Model Answer:

Buffer stocks in India

Buffer stocks in India, primarily managed by the Food Corporation of India (FCI), are reserves of agricultural commodities maintained to stabilize prices and ensure food security. Their importance in stabilizing agricultural prices in India is multifaceted:

• Price Stabilization: Buffer stocks help moderate price fluctuations by releasing stocks during shortages and procuring during surplus. For instance, in 2023, when wheat prices surged, the government released 3 million tonnes from buffer stocks to stabilize the market.

• Food Security: These stocks ensure availability of food grains during emergencies, droughts, or other calamities. The government maintains a buffer norm of 41.12 million tonnes of rice and wheat combined, crucial for India’s food security strategy.

• Market Intervention: Through schemes like Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS), the government uses buffer stocks to intervene in the market, protecting both producers and consumers from extreme price volatility.

• Income Stability for Farmers: The Minimum Support Price (MSP) mechanism, linked to buffer stock procurement, provides a safety net for farmers. In 2022-23, the government procured 57.65 million tonnes of wheat at MSP, ensuring stable income for farmers.

• Inflation Control: By regulating supply, buffer stocks help control food inflation, which constitutes nearly 46% of the Consumer Price Index in India.

However, the storage of buffer stocks presents several challenges:

• Infrastructure Limitations: Despite a storage capacity of 816 lakh tonnes, India still faces a shortfall, leading to open storage and potential wastage.

• Quality Deterioration: Annually, about 4-6% of stored grains are lost due to poor storage conditions, pest infestation, and moisture damage.

• Financial Costs: The economic cost of wheat to FCI increased from ₹2,080.50 per quintal in 2019-20 to ₹2,588.70 in 2021-22, highlighting the rising financial burden.

• Logistics and Distribution: With 2,000 FCI godowns spread across India, efficient transportation and distribution remain challenging, especially in remote areas.

• Management Issues: The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has repeatedly highlighted issues of leakages and inefficiencies in the system, estimating annual losses in crores.

Conclusion: Buffer stocks are vital for India’s agricultural stability, but addressing storage and management challenges is crucial for enhancing system effectiveness.

Model Answer:

The expansion of regional air connectivity in India is crucial for several reasons:

• Economic development: It stimulates growth in tier-2 and tier-3 cities like Ranchi, Raipur, and Bhubaneswar by improving access to markets, investments, and business opportunities.

• Enhanced accessibility: It connects remote areas such as Darbhanga (Bihar), Pakyong (Sikkim), and Tezu (Arunachal Pradesh), reducing isolation and promoting inclusive development.

• Tourism boost: Improved connectivity opens up new destinations like Khajuraho, Hampi, and the Andaman Islands, diversifying tourism options and increasing revenue.

• Time efficiency: Air travel reduces travel time by up to 80% compared to road or rail on routes like Delhi-Dehradun or Mumbai-Shirdi.

The government’s UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, launched in 2016, addresses these needs by:

• Aiming to make air travel affordable and widespread, connecting 100 unserved and underserved airports.

• Capping fares at ₹2,500 per hour of flight for 50% of seats on flights under 500 km.

• Providing viability gap funding to airlines, with ₹4,500 crore allocated in the 2022-23 budget.

• Offering concessions like reduced GST on aviation turbine fuel and waiver of landing and parking charges at airports.

Achievements of the UDAN scheme include:

• Operationalization of 68 airports in smaller cities like Jharsuguda (Odisha) and Kannur (Kerala).

• Activation of 425 new air routes, expanding the air network to previously unconnected regions.

• Increase in passenger traffic on regional routes from 2.15 lakh in 2017 to over 1 crore in 2022.

• Creation of over 7,000 direct and 25,000 indirect jobs in aviation and allied sectors by 2022.

• Improved connectivity to northeast India, with 16 airports added in the region since 2016.

However, the scheme has faced challenges such as:

• Limited participation from major airlines on some routes, with only 50% of awarded routes operational.

• Infrastructure constraints at smaller airports, including inadequate night landing facilities and short runways.

• Sustainability concerns for some routes due to low passenger load, leading to route cancellations.

• Delays in operationalization of certain airports due to land acquisition issues and regulatory clearances.

