Category: Ranker Webinars

UPSC 2023 countdown has begun! Get your personal guidance plan now! (Click here)

Context

• Humanity has luckily survived 75 years without experiencing nuclear war, can one expect luck to last indefinitely?
• In this article, we shall discuss about what raising the nuclear stakes meant for the war in Ukraine and for the world at large.

Nuclear Deterrence: A brief backgrounder

• The principle of nuclear deterrence was born out of the symbiosis of the principle of military deterrence and the emergence of nuclear weapons.
• It is a military doctrine according to which the possibility that a country will use the nuclear weapons it possesses in retaliation will deter an enemy from attacking.
• The idea came to the forefront of US military policy.
• It helps avoid a nuclear war as each side tries to secure their interests by avoiding a nuclear confrontation.

Understanding the logic behind

The basic principle of this logic is:

1. One actor prevents another from taking some action by raising the latter’s fear of the consequences that will ensue.
2. Hypothetically, if Country A launches a nuclear war against Country B, Country B will be able to inflict enough damage on Country A that it would lead to what theorists call “Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD).”

Logic: Nobody will survive to claim oneself a winner!

• Thus, in a nuclear war, both sides will be so badly harmed that it will be impossible to declare one side or the other as the winner.
• Even if one of them tries to attack and disable the nuclear weapons of its rival, the other would still be left with enough nuclear weapons to inflict unacceptable destruction.

Advantages offered by Nuclear Deterrence

• Averting escalation of a world war: The threat of MAD is enough to prevent the world’s nuclear powers from escalating a conflict to the point that a military confrontation becomes inevitable.
• Promote stability: Analysts claim that nuclear weapons do not just protect countries against use of nuclear weapons by others, but even prevent war and promote stability. Ex. Weapons for peace.
• Increases stake and credibility of a nation: Security apparatus of a nation earns its global credibility. Having nuke inherently gives a geo-strategic advantage to countries.
• Prohibiting coercion: The role of the weapon is narrowly framed for safeguarding against nuclear blackmail and coercion.

Limitations of Nuclear Deterrence

• Increase in proxy wars: Nukes have not been shown to prevent proxy wars and acts of terrorism by various non-state actors.  
• Unequal advantage: With the unequal distribution of nuclear capabilities in today’s world, certain nations are at an immediate advantage over other countries. Ex. Russian annexation of de-nuclearized Ukraine.
• Complete deterrence is a myth: Several nations have armed themselves with highly maneuverable nuclear missiles that have much more destructive power to burst earth into dust.
• Alternative warfare: There is no assurance of peace even both conflicting countries may possess nuclear weapons. Biological wars have replaced nukes that are silent killers in disguise. Ex. Wuhan virus pandemic.
• Rise in cold and economic warfare: The world has entered into the phase of a new Cold War e.g. the one between US and China, economic sanctions against Russia, embargo on Visa.
• Non–state actors acquiring nukes: In worst nightmares, there is a likelihood that of inadvertent escalation due to acquisition of the nukes by Talibans or any other terror outfits.
• Emergence of rogue states: Rogue nation or state regarded as breaking international law and posing a threat to the security of other nations. Ex. North Korea.
• Limited nuclear war: In this each side exercises restraint in the use of nuclear weapons, employing small tactical weapons on selected targets. Ex. Pak Minister claiming ‘Pav-Pav kilo ke nuclear bombs’
• Cyberattacks on nuclear command and control: China has been highly successful in manipulating power grids in Pakistan. This can also happen anywhere in the world triggering uncontrolled reactions in nuclear grids.

Problems with the logic of nuclear deterrence

(1) Limited American theory

• There are many scholars who have expressed their scepticism about the logic of deterrence by arguing that just because it avoided a nuclear confrontation between then Soviet Union and the US.
• The world and of coursem the global security exists beyond US and Russia.
• It was the US who ushered nuclear era by bombing Japan and now sermons other to practice restrain.

(2) Still a unverified hypothesis

• The logic of nuclear deterrence is not an established norm but a “hypothesis” and, thus, basing a nation’s security strategy on it is a gamble.
• Nuclear deterrence is based on the assumption that a country will avoid starting a nuclear war in order to protect its own security.

(3) Who shall punish the rogues?

• Another major flaw with this logic is the presence of many uncontrollable variables.
• Ex. the control falls into the hands of the wrong leaders or a soldier deliberately starting a nuclear war to create mischief.

Why is nuclear deterrence still necessary?

