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  • Appropriate local community-level healthcare intervention is a prerequisite to achieve ‘Health for All ‘ in India. Explain.

    The goal of ‘Health for All’, as envisioned in the Alma-Ata Declaration (1978) and reinforced through National Health Policy 2017, emphasizes universal, equitable, and accessible healthcare.

    Importance of Local Community-Level Healthcare Interventions

    Accessibility and Inclusivity – Brings primary healthcare closer to grassroot and reduces dependency on overburdened tertiary hospitals. Eg- Ayushman Bharat – Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs)

    Preventive and Promotive Health – Community health workers (e.g., ASHA, Anganwadi, ANM) enable early detection, immunization, maternal and child care.

    Local interventions are more trust-based, improving adoption of health services. Eg- ASHA workers act as a bridge between local communities and formal healthcare systems

    Cost-Effectiveness – Community-based preventive healthcare reduces out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE). (Presently at 40%)

    Empowering Local Governance – Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Committees (VHSNCs) ensure decentralized planning and monitoring.

    Integration of Traditional and Modern Systems – Incorporates AYUSH practices alongside allopathy to widen reach and enhance preventive health.

    Empowering Women and Local Workforce – ASHAs and Anganwadi workers-over 10 lakh women-act as frontline caregivers.

    Community health networks enable rapid disease surveillance and emergency response. Eg- ASHAs and PRIs played a critical role in contact tracing during COVID-19

    Continuous community engagement increases awareness of disease prevention, hygiene, family planning, and nutrition.

    Key Challenges

    Shortage of trained manpower and high attrition among ASHA and ANM workers.

    Inadequate infrastructure at Sub-Centres and PHCs.

    Weak inter-sectoral convergence (between health, sanitation, and nutrition departments).

    Limited community participation due to lack of awareness and ownership.

    Way Forward

    Strengthen Primary Health Infrastructure: Upgrade all 1.5 lakh HWCs with telemedicine and diagnostics.

    Capacity Building: Continuous training and performance-based incentives for ASHA and ANM workers.

    Community Ownership: Empower Panchayats and SHGs in planning and monitoring local health outcomes.

    Technology Integration: Use eSanjeevani, digital health IDs, and mobile-based health tracking.

    Social Determinants Approach: Integrate health with nutrition, sanitation (Swachh Bharat), and clean energy (Ujjwala Yojana).

    Achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by strengthening local healthcare will help realize the vision of “Swasth Bharat – Samriddh Bharat.”

  • India’s relations with Israel have, of late, acquired a depth and diversity, which cannot be rolled back.” Discuss.

    India and Israel relations, though formally established only in 1992, have evolved from a transactional defense relationship into a multidimensional strategic partnership.

    Depth and Diversity in India-Israel relations

    Geopolitical Convergence

    2017 Modi visit to Israel (first ever by an Indian PM) and reciprocal visits institutionalized the partnership through Joint Working Groups and 2+2 dialogues.

    Strategic autonomy- India has successfully balanced ties with Israel, Palestine, and Gulf states

    Indo-Abrahamic Bloc- India’s participation in I2U2 (India, Israel, UAE, US), reflect shared Indo-Pacific interests.

    Defense and Security Cooperation

    Defense Procurement- Israel is one of India’s top three defense suppliers. Eg- Heron and Searcher UAVs, Barak missiles, and Spyder air defense systems.

    Counterterrorism Cooperation- Intelligence-sharing and joint training have strengthened India’s counterterrorism capabilities post-26/11.

    Maritime Security- Joint initiatives in the Indian Ocean and Red Sea strengthen India’s position in West Asian maritime architecture.

    Technology, Agriculture, and Water Cooperation

    The India-Israel Agricultural Project (IIAP) has established over 30 Centers of Excellence across Indian states.

    Water Management- Collaboration in drip irrigation, desalination, and wastewater recycling.

    The India-Israel Industrial R&D and Technological Innovation Fund (I4F) supports joint projects in AI, quantum computing, water tech, etc.

    Economic and Trade Relations

    Bilateral Trade- Increased from $200 million in 1992 to over $10.7 billion in 2023, with focus shifting from diamonds to pharmaceuticals, defense electronics, and agri-tech.

    Negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to deepen commercial linkages.

    India and Israel have signed a fresh bilateral investment treaty.( first OECD country to adopt India’s new investment treaty model.)

