MODEL ANSWER

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 1. Access the environmental and human health impacts of plastic
pollution. Examine the sources, distribution and persistence of
plastic pollutants in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem. Discuss
potential strategies and technological innovations for
mitigating plastic pollution and sustainable waste
management practices. (20)

Ans.
Plastic Pollution is the accumulation of man-made plastic
products in the environment to the point where they create
problems for wildlife, their habitats, and human populations.

Sources of Plastic Pollution

 The main sources of marine plastic are land-based, from urban and
storm runoff, sewer overflows, beach visitors, inadequate waste
disposal and management, industrial activities, construction and
illegal dumping.
 Ocean-based plastic originates mainly from the fishing industry,
nautical activities and aquaculture.

Impact of Plastic Pollution

 Impact on Human Health:

The chemicals leached from the plastics contain compounds,
like polybrominated diphenyl ether (anti-androgen), bisphenol
A (mimics the natural female hormone estrogen) and phthalates
(also known as anti-androgens), which impact human health
leading to various hormonal and genetic disorders.
Impact on Animals: Plastic wastes have profoundly affected
animals in aquatic, marine, and terrestrial ecosystems. Plastic
ingestion upsets or fills up the digestive systems of the animals

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 thus contributing to their death due to intestinal blockage or
starvation.
 On Environment:
Land Pollution: Plastics leach hazardous chemicals onto land,
resulting in the destruction and decline in quality of the earth’s
land surfaces in terms of use, landscape and ability to support
life forms.
Air Pollution: Plastic burning releases poisonous chemicals into
the atmosphere impacting general well-being and
causing respiratory disorders in living beings.
Groundwater Pollution: Whenever plastics are dumped in
landfills, the hazardous chemicals present in them seep
underground when it rains. The leaching chemicals and toxic
elements infiltrate into the aquifers and water table, indirectly
affecting groundwater quality.
Water Pollution: In 2014, a United Nations report estimated the
annual impact of plastic pollution on oceans at US$ 13 billion.
Interference with the Food Chain: When the smaller animals
(planktons, molluscs, worms, fishes, insects, and amphibians)
are intoxicated by ingesting plastic, they are passed on to the
larger animals disrupting the interrelated connections within
the food chain.

Measures Taken to Curb Plastic Pollution

Govt. Initiatives:
 The Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 - stipulate that
urban local bodies (ULBs) should ban less than 50 micron thick
plastic bags and not allow the usage of recycled plastics for
packing food, beverages or any other eatables.
 Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2021:
Prohibits the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale
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 and use of single-use plastics.
 Extended Producer Responsibility guidelines made applicable
to plastic producers.
 India is a signatory to MARPOL (International Convention on
Prevention of Marine Pollution).
 Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2022: To
strengthen the circular economy of plastic packaging waste and
development of recycling infrastructure for plastic packaging
waste.
 India Plastic Pact: It is the first of its kind in Asia. The Plastics
Pact is an ambitious and collaborative initiative to bring
stakeholders together to reduce, reuse and recycle plastics
within the material’s value chain.
 Prakriti & Green Initiatives for Effective Plastic Waste
Management.
 The Union Ministry of Environment has launched Mascot
‘Prakriti’ to spread awareness about small changes that can be
sustainably adopted in the lifestyle for a better environment for
plastic pollution.
 Other green initiatives for plastic waste management causing
plastic pollution include:
o Swachh Bharat Mission
o Project REPLAN
o National Dashboard on Elimination of Single-Use Plastic
and Plastic Waste Management,
o Mobile App for Single Use Plastics Grievance Redressal,
 Industrial production of Graphene from Waste Plastic, etc.

Global Initiatives
 The 1972 Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by
Dumping Wastes and Other Matter (or the London Convention).
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  The 1978 Protocol to the International Convention for the
Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL).
 GloLitter Partnerships (GLP): It is a project launched by IMO and
FAO
 Clean Seas Campaign: Launched by UNEP the Clean Seas
Campaign in 2017 to reduce the use of unnecessary, avoidable
and problematic plastics including single-use plastics and phase
out intentionally added microplastics.
 UNEA’s Resolution to “End Plastic Pollution”
 Un-Plastic Collective

Way Forward
 Incentivize Recycling: Offer incentives for plastic recycling and
recovery.
 Raise Awareness: Educate the public about plastic pollution’s
impact.
 Enforce Regulations: Strengthen enforcement of plastic
pollution rules.
 Empower Pollution Control: Enhance Pollution Control Board’s
capabilities.
 Circular Economy: Implement circular economy practices for
plastics.
 Promote Alternatives: Replace plastics with recyclable or
biodegradable materials.
 Oxo-Biodegradable Plastics: Encourage faster biodegradation
plastics.
 Plastic-Eating Bacteria: Harness plastic-digesting bacteria for
waste reduction.
 Recycling Innovation: Develop technologies like plastic-based
tiles.
 Plastic-Free Workplaces: Ban single-use plastics in workplace.
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 2. Investigate the phenomenon of ozone depletion in the
stratosphere. Discuss the role of ozone-depleting substances,
their sources and the environmental and health impacts of a
depleted ozone layer. Evaluate international efforts and
agreements aimed at addressing this issue. (20)
Ans
The ozone in the stratosphere is commonly known as the ozone
layer. The Ozone Layer describes the protective layer of naturally
occurring gas found about 10-50 km above the earth’s surface.
It protects us from harmful ultraviolet radiation.

Ozone Layer Depletion

It refers to the thinning of the Ozone layer in the Earth’s
Stratosphere.
Ozone Layer is destroyed when it reacts with ozone-depleting
substances such as nitrogen, hydrogen, chlorine, or bromine
molecules. Some of these molecules occur naturally, while
others have anthropogenic origins.
Role of ozone-depleting substances
 They can do much damage, destroying ozone molecules for a
long time.
Eg. CFC
 Nitrous oxide, like CFCs, is stable when emitted at ground level
but breaks down through photolysis when it reaches the
stratosphere to form other gases, called nitrogen oxides, that
trigger ozone-destroying reactions.
 Halons contain Bromine, which is much more effective than
atom destroying ozone than Chlorine.

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Source of ozone-depleting substances
CFCs- Used in refrigerators and air conditioners, in the production
of plastic foam, and by the electronic industry for cleaning computer
parts.
HCFCs- used as refrigerants (refrigerators, freezers, and air
conditioning systems) and insulative foams
NOX- In addition to soil fertilisation, nitrous oxide is emitted from
livestock manure, sewage treatment, combustion and certain other
industrial processes.
HALONs- are used in fire extinguishers
Methyl Bromide- It is a very effective pesticide used to fumigate soils
and many crops.

