UPPSC 2020 (Mains General Studies Paper-3)

Ans: “Leave no one behind” is the central theme of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is one of the six guiding principles of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework.

It represents the unequivocal commitment of all United Nations Member States to eradicate poverty in all its forms, end discrimination and exclusion, and reduce the inequalities and vulnerabilities that leave people behind. Leaving no one behind not only implies reaching the poorest of the poor, but requires combating discrimination and rising inequalities within and amongst countries.

A major cause of people being left behind is persistent forms of discrimination, including gender discrimination, which leaves individuals and families marginalized and excluded.

Leaving no one behind compels us to focus on discrimination and inequalities that undermine the agency of people as holders of rights.

Additional Notes: The NITI Aayog is formulating a Vision 2030 document. This document is coterminous with the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Ans: Objectives of NITI Aayog:

> To evolve a shared vision of national development priorities, sectors and strategies with the active participation of States.

> To foster cooperative federalism through structured support initiatives and mechanisms with the States.

> To develop mechanisms to formulate credible plans at the village level.

> To pay special attention to the vulnerable and excluded sections of our society.

> To design strategic and long term policy and monitor their progress. To maintain a state-of-the-art Resource Centre.

The three year action plan includes some 300 specific action points which is outlined in seven parts covering multiple facets of the Indian economy.

> Three Year Revenue and Expenditure Framework.

> Doubling Farmers’ Incomes by 2022

> Job Creation in Industry and Services.

> Urban Development with affordable housing.

> Transport and Digital Connectivity.

> Education and Skill Development.

Additional Notes: The three year action plan of NITI Aayog also includes regional strategies for:

> North Eastern Region.

> Coastal Areas & Islands.

> North Himalayan states and

> Desert and Drought prone states.

Centralized planning could not work beyond a point due to vastness and diversity of India. In this context NITI Aayog’s three year planning agenda offers scope for localised and sector specific development.

Ans: India’s share in the global food trade was just 2.5% in 2014-15. Several domestic phenomena coupled with the government’s apathy and excessive reliance on imports have been key factors for a less-than-potential growth of the sector.

While India is blessed with the second largest arable land in the world, the domestic food industry continues to lag behind its true potential. India’s food exports stood at $36.17 billion in 2015-16, with food processing industry contributing a massive 32% to the total food exports basket. As per Assocham, FDI in the Indian food processing sector has the potential to reach $33 billion by 2024.

The government had relaxed foreign investment norms in the sector, allowing 100% FDI through automatic routes with an aim to encourage the country’s enormous food sector.

However the Indian agricultural sector still faces a wide gamut of problems which are to be addressed in order to explore the full potential of food processing industry in India.

Ans: A wide range of small scale industries flourishes across the length and breadth of Uttar Pradesh. Almost every district of Uttar Pradesh has achieved proficiency in making a particular product. The notable small scale industries in Uttar Pradesh are:

> Carpet construction in Bareilly, Agra, Mirzapur.

> Floor cloth in Agra, Varanasi, Bhadohi.

> Biscuits industry in Modinagar, Agra and Aligarh.

> Perfume and fragrant oil in Kanauj, Ghajipur, Jaunpur.

> Clay Toys manufacturing in Agra.

> Matchbox Industry in Bareilly, Saharanpur, Allahabad.

> Furniture Industry in Hathras, Saharanpur.

> Handloom and cotton textiles in Meerut, Deoband and Tanda.

> Medicine Manufacturing in Kanpur, Jhansi

> Ceramic utensils in Khurja and Allahabad.

Small scale industries plays a major role in the economy of Uttar Pradesh. They provide a diverse range of employment opportunities especially for the uneducated and semi-skilled force. Besides it contribute significantly to the local economy by producing variety of finished goods.

Ans: The following are the major factors responsible for low productivity in agriculture in India:

> Small land holdings: small size of the farm fails to provide profitable employment to the farmers.

> The vicious circle of poverty is also responsible for the poor performance of agriculture.

> Indebtedness: Unproductive borrowings does not add farmer’s income and he always remains under debt.

> Because of inadequate irrigation facilities farmer is dependent on climatic conditions for irrigation. Irregular Monsoons adds to distress.

> The supply of finance is inadequate in case of Indian agriculture.

> The defective marketing system also poses difficulties to the farmers.

> The ignorance and conservative method of farming also results in the poor performance of agriculture.

> Lack of Productive Investment in agriculture sector.

> Excessive Dependence: over half of the population is dependent on agriculture.

