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Q) Discuss the concept of 'Minimum Government, Maximum Governance' in the context of public administration and governance reforms in India. How can this principle be effectively implemented to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of government institutions and services?
(250 words, 15 marks)
📍Answer:
"Minimum Government, Maximum Governance" is a popular slogan that
encapsulates a key principle
of public administration and governance reforms in India. It emphasises the need for a lean and efficient government that focuses on its core functions while ensuring maximum effectiveness and
responsiveness in delivering public services. To enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of government institutions and services in India, it could be implemented in the following ways:
✅Reducing Bureaucratic Red Tape: Streamlining
administrative processes, cutting down on unnecessary paperwork, and simplifying regulations can make it easier for citizens and businesses to interact with the government. Digitalization and automation of processes can play a significant role in achieving this goal.
🔰For example: CBDT’s efforts for face-to-face meetings with officials.
✅Focus on Core Functions: "Minimum Government" implies that the government should concentrate on its core functions, such as law enforcement, national security, infrastructure development, and social welfare.
🔰 For example: UP’s single window clearance, the Nivesh Mitra portal for investment
✅ Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Collaborations between the government and the private sector can help achieve "Maximum Governance" by harnessing the expertise and resources of both sectors especially in sectors like healthcare, education, and infrastructure development.
🔰For example: Redevelopment of Jawaharlal Nehru (JLN) Stadium, Delhi
✅Decentralization: Empowering local governments and communities can enhance governance at the grassroots level. Devolving decision-making authority and financial resources to local governments can lead to better-targeted services that address the unique needs of different regions.
🔰For example: 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts
✅Transparency and Accountability: A key aspect of "Maximum Governance" is ensuring transparency and accountability in government operations. Regular audits and performance evaluations can also hold government institutions accountable for their actions.
🔰For example: Right to Information Act and implementing e-governance initiatives.
🔰Social Audit in MGNREGA
✅Citizen Engagement: Encouraging citizen participation and feedback mechanisms can help make
governance more responsive to the needs of the people. Platforms for public consultations, grievance
redressal mechanisms, and citizen surveys can provide valuable insights for policy formulation and service delivery.
🔰For example: MyGov: A platform for citizen Engagement towards Good Governance
✅Capacity Building: Building the capacity of government institutions and civil servants is crucial for effective governance. Training programs, professional development, and
performance-based incentives
can enhance the skills and motivation of public servants.
🔰For example: MISSION KARMAYOGI iGOT
✅Use of Technology
🔰Initiatives like digital payments, online service portals, and data analytics can streamline service delivery and reduce corruption.
🔰e-Court, My GOV platforms, Government e marketplace (GeM), etc.
The concept of "Minimum Government, Maximum Governance" is about optimizing the role of government
in India by making it more efficient, accountable, and responsive to the needs of its citizens. Effective implementation of this principle requires a combination of policy reforms, technology adoption, and a commitment to
transparency and accountability. By pursuing these strategies, India can enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of its government institutions and services, ultimately improving the quality of life for its citizens and fostering economic growth and development.
Q. How far do you think cooperation, competition and confrontation have shaped the nature of federation in India? Cite some recent examples to validate your answer.
Federation is an agreement between two types of government sharing power and controlling their respective
spheres. Based on the relationship between central and state government, the concept of federalism is divided into Cooperative, Competitive and confrontation federalism.
▪️Cooperative Federalism: Centre and state share a horizontal relationship where they cooperate in larger interest. They Cooperate on matters specified in the schedule VII of the constitution. Examples:
✅ Readiness for GST: When both centre and state have cooperated by calling off their power of taxation in respective spheres.
✅ The success of All India service is an example of Cooperative Federalism.
✅ The composition of NITI Aayog’s Governing Council comprises Chief Ministers of states and Administrators or Lieutenant Governors of Union Territories.
▪️Competitive Federalism: The relationship between central and state government is vertical and between the State government is horizontal. Example:
✅ NITI Aayog endeavours to promote competitive federalism by facilitating improved performance of States/UTs.
✅ Performance based grant recommended by 15th Finance Commission.