• Cost-benefit analysis of a nuclear war: It is a given that nuclear weapons can bring so much destruction that the costs of war will outweigh the benefits and this would “deter” leaders from engaging in nuclear warfare.
• Impact of second strike is dreadful: There is a renewed threat of “second-strike capability” that keeps countries from engaging in nuclear warfare.
• Acknowledged fact (even by the nerds): Leaders who are driven by personal interests are aware of the fact that no winner would emerge from a nuclear war.
• Success of the theory: Despite China, India, and Pakistan having nuclear weapons, the region has been able to avoid a nuclear confrontation and peaceful resolution of conflicts.

During Kargil War, the Deputy Foreign Minister of Pakistan at the time, Shamshad Ahmed, told a Pakistani newspaper that Pakistan is willing to use “any weapon in our arsenal to defend our territorial integrity.” To this, George Fernandez, India’s then Defence Minister, responded that in doing so they would “liquidate” their own country in the process.

Nuclear Deterrence: Indian perspective

• Nuclear deterrence can serve as a pillar of international security only in conjunction with negotiations and agreements on the limitation, reduction, and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.
• Without them, deterrence fuels an endless arms race, while any serious crisis between the great powers will bring them to the brink of nuclear war.
• India believes that nuclear weapons are political weapons, not weapons of war fighting.
• Their sole purpose is to deter the use and threat of use of nuclear weapons.

India’s Nuclear Doctrine

• This was first articulated by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on May 27, 1998, days after India had undertaken a series of nuclear tests in Pokhran.
• It outlined various principles:

1. Building and maintaining a Credible Minimum Deterrence
2. Posture of ‘No First Use’– nuclear weapons will only be used in retaliation against a nuclear attack on Indian Territory or on Indian forces anywhere
3. Massive Nuclear retaliation to a first strike will be designed to inflict unacceptable damage
4. Non-use against non-nuclear states
5. In response to biological or chemical weapons, India will retain the option of retaliating with nuclear weapons

How India performs well on these lines?

• On analyzing Sino-Indian relations, particularly the Ladakh stand-off of 2020, it is evident that both countries are careful to not use nuclear weapons even as a threat.
• Both these countries have stated that both have declared No First Use (NFU) positions.

India’s commitment for de-nuclearization

India has always batted for a universal commitment and an agreed global and non-discriminatory multilateral framework.

• It has outlined a working paper on Nuclear Disarmament submitted to the UN General Assembly in 2006.
• India participated in the Nuclear Security Summit process and has regularly participated in the International Conferences on Nuclear Security organised by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
• India is also a member of the Nuclear Security Contact Group (but has signed off the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)).
• India has expressed its readiness to support the commencement of negotiations on a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT).
• India couldn’t join the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) due to several concerns raised by India.
• India has piloted an annual UNGA Resolution on “Measures to Prevent Terrorists from Acquiring Weapons of Mass Destruction” since 2002, which is adopted by consensus.

Conclusion

• Nuclear deterrence is not just a Cold War term but is extremely valid in a post-Cold War scenario.
• Countries have understood the importance of nuclear deterrence and it plays an important role in designing their security strategies.
• It is used by countries as a bargaining chip to deter nuclear retaliation by other countries.
• However, it should be noted that nuclear deterrence is not the only answer to security problems and its application can be enhanced by using other strategies such as peace talks and confidence-building measures.

UPSC 2023 countdown has begun! Get your personal guidance plan now! (Click here)

Topics for Today’s questions:

GS-1          Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.

GS-2         Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting  India’s interests.

GS-3          Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.

GS-4         Case Studies

Question 1)

Q.1 Do you think feminist movements in India have historically lacked inclusivity, often growing within a limited Western upper-class psyche? (15 Marks)

Question 2)

Q.2 Africa’s development is fundamental to India’s foreign policy in order to enable the latter’s rise as one of the global system’s poles. Discuss. (10 Marks)

Question 3)

Q.3 The recently launched Mission LiFE will be a global initiative by India to combat climate change and make it a people’s movement across the world. Comment. (10 Marks)

Question 4)  

Q. 4 The transgender community has been a part of India’s social set up since the very beginning but never recognized as a reputable part of the society. ‘Hijra’ is a term traditionally used in India for transgender women who were born male. The role and value of this community in accordance with the sacred Hindu texts condenses to the performance of blessings at marriage and birth ceremonies for good fortune. With the advent of the British Raj in the 19th century, the acts of “cross-dressing” were registered as a criminal offence and if such offences were committed repeatedly, imprisonment followed. Thus, began the criminalization of hijras. Today, although legally supported and socially empowered as compared to earlier times, hijras are still subject to transphobic discrimination-associated violence, poverty, and segregation. In light of the above, answer the following: (a) Identify the challenges faced by transgenders during the different stages of their life. (b) Discuss the reasons for the continuing discrimination against transgenders in India despite several initiatives for their upliftment in recent times. (20 Marks)

HOW TO ATTEMPT ANSWERS IN DAILY ANSWER WRITING ENHANCEMENT(AWE)?