Ans: CNG can be fitted into a vehicle either by the original manufacturer or by workshop. In Indian Market Company fitted CNG comes only in Maruti Suzuki which is called SCNG. S-CNG has many advantages over CNG.

> S-CNG technology delivers on the performance, fuel efficiency, convenience, and safety fronts while ensuring lower emissions.

> S-CNG technology ensure the maximum lifespan of the engine.

> S-CNG vehicles have an optimum air to fuel ratio delivering consistent performance with higher fuel efficiency & lower per kilometre cost.

> S-CNG vehicles come with a special nozzle called NGV receptacle that provides safer and faster CNG refueling.

> It gives more safety because the whole structure weight of car are designed under the concept of CNG vehicle.

> Company fitted CNG cars comes with dual ECM one is for petrol and others for CNG.

Ans: Global wildlife populations have fallen by 58% since 1970 and if the trend continues, two-thirds of wild animals may go extinct by 2020. The following are the major challenges in the conservation of wildlife:

> Reckless development in the form of new highways, mines, dams.

> So called ecotourism have emerged as major indirect threats to wildlife habitats.

> The most urgent challenge to wildlife conservation is the threats from illegal hunting or poaching.

> Uncontrolled passage of heavy vehicles during night-time.

> Man-animal conflicts leading to increasing deaths of wildlife.

> Invasive species such as water hyacinth, Mimosa, Lantana Camara etc. possess serious threat to native bio-diversity.

> Shrinking habitat and habitat loss and blockage of migratory routes.

> Lack proper infrastructure and manpower for efficient monitoring, management and protection of wildlife.

> Climate change and global warming.

> Natural disasters and uncertainty like floods, forest fires and drought.

Ans: India has large-scale illegal opium under cultivation, while being a target for smugglers from both Afghanistan and the Golden Triangle of Southeast Asia.

India is the only country in the world that produces legal opium gum for export and domestic medical use.

India is also the world’s largest consumer of opiates, with the underground trade funding extremist insurgents and terrorists.

The Maoist rebels used poppy and marijuana cultivation in areas of Odisha, Jharkhand and Bihar order to raise money for their activities. Former Home Minister P. Chidambaram told parliament in 2010 that the financial strength of Maoist groups in India had improved extraordinarily in the recent times.

Therefore the ready demand, bountiful supply and a network of internal and external enemies using the drug trade is undermining India’s national security. With Indian insurgents relying on drug trafficking for fund-raising, a strong case can be made that illegal drugs have become a national security issue that demands securitization.

Ans: The non-traditional security challenges are those threats which are emanated by the non-state actors. The non-traditional security challenges are nonmilitary in nature and are transmitted rapidly due to the globalization.

Money laundering is concealing or disguising the identity of illegally obtained proceeds so that they appear to have originated from legitimate sources.

Money laundering is often accompanied by drug trafficking, illegal arms trade, human trafficking and terrorist funding. Therefore it possess a serious threat to internal security. It undermines the legitimacy of private sector and causes economic distortion and instability.

Human trafficking is not only an affront to human rights and dignity rather it is also has severe security concern.

Human trafficking can fuel conflict by enabling armed and extremist groups to raise income and expand their power and military capabilities. Human trafficking can also drive displacement and destabilize communities, thereby exacerbating conflict and undermining development.

Additional Notes: According to the IMF, global Money Laundering is estimated between 2 to 5% of World GDP.

A recent report of the Women and Foreign Policy program, highlighted the security implications of human trafficking. In 2016 alone, the United Nations detected close to twenty-five thousand victims of human trafficking. Human trafficking is a gross violation of human rights that affects populations across regional, ethnic, and religious lines. The self-proclaimed Islamic State in Iraq and Syria and Boko Haram in Nigeria have enslaved women and girls and generated revenue from sex trafficking.

Ans: When the application of new technologies combines with innovative operational concepts and organisational adaptations in a way that fundamentally alters the character of conflict it is called RMA. India’s immediate and strategic security concerns are characterised by

> Limited conventional conflicts and border wars against traditional adversaries.

> Ethnic and sectarian violence

> Insurgencies, narcotics/drug wars.

> Illegal immigration, religious fundamentalism, terrorism.

> Wars to secure resource areas, and piracy at sea.

In the recent times India has achieved many milestones that could potentially bring revolution in military affairs in security perspective of India.

> Precision-Guided Munitions like Brahmos missile system.

> Stealth technology in its fighter aircrafts, submarines, corvettes and destroyers.