Effects of Ozone Layer Depletion:

On Human Beings
 Increased risk for developing several skin cancers, skin rashes and
skin ageing.
 Leads to difficulty in breathing, chest pain, and throat irritation.
 A suppressed immune system may lead to severe infectious
diseases.
 UV rays are harmful to our eyes. Direct exposure to UV rays can
lead to Cataract problems, Photokeratitis or snow blindness.
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  It can lead to DNA mutation.
On Plants
 It affects plant growth
 Causes mutation.
 Alters the Biodiversity in different ecosystems.
 Affects plant competitive balance, plant pathogens and
biogeochemical cycles.
On Aquatic Ecosystem
 Affects the productivity of marine/freshwater organisms.
 Affects the distribution of phytoplankton, which forms the
foundation of aquatic food webs.
 Damages the early development stages of fish, shrimp, crabs,
amphibians and other animals.
On Bio-Geochemical Cycles
 Alters the delicate balance among different ecosystems.
 Changes in the production and decomposition of plant matter.
 Reduction of primary production changes in the uptake and
release of important atmospheric gases.
 Reduction of plankton growth in the upper ocean.
 Increased degradation of aquatic dissolved organic matter.
Global Efforts to Control Ozone Layer Depletion:
i. Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer
India signed the Vienna Convention in 1991
ii. Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
iii. Kigali Amendment to Montreal Protocol- to phase down HFCs
under the Montreal Protocol It aims to achieve over 80%
reduction in HFC consumption by 2047.
iv. In INDIA- There is a dedicated ozone cell under the Ministry of
Environment and Forests, which works in collaboration with
UNDP.

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 Conclusion
Ozone Layer Depletion remains a significant environmental issue
with complex implications for health, ecosystems, and climate.
Continued vigilance and adherence to the global efforts are
essential to ensuring the long-term recovery of the ozone layer
depletion and protecting the planet’s health.

3. Define the 7 layers of cyber-security. What are vulnerability,

it’s types, threats and harmful acts? (20)
Ans
Cybersecurity refers to technologies, processes, and rules
created to protect computer systems, servers, networks,
programs, devices, and data from cyber-attacks. It aims to
protect against the unauthorized access to data and misuse of
technologies.
The 7 layers of cybersecurity form the building blocks of this
approach.
1. Physical Layer: The physical layer focuses on securing the
physical infrastructure by controlling access to data centres,
servers, and other mission-critical assets. It includes measures
like video surveillance, biometric access controls, and perimeter
security.
2. Network Layer: The network layer protects against
unauthorized access by implementing firewalls, intrusion
detection systems, and virtual private networks. It ensures that
data transmitted over networks is secure and confidential.
3. Perimeter Layer: This layer aims to secure the network
boundary by monitoring and filtering incoming and outgoing
traffic. It includes next-generation firewalls, secure email
gateways, and web application firewalls.
4. Endpoint Layer: The endpoint layer focuses on securing
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 individual devices like computers, laptops, and mobile devices.
It employs antivirus software, endpoint encryption, and mobile
device management to prevent unauthorized access.
5. Application Layer: The application layer involves securing the
software applications and systems. It includes implementing
access controls, security patches, and regularly conducting
penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities.
6. Data Layer: The data layer focuses on protecting sensitive data
stored within the organization. It involves data backup
solutions, encryption, and enterprise rights management to
prevent data breaches and ensure data integrity.
7. Human Layer: The final layer, often considered the weakest link,
involves training and educating people about cybersecurity best
practices. Employees are taught about phishing attacks, social
engineering techniques, and the importance of following
security policies.
By implementing these 7 layers, organizations can create a
robust and comprehensive cyber security strategy.

It’s Vulnerability in India :

 India has a large and growing population of internet users,
with more than 52% of the population or 759 million
people accessing the internet at least once a month in 2022
 India is the second largest online market in the world, behind
China. By 2025, the number is expected to grow to 900 million.
 India has a rapidly expanding digital economy, with sectors such
as healthcare, education, finance, retail, and agriculture relying
on online platforms and services.
 However, India’s outdated or inadequate cyber security
infrastructure, policies, and awareness, making it easy for
hackers to exploit the gaps and weaknesses in the system.
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 Types of Cyber Threats

 Cybercrime: These are criminal activities carried out through a

computer network, wherein a computer/device/server might be
the target or used in carrying out criminal activities.
o The main motive of cyber criminals is financial gain or to
cause disruption.
 Cyber-Espionage: The act of using a computer network to
gain unlawful access to confidential information from other
computers/servers is called cyber espionage. It is executed to
extract classified information from government organizations.
 Cyberwarfare: Cyberwarfare refers to using cyberspace to carry
out acts of warfare against other countries. It includes attacks
like distributed denial of services, defacing of websites, and so
on.
 Cyberterrorism: It involves an attack over a computer network
to secure the political objectives of terrorists to cause fear
among the masses and target the government/s.

What are the Initiatives taken Regarding Cyber Security

 Information Technology Act, 2000: The Act deals with the

protection of CIIs, declaration of a ‘protected system’,
cyberterrorism, hacking, violation of privacy, fraud, and other
cybercrimes.
 Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP), 2023: The act aims
to balance the rights of individuals with the need to process
digital personal data for legal purposes.
 National Cyber Security Policy: This policy aims to build a secure
and resilient cyberspace for citizens, businesses, and the
government.
 Cyber Surakshit Bharat Initiative: This initiative was launched to
raise awareness about cyber crimes and create safety measures
for Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) and frontline IT
staff across all government departments.

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  Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C): This centre was
established to provide a framework and eco-system for law
enforcement agencies to deal with cybercrimes in a
comprehensive and coordinated manner. It has seven
components, namely:
 Cyber Swachhta Kendra (Botnet Cleaning and Malware
Analysis Centre)
 Computer Emergency Response Team - India (CERT-In): It is an
organization of the MeitY which collects, analyses and
disseminates information on cyber incidents, and also issues
alerts on cybersecurity incidents.
 Critical information infrastructure (CII): It is defined as a
computer resource, the destruction of which, shall have
debilitating impact on national security, economy, public health
or safety.

Eg. National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection

Centre (NCIIPC) to protect the CII of various sectors, such as
power, banking, telecom, transport, government, and strategic
enterprises.

 Defence Cyber Agency (DCyA): The DCyA is a tri-service

command of the Indian Armed Forces that is responsible for
handling cyber security threats. It has the capability to conduct
cyber operations, such as hacking, surveillance, data recovery,
encryption, and countermeasures, against various cyber threat
actors.

Way Forward:

 End-user protection:
o Implement firewall and threat detection software.
o Install security patches and updates.
o Regularly update software.
 Cyber Insurance: It is a risk management and mitigation strategy
that has a corollary benefit of improving the adoption of

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 preventive measures. It can help move from cyber risk mitigation
to cyber risk prevention.
 Legislative Reforms: India must consider enacting the Indian
Cybersecurity Act,
 Administrative Reforms:
o Multiplicity of Organisations: Multiple government
organisations handle cybersecurity in India, resulting
in overlapping jurisdictions and confusion among
organisations.
o Clear jurisdictions: There should be a regular review to keep
cybersecurity updated as per the continuously evolving
cyberspace.
 Awareness Programmes: The government must consider
launching a cyber literacy program.
 Indian Cybersecurity Service: As recommended by IDSA, the
government should establish the Indian Cybersecurity Service as
an all-India civil service.
 Infrastructural Investments and Upgradation
 Cyberspace safety fund: to meet all cybersecurity contingencies
of India.
 Strengthening capacity:
o Cyber forensics:
o Increasing capacity of Police:

4. What is financial inclusion? Why is it important in the context

of the goal of inclusive development? Name some policies that
have been put in place to achieve financial inclusion in india?
(20)
Ans:
It is the process of ensuring affordable access to different
financial services and a timely and sufficient amount of credit to
disadvantaged populations such as poorer sections and low-
income groups.

