth.
 This is because productivity levels in

industry (and manufacturing) are much
higher than in either agriculture or services.
 Manufacturing is an engine of economic

growth because it offers economies of scale,
embodies technological progress and
generates forward and backward linkages
that create positive spillover effects in the
economy.
International scenario
 In the U.S. and Europe, after the 2008 crisis,

the erstwhile proponents of neo-liberal
policies started strategic government efforts
to revive their industrial sectors, defying in
Consider this article that appeared in The principle their own prescriptions for free
Hindu: markets and trade.
https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/why-
 The European Union has identified sector-
an-industrial-policy-is-
specific initiatives to promote motor
crucial/article27153226.ece
vehicles, transport equipment industries,
It consists of around 1200 words. Further, it’s energy supply industries, chemicals and
not written in a reader friendly manner. agro-food industries.
Now, look at this edited version of the article in  The United Nations Conference on Trade
a simplified form: and Development or UNCTAD finds that
over 100 countries have, within the last
Why an industrial policy is crucial? decade, articulated industrial policies.
Category: GS 3 (Economy) The case of India
Current event that inspired this article India still has no manufacturing policy. Why
have an industrial policy in India now?
The contribution of manufacturing to GDP in
2017 was only about 16%, a stagnation since the  First, there is the need to coordinate
economic reforms began in 1991. complementary investments when there are
significant economies of scale and capital
Comparison with other economies
market imperfections (for example, as
The contrast with the major Asian economies is envisaged in a Visakhapatnam-Chennai
significant. For example, Malaysia roughly Industrial Corridor).
tripled its share of manufacturing in GDP to
24%, while Thailand’s share increased from  Second, industrial policies are needed to
13% to 33% (1960-2014). address learning externalities such as

CHROME IAS ACADEMY
subsidies for industrial training (on which

we have done poorly).
 Third, the state can play the role of

organiser of domestic firms into cartels in
their negotiations with foreign firms or
governments — a role particularly relevant
in the 21st century after the big business
revolution of the 1990s (with mega-mergers
and acquisitions among transnational
corporations).
The contribution of manufacturing to India’s GDP
 Fourth, the role of industrial policy is not in 2017 was only about 16%.
only to prevent coordination failures (i.e.
ensure complementary investments) but India’s comparison with other economies
also avoid competing investments in a Malaysia roughly tripled its share of manufacturing
capital-scarce environment. in GDP to 24%, while Thailand’s share increased
from 13% to 33% (1960-2014).
 Fifth, an industrial policy can ensure that
the industrial capacity installed is as close to Core to growth
the minimum efficient scale as possible.
Choosing too small a scale of capacity can  Productivity in industry is much higher than in
mean a 30-50% reduction in production either agriculture or services.
capacity.
 Manufacturing creates positive spillover
 Sixth, when structural change is needed, effects in the economy.
industrial policy can facilitate that process. International scenario
In a fast-changing market, losing firms will
block structural changes that are socially  In the U.S. and Europe, after the 2008 crisis,
beneficial but make their own assets there have been efforts to revive industrial
worthless. sectors.
 Finally, manufacturing will create jobs; its  Over 100 countries have, within the last
share in total employment fell from 12.8% decade, articulated industrial policies.
to 11.5% over 2012 to 2016.
The case of India
Conclusion
India still has no manufacturing policy. Why have
Unfortunately, the potential role of industrial an industrial policy in India now?
policy has been consistently downplayed in
 First, there is the need to coordinate
developing countries outside of East Asia ever
complementary investments.
since the early 1980s after the growing
dominance of the orthodox paradigm with well-  Second, industrial policies are needed to
known consequences in much of India, Latin address learning externalities.
America and also sub-Saharan Africa.
 Third, the state can play the role of organizer
of domestic firms into cartels in their
negotiations with foreign firms or
governments.
simple to read and understand.
 Fourth, to avoid competing investments in a
Now, look at the precise summary of this article,
capital-scarce environment.
which comes handy while doing revision:
 Fifth, to ensure that the industrial capacity
installed is efficient.
 Sixth, to facilitate structural change.