> With increasing use of drones and UCAVS, the battle space awareness has tremendously increased.

> Besides India has developed its own AESA radar called ‘Uttam’ that is to be integrated in LCA Tejas Mk1A.

> ndia now possess the anti-satellite capability that could alter the nature

of warfare.

Ans: Globalization has increased interconnectedness among markets around the world. With increased communication and awareness of business the scope and variety of trade has increased. However it has also brought the domestic firms in stiff competition with the foreign firms.

Globalisation has opened up new employment avenues like ICT, medical, media, bio-technology, BPO etc. While globalisation is also responsible for wiping out numerous traditional occupations and has forced millions of people to shift to other manual jobs.

Globalization has had a huge impact on the lives of women. It has created labour demand patterns which inherently favour short-term, temporary employment. Women are best suited for such jobs. Also globalisation has eased the access to education and vocational training which in some way has empowered the women.

Over the past two decades globalization has contributed in widening inequality within and among countries, coupled with economic and social collapse in countries in transition. It has increased consumerism which result in over expenditure and subsequent vicious cycle of debt.

It has led to rapid growth of service sector at the cost of primary sector thus creating problems for individuals with low level of education. Globalisation has led to increase in high paying white collar jobs. It has widen the income distribution gap as majority of industries and job are concentrated in few pockets. For example a mere ten percent population controls two-third of wealth in India.

Ans: Uttar Pradesh is implementing a wide range of meticulously designed welfare schemes targeting different sections of society.

Mukhyamantri Pravasi Shramik Udyamita Vikas Yojna provides for

employment and self-employment of migrant workers.

Mukhyamantri Abhyudaya Yojana provides for free coaching for competitive exams and for setting up model career centres in 12 other districts. Under the Bal Shramik Vidya Yojna the children of labourers are given financial assistance monthly to stop them from working as child labourers and instead focus on studies.

The Uttar Pradesh government has recently declared that it would appoint officials in cities like Delhi, Kolkata and

Mumbai to ensure “safety, security and welfare” of migrant workers from the state.

UP has expanded the scope of Mukhyamantri Krishak Durghatna Kalyan Yojana (an insurance scheme) to the earning members of the farmers’ family.

Samadhan is an integrated system for grievance redressal in Uttar Pradesh to achieve the goal of good governance.

Mahila Evam Bal Samman Kosh Ensure monetary and medical relief including reconstructive surgeries to women who are victims of violence.

The government has also proposed setting up one “Sainik School” in every division of the state and provide residential facilities to students of Sanskrit education in the state.

Besides UP government also announced to depute “Arogya Mitras” at all primary health centres to inform people about government health schemes. Additional Notes: Recently Uttar Pradesh government has launched three ambitious schemes for skill development and employment generation for youths in the state.

1. Kaushal Satrang Scheme: State government has inked MoU with IIT Kanpur and other placement agencies for the employment of 2 Lakh youth.

2. Yuva Hub’ Scheme: Providing employment to thousands of skilled youth by assisting in project concept and financial help for one year of operation. It will also facilitate setting up of 30,000 startups in the state.

3. CM apprenticeship scheme: provision of granting Rs 2500 to the youth of the state.

Ans: Despite being the third largest economy of the world, India houses the largest number of poor people in the world. Besides there is widespread socioeconomic inequality amongst its people.

According to the World Bank, in the post economic reform (1990s) period, the poverty has declined at a faster rate in India. However still majority of people in India are living in a perpetuated state of poverty. There are many persisting challenges in reducing the poverty in an effective manner. India is one of the most malnourished country in the world. Over 200 million people do not have access to sufficient food.

Despite having law prohibiting child labour, over 12 million children are working in hazardous conditions.

According to UNICEF, 25% CHILDRENS in India do not have access to formal education. Lack of education deprives them of good jobs which further add to existing poverty.

Over 22 million Indian are infected by HIV other serious ailments like TB. Besides rampant communicable disease like malaria, dengue further create economic burden on a household.

Inequality serves as a catalyst in rising poverty. There is huge income gap in India. The average income of unskilled and semi-skilled labour is insufficient for bare minimum needs.

Government spending for poverty alleviation is often siphoned off because of leakages in the system and corruption.

Besides there are multiple other factors like exclusion of women, caste factor, inter-regional disparities, stagnating agriculture, over population etc.

Ans: Poverty line or the ‘Line of Poverty’ is the amount of money needed for a person to meet his basic needs. The definition of poverty line and the method to arrive on poverty line differs from country to country.