✅ Holding Investor Summit like Vibrant Gujarat, Resurgent Rajasthan.
▪️Confrontational Federalism: There have been instances where the Centre exercised unreasonable control or interfered with the affairs of the states, or the State is in direct conflict with the law passed by the Centre. Example:
✅ Politicisation of the post of Governor: Declaration of President rule recently in Maharashtra, Arunachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
✅ State passed a resolution against Farm law and approached the Supreme court against the Citizenship amendment act.
✅ Centre denied to compensate the state in case of drop in GST Collection, which is breaches of trust.
The legal framework in the Constitution of India and its exercise by the central and state governments indicates that while cooperative federalism has not been realised completely, it is not a myth either. State governments must be incentivised to cooperate and be involved in policy-making, governance and dispute-resolution to achieve amicable outcomes.
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Q. ‘Clean energy is the order of the day’. Describe briefly India’s changing policy towards climate change in various international fora in the context of geopolitics. (Answer in 250 words)
Clean energy is energy that comes from renewable, zero emission sources that do not pollute the atmosphere when used, as well as energy saved by energy efficiency measures.
✅ PM Narendra Modi floated the idea of the One Sun One World One Grid Declaration (OSOWOG) with the objective to aid in developing a worldwide grid to reduce carbon footprints and energy costs.
✅ International Solar Alliance: In pursuance to enhance Solar Energy production, India along with France launched the International Solar Alliance with the aim to promote solar energy in 121 member countries and to mobilize over $1 trillion of investment for the deployment of solar energy at affordable costs.
✅ Act East Policy: Building LNG terminals in Ennore, Vizag and Dhamra on East coast and sharing MoU electricity in BBIN
✅ IEA’s India Energy Outlook 2021 – India’s oil demand is seen rising by 74% to 8.7 million barrels per day by
2040 under the existing policies scenario.
India being a developing country and fastest growing economy, India’s energy requirement is full filled through fossil fuels for its development prospective. Recently India completed its 35% energy requirement INDC target well before time. This shows India is increasing its reliance on green energy and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. India took initiatives such as Green hydrogen mission.
Recently, India ranked 10th in climate change performance index. India is encouraging and taking lead in clear energy initiatives in international to become climate leader in geo-politics.
"Recent amendments to the Right to Information Act will have profound impact on the autonomy and independence of the Information Commission". Discuss.
(Answer in 150 words)
Recently, some of the sections of RTI like section 13, 16, 27 has been amended, which has the potential to impact the autonomy of the Information commission.
▪️Amendments done:
✅Term of Information Commissioners: The amendment states that the central government will notify the term of office for the CIC and the ICs.
✅Determination of salary: The amendment seeks an amendment to state that the salaries, allowances, and other terms and conditions of service of the central and state CIC and ICs will be determined by the central government.
✅Deductions in salary: The Act states that at the time of the appointment of the CIC and ICs (at the central and state level), if they are receiving pension or any other retirement benefits for previous government service, their salaries will be reduced by an amount equal to the pension.
▪️Impact of such amendment on Autonomy and Independence of the Information Commission:
✅Dismantling of Transparency architecture.
✅ It has been criticised as an RTI elimination bill.
✅It shifts loyalty to the government from the public.
✅The CIC and IC deal with huge vested interest especially in senior bureaucracy, thus the amendment will impinge the working of commission.
✅Doctrine of checks and balances will be impacted.
It is a high time to understand that RTI is enacted not only to subserve but also to ensure freedom of speech, thus implement the recommendation of 2nd ARC - Setting the selection committee comprising of PM, LoP, CJI for the appointment of CIC, rather than destroy the independence of the commission.
Define potential GDP and explain its determinants. What are the factors that have been inhibiting India from realizing its potential GDP? ( Answer in 150 words)
Potential GDP is the real value of goods and services that can be produced when a country's factors of production are fully employed. It is the maximum sustainable level of output that an economy can produce.
▪️As per the Economic Survey 2015-16, the determinants of potential GDP are:
✅ Physical capital (Capital stock of the economy should be fully utilised).
✅ Human capital.
✅ Labour (Labour force should be productively employed).
