(The Gist of PIB) GHAR-GHAR DASTAK GHAR GHAR PUSTAK
[AUGUST-2019]

    (The Gist of PIB) PM’s interaction through PRAGATI
[AUGUST-2019]

    (The Gist of PIB) Rajya Sabha passes Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill 2019

Fighting Hunger (Indian Express)

Mains Paper 2:Social Justice 
Prelims level: State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2020 report
Mains level: Highlights of the report and its major loopholes towards achievement of SDGs

Context: 

• The UN has warned in its recently released State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2020 report that achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of zero hunger might not be possible by 2030. 
• The report estimates 690 million people suffering from hunger globally in 2019, 10 million more than the previous year.

Key highlights of the report:

• The Covid-19 pandemic, and the global recession caused by it, will without doubt make matters worse, the report warns, with 130 million more suffering from chronic hunger in 2020. 
• In 2019, Asia had the highest number of hungry people (381 million), followed by Africa (250 million), and Latin America and the Caribbean (48 million). 
• However, by 2030, Africa is estimated by the UN to account for around more than half of the world’s hungry people by 2030. 
• The lowest-cost healthy diet is estimated to cost, on an average, more than $1.90—which is more than the international poverty threshold—and around three billion people across the globe are unable to afford this. 
• Rising food deprivation will exacerbate the existing problem of nutrition security.
• The largest impact, both for the present as well as the future, will be of hunger amongst children—191 million children under the age of five are currently undernourished. 
• While India saw under-5 undernutrition decline by around 60 million over the last one and a half decade, from 21.7% in 2004-06 to 14% in 2017-19, and stunting has also come down, experts fear the pandemic could erode some of this progress. 

Suggestions: 

• The UN has pitched for clubbing direct cash transfers with in-kind transfers to ensure food security and diet diversity, though, in India’s case.
• It talks of the inefficiencies of the PDS and calls for reducing subsidies and redirecting these to direct cash transfer. 
• Malnutrition, as estimated by FAO earlier, may cost nations 4-5% of their GDPs. 
• Given how ensuring food security gets more urgent in the post-Covid-19 world.

Conclusion:

• India needs to shift comprehensively to cash support, so that the vulnerable don’t fall through gaps.
• The Covid-19 pandemic, and the global recession caused by it, will without doubt make matters worse, the report warns, with 130 million more suffering from chronic hunger in 2020.

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Prelims Questions:

Q.1) With reference to the Operation Samudra Setu, consider the following statements:

1. This operation was undertaken by the Indian Navy in close coordination with Ministry of External Affairs, Home Affairs, health and various other agencies of the Government of India and State Governments.
2. Indian Navy has previously undertaken similar evacuation operations as part of Operation Sukoon in 2006 (Beirut) and Operation Rahat in 2015 (Yemen).

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: C

Mains Questions:

Q.1) According to UN report what are the key barriers by achieving SDG of zero hunger might not be possible by 2030. Elucidate with examples.

India should believe in the EU (The Hindu)

Mains Paper 2:International Relations 
Prelims level: Free Trade Agreement
Mains level: Effect of policies and politics of developed anddeveloping countries on India's interests

Context: 

• In today’s fragmented world, the power of any aspiring global player depends on the number and quality of its bilateral and multilateral relationships. In which partner should India invest? The European Union (EU) is one.
• The EU and India have much in common. Both aim to enhance strategic autonomy and their global standing. 
• Diversifying strategic value chains is also a common interest, as is the urgent need to address climate change. The EU and India can support each other in these endeavours.

As per economic terms:

• The EU is India’s first trading partner and the biggest foreign investor, with €67.7 billion worth of investments made in 2018, equal to 22% of total FDI inflows. But as compared to EU investments in China which, in the same year, amounted to €175.3 billion.
• Enhanced business cooperation can help both the EU and India diversify their strategic value chains and reduce economic dependency — notably on China. 
• India could succeed in attracting EU investment that might be moving out of China, but to do so, it must address the mutual trust deficit. 
• Facilitating people’s mobility and connectivity is a good way to improve mutual understanding and create opportunities for innovation and growth.
• Talks on FTA:
• The EU and India must also tackle the elephant in the room: the stagnating Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations. 
• A new study from the European Parliament assesses the potential impact of an EU-India trade agreement at between €8 billion and €8.5 billion gains from increased trade for both sides, with a more significant increase of trade gains likely to flow to India. 
• The study also refers to additional potential gains from enhanced coordination on the provision of global public goods, such as environmental standards.