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 It’s importance in inclusive development:
 Reduce the gap between rich and poor people
 Help in implementing social security schemes
 Lowers the transaction cost for daily economic activity.
 Better monitoring and regulation of financial transaction using
digital technology
 It helps the government plug leakage in public subsidies and
welfare programmes as it can directly transfer the subsidy amount
into the account of the beneficiary.
 Poor and downtrodden are encouraged to invest in various
financial products and can borrow from formal financial channels.
 Boosts the financial condition and standards of life of the poor and
disadvantaged population.
 It increases the amount of available savings and the rate of capital
formation, thereby allowing tapping of new business
opportunities.
 Financial inclusion is a key enabler to reduce extreme poverty and
boost shared prosperity
 An ambitious global goal (World Bank ) to reach Universal
Financial Access (UFA)
 Financial inclusion has been identified as an enabler for 7 of the
17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)
 Development: financial inclusion would result in higher savings,
decrease in income inequality and poverty, increase in
employment opportunities.
 Growth: greater access to formal credit would promote
entrepreneurship in country. Also an inclusive financial system
supports stability, integrity, and equitable growth.
 Service Delivery: reach targeted beneficiary
 Financial inclusion has a multiplier effect in boosting overall

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 economic output, reducing poverty and income inequality, and in
promoting gender equality and women empowerment.
 Women Empowerment: Financial inclusion empowers women by
involving them in household finances, promoting self-reliance and
financial independence, and boosting financial literacy.
 Enhancing Active Participation of Citizenry: It promotes active
participation of the private players (payment banks like paytm,
airtel money and jio money), as they have also realised that
bringing the poor into the financial net is beneficial to their
business models as well.

Examples of schemes launched for financial inclusion include

 PMJDY- The first financial inclusion initiative was aimed at getting
access to a number of financial services to the financially excluded
sections
 Priority Sector Lending- Priority sectors are those sectors that get
less credit but contribute a lot to the national economy. Such as
includes Agriculture, Micro, small and medium enterprises, Social
Infrastructure, etc.
 Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)-Cash transfer through Aadhar
payment Bridge- requires Bank accounts, leading to financial
inclusion.
 Mudra loans
 Atal Pension Yojana,
 Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana,
 Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana,
 Stand-up India
But there are few challenges:
 Non-Universal Access to Bank Accounts
 Digital Divide
 Implement Deficit
 Informal and Cash-Dominated Economy
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  Gender Gap in Financial Inclusion
 Lack of Credit Penetration

Conclusion
Financial inclusion is the key to inclusive growth with a major
focus on the empowerment of the poor, underprivileged and
low income population since it is designed to bring about the
capability to participate and contribute among the economically
and socially excluded people by creating equal opportunities.

5. India can realize its potential GDP only if the bottlenecks in

the path can be overcome. Comment. (20)
Ans
The potential Gross Domestic Product (GDP) refers to the
highest level of output (goods and services) that an economy
can produce given its available resources,
technology, and potential without generating inflation.

The potential Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is determined by

several key factors, including:

 Labour force: The size and quality of the labour force is one of
the most important determinants of potential GDP. A growing
and well-educated labour force can increase the economy's
potential for growth and productivity, while a declining labour
force can limit the economy's potential for growth.
 Capital stock: The amount of physical capital, such as buildings,
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 machines, and equipment, in an economy affects the economy's
potential for growth. The accumulation of capital can increase
the potential for productivity and output, while a lack of
investment in capital can limit the economy's potential for
growth.
 Technological progress: Technological advancements can
increase the potential for growth and productivity by improving
the efficiency of production processes, increasing the quality of
goods and services, and reducing the cost of production.
 Natural Resources: The availability of natural resources, such as
land, minerals, and energy, can impact the economy's potential
for growth. If these resources are abundant and easily accessible,
the economy's potential for growth can increase, while a lack of
resources can limit the potential for growth.
 Economic Structure: The composition of an economy's industries
and the distribution of economic activity can impact the
economy's potential for growth.
For example, if an economy has a strong manufacturing
sector, it may have a higher potential for growth than an
economy that relies heavily on agriculture or services.
 Policy environment: Government policies, such as tax and
regulatory policies, can also impact the economy's potential for
growth. Policies that support investment and innovation can
increase the potential for growth, while policies that stifle
investment and innovation can limit the potential for growth.
 Demographic factors: Demographic factors, such as population
growth, aging, and migration, can also impact the economy's
potential for growth.
For example, a rapidly aging population can limit the potential
for growth by reducing the size of the labor force, while a
growing and youthful population can increase the potential
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 for growth.

Factors that have constrained India in achieving its potential

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth:
 Infrastructure: India faces significant infrastructure challenges,
including inadequate transportation systems, energy shortages,
and limited access to modern communication and technology.
These constraints limit the country's ability to attract investment,
increase productivity, and stimulate economic growth.
 Regulatory Environment: India's complex and bureaucratic
regulatory environment has been a major constraint to the
country's economic growth. This includes regulations that limit
foreign investment, slow the process of starting a business, and
restrict the flow of goods and services across borders.
 Agricultural productivity: Despite being one of the world's
largest agricultural producers, India's agricultural sector is
characterized by low productivity, outdated technology, and
poor infrastructure. This has limited the sector's potential to
contribute to economic growth and has resulted in persistent
food security challenges.
 Education and skill development: The quality and relevance of
education and skill development programs in India have not kept
pace with the changing needs of the workforce. This has led to a
shortage of skilled workers and a mismatch between the skills of
the workforce and the needs of the economy.
 Political stability: Political stability is a key factor in attracting
investment and promoting economic growth. India has faced
political instability and policy uncertainty in recent years, which
has reduced investor confidence and limited the country's ability
to attract foreign investment.

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  Corruption: Corruption remains a persistent challenge in India,
affecting the delivery of public services, the business
environment, and economic growth. The corruption has a direct
impact on the economy by reducing investment, slowing down
economic activity, and distorting market competition.
Way Forward
 Boosting Investment and Consumption: These are the two main
drivers of domestic demand, which accounts for about 70% of
India’s GDP.
 Enhancing Manufacturing and Exports: These are the key
sources of value addition, employment, and external demand,
which can help India diversify its economy and integrate with the
global market.
 Investing in human capital and social services: These are the
essential factors for improving the living standards and
productivity of India’s large and young population.
 Maintaining Macroeconomic Stability and Resilience: These are
the necessary conditions for sustaining economic growth and
coping with various shocks and uncertainties.