    People-to-People and Cultural Ties – Shared democratic values, historical goodwill, and academic and cultural exchanges

    Major Areas-of Friction

    India maintains a principled support for Palestine and the two-state solution. Eg- India abstained from a UNGA resolution on Gaza ceasefire in October 2023.

    India walk a tightrope between its strategic embrace of Israel and economic entrenchment in the Gulf. – Harsh V. Pant (ORF)

    Non-defense trade remains modest and over-reliant on diamonds and agriculture.

    The India-Israel Free Trade Agreement, under negotiation since 2010 (14 rounds held), remains inconclusive.

    Domestic Political Issues – left-leaning and minority groups, criticize deepening ties with Israel.

    Way Forward

    Partnership based on Enlightened Self interest

    Joint Collaboration for development projects in Africa and South Asia under platforms like I2U2.

    As Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu stated, “The sky is the limit for India-Israel cooperation” – symbolizing deep mutual trust and strategic alignment.

  • E-Governance is not only about utilization of the power of new technology, but also much about critical importance of the ‘use value’ of information Explain.

    The World Bank defines e-governance as the use by government agencies of information technologies that can transform relations with citizens, businesses, and other arms of government.

    E-Governance as Utilization of the Power of New Technology

    Digital Platforms like e-Office, UMANG, DigiLocker, CPGRAMS, and GeM.

    Automation and Paperless Processes: Eg- e-Procurement, e-Courts.

    Connectivity and Infrastructure Expansion: Eg- Digital India, BharatNet, and 5G rollout.

    Data Integration and Interoperability: Eg- Unified databases such as Aadhaar and SECC.

    Smart Technologies and AI Use: Eg- IndiaAI Mission, Smart Cities.

    Citizen-Government Interface: Eg- Mobile governance and MyGov platform.

    Importance of the ‘Use Value’ of Information

    Use Value – The relevance, accessibility, and usability of information by citizens, administrators, and policymakers to make informed decisions and ensure accountability.

    Informed Decision-Making: Data-driven policies depend on real-time, accurate information. Eg- Aadhaar-linked welfare, PM-KISAN, JAM Trinity

    Platforms like RTI Portal, NJDG, and CPGRAMS ensure information availability, empowering citizens to hold government accountable.

    Targeted Service Delivery: Use of information helps identify beneficiaries and prevent inclusion exclusion errors. Eg- SECC data.

    Citizen Empowerment: Information accessibility through UMANG, DigiLocker, and MyGov enables citizens to interact directly with the state.

    Evidence-Based Governance- Dashboards like PRAGATI and Aspirational District Programme use information analytics for performance monitoring.

    Crisis Management and Responsiveness: During COVID-19, platforms like CoWIN and Aarogya Setu turned data into real-time governance tools for vaccine delivery and tracking.

    Reduction in Asymmetry and Corruption: Public disclosure reduces discretion and builds public trust. Eg- GeM portal, PFMS

    Technology enables e-governance; the use value of information sustains it.

  • In the light of recent controversy regarding the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM), what are the challenges before the Election Commission of India to ensure the trustworthiness of elections in India?

    In Abhiram Singh vs UoI, SC has held that elections are the biggest secular and democratic event. EVMs were introduced to improve transparency and efficiency of the electoral process.

    Challenges before the Election Commission of India (ECI)

    Technical and Operational Challenges

    Allegations of EVM tampering and demand for Postal Ballot system.

    EVMs are produced by PSU’s BEL and ECIL– concerns about source code security and potential government misuse.

    Large-scale deployment increases risk of technical failure, power supply issues, and storage vulnerability.

    Institutional and Procedural Challenges

    Political polarisation has led to accusations of bias against ECI decisions (timing of elections, model code enforcement).

    Lack of transparency- Limited access for political parties and civil society to audit or inspect EVM functioning.

    Opposition parties demand 100% VVPAT verification or return to ballot papers, which the ECI has resisted citing impracticality.

    Legal and Regulatory Challenges

    Use of EVMs is governed by Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, not by a specific EVM legislation.

    Judicial scrutiny and legal disputes- Repeated petitions challenge credibility of EVMs and VVPAT counting procedures.

    Despite SC directives (2024) to improve VVPAT counting transparency and preserve paper trail records – compliance remains partial.

    Public Perception and Political Trust Deficit

    Decline in citizen confidence- Lack of understanding of EVM functioning leads to misinformation and conspiracy theories.

    Political blame culture- Losing parties often question EVM integrity, politicising the institution’s credibility.