Conclusion: UDAN has expanded regional air connectivity, fostering economic growth and accessibility, despite implementation challenges in infrastructure and route sustainability.

Model Answer:

The Indian irrigation system, crucial for agricultural productivity and food security, faces several challenges in recent times:

• Water scarcity: Overexploitation of groundwater and declining water table levels have led to acute shortages in many regions. The Central Ground Water Board reports that 1,186 out of 6,881 assessed units are over-exploited.

• Low water use efficiency: Outdated infrastructure and poor maintenance result in significant water losses. The average water use efficiency in Indian irrigation systems is only about 38%, far below global standards.

• Inequitable distribution: Uneven access to irrigation facilities has widened the gap between water-rich and water-poor areas, affecting agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods.

• Environmental concerns: Waterlogging and soil salinity, often resulting from improper irrigation practices, have degraded agricultural lands. Approximately 6.73 million hectares are affected by soil salinity and alkalinity.

• Climate change impacts: Altered precipitation patterns and increased frequency of extreme weather events pose challenges to water availability and irrigation planning.

To address these challenges, the government has implemented several measures:

• Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY): Launched in 2015, this scheme aims to extend irrigation coverage and improve water use efficiency.

• Micro-irrigation initiatives: Promotion of drip and sprinkler irrigation systems to enhance water use efficiency. The area under micro-irrigation has increased from 1.42 million hectares in 2005-06 to 8.7 million hectares in 2019-20.

• Command Area Development and Water Management (CADWM) program: Focuses on improving irrigation potential utilization and optimizing agricultural productivity.

• National Water Policy reforms: The 2012 policy emphasizes integrated water resources management and promotes participatory irrigation management.

• Water-efficient practices: Encouragement of System of Rice Intensification (SRI) and crop diversification to reduce water consumption in agriculture.

Conclusion: Effective implementation of these measures is crucial for sustainable water management and ensuring long-term food security in India.

Model Answer:

Labour Codes

The four Labour Codes – on Wages, Industrial Relations, Social Security, and Occupational Safety – represent a significant step in India’s labour market reforms. These codes aim to consolidate and simplify numerous existing labour laws.

Merits:
• Simplification: The codes reduce over 40 central labour laws to just four, streamlining compliance for businesses. For instance, the Code on Wages harmonizes the definition of ‘wages’ across various acts.
• Expanded coverage: The Social Security Code extends benefits to gig and platform workers, potentially covering about 400 million unorganized sector workers.
• Ease of doing business: The Industrial Relations Code allows firms with up to 300 workers to retrench without government approval, up from the previous 100-worker threshold.
• Formalization: Mandatory written employment contracts and digitization of records aim to reduce informal employment and improve transparency.

Demerits:
• Worker concerns: The increased threshold for standing orders (from 100 to 300 workers) may affect job security and working conditions for many.
• Collective bargaining: The requirement of 75% worker support for unions to be sole negotiators could fragment union representation.
• Implementation challenges: States need to frame and notify rules, requiring significant coordination and capacity building.
• Flexibility vs. security: Fixed-term employment provisions, while increasing hiring flexibility, may reduce long-term job security.

Progress so far:
• All four codes were passed by Parliament in 2019 (Wage Code) and 2020 (other three codes).
• The central government has drafted rules for implementation, but a concrete timeline is pending.
• As of today, over 20 states have published draft rules, but final notifications are still awaited in most cases.
• Implementation has been delayed due to state-level preparations and ongoing consultations with stakeholders.
• Partial implementation has occurred, such as the inclusion of gig workers in ESIC coverage.

Conclusion:
The Labour Codes signify a major shift in India’s labour landscape, balancing modernization with worker protection amid implementation challenges.

