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What is a good answer? Million dollar question! Especially in the given scenario when good

marks in IAS Mains Exam is a distant dream. General Studies Mains examination questions revealmany a things, about word limit, approach to the questions, analytical demand of the question, andmany turns and twists attached to most of the question in the form of common instructions, i.e.,analyse, critically analyse, discuss, evaluate, explain, etc.

Here, I am presenting brief of common mistakes that I have observed while correcting the copiesof GS test series and the meaning of the common instructions attached to the Questions in theMains paper. Alongwith few question and their model hints about content has also been attached.It is just an answer hints to give some overview about attempting answer in main exam. We havenot attached the word limits.

COMMON MISTAKES IN TEST SERIES

1. In most of the answers there was neither introductory paragraph nor concluding paragraph.

2. A balanced approach of discussing a topic was missing. Either answer was very critical

about the issue of the question or totally in favour of the issue.

3. When the requirement of the question was ‘critically analyze or examine’, only simple facts

regarding the topic were presented. Answers were lacking analytical discussion of the factsand substantial arguments in favour of their viewpoint.

4. Most of the times, it was evident that person has been unable to fully understand the

requirement of the question.

5. Most of the time only few of the required aspects/ dimensions were covered in every

answer.

6. Mentioned points or aspects were not supplemented with relevant examples, facts and data.

7. If there is any commission or committee report regarding the topic asked in the question thenmention of that commission or committee and few important points of its report must be

mentioned in the answer.

8. In many answers, points were written just to fill up the space given for the answer. It's nota semester or annual exam where examiner will give at least one or two marks for just

writing anything close to the topic. It will only show your low understanding level and oneof the main criteria of the mains exam is to test the understanding level of the candidate.

COMMON OBSERVATION IN ESSAY

An essay is a reflection of your thought process on a piece of paper. Although, your thoughtprocess remains the same, the style, content and orientation of your essay changes with respect tothe purpose it is written for. Thankfully, UPSC notification makes our job easier by clearly mentioning"candidates will be expected to keep closely to the subject of the essay, to arrange their ideas inorderly fashion and to write concisely. Credit will be given for effective and exact expression."

Answer Writing forIAS Main Exam www.iasscore.in

Manoj K. Jha

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Having already mentioned the basics of writing an essay in one of the previous hand outs, we willdiscuss some common mistakes observed in a lot of answer sheets. Here's looking at them one byone:

• There are some common areas, where students make mistake, while writing an essay. Theyare:

1. Ideas

2. Coherent arrangement

3. Expression

Ideas: about the subject is nothing but knowledge that needs to be looked in different perspective,whether social, economical, political, religious, cultural, literary, national, and environmental.Candidate should think on different questions.

- What is definition/scope/history of the topic?

- What can be said on particular subject on various perspectives?

- What are positives/negatives?

- Similarly answers must be for different questions.

- Thoughts must be for innovative solutions and critical appraisal.

Arrangement: Arrangement of an essay means the contents with a definite structure to be framed.The structure must be exposed indirectly through the flow of writing with interlinking of sub topicsand paragraphs explaining the scope meaning, description and discussion.

Illustration and quotations known can be presented lively aptly to increase the richness of thecontent. It is like the flavour added to the dishes to attract the reader to be perfectly relevant to thetopic/ argument. If the Quotations exceed unnecessarily, it will disturb the quality of presentation.Interlinking of thoughts, comparison and contrasting view/points can be expressed only with thespecial reference to the application of thoughts.

Opinions and arguments with strong self explanatory sentences will reflect the candidates' solidand clear understanding of the subjects. Moreover, adopting the style whether humorous, grave, orserious going to give considerable advantage or edge over others.

Now you need to give the powerful and logical conclusion which is the consequence of everythingdiscussed earlier. Conclusion brings the reader closure or summing up of points and also gives finalperspective. It should not be rhetoric outburst. It must be balanced and free from prejudice. It shallprovide few strong effective sentences that must bring the examiner to accept your view points.Even anecdote or quotation can end your essay in effective way.

Expression : Expression is the first and foremost requisition for the correct English. For qualitativeexpression:

1. Make sentences short.

2. Careful in using tenses, definite articles and appropriate prepositions.

3. Avoid unnecessary elongation of sentences which makes it hazy and equivocal.

4. Simple and straight forward presentations.

5. Words should follow words in a natural and graceful manner, labour style never makespleasant reading.

6. Avoid to use unnecessary gorgons.

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• Selection of topic:

Well begun is half done, and hence choosing the right topic is of paramount importance. It has

been observed across many answer sheets that candidates starts their essays on a very high andenthusiastic note and by the time they cross 300-400 words they run out of words, and their essay

in turn, runs out of steam. Remember, this reflects a broader dimension of poor decision making asit conveys a message to the examiner that you picked up a topic without giving much thought to it,and this habit is likely to reflect in your decisions as an administrator as well. Consistency is the keyto an essay, and it'll only come in a topic you're relatively most comfortable with. Thus, take yourtime in the choosing the right topic.

• Issues related to Introduction:

It has been observed that many candidates start their essays abruptly i.e. introduction is almost

absent in their essays. Remember, this is your first impression on the examiner and stays with himtill the end of the essay. Therefore, writing a good introduction is must, even if it comes at the costof a few extra minutes. It must also be kept in mind, that your introduction should never be negativeor never start with sentences like "The world is in a state of chaos today" or "Pollution on earth hasmade life difficult" etc. Your introduction should essentially focus on the key theme of the essay and

briefly introduce it. An introduction like "Man is a social animal" looks best in a class 10th boardexam answer copy, not on a UPSC Civil Services Candidate's Mains answer copy. So avoid such

simplistic introductions as well. Make it simple, yet ingenious and relevant.

• Length of the paragraph:

Very often, across almost all the copies, the length of the paragraph is a common comment given

by us. When we ask you to "optimize your paragraph size", we ask you to write a paragraph thatis neither too short nor too long. Paragraphs that are too small make your essay look fragmented,

and paragraphs that are too long make it monotonous for the examiner. Each individual paragraphshould focus on a single idea that supports your thesis. Begin paragraphs with topic sentences,support assertions with evidence, and expound your ideas in the clearest, most sensible way you

can. Speak to your examiner as if he or she were sitting in front of you. In other words, instead of

writing the essay, try talking the essay.

• Writing in points:

This is a blunder that many a candidates make in almost all their essays, First of all, it needs to be

clarified that essay is not the test of your knowledge, rather it looks at the consistency in your ideasand how organically are they related to each other in a flow when you chalk them down. Writing

in points clearly tells your examiner that you are unable to weave your thoughts into a coherentpattern. Remember, your essay paper is different from other General Studies papers where writingin points helps you save time and fetch more marks. So, never ever write your essay in points. Often

candidates enquire about the need for diagrams in an essay. Well, unless the diagram is absolutelyrelevant and self explanatory, it must be avoided. An essay written in paragraphs is always the bestessay.

• Writing in first person (I/Me/My):

This style of writing where the writer has the liberty to start sentences with "I think", "I believe"or "as per my opinion" is often seen in either autobiographies or in commentaries made by eminent

personalities. There is no room for the above in UPSC Civil Services Examination Essay paper.For e.g., Instead of writing "I believe in God's justice." candidates must write the same sentence as"One must believe in God's justice." This is a simple mistake, but repeated in far too many answersheets.

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• Emotional/Passionate arguments:

Many times, candidates resort to arguments that are passionate, emotional and often illogical.For e.g., any essay that discusses crimes against women, candidates often to jump to the suggestionthat "rapists must be executed" or in essays related to India, often in a flow of patriotism candidateswrite "we must teach our enemy a lesson". This reflects lack of patience, perseverance, and maturity.As an administrator, you are expected to handle many conflicting situations where you are requiredto keep your personal judgments aside and work with utmost integrity within the parameters ofrules and regulations. Our administrative system definitely doesn't want 'trigger happyadministrators', and your essay should tell your examiner you are not one.

• Language:

You're not done writing your essay until you've polished your language by correcting the grammar,making sentences flow, incorporating rhythm, emphasis, adjusting the formality, giving it a level-headed tone, and making other intuitive edits. Imagine a sports car with punctured tyres, no matterhow good the engine is, it'll never catch up with the others. Likewise, no matter how good yourideas are, poor language will cost you dear in a competitive examination. Improving one's languagetakes time, but it's definitely worth the effort., It is something that'll be the key to one's personalityduring the career as a bureaucrat and even in the social life.

• Conclusion:

Many a times, candidates abruptly end the essay. This is the worst you can do to your essay, asthe examiner gives you marks at the end of your essay and without a fitting conclusion the taste ofyour entire essay goes sour. A fitting conclusion also implies that it should not be negative. For e.g.,statements like "Arms have put our future generations in danger for all the times to come." or"Thus, pollution has made our tomorrow worse." etc should always be avoided in the conclusion.You should be positive, futuristic, and full of hope. Gracefully exit your essay by making a quickwrap-up sentence, and then end on some memorable thought, perhaps a quotation, or an interestingtwist of logic, or some call to action. Is there something you want the examiner to walk away anddo? Let him or her know exactly what!

We hope that you would keep the above mentioned commonly made mistakes in your mindwhile writing your next essay. Just keeping the above in your mind will definitely make your essaylook more structured, organized and well scripted leading to a better performance and a higherscore. Always remember, learning is a never ending process, and the day it stops, your growth asan individual comes to a halt. Good luck!

Here are some model questions:

Q1. Central Vigilance Commission was set up by the Government to propagate the principle ofzero tolerance on corruption. What steps it has taken to combat corruption? Analyse theoutcomes of these steps and also assess the effectiveness of CVC.