Conclusion
Thus, understanding potential GDP is essential for policymakers
as it provides a benchmark for determining the economy's
growth potential and determining the appropriate monetary
and fiscal policies to promote sustainable economic growth that
can positively impact the overall well-being of a society.

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 Group-B

6. Discuss the role of greenhouse gases in climate change.

Explain the sources of major greenhouse gases, their
atmospheric behavior and the mechanisms by which they
contribute to global warming. Also outline potential strategies
to mitigate the impact of greenhouse gas emissions. (15)
Ans
Greenhouse gases (GHGs) trap the infrared radiation coming
from the Sun and prevent it from escaping to outer space. They
reradiate it back to Earth’s atmosphere which increases the
temperature of the atmosphere.
Eg. of greenhouse gases- Carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4),
nitrous oxide (N2O), Ozone (O3), and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs),
along with water vapour

Greenhouse Gases Sources

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 Contribution of GHSs to global warming
GHGs that trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, leading to a rise
in global temperatures.
 Burning of Fossil Fuels: Fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural
gas are burned for electricity generation, transportation, and
industrial production.
 This process releases significant amounts of carbon dioxide
(CO2), the primary greenhouse gas responsible for global
warming.
 Fossil fuel combustion also contributes to methane (CH4)
emissions, particularly in the extraction and transportation of
natural gas.
 Deforestation: Cutting down forests for agriculture,
urbanization, and timber reduces the Earth’s capacity to absorb
CO2, as trees are critical in carbon sequestration.
 Forests act as carbon sinks, and their removal increases the
concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere, exacerbating global
warming.
 Industrial Activities: Industrial processes, such
as manufacturing, cement production, and mining, contribute to
significant emissions of CO2 and other GHGs such as HFCs and
sulphur hexafluoride (SF6)
 Agriculture: Agriculture, especially livestock farming, is a major
source of methane (CH4) emissions.
 Methane is produced during the digestion process in ruminant
animals such as cows and sheep.
 Nitrous oxide (N2O) is another significant GHG emitted from
agricultural activities, particularly through the use of synthetic
fertilizers and the cultivation of nitrogen-fixing crops.

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 Strategies to mitigate the impact of GHG Emissions
 Renewable Energy: Transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable
energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydropower is one of
the most effective ways to reduce GHG emissions.
 Energy Efficiency: Improving energy efficiency across all
sectors—from industrial processes to buildings and
transportation — can significantly reduce emissions.
For example, energy-efficient appliances, better insulation in
buildings, and promoting public transport over private vehicles
are important steps.
 Electric vehicles (EVs), which are powered by renewable
energy, can drastically cut down emissions from the transport
sector.
 Carbon Capture Technologies: Developing and
deploying carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies can
help capture CO₂ emissions from large-scale industrial sources
like power plants and factories.
 Promoting Sustainable Agriculture and Reforestation
Sustainable Agriculture: Sustainable practices such as crop
rotation, agroforestry, organic farming, and water
conservation can help reduce the carbon footprint of
agriculture.
Reforestation and Afforestation: Trees act as carbon sinks,
absorbing CO₂ from the atmosphere and reducing global
warming.
Eg. India’s Green India Mission is a national efforts to combat
climate change through tree-planting.

Govt initiatives
 National Solar Mission
 National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency
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  National Mission on Sustainable Habitat
 National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem

 National Mission for A Green India

 National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture

 National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change

 Panchamrit Target in UNFCCC etc

Conclusion:
Issues related to the awareness regarding global warming and
climate change among the general population and the issue related to
agriculture and health hazards due to climate change must be
addressed strongly and effectively.
7. Environmental Protection Act, 1986 has now has turned into a
toothless tiger. Comment. (15)
Ans
The Environment (Protection) Act (EPA) was enacted
under Article 253 of the Indian Constitution in 1986 with the
objective of providing protection and improvement of the
environment.
Objectives of Environment Protection Act 1986
 Protection and Enhancement of Environmental Quality
 Regulation of Pollutants: It seeks to control the discharge of
pollutants into the environment and manage hazardous
substances.
 Central Coordination: The Act allows for the central government
to coordinate actions of various authorities established under
other environmental laws.
 Implementation of International Conventions: It facilitates the
implementation of decisions made at international
environmental conferences.

Why it became a toothless tiger

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  Section 15 of the Environment Protection Act Rendered
"Toothless": which replaced criminal penalties with financial
penalties for environmental violations.
o This provision has become "toothless" due to the Centre's

failure to establish necessary support systems, such as

framing rules and appointing adjudicating officers, even
after six months of the amendment's enactment.
 Inadequate Enforcement Mechanism: The absence of
appointed adjudicating officers prevents law enforcement from
imposing penalties under the amended Section 15, leaving
environmental violations unpunished.
 Complete Centralisation of the Act: One problem with the Act
could be that it makes things more centralised. Since the Centre
has so much power and the state governments have none, it
became difficult for the state govts to take necessary action.
 No Public Participation: The Act also doesn’t say anything about
how people can help protect the environment. People need to
help protect the environment so that they don’t act randomly
and so that they become more aware of and care about the
environment.
 Incomplete Coverage of Pollutants: The Act doesn’t talk about
modern ideas of pollution, like noise, overcrowded
transportation systems, and radioactive waves, which are also a
big reason why the environment is getting worse
 Enforcement Challenges: Ineffective enforcement due to
limited resources and administrative challenges undermines the
Act’s effectiveness.
 Ambiguous Provisions: Vague and broad provisions within the
Act can lead to varied interpretations and implementation
inconsistencies.

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  Inadequate Penalties: The penalties for non-compliance are
sometimes seen as insufficient to serve as a robust deterrent.
 Coordination Issues: Gaps in coordination between central and
state authorities can result in fragmented and inconsistent
application of environmental laws.
 Fundamental Right to a Pollution-Free Environment: It has to
protect the fundamental right under Article 21 of the Indian
Constitution to live in a pollution-free environment.

Indian Government Initiatives to Protect the Environment

Apart from the act government has introduced several initiatives
aimed at addressing environmental issues more
comprehensively.
 National Green Tribunal (NGT): Established to provide a
specialized forum for the expeditious adjudication of
environmental disputes.
 Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission): A national
campaign aimed at promoting cleanliness and sanitation across
India.
 Ganga Action Plan and Namami Gange Programme: Special
initiatives focused on cleaning and rejuvenating the Ganges
River.
 National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC): A strategic
initiative focusing on sustainable development and climate
resilience through eight national missions.
 Plastic Waste Management Rules: Enacted to manage and
reduce the adverse effects of plastic waste on the environment.
Conclusion:
The Environment Protection Act 1986 signifies an important
stride in India’s legislative efforts to safeguard the environment.
However, effective enforcement and public participation are

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 crucial for its success. Addressing the drawbacks such as
enforcement weaknesses and enhancing coordination between
various stakeholders can significantly boost the Act’s impact.

8. Explain biodiversity with respect to its types at all biological

levels. Discuss different patterns of bio-diversity. (15)
Ans:
Biodiversity refers to the variety of all living things, including
different animals, plants, and microorganisms, the genetic
information they contain and the ecosystems they form.

