UPSC 2021 Mains Essay Question Paper

UPSC 2021 Mains Essay Question Essay writing is a crucial topic, from an exam point of view. While you can read and learn about the various disciplines and topics, it is hard to develop a good style of writing merely by reading books. Thus, writing practice has its own importance, that flows through each and every paper, that needs descriptive answers. UPSC 2021 Mains Essay Question Write TWO Essays, choosing ONE from each of the Sections A and B, in about 1000-1200 words each. (125×2-250) Section A The process of self-discovery has now been technologically outsourced. Your perception of me is a reflection of you; my reaction to you is an awareness of me. Philosophy of wantlessness is Utopian, while materialism is a chimera. The real is rational and the rational is real. Section B Hand that rocks the cradle rules the world. What is research, but a blind date with knowledge! History repeats itself, first as a tragedy, second as a farce. There are better practices to “best practices”. Download PDF UPSC CSE 2021 Mains Essay Question Paper

Process and Techniques of Decision Making

Process and Techniques of Decision Making Decision-Making  is  the  heart  of  modern  administration. According to Simon, administration is decision making. Decision making is a process of selection from a set of alternative courses of action which is thought to fulfill the objectives of the decision problem more satisfactorily than others In the words of Peter F. Drucker, “Whatever a manager does, he does through decision making.” Decision making is important for organizational effectiveness because of its central role in the overall process of directing and controlling the behavior of organizational members. Features of Decision Making It is a goal-oriented process. It implies a set of alternatives. It is a dynamic process. It is always related to the environment. It is a continuous or ongoing process. It is an intellectual or rational process. Types Of Decision Making Organizational and Personal Decisions: Organizational decisions are made to advance the interests of the organization. When an executive acts formally in his expected role in an organization,  he  makes  organizational  decisions  which  become the organization’s  official decisions.Personal  decisions  are  made  by  an  executive  as  an  individual  and  not  as  a  part  of  an organization. An executive who changes jobs or organizations is making a personal decision. Individual and Group Decisions:When  a  decision  is  taken  by  an  individual  in  the organization,  it  is  known  as an individual  decision. These  are  concerned  mainly  with  routine problems for which broad policies are available. Group decisions are those taken by a group of persons constituted for this purpose. Decisions taken  by  the  board  of  directors  or  a  committee  are examples  of  group  decisions. Routine and Strategic Decisions:Routine  decisions  are  made  repetitively  following certain established rules, procedures and policies. They do not require collection of new data and  can  be  taken  without  much  deliberation. Strategic or basic decisions, on the other  hand,  are  more  important  and  are  generally  taken  by  the  top  management  of organizations. They relate to policy matters and so require a thorough fact finding and analysis of the possible alternatives. Programmed and Non Programmed Decisions:Programmed decisions are concerned with  relatively  routine  and  repetitive  problems.  Information  on  these  problems  is  already available  and  can  be  processed  in  a  pre-planned  manner.  Such  decisions  have  short-term impact and are relatively simple. Nonprogrammed  decisions  deal  with  unique  or  unusual  problems.  Such  novel  or  non-repetitive problems cannot be tackled in a predetermined manner. There are no cut-and-dried solutions  or  readymade  answers  for  such  problems.  Therefore,  a  high  degree  of  executive judgment and deliberation is required to solve them. Policy and Operative Decisions:Policy decisions are of vital importance and are taken by the top management. They affect the entire organization. But operating decisions are taken by  the  lower  management  in  order  to  put  into  action  the  policy  decisions.  For  instance,  the bonus issue is a policy matter which is to be decided by the top management and calculation of bonus is an operating decision which is taken at the lower levels. Read Also Henry Fayol – Administrative Theory Decision Making Process A decision is generally not taken in isolation as it is affected by previous behavior as well as by consequences anticipated in the future. It is therefore necessary to understand Decision-Making as a process as the question of final selection of choice from alternatives should not result in false emphasis ignoring the lengthy complex process which precedes that final choice. The Decision-Making process can be divided as shown Defining the problem: The process begins with the recognition of a problem that requires a decision. Clear definition is critical as the right answer can be found with the right questions. Analyzing the problem and Gathering Information: The analysis of a problem even classifies the problem. Classification is necessary inorder to know who should set the decision and who should be consulted in making it.The problem should be classified in view the following guidelines : The nature of the decision problem, i.e Whether it is strategic or it is routine; The impact of the decision; The periodicity of decision; The futurity of the decision; The limiting or strategic factor relevant to decision. Developing Alternative Solutions:Developing alternative solutions to the problem is a very important step in the decision making process. The finding of alternative solutions helps to Choose best decision, after a careful evaluation of the most desirable course of action in the situation. Of course, even after ascertaining alternative solutions, an executive can make a mistake in making the decision or in his final choice. Whilst considering alternative solutions, a good principle to observe is to ask, “What could be the consequences if no action at all is taken?”. Selecting the Best Solution :In order to choose the best alternative, one will have to evaluate the available alternatives. There are various ways to evaluate alternatives. The most common method is through intuition i.e., choosing a solution that seems to be a good idea at that time. There is an inherent danger in this process because an executive’s action may be wrong on certain occasions. A second way to choose the best alternative Aweigh the consequences of one against those of the other. Peter Drucker has laid down four criteria in order to evaluate the consequences of various alternatives. Risk: Executie Weighs the risks of each course of action. Economy of effort: Benefit of the course of action Timing: Checks whether the situation demands the course of action Limitation of resources Converting the decision into Effective Action : After a solution has been sealed applying the above criteria, steps must be taken to translate it into effective action. A decision should be presented to the people who are to take part in its execution, in language they can understand. The working group should be given the opportunity to participate in the decision making process, preferably at the stage of developing alternatives. This can help improve the quality of the final decision by revealing points which may have been overlooked by the executive and uncovering obstacles in the way of its execution. Such participation