Q2. Critically examine the role played by Non Government Organisations (NGOs) in developmentprocess with special reference to India. Enumerate main problems facing the NGOs in India.

Q3. "Democratic decentralization cannot be operationalised in real terms without proper fiscaldecentralization". Elaborate.

Q4. What is micro finance? What role the self help groups play in financial intermediation?

In the IAS Mains exam there are various instructions attached to the question. Here is essence ofthose -

• ANALYSE: Break up an issue/event into its component parts and explain how these relateto one another.

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• ASSESS: Consider the importance of something stress is given in the question.

• COMPARE: Simply examine the similarities and differences.

• CONTRAST: Concentrate on the differences.

• CRITIQUE: Point out the limitations and usefulness of the subject in the question.

• DESCRIBE: Give detailed account of a topic

• DISCUSS: Explain various perspective and present a logical argument

• EVALUATE: Weigh up the importance, success or value of something with evidence tosupport your view

• EXAMINE : Give a detailed account, questioning and exploring the relevant issue

• EXPLAIN: Give a precise account, with reasons for why or how it is as it is.

• ILLUSTRATE: Use examples from a range of source to demonstrate your understanding ofthe subject.

• JUSTIFY: Make a case for a particular perspective. Establish the truth through supportingevidence or logical reasoning

• REVIEW: Examine how a topic has been studied and comment on value and limitations ofits treatment

• To what extent... : Explore the case for and against a claim

Here is the solution that covers broader dimension and the essence of demand of such questions.You will also get an idea about the extent and dimension of content to write a good answer. Wordlimits are not attached to these questions. We have also attached the answer hints for GS Mains2014 Examination.

Q. Central Vigilance Commission was set up by the Government to propagate the principleof zero tolerance on corruption. What steps it has taken to combat corruption? Analysethe outcomes of these steps and also assess the effectiveness of CVC.

Answer Hints

The CVC has evolved over time as an institution to monitor corruption of government institutionsand officials through initiating investigations since its creation in 1964.

The CVC Act 2003 conferred statutory status to the CVC and the powers to exercisesuperintendence over functioning of the Delhi Special Police Establishment, and also to review theprogress of the investigations pertaining to alleged offences under the Prevention of CorruptionAct, 1988.

The CVC publishes a list of cases where permissions are pending. The commission, as a publicauthority provides information under the RTI act to the citizens as requested regarding vigilance ofinstitutions and officials on alleged corruption cases.

It has taken some new initiatives including National Anticorruption Strategy, leveragingtechnology to prevent corruption, integrity in public procurement, awareness campaign, andprovision for whistle blowers, improving the standard of vigilance work, computerization ofcommission's work, Modern Preventive Vigilance Framework and international cooperation etc.All this has made some deterrence to corruption cases, but by and large its effect has been minimalbecause there are many limitations of the CVC.

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Although CVC is relatively independent in its functioning, it has neither resources nor powers to

inquire and take action on complaints of corruption that may act as an effective deterrence against

corruption. The limitations include its advisory nature due to which government may accept or

reject its advice, small size of sanctioned staff (299) as compared to large number of corruption

cases pertaining to central government departments and ministries.

Further, the CVC cannot direct CBI to initiate inquiries against any officer of the level of Joint

Secretary and above on its own. Such permission has to be obtained from the concerned department.

It has no teeth as it does not have powers to register criminal case. It deals only with vigilance or

disciplinary cases. Although the CVC has supervisory powers over CBI, it does not have the power

to call for any file from CBI or to direct CBI to investigate any case in a particular manner.

And last but not the least, appointments to CVC are indirectly under the control of Govt of India,

which has always raised suspicion that government prefers to appoint malleable officers.

Q. Critically examine the role played by Non Government Organisations (NGOs) in

development process with special reference to India. Enumerate main problems facing

the NGOs in India.

Answer Hints:

NGOs offer innovative and people-centred approaches to service delivery, advocacy and

empowerment. NGOs fill the gaps in development activities of the government.

NGOs are grassroot organizations with better interface with people and their problems. By some

estimates, India has 3.3 million NGOs or one NGO for every 400 individuals.

In India NGOs have carried on various initiatives for eradication of illiteracy, disease, exploitation

of women and children and violence against them. They are also providing help in disaster

management, support to street children, women involved in prostitution, pet care. In fact, these

NGOs play a positive role in virtually every sector of the economy. NGOs have also acted against

encroachment of human rights.

NGOs are, however, being set up and run by many vested interests. They become a means of

money making, luxurious life for some and often alleged to be hand in glove to take funds and

support from government organizations for personal benefits. Some of the NGOs act as frontal face

for organizations which have ulterior motives.

Main problems facing them are shortage of funds, absence of transparency, accountability and

a regulatory mechanism. It is also not known whether they use the allocated funds for the stated

purpose or misuse them.

A lot of NGOs setup in India are either dormant or fraudulent, used for a wide range of illegal

activities such tax evasion and misappropriation of government funds.

Q. "Democratic decentralization cannot be operationalised in real terms without proper

fiscal decentralization". Elaborate.

Answer Hints:

The Centre and states have a symbiotic relation, more so in financial arena. Although the rights

of centre and states to mobilize resources through taxes and non tax sources have been clearly

delineated in the constitution, the states allege that the buoyant and elastic sources are more under

the control of the Centre.

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The responsibilities of states to deliver welfare and development have increased overtime alongwith the Centre. It is important for democratic decentralization that the state governments areprovided with sufficient opportunities to mobilize funds for these activities.

States carry on many of the vital development and welfare activities such as primary healthcare, primary education, supply of potable water and essential infrastructure including roads and

electricity etc. All these programmes get financial support from the Centre and these programmesare also supplemented by Central programmes. In view of rising responsibility of the states it isimportant that they are allowed to mobilize resources for their financial needs.

The fundamental principles for devolution of funds from Centre to States are equity and efficiency.The states get funds from the Planning Commission for various development projects whereas theyget their share from tax proceeds of the Centre through the Finance Commission. The transfer ofresources from the Centre to the States is guided by certain principles, yet there is discontentmentamong states regarding inadequacy of funds. However Planning Commission has been replaced by

Niti Ayog.

It is also observed that the states which have developed their agriculture, industry, trade andcommerce and services sector, their capacity to generate their own resources and spend on welfareand development is higher than those who have not been able to develop these sector.

In such a situation the need for financial decentralization is strongly felt. States want more

transfers from Centre and they also want more powers to mobilize resources.

The finance commission has now changed its role from being a paternalistic institution to an

institution that promotes fiscal discipline and reward states which focus on development, hence itscriteria of financial devolution has also changed over time.

As regards vertical transfer from divisible pool of taxes, the 13th Finance Commission

recommended that the share of states in the net proceeds of shareable central taxes be raised from30.5 per cent to 32 per cent. According to the thirteenth Finance Commission's criteria populationhas a weight of 25 per cent in horizontal devolution; area has 10 per cent, fiscal capacity 47.5 per

cent and fiscal discipline 17.5 per cent.

Till now, the role of Planning Commission in devolving resources to the states is although formulabased, political considerations lead to under financing and over financing. There is increase inrecent times in non-formula based transfers, which has been criticized by the thirteenth financecommission.

If states are needed to maintain their expenditure on social sector and infrastructure it is important

to give them power to mobilize additional funds from tax and non-tax sources.

The vertical and horizontal devolution still remains controversial, especially the developed stateswho mobilize more resources are critical of transferring more resources to backward states.

States demand expansion of the divisible pool from income tax and excise duty to other kinds ofsources such as customs duty, service tax and corporate tax. They also insist that the largecontributing states to the divisible pool of taxes should be rewarded for their revenue increase.

But the role of central government is to provide support to the lagging states so that they not onlycover their revenue gap but also development gap. Besides excise duty and income tax, states wantto include corporate tax, custom duty, corporate tax and services tax in the divisible pool of taxes.

The Centre is aware about the importance of financial decentralization, but it has its owncompulsions. Its expenditure has also increased overtime, especially the non-plan expenditure. TheCentre has revised its formula for the transfer of resources to states.

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A number of states favour continuation of area as a criterion in the distribution formula, withsome states suggesting an increase in the weightage and others suggesting a reduction. Continuationof tax effort and fiscal discipline as criteria for tax devolution has been suggested by the majority ofstates. Other criteria suggested by states include forest cover, length of international border, indexof infrastructure, levels of backwardness, human development index, share of primary sector in

Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of a state, contribution to central taxes and expenditure onsocial sectors and infrastructure.

Whatever be the criteria there is no doubt that democratic decentralization is possible only if thestates have financial wherewithal for carrying out development and welfare activities and thisneeds financial decentralization.

Q. What is micro finance? What role the self help groups play in financial intermediation?

Answer Hints

Microfinance is a form of financial services for entrepreneurs and small businesses or farmerslacking access to banking and related services. The two main mechanisms for the delivery of financialservices to such clients are:

(1) relationship-based banking for individual entrepreneurs and small businesses; and

(2) group-based models, where several entrepreneurs come together to apply for loans and otherservices as a group.

Micro finance also provides many poor and near-poor households access to an appropriate rangeof high quality financial services, including not just credit but also savings, insurance, and fundtransfers.

Self help groups are group based models of micro finance. A self-help group (SHG) is a village-based financial intermediary usually composed of 10-20 local women or men. A mixed group isgenerally not preferred. Most self-help groups are located in India, though SHGs can also be foundin other countries, especially in South Asia and Southeast Asia.

