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Exam Year: 2023

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    In the modern world, IQ provides the technical “entry ticket” to a profession, but EQ determines how far an individual climbs and how meaningful their life becomes.

    “In a high-IQ job pool, soft skills like discipline, drive, and empathy mark those who emerge as outstanding.” – Daniel Goleman

    Importance of EQ

    For Professional Success

    EQ ensures Leadership effectiveness. Eg- Satya Nadella transformed Microsoft by emphasising empathy and collaboration.

    Purely cognitive skills often freeze under extreme stress (“Amygdala Hijack”). EQ provides calmness and resilience. Eg- Captain “Sully” Sullenberger

    EQ helps in building effective Team Synergy by providing “Psychological Safety” to members. (Google’s “Project Aristotle”)

    For Character and Integrity

    EQ builds Self-Regulation against Greed. Eg- integrity of Ashok Khemka

    It builds moral courage to endure consequences of ethical action. Eg- Whistleblowers like Satyendra Dubey.

    In high EQ person, empathy acts as a Moral Compass. Eg- Mahatma Gandhi lived like poor to “feel” their struggle.

    For Happiness and Well-being

    Self-awareness allows individuals to recognize negative thought patterns before they lead to burnout.

    Inner peace through EI reduces cognitive dissonance after ethical choice. Eg- Satish Dhawan taking responsibility for failure

    EQ helps build healthy relationships and supportive social bonds. Eg- open communication in family helping build trust

    For Lifelong Achievements

    Persistence in the face of failure is an emotional skill, not an analytical one. Eg- Thomas Edison failed 1,000 times before inventing the lightbulb.

    Self-awareness allows an individual to accept criticism and learn from mistakes.

    Adaptability- In a changing world, the ability to “unlearn” and “relearn” requires emotional flexibility.

    Limitations of IQ

    Knowledge without integrity and EQ is dangerous and dreadful. Eg- White-collar criminals

    High IQ does not ensure emotional awareness. Eg- Brilliant engineers failing as managers due to poor people skills.

    Poor leadership capacity. Eg- Sachin Teldulkar as a best batsman but poor captain

    High vulnerability to anxiety and stress. Eg- rising suicide and depression among software engineers

    High IQ does not ensure interpersonal success. Eg- Isaac Newton had poor social relationships

    High IQ does not guarantee adaptability. Eg- companies like Nokia, Kotak etc

    To live a truly successful and happy life, one must balance the logic of the head with the intelligence of the heart.

    Aptitude and Foundational Values

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    Corruption is the abuse of entrusted power for private gain, resulting in distortion of justice, fairness and public interest.

    Corruption as the manifestation of failure of core values

    Decline of responsibility

    Weak public spirit

    Normalization of unethical behaviour (sanskritization)

    Loss of respect for law

    Materialism over morality

    Breakdown of accountability

    Greed over Contentment

    Loss of Professional Ethics

    Materialism over Spirituality/Humanism

    Measures to uplift core values in society

    Value-based education – Ethics and civic education in schools.

    Family and community socialisation – Teaching honesty at home.

    Media responsibility – Highlighting integrity stories, not just scandals.

    Reward ethical behaviour – Public recognition of whistleblowers.

    Transparent governance – Eg- DBT has saved over 3.5 lakh Cr of government

    Civic participation – Social audits and RTI activism.

    Cultural reinforcement – Films and literature celebrating moral courage.

    Swift and certain punishment under Prevention of Corruption Act and Fast-track courts to end the “culture of impunity.”

    Utilizing spiritual leaders to preach “Aparigraha” (non-attachment) and “Asteya” (non-stealing).

    Breaking politician-bureaucrat-civil servant nexus (Vohra committee)

    Transparency in political funding

    Civil services board for transparent postings and transfers

    By fostering integrity, empathy, and public spirit, we can move from a society of “Rules” to a society of “Character,” where corruption finds no soil to take root.

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    The total government subsidy for food and fertilizers for the fiscal year 2025-26 is budgeted at It constitutes around 2% of India’s GDP and 21% of farmer’s income.

    Direct subsidies –

    These involve direct budgetary support or cash transfers to farmers and agricultural institutions.

