General Studies Paper- 2

Context: There is a growing consensus among a broad cross-section of citizens and political parties in India that the current First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) electoral system must be replaced with proportional representation.

What is First Past the Post System?

• FPTP is a simple electoral system used in many countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and India.
• In this system, the candidate who receives the most votes in a constituency or district wins the seat, regardless of whether they have an absolute majority (more than 50% of the votes).

Features of the FPTP

• Voting: Each voter casts one vote for their preferred candidate.
  • They choose from a list of candidates, usually representing different political parties or independent candidates.
• Counting Votes: After voting closes, the votes are counted, and the candidate with the most votes is declared the winner.
  • There is no requirement for the winning candidate to receive more than 50% of the total votes cast.
• Winner Takes All: The candidate who wins the most votes in a constituency or district is awarded the seat, and the other candidates receive nothing, even if they have a significant share of the vote.

Significance

• The FPTP system is simple and the most feasible method in a large country like India.
• FPTP provides greater stability to the executive in parliamentary democracy because the ruling party/coalition can enjoy a majority in the Lok Sabha/Legislative assembly without obtaining a majority of the votes (more than 50%) across constituencies.

Criticism

• One common criticism is that it can lead to disproportionate representation, where parties with significant overall support may not win a proportionate number of seats.
  • It may result in over or under representation of political parties when compared to their vote share.
• It also discourages smaller parties or independent candidates from participating, as they may struggle to win seats under this system.
• Elected representatives tend to pay more attention to those who voted for them.
  • The representative is often compelled to indulge in vote-bank, competitive politics or sectoral politics to remain popular and ensure re-election in the next round.

Proportional Representation (PR)

• It is an electoral system where the distribution of seats in a legislative body is closely aligned with the proportion of votes received by each participating political party or group.
  • Unlike First Past the Post (FPTP), where the candidate with the most votes in each constituency wins, PR aims to ensure that the overall composition of the legislative body reflects the overall distribution of voter preferences.

There are various types of proportional representation systems:

• Party List PR: In this system, voters cast their vote for a political party rather than a specific candidate.
  • Seats are then allocated to parties in proportion to the total number of votes each party receives.
  • Parties provide a ranked list of candidates, and seats are filled based on the order of candidates on the list.
• Mixed-Member Proportional (MMP): This system combines elements of both FPTP and PR.
  • Voters cast two votes: one for a candidate in their local constituency and one for a political party.
  • Some seats are filled by the winners of the local constituency races, while additional seats are allocated to parties to ensure proportionality based on the overall party vote.
• Single Transferable Vote (STV): In STV, voters rank candidates in order of preference in multi member constituencies.
  • Candidates are elected based on achieving a certain quota of votes, with surplus votes from elected candidates and votes from eliminated candidates being redistributed until all seats are filled.
• Mixed-Member Majoritarian (MMM): This system combines FPTP with additional proportional seats.
  • A portion of seats are filled by FPTP, while additional seats are allocated to parties to ensure proportionality based on the overall party vote.

Significance

• Proportional representation systems aim to provide fairer representation for a broader range of political viewpoints, reduce wasted votes, and encourage voter turnout.

Criticism

• The main criticism against the PR system is that it could potentially result in instability as no party/coalition may obtain a majority to form the government in our parliamentary democracy.
• Some experts assert that the PR system slows down decision-making, resulting in the weakening of the government itself.
• It is possible that extreme pluralism can allow tiny minority parties to hold larger parties to ransom in coalition negotiations. The inclusiveness of the PR system is thus cited as a drawback.
• The PR system may reduce accountability to voters because an ousted party of the government can still remain in office by finding new coalition partners after an election.
  • Under a PR system, it may be difficult to remove a reasonably sized centre party from power.

Way Ahead

• The discrepancies and associated flaws of the FPTP can be reduced, if not eliminated, to make India’s democratic system more responsive and reflective of the will of the people.
• There is a consensus among supporters of democracy that the ruling party and the opposition are equally significant for the sustainability and functioning of a democratic system.
  • Because of the FPTP electoral system, the opposition has been eliminated or reduced to a minimum several times in the past, for example in 1984, 2014, and in the first three general elections held after Independence.
• The law commission in its 170th report, ‘Reform of the electoral laws’ (1999), had recommended the introduction of the MMPR system on an experimental basis.
  • It had suggested that 25% of seats may be filled through a PR system by increasing the strength of the Lok Sabha.

General Studies Paper-3

Context: UNICEF has released a report Titled “Child Food Poverty: Nutrition Deprivation in Early Childhood”.

About the Report

• It analyses the impacts and causes of dietary deprivation among the world’s youngest people in nearly 100 countries, and across income groups.
• The report focuses on low- and middle-income countries, where most children living in child food poverty reside, and on the implications of child food poverty for undernutrition and poor development.
• It examines the status, trends, inequities and drivers of child food poverty in early childhood.