A Self-Help Group may be registered or unregistered. It typically comprises a group of microentrepreneurs having homogenous social and economic backgrounds; all voluntarily coming togetherto save regular small sums of money, mutually agreeing to contribute to a common fund and tomeet their emergency needs on the basis of mutual help.

They pool their resources to become financially stable, taking loans from the money collected bythat group and by making everybody in that group self-employed.

This system eliminates the need for collateral and is closely related to that of solidarity lending,widely used by micro finance institutions.

To make the book-keeping simple enough to be handled by the members, flat interest rates areused for most loan calculations

The group members use collective wisdom and peer pressure to ensure proper end-use of creditand timely repayment.

NABARD estimates that there are 2.2 million SHGs in India, representing 33 million members,which have taken loans from banks under its linkage program to date. This does not include SHGsthat have not borrowed.

Many self-help groups, especially in India, under NABARD's SHG-bank-linkage program, borrowfrom banks once they have accumulated a base of their own capital and have established a trackrecord of regular repayments.

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Answer the question in NOT MORE THAN 200 words each. Contents for the answer are more importantthan its length. All questions carry equal marks. 12½×20 = 250

1. Starting from inventing the 'basic structure' doctrine, the judiciary has played ahighly proactive role in ensuring that Indian develops into a thriving democracy. Inlight of the statement, evaluate the role played by judicial activism in achieving theideals of democracy. (12½)

• A democracy thrives well when all its organs, namely- legislature, executive and judiciaryare pro-actively fulfilling its duties in their respective realm without encroaching upon eachother's space. However, in case of relatively a nascent democracy such as India, the properfunctioning of all democratic machinery has been troublesome.

• The examples of either passive functioning or vested-interest-driven functioning are verycommon in Indian administration and political set-up. This jeopardizes the whole purposeof political set-up in particular and the democracy in general. To get rid of this, the higherjudiciary of India came up with a novel innovation of 'Judicial activism'.

• By Judicial Activism, we refer to the process by which the judiciary uses the concept ofJudicial Review to iterate the unconstitutionality of the legislative and executive orders. Themost positive development that 'Judicial activism' has yielded is 'Public Interest Litigation'(PIL) in 1980. Public Interest Litigation was devised an innovative way wherein a person ora civil society group could approach the supreme court seeking legal remedies in cases wherepublic interest is at stake.

• In the decade of 1990s the judicial activism became popular and widely appreciated. Oneof the most important court actions of this era included the famous Hawala Case. In 1994,in the Jain Hawala Case, the court ordered the director of the CBI to report personally itsprogress to the court. The progress of the CBI was too slow and top leaders in the Governmentas well as Opposition seemed to be involved in that, the Court in 1996 ordered CBI to spareno one and to report only to the court.

• Delhi HC has from time to time has released directives which typically are a function ofexecutives, for example, the recent ban on e-rickshaw was also mandated by Court Order.

2. Though the federal principle is our Constitution and that principle is one of its basicfeatures, but it is equally true that federalism under the Indian Constitution leans infavour of a strong Centre, a feature that militates against the concept of strongfederalism. Discuss. (12½)

• Federalism works out different for every democracy. It's mainly a form of two- tier government.There are many factors affecting the working federalism in a country. History plays a vitalrole.

• The Indian Constitution was drafted against the backdrop of partition and a divided territorywith the prevalent diversity. A strong centre was the need of the hour. Thus, the drafters

www.iasscore.inGS Mains 2014 Examination

Paper - II

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of the Constitution provided the Centre with extra powers to overcome the prevailingsituations. But, time and again, the States have asked for more autonomy.

• The States have Governors appointed by the Centre which keep a vigil over the actions ofthe State Government. States have raised questions over the prerogatives of the Governor.The Finances are mainly collected by the States but the spending is planned at Centre.

• The All India Servants are appointed by the Centre in various States. They largely enjoyautonomy in their working. State Governments can't take any disciplinary action againstthem. Thus, it could be concluded that the Indian Constitution is in favour of a strongCentre which largely opposes the concept of strong federalism which means nearly equaldistribution of powers among the Centre and States.

3. The 'Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and its Members' as envisagedin Articles 105 of the Constitution leave room for a large number of un-codified andun-enumerated privileges to continue. Assess the reasons for the absence of legalcodification of the 'parliamentary privileges'. How can this problem be addressed?

(12½)

• For any modern democratic state to function smoothly there is an essential need of somepowers and privileges for the representatives of people.

• These powers and privileges have been enumerated under article 105 in the Constitution ofIndia. Apart from these mentioned powers, Article 105 (3) of the Constitution provides thatParliament may define its own set of privileges by law.

• This article is popularly known as 'Codification of Privileges'. However, so far so, no law hasbeen defined whatsoever.

• This leaves a wide room for a large list of un-codified privileges. The reasons are hugelydebated. The apprehension among legislators about the codification and its impact on theirability to discharge functions properly being one of the reasons.

• Also, it may be in collective interests of the legislatures to not to codify a particular set ofpowers and privileges.

4. What do you understand by the concept "freedom of speech and expression"? Doesit cover hate speech also? Why do the films in India stand on a slightly differentplane from other forms of expression? Discuss. (12½)

• Freedom of speech and expression is a sublime idea that represents the freedom to expressoneself freely and fearlessly through any means as long as it does not contravene with thesubjected restrictions. It is included in Indian Constitution under Article 19. This freedomis essential for an individual to attain the full intellectual and moral level.

• However, uncontrolled rights are even more dangerous than having no rights at all. Thus,the constitutional framers have placed these restrictions on 'freedom of speech and expression'which include:

• Defamation

• Incitement to Crime

• Contempt of Court

• Public Order

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• Decency

• Morality

• Friendly Relations with Neighbours

• National Security

• Hate speeches may include more or less all dimensions of these restrictions. Therefore, thehate speeches can be distinguished as non-consistent with the right to freedom and expression.

• Films stand on a different pedestal compared to other type of media and communicationmodes as these have a very large following and outreach and the movie theaters are easyand scattered targets compared to any other symbolic target for other mediums. Thus, thereis relatively strict check on films to be politically correct.

5. Instances of President's delay in commuting death sentences has come under publicdebate as denial of justice. Should there be a time limit specified for the Presidentto accept/reject such petitions? Analyse. (12½)

• The power of Clemency under Article 72 is not a privilege of executives which should beexercised upon their whims and fancies; it is rather essentially a mechanism that has beenprovided as a last resort to review fairness of the judicial system.

• It is a kind of power that the people of India have conferred on the President to use whennarrow codes hold a larger justice hostage. But ongoing trend on mercy petition has beensuch that, most of executives have either been reluctant of using the responsibilities givenunder Article 72 or they exercised the same as a matter of privilege.

• This has resulted into longer period of solitary confinement of death row convicts.Psychologically, this causes an anxiety beyond measurement among such people. However,given the due importance of the office of executives and their busy schedule, it also may notbe a good idea to device an instant reviewing system of mercy petitions, as such provisionswould jeopardize the judicial process.

• Nonetheless, a certain time period can be devised for reviewing the petitions of mercypetitions of death row convicts. It would be justified with the given responsibilities underArticle 72. Similarly, the perception about 'denial of justice' concept in context of death rowconvicts must also be removed, and media has to play an important role in the same, asmedia itself is responsible for creating the hype under the guise of champion of humanrights.

6. The size of the cabinet should be as big as governmental work justifies and as bighas the Prime Minister can manage as a team. How far is the efficacy of a governmentthen inversely related to the size of the cabinet? Discuss (12½)

• The cabinet in a Westminster type government is essentially highest decision-making bodyin a country. Therefore, well qualified deliberativeness as well as fast decision making abilityshould be the two essential attributes of this body.

• From deliberativeness perspective, a Cabinet should have enough number of ministers sothat each issue could be discussed at length but this should not be misunderstood andimplemented as unnecessary expansion of Cabinet.

• An unnecessarily expanded Cabinet slows down the decision making ability and causepolicy paralysis. The size of Cabinet is considered reasonable as long as it works as a team

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under full control of the Prime Minister and justifies governmental work with efficacy indecision making.

• In modern age, the dynamism has increased in administration and policy formulation, thus

the decision making process has become much more complex than what it used to be decadeback. However, this demands an efficient informed cabinet and not necessarily big cabinet.

• While forming cabinet, it is always preferable that the size of cabinet should be compact,equipped with informed individuals and most importantly, Prime Minister should have areasonable control over the cabinet.

7. Though 100 percent FDI is already allowed in non-news media like a trade publicationand general entertainment channel, the Government is mulling over the proposal forincreased FDI in news media for quite some time. What difference would an increasein FDI make? Critically evaluate the pros and cons. (12½)

• For any democracy to thrive, Information dissemination institutions are as much importantas other organs of Government and thus, are considered as 4th pillar of democracy.

• Considering their modernization and growth, government had allowed FDI in news and

non-news media long back ago. However, the FDI limit on news-media has been kept lowerat only 26%, such a low cap has failed to generate enough interest among global mediahouses. This has compelled the government to moot on increasing the FDI cap in news-

media.

• This move is expected to bring following benefits for the news media:

a. Increased Diversity and Competition;

b. Better technology and training; and

c. More jobs and good returns.

Cons:

a. Significant foreign influence on sensitive issues;

b. More corporatization of the News media; and

c. Strategic losses to domestic sector.

