*Click on each question to Post/upload your answer in the comment section & get it EVALUATED.
Why this Question:
Ministerial meeting of Quad is going on.
Key Demand of the Question:
Relevance of the grouping Quad in the modern times especially in the Indian context.
Directive:
Critically examine- Look in close detail and establish the key facts and important issues surrounding the topic. Try and offer reasons as to why the facts and issues identified are most important, as well as explain the different ways they could be construed.
Introduction:
Give a brief overview of Quad and its purpose.
Body:
In the first part, highlight the significance of Quad especially in the Indian context.
In the next part, highlight the challenges for Quad.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward.
Model Answer
The Quad or the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue is an informal strategic dialogue between India, US, Japan and Australia. It was proposed in 2007 but finally came into existence in 2017 with the objective to keep the critical sea routes of the Indo Pacific free of any influence (especially that of China). Securing a rules-based global order, liberal training system and freedom of navigation are its key guiding principles.
Significance of the Quad
- It endorses a free, open, prosperous and an inclusive Indo Pacific region that is not monopolized by a single country.
- It gives India a powerful platform in order to secure its interests in East Asia, coordinate strategies with powerful friends and give impetus to the Act East Policy.
- It will further boost India’s diplomatic relations with the member countries- US, Japan and Australia.
- It gives an opportunity to India to emerge as the Net Security Provider in the Indo Pacific region owing to its location right at the centre of the region.
- It will help India and the other three countries to keep a check on the imperialist policies of China in the Indian Ocean Region and also ensure Security and Growth for All in the Region.
- It will also provide a significant chance to India to shape US policies in Afghanistan-Pakistan in the Indian interests.
Challenges for Quad
- It is in conflict with the principle of non-alignment historically followed by India.
- Emergence of new players in the region can increase the multiple regional rivalries.
- Even the members of the group depend on China and therefore cannot afford to have strained relations with it.
- The member nations have different aspirations and ideologies, hence maintaining a balance between them is a difficult task.
- Strategic analysts state that this can drag India into the US- China rivalry.
Way Forward
- Quad should not become an Asian NATO and focus on its objective of a prosperous Indo Pacific.
- India should deepen its bilateral relations with the member states to protect India’s interests.
- Focus on the cooperation with the ASEAN where Chinese presence is increasing tremendously.
- India should make sure it doesn’t lose track of its foreign policies like Neighbourhood First, Act East, SAGAR, etc.
The Quad has established itself as the core of Free and Open Indo Pacific vision. It now needs to have a definitive blueprint to have a meaningful impact on the world order. It should have a tough security oriented core with a softer and inclusive exoskeleton that prioritises developmental agenda.
Why this Question:
Recently PM Modi has virtually launched water connectivity projects in Assam.
Key Demand of the Question:
Explain how the Northeast has been left out of mainland India due to lack of connectivity and how connectivity can solve a lot of problems in the area.
Directive:
Discuss- back up the answer by carefully selected evidence to make a case for and against an argument, or point out the advantages and disadvantages of the given context and finally arrive at a conclusion.
Introduction:
Give an introduction about the importance of the Northeast region for India.
Body:
In the first part, explain how the development of the North Eastern region has been limited due to lack of connectivity.
In the next part, highlight how the connectivity can solve a huge set of problems of the north eastern states- employment, sense of alienation, insurgency, etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward.
Model Answer
Problems of the North Eastern Region
- Insurgency- Several states in the region like Nagaland, Assam, Manipur have been witnessing insurgency and secessionist tendencies mainly due to the different ethnic groups in the region.
- Lack of Infrastructure- economic and social development of the region have been hindered in the region due to lack of physical infrastructure. This is mostly due to the difficult terrain and lack of connectivity.
- Migrants- these states face a continuous threat of illegal migrants from the neighbouring countries owing to the porous borders.
Connectivity is the key:
- It will help in connecting the region to mainland India and remove the feeling of alienation from the people’s mind.
- It will help in setting up of infrastructure projects in the region aiding its development.
- It will create additional sources of employment for the people and help them improve their financial and social status which would help in diverting the young individuals from participating in insurgency.
- It will facilitate the movement of people from mainland India to the northeast, promote tourism and this will also reduce the discrimination towards them.
The Northeast has immense potential- strategic, economic as well as ecological. It can be a key towards maintaining relations with the ASEAN giving a boost to India’s Act East Policy. Therefore, the government should take adequate measures to develop connectivity both inter and intra-regional to integrate it with the mainland India.
Why this Question:
According to the Greenpeace Southeast Asia analysis, air pollution has claimed approximately 54,000 lives in Delhi.
Key Demand of the Question:
Highlight the impact of air pollution and the measures urgently needed to tackle the issue.
Directive:
Discuss- back up the answer by carefully selected evidence to make a case for and against an argument, or point out the advantages and disadvantages of the given context and finally arrive at a conclusion.
