Approach - Answer:: ABHYAAS TEST 3 - 2033 (2021)

APPROACH – ANSWER: ABHYAAS TEST 3 - 2033 (2021)
1. Stating the issues associated with agricultural extension in India, discuss the role of Krishi
Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in strengthening the national agricultural research extension system.
(Answer in 150 words) 10
Approach:
Briefly, define agricultural extension and write about Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs).
List the issues regarding agricultural extension in India.
Discuss the role of KVKs in strengthening the national agriculture research extension system.
Conclude accordingly.
Answer:
Agricultural extension is the application of scientific research and new knowledge
to agricultural practices through farmer education, training and assistance. It is aimed to develop
agriculture practices through research and development. The Indian Council of Agricultural
Research (ICAR) has initiated several extension approaches including Krishi Vigyan Kendras
(1974) with its mandate ranging from vocational training to technology assessment and
demonstration for its application and capacity development.
However, there are various issues with agricultural extension in India, including:
Low public spending on agriculture research and development despite the recommended
expenditure of around 2 percent of GDP.
Deficiency of infrastructure such as irrigation, connectivity, electricity, logistics and price
incentives limit the impact of extension services thereby hindering agriculture growth.
One-size-fits-all approach in a country with a large number of farmers categorized as small
and marginal and not factoring in aspects such as resource availability, agro-climatic conditions
etc.
Lack of capacity and resources within civil society organisations to make a significant impact
across regions. Though NGO-led extension models offer far more variety and display sensitivity
to local priorities and conditions.
Lack of functional coordination at field level among the government, private sector, NGOs and
others providing agriculture extension services.
Absence of quality standards leaves questions of accountability, as the majority of farmers are
not in a position to pursue legal remedies in case of erroneous or even harmful advice.
Role of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in strengthening the national agricultural research
extension system:
Identifying farming systems, field problems and developing action plans: KVK scientists
visit on the ground and identify the grass root level problems existing in the villages, which are
pivotal for designing future action plans.
Technology development: Technology development is a continuous process and in this KVKs
act as a crucial player in testing, adaptation and integration of proven technologies.
Front line demonstration: KVKs demonstrate proven technologies for the first time to
convince farmers and extension workers to establish production potential of technologies on
the farmers’ fields.
1 www.visionias.in ©Vision IAS
Capacity building: Through capacity development programs of farmers and extension
personnel, KVKs update their knowledge and skills on modern agricultural technologies.
Work as knowledge and resource centre of agricultural technologies for supporting
initiatives of public, private and voluntary sector in improving the agricultural economy of the
district.
Provide farm advisories using ICT and other media means on varied subjects of interest to
farmers. Today, KVKs are the focal point for Assessment, Refinement and Demonstration of
front line technologies for all developmental activities related to agriculture, community and
industries in rural India.
Due to changing agricultural conditions—including climate change, increasingly degraded and
marginalized land coming into production, limited water availability, increasing use of inputs, rising
fuel costs, and unknown market opportunities—farmers require access to timely, reliable, and
relevant information that can support the complexity within which their farm enterprises operate.
2. In India, the food processing sector is emerging as a high-growth and high-profit sector due
to its immense potential for value addition. Discuss. (Answer in 150 words) 10
Approach:
Start with giving a brief account of the food processing industry in India.
Mention the factors that have contributed to the sector being high growth and high profit sector.
Highlight the potential of the food-processing sector in value addition.
State the major government initiatives related to this sector and conclude accordingly.
Answer:
The Indian food processing industry accounts for 32 percent of the country’s total food market.
It contributes around 8.80 and 8.39 percent of Gross Value Added (GVA) in Manufacturing and
Agriculture respectively, 13 percent to India’s exports and is 6 percent of total industrial
investment.
Factors contributing to its growth of the food processing industry:
Strong domestic demand: India has one of the largest working populations in the world and,
with a rise in disposable income, this segment of the population is also becoming the biggest
consumer of processed foods in the country.
Supply side advantages: High level of agricultural production - large livestock base, wide
variety of crops, inland water bodies and a long coastline, that help increase marine production.
Export opportunities: Proximity to key export destinations, greater integration with the global
economy.
Proactive government policy and support: It encourages collaborative farming and
integration with cultivators, especially FPOs/Cooperatives for the benefit of industry and
farmers.
It is said that due to its immense potential in value addition, the food-processing sector can address
the woes of the farmers and double farmer’s income as highlighted below:
The food processing sector links agriculture, manufacturing sector and final consumers; and
adds significant value to agriculture produce through processing technologies. The added
value, when it flows back to farmers via the value chain along with the value realised through
wastage prevention, can add significantly to farmers’ income.
The sector has also grown at a faster CAGR of 9.5 percent as compared to agriculture’s five-
year CAGR of 3.4 percent. According to KPMG, this sector will reach USD 535 billion by 2025 at
a CAGR of 15 percent, which indicates significant potential for increasing farmers’ income
through processing. The sector also aims to add 9 million jobs by 2024.
It will help reduce post-harvest losses through efficient storage and transportation. The post-
harvest/in transit wastage accounts for approximately 40 percent of the total food wastage in
India compared to 28 percent globally and results in significant erosion of farmer income.
The impact is more so in high-value crops, such as fruits and vegetables, keeping farmers away
from reaping benefits.

Farmers engaged in the production of low-value crops can add value and increase household
income through primary and secondary processing creating higher value products.
In this regard, the government has come up with several schemes like PM KISAN Sampada Yojana
and Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme (PM-FME
Scheme). Food processing has the potential to lift millions of Indians out of poverty and
malnutrition. Therefore, the government must provide developmental support to small-scale
enterprises along with attracting big-ticket domestic and foreign investments.
3. Explaining the concept of livestock-based Integrated Farming System (IFS), discuss its benefits.
Approach:
Briefly explain the meaning of Integrated Farming System (IFS) and Livestock-based IFS.
Explain the benefits of livestock-based IFS.
Answer:
Integrated Farming System (IFS) comprises interdependent, interrelated, often interlocking
production systems based on few crops, animals and related subsidiary enterprises in a way that
maximizes the utilization of nutrients of each system and minimizes the negative effect of these
enterprises on the environment. It
involves the utilization of
primary produce and secondary
produce of one system, as basic
input of the other system, thus
making them mutually integrated
as one whole unit (refer to the
figure).
The livestock-based IFS involves
fish culture, livestock raising and
agriculture. For instance, fish-
cum-pig farming. In such farming,
the waste product of livestock
(pig) is used as a manure for growth of Zooplanktons and Phytoplanktons in a pond, which act as a
source of nutrients for the fish. The biomass rich bottom soil layer of the pond is removed
periodically and used for crop or vegetable farming.
Benefits of Livestock-based Integrated Farming System (IFS)
Productivity: Intensification of crops and allied activities in an IFS increases the yield per unit
area per unit time.
Sustainability: Effective recycling of the waste products increases the sustainability of the
production base and also minimises environmental pollution.
Balanced food: Multiple variety of food ensures that diverse nutrients are being grown from
the same field and is available for consumption to the small and marginal farmers.
Profitability: It reduces the cost of production and hence increases the purchasing power of
farmers.
Income stability: Due to interaction of enterprises with crops, eggs, meat and milk, round the
year flow of money amongst the farming community is maintained.
Employment generation: Combining crops with livestock enterprises increases the labour
requirement significantly and helps in reducing the problems of under employment to a great
extent.
Saving energy: Cattle dung is also used as a biomass energy source, thereby the IFS reduces the
dependency on petrol/diesel and fossil fuel.
Meeting fodder crisis: By-product and waste material of crops are effectively utilized as a
fodder for livestock.

