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Author: Explains

  • 7 Oct 2016 | GS3 | Many multilateral trade treaties are being discussed around the world such as TPP, RCEP etc. What are these trade treaties? How can they impact the present international trade structure as evolved under WTO? How can they impact India?

    GS3 (Impacts on Indian economy)

    Many multilateral trade treaties are being discussed around the world such as TPP, RCEP etc. What are these trade treaties? How can they impact the present international trade structure as evolved under WTO? How can they impact India?

    Best answer

    Srishti Srivastava wrote the best answer for this question and got a score of 4.5/10 (if the best answer is an image, it cannot be uploaded here, hence scroll down to see those). The answer is being reproduced below for everyone’s convenience. Of course these answers can always be improved. (Best answer  of a particular only involves those given on that day, later answers may not have been checked)

    TPP, TTIP and RCEP are plurilateral agreements that seek to liberalise trade regimes by reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers within a regional bloc, thereby leading to an increase in volume of trade and investment activities in the regional bloc.
    Trade structure under WTO is multilateral and not plurilateral. Thus, it is more inclusive when it comes to sharing benefits of a liberalised trade regime with all its members. On the other hand, TPP, RCEP AND TTIP will: –
    1. Shift the trade flows from “non-member to member” regime to “member to member” regime within the respective regional bloc.
    2. Competitiveness in terms of price and quality may be compromised in a bid to derive benefits of low tariffs within the regional bloc rather than better quality outside the bloc.
    3. Increased participation in Global Value chains
    4. Traditional industries, SMEs may be the worst hit
    5. Standards with respect to labour, environment, IPR may be set higher, resulting in non-member countries losing out on trade.

    Impact on India:
    1. India may lose out on trade as it not a part of TPP, TTIP
    2. As a part of RCEP, it may gain from an agreement on services but lose out in terms of its agricultural trade.
    3. Trade deficit with China may increase.
    4. High standards in terms of IPR, labour and environment may become a norm or the default minimum. Thus, non-member countries will have to work towards enhancing capabilities in these areas.
    5. Better cooperation with ASEAN due to RCEP
    With plurilateral agreements fast gaining ground, India cannot choose to stay away from them. Rather, it must put across its concerns and pursue its interests to get the maximum out of RCEP, “obstructionist” claims notwithstanding. It must simultaneously work towards enhancing its standards of production by enhanced Bureau of Indian Standards certification system. In this way, competitiveness as well as protectionism will be balanced for a favourable business environment.

  • 7 Oct 2016 | GS2 | West Asia is an important region for India. Are we giving less attention to it in light of the Look East policy? Are better ties with Israel and Iran leading to problems with other West Asian nations?

    GS2 (International relations)

    West Asia is an important region for India. Are we giving less attention to it in light of the Look East policy? Are better ties with Israel and Iran leading to problems with other West Asian nations?

    Best answer

    Shashank Pander wrote the best answer for this question and got a score of 4.5/10 (if the best answer is an image, it cannot be uploaded here, hence scroll down to see those). The answer is being reproduced below for everyone’s convenience. Of course these answers can always be improved. (Best answer  of a particular only involves those given on that day, later answers may not have been checked)

    For an energy starve country battling with the menace of terrorism and harbouring a huge population, the region of West Asia is truly a perfect trade partner as:
    1. Around 60% of oil is imported from the region.
    2. Large number of migrants move to the region to work in both blue collar and lately white collar jobs.
    3. The sovereign wealth funds of these countries are potential investments in infrastructure sector.
    4. Partnership on counter terrorism (like that with Saudi Arabia).
    5. As a gateway to Central Asia that bypasses Pakistan (INSTC, Ashgabat Agreement, IRan partnership)

    Although look east has Beena defining policy for India for some while, there has been limited involvement in West Asia, mainly because:
    1. Political and security turmoil in the region.
    2. The inability to forge a balanced relationships with players having different ambitions, for instance;
    – the strife between Iran and Saudi Arabia, has limited our options in getting closer to any one or both of them.
    – the animosity between Israel and Arab world has challenged our security related partnership with Israel and energy related partnership with GcC.

    Because of the deep ethnic divide between Shias and Sunnis (and to some extent the Jews), the whole region has been divided into spheres of influence that has made making inroads rather difficult.