On climate change:

• The EU is building on its ambitious target to render the continent carbon-emission neutral by 2050, through its new industrial strategy, the Green Deal. 
• In geopolitical terms:
• India finds itself facing increasingly restive, powerful rivals. The Indo-Pacific region is increasingly the focus of attention, so India should capitalise on its geopolitical leverage there. 
• Stronger cooperation with like-minded, democratic powers can support this effort, especially towards assertive competitors like China. 
• Even India’s strongest bilateral relations with individual EU member states do not come close to the potential of dealing effectively with the EU as a whole. New Delhi must learn how to maximise benefit from this strategic partnership.

Ruptures caused by COVID-19

• The ruptures caused by COVID-19 have been the occasion for the EU to prove its worth. The measures put in place at supranational level show a strong willingness to buttress the fundamental pillars on which the EU is built. 
• The “Next generation EU proposal” submitted by the European Commission has surprised many by its bold approach. 
• This is indeed a game-changer, not only in its financial implications — as it allows the EU to take on debt — but because it shows that the ties that bind the EU extend well beyond treaties and individual members’ self-interest.

Way forward:

• But the value of the EU reaches far beyond its economic clout. 
• The EU champions the rules-based international order, which is being increasingly challenged by the proliferation of exceptionalism. 
• The EU and India must join forces to promote sustainable reform of multilateral institutions, with the World Trade Organization (WTO) first in line.
• Hence, a strong partnership would help both EU and India become global decision-makers.

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 Prelims Questions:

Q.1) With reference to the Ex-Servicemen Contribution Health Scheme (ECHS), consider the following statements:

1. Government of India recently notified that Unmarried permanently disabled sons of ECHS beneficiaries will be eligible to get benefits of ECHS facilities even after attaining 25 years.
2. Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (DESW) is under the Union Ministry of Home affairs. 

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: A

Mains Questions:

Q.1) India-EU ties with many similarities in interests assume significance as rule-based order is being challenged by the rise of exceptionalism. Comment

Putting victims on trial (The Hindu)

Mains Paper 2:Polity 
Prelims level: Not much 
Mains level: Need to build strong justice delivery system for rape survivors 

Context: 

• In late June, a single bench of the Karnataka High Court granted anticipatory bail to a man accused of rape.
• One of the first reasons mentioned for granting bail was that the seriousness of the offence alone cannot be a ground for depriving a citizen of her/his liberty. 
• While this is true, the Court ought to have considered that in cases of rape, the issue in granting bail is not just seriousness of the offence, but the very real possibility of intimidation of the complainant, which would prevent her from being an effective witness in the trial. 
• Furthermore, the Court anchored its reasoning in unsubstantiated, damaging inferences drawn from the behaviour of the complainant. 
• While the contentious remarks were subsequently expunged on an application made by the state, the continued and frequent use of these rape myths and stereotypes deserves discussion.

Assumptions:

• Rape myths or stereotypes are widely held, false and prejudicial notions about rape, rapists, and the survivors of rape. 
• The underlying assumption of such stereotypes is that ‘genuine’ victims/survivors can be recognised by the discernibly common patterns of behaviour they exhibit.
• To begin with, ‘genuine’ victims/survivors of rape are expected not to put themselves in situations which, it is believed, might lead to rape.
• These situations may include anything that is seen as a social taboo for women: whether it is drinking, partying, or indeed, as stated by the defence in the infamous Nirbhaya case, simply being out at night. 
• The implication here is either that willingness to participate in such activities is equivalent to consent to sex, or that engaging in social taboo is tantamount to inviting rape.

Shifting the burden onto the victim:

• Another common stereotype is that ‘genuine’ victims/survivors physically resist their assailants or shout for help. 
• The greatest evil of rape myths or stereotypes is that they put the victim, rather than the accused and society, on trial. 
• The focus shifts from whether the accused committed the offence to whether the victim/survivor’s behaviour met patriarchy’s exacting standards. 
• With the narrative that the victim/survivor could have avoided the rape, or indeed, asked for it, the blame is conveniently shifted from large-scale social and systemic failures to the victim/survivor herself.
• The rape law for adults in India, as amended in 2013, specifically states that failure to resist cannot be taken as evidence of consent. 
• In fact, consent, whether verbal or non-verbal, has been defined to mean ‘unequivocal voluntary agreement’. 
• Passive submission (which may arise out of fear or deep-rooted social conditioning) or acquiescence to non-sexual acts such as drinking together, cannot and should not be equated with consent to sex. 
• The 2013 Amendment also laid down that consent would mean willingness to participate in a ‘specific’ sexual act. 
• Therefore, consent given for a particular sexual liaison cannot be read as ongoing consent, given in perpetuity.