Livestock-based IFS has been traditionally done in India, especially in the North-Eastern Region and
can be emphasised all over India for doubling farmers’ income. For developing countries,
sustainable agriculture holds the promise of addressing socio-economic and environmental
challenges leading to sustainable development. And, the closed-cycle nature of IFS can play a critical
role in achieving the above objectives.
4. While Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) are spearheading entrepreneurship across the world,
India still has one of the lowest entrepreneurship rates. Discuss. Also, state the policy measures
that have been taken to increase the pace of entrepreneurship in India. (Answer in 150 words)
10
Approach:
Briefly mention some statistics related to entrepreneurship amongst PIOs.
Mention the factors for low entrepreneurship rates in India.
Discuss the initiatives taken by the government to address the issues.
Conclude by mentioning additional measures that can be taken in this context.
Answer:
Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) have been spearheading entrepreneurship across the world and are
also at the helm of some of the world’s biggest technology companies including Google, Microsoft,
Twitter, IBM, Adobe etc.. In the United States, average business income of Indian entrepreneurs is
substantially higher than the national average and any other immigrant group. Further, despite
accounting for about 1% of the US population, Indian origin people comprise 6% of Silicon
Valley's workforce.
In stark contrast, India itself has one of the lowest rates of formal entrepreneurship on a per-capita
basis compared to other countries. According to the Economic Survey 2020, between 2006 to 2016,
the mean number of new firms registered per year per 1,000 workers was 0.10, compared to
12.22 and 12.12 for the UK and the US respectively.
The low entrepreneurship rates in India can be attributed to the following factors:
Lack of interest among the younger generation: According to Global Entrepreneurship
Monitor (GEM), only 39.3 percent in India think of entrepreneurship as a good career choice.
Red tapism: According to a Gallup study, around 46 percent of Indians think the government is
the biggest stumbling block to starting a business. The perception about corruption was
particularly high among those planning to start a business in the next 12 months (80 percent).
Access to funding: Majority of existing venture capital funds for start-ups are focused on
export-oriented IT or mobile solutions. There is less access to funds for start-ups in other
sectors like healthcare or energy.
Differences in vision: Foreign investors ignore India's unique market demands, talent supply
and business culture.
Lack of training: A Gallup study found that only 22 percent of aspirational entrepreneurs who
plan to start their business in the next 12 months have access to formal or informal training to
start a business, which is much lower than the Asia average of 44 percent.
Initiatives taken by the government to promote entrepreneurship in India include:
The government has set up the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
(MSDE), to facilitate job creation and entrepreneurship, as well as to attract private investment.
o Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (Skill India Mission) is MSDE’s flagship scheme to
enable young Indians to take up industry-relevant skills training and improve their
employability.
Schemes such as Make in India, Start-up India, Stand-up India, Digital India, MUDRA
Yojana etc. have been launched to spur the creation of more productive and higher skilled
micro, small and medium enterprises.
Policies and programmes like Science Technology and Innovation Policy and Atal
Innovation Mission endeavour to encourage entrepreneurship by providing a platform for the

generation and sharing of innovative ideas, alongside an incubator to mentor and support
innovators.
Several skilling programmes have been initiated such as National Apprenticeship Training
Scheme, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushal Yojana etc.
The Economic Survey 2020 emphasizes on the need to enhance ease of doing business and
implement flexible labour laws in job creating sectors, such as manufacturing. Literacy, education
and physical infrastructure are the other policy levers that district and state administrations must
focus on to foster entrepreneurship and consequently job and wealth creation.
5. ‘Land banks’ can play a critical role in boosting the economy and promoting ease of doing
business in India. Discuss. (Answer in 150 words) 10
Approach:
Introduce by explaining the concept of land banks.
Write about the benefits with respect to implementing the land banks scheme.
Highlight the associated issues.
Answer:
Land banks are government agencies or private organisations that help manage and dispose of
vacant properties, vacant land, or tax-delinquent properties so that these can be redeveloped for
more productive use. Adoption of the idea of land banks has the following advantages:
Ready availability of land: Land banks will help in reducing land-related litigations and
streamlining the availability of associated permits, which would help reduce cost overruns and
decrease corporate bankruptcy.
Attract investment: Land banks can serve as a one-stop solution to the free and easy
accessibility of all related industrial information, which will help in informed decision making
by investors and boost investments.
Addressing inordinate delay in disposing government land: This happens due to the
absence of a single comprehensive land database, opposition from trade unions, illegal
encroachment and lack of coordination between various ministries. A dedicated land bank will
ensure time-bound disposal of unutilised land.
Improves land utilisation: Land banks will allow for better utilization of unused government
land, including that in notified SEZs, which has about 52 percent vacant land. Moreover, the
government can use these lands for public projects like highway construction, afforestation,
nature restoration etc. and promote economic development.
Promotes economic activity: At a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has led to the halt of
many economic activities, land banks can be used to attract investment and jump-start the
economy.
However, pursuing the idea of land bank scheme may not always lead to expected results and could
create various issues, such as:
Questions of ownership and rights: Common or joint ownership of land is a practice in India
and any difference between owners over the control of land and its use could lead to land
conflict.
Legal loopholes: According to the Forest Conservation Act of 1980, the government is required
to get forest clearances or approval from the Ministry of Environment to use forest land for a
non-forest purpose. However, there is no provision to obtain forest clearance for a land bank
under the Act.
Potential future conflicts: There is a potential risk of future investments on land under the
land bank scheme facing conflicts similar to those that prevented the previously planned
projects. Moreover, the mismatch between the de jure records presented by the bank and the de
facto utilisation on the ground leads to ambiguity.

In order to make land banks a robust strategy, associated concerns should be given adequate
attention. Reforms including creation of a land record repository, digitization and integration of all
records relating to land ownership titles, adequate checks and balances, defining a structured
timeline for timely resolution of property disputes etc. need to be adopted.
6. The proposed amendments to the Forest Conservation Act (FCA) are not only antithetical to the
Forest Rights Act (FRA), but are also likely to delay India achieving its commitments on climate
change. Discuss. (Answer in 150 words) 10
Approach:
Giving a brief introduction, bring out some key proposed amendments in Forest Conservation
Act (FCA).
Then discuss how these proposed amendments are antithetical to the Forest Rights Act (FRA).
Also discuss how it will most likely delay India in achieving its commitments on climate change.
Answer:
Recently, the Government has proposed an amendment to the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 to
liberalize forest laws aimed at simplifying the meaning of forest, which has become complex after
the 1996 order of the Supreme Court in the T N Godavarman Thirumulpad v Union of India case.
The proposed amendments are seeking to speed up the infrastructure projects, which become
laggard due to complexities around clearances.
Few key proposed amendments to the Act:
Keeping some forests intact: Provision in the forest conservation act to keep certain pristine
forests “showcasing rich ecological values” intact for a specific period.
Go ahead to strategic projects: The amendment has proposed absolving agencies involved in
national security projects, border infrastructure projects, land owned by the Railways or the
Road Transport Ministry that was acquired before 1980 or when the Act came into force.
Oil and natural gas extraction: The amendments provide for complete exemption for use of
new technologies such as extended reach drilling (ERD) for extraction of oil and natural gas
found deep beneath the forest land by drilling holes from outside the forest areas.
Amend the meaning of non-forestry use: Activities such as establishment of zoos, safaris, and
forest training infrastructure are not to be considered as non-forestry activities
Offences: In comparison to the Indian Forest Act, 1927 that provides for at least a year’s
imprisonment for forest offences, the amendment shortens it to only 15 days.
However, these proposed amendments are considered to be delinking the Forest Rights Act
(FRA) and FCA and can prove to be antithetical to the (FRA):
Fails to address the rights of indigenous communities: The proposed amendments will
change the concept of forest, which will impact the indigenous communities in many ways,
which is not accounted for in proposed changes.
Impinges upon power of local governing bodies: Under FRA, 2006, government would
require prior approval, in a written format, of the local governing body or panchayat to
commence any operations. However, the proposed amendments seek to bypass local governing
bodies.
Expropriating resources: Changes proposed may seriously impact the balance of the resources
and may have an adverse impact on the livelihood of indigenous communities.
Environmental Impact: Blanket exemptions for border infrastructure projects may have
significant impact on sensitive landscape and biodiversity, and may adversely impact the
infrastructures themselves, due to resultant environmental hazards in case of extreme weather
events.
Delay in India’s achievements in climate change: The proposed amendments seek to
facilitate private plantations, however, it needs to be highlighted that plantations don’t have the
same rates of carbon sequestration (absorption of carbon dioxide) as forests do.