8. The setting up of a Rail Tariff Authority to regulate fares will subject the cashstrapped Indian Railway to demand subsidy for obligation to operate non-profitableroutes and services. Taking into account the experience in the power sector, discussif the proposed reform is expected to benefit the consumers, the Indian Railways orthe private container operators. (12½)

• The Rail Tariff Authority (RTA) shall comprise a Chairperson and four Members at the apex

level and will be vested with the function to develop an integrated, transparent and dynamicpricing mechanism for the passenger and freight segments of the Indian Railway's business.

• It will also advise the Central Government on fixation of tariff, based on cost of operationsand factors impinging it, to help generate requisite surpluses for healthy growth in the

future. The profit making railway will be able to invest in passenger facilities proving morecomfortable and affordable services.

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• There is a serious mismatch between the rail freight charges and the passenger fares. Theratio of the average freight tariff to average passenger fare in India is one of the highestamong major railways in the world. Because of low passenger fares the traffic volume forthis segment of rail operations is very high, but the revenues are disproportionately low.

• Cross-subsidizing these losses from freight earnings necessitate scaling up of freight tariffeach succeeding year. Setting up of Rail Tariff Authority will eliminate the uncertainty inthe fixing of freight tariff, which will provide a level playing field for private containeroperators. In this way it can help in streamlining the freight movement in the country.

• One of the major apprehensions from the experience of power sector is that, since RTA rolewill get limited to only setting down the tariff fixation parameters and it will not be able toguide railway towards a more economic and efficient operation.

• Other issues is that due to multiple authorities like Railway Board, Ministry and now TariffAuthority, coordination may be a problem and decision making may have overlappingissues.

9. National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in India can be most effective whenits tasks are adequately supported by other mechanisms that ensure the accountabilityof a government. In light of the above observation assess the role of NHRC as aneffective complement to the judiciary and other institutions in promoting andprotecting human rights standards. (12½)

• NHRC set up by the state as quasi-judicial body, which occupy a unique place between thejudicial, the executive and the legislative branches of the state. They monitor the humanrights performance of the state and act as a check on the state's performance in protectinghuman rights.

• They are thus institutions within the state structure and yet, where they function properly,are independent and, where necessary, critical.

• NHRCs can constitute an effective complement to the judiciary and other institutions of thestate in promoting and protecting human rights standards. They cannot be an alternative,however, can ensure legal redress of human rights, prevent violations and hold the perpetratorsof human rights violations to account.

• NHRC can play an important role in this regard by independently and effectively monitoringthe human rights situation in the country, analyzing and proposing changes in laws andpolicies, conducting a continuous dialogue with both the authorities and the public onhuman rights issues, investigating human rights issues and individuals' complaints abouthuman rights violations and making appropriate recommendations in light of relevant nationallegislation and international human rights law and standards.

• Report of NHRC can be better insight for judiciary while adjudicating the cases related tohuman rights violations. Similarly, wide publicity to the report by media can help informulation of public opinion about state of human rights affairs in the country, thus fixingthe accountability of various state institutions like police and armed forces.

10. The penetration of Self Help Groups (SHGs) in rural areas in promoting participationin development programmes is facing socio-cultural hurdles. Examine. (12½)

• Self Help Groups (SHGs) can be proved very effective in facilitating development programs,especially in rural areas. These groups are essentially made up with the local people under

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guidance of state authority. The very essence of the success of these groups is premised onthe participation of the people. However, in India these groups have not been effective tofulfil the envisaged tasks. Neither they have been effective enough in promoting welfare ofthe people. The prevailing socio-cultural traditions are one of the reasons that have preventedthem from to be effective. These are:

• Caste-based discrimination in society: Widespread caste based discrimination has affectedthe people participation in SHGs. The people from lower castes are often not allowed to playkey roles in SHGs. Sometimes they are not even allowed to participate. This undermines theeffectiveness of SHGs

• Gender based discrimination: The rural society has been very critical of women participationin any outdoor activity. Thus, they are also apprehended about the women participation inSHGs. Ironically, SHGs were devised primarily for women empowerment. These groupswere envisaged to empower women financially and aimed at to institutionalise them intomainstream development.

• Poor economic condition: There is a mindset among rural uneducated masses that thoseworks that don't fetch economic benefits directly, should be abandoned and not be involvedwith.

11. Do government's schemes for up-lifting vulnerable and backward communities byprotecting required social resources for them, lead to their exclusion in establishingbusinesses in urban economies? (12½)

• Social protection schemes play an important role in providing income support and services,redistribution and promotion of inclusive growth in countries across the world.

• In recent years, increased social protection coverage in developing countries has been achievedby the expansion of a combination of programmes such as MGNREGA. The further expansion

of social sector remains a challenge as a result of low participation in the formal economyand the types of risks encountered by the poor.

• Initiatives to address these obstacles include the promotion of formal employment, reduction

of inequalities in education and extension of coverage through community-based schemeswith the support of the government.

• Though, there is some link between career choice and reservation and positive discriminationhas determined the choice of youth from backward community, but the same can't betermed responsible for their lack of representation in urban businesses.

• Rather it is because of centuries old backwardness or social exclusion, because of which such

communities lacked the ownership over productive assets that are key to entrepreneurship.

• Social change is a long process and it will take for such communities to consolidate thebenefits of positive discrimination and translate the same in urban capitalist sector. In market

economies some entrepreneurship is needed on the part of the weaker section as well.

12. An athlete participates in Olympics for personal triumph and nation's glory; victorsare showered with cash incentives by various agencies, on their return. Discuss themerit of state sponsored talent hunt and its cultivation as against the rationale of areward mechanism as encouragement. (12½)

• The current policy of Indian sport authorities or state administration to reward victors with

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excessively large cash amounts and other incentives after winning is in stark contrast withthe policies in other sports superpowers such as China, the USA, and Australia, etc.

• State sponsored talent hunt is the leading sport policy in these countries. These countriesinvest reasonably well in sports activities, build world class sports infrastructure, organisenumber of domestic sports events and provide supportive sports eco-system to players.

• But in India, these basic things are largely absent from Sports sector. The authorities appear

only after winning a title by a player. This not only affects the sport sector but also send

wrong signals among players.

• There are number of merits in state sponsored merit hunt over reward mechanism policy.

For example: State sponsored talent hunt is more appropriate interventional youth and

sports policy. It enables state authorities to find the suitable talents and nurture them into

world class players.

• This would enhance Indian sports capacities dramatically. Further, it also instils confidence

among players about their future. Today, most of the bright players leave sports because of

uncertainties.

• Also, state sponsored talent hunt program would automatically turn into capacity building

measures such as increasing sports infrastructure, increasing number of domestic sports

events, large scale investments among sports activities, etc.

• However, reward mechanism can be continued but this should not be the leading sports

policy. Government should also encourage private sector to participate in national sponsored

sport policies rather than rewarding winners with huge amounts individually.

13. Should the premier institutes like IITs/IIMs be allowed to retain premier status,

allowed more academic independence in designing course and also decide mode/

criteria of selection of students. Discuss in light of the growing challenges. (12½)

• Despite of significant intellectual capital and great reputation in higher education, Indian

universities have fared poor on global ranking of universities. Leave alone global ranking,

none of Indian universities could be featured within top 20, even among BRICS nations

universities. This casts some serious challenges for Indian universities in particular and

higher education in general.

• In India, there is very little degree of differentiated treatment among universities. Though

institutes of national importance such as IITs/IIMs are treated well and provided with

reasonable resources, undue interferences in academics, bureaucratic diktats, etc. have lowered

their potential to become global reputed institutes.

• Additionally, these institutions are not given enough autonomy regarding conducting research,

recruiting faculties and scholars, grants in aids to research, etc. This affects the performance

of these institutions.

• For example: IITs/IIMs are not allowed to recruit foreign faculties, but in all modern top

universities, 30-70% faculties are foreign nationals. Only recently, a same entrance exam for

all universities was imposed upon IITs and they were debarred from conducting their own

entrance exam for which IITs were quite famous and even foreign universities had admitted

the credentials of IIT entrance test. This compromised with the quality of IITs.

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• Course designing is one major issue. Currently, unlike other countries, in India the institutes

have to consult with Ministry of HRD while finalising the course design.

• This has resulted into lack of dynamism in these institutes. While modern institutes have

moved further ahead towards large scale technology based learning techniques such as

Massive Online Open Courseware (MOOCs), Indian universities are still lingering with

decade old academic curricula.

14. Has the Cadre base Civil Services Organization been the cause of slow change inIndia? Critically examine. (12½)

• The All India services were introduced so that, the officers may have a national perspectiveand it would promote unity and integrity.

• Although the IAS, IPS, and IFS are All India Services, but to a large extent they have beentreated as State Services, as an officer spends most of his career in the State that is allottedto him/her. Over the years, some cadres have become preferred cadres, and this leads to asense of dissatisfaction among some officers, if they don't get their preferred cadre andinstead of working in a challenged and remote area, they move for early deputation toCentral Government.

• Even more important, there are instances of key public officials failing to safeguard theConstitutional values and imperatives of national unity as they were afraid of victimizationin the hands of State Government.

• Another issue is that each cadre/service tends to develop its own clout and establish apower center without looking at the bigger picture. For example, there was a furore over thecadre allocation recently, when the Telengana was carved out from Andhra Pradesh. Mostof the officers wanted to stay in Andhra Pradesh instead of Telengana, which clearly revealsthe preference of one cadre over the other, which should not have been there, as an officeris supposed to serve in an area without any bias or preferences. In this case most seniorofficers were transferred to Andhra Pradesh, whereas it was Telengana that was morechallenging in terms of internal security and developmental work as it is both a semi-aridand naxalite-affected state. Thus, officers instead of choosing the challenging tasks preferredthe bigger cadre, which clearly slows down the process of development.