Types of Biodiversity:

i. Genetic diversity: - It is the variety of genes within a species. A

single species may demonstrate great variation at the genetic
level across its distributional range.
For example: India has more than 50,000 genetically different
strains of rice and 1,000 varieties of mango.
ii. Species Diversity: It refers to the variety of plant and animal
species in a region, varying in both natural and agricultural
ecosystems, with some areas being more abundant.
For example: The Western Ghats have a greater amphibian
species diversity than the Eastern Ghats.
iii. Ecosystem diversity: - It is the variety of ecosystems in a given
region. There are many different ecosystems on the planet, each
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 with its own set of distinct interconnected species based on
environmental characteristics.
For example: India, with its deserts, rain forests, mangroves,
coral reefs, wetlands, estuaries, and alpine meadows, has higher
ecological diversity.

Patterns of Biodiversity:
Species are not evenly distributed over the planet. Generally,
species diversity declines as we move away from the equator
towards the poles.
 Biodiversity-rich ecosystems: Tropical forests, extending over
around 7% of the world's surface hold up to 90% of the world's
species. The Amazon rainforest in South America has the
greatest biodiversity on earth.
 Altitude: Altitude mimics the latitude regarding the pattern of
biodiversity.
For example, in the Himalayas, the maximum biodiversity occurs
at its foothills and it decreases when we move upwards on the
slope.
 Causes for Tropical regions to have greater biological
diversity: There are various hypotheses regarding the highest
biodiversity in the tropical region.
o Greater Speciation: Speciation is a function of time. Unlike

temperate regions which have been subjected to frequent

glaciations in the past, tropical regions have remained
relatively undisturbed for millions of years and thus, have a
long evolutionary time for species diversification
o Constant climate with no/less season: Tropical environments

are less seasonal, unlike temperate ones. It is relatively more

constant and predictable. Such environments promote niche
specialisation and lead to a higher species diversity.
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 o Higher insolation: There is more solar insolation in the tropics,
which contributes to higher productivity and, consequently,
greater diversity.

Conclusion
Biodiversity is a cornerstone of environmental health and
human well-being. By understanding the importance of
biological diversity, recognizing the threats it faces, and
implementing effective conservation measures, we can ensure
a sustainable future for both the natural world and human
society.

9. What is flood? What are flood forecasting and warning system?

Give the details of warning about landslide hazard and
geological survey of India? (15)
Ans
Floods are the most common form of natural disaster, occurring
when a large amount of water submerges normally dry ground.
Floods are frequently produced by excessive rainfall, quick
snowmelt, or storm surge from a tropical cyclone or tsunami in
coastal locations.

Flood forecasting and warning system

 Forecasting system is essential to predict likely increase in water
level in rivers. Central Water Commission (CWC) provides
statistical methodology based short range flood forecast.
Presently, flood forecasts are issued by CWC at 332 stations.
 CWC is currently providing near real time five-day advisory flood
forecast on its web portal using various available rainfall data
from various depts like GFS (Global Forecast System) and WRF
(Weather Research and Forecasting) provided by IMD etc.
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  The data collected from field stations is transmitted from the
site to the concerned Flood Forecasting Centre of CWC through
wireless and/or telephone/mobile and satellite-based
telemetry system & VSAT.
 Daily Flood Situation Reports cum Advisories are shared with all
stakeholders as well as general public using social media
platforms.
Various Landslides Hazards
Landslides can have significant consequences, both in terms of
human impact and environmental damage.
 Loss of life: A substantial landslide carries huge rocks, heavy
debris, and soil with it. This kind of landslide can kill lots of people
on impact.
o For instance, the Kedarnath landslide in 2013, resulted in

massive devastation and claimed the lives of thousands of

people in Uttarakhand.
 Lead to economic decline: The landslide destroys properties and
infrastructure, requiring substantial financial resources to
rehabilitate the affected areas.
o For example, 2018 Kavalappara landslide in Kerala, India.

 Decimation of infrastructure: The force flow of mud, debris, and

rocks due to a landslide can cause severe property damage. A
single landslide can decimate infrastructure such as roads,
railways, leisure destinations, buildings, and communication
systems.
 Affects tourism as well as agriculture.
 Environmental impact in terms of erosion and soil loss
 Demographic impact in terms of relocation of population
towards other areas.

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 About the Geological Survey of India:
 The Geological Survey of India (GSI) is India’s official organization
for the survey and exploration of mineral resources.
 It was established in 1851 by the British Government and is now
an agency of the Government of India under the Ministry of Mines.
 GSI is responsible for the systematic geological survey of India and
its exclusive economic zone, as well as for the exploration and
assessment of mineral and water resources.
 GSI also conducts research and development activities in the field
of geosciences.

10. Illustrate telemedicine. Describe its purpose and

applications. (15)
Ans:
Telemedicine is the remote delivery of healthcare services,
including consultations and medical diagnostics, over
telecommunications infrastructure, allowing patients to access
medical care without the need to travel physically.

Benefits of Telemedicine

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  Bridge Gap Between Urban- Rural Healthcare: Telemedicine
can improve access to healthcare services in remote and rural
areas, where more than 70% of the Indian population resides.
 Step Towards Universal health coverage: Telemedicine can
provide essential health services, from health promotion to
prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care across
the life course enabling universal health coverage.
 Cost Reduction: Telemedicine reduces the need for travel and
physical infrastructure, which in turn cuts down healthcare costs
significantly.
 Efficiency and Time Savings: Telemedicine allows for quicker
consultations and follow-ups, which saves time for both patients
and healthcare providers.
 Enhanced Disease Management: Chronic diseases require
ongoing care, and telemedicine facilitates regular monitoring
and management without frequent hospital visits.
 Expansion of Specialist Care: Many regions in India lack
specialist doctors, particularly in fields such as psychiatry and
endocrinology. Telemedicine has enabled access to these
specialists without the need for patients to travel long
distances.
 Support for Health Crises: For Eg. during the COVID-19
pandemic, telemedicine was pivotal in delivering healthcare
while minimizing the risk of virus transmission.
 Decrease in Carbon Footprint: A study from L.V. Prasad Eye
Institute noted that teleconsultations resulted in 1,666 fewer
kilometers of travel and a reduction of 176.6 kg of CO2 emissions
per patient over three months, contributing significantly to
environmental sustainability.

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Government Initiatives for Telemedicine

 eSanjeevani: Is Govt. of India’s free telemedicine service.

 AROGYASREE: Is another internet-based mobile telemedicine
conglomerate that integrates multiple hospitals, mobile
medical specialists, and rural mobile clinics.
 Telemedicine Practice Guidelines under the NMC Act, 2019

Challenges Associated with Telemedicine

 Technological Barriers
 Digital Literacy
 Infrastructure and Equipment Availability
 Regulatory and Legal Issues
 Privacy and Data Security Concerns
 Cultural and behavioural Barriers
 Integration with Existing Healthcare Systems
 Quality of Care
 Fragmented Insurance Coverage

Way Forward:
 Bridging the Digital Divide:
o Infrastructure expansion

o Local language support

o Developing user-friendly interfaces

 Strengthening the Regulatory Framework:

o Developing clear and comprehensive regulations

o Promoting interoperability

o Creating a robust regulatory body

 Fostering Innovation and Collaboration:

o Promoting public-private partnerships

o Supporting startups and entrepreneurs

o Leveraging existing platforms

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  Building Capacity and Expertise:
o Investing in training programs

o Encouraging knowledge sharing and collaboration

Conclusion

Telemedicine can revolutionize the health industry and paves the

way for Universal Health Coverage if the loopholes are effectively
plugged.