UPSC IAS Prelims 2020 CSAT Paper 2 Question Paper with Answer Key

UPSC Prelims 2020 CSAT Paper 2  Download  

UPSC Prelims Mock Test 8 – GS Paper 1

UPSC Prelims Mock Test Series 8 – GS Paper 1 Check All Prelims Mock Questions 1. The Union executive consists of which of the following offices?1.President2.Prime minister3.Governor4.Council of MinistersSelect the correct answer using the code given below(a) 1, 2 , 3 and 4(b) 1, 2 and 3 only(c) 2 and 3 only(d) 1, 2 and 4 only 2. Consider the following statements regarding the functions of Governor1.As the nominee of the Central Government, the Governor acts according to the aid and advice of the Central government.2.The Governor works as a channel of communication between the Centre and State governments.Select the correct answer using the following codes:(a) 1 only(b) 2 only(c) Both 1 and 2(d) Neither 1 nor 2 3.The term “Graded Surveillance Measure” is related to:  (a) Surveillance on the securities that has abnormal price rise in the capital market(b) Strategy developed to bring down the air pollution levels in major cities of India(c) Comprehensive system for effective policing through e- Governance.(d)An online tool to measure the progress in learning outcomes for students in secondary education. 4.Identify the parliamentary privileges that is/are guaranteed under the constitution:1.Freedom of speech in parliament2.Right of publication of parliamentary proceedings3.Right to punish for contempt of courtSelect the correct answer using the code given below:(a)1 and 3 only(b)1 and 2 only(c)2 and 3 only(d)1, 2 and 3 5. Consider the following statements:1.Central Government can declare a whole state as a disturbed area under the powers conferred by the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.2.The Act empowers security forces to arrest anyone without prior notice.Which of the following statements is/are correct?(a)1 only(b)2 only(c)Both 1 and 2(d)Neither 1 nor 2 6.Consider the following statements regarding censure motion:1.It can be moved against an individual minister only.2.It should state the reasons for its adoption in Lok sabha.3.If it is passed in the Lok Sabha, the council of ministers need not resign from the office. Which of the following statements given above is/are not correct?(a)1 only(b)2 only(c)1 and 3 only(d)1, 2 and 3 7.Consider the following statements:1.Non tax revenues account for almost 60% of the total revenue receipts in India.2.Government can further increase the non tax revenue by the sale of lands under Public Sector Units, disinvestment.Which of the following statements is/are correct?(a)1 only(b)2 only(c)Both 1 and 2(d)Neither 1 nor 2 8.Consider the following statements1.The Governor of a state is appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal.2.To be appointed as Governor, a person should be at least 30 years old.3.When a Governor discharges the responsibilities of more than one state, he/she should act on the advice of the council of ministers of the respective states.Select the correct statements using the code given below:(a) 1 and 3 only(b) 2 and 3 only(c)1 and 2 only(d)1,2 and 3 9.Consider the following statements with reference to statutory grants given under article 275: 1.Statutory grants are given to the states on the recommendation of the finance commission.2.They are given by the Parliament to the states which are in need of financial assistance and not to every state.Which of the following statements given above is /are correct?