    Social media misinformation- Viral false claims about EVM manipulation erode voter trust. Eg- “Black Box” Allegations (2024)

    ECI’s Stand

    EVMs are standalone, non-networked machines; cannot be hacked remotely.

    Rigorous mock polling, sealing, randomisation, and observer monitoring prevent manipulation.

    Technical Expert Committee (TEC) from IITs and DRDO regularly reviews EVM integrity.

    Way Forward

    Conduct independent third-party audits (IITs, NIC) of EVM software and random samples.

    VVPAT Verification – Increase sample size or audit entire constituency in disputed cases.

    Launch voter education campaigns explaining EVM and VVPAT mechanisms

    Enact a dedicated “Electronic Voting Regulation Act” ensuring independent oversight

    Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of democracy (Art. 324). Enhancing the transparency in use of EVM’s is thus essential.

  • Whether National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) can enforce the implementation of constitutional reservation for the Scheduled Castes in the religious minority institutions? Examine.

    The NCSC, established under Article 338, is a constitutional body mandated to safeguard the interests and rights of Scheduled Castes (SCs).

    Constitutional and Legal Position on reservation for the SC in the religious minority institutions

    Article 15(4) & 16(4)- Empower the State to make special provisions for socially and educationally backward classes, including SCs.

    Article 30(1)- Grants minority communities the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.

    Article 338(5)- Authorizes NCSC to investigate, monitor, and report on safeguards provided for SCs.

    Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950- Restricts SC status to Hindus, Sikhs, and Buddhists, excluding Muslims and Christians.

    Key Judicial Pronouncements

    T.M.A. Pai Foundation v. State of Karnataka (2002)- Minority institutions have the right to autonomy in administration under Article 30, though subject to reasonable regulation.

    P.A. Inamdar v. State of Maharashtra (2005)- State cannot impose reservation policy on unaided minority institutions.

    Analysis

    The NCSC can recommend or monitor steps for reservation in institutions, but it cannot enforce such provisions in minority institutions, as-

    Article 30(1) guarantees minorities autonomy in managing their educational institutions.

    Judicial precedents protect minority institutions from mandatory reservation.

    NCSC’s powers are recommendatory, not binding.

    Furthermore, since Scheduled Castes of minority religions (Muslims and Christians) are not constitutionally recognized as SCs, NCSC has no jurisdiction over them.

    The matter instead falls under the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) or policy domain of the Parliament, not NCSC’s enforcement powers.

    Any change in this framework requires constitutional amendment and judicial validation to balance SC Rights with Articles 29-30 protections.

  • Under what circumstances can the Financial Emergency be proclaimed by the President of India? What consequences follow when such a declaration remains in force?

    The framers of the Indian Constitution, drawing from the experience of political and economic instability during colonial times, provided for Financial Emergency under Article 360.

    Circumstances for Proclamation

    The President may proclaim a Financial Emergency if he is satisfied that the financial stability or credit of India, or any part thereof, is threatened.

    Such a proclamation must be approved by both Houses of Parliament within 2 months (30 days if Lok Sabha is dissolved).

    Once approved, it remains in force until revoked by the President; no maximum time limit is prescribed.

    Consequences of Financial Emergency

    Union Control over State Finances – The Union can direct States to follow financial discipline and reduce expenditure.

    Reservation of Money Bills – All State Money Bills must be reserved for the President’s approval.

    Reduction of Salaries – The President may direct reduction in salaries and allowances of persons serving the Union or State, including judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts.

    Executive Directions – Union may issue binding directions to States regarding financial propriety.

    Centralisation of Fiscal Powers – Parliament acquires a dominant role in fiscal management, subordinating State autonomy.

    Though never invoked in India, the provision of Financial Emergency underscores the precautionary design of the Constitution.

  • Why do you think the committees are considered to be useful for parliamentary work? Discuss, in this context, the role or the Estimates Committee.

    According to LS speaker Om Birla, Parliamentary Committees are the “backbone of parliamentary democracy.

    Parliamentary committees

    Standing Committees – PAC, Estimate committee, Committee on public undertaking

    Ad-Hoc Committees – Eg- JPC

    Importance of Parliamentary Committees

    Checks and Balances – Eg- PAC examined CAG’s 2G spectrum report for irregularities.

    In-Depth Policy Analysis – Enable clause-by-clause scrutiny of Bills, which is not possible in open House debates. Eg- JPC on Data Protection Bill (2019) proposed over 90 amendments

    Reducing Legislative Workload – Committees share Parliament’s burden, ensuring thorough scrutiny without delaying legislation.