Concerns related to oil and natural gas extraction: Although the consultation paper suggests
that ERD techniques are environment friendly and will not impact the soil or aquifer that
supports the forest, it needs to be highlighted that ERD is riskier and more complicated than
traditional drilling. It is relatively new and gas kicks happen more frequently; are tougher to
detect and can cause damage like forest fire.
There is a requirement for wider consultation and a balanced approach to promote economic
growth and forest conservation.
7. The problem of flooding in urban areas is not only due to overflowing rivers, but also the
uninformed ways in which our cities are coping with urbanisation. Discuss. In this context,
mention the National Disaster Management Authority guidelines on urban floods. (Answer in
150 words) 10
Approach:
Give a brief description of urban flooding.
Write about the uneven preparation and poor human resource management as causes behind
increasing urban flooding.
Write important points of NDMA guidelines on urban floods.
Answer:
Urban flooding is the inundation of property in a built environment, particularly in densely
populated urban areas, caused by intense rainfall (on impermeable surfaces) which overwhelms
the capacity of drainage systems. There has been an increasing trend of urban flood disasters in
India over the past several years. The most notable amongst them are Hyderabad in 2000,
Ahmedabad in 2001, Delhi in 2002 and 2003, Chennai in 2004, Mumbai in 2005, Surat in 2006,
Kolkata in 2007. The most recent devastating ones were Srinagar in 2014 and Chennai in 2015.
Causes of increased urban flooding include poor urban planning:
Land use changes without any regard for proper drainage; for example:
o surface sealing due to urbanization,
o deforestation and increased runoff.
o Indian cities are becoming impervious to water seepage due to hard, non-porous
construction material used in built up areas.
Indiscriminate disposal of solid waste leading to blocked drainage systems.
Encroachment of the flood plain and thereby obstructing flows.
Inefficiency or non-maintenance of flood management infrastructure.
Unmindful construction and encroachment on wetlands. The number of wetlands has reduced
to 123 in 2018 from 644 in 1956.
In this context, NDMA issued guidelines on urban flooding which contains following major
points:
It designates the Ministry of Urban Development as the Nodal Ministry for Urban Flooding.
Early Warning System and Communication
o Create a National Hydro-meteorological Network- for providing early warning in all
urban centres.
o Developing local networks for real-time rainfall data collection with a ‘Local Network
Cell’ in the IMD headquarters.
o Subdivide Cities/ towns on the basis of watersheds and develop a protocol for
forecasting rainfall for urban areas on the basis of watershed.
Design and Management of Urban Drainage System
o A watershed based and ward-based inventory of the existing storm water drainage
system to be prepared.
o Integrated planning and interactions between Water and Solid Waste Management.
o Other steps like pre-monsoon de-silting of all major drains, rainwater harvesting,
Rain Gardens etc. are to be promoted.
Urban Flood Disaster Risk Management
o Risk assessment will be carried out with a multi-hazard concept leading to fool proof land
use planning.
o The research should focus on three key areas: risk identification, risk pooling and risk
transfer. The risk should focus on both property and people.
o Identification of potential damage areas, according to the physical characteristics of the
area such as land use, topography, drainage area, outfall system and the capacity of the
existing storm water drainage system.
o National Database for Mapping Attributes- The database required for mapping different
ward/community level attributes will be made accessible to all ULBs and concerned
departments/ agencies/ stakeholders.
Techno-Legal Regime
o Storm water drainage concerns will be made a part of all EIA norms.
o Growth of urban sprawls can be made a part of urban flood management.
Capacity Development, Awareness Generation and Documentation
o Urban Flood Education, Institutional & Community Capacity Development, enhanced Role of
Civil Society, Awareness on Insurance etc.
o Role of Public Representatives, Role of Media is also discussed.
Increasing instances of urban flooding calls for better urban planning in accordance with NDMA
guidelines to develop sustainable cities.
8. ISRO is no longer confined only to the launching of satellites, but it has been constantly
enlarging its role in development activities over the years. Discuss. (Answer in 150 words) 10
Approach:
Introduce by giving brief account of ISRO and its overall mandate.
Highlight various sectors where ISRO has made a developmental impact.
Conclude appropriately.
Answer:
ISRO is playing a significant role in the development and progress of the nation. The application of
space technology in agriculture, soil, water resources, land use, land cover, rural development, earth
and climate studies, geosciences, urban and infrastructure, disaster management support, forestry,
ecology and using geospatial technology for enabling decision support systems are testimonial to
the developmental role of ISRO.
ISRO’s role in developmental activities:
Agriculture: ISRO’s technology is being used to carry out crop production forecasts for major
crops and to improve crop condition and productivity by using remote sensing satellite data.
Rural Development: ISRO has launched Village Resource Centres (VRCs) to provide space
based services directly to rural areas like Tele-Medicine, Tele-Education, Panchayat planning,
marketing information, etc.
Resource Management: ISRO, through its Earth Observation Satellites, provides for effective
management of natural resources.
Railways: Applications of space technology are realised in guarding unmanned railway
crossings, detecting obstructive objects on rail tracks to avoid rail accidents, etc.
Education: EDUSAT provides connectivity to schools, colleges, and higher levels of education
and also supports non-formal education including development communication.
Disaster Management: Using geoportals like Bhuvan to address aspects of natural disasters,
using space based weather forecast inputs, etc.
Navigation: NavIC or Navigation with Indian Constellation, is an independent regional
navigation satellite developed and maintained by ISRO. Applications include maritime field,
mobile navigation, defence, etc.
Urban Development: High resolution satellite data provides accurate information on current
land-use practices in a city or a town which aids evidence based policy making.

COVID-19: ISRO is also engaged in repurposing existing resources, scaling up of capacity of
their facilities and also transferred technology to supplement the country's fight against the
second wave of COVID-19.
These developments are in sync with the ISRO’s vision to harness space technology for national
development, while pursuing space science research and planetary exploration. It has been in
the forefront of using technological advancements for the benefit of the people of the nation in
various ways and will need continuous support and encouragement to further the cause.
9. State the reasons behind targeting of Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) by state and
non-state actors. Also, discuss the steps taken by the Indian government to secure its CII.
Approach:
Introduce by explaining about Critical Information Infrastructure (CII).
Highlight the reasons for targeting of CII by state and non-state actors.
Highlight the challenges in protecting the Critical information infrastructure.
Enumerate steps taken by the Government to protect CII.
Answer:
According to Information Technology Act, 2000, Critical Information Infrastructures (CII) are
vital computer resources that, if incapacitated or destroyed, will leave a debilitating impact on
national security, economy, public health or safety across both public and private sectors. Their
significance is well understood and hence they are also target of attacks by adversarial state and
non-state actors. Broadly such attacks lead to information system compromise, control
takeover, component destruction, and sensitive information extraction.
Reasons behind targeting of Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) by state and non-state
actors
Critical information: CII holds sensitive and confidential information about nuclear facilities,
reactor designs etc, making it a potential target for state and non-state actors. For instance, the
Stuxnet computer virus was unleashed against Iran’s enrichment program.
New dimension to warfare: CII broadens the scope for combat, taking it a step ahead of
conventional warfare. Additionally, disabling these systems takes a handful of skilled personnel
compared to dedicated weapons systems or armies in conventional wars.
National security: CII deals with physical and cyber systems that are essential to a nation in
their capabilities to govern the broader security scenario and any damage to it has a devastating
effect on national security, political, economic and social welfare domains of the nation.
Sabotaging state apparatus: Critical infrastructure like power grid, reactors etc are far more
interconnected today, both in terms of geography and across sectors. A small malfunction may
spread across different segments, having a wide-ranging impact, which may or may not have
been assessed.
Create Mistrust: A cyber-attack on a specific component exposes vulnerabilities in the entire
system, which negatively impact relations with allies and adversaries alike.