(a) 1 only(b) 2 only(c) Both 1 and 2(d) Neither 1 nor 2 10. Consider the statements regarding private member bill.1.It is a bill introduced by any member of parliament who is not a minister2.Its introduction in the house requires one month notice3.It is drafted by the concerned department based on the request forwarded by the private member.Which of the following statements given above is /are correct?(a) 1 only(b) 1 and 2 only(c) 2 and 3 only(d) 1, 2 and 3 11. Which of the following statements is not true regarding the condition of Governor’s office?  (a) The Governor cannot hold any other office of profit during the term of his offices.(b) The Governor is entitled to such emoluments, allowances and privileges as may be determined by the Parliament.(c) Where the same person is appointed Governor of two or more States, his emoluments are allocated amongst the States in such proportion as the Parliament may determine.(d) The Governor shall not be an MP or MLA at the time of appointment 12. Which of the following crops has/have the benefits under Minimum Support Price?1.Bajra2.Urad3.Tur Dal4.RubberSelect the correct answer using the code given below:(a)1,2 and 3 only(b)2,3 and 4 only(c)1,3 and 4 only(d) 1,2,3 and 4 13. The work and conduct of the Speaker cannot be discussed and criticized in the Lok sabha except on which of the following motion?(a)Substantive motion(b)Substitute motion(c)Subsidiary motion(d)Privilege motion 14. Consider the statements regarding National Manufacturing Competitiveness Programme (NMCP):1. The main objective of the NMCP is to enhance the global competitiveness of Large Scale Industries of India.2. Lean Manufacturing Competitiveness Scheme is one of the major components of the NMCP.Which of the above statements is/are true?(a) 1 only(b) 2 only(c) Both 1 and 2(d) Neither 1 nor 2 15. Which of the following statements is/are true regarding the immunities enjoyed by the Governor1.Governor shall not be answerable to any Court for the exercise and performance of the powers and duties of his office2.No criminal proceedings can be instituted or continued in any court against a Governor during his term of officeChoose the correct answer from the options given below(a) 1 only(b) 2 only(c) Both 1 and 2(d) Neither 1 nor 2 16. With reference to the Goods and Services Tax, consider the following statements:1. The monthly GST collection has steadily increased over the last year.2. Once taxes are fixed, tax rate rationalisation is not possible for the goods under GST.Which of the above statements is/are correct?(a) 1 only(b) 2 only(c) Both 1 and 2(d) Neither 1 nor 2 17. Consider the following statements regarding the Prime Minister of India.1.He can bring about the collapse of the council of ministers by resigning from office.2.He advises the president with regard to summoning and proroguing of the sessions of the parliament.3.He assists the president in the allocation and shuffling of various portfolios among the ministers.Which of the following statements given above is /are correct?(a) 1 only(b) 2 and 3 only(c) 1 and

How to Prepare for the Civil Service Exam While Working a 9 a.m.–7 p.m. Job?

