GS3 Weekly [23rd – 28th Feb 2015] [The Undercover group] (Insightsonindia.com)

Topic: Indian economy -mobilization of resources; Investment models

Q) It is now said that the public-private-partnership (PPP) model for infrastructure

development has become dysfunctional and here is no option other than to step up public

investment in infrastructure to boost the sector. Examine the reasons behind this shift of

opinion and examine in what form public investment can be used to invest productively in

infrastructure sector. (200 Words)

Business Standard

Ans- India has now entered an inflexion point in PPP where it is moving from asset creation

to operation of projects.The shift is leading to problems in the absence of an institutional

mechanism, like those present in other countries, to deal with renegotiations. There is

suddenly a spate of PPP projects which have come up for renegotiation

The reasons for the failure of PPP projects in India are many:

• poor preparations,

• flawed risk-sharing,

• inappropriate business models and

• fiscal uncertainties

• vested interests leading to development of skewed qualification criteria

• Technical data availability and its quality

• with the economy not growing as projected earlier, traffic projections have gone wrong,

leading to issues of financially viability

It is not appropriate to shoot down the entire concept of PPP on the basis of one failure. The

nature of problems being faced by PPP projects varies from one project or sector to

another. For example:

• airport express line- construction and operation was done by 2 different entities

• roads - delayed clearances and aggressive bidding

However, looking at the bigger picture, it appears that the PPP projects are not running

along the expected lines.

Here we need a two pronged strategy:

1. Current projects : need to re-asses and take up a project-specific approach, restructure

their contracts from the current form to become engineering-procurement-construction

(EPC) service providers.

2. Increased government spending on infrastructure

The govt is planning to set up a national infrastructure fund (NIF). Current budgetary

commitments to investment in infrastructure could be channelized into the fund as equity.

Further, all asset sales, whether through disinvestment, spectrum sales or mining licences,

should be transferred to this entity as equity. The debt can be leveraged through:

1. Sovereign debt

2. Credit enhancement

3. Direct market bond issuance

The first priority of the new fund will be to take some critical projects that are currently on

the shelf as non-performing assets

Also promotion of bilateral investments in infra (like DMIC) and completion of diamond

quadrilateral should be given priority.

These changes and increased govt expenditure will give a positive push to the infrastructure

in India leading to many positive externalities and will further boost FDI in India.

Topic: environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment

Q) India’s coal based thermal power plants are known for emitting highly polluting gases

thanks to poor quality coal that India has. In the light of recent coal block auction and the

triumphalism associated with it, critically examine the costs of continuing with existing

technology and what needs to be done to address the issue. (200 Words)

Business Standard

Ans- with supreme court judgement on cancellation of coal blocks and followed events

shown that coal can give lot of revenue to states and center which are facing acute problem

of fiscal deficit. because of it's potential revenue it get corrupted in allocations.

coal is made up of ash, carbon, volatile matter and moisture. coal is said to be high grade

when it's carbon content is superior to others. unfortunately Indian coal is of low grade,

hence when it get's burnt it gives lot of toxic gases like oxides of sulfur,nitrogen,carbon in

addition to fly-ash.along with the quality of coal operational procedures in power

generation leads to release of toxic gases and effluents. these oxides leads to global

warming which we are witnessing now. fly-ash deposits near by surrounding areas and leads

to air pollution and breathing problems etc. fly-ash gets dumped on agricultural fields and

disturbs productivity. stored coal some times catches fire on open storage with out any

coverage.

these problems can be solved by

1. gasification of coal, which is of high calorific value and generation of toxic gases per unit

of power generated is significantly lower than that of original coal.

2.use of super critical technologies lowers toxic gases generation.

3. use of bag collectors, electro-static precipitators etc.. reduces the suspended particle

matter and fly-ash problem.

4. covering the coal reserves with water shield which lowers the firing problems.

coal blocks allocation should be based on method of usage of coal in less polluting ways

along with revenue concerns.

unless govt.'s consider environmental impacts and just focusing on political mileage, it leads

to major damage than meager revenues.

some solution of problem (Technical one)

1) Improve infrastructure of coal washries in India:: In power plants raw coal z being used

mostly. Coal shd be washed (similar to refining of petroleum) so as to reduce its ash,

moisture component.

