Model Answer:

Social media and encrypted messaging services

Social media and encrypted messaging services pose significant security challenges, from facilitating terrorist communications to spreading misinformation. Various measures have been adopted to address these concerns:

Government Level:
• Legislation: India’s Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 require platforms to trace the originator of messages, potentially compromising end-to-end encryption.
• Specialized Units: The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) was established in 2018 to handle cybercrime, including social media-related threats.
• International Cooperation: The Budapest Convention on Cybercrime facilitates cross-border collaboration in investigating online criminal activities.

Platform Level:
• Content Moderation: Facebook’s AI systems detect and remove 99.5% of terrorist-related content before users report it.
• Collaboration with Authorities: WhatsApp has implemented a system to ban accounts linked to terrorist organizations based on user reports and proactive detection.
• Transparency Reports: Twitter’s biannual reports detail account removals, government information requests, and content takedowns by country.

User Level:
• Digital Literacy Programs: India’s Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA) aims to make 60 million rural households digitally literate.
• Awareness Campaigns: The #WebWonderWomen campaign by the Ministry of Women and Child Development promotes safe and responsible use of social media.

Additional remedies to consider:

• Enhanced Public-Private Partnerships: Collaboration between CERT-In and social media giants to develop real-time threat intelligence sharing mechanisms.
• Balanced Encryption Standards: Implementing a key escrow system that allows lawful interception while maintaining user privacy in normal circumstances.
• Advanced Threat Detection: Developing AI models trained on region-specific data to better identify localized security risks and misinformation patterns.
• Mandatory Security Audits: Regular audits by bodies like the Data Security Council of India (DSCI) to ensure platforms comply with the Personal Data Protection Bill standards.

Conclusion: Effective social media security requires a nuanced approach balancing privacy, free speech, and national security, adaptable to evolving digital landscapes.

Model Answer:

India’s borders with China (3,488 km) and Pakistan (3,323 km) face numerous security challenges:

India-China border:
• Disputed Line of Actual Control (LAC) with contentious areas in Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh.
• Recent conflicts include the 2017 Doklam standoff and 2020 Galwan Valley clash.
• China’s rapid infrastructure development, including border villages, raises strategic concerns.
• Frequent incursions, with hundreds of transgressions reported annually.

India-Pakistan border:
• Volatile Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.
• Persistent cross-border terrorism and infiltration attempts.
• Issues along the International Border (IB) include drug trafficking and smuggling.
• Ceasefire violations, though reduced after the 2021 agreement.

Border Area Development Programme (BADP):

• Focuses on 117 border districts across 16 states and 2 Union Territories.
• Key initiatives include:
– Construction of schools and health centers.
– Development of roads in border areas.
– Electrification of border villages.
• Budget allocation increased to ₹1,470 crore in 2021-22.

Border Infrastructure and Management (BIM) Scheme:

• Allocated ₹13,020 crore for 2021-2026.
• Construction of strategic border roads.
• Implementation of Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS).
• Development of Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) for trade and movement.

Recent developments:
• Inauguration of Atal Tunnel, improving connectivity to Ladakh.
• Establishment of new ITBP posts along the LAC.
• Launch of Vibrant Villages Programme in 2022 for border area development.
• Implementation of smart fencing with advanced surveillance technology.

Conclusion: Continuous development and security enhancement in border areas are crucial for national security and socio-economic growth of frontier regions.

Model Answer:

Urban flooding

Urban flooding is an escalating climate-induced disaster, exacerbated by rapid urbanization and changing weather patterns. The primary causes include:

• Rapid urbanization leading to loss of permeable surfaces and natural drainage
• Inadequate or outdated drainage systems unable to cope with increased water volume
• Encroachment on natural water bodies, reducing flood absorption capacity
• Climate change-induced intense rainfall events
• Poor urban planning and insufficient infrastructure development

Two major urban floods in India in the last two decades exemplify the severity of this issue:

1. Mumbai Floods, 2005:
– Unprecedented rainfall of 944 mm in 24 hours overwhelmed the city’s drainage system
– Inadequate infrastructure and unplanned development exacerbated the situation
– Resulted in over 1000 deaths and economic losses exceeding $2 billion
– Exposed the vulnerabilities of India’s financial capital to extreme weather events

2. Chennai Floods, 2015:
– Triggered by heavy northeast monsoon rains
– Uncontrolled urbanization and encroachment of water bodies reduced natural drainage
– Failure of urban infrastructure, including breaches in lakes and reservoirs
– Caused over 400 deaths and economic damage of around $3 billion

To address urban flooding, India has implemented several policies and frameworks:

• National Disaster Management Plan 2019: Provides a comprehensive approach to flood management, including urban floods
• Urban Flood Management in a Changing Climate (2015): Guidelines by the Ministry of Urban Development for flood-resilient urban planning
• National Urban Sanitation Policy: Addresses drainage issues as part of overall urban sanitation
• Smart Cities Mission: Incorporates flood resilience in urban development projects
• State-level policies: Many states have developed specific urban flood management strategies

Conclusion: Effective urban flood management requires integrated approaches combining robust policies, improved infrastructure, and active community participation to enhance resilience.