No universal script:

• It is impossible and unjust to have a universal script against which the behaviour of individual victims/survivors is assessed, because each person and each circumstance is distinct. 
• Unfortunately, however, the reliance on rape myths and stereotypes is painfully common in the Indian criminal justice system. 
• In a country that has abysmally low rates of reporting for sexual offences, and even lower rates of conviction, the continued reliance on such stereotypes raises important questions and concerns. 
• How can we expect survivors of rape to come forward knowing that they will be doubted every step of the way? 
• What is the purpose of enacting purportedly progressive or ‘victim-centric’ legislation when those tasked with implementing them continue to put the victim/survivor on trial?

Way ahead:

• Rape myths and stereotypes echo the deeply entrenched patriarchal biases of the players in our criminal justice system, and of society at large. 
• When used in judgments, they become a permanent part of the legal record. As precedent, they create a chilling effect for all future victims/survivors of rape, making the criminal justice system even more unapproachable than it is. 
• This calls for urgent and renewed efforts towards sensitisation and for the need to make sensitivity in handling sexual offences part of our judicial incentive structure.

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 Prelims Questions:

Q.1) With reference to the Patrolling Points (PPs), consider the following statements:

1. Patrolling Points (PPs) are identified and marked on the Line of Actual Control (LAC), which are patrolled with a stipulated frequency by the security forces.
2. Patrolling Points are just physical markers on the ground, chosen for their location and have no defensive potential or tactical importance for the Army.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: C

Mains Questions:

Q.1) Rape myths and stereotypes echo the deeply entrenched patriarchal biases of the players in our justice system. Comment. 

Post-Covid, we'll see big-money M&As(The Hindu)

Mains Paper 3:Economy 
Prelims level: Mergers and Acquisitions 
Mains level: Role of Mergers and Acquisitions during post-Covid period

Context: 

• The coronavirus outbreak has significantly impacted economic activity. 
• The pandemic has left stock markets bleeding and debt markets shunned. Investors, stakeholders and deal-makers are all desperately seeking ways to beat the crisis and experience economic growth and financial gains. 
• The boom in the M&A deal market last decade, which witnessed several mega transactions, have come to a halt. It is now exhibiting the traditional behaviour seen during economic crises (see charts)
• However, everything is not lost in this new age era of start-ups and cash-rich companies. There are opportunities for M&A activity, with strategic deals leading the game.

Structural shift in M&A:

• In unprecedented times, M&As turn cyclical in nature. However, post-pandemic, a structural change is expected. 
• Despite the RBI’s effort to push borrowings by reducing interest rates, corporates are unwilling to venture into organic growth. 
• A recent Nasscom e-survey underlines that 90 per cent of the start-ups have lost their revenues due to lockdown. 
• Their cash reserves are depleting, operating costs piling, and supply chains disrupted. Funding options for them are bleak as investors and venture capitalists are looking at ways to exit and cut losses from non-profitable enterprises. 
• Cash crunch and lack of accessibility to new and large markets have made them ready targets; one may see several distress sales in the coming months.

Possible opportunities:

• With all-time low valuations, large companies will seize the opportunity to grow inorganically and prefer the buy over build model. 
• Seasoned business houses would look for cheaper targets in tech and innovation-driven sectors. 
• Cash-rich companies that missed novel business opportunities last decade and foreign companies looking for a foothold in India will aggressively go for these beleaguered ventures.
• Start-ups and MSMEs operating in crowded spaces and unable to gain scale economies, but which have made impressive strides in areas such as pharma R&D, logistics and tech/cyber security, will be the targets. 
• Small companies in the IoT and AI space are already attractive targets for large firms.

Challenges:

• Mergers and acquisitions, despite being lucrative opportunities for inorganic growth, are not free from challenges. 
• Currently, comparable transactions may not provide the right yardstick for valuation, and greed to buy cheap will make the negotiations tougher and result in non-completion. 
• Effective due-diligence owing to lack of proper reporting and complete information on various start-ups would be a daunting task for acquirers. Arranging funds for a deal will depend on liquidity and market conditions.