How to Prepare for the Civil Service Exam While Working a 9 a.m.–7 p.m. Job? Preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination while managing a demanding full-time job is undoubtedly a challenging task. However, with the right strategy, time management, and dedication, many working professionals have successfully cleared this prestigious exam. If you are someone juggling a 9 a.m.–7 p.m. job but still aspire to crack the UPSC exam, here’s how you can make it happen. 1. Create a Realistic Study Plan Your study plan should be practical and achievable. Since your working hours are fixed, utilize early mornings, late evenings, and weekends effectively. Break down the syllabus into manageable sections and set daily, weekly, and monthly goals. Suggested Study Timings:   Morning: 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. (Concept building, newspaper reading) Evening: 8:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. (Revision, answer writing practice) Weekends: 6-8 hours of dedicated study (Mock tests, in-depth study, optional subject focus) 2. Leverage Smart Study Techniques   Use Digital Resources: Make use of UPSC preparation apps, YouTube lectures, and online courses to learn on the go. Listen to Podcasts: Utilize commute time to listen to news analysis, debates, and relevant discussions. Follow a newspaper wisely: Stick to one reliable newspaper (The Hindu or Indian Express) and focus on editorials, government policies, and current affairs. Make Notes Smartly: Note down key points from news articles and reference books in concise formats for quick revision. 3. Focus on Quality over Quantity Since time is limited, avoid trying to cover everything. Instead, focus on NCERTs, standard books, and previous years’ question papers. Concentrate on understanding concepts rather than rote memorization. 4. Develop Answer Writing Skills UPSC mains is all about structured writing within a time limit. Start practicing answer writing for 10-15 minutes daily. Use online platforms or join a test series to get feedback on your answers. 5. Optimize Weekend Study Sessions Your weekends are your golden opportunity to cover major portions of the syllabus. Plan in advance and allocate time for mock tests, optional subjects, and revision. Take at least one full-length test every two weeks to simulate exam conditions. 6. Stay Motivated and Avoid Burnout Balancing work and studies can be exhausting, so ensure you maintain a healthy lifestyle. Get adequate sleep, exercise regularly, and take short breaks to rejuvenate. Surround yourself with like-minded aspirants or mentors for motivation and guidance. 7. Utilize Leaves Wisely Plan your leaves strategically before the exam to dedicate full-time study for at least 1-2 months. Utilize holidays and long weekends for intensive preparation. 8. Stay Consistent and Keep Revising Consistency is key in UPSC preparation. Revise regularly to retain information. Stick to your plan, stay focused, and don’t get discouraged by setbacks. Conclusion Cracking the UPSC exam for working professionals are tough but entirely possible with determination and the right approach. Stay disciplined, believe in yourself, and keep pushing forward. With a well-structured plan and smart preparation techniques, you can achieve your IAS dream without quitting your job. Civils360 The Top IAS Academy in Trivandrum  is here to support your UPSC journey with expert guidance, study materials, and mentorship programs. Join us to stay ahead in your preparation! Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. Join Now