Challenges in protecting the CIIs
Lack of Internal Resources: Many organizations including those that help to maintain Critical
Infrastructure do not have enough trained security professionals to meet their security needs.
Reluctance in Sharing Information: Fear of losing a competitive edge over rivals inhibits the
private and public sector to share information about the vulnerability of their systems.
Lack of coordination among agencies: Some of the agencies report to the Ministry of Home
Affairs, while others report to the Prime Minister’s Office, Defence ministry, MeitY etc.
Capability Asymmetry: India lacks indigenization in hardware as well as software
cybersecurity tools. This makes India’s cyberspace vulnerable to cyberattacks motivated by
state and non-state actors.
Steps taken by Govt to protect Critical information infrastructure
National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC) to regulate and
protect the nation’s CIIs.
The Government has also notified Information Technology (National Critical Information
Infrastructure Protection Centre and Manner of Performing Functions and Duties) Rules,
2013 (“NCIIPC Rules”)
Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In): For responding to computer
security incidents.
National Cyber Security Coordinator (NCSC) under National Security Council Secretariat
coordinates with different agencies at the national level for cyber security matters.
National Cyber Coordination Centre to generate necessary situational awareness of cyber
security threats and enable timely information sharing for proactive, preventive and protective
actions.
There is a requirement for better understanding of vulnerabilities, including interdependencies
between infrastructures. Hence, we need to evolve a comprehensive security policy to address the
physical, legal, cyber and human dimensions of security.
10. Despite the strategic significance of North-East India, the region faces several security threats.
Discuss. Also, state the measures taken by the government to ensure peace and stability in the
region. (Answer in 150 words) 10
Approach:
Introduce the answer with strategic significance of North-East India.
Substantiate various challenges associated in the region. Mention measures taken by the
government to tackle the same.
Answer:
Northeast India comprising 8 states is connected to the other parts of the country by a narrow
Siliguri Corridor. The location as well as socio-economic issues are closely intertwined with
prevalent security threats that the region is faced with.
Strategic significance of North-East (NE) region:
Almost 99% of the border of this region is international borders along Bangladesh, Myanmar,
China and Bhutan.
The region is deemed as India‘s gateway to South-East Asia and is strategic for India‘s Act East
Policy and initiatives like the Kaladan Multimodal Project, BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement etc.
The Northeast region is endowed with a variety of natural resources such as uranium, coal,
hydropower, forests, oil and gas.
Its proximity to international markets to both South Western China and Southeast Asia,
makes this region a potentially important base for foreign and domestic investors.

Security Challenges in North-East Region:
Insurgency: The states of Assam, Nagaland, Manipur and Meghalaya account for the bulk of
insurgency related violence in the region.
Secessionist movements: Separationist movements by various extremist groups continue to
exist in the region. For example, National Democratic Front of Bodoland‘s demand to set up an
autonomous region of Bodoland, National Socialist Council of Nagaland‘s demand for Greater
Nagalim etc.
Ethnic conflicts: This is evident in tribal movements in Tripura against Bengali domination,
Assam Movement of 1979-84 against illegal migration etc. These problems along with
underdevelopment still persist in the region.
Border issues: The region is also mired with international tension. There have been repeated
instances of border transgression by Chinese soldiers in Arunachal Pradesh. Additionally,
Myanmar has become the main base for North East insurgent groups particularly the Valley
Based Insurgent Groups (VBIGs).
Drugs trafficking: The neighbouring Golden Triangle is a hotbed of drug trafficking, giving
blow to the human health and wellbeing of society in NE region. Narcotics trafficking is deeply
intertwined with insurgency as it acts as a major source of funding for insurgent groups.
Steps taken by the government to ensure peace and stability in the region:
Process of dialogue: The Government is pursuing a policy for talks/negotiation with such
groups, which categorically abjure violence and seek solutions for their problems peacefully
within the framework of the Constitution of India.
o Accordingly, peace agreements have been signed with rebel factions such as Naga
Peace Accord and Mizoram Accord leading to containment of violence to a large extent.
Deployment of security forces: The Central government has also responded to the conflicts in
the region in various ways such as deployment of armed forces to combat rebel groups and
sanction of Reserve Battalions in the region. Unlawful associations operating in the region have
been banned under UAPA. Further, the government has declared specific areas/states as
disturbed areas for the purpose of AFSPA.
Incentivizing militants to surrender: The Government has a surrender-cum-rehabilitation
policy for militants in the NE to wean away misguided youth and hardcore militants who have
strayed into the fold of militancy.
Local governance: The Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution gives special status to the
traditional institutions and makes provisions for the creation of autonomous district councils in
the region.
Economic development: India has been working on plans of building economic corridors in
the region to boost foreign trade so that Northeast India can develop, prosper and eventually
overcome its troubles by engaging eastern foreign neighbours. For example BCIM corridor, IMT
trilateral highway, access via Bangladesh etc.
While the government is taking a multi-pronged approach to tackle various security threats facing
the region and ensure a prosperous North-East India, it is important to adopt a whole-of-
government and society approach.
11. Indian Railways has suffered from chronic under-investment, which has adversely impacted
key areas of its operations. In this context, discuss the challenges faced by the railways in
speedy creation of infrastructure. Also, mention the steps taken by the government in this
regard. (Answer in 250 words) 15
Approach:
Introduce by highlighting the issue of under investment in the Indian railways.
Enlist the challenges faced in speedy creation of railway infrastructure.
Mention the steps taken by the government in this regard.
Conclude by giving a way forward.

Answer:
In the last few decades, there has been considerable underinvestment in rail infrastructure, thereby
reducing the efforts required to expand, strengthen and modernize the Indian Railways. Further,
the investment has been insufficient for introducing technological improvements, improving safety
aspects and meeting the demands of both freight and passenger customers.
Challenges in speedy creation of rail infrastructure include:
Regulatory delays: The process of land acquisition is lengthy and cumbersome in India
because of land disputes and rehabilitation and compensation issues. For instance, several cases
have been filed in Supreme Court and High Courts against land acquisition for Dedicated Freight
Corridors.
Non-viability of decisions: The working of Indian Railways is caught up between making it a
self-sufficient organization and serving it as a transport system for the poor, the result being
rise in passenger fares and new trains and routes being decided on non-commercial
reasons.
Financial issues:
o High operating ratio (at 98% in 2018) curtails the ability of Railways to make fresh
investments through internal accruals. The alarming increase in operating ratio can be
attributed to implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission award, reduced passenger
fares, and declining market share in freight traffic.
o High debt servicing costs put further strain on railway finances. It is set to rise at a much
faster pace in the coming five years due to repayment obligations related to Dedicated
Freight Corridors and High-Speed Rail (HSR) network, thereby putting a freeze on
newer infrastructure projects.
o Rail infrastructure development is highly dependent on government funding, which is
limited. Further, few PPP projects which have been implemented are fraught with several
hurdles including unrealistic cost estimates.
Difficult terrain and weather conditions: Risk assessment in hazard zones and uncertain
weather conditions such as in rugged Himalayan terrains and flood prone Brahmaputra region
pose challenges in completing projects on time.
Law and order problems: Many projects in the North-Eastern region, Jammu and Kashmir and
Naxal-affected areas of Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, etc. are suffering on
account of law and order problems.
Faced with the above challenges, a number of steps have been taken up by the government,
including:
Increasing Capital Expenditure (Capex): Annual Average Capex has been doubled from
Rs.45,974 Cr in 2009-14 to Rs. 99,512 Cr in 2014-19. In the recent Budget Estimate (2021),
Capex has been further increased to Rs. 2.15 Lakh Crore.
Vision 2024 document: It has been envisaged to achieve targets of 2024 Million Tonnes freight
loading by 2024.
National Rail Plan (NRP) 2030: It has been developed with a view to develop infrastructure by
2030 to cater to the traffic requirements up to 2050 and increase modal share of rail freight to
45%.
National Infrastructure Pipeline (2020-25): It has dedicated investment worth more than 13
lakh crores to revamp the Indian Railways.
In addition, the need of the hour is to bring administrative reforms in Railways, introduction of
new-age technology, prioritization of projects and their tim- bound execution and outcome-oriented
action, privatization of some of the operations of the Indian Railways as suggested by the Bibek
Debroy Committee etc.