Key findings include

• Globally, one in four children are living in severe child food poverty in early childhood, amounting to 181 million children under 5 years of age.
• Millions of parents and families are struggling to provide nutritious and diverse foods that young children need to reach their full potential.
• The global food and nutrition crisis and localized conflicts and climatic shocks are intensifying severe child food poverty, especially in fragile countries.
• Global efforts are slow in ending Child Food Poverty (CFP).
• Severe child food poverty affects all regions of the world, but not equally: South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa are home to more than two-thirds (68 per cent) of the 181 million children living in severe child food poverty.

Status of Child Food Poverty in India

• Severe Food Poverty: India is among the 20 countries that account for 65% of the total number of children living in severe child food poverty between 2018-2022, according to a UNICEF report.
• Inequities: While India has reduced the gap in severe CFP between poorer and wealthier households in the last decade, disparities still exist based on socioeconomic status, caste, gender, and geographical location.
• Micronutrient Deficiencies: A significant number of children suffer from micronutrient deficiencies, particularly anemia (iron deficiency), which affects cognitive development and learning abilities.
• Zero-Food Children: A study published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health in 2023 found that 19.3% of Indian children under 5 years old experienced zero-food days, meaning they had not consumed any food in a 24-hour period. This figure is the highest among the 92 low- and middle-income countries surveyed.

Impacts

• Health Impacts: CFP is the leading cause of malnutrition in children, which can manifest as stunting (low height for age), wasting (low weight for height), and underweight (low weight for age).
  • CFP increases the risk of childhood illnesses such as diarrhea, pneumonia, and measles, and can lead to premature death.
• Impaired Cognitive Development: Malnutrition during the critical early years of development can have irreversible effects on brain development, leading to reduced cognitive abilities.
• Reduced Productivity: Malnourished children grow up to be less productive adults with reduced physical and mental capacity, limiting their earning potential and economic contribution to society.
• Increased Healthcare Costs: CFP leads to higher healthcare expenditure for families and the government due to the increased need for medical treatment and hospitalization.
• Social Exclusion and Stigma: Children suffering from CFP and their families may face social exclusion and discrimination, leading to further marginalization.
• Loss of Human Capital: CFP deprives the nation of its most valuable asset – its human capital.
• Increased Burden on Healthcare System: The increased healthcare needs of malnourished children put a strain on the healthcare system, diverting resources from other essential services.

Challenges in Handling CFP in India

• Economic Inequality: The high percentage of the population unable to afford a healthy diet is a root cause of child food poverty.
• Inadequate Dietary Intake: The shift towards processed foods, often lacking essential nutrients, exacerbates the issue.
• Poor Sanitation: The lack of access to proper sanitation facilities increases the risk of infections and diseases, which can further worsen malnutrition and hinder nutrient absorption.
• Lack of Health Infrastructure: The low density of doctors and nurses, especially in rural areas, limits access to healthcare services. This means children suffering from malnutrition may not receive timely diagnosis or treatment.

Recommendations

• To address child malnutrition governments and partners must invest in actions to improve children’s access to diverse and nutritious diets and end severe child food poverty.
• UNICEF calls on national governments, development and humanitarian partners, donors, civil society and media, academic and research organizations to:
  • Transform food systems by ensuring food environments make nutritious, diverse and healthy foods the most accessible, affordable and desirable option for feeding young children, and the food and beverage industry complies with policies to protect children from unhealthy foods and beverages.
  • Leverage health systems to deliver essential nutrition services, including counselling and support on child feeding, to prevent and treat child malnutrition, prioritizing the most vulnerable children.
  • Activate social protection systems to address income poverty in ways that are responsive to the food and nutrition needs of the most vulnerable children and their families, including social transfers to protect children at highest risk of child food poverty.
  • Strengthen data systems to assess the prevalence and severity of child food poverty; detect increases in child food poverty early, including in fragile and humanitarian contexts; and track national and global progress in reducing severe child food poverty.

General Studies Paper-2

Context: The assassination attempt on a Sikh separatist in the United States (US) has become a bone of contention between India and the US.

Overview of India and US Bilateral Relations

• Since India’s independence, ties with the United States have weathered the Cold War era distrust and estrangement over India’s nuclear program.
  • Relations have warmed in recent years and cooperation has strengthened across a range of economic and political areas.
• Bilateral Trade: The bilateral trade between the two countries has risen by 72 percent between 2017-18 and 2022-23.
  • The US accounted for 18 percent of the gross FDI inflows into India during 2021-22, ranking second behind Singapore.
• Defense and Security: India and the US have signed a troika of “foundational pacts” for deep military cooperation, beginning with the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) in 2016, followed by the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) after the first 2+2 dialogue in 2018, and then the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) in 2020.
  • In 2016, the United States elevated India to a major defense partner.
• Space: Artemis Accords signed by India established a common vision for the future of space exploration for the benefit of all humankind.
• Multilateral Cooperation: India and the United States cooperate closely in multilateral organizations and forums, including the United Nations, G20,, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization.
  • Together with Australia and Japan, the United States and India convene as the Quad, a diplomatic network, to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific.
• Nuclear Cooperation: Civil Nuclear Deal was signed in 2005, under the agreement, India agreed to separate its civil and military nuclear facilities and place all its civil resources under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards.
  • In exchange, the United States agrees to work toward full civil nuclear cooperation with India.
• New initiatives: Several new initiatives have been announced like GE-HAL deal to manufacture jet engines in India and the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET), to bring revolution between the relations of the two nations.