2) Power Plant technology :: There r both cheap and costly models available. Efficency

should be given priority over cost. Like cheap boilers, cheap cooling towers (who consume

lots of water) etc should be avoided. Further in power plants; units which are most efficient

should be only used to feed the load demands and gradually old and inefficient units should

be replaced by new ones.

3) Electronic precipitators :: CPCB, SPCBs are taking bribes from NTPC; and so NTPC’s

precipitators never works. So root of every problem z corruption. (One govt. agency bribes

another govt. agency in this country).

4) Fly ash treatment :: make use of it in making cement; ensure its safe disposal otherwise it

can contaminate water resources. (yearly about 1 billion tonne of fly ash is generated so it z

huge amount).

Topic: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday

life;

Q) “Agricultural scientists are being driven to frustration, thanks to the government’s

lingering indecision on the genetically-modified (GM) crops technology.” Critically discuss

why government has not taken a firm decision yet and why agricultural scientists are

frustrated with government’s indecision. (200 Words)

Business Standard

Ans- GM crops are the hot topic for debate among NGOs, Agricultural scientists and GMO

seeds companies. While billion dollar companies like Monsanto, Bayer, Dow and Syngenta

have scientists lobbies who conduct research and publish researches in high numbers in

favour of GM crops and trying to push it in India. There is nothing wrong in using GM crops

but we should remember that Dow chemicals are behind Bhopal Gas Tragedy and Bayer was

Endosulfan supplier. Such billion dollar companies often hide harmful effects of GM in long

terms.

Though it is known that, many developed nations are using GM crops for more than 35

years without any side-effects but in India no tests has been done on variety of lands. Only

tests conducted on laboratories and inhouse fields of research institute hence genearlising

there positive result is not correct. Some reasons why govt is reluctant toward allowing GM

crops:

(1.) GM crops require more water, fertilisers unlike what they are always advertised to.

(2.) GM crops harms bees and other small insects which helps in pollination alongwith

harmful insects.

(3.) People have apprehension as some studies found that GM crops brings pre-mature

growth in children and other side-effects. Also, cattles feeding on GM crops becomes sterile

has also been found.

(4.) Confusion over, if GM crops are allowed, how it will be distinguished in market. If a

consumer doesn’t want to consume a GM crop, will he have any choice ?

(5.) Bt. Brinjal and Bt. Cotton had shown many side-effects in past.

Agricultural scientists are concerned because:

(1.) Their main motive of research for decades are not materialised.

(2.) Instances of NGOs lobbying against GM crops has come out recently.

(3.) Indian agriculture is lagging behind in per acreage produce but not taking GM crops

which have promising future.

Hence, GM non-food crops should only be allowed in some region under closer inspection

for side-effects. Their test in Indian soil and climate should be done first before allowing for

vast use.

Topic: Indian economy, Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies

Q) Some economists argue that the government should continue with ‘good subsidies’ and

do away with ‘bad’ subsidies. In your opinion, which subsidies do you consider as good and

bad in India? Explain why. (200 Words)

Business Standard

Ans- Subsidy culture has been long prevalent in India, starting from the early independence

days, and continuing even today, without assessing the necessity of most of them, leading

to a large scale budgetary allocation, which could have been easily avoided or reallocated to

some other needy sector.

---Some of the bad subsidies include:

1. The one which harm the environment, like subsidies on nitrogenous fertilisers, which

have led to their overuse and harmed the soil, alongwith increasing the deficit.

2. Schemes which give only a short term relief, without any skill development in the persons

involved, which makes them overly dependent on the scheme, like MGNREGA.

3. Subsidies/ schemes started, without much brainstorming, due to which the target

population does not benefit much. Example, the loan waiver initiative only benefitted the

well off farmers who have borrowed from the formal sector, and not the farmers who use

the informal credit system.

---The good subsidies can be seen as:

1. Subsidies on public transport, to reduce pollution and congestion on roads and reduce

petrol consumption.