    Income support schemes –

    PM-KISAN

    Raythu bandhu Scheme of Telangana

    MSP For 23 crops to ensure Income Security

    Interest subvention through Kisan Credit Cards – KCC)

    Crop insurance premium subsidy under PMFBY (Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana)

    Indirect subsidies to the farm sector

    These reduce production costs or guarantee revenue without direct cash payment:

    Fertiliser subsidy – Subsidised urea, DAP and other fertilisers under the Nutrient Based Subsidy

    Subsidy on agricultural infrastructure

    PM-KUSUM – Subsidy for Solar Pumps

    PMFBY – Subsidy for Micro Irrigation

    Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) – Credit-linked subsidy for cold storage

    Gramin Bhandaran Yojana – Support for rural godowns and storage

    Power & irrigation subsidy

    Free or highly subsidised electricity for irrigation pumps

    Subsidised canal and micro-irrigation schemes (Eg- PMKSY)

    Seed and mechanisation subsidy – Eg- Sub Mission on Agriculture Mechanisation

    Research & Extension services – Funding to ICAR, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs)

    Issues raised by WTO regarding India’s agricultural subsidies

    Subsidy Classification by WTO

    Green Box – Allowed (non-trade distorting). Eg- extension, infrastructure

    Blue Box – Production-limiting subsidies

    Amber Box – Trade-distorting subsidies. (10% of output) Eg- MSP, input subsidies

    Trade-distorting support – MSP, fertiliser, power & irrigation subsidies classified as Amber Box. May exceed 10% de-minimis limit for developing countries

    WTO decision (Nairobi, 2015) prohibits export subsidies. India’s sugar export incentives were challenged & ruled WTO-inconsistent

    Transparency issues – Allegations of under-reporting or delayed reporting of subsidies

    Environmental concerns – overuse of fertilisers and groundwater, causing Soil degradation, Groundwater depletion and Ecological stress

    The sustainable path for ensuring farmer welfare remains protected includes gradual shift towards Green-Box-compliant support such as direct income transfers, infrastructure creation, R&D, crop insurance and climate-resilient agriculture.

    (a)

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    Ethical decision-making is the process by which individuals evaluate options and make choices based on moral principles. It is “dual-process” system based on emotional insight (intuition) and rational evaluation (reasoning)

    Examples

    Moral Intuition

    The “Railway Track” Heroism by Nicholas Winton

    The “Yuck” Factor in Bioethics

    Moral Reasoning

    The Triage Decision in healthcare during crisis

    Kesavananda Bharati judgment – Moral and Legal Reasoning to develop the “Basic Structure Doctrine.”

    Corporate Downsizing Decisions based on utilitarianism

    Moral Intuition is the “Hero” who acts in the moment, while Moral Reasoning is the “Sage” who builds the system. Both are necessary for a morally complete life.

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    Structural unemployment occurs when workers lack the skills, education, or geographic mobility required to match available jobs. In India, it reflects a mismatch between the workforce’s capabilities and the evolving needs of a modern economy.

    Why Unemployment is Structural in India

    Skill Mismatch – Majority of workforce is low-skilled; only ~4.7% formally skilled (NSDC).

    Agriculture Dependence – 49% workforce in agriculture producing 16-17% of GDP

    Slow Growth of Labour-Intensive Industries – Manufacturing unable to absorb labour at scale.

    Automation and Digitalisation – Eg- AI, Robotics leading to job losses

    Low Female Labour Participation – FLFPR at 41.7% (PLFS 2023-24) due to social norms, skill gaps, and lack of suitable jobs.

    Regional Imbalances – Job clusters in southern/western India vs labour concentration in BIMARU states.

    Informalization of economy – 89% of workforce in informal sector.

    Methodology to Compute Unemployment in India

    NSSO (under MOSPI) is the principal body responsible for estimating unemployment.

    Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) – NSO measures unemployment through three indicators:

    Usual Status (US/PS+SS) – Based on activity over 365 days

    Current Weekly Status (CWS) – If not worked for 1 hour in the last 7 days.

    Current Daily Status (CDS) – Records activity for each day of last week – best for informal/underemployment.

    Household Surveys – Annual (rural + urban) and quarterly (urban) surveys.

    Establishment Surveys

    QES for formal sector

    ASI for organised manufacturing

    Administrative Data – EPFO, ESIC, NPS payrolls used to estimate formal job creation.