15. Two parallel run schemes of the Government, viz. the Adhaar Card and NPR, oneas voluntary and the other as compulsory, have led to debates at national levels andalso litigations. On merits, discuss whether or not both schemes need run concurrently.Analyze the potential of the schemes to achieve developmental benefits and equitablegrowth. (12½)

• The UID (Unique Identification)/Adhaar Card and NPR (National Population Register) areboth government identity schemes that aggregate personal data, including biometric data forthe provision of an identification factor, and aim to link them with the delivery of publicutility services.

• The differences between the two exist in terms of collection of data, the type of identificationfactor issued, authorities involved and the outcome. Enrolment for a UID does not lead toautomatic enrolment in the NPR.

• The National Population Register (NPR) is a comprehensive identity database to be maintainedby the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, Ministry of Home Affairs.

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• The NPR is linked to citizenship status. Government is also planning to link NPR to votingrights, which means election identity cards would not be the sole document for eligibility tovote.

• The objective of the NPR as stated by the Citizenship Act is for the creation of a NationalCitizen Register. The National Citizen Register is intended to assist in improving security by

checking for illegal migration. Additional objectives that have been articulated include:

providing services to the residents under government schemes and programmes, checking

for identity frauds, and improve planning.

• The UID is individual based, whereas the NPR scheme focuses on the household or the

family as a composite unit. Thus, the UID seeks to enroll individuals while the NPR seeks

to gather data of the members of a household or family as a composite unit during the

census and later register each person for an NPR Card, on the basis of the census data.

• The registration for UID is becoming compulsory by implication as it is required for direct

benefit transfers and for utilities. Data collected under NPR is being shared with the UIDAI

by default, when one registers for a UID number.

• UID will provide identity for individuals. The scheme has been promoted by the UIDAI as

enabling a number of social benefits including improving the public distribution system,

enabling financial inclusion, and improving the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment

Guarantee Scheme. Despite these benefits, the UIDAI only guarantees identity, and does not

guarantee rights, benefits or entitlement.

16. With respect of the South China sea, maritime territorial disputes and rising tension

affirm the need for safeguarding maritime security to ensure freedom of navigation

and over flight throughout the region. In this context, discuss the bilateral issues

between India and China. (12½)

• South China Sea dispute is an ongoing hegemony tussle over territory and sovereignty over

the group of islands (Paracels and the Spratlys) and surrounding maritime areas between a

number of ASEAN nations and China. The major reason behind the dispute is that these

islands may have reserves of natural resources around them and the surrounding maritime

area falls on the important shipping route.

• Current dispute between India and China

India's interests in the South China Sea currently are primarily related to its energy interests

and keeping the sea lanes open due to the burgeoning trade between India and several

countries in the region. Also the, two Indian companies - ONGC Videsh Limited (OVL) and

Essar - have been allocated oil blocks in the region by Vietnam. China has warned India and

all other countries to not to engage in any commercial exploration activity in the region and

the Indo-Vietnamese pact has affected the India-China relations badly.

• Indian Diplomatic Response

To counter rising Chinese threat, the Indian Navy has also been conducting joint naval

exercises with Vietnam and Philippines, clearly signaling its alignment of interests with the

smaller Southeast Asian states. In addition, India has sought to move closer to Japan and

USA in its search for enhancing nuclear, economic, and defense cooperation. This was

critically demonstrated by the newly elected Prime Minister’s high profile visit to Japan and

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the United States soon after winning election. In last six months, the foreign minister and

later the President of India have visited Vietnam to secure defense and economic ties. External

Affairs Minister also visited Burma and Singapore as a part of the strong eastward push.

• India has clearly stated that its role in the region is necessitated by the need for activeinvolvement from the Persian Gulf to the Straits of Malacca to safeguard its trade route andgrowing investments with Japan, South Korea, China, Taiwan and ASEAN.

17. The aim of Information Technology Agreements (ITAs) is to lower all taxes andtariffs on information technology products by signatories to zero. What impact wouldsuch agreements have on India's interests? (12½)

• The Information Technology Agreement (ITA) is a multilateral trade agreement that requiresparticipants to eliminate their tariffs on a specific list of information technology (IT) andtelecommunications products. Currently, there is an effort to increase the agreement's ambitand extend its scope; which would be known as ITA-II. It would aim to cover approximately97 per cent of world trade in defined IT products, which is currently estimated to exceed$1 trillion.

• India had joined ITA-I (first phase), but it affected the domestic electronics hardware sectorvery badly by making imports cheaper. So, India had been opposing the further expansionof the pact, and has decided not to become a signatory to ITA-II due to the fact that the ITAwould only benefit a country if its domestic manufacturing was robust.

• Also, signing the agreement would go against the ambitious 'Make in India' plan, as theagreement would make importing goods cheaper than manufacturing the same domestically.Currently, India imports most of its requirement of electronic items. To promote manufacturingin India, some protection for domestic industry is required in the initial stage.

18. Some of the International funding agencies have special terms for economicparticipation stipulating a substantial component of the aid to be used for sourcingequipment from the leading countries. Discuss on merits of such terms and if, thereexists a strong case not to accept such conditions in the Indian context. (12½)

Loans and assistance from international funding agencies is called as Tied Aid. Usually, it is notconsidered good for a developing country; however, under certain circumstances it may have benefits.

• When the quality of production in aid providing country is much better to the locallyavailable quality.

• When the interest rates are low and aid is long-term with humanitarian perspective.

• When aid is received as a part of relief package for supporting the aid-provider in aninternational forum, given the view is also beneficial for aid-recipient.

• The aid-giver is in a better position than the aided country to take decisions regarding theaided projects and their details.

• Case of India:

While India has traditionally received substantial aid both from developed countries andmultilateral institutions in 20th countries, the quantum has substantially fallen in recent years. Ithas emerged as a net donor, given its humanitarian contribution and multilateral commitmentsapart from aid in neighbourhood.

• Given the increasing financial viability and strength of Indian Economy, it need not dependon the tied aid as: with tied conditions the economic cost of the aid goes up. The extent of

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this increase depends upon the conditions of aid. This reduces the real value of the tied aidwhile the repayment obligations do not decrease.

• It may even suffer from inferior quality material thrust upon it, e.g., supply of sub-standardwheat to India by US in the 1960s under the PL480 programme.

• Tied aid restricts the choice of equipment. Also, this may add to its long term import-dependence.

19. India has recently signed to become founding member of New Development Bank(NDB) and also the Asian Infrastructure Bank (AIIB). How will the role of the twoBanks be different? Discuss the strategic significance of these two Banks for India.

(12½)

• Brazil, India, Russia, China & South Africa (BRICS) launched a new multilateral institutionin 2014 called the New Development Bank (NDB).

• India, China and 19 Asian economies jointly launched a new infrastructure developmentbank formally known as The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). China will provideup to 50 per cent of initial capital for this Institution.

Difference between AIIB and NDB

• The NDB has been established with an objective to lend to developing countries around theworld, while the AIIB is focused on Asia, with a mandate to provide infrastructure financingfor Asian developing countries.

• NDB aims to provide finance for all the development projects, be it infrastructural, humandevelopment, or others. However, the AIIB's aim is to provide funding for infrastructureprojects specifically such as roads and transport corridors.

• Both banks will be headquartered in China, with the NDB headquartered in Beijing and theAIIB headquartered in Shanghai.

Strategic Significance and Need for new Multilateral Institutions

• As per the Asian Development Bank's (ADB) assessment, Asia needs on an average $800billion of investment in infrastructure annually between now and 2020; India alone needmore than USD 100 Billion within current five year plan for infrastructural development.Against this, the ADB, dominated by Japan, which is also a founding member, lends nomore than $10 billion a year for infrastructure.

• With the American-dominated World Bank and the Europe-led IMF being stuck underwestern influence, the need for a multilateral body to finance the growth region of the worldwas real.

• Similarly, given the world power ambitions of India, there is a need to be the part of newlyemerging institutions and thus, India should become pivotal part of these institutions andhave its presence across all such forums, particularly when old institutions are not keen toreform themselves.

20. WTO is an important international institution where decisions taken affect countriesin a profound manner. What is the mandate of WTO and how binding are theirdecisions? Critically analyse India's stand on the latest round on Food security.

(12½)

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• WTO's Mandate includes: (i) to implement the new world trade system; (ii) to promoteWorld Trade in a manner that benefits every country; (iii) to ensure that developing countriessecure a better balance; (iv) to demolish all hurdles to an open world trading system and;(v) to enhance competitiveness among all trading partners; (vi) to increase the level ofproduction and productivity with a view to ensuring level of employment in the world; (vii)to expand and utilize world resources to the best; (viii) to improve the level of living for theglobal population and speed up economic development of the member nations.

• WTO rules and procedures can be considered as Public International Law that primarilyencompasses within its ambit the law(s), which are, required to be uniformly followed by theMember Countries. The Treaties and Conventions entered under the banner of a commonplatform like WTO bind these Member Countries to follow its rules and procedure and theycannot plead that the same is against the notions and ideologies of their nation. That is why,many countries didn't joined WTO initially as they were circumspect.

• As per the WTO guidelines, the implementation of India's Food Security Act may comeunder market distorting subsidy, because the act requires the government to purchase foodgrains at market price and sell it at below market price to two-thirds of the population inIndia. This will include huge subsidies and price distortion, which will affect other grainexporters negatively. India however, has taken a tough stand on this and argued that publicstockholding for food security is a livelihood issue, a matter which should not be evendebated at WTO.