2. Subsidies on medical equipment or medicines, during some epidemic, which can ensure

that all sectors of populations receive medication.

3. Subsidies for loans given for secondary agriculture initiatives, to reduce the burden on

primary agriculture activities, and reduce disguised unemployment in agriculture.

4. Subsidies to ensure flourishing of MSME, so as to reduce the top to bottom approach of

progress currently employed by the govt.

5. Subsidies to encourage renewable energy usage at public places and in residential areas,

like Prakash Path in New Delhi, which is to be nationalised after full scale implementation in

the capital.

---Such subsidies are better then the former, because they help in skill development of the

masses, reduce the govt expenditure to facilitate the lower classes, help in reducing

pollution and consequently help in lowering the fiscal deficit of the country, due to the

resources can be allocated more efficiently in other needy places to help in the

development of all sectors of the country.

Topic: Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects

on industrial growth.

Q) It is expected that if recommendation of a key report on oil sector reforms by a panel

under former Finance Secretary Vijay Kelkar, are implemented, these could bring down the

country’s annual $150-billion oil import bill by at least $40 billion. Examine how. (200

Words)

Business Standard

Ans- To bring down the nation's oil import bill Kelkar recommended following

reforms in oil sector:

institutional reforms:

1.

create an empowered Cabinet Committee on Energy for

policy formulation and integration of energy related issues; will remove policy

paralysis.

2.

make DGH an independent regulator for upstream oil

& gas sector on the lines of SEBI; more teeth to DGH to resolve issues.

3.

create a national databank of basins; enhance

transparency.

4.

create an independent cadre of staff for downstream

regulator (PNGRB); stability to PNGRB.

Fiscal:

1.

cover oil & gas under GST to simplify &

standardize taxation norms ensuring similar country wide pricing.

2.

extend definition of mineral oil as used in ORD act to

IT act-1965; to standardize taxation.

Pricing:

1.

market linked pricing for natural gas to incentivize

higher exploration & production making stranded fields viable; increased

domestic production will reduce imports.

2.

wave off custom duty on imported LNG to boost demand in

general

contractual:

1.

favoured PSC over RSC due to misaligned risk return structure

of the latter; RSC often a cause for lower level of production as riskier

fields in deeper waters are not bided & exploited.

2.

ensure absence of retrospective clauses/changes in

contracts to bring clarity in contracts.

3.

extension of contract tenure upto economic life of

asset (oil field) to boost investor sentiments.

policy:

1.

bring open acreage licensing policy by 2016 to allow

upstream companies to bid for any oil & gas block without waiting for

announcement of bidding under NELP regime.

2.

to boost investment in exploration allow equity

participation to foreign firms in nominated fields.

the above recommendations can be thoughtfully implemented to reduce

country's oil import bill.

Topic: environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment

Q) “Over half of the most polluted cities in the world are in India, said a World Health

Organization report released in the middle of 2014 and air pollution is an urgent public

health problem that deserves policy attention.” Critically comment. (200 Words)

Business Standard

Ans- Recent Obama visit which led to purchase of air purifiers from Sweden is reminder

that Air pollution levels are alarmingly high . Air pollution levels are so high that Delhi has

crossed China in the Pollution levels.

~Although govt launched the National Air quality index "One Number -One Colour" Which

allows the Citizen to determine pollution level on the basis of redness of Colour [ red being

dangerous ] . This i sa good initiative but Implementation and monitoring seems not in focus

. even CSE suggestion to use hand held monitoring {air quality monitoring] do not seems to

be priority of Govt.

Pollution due to particulates of less then 2.5 [microns] can be dangerous if came in

respiratory system. Sulfur from the Car, Flue gases from near by Kiln and tanneries are

another issue

~Harayana Rice husk burning also pollutes the Air of Delh as in the recent Study . Which The

suggestion was to use such in Bio Electricity and Delhi citizens pay for it in order to reduce

such Visibility issue

~Discouraging Private cars usage , BRTS systems , Greater bus connectivity and Metro

connectivity and Behaviour change is the key here . Solid waste management and inviting

the Entrepreneurs for it to have innovative solution on place can ramp up the drive. Such

Solid waste burning may well be curbed by such innovative practices

ultimately it is the will which can make way for Cleaner environment

Topic: Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of

buffer stocks and food security

Q) “The implementation of the National Food Security Act is mired in apathy and

confusion.” In the light of India’s worst record in ensuring nutrition to its people and various

amendments made to the food security act, critically comment on the statement. (200

Words)

The Hindu

Ans- TO ensure nutrition and to end malnourishment GOI enacted FSA by which Right to

food became a legal right.The act provides

1)Children from 6 months to 6yrs will get meals in anganwadis.