The poverty line is set by the welfare standard in a particular society. In developed countries, poverty line is high as basic standard to live include accessibility to many goods and services. In less developed countries, contains mostly essential consumption items needed to sustain life.

India since independence has introduced numerous programmes for Poverty Alleviation with mix of failures and success. The major Poverty Alleviation Programmes:

> Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP), 1978.

> Pradhan Mantri Gramin Awaas Yojana, 1985

> National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS), 1995

> Annapurna Scheme 1999 and Food for Work Programme, 2000

> Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005

> National Food Security Mission, 2007

> National Rural Livelihood Mission, 2011

> National Urban Livelihood Mission, 2013

> Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, 2014

> Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, 2015

> National Maternity Benefit Scheme, 2016

> Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY), 2016

> Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), 2016

> Poshan Abhiyan, 2018 and PM SVanidhi, 2020

However it is alleged that the poverty alleviation programmes have largely remained ineffective in eradincating poverty from India. Government needs to put more effort on inclusive growth and distributive justice with a long term vision approach.

Ans: The Government of India in 2011 announced a national manufacturing policy with the objective of enhancing the share of manufacturing in GDP to 25% within a decade and creating 100 million jobs. It also seeks to empower rural youth by imparting necessary skill sets to make them employable.

The policy envisages specific interventions broadly in the areas of

> Industrial infrastructure development.

> Improvement of the business environment through rationalization/ simplification of business regulations.

> Development of appropriate technologies especially green technologies for sustainable development

> Skill development of the younger population.

> Ensure compliance of labour and environmental laws.

‘Start up India’ scheme was launched in 2016 to facilitate bank loans of 10 lakh to 1 crore to SC/ST and women borrowers to set up Greenfield enterprises in the manufacturing, services and trading sectors. However six states have received 50% of loan amounts sanctioned under the ‘Start up India’ scheme which shows gross mismatch and imbalance in the fund allocation.

Launched by PM in 2014, the Make in India scheme is still to make an impact in raising the share of manufacturing in India’s GDP.

The major focus industries under the Make in India scheme like the mobile, telecommunication and electronics equipment manufacturing, is still largely restricted to the assembling of knocked-down kits.

Economic survey recently suggested that ‘Make in India’ should be integrated with an ‘assemble for the world plan, focusing more on capital intensive exports.

Ans: The Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (STIP)2020 aims to identify and address the strengths and weaknesses of the Indian Science, Technology and Innovation ecosystem to catalyse socio-economic development of the country and also make the Indian STI ecosystem globally competitive. The previous Science, Technology and Innovation policies which were largely top-driven in the formulation, however the STIP 2020 follows a decentralized, evidence informed, bottom-up, experts-driven and inclusive approach. STIP will lead to the establishment of a National STI Observatory that will act as a central repository for all kinds of data related to and generated from the STI ecosystem.

The ‘Open Science Framework’ envisaged in the policy would increase access to research output and ensure greater transparency and accountability in research.

Besides it will help in better resource utilization through minimal restrictions on reuse of research output and infrastructure.

The STIP proposes to ensure at least 30 per cent representation for women in all decision making bodies. Also it proposes lateral entry of scientists up to 25 per cent of scientists in related ministries.

India’s gross domestic expenditure on R&D at 0.6% of GDP is quite low when compared to developed countries. Inadequate private sector investment is important factor behind low expenditure on R&D.

The STIP will also attract enhanced private investment in R&D. This policy will be guided by the vision of positioning India among the top three scientific superpowers in the near future.

Ans: Many parts of India are severely affected by the menace of Left Wing Extremism, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar and Odisha are worst affected while Maharashtra and West Bengal are partially affected. 26 districts in India account for nearly 80% of the total LWE violence.

The Central Government has taken various measures to control Left Wing Extremism which includes:

> Augmenting the strength of Central Armed Police Forces.

> Establishment of National Security Guard (NSG) hubs at Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Mumbai.

> Strengthening and re-organizing of Multi-Agency Centre to enable it to function on 24×7 basis.

> Sanctioning of new Specialized India Reserve Battalions (SIRB).

> Special Task Force to be constituted in Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Odisha.

> The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 has been amended to strengthen the punitive measures.

> Different state governments are running various rehabilitation programmes for those who surrender to state.

Besides policing government is also infusing lot of funds for the socioeconomic development of the naxal affected areas. Backwardness and alienation of tribal people are the main reason behind spur in LWE. Therefore policing, development and confidence building should go hand in hand in order to eliminate the LWE from its roots.