1. Daily 4 questions from General studies 1, 2, 3, and 4 will be provided to you.

2. A Mentor’s Comment will be available for all answers. This can be used as a guidance tool but we encourage you to write original answers.

3. You can write your answer on an A4 sheet and scan/click pictures of the same.

4.  Upload the scanned answer in the comment section of the same question.

5. Along with the scanned answer, please share your Razor payment ID, so that paid members are given priority.

6. If you upload the answer on the same day like the answer of 11th  February is uploaded on 11th February then your answer will be checked within 72 hours. Also, reviews will be in the order of submission- First come first serve basis

7. If you are writing answers late, for example, 11th February is uploaded on 13th February , then these answers will be evaluated as per the mentor’s schedule.

8. We encourage you to write answers on the same day. However, if you are uploading an answer late then tag the mentor like @Staff so that the mentor is notified about your answer.

*In case your answer is not reviewed, reply to your answer saying *NOT CHECKED*. 

1. For the philosophy of AWE and payment: 

Topics for Today’s questions:

GS-1          Urbanization, their problems and their remedies.

GS-2         Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.

GS-3         Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.

GS-4          Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and the world.

Question 1)

Q.1 Cities in India function as magnets. However, the unprecedented urbanization comes at a price. Discuss. (15 Marks)

Question 2)

Q.2 Critically evaluate the electoral bonds in context of introducing transparency in the electoral system. (15 Marks)

Question 3)

Q.3 International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently lauded India’s Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Scheme as a “logistical marvel”. Highlighting the objectives of the scheme, elaborate upon its achievements. (15 Marks)

Question 4)  

Q.4 “Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle.” – Martin Luther King Jr. What does this quote mean to you? (10 Marks)

HOW TO ATTEMPT ANSWERS IN DAILY ANSWER WRITING ENHANCEMENT(AWE)?

1. Daily 4 questions from General studies 1, 2, 3, and 4 will be provided to you.

2. A Mentor’s Comment will be available for all answers. This can be used as a guidance tool but we encourage you to write original answers.

3. You can write your answer on an A4 sheet and scan/click pictures of the same.

4.  Upload the scanned answer in the comment section of the same question.

5. Along with the scanned answer, please share your Razor payment ID, so that paid members are given priority.

6. If you upload the answer on the same day like the answer of 11th  February is uploaded on 11th February then your answer will be checked within 72 hours. Also, reviews will be in the order of submission- First come first serve basis

7. If you are writing answers late, for example, 11th February is uploaded on 13th February , then these answers will be evaluated as per the mentor’s schedule.

8. We encourage you to write answers on the same day. However, if you are uploading an answer late then tag the mentor like @Staff so that the mentor is notified about your answer.

*In case your answer is not reviewed, reply to your answer saying *NOT CHECKED*. 

1. For the philosophy of AWE and payment: 

UPSC 2023 countdown has begun! Get your personal guidance plan now! (Click here)

Context

• In 2006 British mathematician Clive Humbly said that Data is the oil of the 21st Century.  This has indeed turned out to be true with the rapid growth of the digital economy.
• Data plays an increasingly important role as an economic and strategic resource.
• In this article, we shall learn about our stand on the issue of data localization and what are the challenges on this front.

The ‘Data’ under debate

• Data is any collection of strategic, personal and transactional information that is stored in a way so computers can easily read it.
• These days, most people refer to data to mean information about their messages, social media posts, online transactions, and browser searches.
• Big data refers to the immense amount of data that can now be collected, stored, and analyzed to find patterns.

What is Data Localization?

• Data localization refers to various policy measures that restrict data flows by limiting the physical storage and processing of data within a given jurisdiction’s boundaries.
• As per the UN’s digital economy report, 2021 64.2 zettabytes of data were created in 2020 which is a 314 percent increase from 2015.
• It can be used to make decisions with economic impacts, environmental impacts or effects on health, education or society in general.
• The volume of data in the world is increasing exponentially.

Why is Data important?

• This large collection of information about people’s online habits has become an important source of profits.
• Your online activity can expose a lot about who you are, and companies find it valuable to use the information to target advertisements to you.
• Governments and political parties have also gained interest in these data sets for elections and policymaking.