    Expert Consultation – Committees invite experts, industry, and civil society to promote evidence-based policymaking.

    Budgetary Oversight – Departmentally Related Standing Committees (DRSCs) analyse ministry budgets to ensure fiscal prudence.

    Consensus Building – Committees promote bipartisan dialogue, e.g., IT Committee built consensus on the Personal Data Protection Bill (2019).

    Public Engagement – Committees seek public and expert inputs, e.g., Standing Committee on Environment reviewed the EIA Draft Notification (2020).

    Continuity in Oversight – Committees function year-round, ensuring continuous policy review beyond parliamentary sessions.

    Bridging Knowledge Gaps – Committees enhance MPs’ expertise through research support and technical briefings.

    Role of the Estimates Committee

    Established under Rule 310 of the Lok Sabha, it has 30 Lok Sabha members and is chaired by a ruling party MP.

    Examines budget estimates to ensure efficiency, economy, and effectiveness.

    Suggests alternative policies for better fiscal management and administrative reform.

    Monitors implementation of government schemes and performance of ministries.

    Eg- Under Murli Manohar Joshi (2018), it reviewed PSU disinvestment and defence procurement, highlighting fiscal prudence.

    In the words of Woodrow Wilson, “Congress in session is Congress on public exhibition, while Congress in its committee rooms is Congress at work.”

  • Why indentured labour was taken by the British from India to other colonies? Have they been able to preserve their cultural identity over there?

    The indentured labour system (1834-1920) was described as a ‘new system of slavery’ that transported over 1.5 million Indians to British colonies across the world.

    Why indentured labour was taken from India

    The British abolished slavery in 1833-34, creating a massive labour shortage in plantation colonies. Eg- Sugar plantations in the Caribbean (Trinidad, Guyana, Jamaica), Mauritius, Fiji, South Africa, and Malaya.

    Availability of Cheap Indian Labour due to poverty, famines, and landlessness in India.

    Colonial Economic Interests

    The plantation economy required large-scale, disciplined, cheap labour for sugar, tea, rubber, and cotton.

    Indian labourers were considered hardworking, docile, and adaptable to tropical climates.

    Imperial strategic interests – Dispersal of Indian labour created a loyal colonial workforce in distant territories.

    Introduction of the “Girmit” System: The British established a legalistic five-year contract mechanism that bound illiterate peasants to penal colonial labor.

    Industrial Demand for Sugar: The European industrial revolution drove a massive surge in global consumer demand for sugar, rubber, and cocoa crops.

    Preservation of Cultural Identity

    Aspects Preserved

    Hindu and Muslim religious practices maintained. Eg- Indian temples in Mauritius, Trinidad.

    Languages survived – Bhojpuri, Tamil, Hindi spoken in Mauritius, Fiji, Trinidad, Suriname.

    Festivals – Eg- Diwali is a national holiday in Trinidad and Tobago, Fiji, and Mauritius.

    Food culture – Indian cuisine adapted and thrived. Eg- Roti and curry across Caribbean and Pacific islands.

    Bollywood and Indian cultural products maintain connections.

    Aspects Transformed or Lost

    Caste system weakened in diaspora due to shared experience of exploitation.

    Inter-ethnic marriages and cultural mixing. Eg- Indo-Fijian and Creole-Indian identities.

    Political marginalisation in some nations. Eg- Indo-Fijians faced ethnic tensions and coups.

    The Indian diaspora born of indentured labour has preserved a remarkable degree of cultural identity while adapting to new environments, contributing to the multicultural fabric of nations across the globe.

  • Discuss whether the formation of new states in recent times is beneficial or not for the economy of India.

    Formation of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand in 2000, Telangana in 2014, and the reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019 were driven by demands for administrative efficiency, regional development, identity recognition, and better governance.

    Benefits of new state formation for the economy of India

    Higher growth rate – Eg- Uttarakhand’s economy has grown over 20 times in size in 23 years

    Balanced regional development – Addresses neglect of backward regions within larger states. Eg- Uttarakhand focused on hill infrastructure and tourism-led growth.

    Improved capital expenditure prioritization – Eg- Telangana increased irrigation spending through projects like Kaleshwaram.

    Fiscal focus on local needs – Eg- Hill-area connectivity in Uttarakhand vs plains-focused spending earlier.

    Better resource utilization –

    Telangana focused on IT and Pharma, leading to a GSDP share increase from 4.1% in 2014 to nearly 5% of national GDP by 2024-25.

