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The fine line between censorship and moral responsibility.

Instructions: Write the following essay in 1000-1200 words.

GS IV (Ethics) (Duplex)

Is ethics important, especially in the public administration setting of a democracy? Is exercising power for the benefit of the supporters of the persons in power appropriate ethically for a public administrator in a democracy?

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Anil Jhajharia wrote the best answer for this question and got a score of 5/10. 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)

Ethics refers to the guide of write or wrong in a situation. It is imperative to all parts of democracy including public administration. The reasons for its importance in public administration are:
->Public administration is interface to people in democracy. Ethical administration will generate social capital and trust.
-> Ethics in Public administration will ensure transparency, accountability and efficiency.
-> Many problems like corruption, maladministration, loss in exchequer can be reduced by ethical behavior.
->It’ll enhance the credibility of government and two-way relationship, which are foundation of democracy.
->Overall, ethics in public administration will help the lower section of society, thus in tandem with concept of welfare state.
Exercising power for supporters is unethical in administration, as it results in nepotism and favoritism. e.g commonwealth contracts scam.
It is loss of both public and government. This is also a condition of “conflict of interest”, which can have grave consequences including corruption. An ethical public administrator never uses power for his supporters, and follows the values of objectivity, honesty and non-partisanship, which are inherent to ethical behavior in public administration.

GS III (Internal Security) (Hattrick)

Do you think that maritime terrorism is major threat to India ? Discuss.

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Rahul Jain wrote the best answer for this question and got a score of 5/10. 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)

That India has a long coastline and has a strategic location in Indian Ocean itself calls for robust maritime security mechanism as our economy is also dependent on maritime trade. There are threats like:
1. Terror attacks (e.g. Mumbai 2008)
2. Piracy in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea(e.g. Somalian piracy)
3. Recent Chinese interventions in Pakistan(i.e. Gwadar Port) can have a diplomatic disadvantage for us.
4. Western presence in the Indian Ocean can undermine our influence in the region.

INITIATIVES+ WAY FORWARD:
1. Setting up of marine police stations along the coast(synergy between Centre and coastal States required).
2. Better coordination between coast guard and Indian Navy coupled with their upgradation.(recent commissioning of Patrol and Naval vessels is a good step)
3. Coordination between countries surrounding the Indian Ocean,Arabian Sea etc. via various fora like IORA,BIMSTEC etc. or through war exercises like VARUNA,MALABAR etc.
4. Usage of Space technology can be used.
5. Issue of ID cards to fishermen and training them to report any unusual activity in the waters.

GS II (Governance, Health sector) (Hattrick)

The use of technology has the potential to revolutionize the health sector administration in India. Discuss critically giving appropriate examples.

Best answer

Narayana Sarma wrote the best answer for this question and got a score of 5.5/10. 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 increased public spending on India’s health sector has seen no improved returns. This is due to the lack of wide-reaching and inefficient healthcare services. The infusion of technology in health sector administration could largely improve the present scenario. It is important, since improved healthcare implies a better economic growth and development. Some proposed technologies are as follows:
-Digitizing the medical records of patients to effectively track their health status
-Development of handheld devices or applications usable on them, which can perform multiple tests and provide results along with suggested treatments and information of suitable doctors Eg: 1). Swasthya plate, developed by an Indian, is a tablet which can measure and provide ECG results, urine protein level instantly 2). Installation of heart sensors in today’s premium mobiles.
-Applications which can provide alternative medicines with equivalent composition at lower prices instead of prescribed ones. Due to higher prices, patients often do not buy medicines
-Releasing a doctor-mapping tool, which could help patients in finding nearby doctors and thus fix appointment without going to hospital/clinic
-Establishment of a communication network for purposes like healthcare counselling, insurance claims and so on
-Globalized network of doctors/specialists, who can be contacted immediately in complex and special cases
However, there are some challenges in implementing technology in health sector as follows:
-Availing the technology is not possible without internet
-Security of patient’s digital record if compromised, could show his weakness
-The handheld devices and applications should be affordable so that poor patients are not left out
-The toll-free numbers for healthcare counselling is needed to encourage people to utilize it
However, despite such challenges, Government, is implementing the technology in healthcare sector in following ways:
-Kilkari, Mother Child Tracking System (MCTS) based on mobile, suggests appropriate measures for a pregnant woman at appropriate times
-Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTBCP) and an IT enabled tool to quit using tobacco (M-cessation), have a toll-free network to get health advices
-Transfer of technology from countries like Japan which have better supply chain management through programmes like Make in India
A required step is that there should be a focus on technology while preparing National Health Policy.
The above discussion shows that, technology, though has a potential to revolutionize the health sector administration, has to be affordable and accessible for an inclusive impact.