Model Answer:

Disaster resilience

Disaster resilience is the capacity of communities, infrastructure, and systems to absorb, adapt to, and rapidly recover from the impacts of hazards. It encompasses both physical and social dimensions, focusing on reducing vulnerability and enhancing coping mechanisms.

Determination of disaster resilience involves:

• Quantitative assessments: Using indicators like the Disaster Resilience Index (DRI) or the Baseline Resilience Indicators for Communities (BRIC).
• Qualitative evaluations: Analyzing community cohesion, local knowledge, and adaptive strategies.
• Risk mapping: Identifying hazard-prone areas and assessing exposure levels.
• Capacity analysis: Evaluating resources, skills, and institutional capabilities for disaster management.

A comprehensive resilience framework typically includes:

1. Risk identification and assessment: Utilizing multi-hazard risk assessments and vulnerability analyses.

2. Risk reduction: Implementing structural and non-structural measures to mitigate potential impacts.

3. Preparedness: Developing early warning systems, evacuation plans, and community-based disaster preparedness programs.

4. Financial protection: Establishing risk transfer mechanisms like insurance and contingency funds.

5. Resilient reconstruction: Incorporating ‘build back better’ principles in post-disaster recovery.

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030) sets seven global targets:

1. Substantially reduce global disaster mortality by 2030.

2. Significantly decrease the number of affected people globally by 2030.

3. Reduce direct disaster economic loss in relation to global GDP by 2030.

4. Substantially reduce disaster damage to critical infrastructure and disruption of basic services.

5. Increase the number of countries with national and local disaster risk reduction strategies by 2020.

6. Enhance international cooperation to developing countries through adequate and sustainable support.

7. Substantially increase the availability of and access to multi-hazard early warning systems and disaster risk information and assessments by 2030.

Conclusion: Disaster resilience is crucial for sustainable development, requiring integrated efforts across sectors and scales to build safer, adaptable communities worldwide.

Model Answer:

Asteroids

Asteroids are rocky, metallic objects orbiting the Sun, primarily found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. They range from a few meters to hundreds of kilometers in diameter and are remnants from the early solar system formation.

The threat of extinction due to asteroid impact:

• The impact of a large asteroid (>1 km diameter) could cause global catastrophe through:
– Immediate destruction at impact site
– Tsunamis if impact occurs in ocean
– Global climate change due to dust and aerosols in atmosphere
– Disruption of food chains and ecosystems

• Historical context: The Chicxulub impact 66 million years ago, linked to dinosaur extinction, demonstrates the potential for mass extinction.

• Current risk: While impacts of smaller objects occur regularly, large impact events are rare. NASA estimates the chance of a civilization-ending impact in the next century at less than 0.01%.

Strategies to prevent catastrophic impacts:

• Detection and tracking:
– Near-Earth Object Observation Program by NASA
– Pan-STARRS and Catalina Sky Survey for asteroid discovery
– Development of space-based telescopes for improved detection

• Deflection methods:
– Kinetic impact: DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) mission successfully demonstrated this technique.
– Gravity tractor: Using spacecraft’s gravitational pull to alter asteroid’s trajectory
– Nuclear devices as a last resort for large, imminent threats

• International cooperation:
– UN-mandated International Asteroid Warning Network
– Space agencies’ collaborative efforts (NASA, ESA, JAXA) for planetary defense

• Policy measures:
– National near-Earth object preparedness strategy
– Increased funding for asteroid detection and mitigation research

Conclusion: Continued vigilance, research, and international cooperation are crucial to mitigate the rare but potentially catastrophic threat of asteroid impacts.

Model Answer:

Clean and safe freshwater crisis

The global shortage of clean and safe freshwater necessitates the adoption of alternative technologies. Three widely recognized methods to address this crisis are:

1. Rainwater Harvesting:
This technique involves collecting and storing rainwater for future use. Rainwater harvesting is a simple, low-cost method that can be implemented at various scales, from individual households to large communities. It reduces dependence on groundwater and helps recharge aquifers. However, its effectiveness is limited in areas with low rainfall or during drought periods. There are also concerns about water quality, especially in urban areas with air pollution.

2. Wastewater Treatment and Reuse:
This process involves treating sewage and industrial wastewater to make it suitable for various applications, including irrigation, industrial processes, and even potable use. It significantly reduces pressure on freshwater sources and minimizes environmental pollution. Advanced treatment technologies can produce high-quality water. However, the process requires substantial infrastructure investment and ongoing operational costs. Public acceptance of treated wastewater, particularly for drinking purposes, remains a challenge in many societies.

3. Drip Irrigation:
This water-efficient irrigation method delivers water directly to plant roots through a network of pipes, valves, and emitters. Drip irrigation significantly reduces water waste compared to traditional flood irrigation, with efficiency rates up to 95%. It also enhances crop yield and quality by maintaining optimal soil moisture levels. However, the initial setup cost can be high, especially for small-scale farmers. The system also requires regular maintenance to prevent clogging of emitters.

These technologies offer practical solutions to water scarcity, each with its own set of advantages and limitations. Their effectiveness often depends on local conditions, available resources, and implementation strategies. Adopting these methods requires careful consideration of economic, environmental, and social factors.

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 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:

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:

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.