Divergence in relations

• Conflicting positions: India’s muted criticism of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 expectedly led to some frustration in the West, raising questions over India’s credibility as a security partner.
• Limited Utility: India’s utility to the US in an Indo-Pacific conflict, such as a Chinese invasion or naval blockade of Taiwan, is likely limited.
  • In the event of US military involvement in Taiwan’s defense, India would likely avoid entanglement in such a US-China conflict.
• The US seeks greater alignment from its allies against Russia. While countries like South Korea and Australia have sent military aid to Ukraine, India is viewed by the US and the West as opportunistically buying more oil from Russia amid the war.
• Defence Relations with Russia: The US is concerned about India’s acquisition of arms like the S-400 air defense system, as it strengthens Russian power, hinders interoperability and secure communications between US and Indian forces, and prevents sharing of sensitive weapons technologies.

Concerns for India

• Dependency on China: US aid in the Russia-Ukraine war strengthens Ukraine’s defense and counter offensives, forcing Russia to rely more on China for support. This diminishes Russian autonomy and potentially its ability to honor defense agreements with India in an India-China conflict.
• The Russia-Ukraine conflict has shifted the focus of the US away from China, and has, therefore, contributed to considerably eroding the strategic convergence between India and the US.
• Further, the war in the Middle East has diverted US attention away and Indo-Pacific in general and India, in particular, have suffered neglect.

Concluding remark

• The India-US ties have come a long way in the last 25 years, and it holds significant importance in shaping the global order of the 21st century. However, looking at it today, the relationship seems hitting a ceiling as the strategic glue in the foundation is coming apart.

The strategic convergence of India and the US is because of the common threat posed by China. The more the US focuses on Russia or any other adversary and India focuses on Pakistan, the more their strategic convergence weakens.

General Studies Paper-2

Context: A total of 74 women have won the recent Lok Sabha elections, a slight dip from 78 elected in 2019.

About the Women in the 18th Lok Sabha

• India has elected 74 women Members of Parliament (MPs) to the Lok Sabha in 2024, four fewer than in 2019, but 52 more than in India’s first elections in 1952.
• These 74 women constitute just 13.63% of the elected strength of the Lower House, which is much less than the 33% that will be reserved for women after the next delimitation exercise.

Comparison with Previous Years

• Over the years, the Lok Sabha’s gender composition has shown a general trend towards increasing women’s representation. However, progress has been slow and not linear.
• In 1952, women made up just 4.41% of the strength of the Lower House, and it increased to more than 6% in the election held a decade later, but again dipped to below 4% in 1971.
• Since then, there has been a slow, but steady rise in women’s representation (with a few exceptions), which crossed the 10% mark in 2009, and peaked in 2019 at 14.36%.
• After the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, that number rose to just 12.15%. There are no seats set aside for female or male candidates in the Indian parliament.

Global Comparison

• According to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, women make up roughly 26% of lawmakers worldwide.
• One of the few nations with a majority of female legislators is New Zealand.
• For instance, 46% of MPs in South Africa, 35% in the UK, and 29% in the US, are women.

Reasons for low Participation of Women

• Low literacy: One of the biggest obstacles to empowering women politically is illiteracy. In general, female candidates are less educated and experienced than male candidates.
  • In India, women have a literacy rate of 65% compared to men’s 82%.
• Lack of political will: The fact that the bill reserving one-third of the seats for women was repeatedly defeated shows that the lawmakers lack political will.
  • All parties’ platforms still include the measure, but it has never been put into action.
• Masking of the identity: 206 women individually participated in the 2019 elections, but only one of them took home the victory.
  • It demonstrates the role that political parties and a person’s upbringing played in determining their political success. Her true identity is concealed by the party and family.
• Patriarchy: Despite having the majority, women do not actually experience their authority because male spouses or other family members often have a say in their decisions. The formation of Sarpanchpati in Panchayati is a clear example of this.
• Gender Disparities: Women still face obstacles in the form of gender biases and disparities in education, resource ownership, and attitudes.
• Lack of confidence and finance: They were the other main obstacles that kept women from pursuing careers in politics.
• Sexual division of labour: A system in which the ladies of the household either handle all domestic labour themselves or organise it through domestic assistants.
  • It implies that women devote far more time to caring for the home and children than do males.
• Slander and abuse: This is one of the primary barriers that prevent women from running in elections that they encounter during campaigning.
  • Lack of safety is the additional factor stated.