2)Mid day meal scheme in all govt schools

3)Malinourish children will get free meals in anganwadis.

4)Anganwadis also have clean water and sanitation.

Though act provide for these provisions to ensure nutrition still India has worst record in

ensuring nutrition because of problems in PDS and act like

1)It is only covering school children but many of the poor children are out of school

2)Anganwadis in india are in bad shape.33% of anganwadis are not connected to drinking

water,there is no provision for improving this.

3)Identification of beneficieries is improper.

4) Under the act all women entitled to maternity benefits of 6000 per month but GOI did

not designed guidelines for it.

Though FSA provisions have good provisions for ensuring nutrition, leakages and improper

guidelines leading to failure of PDS, Hence PDS reforms should be need of the hour where

states like Chhattisgarh showing good results.

Topic: Achievements of Indians in science & technology;

Q) “India’s brain drain is West’s brain gain.” Critically discuss why India’s scientists move to

foreign countries and excel. Do you think brain drain is a thing of past, especially in the field

of science? Examine. (200 Words)

The Hindu

Ans- Brain Drain is not a new problem for India and research of many like Dr Subba Rao in

Medicine, Satyendranath Bose in Physics are few to quote who worked with foreign

institutions and spent their careers abroad. Today's export of top Indian students to foreign

nations, especially US is a fine example of brain drain which exemplifies that this is not a

thing of the past.

There are many reasons for Brain drain.

1. Lack of quality education post the graduation except few respected institutions and

problems of low pay, low growth are also a reason.

2. Lack of infrastructure for research in science, outdated laboratories, out of sync syllabus

also major contributors.

3. Plagiarism and fight for promotions, informal superior-subordinate relations at times

strained etc are responsible in indian institutions leading to migration of scientists.

4. Transparency, opportunity to grow quickly, recognition for talent making foreign

institutions excel along with scientists excellence.

5. Gender inequality is a key reason and proportion of women in ISRO, DRDO etc show that

women are left out in the middle of their progress and it takes much work compared to men

to shine, to reach high levels whereas countries like US gender equality is promoted with

high importance.

Brain drain is not a thing of the past given today's migration of professors, scientists,

students to US, UK, Australia etc. Many Indian diaspora getting awards like Nobel prize etc is

celebrated in India but the reason behind their moving abroad is forgotten. The question of

Why Its taking so long for 1 Billion population to get a single Nobel in Science still remains

unanswered. It is high time India improve on the core areas that contribute for development

of science and scientists.

Topic: Awareness in the fields of bio-technology

Q) What do you understand by ‘genomics’? Examine how far the Human Genome Project

has helped in finding cures for human diseases. (200 Words)

The Hindu

Ans- Genomics is a forum for describing the development of genome-scale technologies and

their application to all areas of biological investigation. The Human Genome Project was an

international scientific research project that determined the DNA sequence of the

approximately 20,000 – 25,000 genes that make up the human genome.

With its completion genetic engineers could determine role played by different genes in

human development, growth, diseases, and characteristics.

Till now this project has helped in achieving:

1. Understanding Autism

2. Providing cheap treatment of Brain tumours, breast cancer and leukemias are among the

most common and lethal cancers.

3. Understanding T1 Diabetes is possible and its effect on immune system and improve its

treatment methods

4. Discovery of species diversity in vaginal microbiome of pregnant women, and nasal

microbiome of children explained.

5. Increased understanding of Several diseases of Digestive Tract, skin, reproductive organs

and childhood disorders

6. Helps in for monitoring the status of genomic and meta-genomic projects worldwide and

their associated metadata. creating a database in will help in understanding genetic cause of

different diseases due to climate change around the world.