• Food security is the foundation upon which the United Nations' Millennium DevelopmentGoals to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger stand. Forcing developing countries andLeast Developed Countries to agree to anything which may compromise their right to foodsecurity will not only compromise basic human dignity but also go against the UN declarationto which all countries are a signatory.

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Answer the question in NOT MORE THAN 200 words each. Contents for the answer are more importantthan its length. All questions carry equal marks. 12½×20 = 250

1. Normally countries shift from agriculture to industry and then later to services, butIndia shifted directly from agriculture to services. What are the reasons for the hugegrowth of services vis-a-vis industry in the country? Can India become a developedcountry without a strong industrial base? (12½)

• The peculiar trend of Indian economy to shift directly to services from agriculture is outcomeof various domestic and international developments. In domestic scenario, the failure ofindustry, demographic dividend, socio-cultural factors, and most importantly, the economicpolicies since Independence have been prominent.

• Despite the huge potential, the failure of Industry and manufacturing in particular, hadcreated a vacuum in job market, which was occupied by Services sector; since the agriculturalproductivity has been low and given the education profile of Indian youths, the servicesector was bound to see huge influx.

• In addition, the emergence of middle class in India has further compounded services sector,as a career in services sector is considered better. Globalisation has also played a major rolein tremendous expansion of services in India, and India is considered to have become oneof top services outsourcing destination.

Developed Industry is Rockbed of a developed economy

• Strong Industrial base is essential for any economy to be developed. It lowers imports of anation and thus, helps in managing desired Current and Capital account. India's presentdeteriorated CAD can be attributed lack of competitive manufacturing base.

• Industry has more employment capacities comparing to services, hence given theoverwhelming size of population in India, strong Industrial base is essential, if India wantsto be a developed country.

2. While we found India's demographic dividend, we ignore the dropping rates ofemployability. What are we missing while doing so? Where will the jobs that Indiadesperately needs come from? Explain. (12½)

• While calculating demographic dividend, the dividend is counted in mere quantitative termsand not qualitatively, i.e. age group, but not human resource development. Since theproductivity of that so called dividend is not taken into account, there is a serious flaw inits calculation.

• In a large economy, like India, where more than 50% population is young and counted as

demographic advantage, growth should already have surpassed the historical record, but

this is not so, as a majority of such population lacks in essential skills and is unemployable.

Thus, in reality, such population is economic burden and not advantage. Another example

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can be cited by comparing the demographic profile of India and East Asian countries such

as China.

• In China major part of population are comparatively older than India but there is greater

rate of employability and availability of employment. Thus, by quantitative calculations

while India seems to be better-off than China, but it is actually poor on the indicator, once

the calculation is done qualitatively. This, also explains the reason behind India's lower

growth than China..

India can adopt following measures that would help in creating more jobs:

• India's Industry sector has been underperforming. A developed Industrial base would create

jobs more than anything else. Recent emphasis on 'make in India' campaign has potential

to address the job problems.

• Due to lack of basic incentives, Agriculture and allied activities has also been unable to

accommodate more labour force. This sector too can create lot more jobs.

3. The right to fair compensation and transparency land acquisition, rehabilitation and

resettlement act, 2013 has come into effect from 1 January 2014. What implication

would it have on industrialization and agriculture in India? (12½)

• Land acquisition has been a tedious and complex affair in India. To address the bottlenecks,

LARR 2013 had been brought in. However, the complexity is still lingering. LARR has

impacted the industry and agriculture greatly. Particularly the consent seeking has delayed

the projects considerably.

• Infrastructure projects are affected most badly. In many instances, the subsequent rise in

input costs has left the projects unviable and in suspended state. Particularly, in rural areas,

the infrastructure projects are under tremendous pressure, as it is difficult to monetize them;

also the private sector is not interested in them. The growth of Industry is largely dependent

on the infrastructure development which the government cannot take up single handed and

co-operation of private sector becomes necessary.

• In normal circumstances, agricultural lands are not allowed to acquire. However, in some

exceptional cases, the agricultural land can be acquired. Thus, there are chances of misuse

of this clause. The large scale agricultural land acquisition would have negative consequences

on agriculture.

• Also, there is no clear cut policy on returning of unused land. According to the act, the

unused land may be converting into land banks. This would seriously harm the land resources

and the impacts on food security would be negative.

4. Foreign direct investment in the defence sector is now said to be liberalized. What

influence this is expected to have on Indian defence and economy in the short and

long run? (12½)

• India has poor Industrial base, especially in defence equipment manufacturing. This was

resulting into huge import bills of defence equipments, leading India to become one of the

biggest arms importers in the world. The poor arms manufacturing industry can be attributed

into strict investment policy in defence manufacturing. Considering this, the government has

eased FDI cap in defence manufacturing sector.

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• It would influence defence sector and Indian economy in following way:

a. In short term, eased FDI policy would attract more foreign and domestic investments.This would bring much needed capital for the sector.

b. Secondly, cut-edge technology is crucial for defence industry. Thus, the foreign investmentis expected to bring latest technologies as well. This in particular is very crucial for thedefence sector as well the economy as a whole. This can change the paradigm of Indiandefence manufacturing in long run. For example: whereas we used to be a net defenceequipments importer, with help of latest technology and larger investments, we wouldnot only be able to reduce imports but also export of these.

c. Defence manufacturing is a big sector globally; its development will also generateemployment opportunities.

d. In long run, the developed defence sector would be strategic asset to Indian defence asa whole. Unlike current situation, the Indian defence system would be more indigenisedand less vulnerable.

5. National urban transport policy emphasizes on 'moving people' instead of 'movingvehicles'. Discuss critically the success of various strategies of the government in thisregard. (12½)

• The paradigm shift in national transport urban policy advocates about 'moving people'instead of decade old concept of 'moving vehicle'. In last decade, urbanization in Indiancities has increased at unprecedented rate. This has resulted into massive traffic jams andother numerous transportation problems in urban traffic, such as excessive pollution andrising import bill for oil. In such scenario, 'Moving people' is indeed commendable, thoughchallenging. 'Mass transit system' is the forerunner in new national transport policy.

• Though as a most successful transport policy, it has been implemented in most of Indianmetropolitan areas but it generally associate huge costs and require technical expertise torun. Providing the same, may not be possible for the tier-2 cities, where though urbanizationhas increased but the revenues not increased so much to bear the mass transit system.

• Apart from mass transit system, public has been encouraged by government to use publictransport.

• This is though positive, but a toothless strategy. Because, except a few metro cities, conditionof public transport system is pathetic elsewhere.

• Government from time-to-time has spent significantly to upgrade the public transport facilitysuch as JNNURM, PURA but they have not worked to the extent targeted.

• However, people’s co-operation, which is very crucial for any policy is largely missing incontext of transport policy. Due to general income increase, people ignore the importanceof public transport and sometimes even damage these. Thus, for any public transport policyto succeed; awareness and co-ordination drive among people and strict implementation oflaws is essential

6. There is also a point of view that agriculture produce market committees (APMCs)set up under the state acts have not only impeded the development of agriculturebut also have been the cause of food inflation in India. Critically examine. (12½)

• Agriculture Produce Market Committees (APMCs) were set up with a noble intention tofacilitate organised and exploitation free agricultural markets to farmers. However, of late,

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the APMC were malaise with various corrupt and a number of exploitative practices. It didnot only hinder the development of agriculture but also caused food inflation, food scarcity,food hoarding, and other problems.

APMC caused Inflation:

• In APMC organised markets, farmers need to register themselves and sell only to registeredretailers. This in particular, has resulted into exploitation of farmers in greater degree.Miscreants often in nexus with officials make it difficult for farmers to get due officialprocess.

• Some miscreants have got licensed only in order to make profits. They harass farmers andhoard the produces. This affect the supply chain of produces and put a strain in retailmarkets resulting demand pull inflation.

• Currently, even the fruits and vegetables are also included in APMCs. These produces areperishable and consequently affect supply chain.

7. "In the villages itself no form of credit organisation will be suitable except thecooperative society." - All Indian rural credit survey. Discuss this statement in thebackground of agriculture finance in India. What constrain and challenges do financialinstitutions supplying agricultural finances? How can technology be used to betterreach and serve rural clients? (12½)

• Agriculture financing has been troublesome for most of the financial institutions, as it isfundamentally different from financing other sectors, such as industry or micro and smallsectors, because, it involves greater degree of risks in terms of i.e. poor farmers, dependencyon monsoon, poor agricultural marketing etc. In light of these reasons, Non-PerformingAssets in agriculture is remarkably high in agriculture and allied activities.

• Source of farm credits are of two types- Institutional and Non-institutional.

Institutional- Apart from cooperative societies, Scheduled commercial banks (SCB), regionalrural banks, NABARD, Primary Agricultural Cooperative Society (PACS), SHG-bankcorrespondent model are some of the successful models within rural set up.

Merits of Co-operatives

• Co-operative society acts as a peer pressure on farmers to return the loans as soon aspossible, thus, the credit given by co-operatives, unlike other financial institution, involvesboth push as well as pull factors for recovery of the credits.

• Cooperatives showed significant indirect credit advancement.

• Apart from credit, cooperatives also help farmers by providing top quality fertilizers, seeds,insecticides, pesticides, etc, at reasonable price, apart from guidance and technical advice.Farmers also get marketing, warehouses and agricultural tools at rent.

Limitations of Co-operatives

• Downward trend in advancing direct credits, whereas SCB shows the significant upwardtrend.

• Highly uneven performance.