CHROME IAS ACADEMY
 Finally, manufacturing will create jobs. industry (and manufacturing) are much
higher than in either agriculture or services.
Conclusion
Manufacturing is an engine of economic
Unfortunately, the potential role of industrial policy growth because it offers economies of scale,
has been consistently downplayed in developing
embodies technological progress and
countries outside of East Asia.
generates forward and backward linkages
that create positive spillover effects in the
economy.
Step 4: Mention how developed nations are
How to use this article in answer writing? focusing on manufacturing.
Suppose, if you have to answer a question like For example,

this:
 In the U.S. and Europe, after the 2008 crisis,
No major country has managed to reduce the erstwhile proponents of neo-liberal
poverty or sustain economic growth without policies started strategic government efforts
a robust manufacturing sector. In light of this to revive their industrial sectors, defying in
statement, explain the need of an industry principle their own prescriptions for free
policy for India. markets and trade.
This question can be answered as follows to  The European Union has identified sector-
obtain maximum marks: specific initiatives to promote motor
vehicles, transport equipment industries,
Step 1: Write an introduction. energy supply industries, chemicals and
agro-food industries.
For example,
The contribution of manufacturing to GDP in

2017 was only about 16%, a stagnation since the Step 5: Explain why India should have an
economic reforms began in 1991. industry policy.
For example,
Step 2: Compare with other economies for  There is the need to coordinate
relative performance of India. complementary investments when there are
significant economies of scale and capital
For example,
market imperfections.
Other major Asian economies like Malaysia
 Industrial policies are needed to address
roughly tripled its share of manufacturing in
learning externalities such as subsidies for
GDP to 24%, while Thailand’s share increased
industrial training.
from 13% to 33%.
 When structural change is needed,
industrial policy can facilitate that process.
Step 3: Mention how manufacturing is
 Manufacturing will create jobs; its share in
significant.
total employment fell from 12.8% to 11.5%
For example, over 2012 to 2016, etc.
No major country managed to reduce

poverty or sustain growth without
Step 6: Give some suggestions on how India can
manufacturing driving economic growth.
improve its manufacturing sector:
This is because productivity levels in
For example,

CHROME IAS ACADEMY
Increasing bank loans reducing interest It consists of more than 900 words. Further, it’s
rates not written in a reader friendly manner.
Reducing NPAs Now, look at this edited version of the article in

a simplified form:
Providing vocational skills to unskilled
The case for informal regional diplomacy
Improving agricultural productivity as
industry needs raw materials Category: GS 2 (International Relations)
Attracting foreign investments, etc. Theme of the article

Elaborate a bit. Routine meetings between leaders will liberate
the Subcontinent from formalism of summits.
Step 7: Write a conclusion.
Informal diplomacy: India
The potential role of industrial policy has been
consistently downplayed in most of developing  Five years ago, in 2014, PM Modi surprised
countries including India. Its high time India the region and the world with his invite and
should have an industrial to enhance growth spent the first day in office talking to the
rate and employment opportunities. visiting leaders from the neighbourhood,
including the eight South Asian countries as
well as Mauritius.
Step 8: Draw a relevant diagram.
 If it is repeated in 2019, it would make it a
For example, custom and an integral part of Delhi’s
political renewal every five years.
 The purpose of having an open-house for

leaders from the neighbourhood at the
launch of a new government in Delhi is
about informal diplomacy — of establishing
or renewing personal contact, building
mutual trust and generating the political
will for resolving the multitude of problems
that exist between neighbours.
 Beyond the formal visits, Modi found

opportunities to drop by in the
neighbourhood — to pray at the
Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu during
2014 and visiting Nawaz Sharif at his home
outside Lahore on the occasion of his
birthday at the end of 2015
Informal diplomacy: Other nations
 Others in our neighbourhood too seem to

like the idea. When he was sworn in as
president of Maldives last November,
Consider this article that appeared in Indian Ibrahim Mohamed Solih invited the Indian
Express: PM to be present.
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/colu  Earlier in August 2018, when Imran Khan

mns/narendra-modi-foreign-affairs-diplomacy- was taking charge as Pakistan’s Prime
mea-susham-swaraj-lok-sabha-elections- Minister, he toyed with the idea of
5739263/ emulating Modi by inviting foreign leaders
for his swearing in ceremony. But the

CHROME IAS ACADEMY
proposal did not fly and Imran limited  While Pakistan is a special case, informal
himself to inviting friends from India. high level diplomacy could also help liberate
the region from the stuffy and unproductive
 There is also the tradition of South Asian formalism of the SAARC.
leaders making unofficial visits to temples
and dargahs in India. Conclusion
Overcoming limitations of SAARC Rather than pray for the success of SAARC, the
new government in Delhi should double down
 If PM Modi used the invitation in 2014 to on informal diplomacy that could help pave the
signal his commitment to South Asian way for more purposeful regional cooperation
regionalism, he was also quick to see the — both bilateral and multilateral.
limitations of SAARC at the Kathmandu
summit in 2014 because Pakistan chose to One would find the above edited version quite
pull out at the last stage. simple to read and understand.
 Since then Delhi has emphasised other Now, look at the precise summary of this article,
multilateral mechanisms — including sub- which comes handy while doing revision:
regional cooperation between Bangladesh,
Bhutan, India and Nepal and trans-regional
cooperation in the east — the littoral of the
Bay of Bengal including Burma and
Thailand.
 PM Modi also revived the bilateral