    Unemployment rate = No. of unemployed persons / Total labour force

    Issues with Current Methodology

    Underestimation of Informal Sector – ~90% workforce informal. PLFS & enterprise surveys do not capture home-based, gig, or platform work fully.

    Surveys don’t map job requirements vs worker skills, essential for assessing structural unemployment.

    Low Frequency – Eg- PLFS rural data is measured annually

    Urban Bias – Quarterly surveys are confined to urban areas. Rural distress is under-measured.

    Limited Coverage – Gig economy, digital services, start-ups, and EV/green jobs not adequately represented.

    Way Forward

    Use Big Data Analytics to gather real-time analysis.

    Incorporate ‘underemployment’ into the definition of unemployment.

    Timely release of data.

    Increase Frequency – Monthly or quarterly surveys for rural areas

    Align with International Standards (ILO + SNA 2025)- Update definitions to include multi-job holders, remote workers, freelancers, and platform-based workers.

    Improving methodology is essential to generate accurate employment estimates and design stronger job creation policies.

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    UAVs have emerged as “aerial dimension” of asymmetric warfare along Indian Maritime and Land Borders.

    Threat of UAVs to Internal Security

    Narco-Terror Financing- Drones ferry heroin and “ICE” to fund cross-border insurgencies.

    Small Arms Proliferation- Quadcopters drop Turkish-made pistols and grenades for sleeper cells.

    Explosive-laden drones target high-value military assets. Eg- 2021 Jammu Air Force Station attack

    Radicalization via Propaganda- Drops of subversive literature and inflammatory digital devices in border districts. Eg- Materials recovered in J&K (2025).

    Intelligence and Reconnaissance- map border outposts, fence gaps, and troop movement

    Swarm Overload Tactics- Deploying multiple UAVs to saturate and confuse conventional radar systems. Eg- “Operation Sindoor” .

    Smugglers use “dark vessels” (drones with lights/transponders off) that switch frequencies to evade standard radio-frequency (RF) scanners.

    Small DJI-type drones fly below 100 feet at night, exploiting the “radar gap” where traditional air defense is ineffective.

    Measures Taken to Tackle the Threat

    Mission Sudarshan Chakra – AI-driven air-defense shield for major cities and critical border belts.

    Drone Rules, 2021 – For regulating civilian drone rules. Eg- strict import norms

    Indrajaal – AI-powered Anti-Drone Patrol Vehicle t0 detect and neutralize drones within 10 km.

    Anti-Drone Grid (ARDS) along the Punjab border featuring “Soft Kill” (jammers/spoofers) and “Hard Kill” (lasers/kinetic interceptors).

    DRDO-developed D-4 systems and Bhargavastra – use lasers to destroy targets within 2 km.

    Integration of thermal imagers and radar into the CIBMS.

    Drone Forensics Centers to trace flight paths, launch points, and “Digital Signatures” of captured foreign UAVs.

    Indigenous “Kamikaze” “Zombee” Drones designed to crash into hostile drones mid-air.

    BSF and State Police have set up mobile checkpoints 5–10 km inside the border to intercept ground-level “receivers.”

    Community Rewards Scheme to report drone sounds (contributes to 40% of recoveries)

    Aatmanirbhar Defense Push- Funding startups via iDEX

    Baaj Akh (2025)- Punjab government’s anti-drone system as a second line of defense behind BSF

    Role of private sector

    Nagastra – Loitering munition (suicide drones)

    Bhargavastra – Counter drone system for swarm detection

    A comprehensive National Security Doctrine covering anti-drone measures is needed to ensure “secure skies”

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    Care economy refers to the unpaid or underpaid activities performed within households and communities such as childcare, elderly care, household maintenance, and emotional labour. In contrast, the monetized economy includes all paid economic activities that generate income

    Key Features of the Care Economy:

    Human-Centered

    Labour-Intensive

    Majorly Informal Sector

    Bringing Care Economy into Monetized Economy through Women Empowerment

    Raising investment in the care economy to 2% (>1% current) can generate 11 million jobs for women.

    Draw lessons from Japan’s womenomics for boosting female labour participation.

    Encourage PPP models and CSR initiatives to expand affordable care infrastructure.