• Siphoning of funds to other sectors other than agriculture & allied sectors & hence PACSshould be promoted.

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• Lack of transparency, accountability and proper regulatory framework.

• Rampant corruption and nexus between rich farmers and service providers.

Constraints

• Poor Financial inclusion

• Poor financial literacy & inadequate government actions.

• High weather & climate risks, make it hard for providers of financial services to hedge risks

or operate profitable insurance pools.

• Inadequate Profitable financial products from the service providers.

Challenges for Co-operatives

• Burgeoning NPA

• Inadequate supply of credit

• Demand-Supply gaps

• Political Interference

• Lack of Monitoring & problems in identification of target groups

• High transaction costs & time lags

• Credit misutilisation

• Poor Accessibility of institutional sources while non-institutional sources charges exorbitant

rate of interest

Technology

• Mobile & Internet banking holds good for better affordable & accessible financial penetration

to the rural population however, government needs to subsidise smart phones, laptops etc.

for the rural people as well as mission mode thrust to PMJDY, concept of small banks,

Digital India Programme & National Optical Fibre network etc. so as to attain robust financial,

technological & social inclusion

Conclusion

"One Size Fits All Approach" will not work and it would be better to have a demand driven,

local, "Service Area Approach" with preferable lending to Joint liability group.

8. Can overuse and the availability of antibiotics without doctor's prescription, the

contributors to the emergence of drug-resistant diseases in India? What are the

available mechanisms for monitoring and control? Critically discuss the various issues

involved. (12½)

• An antibiotic is a bio-chemical agent that kills or inhibits the growth of microbes in given

conditions. Overuse and availability of antibiotics without doctor's prescription results into

undue usages of antibiotics which let microbes to more exposures to the used antibiotics,

thus hastens the natural selection of anti-antibiotics breed of microbes. This has lead to to

emergence of Multi Drug Resistant (MDR) and Extreme Drug Resistant (XDR) microbes.

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• This essentially would curtail the effectiveness of various antibiotics. Also in various reportsof WHO, overuse and without guidelines usages of antibiotics has been one major reasonbehind emergence of antibiotics resistance.

For monitoring and control:

• Excessive sale of antibiotics should be monitored.

• The livestock farms, where antibiotics are used as weight gainers should be monitored.

• In addition, in every healthcare unit, a special dedicated anti-biotic resistance cell should beinstalled.

• In rural areas, mobile vans can be deployed for spreading awareness and ensure bettermonitoring of antibiotics resistance.

Critical issues:

• Antibiotics are not treated as specialized medicines anymore, rather these have becomecommon Over the Counter drugs and its usages are indiscriminate and very common. Thishas resulted into widespread antibiotic resistance.

• Moreover, live-stocks are also given antibiotics as weight gainers on routine basis. Due tothis, the antibiotic resistant microbes have entered into humans from animals. (MDR andXDR)

• Antibiotics are also used by some people as anti-depressants. This has further compoundedthe problem.

• Lack of awareness is major issue. Very few people know about the negative consequencesof overuse of antibiotics.

9. Scientific research in Indian universities is declining, because a career in science isnot as attractive as our business operations, engineering or administration, and theuniversities are becoming consumer oriented. Critically comment. (12½)

• Indian universities have fared poor on global ranking of universities. Though other reasonsare also involved behind this, but prominently, the lack of scientific research in Indianuniversities has been responsible for lower global ranks. India lags far behind from countriessuch as the USA, China, and Japan in number of students pursuing higher education orresearch. A number of socio-cultural, apart from ineffective government policies, areresponsible for such grim situation of research in India.

• The demographic profile of India is largely comprised of middle class, for who immediatelivelihood is important. Compared to research sector, other fields such as business operations,and engineering or administration promise better prospects of immediate livelihood. Thus,students are more attracted towards those sectors rather than pursuing higher education.

• India lacks in research based institutes. There are very few professional research institutesand universities in India and even these undertake limited inter-disciplinary research activities.Unlike western countries, private participation in research is abysmally low in India, whichalso means that post-research degree, the employment opportunities are bleak; as researchinstitutes can't employ all the outgoing students.

• Government has also not been able to promote science among students community and in

society in general. Thus, people are largely unaware of the importance of scientific research

and its contribution in nation's progress. India needs to create an enabling environment for

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scientific research and should encourage more students to take up higher education in

science as carrier choice.

10. In a globalised world, intellectual property rights assume significance and are a

source of litigation. Broadly distinguish between the terms - copyrights, patents and

trade secrets. (12½)

• A patent for an invention is the grant of a property right to the inventor, issued by the

Patent and Trademark Office. The term of a new patent is 20 years from the date on which

the application for the patent was filed in with authorities or, in special cases, from the date

an earlier related application was filed, subject to the payment of maintenance fees.

• Trade secrets are protected by civil and criminal statutes and common law. A trade secret

may consist of any formula, pattern, device or compilation of information or other know-

how that is used in a business, and gives that business an opportunity to obtain an advantage

over competitors, who do not know or use it. Some examples of trade secrets include:

confidential business information such as new product lines or marketing initiatives and

customer lists, formulae for chemical compounds, food & beverage recipes, manufacturing

blueprint, patterns for machines or other devices.

• Copyrights to a Work automatically vest in the author or joint authors of the Work at the

time, the Work is first expressed in a tangible form. Registration or filing is not necessary for

vesting purposes. The Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights

(TRIPS), though not included, requires a copyright length of at least 50 years after death,

while the most common time duration is Lifespan + 70 years. India has adopted a grant of

Lifespan + 60 years (except posthumous works) for copyrights.

11. Should the pursuit of carbon credit and clean development mechanism set up under

UNFCCC be maintained even through there has been a massive slide in the value

of carbon credit? Discuss with respect to India's energy needs for economic growth.

(12½)

• Price erosion of Carbon credits has occurred partially because of the impact of the global

recession which has reduced production, and therefore greenhouse gas emissions. Another

factor to price depression has been the increased supply of international carbon credits and

European carbon allowances, which has softened the price of one tonne of avoided carbon.

• A low price signal for carbon can have a number of impacts in the private sector:

a. investment in renewable energy may be reduced

b. investment in energy efficiency research may slow down

c. long-term investment decisions for low-emission power plants may be delayed

• India in present time is in dire need of energy be it renewable or non-renewable. It also put

on significant emphasis on energy efficiency. The a focussed pursuit of carbon credit may

also harm long term investments in power plants, which would be very negative in context

of Indian energy needs.

12. While, India must pursue clean energy, despite the fact that the incentive for followingthe same may have fallen, it must not let that affect overall power-general targets.Drought has been recognized as a disaster in view of its party expense, temporal

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duration, slow onset and lasting effect on various vulnerable sections. With a focuson the September 2010 guidelines from the National disaster management authority,discuss the mechanism for preparedness to deal with the El Nino and La Nina falloutsin India. (12½)

• September 2010 guidelines from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA),elaborated at length the entire mechanism for preparedness to deal with exceptional climaticconditions such as El-Niño and La-Niña.

Prevention

The elimination or reduction of the incidence or severity of drought or flood due to El-Nino or LaNina and the mitigation of their effects. Activities under this are as below:

• To disseminate existing and new technical information.

• To develop measures for the assessment, prediction, prevention and mitigation of naturaldisasters through programmes of technical assistance and technology transfer, educationand training and to evaluate effectiveness of programmes.

• To identify the various hazards and hazard prone areas in the State.

• To conduct risk and vulnerability assessment and to identify vulnerable locations.

• To analyze capacities of the different institutions.

• To evolve strategies for preparedness and mitigation so that risk involved invulnerablecommunities can be reduced.

Response

• The combating of emergencies and the provision of immediate rescue and relief services.

• To evolve Emergency response and recovery mechanism and financial Arrangements.

• To ensure that community is the most important stakeholder in the DM process.

Recovery

• The assistance of people and communities affected by disasters, to achieve a proper and

effective level of functioning. Recovery brings back the community to a better and safer levelthan the pre-disaster stage.

• To reform financial planning for disaster management and undertake reconstruction as an

opportunity to build disaster resilient structures and habitat.

13. Environmental Impact Assessment studies are increasingly undertaken before projectis cleared by the government. Discuss the environmental impacts of coal-fired thermalplants located at Pitheads. (12½)

• Fossil fuel fired projects; especially coal-fired plants have caused substantial environmental

degradation. Apart from air pollution, it has contributed in land degradation, soil pollution,water pollution, as well as noise pollution.

• Due to consideration to economic benefits, Coal-fired plants are increasingly set up in locations

close to coal pitheads. However, such plants located at Pitheads have worsened theenvironment in neighbourhood areas.

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• In these locations, due to plants and associated economic activities such as transportation,processing etc. forests are cleared at large scale resulting into almost non-existence of forestsaround pitheads. Ideally, these forests could have acted as buffer area and minimize thepollution fallouts of mining. Also, since the plants are close to mined area submerged withground water thus, there are greater chances of ground water to be contaminated. Also in

areas, where the plants are located at pitheads, the air pollution chances increases by four-five folds due to heavy concentration of pollution causing activities.

• Soil contamination remains another issue as the area already prone to land degradationbecomes vulnerable due to plants. However, the close proximity of coal plants to pitheadshas some advantages too.