engagement with countries like Sri Lanka.
Way forward
Routine meetings between leaders will liberate
 The Subcontinent can do with more of this the Subcontinent from formalism of summits.
kind of engagement — leaders seeing each
other on short notice for informal Informal diplomacy: India
consultations or just watch a cricket match  In 2014, PM Modi spent first day in office
or join a social or spiritual occasion. with leaders from neighbourhood.
 Informal diplomacy in South Asia will make  Beyond the formal visits, Modi found
it easier for India to sustain high-level opportunities to drop by in the
engagement with the neighbourhood, given neighbourhood, for example, visiting Nawaz
the increasingly crowded formal diplomatic Sharif at his home.
calendar of the PM.
Informal diplomacy: Other nations
 There is already speculation on the
prospects of a meeting between Modi and  President of Maldives invited Indian PM for
Imran on the margins of the SCO summit in his oath ceremony.
Central Asia next month. Is it not much
 Pakistan’s Prime Minister invited foreign
simpler to meet Imran in Delhi next week
leaders for his swearing in ceremony.
rather than Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan at the end
of June?  There is also the tradition of South Asian
leaders making unofficial visits to temples
 If meetings with Pakistan’s leadership
and dargahs in India.
become routine and informal, Delhi will be
able to prevent each encounter seem like a Overcoming limitations of SAARC
gladiatorial contest that must address all
issues and produce joint statements, every  Limitations of SAARC were seen in 2014
word of which is analysed to death. after Pakistan pull out.

CHROME IAS ACADEMY
 Since then Delhi has emphasised other  Beyond the formal visits, Modi found
multilateral mechanisms such as sub- opportunities to drop by in the
regional cooperation neighbourhood, for example, visiting Nawaz
Sharif at his home.
Way forward
 The Subcontinent can do with more of this

kind of engagement. Step 3: Give examples of other nations to show
the significance of informal diplomacy:
 Informal diplomacy will make it easier for
India to sustain high-level engagement. For example,
 If meetings with Pakistan’s leadership  President of Maldives invited Indian PM for

become routine and informal, it will be his oath ceremony.
helpful for India.
 Pakistan’s Prime Minister invited foreign
 Informal diplomacy could also help go leaders for his swearing in ceremony.
beyond SAARC.
 There is also the tradition of South Asian
Conclusion leaders making unofficial visits to temples
and dargahs in India.
Governments should double down on informal
diplomacy that could help pave the way for Step 4: Now, write in context of SAARC:
more purposeful regional cooperation.
For example,
 Scope of SAARC seems to be limited now
after the Kathmandu summit in 2014
because Pakistan chose to pull out of it.
 Since then India has emphasised other
Suppose, if you have to answer a question like multilateral mechanisms such as sub-
this: regional cooperation between Bangladesh,
Bhutan, India and Nepal and trans-regional
India should double down on informal cooperation in the east such as with Burma
diplomacy that could help pave the way for and Thailand.
more purposeful regional cooperation.
Comment in context of SAARC.  India also revived the bilateral engagement
with countries like Sri Lanka.
Step 1: Write an introduction: Step 5: Make some suggestions on this issue:
For example, For example,
Diplomacy plays an important role in  Leaders can see each other on short notice
establishing proper bilateral relations. Informal for informal consultations or just watch a
diplomacy along with formal one can make cricket match or join a social or spiritual
things easier for nations. occasion.
 Informal diplomacy in South Asia will make

it easier for India to sustain high-level
Step 2: Write in context of India:
engagement with the neighbourhood.
For example,
 If leaders of India and Pakistan’s can meet
 In 2014, PM Modi spent first day in office informally, relations can get much better.
with leaders from neighbourhood.