Introduction:
Give an overview about air pollution, its causes and its state in India.
Body:
In the first part, highlight the impact of air pollution on humans, animals, plants and the overall environment.
In the next part, mention the measures that should be taken by the Government as well as the public to tackle this problem.
Conclusion:
Conclude with the importance of tackling the issue that will have a long term impact on the sustainable development of India and the world.
Model Answer
Air pollution is the introduction of chemicals, particulates, or biological materials into the atmosphere that cause discomfort, disease, or death to humans, damage other living organisms, damage natural and built environments. It is now the third largest cause of death in India.
Impact of Air Pollution
On Human Health
- It acts as a significant risk factor for various health conditions like respiratory problems, heart diseases and even lung cancers.
- According to the Greenpeace Southeast Asia analysis, air pollution has claimed approximately 54,000 lives only in Delhi.
On Environment
- When smoke from the ground mixes with the water molecules in the atmosphere it leads to the formation of acid rain. This has several negative impacts like acidification of water bodies, damage to crops, changing soil profile, damaging monuments and buildings, etc.
- The harmful nitrogen emission leads to permanently raised levels of nutrient enrichment subsequently causing eutrophication.
- Air pollutants accumulating on the crops and waterbodies subsequently enter the food chain and harm human beings.
- It leads to the depletion of the ozone layer increase is the level of global warming.
On plants and animals
- It causes respiratory problems in the animals too. Also when animals consume plants that have pollutants accumulated on them it leads to harmful impacts on them.
- Air pollutants have a negative impact on plant growth, primarily through interfering with resource accumulation.
On Economy
- According to a study by the World Bank in 2016 air pollution cost India approximately 8% of its GDP or $560 billion in 2013, as a result of lost productivity due to premature mortality and morbidity.
- Also, air pollution leads to lower yields in agricultural crops and commercial forests.
Measures that should be taken
- WHO 4- Pillar Strategy- the WHO gave an enhanced four pillar strategy for a global response to address the adverse health effects of air pollution. These include:
- Expanding the knowledge base
- Monitoring and reporting
- Global leadership and coordination
- Institutional capacity strengthening
- Innovation- India should invest in research and development to develop new and innovative methods to tackle the air pollution.
- Stubble burning- the government should keep a vigil on the farming practices and provide equipment like Turbo Happy Seeder to limit the stubble burning.
- The government should ensure development of efficient public transport to minimise the use of personal vehicles thus reducing vehicular emissions.
- Build institutional capacity for implementation and enforcement of effective municipal planning and have the necessary legal back-up for compliance and strong deterrence.
- Public Awareness- measures should be taken to make the public aware of their actions and the impact they have on increasing the air pollution and also steps to bring a behavioural change.
To breathe clean air is the fundamental right of every citizen under the Right to Life. The government and the society at large should make concerted and continuous efforts to combat the rising problem of air pollution and thus move towards the sustainable development of India and the world.
Q.4) Elaborate the achievements of India in space technology?
Why this Question:
Important part of GS Paper III.
Key Demand of the Question:
Achievements of India in space technology.
Directive:
Elaborate- provide a lot of detail and information on a topic or argument. Basically provide a detailed discussion on the topic.
Introduction:
Briefly write about the evolution of the space sector in India.
Body:
In the first part, mention the achievements made by India in space technology.
In the next part, mention the recent steps by the Government to further develop the space sector.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward.
Model Answer
The Indian Space Programme from a fledgling Sounding Rocket Launch Facility in Thumba in the early 1960s has come a long way in 57 years and now matured into a giant world class space power. The Indian Space Programme began in a modest way in 1962 with the formation of Indian National Committee on Space Research (INCOSPAR), just years after the launch of Earth’s first artificial satellite Sputnik- I.
Achievements of India in Space Technology
- Indigenous satellite- ISRO built India's first satellite, Aryabhata, which was launched by the Soviet Union on April 19, 1975.
- Moon Mission- in 2008, ISRO sent an unmanned lunar orbiter, Chandrayaan-1, into orbit for mapping the lunar surface with high resolution remote sensing and studying the chemical and mineralogical composition. This mission has enabled the presence of water molecules on the lunar surface, which has set new directions of lunar explorations in the global community. Recently, in 2019 the Chandrayaan 2 successfully put an orbiter in the moon's orbit but failed to do a soft landing on the moon.
- Mars Orbiter Mission – India launched this mission in 2013. It made India the first country in the world to succeed on its maiden attempt to Mars. It intended to explore Mars surface features, morphology, mineralogy and Martian atmosphere by indigenous scientific instruments.
- Space Capsule Recovery- it proved to be a leap-frog in Indian Launch Vehicle Technology in 2007. The Space Capsule Recovery Experiment Mission SRE-1 established India’s technological capability to recover an orbiting satellite with precise re-entry trajectories.