11. What is data privacy and its elements? Explain different

types of data breaches? Define data linkage and profiling. (15)

Ans
Data privacy, also called "information privacy," is the principle
that a person should have control over their personal data,
including the ability to decide how organizations collect, store
and use their data.

Elements of data Privacy

 Access: Users have a right to know what data a company holds.
Users should be able to access their personal data on demand.
They should be able to update or amend that data as needed.
 Transparency: Users have a right to know who has their data
and what they do with it. At the point of data collection,
organizations should clearly communicate what they are
collecting and how they intend to use it.
 Consent: Organizations should get user consent for data
storage, collection, sharing or processing whenever possible.
Users should have a way to raise concerns about, or object to,
the handling of their data. They should be able to withdraw
their consent at any time.
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  Quality: Organizations should strive to ensure the data they
collect and keep is accurate. Inaccuracies can lead to privacy
violations.
For example, if a company has an old address on file, it could
accidentally mail sensitive documents to the wrong person.
 Collection, retention and use limitation: An organization
should have a definite purpose for any data it collects. It should
communicate this purpose to users and only use the data for
this purpose. The organization should only collect the
minimum amount of data necessary for its stated purpose and
keep the data only until that purpose is fulfilled.
 Privacy by design: Privacy should be the default state of every
system and process in the organization. Any products the
organization designs or implements should treat user privacy
as a core feature and key concern.
 Security: Organizations should implement processes and
controls to protect the confidentiality and integrity of user
data.
Different types of data breaches
i. Stolen Information
ii. Ransomware
Ransomware is technically a sub-type of malware. With
ransomware, the perpetrator will tell you that they will turn
the data back over to you and not release it to the public if you
pay a fee.
iii. Password Guessing
Another really simple, but incredibly damaging issue is when
passwords are stolen. It goes without saying that if someone
has your password, they can go into your files and find any type
of sensitive information on your company they desire.

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 iv. Recording Keystrokes
Cybercriminals can insert or email you malware
called keyloggers that can record what you’re typing onto your
computer. The data is passed back to the hackers and used to
access sensitive data. This can happen at your place of
employment, or on your personal computer.
v. Phishing
Phishing attacks come from third-party hackers who create
sites that look incredibly genuine. For example, they may make
a site that mirrors PayPal, and ask you to log into the site for a
necessary change. If you log in it without realizing that you’re
not simply logging in to your account, you can end up giving
the hacker your password.
vi. Malware or Viruses
Malware or viruses are sent to people with the goal of wiping
their computer of all data. This can be harmful to any company,
especially those who rely on their data. For example, if a
malware virus was sent to a hospital, it could wipe the data of
thousands of patients. This could result in a very serious
situation, delaying treatment or even mean the death of some
of those inside the hospital.
vii. Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS)
This attack tends to only target larger companies and is often a
form of protest. With this type of attack, they will make it
impossible for those at work to sign into the system. If sites are
unreachable due to all the traffic from the attack, customers
are unable to access the company’s services. While the data
isn’t necessarily lost, they force the company to shut down
while they deal with the security breach, potentially losing
business.

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Data linkage and profiling
Data Linking
 Data linking is used to bring together information from different
sources in order to create a new, richer dataset.
 This involves identifying and combining information from
corresponding records on each of the different source datasets.
The records in the resulting linked dataset contain some data
from each of the source datasets.
 Linked datasets create opportunities for more complex and
expanded policy and research.

Data profiling:
 It is the process of reviewing and cleansing data to better
understand how it’s structured and maintain data quality
standards within an organization.
 The main purpose is to gain insight into the quality of the data
by using methods to review and summarize it, and then
evaluating its condition. The work is typically performed by data
engineers who will use a range of business rules and analytical
algorithms
12. Critically examine the role of Public Private Partnership (PPP)
model for infrastructure development of the country. Cite a few
success stories. (15)
Ans
Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are formally established
agreements between public and private parties to share risks
and benefits in the provision of public services and
infrastructure. PPP is a model that has been widely adopted by
governments around the world as a means of delivering
infrastructure and public services more efficiently and
effectively.
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 Public Private Partnerships (PPP) is favoured in infrastructural
projects because:
 Private sector finance and expertise: PPPs provide a way for
governments to access private sector financing to build complex
infrastructural projects, while the private sector is assured of
returns based on government guarantee.
 Innovation: PPPs can provide an opportunity for the private
sector to bring new technologies, approaches and innovations to
the project which otherwise might not be possible with a
traditional public approach.
 Private sector is cost-effective: PPPs provide incentives for
private sector companies to innovate and find cost-effective
solutions and put to use their expertise in developing and
maintaining infrastructure. It also ensures better quality of
infrastructure.
 Time-bound: While the public sector projects are often seen to
be lagging on account of inefficiencies, private sector
collaboration ensures that the projects are completed on time.
 Government has complete control: The ownership of the
project continues to be with the public sector and hence, there
are no concerns of privatisation. At the same time, it helps the
government transfer some of the construction and operational
risks, reducing its overall risks.
But PPPs in India have not been free of criticism. Some of these
criticisms are:
 Lack of regulatory framework: India lacks a comprehensive and
consistent regulatory framework for PPPs, which can lead to
problems such as lack of transparency and accountability.
 Limited participation of private sector: PPP projects in India
have been criticized for the limited participation of the private
sector, with many projects being dominated by state-owned
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 enterprises and government- owned corporations. Even among
the private sector, it is a handful of very large conglomerates
who get the projects.
 Insufficient risk transfer: Critics argue that PPP projects in India
have not effectively transferred risks to the private sector,
leaving the government liable for many of the risks associated
with the project.
 Lack of competition: PPP projects in India have been criticized
for the lack of competition among private sector partners,
resulting in higher costs and lower quality.
 Lack of public consultation: PPP projects in India have not
adequately involved the public in the decision-making process,
leading to a lack of public support and understanding of the
projects. This adds to delays in the project implementation.

Way Forward:
1. Checking Viability: PPPs should not be used to evade
responsibility for service delivery to citizens. This model should
be adopted only after checking its viability for a project, in terms
of costs and risks.
2. Risk allocation and management: Public-Private Partnership
PPP contracts should ensure optimal risk allocation across all
stakeholders by ensuring that it is allocated to the entity that is
best suited to manage the risk.
3. Strengthening governance: The Prevention of Corruption Act,
1988 should be amended to distinguish between genuine errors
in decision making and acts of corruption by public servants.
4. Strengthening institutional capacity: A national-level institution
should be set up to support institutional capacity building
activities and encouraging private investments with regard to
PPPs. Independent regulators must be set up in sectors that are
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 going for PPPs.
5. Strengthening contracts: The private sector must be protected
against such loss of bargaining power. This could be ensured by
amending the terms of the Public-Private Partnership PPP
contracts to allow for renegotiations.
Success stories:
i. The national highway projects contracted out by NHAI under
PPP mode.
ii. New Metro Rail Policy which opens a big window for private
investments in metro operations by making PPP component
mandatory.