GS I (The Freedom Struggle – its various stages and important contributors or contributions from different parts of the country) (Duplex)

Patriotic writings proliferated almost spontaneously in different languages, as the resistance of a community against foreign rule. Analyse the birth of the novel  associated with the social reform-oriented movement of the 19th century.

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june wrote the best answer for this question and got a score of 4.5/10. 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 Indian freedom movement happened at the just the right time. There were many factors that aided our independence and none so much more than lowering of barrier entry in writings in the new form of novels. In this regard we realise the important of spreading ideas through the medium of the written language. Earlier the medium of writing and reading, being structured and poetic was reserved for the rich and high classes. The novel introduced a kind of informal way of expression that was accessible to the masses. So, Bengali writers like Rangalal, Urdu writers like Mirza Ghalib, and Hindi writers like Harishchandra wrote novels that instilled the readers with the homeland fervour and did much to raise the collective patriotic voices of the people.

For the first time after two centuries of British rule and British account of Indian history, we had Indian writers providing their account of a glorious Indian past. Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, Hari Narayan Apte and others wrote historical novels that gave veins to nationalistic pride. Our national song ‘Bande Mataram’ is famously from Bankim Chatterjee’s novel ‘Anandamath’. The song is recognised by all to be an important slogan in India’s struggle for independence.

GS IV (lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders) (Simplex) (Analytical)

Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace.  Discuss.

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Simran Bains wrote the best answer for this question and got a score of 4/10. 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)

Humans are blessed with the ABILITY to use their MINDS, THINK and ACT accordingly. There needs to a perfect coordination between what a person thinks, speaks and how he acts.

Buddha taught us the concept of RIGHT SPEECH which tells a person to abstain from LIES and lead a TRUTHFUL life. But in this contemporary era of materialism, people prefer sweet lies, rather than bitter truth.

“Words are mightier than a sword.” This highlights the importance of words. One should be CAREFUL with the words he uses, they might hit the wrong chords and create disharmony. Delivering HATE SPEECHES carelessly by political leaders has become a trend, but those aggressive words carry the potential to break violence and disturb SOCIAL HARMONY.

Instead, the leaders should realise their RESPONSIBILITIES and make efforts to use such a language which will reduce tension and anger.

During ELECTION CAMPAIGNS, political parties make numerous promises to lure voters. But they hardly stick to what they say. Hence, they lose FAITH and CREDIBILITY which people show in them.

It takes COURAGE for a person to stand by what he says. He should think twice before making promises and giving statements. Because once the words are spoken, they cannot be taken back. Words should be meant to promote goodwill and peace.

GS III (Economics) (Hattrick)
What are Panama & Bahamas papers? What is the connection with India? Add a note on tax heavens.

Best answer

RAHUL JAIN wrote the best answer for this question and got a score of 5/10. 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)

Tax havens are those countries which have very low taxation rates sometimes coupled with secrecy w.r.t financial transactions,account holders etc. under their jurisdiction. On this account they attract a large no of foreign companies as well as huge amount of capital as well.
Countries like Mauritius,Panama,Switzerland are some of the major tax havens of the world.
Panama papers refer to the documents recently surfaced in Panama showing the wealth(mostly unaccounted for) of prominent personalities stashed in the banks of Panama.
Major Indian industrialists, celebrities too figure in them.
IMPACT ON INDIA:
1. Majority of this money in laundered.
2. This promotes the problem of Base Erosion and Profit Shifting(Apple v/s EU case)
3. Creation of a parallel black economy since this money comes back in the form of FDI,FII thus destabilizing the economy.
4. Robs the state of its rightful share of taxation
5. Raise the question on the taxation laws.
6. Deterioation of bilateral relation.
WAY FORWARD:
1. Strengthening of Financial Action Task Force.
2. Synergy and information sharing at diplomatic levels and tax authorities.
3. Better implementation of laws(PMLA act) and powers to agencies like ED which probes such cases.
4. Regulators like SEBI should also be empowered to deal with black money.