CHROME IAS ACADEMY
 Informal high-level diplomacy could also governments and the media about the prospect
help liberate the region from the stuffy and of radical changes in the present system for
unproductive formalism of the SAARC. deciding substantive issues of scope, design,
scrutiny and validation of the surveys.
The present system

Step 6: Write a conclusion:
 Under the present system, every year
For example, various departments of government send a
Rather than wait for the success of SAARC, India list of subjects that they would like to be
should double down on informal diplomacy that investigated by the NSSO.
could help pave the way for more purposeful
 The requests are sent to the National
regional cooperation — both bilateral and
Statistical Commission (NSC), which has
multilateral.
respected economists, subject matter
specialists and statisticians from
government.
 The proposals are discussed at length

keeping in view the budget allocations,
availability of trained field staff and
supervisors. In doing so, the conduct of
periodic surveys on important issues is also
considered.
 After providing for periodic repeat surveys

of some important aspects, the subjects to
Consider this article that appeared in The be covered in a particular year and the
Hindu: scope of the inquiry are decided.
https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-  Once the field work is over, the groups
ed/why-the-integrity-of-data- decide the detailed tabulation programme,
matters/article27297860.ece and the tables to be prepared for
publication. The tabulated results are
It consists of more than 900 words. Further, it’s
discussed in detail by the NSC and are
published after its approval.
Importance of data
a simplified form.
They have been used extensively for monitoring
of trends and critical assessment of several
Why the integrity of data matters? important aspects of the economy and society,
such as poverty and inequality, consumption
Category: GS 3 (Economy) patterns, employment, household savings and
investment, and health-seeking behaviour.
Current event that inspired this article:
Is apprehension about NSSO justified?
The government has decided to merge the
National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) into and  The NSSO surveys command wide respect
under the Central Statistics Office (CSO). among academics, State governments and
Reason for the merger non-governmental organisations as the
most reliable and comparable basis for
Recent attempts to question the veracity of discussions in the public, policy and even
National Sample Survey (NSS) data and the way political arenas. This is based on their well-
the issue has been handled have given rise to earned reputation for professionalism,
apprehensions within academia, State independence and integrity.

CHROME IAS ACADEMY
 Widespread apprehensions that the among the more affluent and better-
proposed absorption of NSSO into the CSO educated sections of respondents.
could compromise the surveys by subjecting
Conclusion
their review and publication to government
approval must therefore be allayed Increasing the role of CSO officials in running
promptly in an unqualified manner. the NSSO will not solve these problems, but they
can help by providing funds for specialised
 The existing institutional arrangement in
research on survey design and methodology.
which the NSC, as a professional body
The necessity and importance of such research
independent of government, has not only
calls for far greater attention and resources than
functioned smoothly but also commands
they receive at present.
confidence and respect both within the
country and abroad must be maintained.
 Any attempt or even a suggestion that its One would find the above edited version quite
substantive work, publication and free simple to read and understand.
dissemination of data are subject to the
department’s approval will hugely dent the Now, look at the precise summary of this article,
credibility of the Indian statistical system. which comes handy while doing revision:
The problems with NSSO
 The NSSO doesn’t have adequate budgetary

allocations;
 there is an acute shortage of trained field

staff;
 the scale of surveys is un-manageably large

mainly.
Solutions The government has decided to merge the NSSO

 The solutions call for action by the into and under the CSO.
institutions responsible for gathering data Reason for the merger
by investing in continuing research on
improving sampling design, field survey Apprehensions have risen regarding the veracity of
methods and validation of data. Correcting NSSO data.
these deficiencies is entirely in the domain
of government.
The present system
 But there are also serious difficulties
inherent in trying to get reliable and  Every year government departments send
complete information through the interview subjects to be investigated by NSSO.
method. Most respondents do not maintain
any records or accounts of their  The requests are sent to the National Statistical
transactions. Commission (NSC).
 Since most respondents rely on recall, it is  The proposals are discussed at length and
unrealistic to expect them to provide periodic surveys on important issues are also
reliable information on the scope and detail considered.
sought by questionnaires.  The results are discussed in detail by the NSC
 Memory lapses and respondent fatigue lead and are published after its approval.
to high incidence of non-response, Importance of data
indifferent response and biased response.
These problems are particularly serious

CHROME IAS ACADEMY
They have been used extensively for monitoring of Govt’s decision to merge the National Sample
trends and critical assessment of several important Survey Office (NSSO) into and under the Central
aspects of the economy and society. Statistics Office (CSO) has caused both surprise
and concern.
Is apprehension about NSSO justified?
 The NSSO surveys command wide respect

among academics, State governments and non- Step 2: Provide the reason for the merger:
governmental organisations.
The veracity of National Sample Survey (NSS)
 The NSC commands confidence and respect data has come under apprehensions by the
both within the country and abroad. central government.
 Any apprehension will hugely dent the Quality of data has been a concern for long.
credibility of the Indian statistical system. Recently, a technical report of the NSSO sparked
a fresh controversy by showing that a large
The problems with NSSO
number of companies in the MCA 21 database
 Inadequate budgetary allocations; were untraceable, closed down or operating in
different sectors.
 Acute shortage of trained field staff;
Further, according to recent NSSO data, India's
 Scale of surveys is un-manageably large unemployment rate hit a 45-year-high of 6.1 per
mainly. cent in 2017-18. The NSSO report on job data
has been disagreed by the government.
Way forward
There is the need to continue research on