Conclusion:
Although there are challenges like delays in land acquisition,
non-availability of capital and regulatory hurdles, PPPs can help
to address the challenges of financing, designing, constructing,
and maintaining complex infrastructural projects for speeding
up growth of the Indian economy.

13. The structural change in Indian economy is a case of the

‘missing middle’. Do you think that this kind of structural
change can help the economy in becoming a developed one?
(15)
Ans:
Missing Middle” is the idea that industries in developing
countries like India tend to be dominated by a large number of
tiny enterprises and a few large firms, but disproportionately
few small and medium enterprises.
India, over the years, has faced the problem of the missing
middle. There aren’t enough mid-sized firms operating in the
country.
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 Structural change in Indian Economy:
 Share of agriculture and allied activities in output declined from
42% in 1972-73 to 15% in 2019-20.
 Share of industry (consisting of mining, construction,
manufacturing and utilities) rose from 24% in 1972-73 to 25.9%
in 2020-21.
 Share of services in output rose significantly from 34.5 in 1970
to 55.3% in FY 2020.

Key Issues in India’s structural Transformation:

 Sectorial Imbalance: Aggregate output of agriculture has
declined from over 40% in 1980 to 15% in 2019, it still accounts
for 42% of employment.
 Uneven tech-adoption by industries: Services outperformed
manufacturing in catch-up to technological frontier.
 Rise of low skill jobs: Construction has also become an
important employer, with about 12 percent of workers in 2019.
 Low Productivity: Manufacturing sector growth has remained
sluggish and over half of all workers remain in low productivity
jobs in agriculture, construction, and trade

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Why this Missing Middle
 Lack of adequate access to low-cost capital. This acts an
impediment to growth.
 India’s relatively high cost of doing business and its complicated
compliance ecosystem.
 Small and mid-sized firms face greater problems from these
systemic issues, as they have to manage lengthy and expensive
procedures and litigation responsibilities.
 For example, enforcing a contract takes up to 1,450 days in
India, more than triple the time than in China and South Korea.
 Small firms find it challenging to acquire real estate for
expansion, obtain construction permits, and pay taxes, all of
which take longer in India than in peer countries.

Way forward:
 Strengthening Education and Skilling: Improving quality of
education and providing vocational training can help workers
transition to higher productivity sectors.
 Advancing Labor Market Reforms: Working with states to
loosen restrictive employment protection legislation would be
essential to further enhance labour market flexibility.
 Fostering Trade Integration: Enhancing trade policies e.g.
Signing bilateral trade agreements, removing tariff and non-
tariff restrictions to integrate with global markets.
 Removing Red Tape: Simplifying regulations and reducing
bureaucratic hurdles can spur private sector growth, leading to
more job creation.
 Continued Public investment Push: Stronger physical public
infrastructure, together with India’s world class digital public
infrastructure, will help increase productivity of private sector.

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  The Indian economy needs to generate 100 million jobs over the
next decade.
 Global experience shows that an expansion in job opportunities
usually happens through the growth of SMEs.
 Indian policymakers have to focus more on nurturing a new
generation of competitive SMEs. Strengthening Social Safety
Net, Facilitating Access to Credit for small and medium
enterprises, etc.
 The growth of mid-sized and small firms will require capital. This
requires reforms to deepen capital markets and enable efficient
financial intermediation, allowing savings to reach these
companies.
 It also means taking steps to lower the barriers to and the cost
of doing business.
 Central and state governments will be integral to implementing
reforms, along with business leaders.
Conclusion
If the government is able to overcome these challenges, the
future of structural reforms in India is bright. The reforms have
the potential to make the Indian economy more competitive,
efficient, and resilient. This will lead to increased economic
growth, reduced poverty, and improved living standards for
millions of Indians.

14. Growth process in India has exacerbated rather than

bridging the existing inequalities. Give your views with
justifications. (15)
Ans:
The exclusive emphasis on economic growth is causing
increasing concern in India. There is an urgent need for policy

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 interventions and heightened government actions to ensure
more inclusive growth.

Causes of Increasing Inequality Despite High Economic Growth

in India
i. Wealth Accumulation:
 Concentration of Wealth: Concentration of wealth in the hands of
a few perpetuate inequality over generations, as the wealthy can
pass on advantages to their descendants.
 Inadequate Land Reforms: Inadequate land reforms results in a
significant portion of the population remaining landless or having
insufficient land, making them vulnerable to poverty and
economic instability.
 Crony Capitalism: Corrupt practices and favouritism results in
wealth accumulation among a select group, contributing to
inequality.
ii. Lack of Inclusive Growth Policies:
 Skewed Distribution of Economic Gains: Economic growth may
disproportionately benefit certain sectors or income groups,
leading to an uneven distribution of wealth.
 Regressive Taxation Policies: Tax systems that favours the
wealthy or lack progressivity contributes to income inequality.
 Lack of Social Safety Nets: Inadequate social safety nets and
welfare programs may leave vulnerable populations without
sufficient support, widening the wealth gap.
iii. Inadequate Labour Policies:
 Financialization of the Economy: An emphasis on financial
markets and speculation over productive investments can lead to
wealth concentration in the financial sector.
 Wage gaps: Wage gaps between skilled and unskilled workers

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 contributes to income inequality. Informal labour markets with
lower wages and fewer benefits can widen the income divide.
 No Minimum Wages: Weak labour market policies, including
insufficient minimum wage regulations and limited collective
bargaining rights, can contribute to income disparities.
iv. Social Exclusion:
 Caste Discrimination: Social exclusion based on caste played a
significant role in increasing inequality in India by marginalizing
certain groups and limiting their access to opportunities,
resources, and benefits.
 Gender Inequality: Discrimination based on gender leads to
unequal access to employment opportunities and wage
disparities.
 Lack of Access to Education: Unequal access to quality education
limited opportunities for upward mobility, reinforcing existing
disparities.
 Technological Deprivation: Automation and technological
advancements lead to job displacement and wage stagnation for
certain groups, exacerbating income inequality.