Model Answer:

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

Environmental NGOs and activists play a crucial role in influencing Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) outcomes for major projects in India. Their involvement includes:

• Raising public awareness about potential environmental impacts
• Conducting independent studies to challenge or supplement official EIAs
• Mobilizing local communities and stakeholders
• Filing legal petitions and Public Interest Litigations (PILs)
• Pressuring government bodies for transparency and compliance

Four notable examples of NGO and activist influence on EIA outcomes:

1. Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) and Sardar Sarovar Project:
– NBA challenged the EIA process, highlighting inadequate rehabilitation plans
– Resulted in World Bank withdrawing funding and project modifications

2. Vedanta’s Bauxite Mining Project, Niyamgiri Hills, Odisha:
– Local activists and international NGOs exposed violations in the EIA
– Supreme Court mandated local gram sabha consultations, leading to project cancellation

3. Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, Tamil Nadu:
– People’s Movement Against Nuclear Energy questioned the EIA’s adequacy
– Led to additional safety measures and delayed project implementation

4. Mumbai Coastal Road Project:
– NGOs like Conservation Action Trust highlighted EIA shortcomings
– Resulted in temporary work suspension and ongoing legal battles

These examples demonstrate how environmental NGOs and activists have significantly influenced EIA outcomes through various strategies, often leading to project modifications or cancellations.

Conclusion: NGOs and activists serve as crucial watchdogs, enhancing the EIA process’s effectiveness and environmental governance in India.

Model Answer:

Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023

The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 is a landmark legislation aimed at safeguarding the digital personal data of Indian citizens. It responds to the urgent need for robust data protection in India’s expanding digital economy, replacing the withdrawn Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019.

Key features of the Act include:

1. Scope: It covers digital personal data processing within India and outside India if it involves profiling Indian citizens or offering them goods or services.

2. Data Fiduciary and Principal: The Act introduces these concepts, clearly defining roles and responsibilities of entities processing data and individuals whose data is processed.

3. Consent Mechanism: Data collection requires clear, precise, and easily understandable terms. Data principals have the right to withdraw consent.

4. Purpose Limitation: Data fiduciaries must limit collection to specified, lawful purposes and delete data once the purpose is fulfilled.

5. Data Protection Obligations: Fiduciaries must implement reasonable security safeguards and notify authorities and principals of data breaches.

6. Rights of Data Principals: Individuals are granted rights to access information, correction, erasure, and nomination of another person to exercise these rights in case of death or incapacity.

7. Data Protection Board: An independent body is established to enforce compliance and impose penalties for violations.

The Act balances data protection with innovation, addressing unique challenges in the Indian digital landscape while aligning with global standards.

Conclusion: The Act marks a crucial step towards ensuring data privacy in India’s digital age, aiming to protect individual rights while fostering innovation and economic growth.

Model Answer:

Narco-terrorism

Narco-terrorism has emerged as a serious threat across India due to the convergence of drug trafficking networks and terrorist organizations. This phenomenon has manifested in several ways:

• Golden Crescent and Golden Triangle: India’s proximity to these major drug-producing regions has made it vulnerable to narco-terrorism, especially in border states.

• Financial nexus: Drug trade provides significant funding for terrorist activities, enabling the purchase of weapons and recruitment of operatives.

• Cross-border smuggling: Porous borders, particularly in the Northeast and Northwest, facilitate the movement of drugs and terrorists.

• Socio-economic impact: Drug addiction in vulnerable regions creates a cycle of crime and instability, further fueling terrorism.

To counter narco-terrorism, the following measures are crucial:

1. Enhanced border security:
• Increase surveillance using advanced technology
• Strengthen border fencing and patrolling

2. Intelligence and coordination:
• Improve intelligence gathering and sharing among agencies
• Foster international cooperation for joint operations

3. Legal framework:
• Implement stricter laws against drug trafficking
• Expedite trials related to narco-terrorism cases

4. Socio-economic interventions:
• Develop alternative livelihood programs in affected areas
• Strengthen rehabilitation and de-addiction facilities

5. Technology integration:
• Utilize data analytics for predictive policing
• Employ drone surveillance in high-risk areas

Conclusion: Combating narco-terrorism requires a multi-faceted approach combining stringent law enforcement, socio-economic measures, and international cooperation to address this complex threat effectively.