    In such a scenario, perhaps the best way forward would be to work on commonalities that each has with various groups without irritating the other faction – a sort of revival of West Asian NAM, by:
    1. Exploring common anti terrorism and work immigration ties with Saudi Arabia along with the age old oil relations.
    2. Working with Iran over regional connectivity and refraining from military arrangements.
    3. Technical areas of convergence like cleaning Ganga, agriculture and defence I prts without any explicit military level engagement.

    The challenge is to balance the three legged chair, albeit of different lengths – Saudi Arabia, Israel and Iran.

  • 7 Oct 2016 | GS1 | Recently genetically modified crops and seeds have been in the news. Should GM crops be allowed? Discuss with special reference to environment and biodiversity.

    GS1 (Not strictly a GS1 topic, but still answer it!)

    Recently genetically modified crops and seeds have been in the news. Should GM crops be allowed? Discuss with special reference to environment and biodiversity.

    Best answer

    Namrata Rai wrote the best answer for this question and got a score of 4.5/10 (if the best answer is an image, it cannot be uploaded here, hence scroll down to see those). The answer is being reproduced below for everyone’s convenience. Of course these answers can always be improved. (Best answer  of a particular only involves those given on that day, later answers may not have been checked)

    Genetically modified crops are those crops whose genes are modified by genetic engineering to insert new traits like pesticide resistance, increased nutritional value, etc.
    After the public furore over Bt Brinjal, GEAC’s approval for Bt Mustard has again brought the protests to limelight.
    The resistance is ascribed to impacts these crops have on Environment and biodiversity –
    1. Opponents say these crops are not enough researched upon and may have unknown effects like anti-biotic resistance development, allergies, etc.
    2. Cross contamination of other crops may lead to rise of “superweeds”.
    3. May wipe out species due to unknown mutational effects.
    4. BT Cotton’s failure to fight pink bollworms defeats the idea of creation of the BT variety.
    5. Also monopoly of few global giants has made seeds unaffordable for farmers.
    6. Bt crops need a lot of water degrading the already scarce resource.

    However they are considered ‘Environment friendly’ because –
    1. They need less pesticides preventing contamination of soil and water.
    2. They selectively target species not hurting the ecological food chains.

    Essentially, the repercussions are dangerous for the environment hence should be avoided. This has also been acknowledged in various protocols like Cartagena, Nagoya Protocol, etc.
    Hence, Governments should enhance conventional crops’ quality via research. Proper implementation of National Farmers Policy holds the way ahead.

  • 7 Oct 2016 | Debate | Can the sexes ever be equal?

    Despite every organisation, every government and the whole world in general talking about the importance of gender equality and increasing the participation of women in the workforce, there is only minor progress.

    For some background see here – http://bit.ly/2dJlIHq

    Even the US, supposed to be much ahead in these matters, will only elect its first female president ever. Since there is limited progress even after decades of trying are we doing something wrong? Even women in workforce complain about the bad working conditions. Something very relevant to us are these policewomens stories of bad working conditions –

    http://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2016/09/life-of-female-cops-in-karnataka/

    The debate is whether the India can ever reach a point of complete equality of the sexes? And why do women feel that are workplace conditions are bad even after having women CM’s, PM’s, Presidents in India? Will female IAS, IPS etc officers make a difference?

  • 6 Oct 2016 | Debate | Should we choose the private or public route for our education sector?

    In India, we have government schools where teachers are absent but schooling is very cheap/free. And we have private schools where education standards are higher but are more expensive. The best universities in the world are private. In light of this, should we start encouraging more private schools?

    If you need a background see this article – http://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2016/10/right-to-education-india-access-for-children/

    If you were in charge of policy, what would your philosophy be? Public or private? Leave your comments!

  • 6 Oct 2016 | Target Mains: GS Questions & DNA Framework

    GS1 (Indian geography)

    What are the features of tropical cyclones? Why is India one of the worst affected by cyclones even though other parts of the world have more tropical cyclones?

    Demand – Features of tropical cyclones, why is India more vulnerable than other countries.

    Approach –

    – Features of tropical cyclones (5 marks)

    – Reasons we suffer more damage (factors such as population, coastline etc) (5 marks)

    GS2 (Governance and transparency)

    For the success of the Right to Information (RTI), a major challenge is to develop capacities for access to information. Discuss. How can the capacities of public authorities and citizens be enhanced?

    Demand – Importance of capacity and awareness in implementing RTI.

    Approach –

    – What is RTI? (3.5 marks)

    – What prevents access to information? (3.5 marks)

    – How can you improve ability of all parties to share and access information? (3 marks)

    GS3 (Indian economy)

    What is inflation targeting? What steps have been taken by government and RBI to achieve it?