This project has helped doctors to understand cause of very fatal diseases. But it has also

opened a ground for such genetic tests which may challenge natural cycle of birth and death

of species.

Topic: Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects

on industrial growth.

Q) In the light of growing competition and growing investor interest in e-commerce in India,

many feel it is high time that the regulatory regime was simplified to allow free play to e-

commerce. In this regard, examine the constraints faced by e-commerce industry and how

liberalization of this sector would help Indian economy. (200 Words)

Business Standard

Ans- India, the world's second most populous country does not find a place in Top 30

nations using e-commerce because of low internet penetration and poor financial and

logistical infrastructure compared to other countries.

-Low internet penetration of 11 per cent impedes the growth of e-commerce by limiting the

internet access to broader segment of population.

-Poor last mile connectivity due to missing links in supply chain infrastructure is limiting the

access to far flung areas where a significant portion of population resides.

-High drop-out rates of 25-30 per cent on payment gateways, consumer trust deficit and

slow adoption of online payments are compelling e-commerce companies to rely on costlier

payment methods such as Cash on Delivery.

-Existing government regulations does not refer explicitly to e-commerce business, for

example, IT Act, 2000, Consumer Protection Act, 1986, Contract law, etc.

ADVANTAGES OF LIBERALIZATION IN INDIAN E-COMMERCE

-INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT: Increased capital will help to establish supply chain,

distribution system and warehousing.

-MANUFACTURING SECTOR GROWTH: Expansion in retail sector will boost manufacturing

sector.

-EFFICIENT SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT: Reduced middlemen leading to lower transaction

costs, overhead, inventory and labor costs.

-Best work culture, traceability, transparency, increased job creation and customer service.

-Increased access to buyers/sellers, allow MSMEs and artisans to reach out to customers

both locally as well as abroad. E-commerce also contribute a lot in India's GDP growth.

Thus, there is a need for the government to concentrate on gaining optimal results out of e-

commerce.

Topic: Science and Technology- developments

Q) Independent India was founded and has developed largely by making friends with

science but in recent years Science, Technology, Agriculture and Medicine (STEAM) have

been neglected and this negligence has cost dearly the nation. Who should take the blame

and why for this negligence? What measures are needed to address this issue? Critically

examine. (200 Words)

The Hindu

Ans- R&D , Enhancement of technological capabilities ,research support , are Crucial in

areas of Agri,Meds, S&T . STEAM which was proposed to be allocated with budget 2% of

GDP has not been risen more then 1%.

~Unlike "developed" countries and China where Reward oriented and Industrialist

Sponsored Funds come in the Labs .In India funds are generally for making Brick and mortar

structure of IIT and IIMS for political mileage , rather constructive research.

~Patenting ,Licensing and Loose IPR regime also discourages any new invention. Various

Indians which worked with foreign institutions have claimed rebound awards ,which proves

that there is no deficit in the talent but in the processes

Measures to be taken

~Enhancement in Budget for R&D

~Concession for companies involved in R&D rather reverse engineering

~ Contribution based and not seniority based model

~Made in India and not Make in India which will encourage R&D

~Strong IPR regime

~ International practices of Public private partnership

~New talent shall be harnessed improving Farm to lab models

~MSME which haunts with various technological problems can be provided solution with

help of iit and NITS

~Political will and Mature politics over development is the key here

From past experiences it has been show that Countries with Strong R&D base have

progressed @ faster rate, Given Unchallengeable mandate over development ,It becomes

Inevitable to redress it

Topic: Achievements of Indians in science & technology; Awareness in the fields of IT, Space,

Computers,

Q) Explain the working principle behind the Global Positioning System (GPS). Write a note

on the efforts made by India to create its own GPS system. (200 Words)

The Hindu

Ans- GPS-: The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system that

consists of 24 orbiting satellites, each of which makes two circuits around the Earth every 24

hours. These satellites transmit three bits of information – the satellite's number, its

position in space, and the time the information is sent. These signals are picked up by the

GPS receiver, which uses this information to calculate the distance between it and the GPS

satellites.