World Trade Organization – WTO

World Trade Organization – WTO World Trade Organization (WTO) is the only global international organization dealing with the rules of trade between nations. WTO has 164 members (including European Union) and 23 observer governments (like Iran, Iraq, Bhutan, Libya etc).  Since its formation in 1995, WTO has helped reduce barriers to trade in both goods and services and created a dispute resolution system that has reduced the threat of trade wars. Evolution of WTO WTO is the successor to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), which was created in 1947. GATT was the only multilateral instrument governing international trade from 1948 until the WTO was established in 1995. The Uruguay Round (1986-94) of GATT led to WTO’s creation and it began operations on 1st January 1995. The Agreement Establishing the WTO, commonly known as the “Marrakesh Agreement”, was signed in Marrakesh, Morocco in 1994. Main difference between GATT and WTO was that GATT mostly dealt with trade in goods, the WTO and its agreements could not only cover goods but also trade in services and other intellectual properties like trade creations, designs, and inventions. Features of WTO Organizational Structure of WTO: Ministerial Conference – is the topmost decision-making body which meets every 2 years. General Council – meets regularly to carry out the functions of WTO also functions under different rules as Trade Policy Review Body and the Dispute Settlement Body. WTO was expected to play larger role for improved living standards, employment generation, trade expansion with increasing share for developing countries and overall sustainable development. Trade Liberalization was seen as means for achieving these objectives Basic principles of Trade Liberalization that were to be followed were: Non-discrimination – Countries will not discriminate one from another. It had to be achieved through Most Favoured Nations status i.e., neutral trading relations and National treatment to non-domestic producers. Reciprocity – The concessions conferred by countries had to be mutual These principles are implemented through Ministerial Conferences, taking consensus-based decisions based on ‘One country, One vote’ which demonstrates democratic structure and processes of WTO. Throughout history, trade has played an important role in supporting economic development and promoting peaceful relations among nations. WTO has played a crucial role in the international trade, global economics and the political and legal issues arising in the international business because of globalization. WTO’s Contribution to the World Ease of Business – has emerged as the world’s most powerful institution for reducing trade related barriers between the countries and opening new markets. Economic integration – by building binding rules for global trade in goods and services, WTO has facilitated dramatic growth in cross-border business activity. Since its formation, value of world trade has nearly quadrupled, while the real volume of world trade has expanded by 2.7 times. Global Peace – maintains world peace and bilateral relations between its member countries by resolving trade related disputes through negotiations, consultations, and mediation. Gave the weak a stronger voice – small countries would be weaker without the WTO. Differences in bargaining power are narrowed by agreed rules, consensus decision-making and coalition building. National Incomes – domestic reforms and market-opening commitments have resulted in the lasting boost to national income of the member nations. Upliftment of Poor Countries – The least-developed countries receive extra attention in the WTO. All the WTO agreements recognize that they must benefit from the greatest possible flexibility, and better-off members must make extra efforts to lower import barriers on least-developed countries’ exports. Poverty Reduction – Free trade resulted in halving of average tariffs, cut cost of living and reduced extreme poverty rate in developing countries. Increased Global Value Chains – predictable market conditions fostered by the WTO, have combined with improved communications to enable the rise of global value chains. trade within these value chains today accounts for almost 70% of total merchandise trade. Health care – amendment to IP Agreement eased poor economies’ access to affordable medicines. The decisions in the WTO are typically taken by consensus among all members and they are ratified by members’ parliaments. This leads to a more prosperous, peaceful, and accountable economic world. India’s participation in an increasingly rule based system in the governance of international trade is to ensure more stability and predictability, which ultimately would lead to more trade and prosperity. Read Full GS Notes India at WTO India is a founder member of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1947 and its successor, the WTO. India has interest in the liberalization of services trade and wants commercially meaningful access to be provided by the developed countries. India is persistently demanding for a permanent solution on public stock holding subsidies at WTO, to ensure food and livelihood security. India strongly favours extension of higher levels of protection to geographical indications for products like Basmati rice, Darjeeling tea, and Alphonso mangoes at par with that provided to wines and spirits under the TRIPS agreement. India is against the pressure by developed countries on inclusion of non-trade issues such as labour standards, environmental protection, human rights, rules on investment, competition policy in the WTO agreements. as they are directed in the long run at enforcing protectionist measures against developing countries. based on non-trade issues, the developed countries like USA and European Union are trying to ban the imports of some goods like textile, processed food etc. However, disagreements over agricultural subsidies and intellectual property rights, separate bilateral and regional free trade agreements along with rising Protectionism and US-China trade war have reduced its effectiveness due to which there have been calls for reforming WTO. Reasons for crumbling of WTO Growing Protectionism – Over the past two years, various governments have introduced trade restrictions covering a substantial amount of international trade – affecting $747 billion in global imports in the past year alone. WTO has been less effective in addressing them, including US China trade war. This raised questions over WTO’s credibility. Changing World order – In the earlier phase of WTO, the rule-based trade had favoured the Western nations. But with the rise of developing countries and their increasing share in world trade, rule-based nature is perceived by US and EU as unfavourable and have attacked them by resorting

Public Administration Daily Answer Writing Challenge Day 8

Public Administration Daily Answer Writing Challenge Day 8 Question 1 Every public policy is a government decision aimed at solving a problem of society and calls for collective approach to its planning and implementation. Question 2 The growth of comparative Public Administration is a continuing process and is of relevance for the both operational and academic study of Public Administration. Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. JOIN NOW