    Skill Development and Certification in childcare, geriatric care, nursing, early education, nutrition.

    Formalisation of Care Services by expanding creches, Anganwadis, elderly care centres, community caregiving services.

    Promotion of Women-led Care Entrepreneurship such as day-care centres, tiffin services by providing credit, digital platforms, SHG support, and market linkages.

    Social Protection- Recognising care work under minimum wage laws and social security frameworks.

    Digital platforms like online caregiving services, home-nursing apps, domestic work registries help women monetise care skills.

    Investments in time-saving infrastructure such as clean cooking fuel, piped water, and public transport can increase FLFPR in the formal economy.

    Adopting the 3R Framework (Recognize, Reduce and Redistribute) can help realise SDG 5.4.

    Economic Growth and Macroeconomic Stability

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    In 2024, EVs accounted for over 20% of new cars sold globally (17 million units). It increased by over 25% in 2024. EVs accounted for 7.5% of India’s total vehicle sales in 2024.

    Rapid Growth of EV

    China, Europe, and the USA account for around 95% of all sales.

    In Southeast Asia, sales grew nearly 50% in 2024.

    Brazil doubled its sales to 125,000 units

    Africa remains under 1% share, though sales more than doubled in 2024

    India’s EV Targets by 2030

    80% EV adoption in 2 & 3 wheelers

    40% EV adoption in buses

    30% EV adoption in private cars

    Electric Vehicles Contributing to Reducing Carbon Emissions

    Zero tailpipe emissions – EVs emit no CO₂, NOx or particulate matter during operation, unlike petrol/diesel vehicles.

    Lower life-cycle emissions when powered by renewable sources (solar, wind, hydro)

    Higher energy efficiency – EVs convert 85–90% of energy into motion, compared to 20–30% in ICE vehicles.

    Less demand for petrol and diesel lowers emissions from mining, refining and transportation of fossil fuel.

    Accelerating grid decarbonisation – EV charging encourages higher renewable power capacity.

    Recycling and reuse of batteries reduces emissions from raw material extraction.

    Key Benefits of EVs Compared to Traditional Combustion Engine Vehicles

    Environmental Benefits

    Reduction in urban smog and air pollution

    Helps achieve climate and SDG targets (SDG 13 & SDG 11)

    Economic Benefits

    Lower running and maintenance costs

    Reduces oil import bill and saves foreign exchange

    Generates green jobs in battery, EV, and charging sectors

    Energy Security Benefits

    Cuts dependence on imported crude oil

    Promotes use of domestic renewable energy

    Public Health Benefits

    Decline in respiratory and cardiovascular diseases

    Improved urban air quality

    Technological Benefits

    Boosts battery innovation, smart grids and V2G technologies

    Strengthens Make in India and PLI manufacturing ecosystem

    Urban & Social Benefits- Eg- Less noise pollution

    Challenges

    High Initial Cost (20–30% costlier), limiting affordability for middle and lower-income groups.

    Insufficient Charging Infrastructure – India has 1 public charging station per 135 EVs

    India imports over 90% of its lithium-ion batteries, mainly from China.

    Regulatory Uncertainty – Frequent policy shifts create confusion. Eg- Changes in import duties and tax regimes

    Limited driving range leads to “range anxiety” among consumers.

    Limited awareness of EV benefits and technology slows adoption.

    Way Forward

    Invest in advanced battery R&D such as solid-state and sodium-ion batteries.

    Leverage National Critical Mineral Mission to boost domestic lithium exploration.

    Expand Charging Infrastructure through PPP

    Learn from Global Best Practices – Eg- Germany’s ELISA project

    Integrate with global EV supply chains. Eg- lithium supply from Argentina

    EVs are a cornerstone of low-carbon mobility and represent civilisational shift towards sustainability.

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    A cropping pattern is the distribution of various crops within a specific area at a given time. In recent times, cropping patterns have seen visible transformation due to changing dietary habits and market demands.

    Changing Cropping Pattern due to Changing Consumption Pattern

    In 2022-23, fruits and vegetables accounted for 28.3% of the Gross Value Output, surpassing cereals – due to changing diet, health awareness, Middle-class expansion and urbanisation.