Working & Applications -: With signals from three or more satellites, a GPS receiver can

triangulate its location on the ground (i.e., longitude and latitude) from the known position

of the satellites. With four or more satellites, a GPS receiver can determine a 3D position

(i.e., latitude, longitude, and elevation). In addition, a GPS receiver can provide data on your

speed and direction of travel. Anyone with a GPS receiver can access the system. Because

GPS provides real-time, three-dimensional Positioning, navigation, and timing 24 hours a

day, 7 days a week, all over the world, it is used in numerous applications, including GIS data

collection, surveying, and mapping.

efforts made by India to create its own GPS & other countries-:

1. The IRNSS constellation will give India guaranteed access to what has become a critical

service in the present day – navigation satellite signals.

2. Using its seven satellites, the IRNSS system will beam accurate navigation signals over

India and up to 1,500 km from its borders. Three of those satellites have already been

launched and ISRO plans to have the remaining satellites in place by the middle of next year.

By adding four more satellites, India has the option to extend the area covered by its

navigation system.

3. America’s Global Positioning System (GPS), with worldwide coverage, is the leader in the

field.

4. Russia, for its part, established a similar capability with the Global Navigation Satellite

System (GLONASS).

5. Europe is therefore in the process of putting its own constellation of Galileo navigation

satellites in place.

6. China is likewise creating the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System; a regional service has

already been launched and it intends to achieve global coverage by around 2020

Currently US govt, who created GPS, maintains it and makes it freely accessible to anyone

with GPS receiver. But dependence on foreign controlled GPS system may not be

guaranteed in hostile situations, as happened to Indian Military depending on American GPS

during Kargil war. So it is always a good option to develop indigenous systems and reduce

dependence on other countries.

Topic: Security issue – Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to

internal security.

Q) “The West’s war against terrorism is definitely not a war against – or a confrontation with

– Islam as such, but a war against Islamic radicalism, the ideology it is promoting, the

initiatives it has launched and the terrorism it is trying to expand in different parts of the

world.” Critically comment why various strategies to fight terrorism are increasingly failing

and examine what long-term plan is needed to arrest the rise of radicalism that’s spreading

fear across the world. (200 Words)

Business Standard

Ans- West approach in tackling the terrorism ,extremism has been criticised due to various

reasons and flaws in it . Some of suggestion has been provided to pursue the same objective

West's approach

~ it Prejudiced ,stereotyped one particular community in lieu to make its intervention

legitimate

~ For it personnel gains like oil or geopolitical goals in the regions it tried to escalate the

issue

~It used Media, military, security and hyped the issue , to make killing of leader in foreign

territory justified , Which further caused hurt of sentiment of Such groups

~ Also it used such groups initially to settle the score with Cold war enemies and with those

countries which are not accepting its hegemony and later stopped funding when it goals

were fulfilled . This betrayal and stopping of funds united all groups for Common West

~At home too, Such communities were discriminated in Security, employment, public offices

as also seen in movies and documentaries like New york , 9/11

Suggested approach

~ Radical islamic jihadist forms microscopic group vis a vis to large moderate and modernist

muslim across world >Support of such communities can be used

~Ideologies not military intervention can kill ideology , taking help of Muslim to show that

Islamic verse of Jihad , in no sense can be legitimated to such extremism

~Supporting modernist and moderates Muslim regimes

~ Challenging their religious legitimacy can be way out

~Not trapping in illusion which such organisation wants West to get trapped like

Stereotyping Islam , Muslims

~ Global consensus on Resolution of terrorism is Required . A more mature response from

UNSC chamber can achieve the goal

A united, selfless efforts with aim to restore peace can only be way ahead. Any sort of

attaching vested interest may only aggravate the situation

Topic: Achievements of Indians in science & technology

Q) How does a membrane based typical water purifier work? What are its components?

Also examine latest technologies developed in water purification methods, especially by

Indian scientists. (200 Words)

The Hindu

Ans- Membrane based water purifier(WP comes in two forms (1.) Traditional membrane

based WP (2.) Reverse Osmosis based WP.