Office of Governor

Office of Governor Constitutional Provisions Article 153  to Article 162 of Part VI of the Indian Constitution deals with the office of the Governor.  Article 153 mandates that there shall be a Governor for each State. It also states that multiple states can have one person as the Governor (7th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1956).  He is part of the federal system and has the dual role of being the constitutional head of the state as well as being the representative of the Central Government.  However, the Supreme Court clarified that it is not an employment under the control of or subordinate to the Central government but an independent constitutional office. Eligibility The following Eligibility criteria of the governor is mentioned in Article 157 and 158 He must be a citizen of India.  He must be at least 35 years of age. He must not be a member of either house of the parliament or house of the state legislature.  He must not hold any office of profit. The Governor shall hold office during the pleasure of the President. Normally, he is given a term of 5 years. However, he can Resign from the office by writing to the President Be dismissed by the President on the advice of the Union Council of Ministers. There should be a valid reason for his removal. If unconstitutional acts or malafide by the Governors are upheld by courts, it is the duty of the President to remove him. Major Issues The Process of Appointment :  Since Governor is appointed by the President at the aid and advice of Central government, the ruling party at the centre has on multiple occasions abused this power to make political appointments.  For Eg. Politicians and former bureaucrats identifying with a particular political ideology have been appointed. Recently, the Governor of Rajasthan allegedly supported the ruling party and is charged with violation of the model code of conduct. Abuse of Governor’s discretionary powers Governor has discretionary powers in appointing the chief minister in the event of a hung assembly, dismissing a government if loses the majority, advising the president’s rule etc. These powers have also been misused often, in favour of political parties.  Recent examples are Goa and Karnataka, where two logic was used by the governors. Article 356 (Imposition of President’s Rule) has been frequently misused. A Nominal head Since Governor is bound by the aid and advice of the council of ministers, his role is limited.  In some states, he has no public function to perform except making the fortnightly report to the President. Arbitrary Removal  The removal of governors without justified reasons has also become a major issue. The successive Union governments in India have removed governors appointed by previous governments. Read Also Justice Verma Committee (JVC) recommendation Important Court Judgements regarding Office of Governor S.R. Bommai Vs Union of India (1994) The Judgements set limits on Governor’s powers in dismissing a state government under Article 356. In this case, the Supreme Court, while reinstating the then suspended governments of Arunachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, held that the breakdown of constitutional machinery does not mean a mere difficulty in carrying out governance in a State but an impossibility.  It said that Governor’s report, which is the basis for President’s satisfaction, can be analysed by the judiciary for arbitrariness. BP Singhal Vs Union of India (2010) In this case, a constitutional bench of the Supreme Court interpreted the provisions for removal of governors and laid down some binding principles.  The Supreme Court held that The President, in effect the central government, has the power to remove a Governor at any time without giving him or her any reason, and without granting an opportunity to be heard. However, this power cannot be exercised in an arbitrary, capricious or unreasonable manner.  The power of removing Governors should only be exercised in rare and exceptional circumstances for valid and compelling reasons. The mere reason that a Governor is at variance with the policies and ideologies of the central government, or that the central government has lost confidence in him or her, is not sufficient to remove a Governor.  Thus, a change in central government cannot be a ground for removal of Governors, or to appoint more favourable persons to this post. A decision to remove a Governor can be challenged in a court of law. If a prima facie case of arbitrariness or bad faith on the part of the central government is established, the court can require the central government to produce the materials on the basis of which the decision was made in order to verify the presence of compelling reasons. Nabam Rebia Judgment (Arunachal Pradesh) (2016) The Supreme court limited the Governor’s discretionary powers (Article 163) such that it should not be arbitrary or fanciful but dictated by reason, actuated by good faith and tempered by caution. Governor is not an elected representative, but only an executive nominee whose powers flow from the aid and advice of the Cabinet. Using discretionary powers to summon or dissolve Assembly sessions without the aid and advice of the Chief Minister and his Cabinet is unconstitutional. Major Recommendations made by committees Administrative Reforms Commission (1968) It recommended that the Governor should exercise his own Judgement with regard to the recommendation of President’s Rule and must not be subjective. It also said that the Governor should responsibly act under the direction of the Union Government, in states under the operation of President’s rule. Rajamannar Committee (1971) It emphasised that the governor of the state should not consider himself as an agent of the centre but play his role as the constitutional head of the State, apart from recommending deletion of Articles 356 and 357 from the constitution of India. Sarkaria Commission (1988) It recommended that the Governor should be an eminent person, without intense political affiliations, an outsider, and not a member of the ruling party. Also, the chief minister should have a say in the appointment of the governor. It also recommended that Governors must

Left-Wing Extremism (LWE)

Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) Left-wing extremism (LWE) is once more in the limelight with the Home Minister asserting that the government is committed to rooting out the menace. The LWE movement also known as Maoism or Naxalism originated in the Naxalbari village of Darjeeling district in West Bengal in 1967. They follow the ideology of Mao Zedong and use violence and guerilla warfare to destabilize the state. Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh identified it as the most significant threat to internal security of India. However, the Left Wing Extremist movement has been waning out since then. Emergence and Ideology The Naxal movement originated under the leadership of Charu Majumdar and Kanu Sanyal. Maoist doctrine professes a ‘Protracted People’s War’ which is a capture of State Power through a combination of an armed insurgency, mass mobilisation and strategic alliances. It considers industrial-rural divide fundamental to capitalist exploitation and hopes to overcome it by a violent mass struggle. Read Also India-EU Relations Factors responsible for the rise of Naxalism Rise of Naxalism is attributed to the gross lack of development even after being mineral-rich areas combined with other socio-economic problems. These can be summarised as Developmental Deficit: the Naxal affected areas face rampant poverty and unemployment. The areas also lack education and health facilities. There is also a deficit of infrastructures such as roads, bridges and communication facilities. Governance Deficit: there is a lack of routine administration with incompetent, ill-trained and poorly motivated personnel. There are corruption and mismanagement of government schemes and poor implementation of special laws. Electoral politics is perverted and the working of local government is unsatisfactory. Social Exclusion and Alienation: there are human rights violations and the dignity of life is not ensured. There is a disconnect with the mainstream society which all leads to the discontent against the government.  Jal-Jangal-Jameen: the issues of land, forest and water rights. There is an evasion of land ceiling laws and unlawful encroachment and illegal occupation of community lands. The traditional rights are not recognised and there is unfair land acquisition without any compensation or proper rehabilitation. The tribe- forest relations are also disrupted. Such conditions make it easier for an ideology like Maoism to take root. The government and the capitalist class are identified as the perpetrators of the backwardness of the region and the youth are motivated to take up arms against them. Spread of Naxalism The Spread occurred in three phases –  The first phase started in Darjeeling in West Bengal from where it spread to Odisha, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. The phase ended with the Emergency period seeing the arrest of most of the Maoist cadres. The second phase started when the movement emerged in a more violent form after the emergency and spread from West Bengal again to Bihar, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Chattisgarh.  The third phase started with the formation of CPI (Maoist) in 2004. Thus Naxalism spread in eastern India often referred to as the ‘Red Corridor’, a narrow but contiguous strip connecting Karnataka and West Bengal through Jharkhand, Chattisgarh, Odisha, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Government measures to fight Naxalism The Maoist issue has been identified as a law and order problem and was taken care of by the state government until 2006 when the Prime Minister declared it as the biggest challenge to internal security. A new division was created in Home ministry and the D Bandopadhyay Committee was formed. The D Bandopadhyay Committee identified the socio-political, economic and cultural discrimination against the Scheduled castes and tribes and lack of their empowerment as the reason for the spread of Naxalism. It highlighted the failure of governance and recommended for tribal friendly land acquisition and rehabilitation. Developmental measures Some Schemes implemented include Special Central Assistance (SCA) – to develop infrastructure and public services. Special Infrastructure Scheme – to cater to critical infrastructure gaps that are not covered in any other schemes. Security Related Expenditure Scheme – funds to train and equip security forces and rehabilitation of surrendered Naxalites. Road Connectivity Project– for construction of about 5,500 km roads. Skill development and educational development initiatives – construction of skill development centres, ITIs, Kendriya Vidyalayas, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas and schools under the Eklavya model. Installation of Mobile Towers– for endless telecom connectivity. Financial inclusion- for ensuring the presence of banking facilities to all citizens residing in LWE affected areas. Roshani Scheme– Skill development program for the Tribal population by the Rural Development ministry. Security measures Worst affected states launched a large scale offensive by the deployment of heavy troops. The Andhra Pradesh government demonstrated the Greyhounds model which led the Maoist leaders to leave Andhra Pradesh. Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy- the state governments rehabilitate the Naxalites in order to bring innocent individuals caught in the trap of LWE in the mainstream. The government formed The national strategy to counter LWE, a multipronged approach to ensure participatory governance and protection of the rights of local tribals. A separate 66 Indian Reserve Battalion (IRBs) was raised to curb the menace apart from Intelligence sharing. SAMADHAN doctrine  SAMADHAN stands for- Smart Leadership, Aggressive Strategy, Motivation and Training, Actionable Intelligence, Dashboard based Key Performance Indicators and Key Result Areas, Harnessing Technology, an Action plan for each Theatre, No access to Financing. It is a one-stop solution to fight LWE, encompassing the entire strategy of government from short-term policy to long-term policy formulated at different levels. Read Also Terrorism FInancing Some Issues and Success models Failure of Salwa Judum  It was a mass movement against the atrocities committed by Naxalites in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh.  The movement was a failure as the Naxalite propaganda effectively countered it by painting it as anti-people and as a proxy police movement.  Several leaders and hundreds of villagers along with a Congressman who supported the movement were executed by the Maoists. Intellectual Support to Naxalism Influential Intellectuals advocating an egalitarian society, human rights and tribal rights often support Naxalism. They condemn the security forces for human rights violations but maintain a noble silence on Naxal brutalities. These intellectual forces must instead encourage the Naxals to join mainstream politics and not to oppose developmental projects. Naxalism is