Government initiatives have shown encouraging results and increasing numbers of naxals have surrendered so as to abjure violence and join the mainstream.

Ans: Nuclear proliferation is the spread of nuclear weapons, fissionable material, and weapons-applicable nuclear technology. It may be

1. Horizontal i.e. Non-nuclear nations acquiring nuclear weapons or developing the capability.

2. Vertical i.e. Nations that possess nuclear weapons are increasing their stockpiles or improving the technical sophistication.

Nuclear proliferation possess serious threat to the world peace. Access of nuclear weapons by non-state actors like terrorist groups or non-responsible/ failed states like Syria, Lebanon etc. could cause mass destruction around the world. There are various control mechanisms to prevent nuclear proliferation:

>  UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) established in 1957 is mandated to co-ordinate international co-operation for the regulation and use of a nuclear technology that cuts across many sectors. IAEA played an important role in preventing Iraq from developing nuclear weapons.

> The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty or NPT; 1970 is an international treaty whose objective is to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology to further the goal of achieving nuclear disarmament.

> The Conference on Disarmament (CD) 1979 is a multilateral disarmament forum to negotiate arms control and disarmament agreements.

> The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) 1996 is a multilateral treaty that bans all nuclear tests, for both civilian and military purposes, in all environments.

> Nuclear Weapon Prohibition Treaty, 2017 prohibits and makes it illegal to possess, use, produce, transfer, acquire, stockpile or deploy nuclear weapons.

However the nuclear pursuit of Iraq in the past and Iran, North Korea in present times illustrate both the strengths and weaknesses of international safeguards.

Ans: The Ministry of Defence consists of four Departments i.e. the Department of Defence, the Department of Defence Production, the Department of Defence Research and Development and the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare. Presently there is compartmentalisation of planning against external and internal threats. This leads to fragmented execution at the operational levels, leading to a lack of synergy within the battle space.

A strong triad of the political, military and bureaucracy is required for achieving synergy for a holistic approach towards strategic military planning as well as force modernisation.

As India gradually rises into the elite club of powerful nations, the restructuring of Ministry of Defence with the relevant changes in the Higher Defence Organisation is the need of the hour. The recent reforms in the Higher Defence Organisation include:

> The appointment of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).

> Creation of the Department of Military Affairs (DMA).

> Creation of an integrated theatre command.

Based on the recommendation of Kargil Review Committee; 1999, government of India recently created the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) as the single-point military adviser to the government.

The DMA headed by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) is exclusively responsible for matters pertaining to military.

The Integrated Theatre Commands will synergize the capabilities and combat potential of the three Services during war and peace.

Additional Notes: A theatre Commander will have all resources of a command i.e. (Army, Navy and Air Force) at his disposal. And he will not be answerable to individual Services.

The Shekatkar committee has recommended the creation of 3 integrated theatre commands-northern for the China border, western for the Pakistan border and southern for the maritime role.

Ans: Their existence a close co-relationship between nuclear weapons and major power status. Security concerns were the prime reason for India to acquire nuclear weapons and nuclear weapons did provided India with a credible deterrence against its rivals.

India’s pursuit of nuclear weapons was inspired by the nuclear capabilities of two of its neighbouring states China and Pakistan with whom India has territorial conflicts.

Nuclear weapons have lent more security to India in the sense that they have not been actually used neither physically, nor psychologically leading to strategic-level deterrence and stability.

On the contrary, it has also made India less secure, as Pakistan can get away with terrorist activities against India because of their nuclear weapons, implying for India the limitations of nuclear deterrence at the tactical level. The recent intrusion of Indian air space by Pakistan’s air force and conflict with China in the Ladakh has shown that the two-front war scenario is more serious a threat than it appears.

China is likely to remain the primary security challenge to India in the medium and long terms. Its enhancement of missile capabilities and its immense help to Pakistan in the defence technologies are serious security concerns to India. Therefore in this scenario nuclear weapons are advantageous as it provides a window to engage in lower-level conflicts, like Kargil and the recent Galwan conflict. This shows that a conventional war of a different nature is still possible in the nuclear shadow.

Additional Notes: Deterrence is about perception management. India does not make a distinction between tactical and strategic nuclear strikes. Credible minimum deterrence as propounded in the Indian nuclear doctrine is open to adjustments. Also that India’s “no first use” commitment is neither absolute

nor permanent.

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