India’s favor for Data Localization

• India’s recent drafts and statements have strong signals for data localization, which means that data of Indians (even if collected by an American company) must be stored and processed in India.
• Along with an RBI directive to payment companies to localize financial data, the Ministry of Commerce’s draft e-commerce policy is currently in public consultation.
• The IT Ministry has drafted a data protection law that will be introduced in Parliament and has also framed draft intermediary rules that were leaked earlier.
• These laws, broadly speaking, could require Facebook, Google, and Amazon to store and process in India information such as an Indian’s messages, searches, and purchases.
• In some cases, they restrict what type of data these companies can collect. In others, it requires only a copy of the data to be in the country.
• By requiring a copy of the data to be stored in India (data mirroring), the government hopes to have more direct control over these companies, including the option to levy more taxes on them.
• The government also argues for data localization on the ground of national security, to prevent foreign surveillance and attacks.

Arguments in favor of data localization

• Data accessibility: It will help Indian law enforcement access user data. This especially gained prominence when incidences of lynchings across the country were linked to WhatsApp rumours whose stance on encrypted content frustrated government officials.
• Cost saving: Along with government support, most domestic-born technology companies (which tend to have heavy foreign investments) support data localization. Most of these firms store their data exclusively in India.
• Privacy protection: Some Indian companies have strongly argued that data regulation for privacy and security will have little teeth without localization, citing models in China and Russia.
• Prevent snooping: Secures citizen’s data and provides data privacy and data sovereignty from foreign surveillance. Example – Facebook shared user data with Cambridge Analytica to influence voting.
• Employment generation: Many argue that localization would lead to a larger presence of MNC’s in India overall, such as local offices, and increase tax liability and open more jobs.
• Corporate accountability: Greater accountability from firms like Google, Facebook etc. about the end use of data. Minimizes conflict of jurisdiction due to cross-border data sharing and delay in justice delivery in case of data breach.

Argument against data localization

• Backlash from partner countries: Industry bodies, especially those with significant ties to the US, have slung heavy backlash.
• Politicization of issue: Much of this sentiment hampers to the values of a globalised, competitive internet marketplace, where costs and speeds determine information flows, rather than nationalistic borders.
• Unease of doing business: Opponents say that this, in turn, may backfire on India’s own young start-ups that are attempting global growth, or on larger firms that process foreign data in India.
• Domestic misuse of data: Critics caution against state misuse and surveillance of personal data. They also argue that security and government access is not achieved by localisation.
• Huge cost of storage:  Huge costs are involved to fulfill data localisation requirements. The servers need 24×7 power supply and the power outages may lead to shutdown of critical ins

Policy moves in India: Data Protection Bill

• The Justice Srikrishna Committee in its report accompanying the draft Personal Data Protection Bill notes that eight of the top 10 most accessed websites in India are owned by U.S. entities
• The Bill calls for a copy of user data to be mandatorily localized in India.
• This reality has often hindered Indian law enforcement agencies when investigating routine crimes or crimes with a cyber element.

Is location sole measure of claiming data rights?

• Questions around whether access to data is determined by the location of the user, location of data or the place of incorporation of the service provider have become central considerations for governments seeking to solve the cross-border data sharing conundrum
• The Clarifying Lawful Overseas Use of Data (CLOUD) Act, passed by the U.S. Congress earlier this year, seeks to de-monopolize control over data from U.S. authorities
• The law will for the first time allow tech companies to share data directly with certain foreign governments
• This requires an executive agreement between the U.S. and the foreign country certifying that the state has robust privacy protections and respect for due process and the rule of law
• The CLOUD Act creates a potential mechanism through with countries such as India can request data not just for crimes committed within their borders but also for transnational crimes involving their state interests

Identifying the Indian Government’s Stated Goals

The first step is to identify and define the Indian government’s objectives precisely. As explained in the previous section, the following four objectives have been articulated in multiple Indian government documents.

• securing faster and better access to personal data for law enforcement
• spurring increased economic growth and employment
• preventing foreign surveillance, and
• better enforcing data protection laws

Way Forward

• Conduct a full-scale assessment: To understand the exact requirements and to reach alignment on the necessary actions.
• Review the potential market opportunity: This should be done in a particular region or country to determine if it warrants its own IT and data infrastructure.
• Define a target state for a possible regional IT and data infrastructure and operations: This should include the extent to which the company will use local providers or set up its own localized capabilities.
• Implement proper budgeting and planning: This should include the necessary support from global and regional IT and data teams.
• Identify specific security and privacy controls: Given the data types and the severity of the risks, these might include tokenization to protect personally identifiable information (PII) during the migration to local infrastructure and field-level encryption for securing sensitive personal data.
• Infrastructure development: Undertake the actual data migration and set up the local infrastructure and operations securely.