Traditional membrane based WP works on simple concept of filtering any visible and small

suspended particles. Sometimes alums are also used to load the impurities and to make it

large to get caught by membranes.

Reverse Osmosis based WP works on concept that, when Tap Water pushes water in RO

filter, the pressure pushes water through the layers of membranes so designed to extract

dissolved solids, bacteria, contaminates, detergents or any impurities which are larger than

microns.

Components of Water purifiers are:

(1.) Membranes: To filter any suspended material in water and outputs clean water.

(2.) Nanotubes made of Carbon, Silver and Titanium oxide kills E.coli bacteria through its

roughness. It also destroys proteins of bacteria and prevents their DNA to replicate.

(3.) Water Pressure: To push the water through the membrane. Household tap water

pressure is enough for such push. Hence, RO filter doesn’t require electricity or extra power

source.

Latest membrane developed by mixing two polymers to give a mesh hole size of 50

nanometers which is smallest achieved so far, and can remove all kinds of bacteria and

pathogens from water. Also, use silver, titanium dioxide and carbon nanotubes that are

embedded on membrane is their ability to kill E. coli bacteria. Silver leaches in water and

when the ions so released kill the bacteria by destroying the integrity of the cell and by

damaging the cell proteins and terminating the DNA replication.

Topic: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries

Q) Israeli settlements on the West Bank are opposed by the West, by Arab states on many

grounds. Why do they oppose these settlements? Do you see any merit in this? What is

India’s opinion on this? Critically examine. (200 Words)

The Hindu

Ans- The Israeli settlements on the west bank are on a piece of land that historically and

legally belongs to the arab palestines.It was captured by Israel from Jordan in 1967,and

despite many international and arab condemnations,refuses to return it back.

-Israel considers this captured land both as a buffer territory to resist attacks from hostile

Arab neighbours as well as a source of land for its burgeoning jewish population.

-This has created tension between Israel and the Arab states and even with US. The US and

the UN want Israel to vacate these territories to facilitate peace talks by building trsuts and

giving th Arab negotiators something to show their domestic audience as not compromising

on long stated arab position.

-India, while accepting the Israeli right to existence and need or better Arab Israeli ties also

say that Israel should look at the issue from both a humanitarian as well a security angle.

Considering Israeli unequivocal support for India at times of crises like kargil war position on

Kashmir etc India's soft position on the issue is understandable. India's support of

Palestinians all these years didn’t yield much diplomatic and political dividend form the Arab

and Muslim world. Hence India is well within its righst to put its national interest first.

-For its own security, Israel has to leave the captured lands. The illegal settlements fuel Arab

resentment, strengthen Israeli foes like Hamas, and Iran's position and incite attacks on

Jewish settlers and inside Israel itself.

-It also robs Israel of crucial moral and diplomatic support it deserves in many respects at

the international fora.

Topic: Infrastructure: Railways etc

Q) “Indian Railways plays a pivotal role in reviving economic growth in the country and

investment in the railways has a large multiplier effect on the rest of the economy.”

Examine how the 2015 railways budget seeks to achieve this goal. (200 Words)

Business Standard

Ans- Railways is the backbone for India economy but due to its neglect from last many years

it couldn't be utilized to drive the GDP of the country.

Now new government is looking to tap this potential of Indian railways and in the Rail

budget they have announced lot of steps that will be taken to improve the Railways which

will in turn effects the rest of the economy positively.

New budget has proposed an investment of more than 8 lakh crores in railways in next five

years.

The main problem is from where this money will come, Railways have proposed some very

good ways.

They are looking at passenger and freight increase, monetization of assets and borrowing,

partnership with states, ministries of coal, iron ore, cement, fertilizers to co-develop

projects, sovereign wealth funds and pension funds.

All this help in driving the economy in many ways.

1) Capacity building on existing routes will help in carrying more and more freight, also in

increasing passenger travelling.

2) operating ratio improvement will be focussed which will help in better financing of

projects in future.

3) e-catering to select meals from an array of choices and On-board entertainment on select

Shatabdi trains. These will help in generating jobs.