12. A disruptive approach to research & development (R&D), with a focus on last mile obligations
of the agricultural system is necessary to realize India's objective of doubling farmer's income.
Discuss. (Answer in 250 words) 15
Approach:
Give a brief overview of the contribution of the agricultural sector in the Indian economy.
Establish the importance of R&D in India’s agricultural system to address last mile obligations
and doubling farmers’ income.
Answer:
Despite an impressive growth in productivity and production across the agricultural sub-sectors,
agriculture has failed to generate required incomes for farmers. 48 percent of the country’s
population engaged in agriculture holds a share of just around 14.50 percent in the nation’s overall
Gross Value Added (GVA). Thus, the sector has not realised its full potential.
Farming is a highly complex business fraught with risks emanating from unpredictability of
monsoons and market fluctuations. Issues impacting agriculture get exacerbated on account of
increasing water scarcity, land degradation and climate change. Additionally, variables like
attributes of land, weather, markets, knowledge, access to inputs, support services, capital and
infrastructure etc. also impact agricultural output. Therefore, there is a need for a disruptive
approach to R&D in agriculture in order to enhance crop yield, address the issue of depletion of
critical resources like soil and water, infrastructure constraints, poor use of technology in farming
etc.
Such a disruptive approach to R&D, which aids in doubling farmers, with focus on last mile
delivery can include the following:
Integration of production and market traits: For modernisation of agriculture, there is a
need to facilitate development of new varieties of products and solutions in sync with the
local needs and production situations.
o In this context, advantage of various ICT tools, for instance, those that provide high quality
agricultural advisory services in real time can be taken. Also, molecular biology could be
used to develop new varieties of crops suitable to changing environment and tastes.
Similarly, practice of precision irrigation in drought-prone regions will aid farmers in
tailored and effective water management, thereby helping in production, improving
efficiency and minimising waste.
Holistic approach using data convergence: Data convergence from various areas such as
agriculture, nutrition, environment, hydrology, soil health, weather, farm diversification,
markets, socio-economic status of target groups, government schemes/ programmes etc. is
critical to address the issues faced by the agricultural sector in a holistic manner.
o There is also a need to distill complex and disparate data sets to aid actionable
recommendations at farmers’ level. For instance, the use of granular data (for example,
data for every 100 meter square of a field) and analytical capability to integrate various
sources of information (such as weather, soil, and market prices) will help in increasing crop
yield, optimising resource usage and minimising cost.
Ecosystem approach: Agriculture in India lacks an ecosystem approach. A consortium of
government research organisations, private sector research bodies, government ministries and
non-government organisations need to work concertedly for cost-effective and speedy delivery
of solutions.
o For instance, an independent non-profit institute in India is using image recognition to track
and analyse pest control efforts, enabling timely and localised intervention to stabilize
cotton production and reducing pesticide usage. Such an approach could be applied on a
wider scale across the country. So, partnership with private sector and agri-entrepreneurs
to enable efficient value addition, delivery of inputs & extension services can be helpful.
Integration of supply chains: Technology can be employed to integrate a fragmented supply
chain in India. In this context, sensors can be used to prevent spoilage and food-borne illnesses.
Also, by recording information about products at every stage of the agricultural supply chain,
blockchain helps to remove redundant processes, ensure quality control and monitor storage
conditions.
An agricultural value system is rooted in research farms and laboratories. Therefore, the scientific
community should design their research projects keeping the final delivery in focus. This will also
aid in achieving the goal of doubling farmers’ income and will enhance the productivity of the
agriculture sector.
13. India’s power distribution companies and electrical grids must undergo reforms to transition
from fossil fuels to more sustainable forms of renewable energy. Discuss. (Answer in 250
words) 15
Approach:
Introduce with relevant statistics on renewable energy adoption in India and its targets.
Explain the challenges associated with power discoms and electric grids with regard to
adoption of renewable energy in India.
Discuss the requisite reforms to mitigate the challenges.
Answer:
Installation of new generating capacity for renewable energy in India has outpaced that of fossil
fuels in recent years, making the country home to the fifth-largest supply of renewable energy in
the world. In this context, India has set the ambitious target of generating 450 GW of renewable
energy by 2030.
However, there remain several unaddressed issues, especially related to renewable energy (RE)
generation, that need to be resolved. These include:
Procurement Issues: Solar and wind energy developers sign a contract with a power
purchaser — mostly distribution companies (discoms) — for a prescribed period (typically 25
years) at a particular tariff rate per unit. The tariff is based on the capital cost, land costs as well
as other operations and maintenance (O&M) costs for the supply of all the generated power.
There have been instances when enticement of discoms to procure cheaper power from newer,
large-scale solar and wind projects has left many old projects in a difficult situation. Cases of re-
negotiation have also been witnessed, leaving renewable energy projects vulnerable to damage,
forced curtailment and payment delays.
Deployment issues: Renewable energy deployment remains highly concentrated in a few
resource-rich states. The share of solar and wind energy generation in renewable-rich states
like Karnataka (29%), Rajasthan (20%), Tamil Nadu (18%) etc. is significantly higher than the
national average of 8.2%. Further, some states do not meet their renewable purchase
obligations (RPOs). Thus, the extent and adoption of renewable energy is not uniform in the
country.
Intermittency in generation: Fossil fuels like coal, which currently account for a majority of
India’s power generating capacity, produce a stable and predictable stream of on-demand
power. In contrast, power generation from solar and wind energy is more variable and
unpredictable. As a result, grid operators may not be able to fully rely on these forms of variable
energy as a means of sustenance. These challenges increase costs in the short-term and slow the
build-out of renewable energy in the long-term.
Issues related to governance: According to MNRE’s SARAL index, India is lagging in achieving
its rooftop solar (RTS) power generation goal of 40 GW installation by 2022. This is because of
administrative inconsistencies, inadequate financing, complexity of institutional frameworks,
etc.
Financial constraints of discoms: In December 2021, power discoms owed Rs. 101,436 crores
to power generation firms according to the PRAAPTI (Payment Ratification And Analysis in
Power procurement for bringing Transparency in Invoicing of generators) portal. The discoms
have a precarious financial position due to massive Aggregate Technical and Commercial
(AT&C) loss during transmission, absence of competition, unsustainable cross-subsidies,
inefficient tariff-setting processes etc.
Lack of trained professionals: There is a lack of skilled professionals to design, build, operate
and maintain renewable energy plants in states. Further, there are not enough standards,