✅ Productivity (Factor productivity of various factors of production should be high).
✅ Economy’s technological efficiency.
Potential GDP tends to grow slowly because inputs like labour and capital and the level of technology changes quite slowly over time. As per Economic Survey 2015-16, India's medium/ long term growth potential is somewhere between 8 to 10 percent.
▪️Following are the major factors hindering India from realising its potential GDP:
Demand Side Factors
✅ Less domestic demand due to low purchasing power of majority of the population.
✅ Foreign demand is also weak due to protectionist measures taken by several countries and trade war.
✅ The recent Covid-19 crisis will add up to the already low demand.
▪️Supply side Factors
✅ Infrastructure bottlenecks.
✅ Low manufacturing base.
✅ Huge informal labour force which lacks productivity.
✅ Lack of skills among the youth.
✅ Less focus on research and development.
But the recent structural reforms initiated by the Government in various fields like Agri reforms, GST, IBC 2016, coal sector reforms, increase in FDI in defence manufacturing to 100% etc. will help India to achieve its potential GDP growth in the coming years.
Q. The most significant achievement of modern law in India is the constitutionalization of environmental problems by the Supreme Court.” Discuss this statement with the help of relevant केस laws. (Answer in 150 words)
Environment and life are interrelated. Thus, the quality of the environment is undeniably related to our enjoyment of the right to life under Article 21.
▪️Supreme Court intervention in environmental problems can be clubbed as:
🔸Incorporation of environmental problems into the ambit of Fundamental right.
✅ Shubash Kumar VS State of Bihar:- “Right to live includes the right to enjoyment of pollution free water and air for full enjoyment of life.”
✅ Re: Noise Pollution vs Unknown:- The noise level at the boundary of the public place, where loudspeaker or public address system or any other noise source is being used shall not exceed 10 dB(A) above the ambient noise standards for the area or 75 dB(A) whichever is lower.
🔸Merging of DPSP and FR.
✅ Sachidanand Pandey V. State of W.B. Chinnappa Reddy J:- SC referred to Article 48A of the Constitution which enshrined the directive principle to protect and improve the environment.
🔸Incorporation of international norms of 3rd generation collective rights of sustainable development into Indian law.
✅ Samit Mehta v. Union of India:- The Court reaffirmed the “Precautionary Principle” and “Polluter Pays Principle” and also recognized Right to clean environment as a fundamental right under Article 21.
The Supreme Court making creative interpretation which led to the creation of new rights. As under Article 21, this court has created new rights including the right to health and pollution free environment.
Q. The essence of Gandhiji’s constructive programme went well beyond the anti-imperialist nationalist struggle. Comment. (250 words)
Answer:
In the 1920s, a significant space in the nationalist spectrum was occupied by Gandhiji’s constructive programme. With the withdrawal of the non-cooperation after mob violence at Chauri-Chaura in
1922, the national movement got diverted into multiple channels. At one end was the politics of ‘constitutional opposition’ practiced by the Swarajists and at the other end, violent revolutionary activities in Punjab, UP and Bengal emerged. Gandhiji’s constructive programme, however, remained the major pillar of nationalist movement in this period.
The constructive programme was a multi-faceted phenomenon. It had social, economic and moral dimensions providing it a strategic character, Facets of the Constructive Program of Gandhi: as discussed below:
Focus on basic and adult education: Basic education or Nai Talim under the constructive program was aimed at transforming village children into model villagers. Furthermore, in the form of adult education, opening the minds of the adult pupils to the greatness and vastness of their
country was a key aspect of the program.
Health and village sanitation: Gandhiji believed that the fundamental laws of health and hygiene are simple and easily learnt. The difficulty is about their observance. The art of keeping one's health and the knowledge of hygiene was given greater emphasis through concerted efforts as part of the program.
Socio-economic cohesion: The program focussed on promoting Hindu-Muslim unity, struggle against untouchability and social uplift of the lower caste like Harijans for their dignified life and cohesion among the masses for the larger goal/struggle.