    Demand – Define inflation targeting and how it is being achieved.

    Approach –

    – Define inflation targeting (3 marks)

    – Measures taken by government (7 marks)

    GS4 (Case study)

    During your election duty you catch a vehicle full of cash. It belongs to a politician certain to win the election. He wants you to release the vehicle and you can’t reach your senior. What are your options and what action will you choose?

    Demand and Approach – No hints in case studies!

  • 6 Oct 2016 | GS4 | During your election duty you catch a vehicle full of cash. It belongs to a politician certain to win the election. He wants you to release the vehicle and you can’t reach your senior. What are your options and what action will you choose?

    GS4 (Case study)

    During your election duty you catch a vehicle full of cash. It belongs to a politician certain to win the election. He wants you to release the vehicle and you can’t reach your senior. What are your options and what action will you choose?

    Best answer

    Aman Chauhan wrote the best answer for this question and got a score of 4.5/10 (if the best answer is an image, it cannot be uploaded here, hence scroll down to see those). The answer is being reproduced below for everyone’s convenience. Of course these answers can always be improved. (Best answer  of a particular only involves those given on that day, later answers may not have been checked)

    The given case study highlights the malpractices being resorted to ,to influence election results ,sway voters threatening the fairness of elections which are hallmark of our democracy .
    Options In such situations –
    1.Let the vehicle go ( reflecting unethicality ,non accountability and lack of moral values )
    2.Tell the politician that I can’t do anything without my seniors permission ( reflecting timidity and gullibility )
    3.But, I will take an immediate action to Siege the vehicle and take driver in custody asking questions and proper investigation about money and involvement of others . I will further complain to the state election commission so as to check in the matter further and hold the election as void if needed . I will file an FIR against the politician .Once the seniors are available ,I will inform them of the matter and the action I have taken .
    Also, I will voice my concern to them about the politician involvement and his request to me ,to let it go .So,he should be punished for trying to manouver an officer on election duty and adopting such practices , by being jailed and disqualified to contest elections .
    Further. I will check that why the vehicle wasn’t intercepted by any other officer from police to other authorities because in that case it will show unethicality , non accountability ,lack of honesty and integrity among them which is matter of grave concern for the administration because as is said “A chain is as strong as its weakest link ”
    It is the duty of Election commission to conduct free and fair elections so that democracy can prevail .But,such events and politicians need to be identified and barred so as to preserve the fairness of electoral mandate .

  • 6 Oct 2016 | GS3 | What is inflation targeting? What steps have been taken by government and RBI to achieve it?

    GS3 (Indian economy)

    What is inflation targeting? What steps have been taken by government and RBI to achieve it?

    Best answer

    Kunal Krishna wrote the best answer for this question and got a score of 4.5/10 (if the best answer is an image, it cannot be uploaded here, hence scroll down to see those). The answer is being reproduced below for everyone’s convenience. Of course these answers can always be improved. (Best answer  of a particular only involves those given on that day, later answers may not have been checked)

    Extreme high inflation or low inflation, both is detrimental to economy. Thus, maintaining general price in an acceptable range is major objective/economic policy for any government. This is called inflation targeting.

    In India, CPI(Consumer Price Index) is used as a measure for inflation targeting.

    Steps taken by government to containing inflation :
    * Urjit Patel committee was constituted to study and suggest the range of inflation and mechanisms to implement them.
    * RBI and the government signed the Monetary Policy Framework Agreement in February, 2015. The framework set to implement the Committee’s recommendation.
    * As per the committee’s recommendation, an inflation target of 4% with a band of +/2% was set.
    * The government also set up a 6 member Monitory Policy Committee(MPC) chaired by RBI governor. The committee upon consecutive failure for 3 quarters will have to report the reasons of its failure, thus making it accountable to public.
    * Since food is major part of CPI, containing food inflation due to lean monsoon is essential. Thus, government has taken steps to create rural infrastructure like PMKSY, PMGSY, DDUGJY for feeder separation to ensure sufficient power to farmers, e-NAM portal and import of pulses.
    * The state governments has also been asked to raid hoarding of food stocks and cartelisation .
    * The GST constitutional amendment act is also bound to contain inflation in long run by subsuming multiple taxes which had cascading effect on prices.

    Inflation targeting is should not be merely MPC’s sole responsibility. Governments both at central and state level must work in tandem to contain inflation in the set range. Setting a uniform tax in range of 15-17% by GST council, implementation of rural schemes by states can help inflation targeting achievable without relying on unpredictable rain.