Significance of Women Participation

• Representation: Women lawmakers ensure that the interests and issues of women are represented in policy-making.
• Diversity: They bring diverse perspectives and experiences to the table, which can lead to more comprehensive and inclusive policies.
• Empowerment: Their presence in law-making bodies can empower other women and girls by providing them with role models.
• Equality: It is a matter of gender equality. Women make up half of the population and should therefore have an equal say in the laws that govern society.

Efforts to reduce the gap

• In India, the National Commission for Women has been actively working towards enhancing women’s participation in all spheres, including law-making.
  • They have organised consultations on the rights of women under property law and conducted impact assessments of the 73rd and 74th Amendments (1992) in the Indian Constitution, which pertain to the role of women representatives in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).
• The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has conducted an analytical study on the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and its implementation in India.
  • It is expected to be of great value to lawmakers, policymakers, executives, civil society, academicians, and students of gender studies, human rights, and related disciplines.
• Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (2023): This recent amendment, also known as the Women’s Reservation Bill, proposes to reserve one-third of seats for women in the Lok Sabha (lower house of parliament) and state legislative assemblies. While pending presidential assent, it marks a significant step towards greater female representation in national politics.

• National Policy for Women Empowerment: The goal of this Policy is to bring about the advancement, development, and empowerment of women.
  • The Policy aimed to be widely disseminated so as to encourage active participation of all stakeholders for achieving its goals.

Conclusion

• The representation of women in the Lok Sabha is a reflection of the broader societal attitudes towards gender equality.
• While there has been a gradual increase in the number of women MPs over the years, there is still a long way to go to achieve gender parity in the Indian Parliament.
• The upcoming delimitation exercise, which will reserve 33% of seats for women, is a step in the right direction.
  • However, it is essential to continue the discourse on this issue and work towards creating an inclusive and representative political system.

General Studies Paper-2

Context: The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) coalition said the new government should review the “Agnipath” scheme for short term recruitments to the armed forces.

Agnipath Scheme

• It was introduced in 2022, and is also called the Tour of Duty scheme.
• It is a short-term recruitment scheme for the Indian Army.
• Under the policy, soldiers — called ‘Agniveers’ — are recruited for four years, at the end of which only 25 percent of recruits from a batch are retained for regular service for 15 years.
• Age Limit : Candidates between the age of 17.5 years to 21 years are eligible for enrolling in the Agnipath scheme.
• The scheme provides an avenue to Indian youth, desirous of serving the country to get recruited in the Armed Forces for a short duration.
  • The scheme enhances the youth profile of the Armed Forces.

Significance of the Scheme

• Reducing the Average Age in Military: There has been a focus within the military to bring down the average age of soldiers, especially within the Army, since the 1980s.
  • The scheme aims to recruit Indian youth to serve in the Armed Forces.
• Short Term Services in Other Countries: In modern armed forces of various countries, the service ranges from 2 to 8 years with options for active and reservist.
  • The Israeli army has service of 30 months and 20 months respectively for men and women.
  • Similarly the United States and United Kingdom also have short duration contracts.
  • The ‘Agnipath’ scheme will be comparable to the time frame in many world class armed forces.
• Technologically Advanced Future: Future wars will be fought with artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, cyber space and space based ISR (Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance).
  • Agnipath in India will ensure a youthful and tech-savvy profile of the armed forces.
• Budgetary Constraints: One of the greatest challenges facing the Indian armed forces today is overall budgetary constraint.
  • Huge salary and pension bills have placed enormous stress on the availability of funds for military modernization.
• Employment: This scheme will increase employment opportunities and because of the skills and experience acquired during the four-year service such soldiers will get employment in various fields.
  • This will also lead to availability of a higher-skilled workforce to the economy which will be helpful in productivity gain and overall GDP growth.

Concerns

• Short Duration: Four years is too short a time for a conscript to acquire the skills essential for operating sophisticated systems in the technology-intensive Navy and Air Force.
• May Lead to Cohesiveness: For the Army, which has a regimental system, it is feared that it will impair the unit’s cohesiveness as the soldier on a short-term contract would not have the same dedication and devotion to the nation or duty.
• Lack of Employment Guarantee: It is argued that it would be unfair to the recruit since he would be devoid of an employment guarantee at the expiry of four years.
• Training Duration: The main weakness of the scheme is that a mere six-month training for a soldier, especially to prepare him for an increasingly high technology environment, would be thoroughly inadequate.