Model Answer:

Intellectual property rights (IPR)

Intellectual property rights (IPR) for life materials are at the forefront of global debates, balancing innovation with ethical concerns. The current scenario is characterized by:

• Increasing patents on genes, organisms, and biological processes
• Ongoing discussions on TRIPS agreement and its impact on developing nations
• Ethical debates surrounding the patenting of life forms, as seen in cases like the Myriad Genetics controversy over BRCA gene patents

India has emerged as the second-largest patent filer globally, particularly in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. However, the commercialization of these patents remains limited due to several factors:

1. Weak industry-academia collaboration:
• Lack of synergy between research institutions and commercial entities
• Example: Despite groundbreaking research in stem cells at institutions like NCCS Pune, commercial applications remain limited

2. Insufficient funding:
• Inadequate investment in R&D and commercialization processes
• Example: Indian biotech startups receive significantly less funding compared to their counterparts in the US or China

3. Regulatory hurdles:
• Complex approval processes and bureaucratic red tape
• Example: Delays in clinical trial approvals have hindered the development of indigenous vaccines

4. Skill gap:
• Shortage of professionals skilled in translating research into marketable products
• Limited expertise in areas like bioinformatics and genetic engineering

5. Infrastructure limitations:
• Inadequate facilities for scaling up innovations
• Lack of state-of-the-art equipment in many research institutions

6. Market access challenges:
• Difficulty in penetrating global markets due to stringent regulations and competition
• Limited domestic market for high-end biotechnology products

Conclusion: Addressing these challenges through policy reforms, increased funding, and skill development is crucial for India to leverage its patent potential and drive innovation commercialization.

Model Answer:

Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)

Electronic toll collection on Indian highways is transitioning from RFID-based FASTag to a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)-based tolling system. This new technology uses satellite tracking for a “Pay-as-You-Use” model, where tolls are calculated based on distance traveled.

Advantages of GNSS-based tolling include:
• Seamless, contactless transactions eliminating toll booths
• Reduced congestion and improved traffic flow
• Fairer “Pay-as-You-Use” model
• Decreased revenue leakage and toll evasion

Limitations and challenges:
• High initial investment in infrastructure and On-Board Units (OBUs)
• Interoperability issues with existing systems
• Privacy concerns due to continuous vehicle tracking

Proposed changes for seamless transition:
• Phased rollout with GNSS coexisting alongside FASTag
• Creation of dedicated GNSS lanes at toll plazas
• Global bidding process for GNSS infrastructure
• Full implementation expected by 2025

Potential hazards:
• Technological vulnerabilities (system failures, GPS signal issues)
• Cybersecurity risks and data misuse threats
• Social resistance to adopting new technology

The government aims to address these challenges through careful implementation and robust data protection mechanisms. The transition to GNSS-based tolling aligns with India’s goals of modernizing highway infrastructure and improving efficiency.

Conclusion: GNSS-based tolling promises enhanced efficiency but requires balancing technological advancements with privacy concerns and user adoption challenges.

Model Answer:

Industrial pollution of river water

Industrial pollution of river water is a critical environmental challenge in India, threatening ecosystems and public health. Addressing this issue requires a multi-faceted approach combining various mitigation measures and government initiatives.

Mitigation Measures:

• Technological Solutions: Implementation of advanced effluent treatment plants and adoption of cleaner production technologies to reduce pollutant discharge at source.

• Regulatory Measures: Enforcement of stricter emission standards and regular monitoring of industrial effluents to ensure compliance.

• Economic Instruments: Application of the polluter pays principle and provision of incentives for industries adopting clean technologies, encouraging responsible environmental practices.

• Waste Management: Promotion of efficient waste management systems and recycling initiatives to minimize industrial waste entering river systems.

• Public-Private Partnerships: Collaboration between government, industries, and civil society to develop and implement effective pollution control strategies.

Government Initiatives:

• National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG): A comprehensive program aimed at abating pollution and rejuvenating the Ganga river ecosystem.

• Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Policy: Mandating industries to treat and reuse their wastewater, significantly reducing river pollution.

• Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs): Establishment of shared facilities for small and medium enterprises to treat their effluents collectively.

• Legislative Framework: Enforcement of the Environmental (Protection) Act and Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act to regulate industrial activities and protect water bodies.

• National Green Tribunal (NGT): Empowering this specialized body to handle environmental disputes and enforce regulations effectively.

Conclusion: Combating industrial river pollution requires synergy between robust mitigation measures and proactive government initiatives, ensuring sustainable industrial development and environmental protection.