GS II (India and Neighbourhood) (Hattrick)

US lawmakers move bill to designate Pakistan as a terrorist state. What will be the impact on India ? Critically examine.  Do you think war with Pakistan can resolve the terrorism issue?

Best answer

Stuti wrote the best answer for this question and got a score of 5/10. 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 U.S. lawmakers have moved the Pakistan State Sponsor of Terrorism Designation Act of 2016 calling upon the administration to provide a report on whether or not Pakistan qualifies as such under various U.S. laws. The bill may be largely symbolic given the current Congress is in the final lap of its term, however, it is bound to impact India.
Over the past three decades, India has been at the receiving end of Pakistan’s statecraft of terrorists and Uri attack is the latest provocation. Previous diplomatic approaches by India have failed to be effective. U.S.’ move has paved way to isolate Pakistan internationally. Given the worldwide intolerance for terrorism, fear of islamist radicals and spreading of ISIS as well as Pakistan’s attitude towards terrorism, India can make some headway in this direction. This will convey a stern message to Pakistan to put an end to state sponsored terrorism and will also further India’s relationship with U.S.
However, this is not a full-proof option as in the past, India has faced difficulties with moving the U.N. Comprehensive Convention of International Terrorism. There is also a threat of internationalising the Kashmir dispute. Pakistan-China relations as well as growing proximity of Russia and Pakistan will also prove to be a hurdle. The move can also create an impasse between India and Pakistan leaving no amicable options open for the future.
War with Pakistan is not the solution and the earlier wars are evidence enough. It will only adversely impact the social and economic development of both the states and will also provide third parties, like China, an option to take undue advantage of the situation. Furthermore, the Indian forces are short of vital equipments to go for an all out war with Pakistan.
The way forward is to have a long term strategic policy on cross border terrorism as well as a comprehensive national policy to deal with domestic diplomacy. India needs to strengthen its efforts to garner international support and solve the issue diplomatically.

GS I (Earthquake) (Duplex)

Nearly 59 per cent of India’s land area is vulnerable to moderate or severe earthquakes.  It shows how out of the total 304 million households in the country, about 95 per cent are vulnerable to earthquakes in different degrees. Discuss.

Best answer

Narayana Sarma wrote the best answer for this question and got a score of 5/10. 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)

An earthquake, in simple words, is the shaking of earth due to release of tremendous energy from crust. This is called tectonic earthquake. The tremendous energy is released when two plates moving in opposite direction, overcome the friction resisting their movements. The Indian plate is moving at a speed of 1 cm per year towards north and northeast direction. This movement when obstructed by the Eurasian plate causes an earthquake. Earthquake’s intensity refers to the severity of the shake, measured in a descriptive ‘Mercalli scale.’ Earthquake’s magnitude is the quantitative measure of earthquake size at the source, measured using ‘Richter scale.’ The government has classified the earthquake prone zones into following five categories:
-Very high damage risk zone Eg: Western Himachal Pradesh, Indo-Nepal border, Kashmir valley, Gujarat especially Kucchh
-High damage risk zone Eg: Areas other than very high damage zones in Jammu and Kashmir, western Uttar Pradesh, northern Bihar
-Moderate damage risk zone Eg: Western coastal plains along Kerala, Maharashtra
-Low damage risk zone Eg: Tamil Nadu
-Very low damage risk zone Eg: Peninsular plateau, which is considered most stable
It should be noted that the state of Gujarat, a very high damage risk zone suffered a massive 7.9 magnitude earthquake in 2001.
Some of the impacts of earthquakes are:
-Loss of life and property
-Disruption of usual daily chores such as transportation, communication etc.
-Food and water crisis which may lead to violence and protests
However the damage can be mitigated by
-Having earthquake proof buildings
-Shifting to low risk zones
-Avoidance of loss of life and property through responsive measures such as deployment of Disaster Management Forces
-Sharing of technology proposed by Yokohama strategy, and establishing earthquake monitoring centres
-Following the model of Japan, which is very frequently hit by earthquakes, yet sustains and moves forward

The release of a seismic zoning map by the Government of India, is a step forward in this direction.