procedures and guidelines in renewable energy in terms of durability, reliability, performance
etc.
In this regard, power distribution companies and electrical grids must adopt the following
reforms to mitigate their issues:
Regional interconnection and balancing: There should be increased coordination and trading
between regions/states to increase the efficiency of energy flow across the network, improve
economic efficiency of power procurement, and enable better integration of variable renewable
generators. Further, the mechanism of tradable renewable energy certificates should be utilised.
Advanced re-forecasting and skilling: More accurate renewable energy forecasts improve
grid reliability and stability while allowing for a more cost-optimum economic dispatch of other
generators in the fleet. Further, there should be skill training and capacity building of personnel.
Decentralisation and grid modernisation:
o Rooftop solar: Long-term integrated resource plans that identify specific deployment goals
for RTS that can benefit with transmission and distribution (T&D) loss reduction, peak-load
management and power-procurement optimisation.
o Mini grids: Mini-grids are a sustainable and potentially cost-effective (lower T&D losses)
solution, especially for remote rural areas.
o Energy storage: Energy storage can play a major role in firming up the grid and enabling
high penetration of renewable energy generation.
Harnessing potential renewable energy: Renewable energy projects in areas with potential
(such as harnessing hydropower energy in North-East India) should be implemented after
conducting proper impact assessment and detailed studies on possible geological issues that
might arise. Further, private players should be involved in order to raise capital for the projects.
The renewable energy sector can continue to grow significantly and play a key role in India's
ambition of tackling climate change. However, if not managed well, greater penetration of
renewable energy can impact the technical and financial functioning of discoms. Thus, adequate
measures should be taken to enable the power distribution companies and electrical grids to
successfully transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy.
14. The practice of input-intensive agriculture in India needs a massive overhaul due to its
unsustainability and negative consequences. In this context, discuss the significance of Low
External Input Sustainable Agriculture (LEISA). (Answer in 250 words) 15
Approach:
Start with a brief introduction about input-intensive agriculture and its benefits.
Then discuss the need for overhauling of this type agricultural practice in India.
Giving a brief introduction of LEISA, brings out its significance.
Answer:
The input-intensive agriculture involves various types of agriculture with a high level of input
and output per unit of agricultural land area. It is characterized by a low fallow ratio, higher use of
inputs such as capital and labour and high crop yields per unit land area. It helps in getting high
crop yield on smaller land due to inputs like fertilizers, HYV seeds, machines etc. It is more efficient
and it makes it easier for farmers to supervise the crops and also helps in raising their income
levels.
In India, input-intensive farming can be seen in Kerala, West Bengal, coastal Andhra Pradesh,
Tamil Nadu and other regions like Haryana, Punjab, UP, Bihar as well.
However, the practice of input-intensive agriculture in India needs to be overhauled due to
various reasons:
Environmental impact: This type of farming involves numerous types of agro-chemicals,
including chemical pesticides, fertilizers, and insecticides etc., which leads to eutrophication of
water bodies, bioaccumulation and biomagnification, and biodiversity loss. It also leads to:
o Increase in soil erosion due to constant furrowing by machinery.
o Use of artificial agro-chemicals adversely affects the soil pH, CEC, soil structure, soil
texture and soil organisms.
o Traditional varieties of seeds and their genetic resources faced extinction due to
introduction of hybrid varieties.
Capital intensive: Given the need of high capital investment, large-scale farmers benefit while
small-scale farmers who are short of capital often fall under huge debt.
Animal cruelty: Intensive farming is highly criticized and thought to be cruel to the animals as
it involves the use of various chemicals, growth hormones and excess crowding on a small space
and thus unhygienic conditions leading to infections and other diseases.
In this context, Low External Input Sustainable Agriculture (LEISA) has become important. It is
based on the ecological principle of minimal use of external agents and involves the process of
stimulating soil microorganism. It also ensures optimum nutrient availability through processes like
nitrogen fixation. It involves the process of biological pest control methods and also biodiversity
through the process of synergetic and symbiotic conditions.
This method is gaining prominence because of its significance in:
Providing Food security: SOFI Report 2021 stated that the number of persons facing moderate
to severe food insecurity in India has increased by about 9.7 crore in the last 2 years. The
increase in production required to meet this demand will need to be achieved with less water,
less labour, and less land, and without adversely affecting the environment.
Tackling climate change: Agriculture production is estimated to decrease by 10-20% by 2050
because of climate change. Adoption of LEISA based practices can help cut GHG by promoting
sustainable agriculture and reducing reliance on non-renewable and unsustainable inputs,
particularly environmentally harmful ones.
Protecting indigenous knowledge and empowering local communities: It acknowledges
the right of local communities to control, manage and benefit from natural resources. Thus
using the expertise of farmers and tapping the most viable indigenous knowledge and practices
and ecologically friendly technologies in a given ecological and socio-cultural setting.
Efficient use of water resources: It would lead to sustainable water management practices
and reduce water pollution as is seen in case of input-Intensive agriculture farms discharging
large quantities of agrochemicals, drug residues and pesticides in water bodies.
Thus, adoption of LEISA should be promoted as it aims at making optimal use of locally available
natural and human resources becoming economically feasible, ecologically sound, culturally
adapted and socially just.
15. The recently released IPCC Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) – 2021 has been deemed as ‘code
red’ for humanity. In this context, discuss the various concerns raised in the report with special
focus on India. Also, enlist the remedial measures given by the report.
Approach:
Introduce by giving a brief account of IPCC Sixth Assessment Report and explaining why it is
deemed as ‘code red’ for humanity.
Mention the various concerns raised in the report.
Bring out the suggestions given in the report to overcome these issues.
Conclude on the basis of the above points.
Answer:
Recently, the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released the Sixth
Assessment Report (AR6), which states that human activities are causing climate change, and the
planet is irrevocably headed towards warming by 1.5 degrees Celsius over pre-industrial times in
the next two decades.
The report also predicted that based on the existing commitments by countries to curb their
emissions, global temperature will rise by at least 2.7°C by 2100. This has been deemed as ‘Code
red for humanity’.
The report acknowledged India’s stand that historical cumulative emissions are the source of the
present day climate crisis. It also highlighted various concerns as follows:
The tropical cyclones are getting stronger and wetter with the increased global warming
and their frequency has increased by more than 50%.
Greenhouse-gas emissions from human activity have raised global temperatures by 1.1
degrees Celsius since around 1850.
Oceans are warming causing sea level to rise by about 0.1 inches a year which has tripled
compared with 1901-1971. Also, the last decade was hotter than any period of time in the past
125,000 years.
At a global scale, extreme rainfall events would intensify by about 7% for each additional
degree Celsius of global warming. At 2 degrees of global warming, heat extremes would more
often reach critical tolerance thresholds for agriculture and human health.
Two or more climate change-induced events are happening back to back, triggering each
other, or occurring simultaneously. For instance: Concurrent heat waves and droughts.
Findings of AR6, which are specific to India:
The Indian Ocean is warming at a higher rate than other oceans. As a result, India will face
changes in monsoon precipitation.
With a 7,517-km coastline, India will also witness a rise in sea levels, leading to frequent and
severe coastal flooding in low-level areas.
Glaciers in the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region will keep shrinking and the snow cover
will retreat to higher altitudes.
The snowlines are retreating leading to change in the precipitation patterns, increased floods
as well as an increased scarcity of water in the future in the states across the Himalayas.
Heatwaves and humid heat stress will be more intense and frequent in the 21st century.
Faced with these challenges, the Report suggests following remedial measures:
The developed countries with legacy emissions have to take steps to deep cuts and transfer
technology without strings to emerging economies and heavily fund mitigation and adaptation.
All countries should update their climate action plans, called nationally determined
contributions with stronger actions.
There must be no new coal plants built after 2021. OECD countries must phase out existing
coal by 2030, with all others following suit by 2040.
By 2030, solar and wind capacity should quadruple and renewable energy investments should
triple to maintain a net-zero trajectory by mid-century
The traditional knowledge of the world’s indigenous peoples can play a vital tool in the fight to
mitigate the growing climate crisis. For instance, the contributions of Inuit communities to
community-based monitoring across the Arctic etc.
The countries now have to take up technologies to disrupt the current fossil fuel-driven
industrial system.
A countrywide assessment that urgently maps the risks based on the changes in climate is
much needed.
So, the IPCC’s AR6 requires all stakeholders to act together with urgency and do everything it takes
to protect our planet.
16. Multiple chemical disasters from the Bhopal gas tragedy to gas leak in Visakhapatnam have
brought into focus the risks posed by hazardous chemicals (HAZCHEM) in India. In view of this,
discuss the preparedness as well as gaps in Chemical Disaster Management (CDM) in India.
Approach:
Briefly illustrate the risk posed by disasters due to hazardous chemicals.
Mention the preparedness in India with respect to such disasters.
Highlight the gaps in the Chemical Disaster Management (CDM) in India.
Answer:
The Bhopal Gas tragedy of 1984 is the amongst the worst chemical disaster in history, where over
2000 people died due to the accidental release of the toxic gas Methyl Isocyanate. Recently, the
Vizag gas leak at LG Polymers plant in Visakhapatnam killed 12 people and sickened hundreds.
Chemical disasters, though low
in frequency, have the potential
to cause significant immediate
or long-term damage, like
injuries, permanent disabilities,
loss of lives, damage to property
and environment.
India is amongst the very few
countries, which have enshrined
the right to live in a clean and
wholesome environment as a
fundamental right. After the
Bhopal disaster in 1984,
Chemical Disaster Management (CDM) received greater emphasis and following steps have
been taken to prepare the mechanism to deal with any such disaster:
Regulatory framework: There are various legislations, which take into account CDM. For,
example, Indian factories Act, 1948, The Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous
Chemicals Rules 1989, The Chemical Weapons Convention Act 2000, CAEPPR Rules 1996, Public
Liability Insurance Act 1991, Explosives Act-1884, Insecticide Act-1968, Environment
(Protection) Act-1986, and Disaster Management (DM) Act-2005. These regulatory frameworks
deal with various issues like working conditions, regulating the usage of chemicals, mitigation
efforts etc.
Institutional framework: A separate Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change
(MoEF&CC), has been earmarked as the nodal ministry for management of chemical disasters
to ease coordination amongst other ministries, institutions and agencies to manage these
disasters. Besides, research institutes like IITs, NEERI, etc. are also working in this domain.
NDMA guidelines to ministries/departments and states for preparing DM plans: The
guidelines focus on all aspects of the DM cycle including prevention, mitigation, preparedness,
relief, rehabilitation and recovery.
Other technical efforts: Installation of major accident Hazard Control System, GIS-based
Emergency Management System, Environment Risk Reporting and Information Systems
(ERRIS), etc.
Capacity building: Financial assistance has been provided for capacity development in CDM to
various disaster management training institutes.
While considerable progress has been made in the management of chemical disasters, critical gaps
still exist in certain areas:
Complex web of laws: Regulatory frameworks have numerous laws for various aspects under
different ministries thus making it more difficult in terms of synchronizing the policies and have
various issues at implementation levels and making it even more difficult for regulations.
Gaps in codes of practices, procedures and standards: There is a lack of national level risk
assessment criteria and acceptable risks for chemical plants. Also, there are lacunae in
procedure for conduct of safety audit and departmental inspections.
Untrained professionals: There is a lack of knowledge amongst the government officials,
medical staff, as well as staff of the industry on CDM. Also, there is a shortage of clear accessible
information on potential chemical hazards and their management.
Infrastructural gaps: Institutional framework for providing technical support at various levels
is a key requirement for sustaining proper development and implementation of an effective
disaster management system. These have not been fully identified.
Gaps in post disaster management: Mechanisms to deal with social and economic impacts of
chemicals on human health, society and the environment, including liability, compensation and
redress are not streamlined and strengthened to take adequate care of post disaster mitigation.
Although good efforts have been made to minimize such accidents and to improve emergency
preparedness at all levels, more needs to be done. One step in this regard can be preparing a
database of all potential chemicals used in industries. Substantial efforts are still required to
predict the potential occurrence of disasters, assess the damage potential, issue warnings, and to
take other precautionary measures to mitigate their effects.
17. The growing demand for liberalisation of public health-related goods and services amidst the
pandemic has raised critical issues with regard to the current intellectual property regime.
Discuss. (Answer in 250 words) 15
Approach:
Introduce the answer in context of pandemic and current Intellectual Property regime.
Substantiate the critical issues pertaining to the public health related goods.
Discuss arguments both in favour of and against the existing IPR regime.
Suggest a way forward.
Answer:
The sheer scale and impact of COVID-19 have prompted governments to proactively seek the
liberalisation of public health-related goods and services. Pandemic-induced lockdowns led to
severe delays and supply chain congestion. This led to a disruption in the supply of medicines and
other essential goods and services. This has renewed discussions on the TRIPS agreement and the
current Intellectual Property regime regarding public health-related goods.
Critical Issues around Current Intellectual Property Regime:
Issues with WTO’s TRIPS agreement: Though the agreement allows for compulsory licenses
to be used in case of emergencies, it is largely for domestic production and use. They can be
used to import generic medicines from elsewhere by poor countries but there are complex
bureaucratic requirements for using this flexibility.
Monopolisation: Patents bestow exclusive rights upon their owners. This means that the
patent holder has the right to prevent others from using their invention, and thus control
the manufacture and distribution of such products, including their prices. Besides, the
pharmaceutical industry is a profit-oriented business and is not designed to operate in
extraordinary circumstances.
Increased cost of logistics: Companies that have vaccine technology are not in a position to
meet global demand. Many times the voluntary agreements and licensing are not transparent. A
lot of time is wasted in negotiations, approvals, etc.
Accessibility issue: In view of vaccine nationalism and limitations of manufacturing capacities,
wealthy countries would be able to secure the drugs and vaccines etc. for their own citizens
leading to scarcity for the developing countries in time. For instance, during the COVID 19
pandemic, developed countries heavily stocked up vaccine doses, virtually squeezing resources
for other countries.
Arguments in favour of IPRs:
Enabling Frameworks: Big pharma companies argue that vaccine development is
unpredictable and costly and that strong IP protection helped provide the incentive for the
development of vaccines in record time.
Creates Competition: IP rights are mischaracterized as a “monopoly” when in fact they drive
competition, resulting in multiple competing medicines and placing downward pressure on
price. For instance, a highly competitive market in COVID-19 vaccines unfolded during COVID
crisis.
Ensures Efficiency: IP licensing allows the innovator to control, which partners manufacture
the product, ensuring high quality supplies, and maximising low-cost access. For instance, in the
case of COVID 19, it resulted in the development of multiple effective vaccines in remarkably
compressed timeframes and the mass scale-up of manufacturing.
Production Quality: Pharma companies argue that vaccine-making is difficult and that complex
vaccines require deep cooperation between developers and manufacturers. Any failure to make
them properly could undermine public confidence in vaccine safety.
Incentivising patent holders to license their inventions is key to both innovation and greater
access. However, extraordinary circumstances demand extraordinary measures as well. In that
context, eminent economists like Joseph Stiglitz recommend developing a “knowledge commons”
and limiting the patentability of key innovations by making them subject to non-exclusive
licenses. Other than that, cross-cutting and multiple licenses can be grouped together for use as
recently done by WHO through COVID-19 Technology Access Pool (C-TAP).
18. Highlighting the reasons behind suboptimal results in indigenization of defence technologies in
India, suggest measures which can accelerate the pace of indigenization in the defence sector.
Approach:
Briefly write about the importance of indigenization of defence technologies.
Write reasons for India's under-achievement in this field.
Suggest some measures in this direction.
Answer:
Defence indigenisation broadly means creating an ecosystem where indigenous development of
defence equipment and technology can thrive. Its importance cannot be overstated because of
requirements of self-defence, strategic leverage that it provides, technological development that
accompanies indigenisation and check on economic drain due to import of defence equipment.
The identification of 209 items on the “positive indigenisation list” that can now be procured
only from indigenous sources is part of the effort. While these efforts are going to take time to show
benefits, it is important to understand the reasons for suboptimal results of efforts of the past.
Various reasons behind suboptimal results in defence indigenisation in India are following:
Inadequate defence planning: A 2001 report of Group of Ministers observed that there is lack
of a national security doctrine and the commitment of funds beyond a year. Defence planning
also suffers from a lack of inter-Service prioritization as well as the requisite flexibility. However,
the suggestion to set up a Defence Planning Board (DPB) is yet to be implemented.
Hierarchical and skewed decision-making: A 2018 report of the government identified
skewed decision-making process, bureaucratic red-tape, and multiple decision-making heads
behind inordinate delays in defence procurement.
Budgetary issues: India’s allocation for R&D is only 4% of total defence budget (compared
to 12% and 20% for USA and China respectively). A major portion of the defence budget goes
towards salaries, pensions and other operating expenses.
Dominance of PSUs: Their dominance has been associated with production and time delays
with no accountability. As per the 2018 Parliamentary Committee on Estimates report, DRDO
failed to meet timelines in all 14 mission projects for the Indian Air Force, thereby severely
affecting the country’s Air Defence plans.
Inadequate global investment: India’s complex regulatory regime, volatile exchange rate
risks and high cost of investment fail to attract global investment. Post COVlD-19, out of 56
companies which have closed shops in China; only three have come to India while maximum
moved to countries like Indonesia, Taiwan and Thailand.
Issues faced by domestic private entities: Private players face procedural hurdles and are
allowed to manufacture a narrow range of products. Most importantly low confidence of the
armed forces in locally and privately manufactured products are impediments for growth of the
private sector.
The Government has taken many steps to encourage defence indigenisation like- banning imports
of various defence items, expanding the FDI window to 74% under automatic route,
indigenous content requirement, building of defence corridors, innovations for defence
excellence challenge etc.
However, there are various steps that still need to be taken to improve the situation of
defence indigenisation in India:

Restructuring of the decision-making process:
o An official document outlining a National Security Strategy is essential to determine the
desired national military capabilities and the consequent long and medium term defence
plans.
o There is a need to identify critical strategic capabilities for future needs of the armed
forces and build competitive products in those areas.
o Defence procurement and national security decision making should be made inclusive by
including representatives from the three forces.
o Defence Capital Acquisition Authority (DCAA): DCAA similar to the models adopted by
France, United Kingdom and Australia, should be established outside the MoD to reduce
procurement delays and corruption in defence procurement.
Enabling Defence Forces entering into For-profit public and private sector projects: Such
as repair and maintenance of machinery and aircraft for private companies, building and
repairing highways and expressways, among others.
Collaborate to thrive:
o Addressing the concerns of various stakeholders: The Defence Ministry should issue a
formal order addressing the concerns expressed by various stakeholders about certain
aspects of the negative list as well as the purpose of bifurcating the capital budget without
increasing the overall allocation, which is the core problem besetting modernisation of the
armed forces.
o Setting-up the defence-academia linkage: lndia should link research institutions and the
private defence manufacturing sector to DRDO to upgrade research quality and broaden the
base and spectrum of futuristic capabilities needed by the armed forces.
A more streamlined acquisition process, developing private sector innovation and manufacturing
capability and building a vibrant export market are some strategies that can help India achieve
desired levels of defence indigenisation.
19. Discuss the factors behind conceptualization of different Central Armed Police Forces for
guarding the international borders. Also, highlight the contribution of these forces in ensuring
security of India. (Answer in 250 words) 15
Approach:
Give a brief introduction about the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF).
Discuss the reasons behind the need of multiple CAFPs to guard India’s borders.
Highlight the contribution of these CAPFs.
Conclude by presenting a way forward.
Answer:
Presently, there are seven Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) which come under the
administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Four CAPFs along with the Indian Army
are entrusted to guard the 15,106.7 Km long international land border which India shares
with seven different countries.
The reasons for the conceptualization of different Central Armed Police Forces for guarding the
international borders are:
Non-uniform borders: The International borders are not uniform in character and have
different physical features, terrain, and climatic conditions. Different specialized forces are
needed to cater to the needs of different terrain. For example, the Indo-China border is guarded
by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), which is a specialized mountain force.
Different threat perceptions: The nature of threats varies across the international border.
For example, the western front of India which faces the challenge of infiltration and terrorism is
guarded by BSF, ITBP guards the North-Eastern borders against external aggression etc.
Diverse cultural regions: These forces needed an in-depth understanding and familiarity of
the culture and ethos of the border populations as they are entrusted with promoting a sense
of security and integration among these populations.