Conclusion

• The Agnipath scheme, designed to modernize and streamline the Indian Armed Forces, has faced significant criticism and challenges.
• With political promises to abolish the scheme and ongoing feedback from military personnel, the future of the Agnipath scheme remains uncertain.
• As the government and military leadership consider adjustments, the primary goal will be to balance operational effectiveness with the welfare and satisfaction of soldiers.

General Studies Paper-2

Context: With rising health disparities and uneven access to medical services, there is an urgent need for equitable and sustainable health-care policies.

About the Health Care Costs in India

• India’s health care system is a dynamic landscape, influenced by various factors such as infrastructure, location, and disease prevalence.
• As we navigate this complex terrain, cost considerations play a crucial role in shaping health-care policies.

Factors Influencing Health-Care Costs

• Geographic Location: The cost of health care varies significantly based on the location of treatment.
  • Metropolitan cities generally have higher treatment costs compared to smaller towns.
  • Within metropolitan areas, costs may differ from one locality to another.
• Infrastructure and Quality: The type of infrastructure at health-care centers impacts costs.
  • Advanced and modern facilities tend to be more expensive.
  • Unfortunately, this often means that middle and lower-middle class patients can only access low-quality health-care services.
  • Investing in infrastructure for broader Internet access and improving digital literacy empowers more people to benefit from health-care advancements.
• Availability of Services: Rarely available services come with higher costs.
  • Patients may incur additional expenses for transportation to access specialized treatments.
• Disease Severity: Fatal or incurable diseases require expensive drugs, tests, and frequent checkups.
  • The severity of the disease significantly contributes to the overall treatment cost.

Navigating Health Care Costs in India

• Cost Considerations in Health Care Delivery: Rising health disparities and uneven access to medical services are driving the need for equitable and sustainable health-care policies.
  • Discussions about setting rates for medical services significantly impact how we perceive, access, and deliver health care across India.
• Innovations in Private Hospitals: Private hospitals, accredited by organizations like JCI and NABH, serve as both specialized care centers and innovation hubs.
  • Cutting-edge technologies enhance patient outcomes, especially in complex procedures.
  • Investments in top-tier infrastructure and advanced technologies enable seamless integration of telemedicine and remote care.
• Legal Perspectives: Legislative reform is essential for managing health-care costs effectively.
  • Tailoring approaches to local demographic and economic conditions can support rate standardization and high-quality care.
  • States like Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu advocate for robust legal frameworks to address gaps in rate fixation provisions.

Role of Technology in Cost Management

• Technology is revolutionizing health care by diagnostics being faster and more accurate with artificial intelligence.
• Electronic health records improve care coordination.
• Telemedicine initiatives in Karnataka have reduced hospital visits by 40%, making medical care more accessible and cost-effective, especially in remote areas.
• Integration of technology reduces pressure on health-care facilities and delivers timely care directly to patients’ homes.
• Mobile health apps and wearable devices play a crucial role in managing chronic conditions outside hospitals.
• These innovations significantly cut costs and enhance patient outcomes.
• Ensuring technology reaches all population segments is vital.

What needs to be done?

• Flexible Pricing Strategies: Recent surveys with health-care professionals in India highlight the need for pricing strategies that mirror the complexities of medical procedures and patient-care requirements.
  • Engaging all stakeholders, including private health-care providers, is essential for crafting effective, sustainable policies.
  • India has the potential to lead globally in health-care innovation by leveraging technology and thoughtful policy approaches.

Leveraging Data for Health Care Policies

• Data-Driven Insights: In the big data era, health-care policy decisions should rely on data analytics.
  • Data sheds light on patient outcomes, treatment efficacy, and cost-efficiency.
  • Nuanced rate-setting frameworks benefit from data-driven insights.
• Predictive Analytics and Rate Fixation: Predictive analytics can foresee long-term impacts of rate fixation on health-care innovations.
  • Policymakers can adjust regulations to encourage innovation and accessibility.
  • Adjusting regulations based on these insights can encourage accessibility and innovation.
• Balancing Price Caps, Quality, and Innovation: The Supreme Court’s deliberation on standardizing medical procedure rates across government and private sectors raises questions about affordability.
  • One-size-fits-all price caps may compromise health-care quality and lead to patient dissatisfaction.
  • Value-based pricing, reflecting health outcomes rather than service volume, could be a solution.
  • Dynamic pricing models, considering medical complexity and patient financial status, offer a fair approach.
  • Thailand’s tiered pricing system, based on patient income levels and medical necessity, serves as a successful model for managing costs in India’s diverse economic landscape.

India’s Aspiration as a Global Health-Care Leader

• Foster an environment conducive to innovation.
• Ensure equitable access to quality health care.
• Prioritize the well-being of every individual.
• NITI Aayog emphasizes affordable health care as a national priority, leveraging technology to reduce costs for all citizens.

Future of India’s Health-Care Industry

• Despite significant growth in infrastructure, health-care costs continue to rise.
• Advanced technology has improved treatment processes but hasn’t eased medical expenses for many Indians.
• The current annual rate of medical inflation stands at 15%, while overall inflation is 6-7% per annum.
• Health expenditure currently accounts for 5% of India’s private final consumption expenditure.