National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)

National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) Air pollution is one of the biggest global environmental challenges of today. A time-bound national-level strategy for pan India implementation to tackle the increasing air pollution problems across the country in a comprehensive manner in the form of National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) was launched by Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Focus: A collaborative and participatory approach involving relevant Central Ministries, State Governments, local bodies and other Stakeholders with focus on all sources of pollution. Comprehensive mitigation actions for prevention, control and abatement of air pollution besides augmenting the air quality monitoring network across the country and strengthening the awareness and capacity building activities. “Today cities occupy just 3% of the land, but contribute to 82% of GDP and responsible for 78% of Carbon dioxide emissions; cities though are engines of growth and equity but they have to be sustainable and it is in this context that NCAP being a very inclusive program holds special relevance.”-CEO NITI AYOG Key features of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP): A five-year action plan with a tentative target of 20-30% reduction in concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 by 2024, with 2017 as the base year. City-specific action plans are being formulated for 102 non-attainment cities identified for implementing mitigation actions under NCAP (The non-attainment cities are those that have fallen short of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for over five years. Sectoral working groups, national level Project Monitoring Unit, Project Implementation Unit, state-level project monitoring unit, city level review committee under the Municipal Commissioner and DM level Committee in the Districts are to be constituted under NCAP for effective implementation and success of the Programme As part of the programme, the Centre also plans to scale up the air quality monitoring network across India. At least 4,000 monitors are needed across the country, instead of the existing 101 real-time air quality (AQ) monitors, according to an analysis. The plan proposes a three-tier system, including real-time physical data collection, data archiving, and an action trigger system in all 102 cities, besides extensive plantation plans, research on clean-technologies, landscaping of major arterial roads, and stringent industrial standards. It also proposes state-level plans of e-mobility in the two-wheeler sector, rapid augmentation of charging infrastructure, stringent implementation of BS-VI norms, boosting public transportation system, and adoption of third-party audits for polluting industries. Major Concerns: The MoEFCC, as a nodal central and apex agency, will have to flex its authority to ensure all NCAP indicators are integrated with multi-sector and inter-ministerial programmes to align with the air quality target and objectives. NCAP should not become only a top-down prescriptive approach. In fact, within the federal structure, NCAP, while ensuring compliance, will also have to create enough room for tighter action that can be even stronger than the common minimum national programme as defined by NCAP. State governments and city authorities should be encouraged and enabled to take those extra steps to meet local targets. City-wise air quality targets will clearly show where much deeper cuts will be needed for hotspot and stronger regional action. NCAP will also have to join all critical dots with clarity. For instance, in case of vehicular pollution, the main body of the plan has ignored mobility, transportation and urban planning strategies, though fortunately, the indicative broadsheet of action at the end has listed public transport, transit-oriented development policies, and non-motorised transport. But these will have to be detailed out with clear pathways and milestones and integrated well with the NCAP strategies. NCAP will also have to be more nuanced and adopt appropriate approaches for small and big cities according to their dominant pollution profile while several strategies may remain uniform. The critics say: The pollution reduction target in these cities is not ‘legally binding’ on respective states. A reduction of merely 20-30% from 2017 level by 2024 will not be sufficient to bring the air quality at the desired level, i.e. the targets under action plan are less ambitious. Way Forward Although the targets appear less ambitious, The NCAP is envisaged to be dynamic and would continue to evolve based on the additional scientific and technical information as they emerged. This is a welcome step as it was imperative to have measurable, focused and precise targets with clear timelines and demonstrable accountability towards public health, to succeed in this national-level initiative. Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards yours Civils journey. 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