Several schemes implemented by the government for

inclusive growth:
 Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act
Scheme (MGNREGA)
 Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP)
 Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-
GKY)
 Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana- National Urban Livelihoods
Mission (DAY-NULM)
 Samagra Shiksha Scheme 2.0
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  National Health Mission
 Swachh Bharat Mission
 Mission Ayushman
 Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana

Steps should be taken to Achieve Inclusive Growth in India

a. Foster Inclusive Framework:
 Enforce Constitutional Provision: Enforce constitutional
guarantee of equality as enshrined in fundamental rights
through policy measures.
 Progressive Taxation:
 A 1% wealth tax on Indian billionaires is enough to fund the
National Health Mission, India’s largest healthcare scheme.
 Taxing India’s billionaires at 2% would support the nutrition
of India’s malnourished for three years.
 Inclusive Governance: Foster inclusive governance by
encouraging citizen participation, promoting transparency, and
reducing corruption. Empower local self-governments and
involve marginalized communities in decision-making
processes.
 Private Sector Engagement: Encourage corporate social
responsibility (CSR) initiatives that focus on inclusive
development. Encourage private companies to invest in social
sectors and support community development projects.
b. Increase the Reach of Basic Necessities:
 Universal Access to Public Services: By ensuring universal
access to public funded high-quality services like public health
and education, social security benefits, employment guarantee
schemes, inequality can be reduced to a great extent.
 Employment Generation: More focus should be on labour-
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SUBHAM MOHAPATRA (OES)
 intensive manufacturing sector that has the potential to absorb
millions of people
 Women Empowerment: Promote gender equality in education,
employment, and entrepreneurship to empower women
economically and socially.
c. Social and Financial Inclusion:
 Land Reforms: Implement land reforms to address issues of
land ownership and tenancy. Ensure fair and equitable
distribution of land resources.
 Promoting Civil Society: Provide a greater voice to traditionally
oppressed and suppressed groups, including by enabling civil
society groups like unions and associations within these groups.
 Technology and Innovation: Embrace technological
advancements to create new opportunities for all.
 Ensure that the benefits of technological progress are shared
across different sections of society.
Conclusion
By embracing and implementing inclusive policies that tackle
the underlying causes of inequality, India has the potential to
transition towards a more equitable society. This transformative
approach aligns with the aspirations of the United Nations'
Sustainable Development Goal 10.
15. How does gender budgeting act as a strategy for achieving
women empowerment? (15)
Ans
Women constitute 48% of India’s population, but they lag
behind men on many social indicators like health, education,
economic opportunities, etc.
Gender Budgeting is not an accounting exercise but an ongoing
process of keeping a gender perspective in policy/programme
formulation, its implementation and review.
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SUBHAM MOHAPATRA (OES)
 How gender budgeting can ensure women empowerment in
India?
a. It acts as a powerful tool for achieving gender mainstreaming so
as to ensure that benefits of development reach women as much
as men.
b. It recognises the need of an affirmative action to address specific
needs of women.
c. It sensitises government and society towards discrimination and
gaps among women and men in a given sector.
d. Gender responsive budgets policies can contribute to achieve
the objectives of gender equality, human development and
economic efficiency.
e. Gender budgeting at department/ministry lead to more focus on
issues of women’s inequality and empowerment and thereby led
to more specific allocation on such schemes.
f. It put pressure and focus on gender sensitive programme
formulation and implementation. Therefore, it mainstream
gender concerns in public expenditure and policy.
g. It leads to women empowerment by increasing and improving
the social, economic, and political situation of the women, and
ensure equal rights to women. It helps women to control and
benefit from resources, assets and income, as well as the enable
them to manage risks and take decisions good for them.
h. It ensures that benefits of development reach each woman as
much as it benefits men. E.g. Schemes like Sukanya Samridhi
Yojana enhance economic status of girls.
i. It leads to increased focus on education, health, and safety of
women. E.g. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao has resulted in increased
child sex ratio in vulnerable areas.
j. It ensures women’s health through policies and schemes. E.g
Janani suraksha yojana, Maternity Benefit Act 2016 ensure
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SUBHAM MOHAPATRA (OES)
 good health of women.
Conclusion:
Thus, gender budgeting has various benefits especially for
women. It empowers women in true sense and help government
to trickle down benefits of economic growth to women. It ensure
rights and dignity of women leading to gender equality.

16. Odisha is the pioneering state in starting the Odisha millet

mission. Discuss the rationale, objectives and major
achievements of the program. (15)
Ans
Millets are part of the traditional staple diet and crop systems in
Odisha supplementing nutritional needs of the communities,
especially in the rainfed regions. The conscious pursuit of an
agricultural policy since the 1960s to meet national food security
with paddy and wheat has led to a decline in millet production
and consumption. Millets were not the focus crops in food
security framework of the green revolution.

About Odisha Millet Mission (OMM):

 To improve nutritional security and promote sustainable
agricultural practices.
 OMM also sells millet products, such as cookies, savoury snacks,
vermicelli and processed millets, under a brand called “Millet
Shakti” through food trucks, cafés, kiosks and other outlets.

Objective of the Mission

 Promoting household level Consumption
 Setting up decentralized Processing facilities
 Improving Productivity of Millet Crops
 Promoting Farmer Collectives and Marketing
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SUBHAM MOHAPATRA (OES)
  Inclusion of millets in State Nutrition Programs and the Public
Distribution System
Major Achievements of the program
 Increased household consumption of millets
 Inclusion of millets in ICDS
 Popularizing millets in urban areas
 improved agronomic practices for improvement in quality and
diversity of millet seeds as well as higher productivity and
incomes from millets
 development of a range of millet-based products, including
snacks, beverages, and bakery products, which are being sold in
local markets and online.
 OMM has also had a positive impact on the nutrition and health
outcomes of the people of Odisha. The increased consumption of
millets has led to improved nutrition outcomes, especially among
vulnerable populations such as women and children.
Conclusion:
The Odisha Millets Mission is a successful example of how
government-led initiatives can promote sustainable agriculture,
improve nutrition outcomes, and create livelihood opportunities
for farmers.

17. Jawaharlal Nehru termed heavy industries and plants as

‘Temples of Mother India’. Do you agree? (15)
Ans:
After Independence, India faced many problems such as hunger,
poverty, illiteracy, superstitions, etc. Nehru suggested for
institutions which can properly deal with the above socio-economic
problems. He termed those institutions as “Temples of Mother
India”. These included:

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SUBHAM MOHAPATRA (OES)
  Iron and Steel Industries: generate employment, provide capital
goods , develop physical infrastructure. Examples are: steel plants
of Bhilai, Rourkela, Durgapur, etc
 Dams: provide water for irrigation via canals, thus bringing more
land under irrigation, generate electricity, prevent floods, etc.
Examples are Bhakra Nangal Dam (Sutlej), Hirakud Dam
(Mahanadi), etc
 Power Plants: Electricity is an essential requirement for
development. He also stressed on many power plants to be set up.

Nehru also recognised the importance of science to solve the

socio-economic problems.
 Encouraged Science and Research by Setting up of National
Physical Lab and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
(CSIR)
 Generating more engineers by setting up of IIT’s and NIT’s
Recognised the importance of Nuclear Energy by setting up of
Atomic Energy Commission with Homi Bhabha to cater the
demand of Energy in Future.
 Promoted Space research and led to establishment of such facility
at Thumba for future Endeavours.
Conclusion
On the whole, these Temples helped India not only in dealing with
the socio-economic problems, but also in catching up with other
developed nations.

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SUBHAM MOHAPATRA (OES)