Participation of illiterate masses: The rural component especially the illiterate masses of the national movement were consolidated by Gandhian constructive work thus preparing the masses for the next round of agitation and prevented demoralisation and disillusionment among the participants in the struggle. It also helped enlarge the social base of the movement.
Economic alleviation of masses: It consisted of promotion of Khadi, spinning, village industries, providing an alternative source of employment to poor villagers who could substitute their incomes by taking to Khadi work. Under the leadership of All India Spinners Association (AISA), the Khadi programme reached nearly five thousand villages and improved the conditions of a large number of villagers and imbibed the idea of self-reliance.
Moral dimension: An ideal village life was Gandhiji’s answer to a centralised, aggressive and coercive modernity. The village reconstruction had a great moral significance for Gandhiji. For him the real India lived in its villages, not in the cities. For Gandhiji, the villages were the repository of a superior moral life and an effective answer to the distortions that had crept into human life as a result of excessive industrialisation.
Provided strategic continuity to the freedom struggle: The constructive work meant going to the villages and focusing on village reconstruction. Under this impulse, many Ashrams opened up in villages and took up the work of spinning and Khadi. The main importance of this type of work for the nationalist struggle was that it provided continuity to the struggle and it helped to link up different phases of agitations.
The multifaceted constructive programme thus formed an important component of Gandhiji’s anti- imperialist struggle in which phases of agitation alternated with phases of constructive programme and thus kept the movement going without any break. In this sense the significance went well beyond the anti-imperialist nationalist struggle.
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Q. Why is Public Private Partnership (PPP) required in infrastructural projects? Examine the role of PPP
model in the redevelopment of Railway Stations in India. [150 Words]
Public Private Partnership (PPP) is a way to execute and maintain a project (generally an infrastructure project) for delivering of goods and services through collaboration of government and private sector. Infrastructure projects in India were built by Government till 1990. But in the post liberalization era, various infrastructure projects are being built on PPP model.
▪️The main reasons for why PPP is required for infrastructure projects are:
✅There is major infrastructure deficit which the government cannot build on its own
✅ Infrastructure is capital intensive and private sector can bring in the required financial resources
✅For faster infrastructure development we require the speed and skill of the private sector
✅Private sector is relative more effective in executing and maintaining infrastructure projects
✅Private sector can bring in better technology and knowhow
▪️Indian Railways has adopted three models for station redevelopment:
✅ One is the PPP model, under which a project is planned, statutory clearances obtained and a developer is chosen to upgrade a facility. Habibganj, in the suburbs of Bhopal, is the country’s first railway station to be redeveloped as a PPP project.
✅The second is collaboration with foreign governments to develop stations.
✅The third model is the Swiss Challenge method, where bidders have the freedom to design and develop a project on their own.
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Q. Can the vicious cycle of gender inequality, poverty and malnutrition be broken through microfinancing of women SHGs? Explain with examples. (10 Marks)
The SHG ‘bank-linkage’ programme is the flagship microfinance programme of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) which has actively supported to break the vicious cycle of Gender inequality, poverty and malnutrition.
▪️Usefulness of Micro Financing SHG for virtuous cycle:
✅ By offering financial services to the poor unprivileged women of the country, the institutions have opened a door for their economic growth. For example, Jay Ambe SHG, in Rajasthan facilitates credit availability for its poor members.
✅ Women’s engagement in income-generating microenterprises enhances their status and decision-making capacity within the household. This helps women in making effective expenditure on nutritious food.
✅ Some of the SHGs like Kudumbashree, Jeevika, etc. are focussed on poverty reduction by engaging women in microenterprises.
✅ The UP Government has tied with SHG to provide cooked meal to beneficiaries.
▪️CASE STUDY:
✅ SHG Laksh in Rajasthan have managed to earn a bulk order of making 1000 bangles worth Rs. 1 lakh that would fetch them a minimum income of Rs. 3000/head/month.
✅ This new role as an entrepreneur has earned a new respect within the family structure.
✅ However, there are lot many challenges that Microfinancing faces today like High interest rate, demand of collateral, non-effective utilisation of loans, thus focus should be on:
🔸MFIs should provide a comprehensive range of products, including credit, savings, remittance, financial advice, and so on, to help consumers transition away from commercial banks.