Way forward:

• However, the majority of the deals concluded in this quarter were already in the pipeline and had been firmed up before the Covid outbreak. 
• Also, with the governmentin April insisting on its approval for any new investments from South-East Asian nations, it may be difficult to get fresh Chinese investments. 
• Nevertheless, the hope of revival is still there and, therefore, the M&A market needs to be closely watched over the next few quarters.

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Prelims Questions:

Q.1) With reference to the Measles and rubella, consider the following statements:

1. Maldives and Sri Lanka became the first two countries in WHO South-East Asia Region to achieve measles and rubella elimination. 
2. In September 2019, member countries of WHO South-East Asia Region set 2023 as target for elimination of measles and rubella. 

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: C

Mains Questions:

Q.1) What is the post structural shift in M&A during pandemic? What are the major challenges? 

The Supreme Court should intervene to arrest cynical violations of the Tenth Schedule (The Hindu)

Mains Paper 2: Polity 
Prelims level: anti-defection law
Mains level: Role of Supreme Court against to arrest cynical violations of the Tenth Schedule

Context: 

• A new template appears to have evolved to frustrate the provisions of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, or the anti-defection law. 
• It is now no longer necessary for the party in opposition to bring down a government by splitting the ruling party, a practice that the anti-defection law had effectively curbed by mandating that two-thirds of the legislators have to leave in order for it to be a legitimate split.
• The new-age hustlers circumvent this provision by the simple expedient of getting the required number of ruling party legislators to resign. 
• This shrinks the size of the House to the extent that the opposing party numbers form the majority.

What is the anti-defection law?

• Aaya Ram Gaya Ram was a phrase that became popular in Indian politics after a Haryana MLA Gaya Lal changed his party thrice within the same day in 1967.  
• The anti-defection law sought to prevent such political defections which may be due to reward of office or other similar considerations.
• The Tenth Schedule was inserted in the Constitution in 1985. It lays down the process by which legislators may be disqualified on grounds of defection by the Presiding Officer of a legislature based on a petition by any other member of the House. 
• A legislator is deemed to have defected if he either voluntarily gives up the membership of his party or disobeys the directives of the party leadership on a vote. 
• This implies that a legislator defying (abstaining or voting against) the party whip on any issue can lose his membership of the House.  The law applies to both Parliament and state assemblies.

Are there any exceptions under the law?

• Yes, legislators may change their party without the risk of disqualification in certain circumstances. 
• The law allows a party to merge with or into another party provided that at least two-thirds of its legislators are in favour of the merger.
• In such a scenario, neither the members who decide to merge, nor the ones who stay with the original party will face disqualification.
• Various expert committees have recommended that rather than the Presiding Officer, the decision to disqualify a member should be made by the President (in case of MPs) or the Governor (in case of MLAs) on the advice of the Election Commission.
• This would be similar to the process followed for disqualification in case the person holds an office of profit (i.e. the person holds an office under the central or state government which carries a remuneration, and has not been excluded in a list made by the legislature).

How has the law been interpreted by the Courts while deciding on related matters?

• The Supreme Court has interpreted different provisions of the law.  We discuss some of these below.
• The phrase ‘Voluntarily gives up his membership’ has a wider connotation than resignation.
• The law provides for a member to be disqualified if he ‘voluntarily gives up his membership’. However, the Supreme Court has interpreted that in the absence of a formal resignation by the member, the giving up of membership can be inferred by his conduct.
• In other judgments, members who have publicly expressed opposition to their party or support for another party were deemed to have resigned.

Decision of the Presiding Officer is subject to judicial review 

• The law initially stated that the decision of the Presiding Officer is not subject to judicial review. This condition was struck down by the Supreme Court in 1992, thereby allowing appeals against the Presiding Officer’s decision in the High Court and Supreme Court.
• However, it held that there may not be any judicial intervention until the Presiding Officer gives his order.
• Is there a time limit within which the Presiding Officer has to decide?
• The law does not specify a time-period for the Presiding Officer to decide on a disqualification plea. Given that courts can intervene only after the Presiding Officer has decided on the matter, the petitioner seeking disqualification has no option but to wait for this decision to be made.
• There have been several cases where the Courts have expressed concern about the unnecessary delay in deciding such petitions. 
• In some cases this delay in decision making has resulted in members, who have defected from their parties, continuing to be members of the House. 
• There have also been instances where opposition members have been appointed ministers in the government while still retaining the membership of their original parties in the legislature.