Conclusion

• India must strike a delicate balance between affordability, innovation, and quality health care.
• By leveraging technology, data-driven insights, and strategic policies, India can lead globally in health-care innovation while ensuring equitable access for all citizens.

General Studies Paper-3

Context: The 2023 amendments to India’s Biological Diversity Act of 2002 has caused a debate concerning biodiversity protection and India’s responsibilities as a signatory to the Kunming-Montreal framework.

Background

• In 2022, at the United Nations Biodiversity Conference, countries all over the world adopted the Kunming-Montreal framework to enhance biodiversity protection and conservation.
• The countries adopted calls to protect 30 percent of all ecosystems by 2030, to protect biodiversity and genetic diversity and ensure fair and equitable sharing of benefits of traditional knowledge with the local and indigenous communities that steward this knowledge.

Amendments under scrutiny

• Under the original 2002 Act, approvals from the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) were required before applying for intellectual property rights (IPR) related to biological resources.
  • The 2023 amendments have eased this requirement, no longer mandating approval from the National Biodiversity Authority for IPR, but only requiring them to be registered with the authority before granting approvals – raising concerns about possible resource overexploitation.
• The exemption of codified traditional knowledge from the benefit-sharing mechanism and stringent regulatory oversight has also raised further concerns.
  • These changes undermine the principle of fair and equitable benefit-sharing, which is central to both the original Act and Nagoya Protocol.
• By allowing AYUSH practitioners and related industries to access biological resources without prior approval, the amendments open the door to commercial exploitation without adequate compensation to local communities that hold traditional knowledge.
• Decriminalization of offenses: Previously, violations could result in imprisonment and fines, however the amendments now replace imprisonment with civil penalties.

What are the Concerns?

• The amendments could lead to false claims about the cultivation of bio-resources and potential manipulation by businesses.
• It is argued that without stringent oversight, there could be widespread misuse and exploitation of local resources, adversely affecting both biodiversity and the livelihoods of local communities dependent on these resources.
• In the North East, where traditional knowledge about medicinal plants and ecological management is profound, this change could exacerbate existing socio-economic disparities and contribute to cultural erosion.
• Strengthening monitoring systems
• The amendments strengthen the role of Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) by clarifying their functions and mandating their establishment in rural and urban areas.
• The new provisions also place a stronger emphasis on monitoring biological resources derived from foreign countries, ensuring compliance with international agreements like the Nagoya Protocol.

Way Ahead

• It is crucial that the regulatory changes are implemented with strong safeguards, robust monitoring, and active involvement of local communities to ensure that biodiversity conservation and sustainable development go hand in hand.
• Balancing economic development with conservation and equitable benefit-sharing will be essential to safeguard India’s rich biological heritage for future generations.

General Studies Paper-2

Context: Recently, Indian Institute of Public Administration assessed the impact by seeking inputs on trained staff and reported increased proficiency in data analytics and e-governance tools under Mission Karmayogi.

Mission Karmayogi

• India’s ambitious vision of becoming a global manufacturing hub, a critical exporter of value-added services, and a mass supplier of human skills to an ageing developed world by 2047 hinges on efficient governance and competent civil services.
• Recognising this, the Prime Minister of India launched Mission Karmayogi, the National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building to transform India’s three million civil servants into citizen-centric, future-ready, and result-oriented ‘Karmayogis’.

Need for Transformation

• Historically, delayed infrastructure projects plagued India. Mega initiatives like Rail Freight Corridors and National Highways often faced setbacks due to inter-ministerial permissions and siloed approaches.
  • To address this, the PM Gati Shakti platform emerged as a game-changer.
• By integrating legal, geographic, and planning layers, it facilitated a holistic approach to infrastructure development.
• However, for the platform to succeed, civil servants needed expertise in emerging technologies and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
• India aims to become a global manufacturing hub, a critical exporter of value-added services, and a mass supplier of human skills to developed countries.
  • It covers 46 lakh Central government employees at all levels, and it needs to evolve to meet the demands of a $30 trillion economy by 2047.

Approach For Mission Karmayogi

• Capacity Building Commission (CBC): It provides policy guidance and tools to enhance civil servants’ capabilities at all levels.
  • Collaborating with institutions like Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya and the National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes, and Narcotics, the CBC curated digital training courses.
  • These courses equipped civil servants with skills to apply to PM Gati Shakti for project planning and coordination across departments.
• Competence Rooted in Indian Ethos: Mission Karmayogi aims to create a competent civil service rooted in Indian values.
  • It fosters a shared understanding of the country’s priorities, emphasising effective and efficient public service delivery.
• Technology-Enabled Karmayogis: The program focuses on making civil servants more creative, constructive, imaginative, and proactive.
  • It encourages transparency and leverages technology for better governance.
  • It can be done either in-house or through knowledge partners. Carefully crafted and vetted content from top-notch institutions, universities, private content providers and individual resources will be made available as training modules.