  • 6 Oct 2016 | GS2 | For the success of the Right to Information (RTI), a major challenge is to develop capacities for access to information. Discuss. How can the capacities of public authorities and citizens be enhanced?

    GS2 (Governance and transparency)

    For the success of the Right to Information (RTI), a major challenge is to develop capacities for access to information. Discuss. How can the capacities of public authorities and citizens be enhanced?

    Best answer

    Srishty Arun wrote the best answer for this question and got a score of 5/10 (if the best answer is an image, it cannot be uploaded here, hence scroll down to see those). The answer is being reproduced below for everyone’s convenience. Of course these answers can always be improved. (Best answer  of a particular only involves those given on that day, later answers may not have been checked)

    The verdict of Raj Narain case led to formulation of Right to information Act in 2005. Prior to this right to information was liberally interpreted by the Supreme court as fundamental right under Art 21.
    Right to information is an important pillar of democracy and good governance. Yet there has been challenges in realising the objectives of this legislation. Some of them include
    # low awareness level
    Women less than men and rural less than urban areas
    # no standard forms of application is followed
    # inadequate efforts to receive the application in electronic means, limited use of IT with non availability of basic infrastructure
    # official apathy, inadequately trained PIOs
    # lack of assistance in filling forms and non availability of user guides
    # lack of monitoring and review mechanisms
    # lack of accountability in government, failure to provide information within 30 days
    How can this be addressed?
    > improve record management practices
    > change the drafting of RTI application itself ie, standardized and user friendly
    > provide periodic refresher and behavioural training to PIOs
    > ensure transparency and accountability in the process
    > stringent penalties for non compliance for non submission of reports or implementation of the provisions
    > upgrade infrastructure and provide IT training
    > adequate incentives and recognition of work done by the officials
    Empowered and informed citizens determine the success of democracy in a country. Making RTI truly accessible to all becomes a big step in the right direction.

  • 6 Oct 2016 | GS1 | What are the features of tropical cyclones? Why is India one of the worst affected by cyclones even though other parts of the world have more tropical cyclones?

    GS1 (Indian geography)

    What are the features of tropical cyclones? Why is India one of the worst affected by cyclones even though other parts of the world have more tropical cyclones?

    Best answer

    Shashank Pander wrote the best answer for this question and got a score of 5/10 (if the best answer is an image, it cannot be uploaded here, hence scroll down to see those). The answer is being reproduced below for everyone’s convenience. Of course these answers can always be improved. (Best answer  of a particular only involves those given on that day, later answers may not have been checked)

    Cyclones are wind system with low pressure dissent and are classified into two kinds – Tropical and Temperate and India being a teopical latitudinal country is.mostly affected by Tropical cyclones, the featyres if whicb are:
    1. Thermal Origin – usually oeifinates due to differential sea-land heating.
    2. Circular Isobars.
    3. Travel from east to west as are embedded.in the easterlies (since in tropics)
    4. Usually accompanied by a cumulonumbus clouds, that cause heavy rainfall on reaching the surface.
    5. The cyclone follow an anti clockwise wind system in the Northetn Hemisphere while vice versa in the southern hemisphere.
    6. They are usually 150-300km in diameter although they can be as huge as 1000km diameter.
    7. Huge pressure geadient force and carry large amount of vapor that cause storm surge on reaching the coast.
    8. The cebtral calm region of low pressure called eye is a characteristic feature of this system.
    9. Some.models link their origin to the phenomenon of easterly waves.

    While there are numerous other world cyclones along atlantic coasts of americas(Hurricanes), north america, as well as the south china coasts and philippines and Australia. (Phaigos, Taifu, Willy Willy). Howvwrt, India is one of the worst affected because:
    1. A long east facing coastline.
    2. Huge expanse if teopical water in Bay of Bengal gives greater thermal energy and landless features do not break the intensity of incoming cyclone.
    3.Greater proportion of people living in the coastal regiobs.
    4. Lack of evacuation plans Early warning system, inadequate crisis mapping and protection shelters in the form of coastal forests in the east coasts.
    5. Lack of disaster management preparedness and resilient livelihood and infrastructure practices.

    In addition to this the cyclones developing in the post monsoon period also get pushed by the prevailing tropospheric wind systems because if obsetting mobsoon in the region of south china sea, further increasing the intensity. A well mapped disaster zones, satellite monitoring using apparatus like INSAT 3DR and a powerful and efficient NDRF would help in managing such events.