- Till now, ISRO has developed 5 launch vehicles- SLV 3, ASLV, PSLV, GSLV and GSLV Mk III (LVM3) and mastered the technology of rockets that use solid, liquid as well as cryogenic propellants.
- Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)- it is the third generation launch vehicle of India. It is the first Indian launch vehicle to be equipped with liquid stages. With 49 successful flights over the years, it has emerged as the reliable and versatile workhorse launch vehicle of India. In 2020, it has launched 328 foreign satellites. In 2017, it created a world record by successfully placing 104 satellites in orbit during a single launch.
- ISRO has successfully established and operationalized Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) which provides accurate position, navigation and time information to users in India and its surroundings. Global Standards body 3rd Generation Partnership project (3GPP), which develops protocols mobile technology has approved NavIC.
- GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) – ISRO is providing satellite based navigation services with accuracy and integrity required for Civil Aviation applications and to provide better Air Traffic Management over Indian airspace.
- In 2016, India’s Reusable Launch Vehicle Technology Demonstrator (RLV TD) was successfully flight tested and several critical technologies were successfully validated. First experimental mission of ISRO's Supersonic Combustion Ramjet (SCRAMJET) engine towards the realization of air breathing propulsion system was successfully conducted. With this India became the fourth country to flight test the SCRAMJET engine.
India has come a long way in the development of space technology since its beginning. It should continue to further improve in this sector to become equal to the superpowers in space technology while also making efforts to ensure that outer space remains free of challenges like militarization, privatisation, etc. India should take the lead in the sustainable development of space technology.
Why this Question:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently handed over the indigenous main battle tank Arjun Mk1A to the Army.
Key Demand of the Question:
Need and significance of indigenization in the defence sector and the impact it will have especially in the Indian context.
Directive:
Discuss- back up the answer by carefully selected evidence to make a case for and against an argument, or point out the advantages and disadvantages of the given context and finally arrive at a conclusion.
Introduction:
Introduce by mentioning the level of GDP that India spends on defence procurements from different countries.
Body:
In the first part, mention the need for indigenization of the defence technology and the impact it will have.
In the next part, mention the initiatives that have been taken by the Government to promote indigenization in the defence technology and the challenges ahead in this process.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward.
Model Answer
According to a report by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, India was the second largest arms importer during the period 2015 to 2019. It is also among the top three spenders on defence after the US and China. India’s military expenditure grew by about 259% over the 30-year period (1990-2019) and by 37% over the decade (2010–19). It amounted to 2.4% of GDP in 2019. A large part of this allocated amount goes into imports of defence equipment from countries like Russia, US, etc. and due to this despite having one of the largest defence budgets in the world India procures 60% of its weapon systems from foreign markets. Hence, the government has started to implement policies to achieve self-reliance and indigenization in the defence technology.
Need and Significance of Indigenization in defence technology
- Economic- Indigenization of defence procurement will help reduce the huge defence import bill. India was the largest importer in the past decade accounting for about 12% of global arms imports. It would also reduce the overall fiscal deficit of the government.
- Security Imperative- Domestic production reduces vulnerabilities during crises by reducing dependence on imported spares, ammunition and weapons. India being surrounded by porous borders and hostile neighbours needs to be self- sufficient and self- reliant in defence production to meet any unforeseen circumstances.
- Technological- It keeps intact the technological expertise in the country and encourages spin-off technologies and innovation that often stem from it.
- Promote Exports- production of high quality defence equipment within the country can facilitate its sale to other developing countries.
- Employment Generation- it will lead to opening up of new industries as manufacturing hubs for defence procurement and thus create employment for a lot of people in various sectors like designing, manufacturing, innovating, etc.
- Strategic- self-sufficiency in defence production is one of the fundamental steps in realizing the goal of being a global power.
However, this also has a few challenges ahead like lack of adequate resources- both financial as well as human, not so developed technology, Lack of an institutional capacity and capability, limited private sector involvement, lack of proper infrastructure, lack of dispute resolution mechanism in case of disputes, land acquisition issues, etc.
Way Forward
- Strengthening the institutional capacity and capability.
- Permanent Arbitration Cell can be set up to deal with all objections and disputes.
- Encouraging the private sector to invest in defence manufacturing. It can infuse efficient and effective technology and human capital required for modernization of indigenous defence industry.
- A level playing field should be ensured for the private as well as the public players participating in this sector.
- Development of technological innovations like Artificial Intelligence and their integration with the defence equipment.
- Robust supply chain is critical for a defence manufacturer looking to optimize costs. Indian SMEs are playing a key role in the global supply chain of OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturer).
Self-reliance in defence manufacturing is a crucial component of effective defence capability and to maintain national sovereignty and achieve military superiority. The government aspires to make India ‘Atmanirbhar” or self-reliant and the defence sector is a crucial part of it. Above all, it will also strengthen India’s aspirations of Asian century, SAGAR, secure Indo- Pacific and a multipolar world.