🔸Instead of lowering the initial cost in places where MFIs exist, these institutions should begin focusing on the rural poor and open additional branches throughout the areas.
🔸MFIs should adhere to an actual interest rate on products and amounts disclosed to clients.
Microfinance model will improve gender equality only when SHG is being supported by the Government and its institutions and its members get support from their family members. Along with these new financial mechanisms based on the individual needs of the particular area is also essential for the SHGs to achieve their aims and objectives.
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Q. "There is a need for simplification of procedure for disqualification of persons found guilty of corrupt practices under the Representation of Peoples Act". Comment. (Answer in 150 words)
Eradication of corruption from Politics and decriminalisation of Politics is a long-sought dream to achieve the ideals of Free and Fair election. The RPA 1951 is a legal intervention to check corrupt practises in elections.
▪️RPA 1951
✅Section 123 of RPA defines: What is the meaning of Corrupt practises and section 8 of RPA has a provision to disqualify individuals on the ground of corrupt practises.
✅But the provisions of the act and the complexity of the procedure delays the conviction and thus the corrupt practises are continued:
🔸 Section 62 (5) of RPA 1951: Person in Jail can contest election, but can’t vote. This provision has been nullified by the SC in Jan Chowkidar case, but the government restored it.
🔸 Non-Uniformity in Disqualification: The section 8 (1), 8(2), 8(3) of RPA 1951 sets out different tenures for
punishment for different cases, which is confusing and complex. E.g.: Section 8 (1) provides for imprisonment for 6 years, from the date of such conviction and shall continue to be disqualified for a further period of six years since his release. Section 8 (2) sentenced to imprisonment for not less than six months, shall be disqualified from the
date of such conviction and shall continue to be disqualified for a further period of six years since his release.
🔸 Complexity in Procedure: After the election petition on the matter of corrupt practices in High court. Order of the High court is sent to the president through the secretary general and then ECI looks into the issue where judicial hearing is given to the affected party.
▪️Need for simplification
✅Reduce time for conviction: Often conviction under these laws takes a lot of time. This has reduced its
effectiveness to prevent such offences in the country.
✅Demotivate offence: Simplification and faster resolution will act as a discouraging factor for reducing offence under the law. This will be beneficial in the long run.
✅De-criminalise politics: This will be a step towards decriminalising politics so that in future only eligible and people of dignity get to contest elections.
The key aspect of parliamentary democracy is free and fair elections, which can be achieved by cleansing the politics, free from corruption, free from criminals. In this regard, recent SC intervention on disclosure of criminal antecedents is a step in the right direction.
Examine the role of 'Gig Economy' in the process of empowerment of women in India. (Answer in 150 words)
Gig economy is defined by its focus on workforce participation and income generation via gigs, single projects or tasks for which a worker is hired. Its unique Characteristics of employment relationship is significant for Economic and social empowerment of women.
▪️Role of Gig Economy and Women Empowerment.
✅ Women can choose the type of work and the hours they dedicate. Thus, avenues for Household women to be economically independent.
✅ Employers are free from providing social security and complying with laws like Maternity benefit Act, thus
they can recruit women irrespective of her pregnancy period.
✅ Women are getting opportunities in areas like Cab driving, which were earlier prohibited for them.
✅ Platform-enabled gig employment like selling products on Amazon, Myntra, and Flipkart enables the women to see their traditional products like Pickles, jute bags etc.
✅ A boost in use of digital technology and increased acceptance of virtual working for sales and distribution jobs, could open opportunities for women to enter fields where interactions are managed through apps and phone
calls.
✅ The survey by UNDP & FICCI says sectors that are likely to see an increase in women’s employment are health and pharmaceuticals, electrical and electronics and Fast-Moving Consumer Goods industry.
Alternative work arrangements in the gig economy have the potential to absorb more women and increase their participation in the workforce but women empowerment needs Gender sensitisation programmes and fulfil the goals enshrined in SDG5.
Que.2 What do you mean by precision farming? How can precision farming help make agriculture sustainable and profitable?