    Jharkhand (40% of India’s mineral wealth) and Chhattisgarh significantly improved their mining and steel output post-formation.

    Employment generation – Eg- New state secretariats, universities, and agencies creating jobs.

    Competitive federalism gains – States innovate to attract investment. Eg- Telangana’s TS-iPASS single-window clearance system.

    Urban growth engines – New capitals stimulate construction and services. Eg- Development of Amravati in Andhra Pradesh.

    Administrative efficiency – reduced the “distance” between the government and the governed lead to faster and efficient decision-making. Eg- improved PDS coverage in Chhattisgarh.

    Counter-arguments – drawbacks for the economy of India

    Revenue dependence – New states rely heavily on central transfers.

    Uneven development within new states – Eg- Tribal belts in Chhattisgarh remain underdeveloped.

    Fragmentation of the national market – Eg- Different state-level compliances increasing transaction costs.

    Inter-state disputes over resources – Water, power, and assets become contentious. Eg- Krishna-Godavari water disputes between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

    High administrative costs –

    Creation of capitals, assemblies, and cadres strains finances. Eg- creation of Amravati

    Increase in per-unit costs of administration due to duplication of departments.

    Over-Administration also fuels corruption. Eg- Pooja Singhal case

    Weak institutional capacity – New administrations take time to mature. Eg- Staffing shortages and governance gaps in Uttarakhand.

    No automatic growth guarantee – Outcomes depend on governance quality. Eg- political instability in states like Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh deter long-term foreign investment.

    Environmental Degradation- Eg- industrialization and urbanization has led to disasters like the 2013 Kedarnath floods and 2023 Joshimath subsidence – High economic losses

    Way Forward

    Formation 2nd state reorganisation commission as suggested by Sudha Pai

    Strengthening cooperative federalism through Inter-state council – mandatory meetings and enforcement powers

    Strengthening fiscal federalism – Eg- state representation in Finance commission

    New state formation should be guided by objective economic criteria and robust transition planning to ensure that political reorganization strengthens economic growth.

  • What are the consequences of spreading of ‘Dead Zones’ on marine ecosystem?

    A Dead Zone is an area of a water body (ocean, lake, or estuary) where oxygen levels are so low (hypoxia) that they can no longer support most marine life. It results from Eutrophication, which fuels algal blooms.

    Consequences of Spreading ‘Dead Zones’

    Mass Mortality of Benthic Life- Sedentary organisms like clams, oysters, and lobsters cannot flee oxygen-poor waters. Eg- “crab kills” along the Oregon coast in early 2026 due to hypoxic events.

    Loss of Marine Biodiversity – Sensitive species disappear while only hypoxia-tolerant organisms survive. Eg- Decline of benthic fauna in the Baltic Sea.

    Increase in Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) – Dead zones often coincide with toxic blooms that release neurotoxins.

    Decline in Coral and Seagrass Ecosystems – Hypoxia weakens coral reefs and seagrass beds that require oxygenated waters.

    Forced Habitat Migration- Eg- In the Gulf of America, shrimp populations have shifted to “crowded edges” of the dead zone, leading to over-competition for food.

    Disruption of Marine Food Webs- The loss of bottom-dwelling prey species starves higher-level predators.

    Nutritional & Reproductive Impairment- hypoxia causes endocrine disruption, leading to smaller eggs and reduced spawning success.

    Hypoxic zones favor resilient, “opportunistic” species that thrive in low-oxygen environments. Eg- jellyfish blooms in the Sea of Japan.

    Release of Toxic Substances – Oxygen-poor conditions lead to release of hydrogen sulfide and methane, harmful to marine life.

    Way Forward

    Nutrient Management Plans- Implementing Precision Agriculture to reduce fertilizer runoff.

    Riparian Buffer Zones- Creating “Green Belts” of vegetation along rivers to filter out nutrients before they reach the ocean. Eg- Chesapeake Bay Model.

    Upgrade Wastewater Treatment- Transitioning to Tertiary Treatment plants that specifically remove nitrogen and phosphorus.

    Restore Natural Filters- Large-scale restoration of Wetlands and Oysters, which act as natural water purifiers.

    Shifting to Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA), where seaweed and shellfish absorb excess nutrients from fish farms.

    Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) – Coordinated management of coastal resources to reduce pollution and habitat degradation.

    Protecting ocean oxygen levels is essential for sustaining healthy marine ecosystems and the livelihoods dependent on them.

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