improving sampling design, field survey methods Step 3: Now, write about the present system of
and validation of data. Correcting these survey.
deficiencies is entirely in the domain of
government. Every year government departments send
subjects to be investigated by NSSO.
Conclusion
The requests are sent to the National Statistical
Increasing the role of CSO officials in running the Commission (NSC).
NSSO will not solve these problems, but they can
help by providing funds for specialised research on The proposals are discussed at length and
survey design and methodology. periodic surveys on important issues are also
considered.
The results are discussed in detail by the NSC

Thus, a complex article has been made very and are published after its approval.
How to use this article in answer writing? Step 4: Explain whether apprehension over
NSSO data is justified?
this:  The NSSO surveys command wide respect
among academics, State governments and non-
The merger of the NSSO into the Central governmental organisations.
Statistics Office is a cause for concern.
Discuss.  The NSC commands confidence and respect
both within the country and abroad.
 Any apprehension will hugely dent the
credibility of the Indian statistical system.
Step 1: Write an introduction:
For example,

CHROME IAS ACADEMY
Step 5: Provide suggestions to improve the

functioning of NSSO.
For example,
 Budgetary allocations of NSSO should be

increased.
 More trained field staff should be recruited.
 Research on improving sampling design,

field survey methods and validation of data,
etc.
Step 6: Provide a conclusion:
For example,
Increasing the role of CSO in running the NSSO

will not solve the problems, what is required is
strengthening the NSSO with specialised
research on survey design and methodology.

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PERIODICAL

The shape of an urban employment  MADHYA PRADESH EXAMPLE: In Madhya

PERIODICAL – CA MAGAZINE / MAY Page 1

measurement, or evaluation of environmental Addressing urban unemployment

How to use this article in answer writing?

Suppose, if you have to answer a question like

Urban employment programme will not only

This question can be answered as follows to

PERIODICAL – CA MAGAZINE / MAY Page 2

Elaborate a bit. years to 2020. It also aims to hold the urban

Increased incomes For example,

Step 6: Suggest how urban employment will

Consumption will increase

Step 7: Make a comparison with urban

PERIODICAL – CA MAGAZINE / MAY Page 3

SUBSISTENCE WORK: Most women in India

PERIODICAL – CA MAGAZINE / MAY Page 4

This question can be answered as follows to

Step 1. Write a basic introduction on women

The female labour force participation rate in

PERIODICAL – CA MAGAZINE / MAY Page 5

Public toilets, public transport, etc. https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-

Working Women Hostel Scheme

Elaborate a bit. Current event that inspired this article:

Importance of involvement of communities

Involving communities living in and around

This was affirmed by the 1980 World

Further fillip came from the IUCN’s Policy

Consider this article that appeared in The

PERIODICAL – CA MAGAZINE / MAY Page 6

 India’s conservation policies and legislation

PERIODICAL – CA MAGAZINE / MAY Page 7

 In March 2019, the proposed amendment to

PERIODICAL – CA MAGAZINE / MAY Page 8

Step 4: Now explain how India is not following a

Third National Wildlife Action Plan is of the

For example, A wake-up call on proprietary seeds

Elaborate a bit. The downward spiral of small-scale farming

 No one can blame farmers for thinking that

PERIODICAL – CA MAGAZINE / MAY Page 9

of the Green Revolution, agricultural agricultural research, education and

 EU is supporting the creation markets and

How can India shift its agriculture from a

 Second, an immutable record-keeping  These seeds are grown in high input

PERIODICAL – CA MAGAZINE / MAY Page 10

PERIODICAL – CA MAGAZINE / MAY Page 11

The lawsuit by PepsiCo must be a wake-up call

What Non-performing assets data say?

 Non-performing assets (NPAs) at

 Public sector banks (PSBs) accounted for

 The ratio of gross NPA to advances in PSBs

 In 2007-08, NPAs totalled ₹566 billion (a

Understanding the Origin of the NPA crisis

 The answer lies partly in the credit boom of

 It was a period in which the world economy

 Most of the investment went into

PERIODICAL – CA MAGAZINE / MAY Page 12

PERIODICAL – CA MAGAZINE / MAY Page 13

 One immediate action that is required is

 Indian Banks’ Association has set up a panel to

 Government must infuse additional capital

 RBI needs to develop better mechanisms for

Origin of the NPA crisis