Does the anti-defection law affect the ability of legislators to make decisions?

• The anti-defection law seeks to provide a stable government by ensuring the legislators do not switch sides. However, this law also restricts a legislator from voting in line with his conscience, judgement and interests of his electorate. 
• Such a situation impedes the oversight function of the legislature over the government, by ensuring that members vote based on the decisions taken by the party leadership, and not what their constituents would like them to vote for.
• Political parties issue a direction to MPs on how to vote on most issues, irrespective of the nature of the issue. 
• Several experts have suggested that the law should be valid only for those votes that determine the stability of the government (passage of the annual budget or no-confidence motions)

Way forward:

• The new-age hustlers circumvent this provision by the simple expedient of getting the required number of ruling party legislators to resign 

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Prelims Questions:

Q.1) With reference to the India Global week 2020, consider the following statements:

1. It is organized by NITI Aayog. 
2. It’s theme is “Be The Revival: India and a Better New World”.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: B

Mains Questions:

Q.1) What is the Tenth Schedule of Indian Constitution?Does the anti-defection law affect the ability of legislators to make decisions? Comment. 

1. “The substance of customary law must be looked into primarily in actual practice and ‘opinio juris’ of the States.” In the light of above statement and by referring to case law, explain the interplay between objective and subjective elements in acceptance of a particular custom as a source of international law. (13/I/6a/25) “The substance of customary law must be looked into primarily in actual practice and ‘opinio juris’ of the States.” In the light of above statement and by referring to case law, explain the interplay between objective and subjective elements in acceptance of a particular custom as a source of international law. (13/I/6a/25)

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Printed Study Material for IAS PRE cum Mains General Studies

1. “A system of international environmental law has emerged, rather than simply more international rules about the environment.” To what extent does the observation reflect the results of the Rio Conference? (95/I/5c/20)
2. Discuss the concept of ‘sustainable development’ highlighting contents of the Rio Declaration [UNCED] relating to protection of human environment. (03/I/7a/30)
3. Assess the contribution of the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development (W.S.S.D.- August, 2002 ) and New Delhi 8th Conference of the Parties (C.O.P.-8 October, 2002) in combating climate change. (04/I/7b/30)
4. The 1972 Stockholm “Declaration on Human Environment” and “Action Plan on Human Environment” create a new relation-ship of rights and obligations between developed and developing countries. Explain. (05/I/7b/30)
5. “The general principles and  (Main) Law—Topic Wise Paper 50 prescriptions of International Law are not without applicability to problems of transnational pollution - an environmental degradation. Thus fundamental principle of international limits action by one State which would cause injury in the territory of another state “ “There has been general recognition of the Rule that a State must not permit the use of its territory for purposes injurious to the interest of another State “ Explain.  (08/I/7b/30)
6. Write short note on Manila Declaration, 1982. (09/I/8c/20)
7. The Stockholm Conference of 1972 on the human environment served to identify those areas in which rules of International environment law,  acceptable to international community as a whole can be laid down, and as well as those areas in which the formation of environmental rules must encounter insurmountable obstacles. Discuss the principles of international environment law proclaimed in the Stockholm Declaration. (11/I/5c/15)

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Printed Study Material for IAS PRE cum Mains General Studies

1. Write short note : World Trade Organisation (98/I/8d/20)
2. Spell out the fundamental principles of the UNCTAD Charter of Economic Rights & Duties. (02/I/7a/30)
3. What will be the eclipsing reach of the  49 (Main) Law—Topic Wise Paper proposals in the WTO and the GATT Final Act on the Municipal law in India? (02/I/6b/30)
4. Write explanatory note : WTO and TRIPS (03/I/8c/20)
5. Discuss the provisions relating to the exercise of control by a coastal state over the artificial islands, installations and structures constructed by it in the Exclusive Economic Zone and the conservation and utilisation of living resources therein. (05/I/7a/30)
6. “WTO aims at progressive liberalisation of world trade in goods and services and protection of intellectual property rights.” Explain. How WTO is a facility extending the institutional structure of GATT? (06/I/8a/30)
7. “International Organisations are very important to International Trade Law.” Examine the role of relevant International Organisations involved in the development of International Trade Law. (08/I/6a/30)
8. Explain the concept and characteristics of ‘Third World Countries’. Critically examine the demands and the achievements of ‘Third World Countries’ in shaping New International Economic Order. (08/I/ 5c/ 20)
9. Write note on India’s accession to the WTO: Pros and Cons. (08/I/8b/20)
10. Explain the need, objectives and outcome of the Bretton Woods Conference of 1944. Discuss the similarities and distinctions between the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the ‘International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD).’ Critically examine the role of IMF and IBRD initiatives in the liberalisation, privatisation and globalisation of economies, while focussing on the problems of the  developing countries. (08/I/6b/30)
11. Comment on the statement that ‘WTO’ is the main organ for implementation of Multilateral Trade Agreements and is the third economic pillar of the worldwide trade and commerce. (10/I/5c/20)
12. How would you react to the statement that TRIPS agreement on the one hand is a historic act but on the other hand it failed to achieve the goals of improving trading powers and trade issues of the least developed countries? Comment. (10/I/7b/30)