4) Transport Logistics Corporation of India will be set up to provide end-to-end solutions at

select railway terminals through PPP, and that the PPP cell in the railway ministry will be

revamped to “make it result-oriented”. This will help in improving the management and

improving the decision making process.

5) Proposes to revamp policy and simplify processes for entrepreneurs through open bids,

to be processed by independent experts and uploaded on the web. The new model

concession agreement or standardised contractual frameworks, for instance.

This will give entry to many new businesses.

6) Partnership with states will help in improving the business in those states and will help

generating jobs..

7) Various ministries participating will help in again setting up new factories.

8) Acquisition of locomotives, coaches, wagons, doubling of railway lines and their gauge

conversion will give more money to railways and to easily transport commodities.

All this will also help in Make In India and will help in bringing in FDI.

Overall if the plans are executed well then it will help in definite boost of Indian economy

and generating lakh of jobs.

Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to employment.

Q) What do you understand by informal employment? How is it measured and what is its

nature in India? Critically discuss. (200 Words)

EPW

Ans- The economic activities which are based on basic survival activities and avoid

governmental or institutional regulations like labor law, tax evasion etc are called Informal

employment. As per NSS this sector consist of propriety and partnership enterprises

excluding any cooperative or non profit institute , in non agricultural sector and in

agriculture excluding crop production.

Characteristics of informal sector are:

1) Primary objective is to generate employment.

2) Their contribution to economy not included in GDP and GNP.

3) Workers generally don't have job contracts, unstable job, no paid leave or any other

social security benefits.

4) Not regulated or registered, tax evasion etc

5) Easy survival activities like street vending, casual jobs etc which require lesser skill.

Method of measurement of informal sector has changed with time, initially it was just over

all employment minus formal sector. But subsequently NSSO surveys are used to identify

these informal sectors.They use a brief questionnaire to establish the fact.

In India, Informal sector has huge contribution yet un-noticed in its economy.

1) 75% of employment in rural area and 69% in urban area are under informal sector.

2) play an important role in employment of women and less educated youths.

3) This sector has the maximum share in reducing poverty in the nation.

4) they also influence government policies ex- tax waiver for poor weavers of banarasi sari

This informal sector still faces major challenges :

1) huge number of workers which are working without job contract thus their job remains

unstable.

2) they rarely get paid leave or social benefits like pension, insurance etc

3) tax evasion and overlooking labor regulation results in making employment vulnerable to

government action and security of workers is at stake.

Government needs to first quantify its informal sector and slowly bring this sector into main

stream of economy so that their contribution in country's development can be increased.

Also better regulations will promote this sector and enhance living and working standards of

workers.

Topic: Science and Technology (health issues)- developments and their applications and

effects in everyday life

Q) “By 2020, projections indicate that non-communicable diseases will account for 75 per

cent of all deaths. Improving diet has a crucial role to play in reducing this burden,” In the

light of the statement, examine the role of junk food in causing non-communicable diseases

and its magnitude. Also examine why proliferation of junk food in countries like India is on

the rise. (200 Words)

Down to Earth

Ans- "What one eats is what one becomes" is a popular saying thay seens true in this age of

burgeoning fast and junk foods. These hav5w become a concern because of their content

and negative effects on health. More consumption happens in developing world than the

developed world.

Mom-communicable diseases are tougher to contain and mostly result from lifestyle like

eating habits.

Junk foods have little nutritional value like vitamins, minerals, etc. but have high fat and

sugar content. Examples are sweetened beverages, burgers, pizzas and street foods. They

have little short term effects but in long term result in issus likr heart diseases, diabetes,

obesity, intestinal problems, etc.

In India, the consumption of these items is on the rise due to following reasons:

1. Rising middle class which is arranging itself in nuclear families. They usually live in urban

and semi - urban areas and take pride in aping the West.

2. Increase in solitary residents like bachelors, working people in metros, etc. who lack will

and means to home-like food.

3. Aggressive campaigning by companies to promote their brands. Like beverage companies

sponsoring and campaigning with youth icons during cricket matches.

4. Lack of public awareness and political will to take effective steps. Cold drinks were once

banned in India but came back stronger.