UPSC 2023 countdown has begun! Get your personal guidance plan now! (Click here)

Topics for Today’s questions:

GS-1          Population and associated issues

GS-2         Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.

GS-3          Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.

GS-4          Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance.

Question 1)

Q.1 Recently, the country has seen a growth in the number of hate crimes. Highlighting the reasons for it, suggest ways of responding to such crimes. (10 Marks)

Question 2)

Q.2. Delineate the grounds of disqualification under The Representation of the People Act, 1951. Also, discuss the remedial measures available to the disqualified representatives. (15 Marks)

Question 3)

Q.3 What are the trans-national challenges to policing? How can Interpol help to manage such challenges? (10 Marks)

Question 4)  

Q.4 “It is very important to understand that emotional intelligence is not opposite of intelligence, it is not triumph of heart on head, it is a unique intersection of both.”- David Caruso. Examine the statement with suitable examples in the context of a public servant discharging his/her duties. (10 Marks)

HOW TO ATTEMPT ANSWERS IN DAILY ANSWER WRITING ENHANCEMENT(AWE)?

1. Daily 4 questions from General studies 1, 2, 3, and 4 will be provided to you.

2. A Mentor’s Comment will be available for all answers. This can be used as a guidance tool but we encourage you to write original answers.

3. You can write your answer on an A4 sheet and scan/click pictures of the same.

4.  Upload the scanned answer in the comment section of the same question.

5. Along with the scanned answer, please share your Razor payment ID, so that paid members are given priority.

6. If you upload the answer on the same day like the answer of 11th  February is uploaded on 11th February then your answer will be checked within 72 hours. Also, reviews will be in the order of submission- First come first serve basis

7. If you are writing answers late, for example, 11th February is uploaded on 13th February , then these answers will be evaluated as per the mentor’s schedule.

8. We encourage you to write answers on the same day. However, if you are uploading an answer late then tag the mentor like @Staff so that the mentor is notified about your answer.

*In case your answer is not reviewed, reply to your answer saying *NOT CHECKED*. 

1. For the philosophy of AWE and payment: 

Context

In the evolution and development of literary, criticism, metaphysics and poetics in Sanskrit, Kashmir holds an important place as being the birthplace or residence of several prominent literary critics, theoreticians, philosophers and commentators.

Contributions of Kashmir in the field of literature

(1) Sages

• The list includes names such as Panini, Chandracharya, Bharata, Kshemendra, Abhinavagupta, Vasugupta, Somananda, Somadeva, Bilhana, Kalhana, Patanjali, Anandavardhana and many others.
• Panini’s Astadhyayi is the basis of Sanskrit grammar, while Bharata’s Natyashastra is the foundational text for theorising on dramaturgy.

(2) Poetry

• The poetic theories of auchitya, guna, rill and dhvani are the contributions of Kashmir to Indian poetics.
• From Buddhism to Shaivism to Sufism, Kashmir’s literary and cultural landscape has enriched the corpus of mysticism and literature in India.

(3) Philosophers

• The great philosopher Abhinavagupta lived in Kashmir in the 11th century and his name has become inseparable from the philosophy of Kashmir Shaivism.
• This system of philosophy teaches the concepts of abhas-vad (intuition) and pratyabhijna (recognition).
• Abhinavagupta also added the ninth rasa, “shanta rasa” to the typology of eight rasas enumerated by Bharata in Natyashastra.
• His other compositions include Tantraloka, Abhinavabharati, commentary on the Bhagavad Gita titled Gitartha Samgraha and Parmarthasara.

(4) Persian poetry

• There was a robust spiritual environment wherein saint-poets such as Lal Ded flourished and composed vaakhs (four-line stanzas).
• In contemporary Kashmiri poetry, Bimla Raina has preserved the tradition of the singing of Lal-Ded’s vaakhs.

(5) Secular literature  

• Sheikh Noor-ud-din Noorani was a master in the rishi or reshut parampara of Kashmir wherein his mystical thought blended the values of Kashmir Shaivism and Sufism.
• He composed four-to six-line poems known as shrukh in Kashmiri and is also credited with translating the Holy Quran into Kashmiri.
• The tradition of great women saints and mentors is preserved in the verses and dargahs in Kashmir.

(6) Music

• The first all-women Sufi band was formed in 2015 in the region and they call themselves “Yemberzal” and are dedicated to preserve the Sufiana mausiqi, the tradition of Sufi music and Kashmiri classical music.

UPSC 2023 countdown has begun! Get your personal guidance plan now! (Click here)