• For example: The by-products of plants such as fly-ash can be used as land-filling materialsin already mined area. The advantages can be reaped only when there is elaboratedEnvironment Impact Assessment (EIA) its implementation, and accordingly the strategy isdeveloped to minimize pollution

14. The diverse nature of India as a multi-religious and multi-ethnic society is not immuneto the impact of radicalism which has been in her neighbourhood. Discuss alongwith the strategies to be adopted to counter this environment. (Been in news after Al-Qaeda threat to India and US report on counter-terror measures in India). (12½)

• Growing radicalisation in Indian neighbourhood has caused concerns for national security.It has far reaching implications for the Indian defence as a whole. Though, the multi-religious and multi-ethnic society reduces the chances of radicalisation of grater magnitude,yet the Indian Territory can be used for any big mishap in influence of growing radicalisationin immediate neighbourhood. Since youth is most vulnerable to any such kind of radicalisation,thus, the government should pursue effective youth and sports policy. They should beprovided with enabling environment for livelihood, sports and other activities.

• As long as they are involved in anything constructive, they are less prone to be indulged inany kind of anti-national activity. Secondly, the surveillance and intelligence system shouldbe revamped. Currently, the intelligence system of India suffers from multiple problems suchas cutting-edge surveillance technology, manpower etc. These should be fixed as soon aspossible. Thirdly, political leadership should engage with neighbourhood nations constructivelyand seek diplomatic solutions; Bangladesh in recent years has been very forthcoming andhas helped India to dismantle terrorist camps from its lands.

• Particularly, Israel's successful experience in anti-terrorism efforts can also help India as itis also surrounded by hostile neighbours with radical population. This robust relationshipcan be used as exchange of intelligence knowledge, etc. In addition, on line of Shanghai Co-operation Organisation (SCO), India can also form a regional group for tackling regionalsecurity threats collectively.

15. How illegal trans-border migration does pose a threat to India's security? Discuss thestrategies to curb this, bring out the factors which give impetus to such migration.

(12½)

• Indian borders especially those with the eastern neighbours are highly porous and thus, alarge number of illegal migrants move into Indian Territory without proper documentation.This poses serious national security threats.

• Firstly, trans-border illegal migration can be used by terrorists as easier way to get intoIndian Territory.

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• Secondly, these illegal border crossing are disturbing regional demographic profiles resultinginto mass clashes among natives and migrants. This has also fuelled anti-national extremismin border regions.

• Thirdly, the illegal trans-border inflow does not only constitute people but large number ofillicit drugs, women and child slaves, weapons and other illicit trade goods. This has affectedthe security of the nation as a whole.

• Illegal maritime border crossings have made the critical infrastructures such as port, Indiannavy establishment vulnerable.

Reasons that have provided impetus to cross-border migration:

a. Regional instability and lack of prosperity in neighbourhood countries.

b. Lack of sufficient border surveillances.

c. Corruption among border force, as some of them take bribes in exchange of safe passage.

d. Poor documentation process of Indian citizens in Indian territories.

Strategies to tackle Trans-border migration:

a. Well fencing of borders.

b. Proper surveillance and security on land borders as well as maritime borders.

c. Good relationship with neighbours and positive contribution to regional stability andprosperity.

d. Robust documentation and sound identification database of Indian citizen in border regions.

16. In 2012, the longitudinal marking of the high-risk areas for piracy was moved from65° East to 78° East in the Arabian Sea by International Maritime organisation. Whatimpact does this have on India's maritime security concerns? (12½)

• In recent report of International Maritime Organisation, the piracy high prone zone hasshrunk and moved further 65° East to 78° East. This geographical location beyond 78 degreecomes in region of Indian Ocean in proximity to western coast of India. Collectively, thiswould have far reaching implications on Indian maritime security a whole. Shipping expertsmaintain that changed classification resulted in ships coming close to the Indian coast andoften cruising in Indian territorial waters - from Mangalore to Kanyakumari - while transitingthe Arabian Sea. Many of these merchant vessels have armed guards as allowed by IMO.

• The Enrica Lexie incident, in which Italian marines shot and killed two Indian fishermensome 22 nautical miles off the coast, was direct fallout of the changed regulations. To ensurethe safety of its fishermen, India is demanding the rollback of an international guideline thatwas changed over two years back to designate seas close to its western coast as at a highrisk of piracy.

• Another, fallout of the classification was an exorbitant hike in insurance premiums of vesselsbound for zones due to enhanced risk, which is hurting the commercial interest of Indianmerchants.

17. China and Pakistan have entered into an agreement for development of an economiccorridor. What threat does it dispose for India's security? Critically examine. (12½)

• The proposed China-Pakistan economic corridor would pass through Pakistan Occupied

Kashmir (POK) and some strategic positions close to Indo-Pakistan border. For purpose of

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economic corridor, China would build massive infrastructure in form of road link and

railways in these areas. This would mean massive presence of Chinese nationals in those

critical areas. It is not the economic corridor or economic relationship between China and

Pakistan that causes concern for India's security but rather the massive presence of Chinese

military personnel around these strategic locations that apprehends India.

• However, this can be seen as an opportunity for India to strengthen its relations with China

as well as Pakistan on economic grounds. Economic relations are shaping bilateral relations

much more than anything else in present scenario. Development of the region would inevitably

benefit India on security and peace grounds but with cautious efforts.

• Additionally, it is very genuine security concern for India as in name of providing security,

the Chinese personnel can stay there all time. This could be resulted into strategic loss to

Indian security diplomacy. Not only in case of battle, wherein China would be able to

mobilise undue forces from multiple locations but it can also facilitate cross border war

logistics by using Pakistani territory.

18. Capitalism has guided the world economy to unprecedented prosperity. However, it

often encourages short sightedness and contributes to wide disparities between the

rich and the poor. In this light, would it be correct to believe and adopt capitalism

driving inclusive growth in India? (12½)

Pros:

• Capitalism provides incentive for entrepreneurship and makes entry into business easy through

elimination of barriers. This leads to growth, channelization of savings, and employment

generation.

• Inclusive capitalism has huge potential to solve malaise of the society such as unemployment,

environment degradation, vulnerability etc.

• Well intended initiatives of capitalism such as CSR and Philanthropy have helped to uplift

the lives of down-trodden.

• Economic development leads to political development that in turns lead to social development.

• Competitiveness of economy increases given that there is effective regulation.

Cons:

• Crony capitalism is fallout of inherent greed coupled with weak regulation; it has affected

the competitiveness of the economy.

• If unchecked for growth of monopolies, Capitalism causes widening disparity among poor

and rich masses.

• Capitalism lacks collective action, and in absence of a good regulator, has resulted into short-

sidedness and rent seeking attitude. This has resulted into ignorance of sustainability in

crucial issues such as environment, livelihood opportunities, etc.

• Capitalism has also resulted into mindless exploitation of natural resources without caring

much about future generations.

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19. Explain how private public partnership agreements, in longer gestation infrastructure

projects, can transfer unsuitable liabilities to the future. What arrangements need to

be put in place to ensure that successive generations' capacities are not compromised?

(12½)

• Public private partnership (PPP) is an arrangement between public and private sectors withclear agreement for delivery of public infrastructure oblique service. In PPP method, thedevelopers invest in the project and recollect it either through tolling right or annuity. In PPPmethod, financing is done by banks or private equity fund.

• Since most of infrastructural projects are subjected to long gestation period, financing suchprojects put strain on financing institutions and may increase their Non Performing Assets(NPA). In addition, the cumbersome process in clearance mechanism makes projects muchmore vulnerable to exceedingly long gestation period. Due to these constraints, projects oftenget delayed resulting into cost-over-run on the projects. But since the private entities areentered into prior-agreement with government, they cannot change their recollecting schemeto balance their cost over-runs. This causes unnecessary litigations regarding projects againstgovernment. This result into uncertainty in development of the projects and the liabilitiesremain unaccountable. To some extent, these uncertainty and liabilities are borne by consumerand future investing agencies.

• Following arrangements needed to be placed in existing policy:

a. Risk-sharing model should be comprehensive and all critical issues should be addressedwith future reference.

b. Investor friendly PPP policy.

c. Creating an enabling environment for better time-bound execution of PPP projects.

d. Recently approved Engineering Procurement Contract (EPC) model in place of PPP,where projects would be financed by government through Infrastructure bonds orsovereign bonds would prove effective as investors would be less burdened. This willencourage investors to take up more Infra projects with lesser risks.

20. International civil aviation laws provide all countries complete and exclusive severityover the airspace above the territory. What do you understand by airspace? What arethe implications of these laws on the space above this airspace? Discuss the challengeswhich this poses and suggests ways to contain the threat. (12½)

• According to International Civil aviation laws, airspace is the portion of atmosphereexclusively controlled by a nation above its territory, including its water territory. Air spacemay be classified into two types-

1. Controlled airspace- Controlled air space is the air space where executive controlling ordersare effectively carried out by security establishments. It mainly comprised of visible range inairspace.

2. Uncontrolled airspace- Uncontrolled airspace is above controlled air space. Though, thisspace is also monitored by security establishments but effective executive jurisdiction is notcarried out.

• The biggest flaw in International Civil aviation law is that it does not differentiate betweenthe outer space and airspace. Under international law, a country's airspace is considered tobe 12 nautical miles out from the coastline of the nation as a horizontal limitation. However,

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there is no international agreement on how far a country's airspace extends vertically towardsouter space.

• This has resulted in number of problems, as each country is following its own rules and alsotakes advantage of unclear position; they often intrude in the outer space. For example:though USA considers 100 km as the limitation of outer space, many of its astronaut flightshave been intruding into Canadian airspace close to 80km without asking any permission.

• When the weapon technology has increased tremendously, this legal lacuna can be misusedby technically developed countries. This poses serious air threats to national security. Thereis immediate need of giving it global consensus and implement it in effect as soon as possible.