    Growth of organic farming due to increasing awareness about the health impacts of chemicals. Eg- organic food market growing @ CAGR 20%

    Higher consumption of chips, juices, and packaged foods has increased cultivation of crops like potato, maize, tomato and sugarcane.

    Rising dairy and meat consumption has led to increased cultivation of fodder crops such as maize, sorghum and green fodder.

    Focus on nutri-cereals under Millet Mission and International Year of Millets (2023) is increasing area under millets. (from 12 million hectares in 2013 to 15 million hectares in 2021)

    Regional Diversification Patterns

    Punjab-Haryana: Slow movement away from rice-wheat monoculture

    Maharashtra, Karnataka, TN: Shift to horticulture & pulses

    Eastern India: Expansion of vegetables + aquaculture

    Changing Cropping Pattern due to Changing Marketing Conditions

    Expansion of e-NAM (1.77Cr farmers registered)- Better price discovery and wider market access are encouraging crop diversification.

    Better price Discovery – Eg- horticulture crops give 3-4 times higher income than cereals.

    Export-oriented agriculture – High demand for basmati rice, spices, tea, coffee, cotton and fruits. Eg- tea Plantations in Assam and WB

    Growth of contract farming -Eg- PepsiCo in potatoes, ITC in maize encourage cultivation of commercial crops through assured buy-back.

    Improved storage and logistics infrastructure like cold storage, Kisan Rail support high-value and perishable crops.

    Demand from industries has increased cultivation of sugarcane (ethanol), oilseeds (biodiesel), cotton and silk.

    Rise of e-commerce and food processing sector- Eg- Platforms like Blinkit, BigBasket, and FPIs have promoted commercial and market-led cropping patterns.

    Shift to high-value crops can be a key driver of doubling farmers’ income and nutritional security.

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    As per Ramsar Convention, wetlands are defined as “areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres”.

    National Wetland Conservation Programme (NWCP)

    Initiated in 1985-86 for Conservation, restoration and sustainable management of wetlands to maintain ecological character and ecosystem services.

    Implemented through MoEFCC and State Wetland Authorities,

    It is merged with the National Lake conservation program under NPCA (2013).

    Achievements of NWCA

    Ramsar Site Expansion – India increased Ramsar sites to 94 wetlands (2025) with NWCP support.

    Restoration Initiatives – Supported desiltation, sewage diversion and habitat improvement in degraded wetlands. Eg- Ecological restoration of Chilika Lake.

    Financial Support: Central funding to states for priority wetlands has led to tangible improvements. Eg: Loktak Lake (Manipur) saw reduced weed infestation

    Led to creation of Wetlands Rules, 2017 for legal protection.

    Enabled formation of State Wetland Authorities and Management Plans.

    Awareness Generation and Community Engagement – Eg- Initiatives like Wetland Mitras.

    Integrated Management – Promoted catchment and water management approaches for ecological restoration.

    Limitations of National Wetland Conservation Programme

    Inadequate Funding restricted large-scale wetland rejuvenation.

    Encroachment and pollution continue. Eg- Chennai has lost 85% of its wetlands. (WWF)

    Poor Inter-Agency Coordination – Multiplicity of urban, irrigation and forest agencies.

    Private Ownership Barrier – Eg- 55% of India’s 24.24 lakh water bodies are privately owned as per the 2022-23 Water Body Census.

    Land Use Conversion for housing, infrastructure and agriculture. Eg- India has lost nearly 30% of its wetlands in 3 decades due to urbanisation, pollution and farming.

    Invasive Species Proliferation disrupts native biodiversity and oxygen balance. Eg- Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) chokes lakes and ponds across India.

    Climate Change-Induced Hydrological Stress – Changing rainfall and sea-level rise disturb wetland hydrology. Eg- Sundarbans faces salinity intrusion

    Policy Blind Spots – Wetlands excluded from urban master plans and infrastructure planning.

    India’s Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Sites)

    Chilika Lake (Odisha) – Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon and Irrawaddy dolphin habitat.

    Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) – Globally important migratory bird wetland.

    Loktak Lake (Manipur) – World’s only lake with floating phumdis.

    Wular Lake (Jammu & Kashmir) – One of India’s largest freshwater lakes.

    Wetlands are critical natural infrastructure and key in realising SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

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