#GS3
#agriculture
✅Approach:
▪️ Introduce by defining the precision farming and briefly discussing its features.
▪️Discuss how precision farming will make agriculture sustainable and profitable.
▪️Conclude briefly with the government steps in this regard.
🔆Answers
✅precision farming makes agri sustainable + profitable.
▪️Precision farming (Satellite Farming or site specific crop management) : Application of
precise and correct amount of inputs like water, fertilizer, etc. at the correct time to the crop for increasing its productivity and maximizing its yields, by making use of digital technologies.
▪️uses Wireless Sensor Networks, robotics, drones, Variable Rate Technology, Geospatial methods and automated positioning systems. For example:
🔸Tractors fitted with sensors can help till the land to the exact depth that the crop needs
🔸 Satellite imagery can be used to identify nutrient level in the soil
🔸 Sensors to accurately spot pest attacks.
✅Ensures sustainability in agriculture:
▪️Applying the right amount of chemicals in the right place and at the right time benefits the entire crop cycle.
▪️Reduces pollution through minimal use of chemicals reduces development of pesticide resistance.
▪️better resource management. E.g. remote sensing technology is used in managing land, water,
and other resources.
✅Ensures profitability in agriculture:
▪️reduce amount of fertilizer application costs while boosting yields
▪️Reduces input costs by 18-20% enhances yield between 30% (rice and wheat) and 100%
(sugarcane, fruits and vegetables).
▪️ Farm management software like Agrivi, makes all activities on farm easier and improves farm productivity.
▪️GPS soil sampling: reveals available nutrients, pH level, and other data which is important for making profitable decisions.
▪️Saves labour costs by using technology to help maximize the benefits of crop cultivation.
▪️Growers can determine peak conditions for plant growth by placing sensors throughout the
fields.
▪️By boosting competitiveness through more efficient practices (e.g. improved management of fertilizer and other inputs).
✅Conclusion
government has initiated projects such as PMKSY (per drop more crop), "SENSAGRI: SENsor based Smart AGRIculture" and use of drones, mobile apps, etc.
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Que.The Harappan culture represented a great sense of town planning. In light of this statement discuss the main features of the town planning of the Indus valley Civilization.
#GS1
✅Approach :
▪️Start your answer by giving a brief about the Indus valley Civilization.
▪️Discuss the features of the Town Planning of the Indus valley Civilization.
▪️Conclude suitably
Answer
✅The history of India begins with the birth of the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC), also known as Harappan Civilization.It flourished around 2,500 BC, in the western part of South Asia, in contemporary Pakistan and Western India.The Indus Valley was home to the largest of the four ancient urban civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia, India and China. The Harappan culture was distinguished by its system of town planning.
✅Main Features of the Town Planning of the Indus valley Civilization:
▪️Grid pattern: The streets of Mohen-Jo Dero and Harappa were laid out in a grid pattern and ran from east to west. Each crossing had a light post at the intersection and was vertical. Homes were built on either side of the roads.
▪️A Well-Established Drainage system: On both sides of the highways, huge sewers were dug, and they were built from burned bricks. Due to their covering, the drains were not apparent. These drains connected with a sizable well as they passed through the town and continued outside.
There was a big drain that went across the front of each house, and the little drains in each house were connected to it. The outcome was that eventually the sewage and refuges from each residence were dumped into a sizable well outside of town. Bad odours and contamination can be avoided with the help of technology.
▪️Baked Bricks Buildings: The residential structures had an open terrace surrounded by rooms and were primarily composed of brick. The bricks used to build these constructions were uniformly baked and sun-dried. In some of the homes, there were even multiple stories and paved floors.
▪️Lower and Upper town:
A typical city would be split into two sections, with each one being protected differently.
The upper level was on a man-made hill, while the bottom level was on flat ground (also termed an acropolis).
The most significant buildings of the city, such as assembly halls, religious buildings, granaries, and, in the case of Mohenjo-Daro, the big bath and the lower town, were located on the acropolis.
✅Conclusion: Town planning in Harappan society was actually highly sophisticated and eloquent. Their infrastructure reflects a vibrant civic life.
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