Six Key Pillars Under Mission Karmayogi

• Policy Framework: Provides strategic direction for capacity-building initiatives.
• Institutional Framework: Establishes the organisational structure to support the program.
• Competency Framework: Defines skills and knowledge required for effective civil service.
• Digital Learning Framework (iGOT-Karmayogi): Comprehensive online learning platform.
• Electronic Human Resource Management System (e-HRMS): Streamlines personnel management processes.
• Monitoring and Evaluation Framework: Ensures continuous improvement and impact assessment.

Potential of Mission Karmyogi

• Enhanced Proficiency: The Indian Institute of Public Administration assessed recently trained staff and reported increased proficiency in data analytics and e-governance tools.
• Continuous Capacity Building: Mission Karmayogi provides a mechanism for continuous capacity building, ensuring civil servants stay updated and skilled.
• Equal Opportunities: The program aims to provide equal opportunities for personal and professional growth for government officials at all levels.
• Ideal Civil Servants: By upgrading post-recruitment training mechanisms, Mission Karmayogi aims to create ideal civil servants who are citizen-centric, future-ready, and result-oriented.

Key Outcome Under Mission Karmayogi

• PM Gati Shakti Platform for Infrastructure Development: It integrates legal, geographic, and planning layers for mega infrastructure projects.
  • Over 24,000 officials completed PM Gati Shakti learning modules, and 3,88,000 personnel were certified in emerging technologies.
  • New rail lines increased from 4 km/day to 12 km/day by 2024.
  • 15 highway projects under Bharatmala-2 were prepared using PM Gati Shakti.
  • Sensitive wildlife habitats were avoided during rail and highway alignments.
• Mission Karmayogi for Citizen-Centric Policing: Over 50,000 police personnel underwent a two-day training on self-reflection and proactive problem-solving.
  • Field research addressed flashpoints, including biassed behaviour complaints.
  • Impact assessment showed increased citizen satisfaction in Puducherry after training.
  • Citizen satisfaction increased 1.5 to 1.9 times in Mumbai, Asansol, Bengaluru, and Lucknow divisions.
  • Gramin Dak Sevaks and village-level CSCs also received enhanced training.

Challenges Ahead

• Skill Gap: Despite training efforts, bridging the skill gap across diverse ministries and field-level officials remains a challenge.
  • Proficiency in emerging technologies and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is critical for successful implementation of initiatives like PM Gati Shakti.
• Inter-Ministerial Coordination: Achieving a ‘whole of government’ approach requires seamless coordination among ministries.
  • Overcoming silos and ensuring collaboration remains an ongoing challenge.
• Adaptation to Change: Transforming civil services necessitates a cultural shift. Encouraging civil servants to embrace technology, innovation, and citizen-centric approaches may face resistance.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Effective monitoring mechanisms are essential to track progress and address bottlenecks. Establishing robust evaluation processes is crucial.

Conclusion

• Mission Karmayogi seeks to transform India’s civil services, making them better prepared and citizen-oriented, ultimately contributing to the nation’s ambitious goals.
• It is a transformative initiative that empowers civil servants to drive India’s progress. By nurturing citizen-centric, tech-savvy Karmayogis, we pave the way for a Viksit Bharat by 2047.

General Studies Paper-2

Context: The talks over special category status for Bihar and Andhra Pradesh have once again gained momentum after Lok Sabha elections.

About Special Category Status

• It is a classification granted by the Centre to assist the development of States that face geographical or socio-economic disadvantages.
• It was introduced in 1969 on the recommendation of the fifth Finance Commission (FC).
• It was aimed at providing certain states with additional support to overcome geographical and infrastructural handicaps.
• Factors are considered before granting SCS includes
  • Hilly and difficult terrain
  • Low population density and/or sizeable share of tribal population
  • Strategic location along international borders
  • Economic and infrastructural backwardness and
  • Non-viable nature of state finances.
• States Covered: In 1969, three States — Jammu & Kashmir, Assam and Nagaland — were granted the SCS.
  • Subsequently, eight more States including Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim, Tripura, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand were given the SCS by the erstwhile National Development Council.

Benefits Attached

• The SCS States used to receive grants based on the Gadgil-Mukherjee formula, which earmarked nearly 30% of the total central assistance for States to the SCS States.
  • However, after the abolition of the Planning Commission and the recommendations of the 14th and 15th FC, this assistance to SCS States has been subsumed in an increased devolution of the divisible pool funds for all States (increased to 41% in the 15th FC from 32%).
  • Additionally, in the SCS States, the Centre-State funding of centrally sponsored schemes is divided in the ratio of 90:10, far more favourable than the 60:40 or 80:20 splits for the general category States.
• Other benefits : SCS states enjoy special industrial incentives such as Income-tax exemptions, custom duty waivers, reduced excise duty, corporate tax exemption for a certain period, concessions and exemptions relating to GST, and lower state and central taxes.