Guarding the international borders, preventing trans-border crimes such as smuggling, conducting
counter-insurgency operations, gathering intelligence, preventing unauthorized entry or exit from
the territory of India, aid to the civil administration, and support during disaster management are
some of the similar roles performed by these four CAPFs on the international border. The specific
contributions of each force for ensuring the security of India are as follows:
Assam Rifles (AR): Which guards the Indo-Myanmar border was formed in 1835. After
independence, it performed a conventional combat role during the Sino-India War 1962 and as
part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in Sri Lanka in 1987, it participated in Operation
Pawan. This force has played a stellar role in integrating the tribal population with
mainstream India. It is the highest awarded and decorated Para Military Force of the Republic
of India.
Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP): This force provided security along the entire stretch of
the India-China border. Its contributions are diverse and many such as providing security cover
to sensitive installations, VPs, and during the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. It is also mandated to
perform wartime roles with the Indian Army.
Border Security Forces (BSF): Deployed on the India-Pakistan and India-Bangladesh borders,
the force was raised in 1965 after the India-Pakistan war. Contributions of BSF include
assistance to the Army during the India-Pak war in 1971 and the Kargil conflict in 1999. It
was also instrumental in controlling militancy in Punjab and fighting militancy in Kashmir.
Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB): This force is deployed on the Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan
borders. SSB is instrumental in generating a sense of national belonging, security, and vigilance.
It trains villagers in the art of self-defense to develop a spirit of resistance. Its contributions
include achieving ‘Total security preparedness’ in the remote border areas.
Though the CAPFs perform multiple crucial roles, these forces are sometimes forced to work in
poor working conditions with several operational bottlenecks. The Joshi Committee, 2018
highlighted modernization of CAPFs, training, and capacity building reforming the promotion and
cadre management policies, etc. as the urgent and impending reform to improve the functioning of
the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs).
20. Discuss the vulnerability of virtual assets in terms of their misuse for money laundering
activities. Also, state corrective measures that can be taken to mitigate the risks posed by the
use of virtual assets. (Answer in 250 words) 15
Approach:
Introduce by defining the Virtual Asset.
Highlight their uses and their potential for misuse, especially in the context of money
laundering.
Suggest a few corrective actions that can be taken.
Answer:
A virtual asset (VA) is a digital representation of value that can be digitally traded, or transferred,
and can be used for payment or investment purposes. In recent years, the virtual asset space has
evolved to include a range of new products and services, business models, and activities and
interactions. While, such new technologies, products, and services have the potential to spur
innovation, they also create new opportunities for criminals and terrorists to launder their
proceeds or finance their illicit activities.
Vulnerabilities of VA’s in terms of misuse for money laundering:
Borderless nature of technologies: The borderless nature of virtual assets and their
existence outside the formal financial system makes them a tempting option for criminals
to conceal proceeds of corruption and other crimes, evade tax or fund terrorism.
Obfuscation of transactions: New illicit financing typologies including the increasing use of
virtual-to-virtual layering schemes have the capability to further obfuscate transactions in a

comparatively easy, cheap, and secure manner. For example- hackers used virtual assets to
receive payment during ransomware attacks- “wannacry”.
Rise in the use of virtual assets: The use of virtual assets such as cryptocurrencies, for
legitimate as well as illicit purposes, is exploding. In January 2021, there were an estimated
106 million cryptocurrency users globally.
Limited data on their use for illegitimate purposes: There is very limited information and
data on the use of cryptocurrencies for criminal purposes. According to a 2021 report by
blockchain analysis firm Chainalysis, of the estimated USD 21.4 billion in cryptocurrency
transactions in 2019, criminal activity represented around 2.1 percent (USD 450 million).
Rise of newer technologies/business models: The virtual asset ecosystem has witnessed a
rise of anonymity-enhanced cryptocurrencies (AECs), mixers and tumblers, decentralized
platforms and exchanges. These technologies enable reduced transparency and increased
obfuscation of financial flows.
Corrective steps for mitigation of risks emanating from virtual assets:
Authorities should apply a risk-based approach to ensure that measures to mitigate money
laundering are commensurate with the risks:
Licensing and Registration: Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) should be required to be
licensed or registered in the jurisdiction where they are created.
Preventing criminal involvement: Authorities should take the necessary legal or regulatory
measures to prevent criminals or their associates from holding, or being the beneficial
owner of VASPs.
Implementing FATF recommendations: Authorities should ensure that VASPs are effectively
implementing the relevant FATF Recommendations.
Setting up systems for monitoring and compliance: VASPs should be subject to effective
systems for monitoring and ensuring compliance:
o VASPs should be supervised or monitored by a competent authority, which should
conduct risk-based supervision or monitoring.
o Supervisors should have adequate powers to supervise or monitor and ensure
compliance by VASPs, including the authority to conduct inspections, compel the
production of information, and impose sanctions.

Originator Information: Authorities should ensure that beneficiary VASPs obtain and hold
accurate originator and beneficiary information on virtual asset transfers, and make it
available on request to appropriate authorities.
International cooperation: Countries should rapidly, constructively, and effectively provide
the widest possible range of international cooperation in relation to money laundering and
terrorist financing relating to virtual assets.
Countries must recognise the need to adequately mitigate the money laundering (ML) and terrorist
financing (TF) risks associated with virtual asset activities, and implement FATF requirements for
effective regulation and supervision/monitoring of virtual asset services providers.
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