Controversy and Clamour for SCS

• In the intricate tapestry of India’s federal structure, the concept of Special Category Status (SCS) has been a subject of much debate and discussion
• The demand for SCS has been particularly vocal in states like Andhra Pradesh and Bihar.
• Post-bifurcation, Andhra Pradesh’s quest for SCS has been intertwined with its efforts to overcome the loss of revenue and to foster development in the absence of a metropolis like Hyderabad.
• Bihar’s demand hinges on its quest to address endemic poverty and spur industrial growth

Conclusion and Way Forward

• India strides towards becoming a $5 trillion economy, the debate around SCS underscores the need for a nuanced approach to development.
• The lessons learned from the SCS experience could inform future strategies aimed at reducing disparities and promoting a more harmonious development pattern across the nation.
• It is imperative that the spirit of cooperative federalism guides the dialogue on SCS, ensuring that all regions of India can share in the fruits of economic progress.

General Studies Paper-3

Context: Recently, it was observed that the agriculture sector in India faces significant challenges, as India traverses the road to Amrit Kaal.

About

• India’s agriculture sector employs close to 263 million people, making it the world’s largest agricultural land. It ranks second globally in terms of agricultural production, with output increasing from USD 87 billion to USD 459 billion in the past 15 years.
  • The sector’s significance lies in its role as a vehicle for inclusive growth, rural income enhancement, and food security.
• With diminishing agricultural labour in the country, farm mechanisation has become one of the essential components for the growth of sustainable agriculture in India.
  • The farm machinery industry is expected to grow from ₹9,200 crores in the financial year 2022 to ₹15,000 crores in the financial year 2026.

Key Points about India’s Agriculture Sector

• Arable Land Resource: India boasts the second-largest arable land resource globally, covering 20 agro-climatic regions and all 15 major climates found worldwide.
• Export Potential: With exports exceeding $40.9 billion in 2023, India’s agricultural sector is on its way to becoming the food basket of the world.
• Growth Trends: The Indian agriculture sector is projected to grow by 3.5% in FY 2022-23, despite challenges posed by volatile oil prices and geopolitical tensions.
• Agro-Innovation and Automation: India’s agricultural sector contributes 18% to the nation’s GDP. It is expected to embrace agro-innovation and automation, including the use of technologies like Kisan drones.

Major Challenges in Farm Sectors in India

• Climate Change Impact on Agriculture: The irreversible climate change negatively affects crop production and livelihoods.
  • Erratic climatic events are already impacting agriculture.
• Challenges with the World Trade Organisation (WTO): The WTO remains unchanged, and India must cope with its inequities.
  • The US has hindered the dispute-settlement mechanism, making it challenging for Indian politicians to navigate.
• Small Land Holdings and Livelihoods: India’s large number of small land holdings (85% of total arable land) limits farmers’ ability to earn dignified livelihoods.
• Low Food Prices and Unsustainable Farming: Prioritising low food prices for consumers often leads to artificially depressed farm-gate prices.
  • It makes farming environmentally unsustainable and economically unviable.
• Depleting Aquifers and Water Scarcity: The insatiable demand for water in agriculture is depleting aquifers.
  • Extracting water for irrigation may become economically unfeasible in critical food-producing regions.
  • Drinking water scarcity is already a concern in many parts of the country.

Solutions to Overcome Challenges

• While limitations and challenges exist, changes are possible with determination, that are shaped by circumstances, not defined by them. Procrastination and policy errors narrow future choices. These include:
• Investment in Agricultural Research: Funding for research and extension services is below inflation. Every rupee invested in research yields significant economic returns.
• Reforming Agriculture Markets: Address unintended consequences in agriculture markets; States prioritise populist measures over long-term investments; Low cereal prices impact farm-gate prices, making farming unviable; and Skewed fertiliser subsidies harm health and the environment.
• Public Debt and Financial Flexibility: Central and state government debt limits long-term planning; and States face potential bankruptcy without a sovereign procedure.
• Governance and Accountability: Inept governance affects agricultural management; and Attitude at the top influences decision-making.
• Sustainable Productivity and Inclusivity: Focus on sustained, broadly shared productivity gains; and Inclusive growth is essential.
• Rational Export-Import Policy: Post-election, the government should formulate a balanced export-import policy that considers both producers and consumers’ interests.

Conclusion

• There is an urgent need to address challenges including Low Productivity and Yield, Infrastructure Gaps, Fragmented Land Holdings, Access to Credit and Insurance, and Climate Change Effects etc through policy reforms, improved infrastructure, and sustainable practices that can enhance agricultural viability and rural prosperity in India.