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Printed Study Material for IAS PRE cum Mains General Studies

1. “A pirate is subject to arrest, trial and punishment by all States on the ground that he is an enemy of mankind.” Examine whether the same principle are applied to a hijacker of aircraft. (94/I/5c/20)
2. X was a terrorist. He caused two explosions in a Cafe in Sri Lanka. After committing the offence X fled to England. Sri Lanka demands extradition of X. X contends that the nature of his crime was political and therefore, he could not be extradited. Discuss the validity of the claim of X,  referring to the principle of non- extradition for political crimes and the  exceptions thereto. (96/I/7c/30)
3. A lieutenant of State forces in a town in Mexico was ordered by the Mayor of the town to proceed with troops to quell riots against certain American citizens. The troop on arriving at the scene of the riot, instead of dispersing to mob, opened fire on the house in which Americans were taking refuge and killed one of them. Can the Mexican government be held responsible for the wrongful acts of the soldiers, even though they had acted beyond the scope of their authority? Discuss with reference to the rule of state responsibility for international delinquencies. (97/I/7a/20)
4. Give a brief account of attempts made  in the international field for limitation of armaments. What, according to you, hinders the proposals to prohibit the production, possession and use of automatic weapons? (00/I/6a/30)
5. Make out a case in favour of or against (any one) terminating diplomatic relations with a country during the state of hostilities. (02/I/6a/30)
6. What steps, within the framework of International Law do you suggest India should take to eliminate state sponsored cross-border terrorism? (02/I/5d/20)
7. ‘Looking to the alarming transnationalisation of crimes the idea of International Criminal Law and such Criminal Court appears attractive, but it has heavier limitations.’ Please comment. (02/I/7b/30)
8. Write explanatory note : State sponsored terrorism (03/I/8b/20)
9. Write explanatory note : International Criminal Court. (07/I/8b/20)
10. Write short note on ‘Piracy jure gentium’ on High Seas. (09/I/8b/20)
11. Enumerate the main features of International Criminal Court. What credit would you attribute to the functioning of this Court? What are the major drawbacks of this Court? Discuss, in this context, the possible amendments to the Regulations of the International Criminal Court. (09/I/6b/30)

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Printed Study Material for IAS PRE cum Mains General Studies

Public Administration Mains 2019 : Solved Paper Question Paper-2 (Question-4)

SECTION-A

Q1. “Considerable attention has been paid to the restructuring of the administrative systems at the Central and local levels, but very few reforms have been undertaken at the State level. What steps would you suggest to rectify it? 20 Marks

ANSWER: The central government now offers states the opportunity to shape their own destinies. To this end, it outlines the reforms that are within their power in areas of agriculture, industry, urban development, infrastructure, health, and education. 
The national reforms have shaped the economies of different states in India. It shows that, unlike China, where growth has been uneven across regions, growth acceleration in India has successfully penetrated every state. Each state has grown faster during the last decade than any other decade in the post-independence era. Some of the poorest states, notably Bihar and Orissa, have been among the fastest growing states. 
Reforms have also helped bring poverty down in every single state and across all major social and religious groups. The liberalization by the central government now offers states the opportunity to shape their own destinies. To this end, it outlines the reforms that are within their power in areas of agriculture, industry, urban development, infrastructure, health, and education. It draws on the experience of states that have successfully carried out some of these reforms.

(b) It is observed that non-functioning of District Planning Committees is preventing the convergence of rural and urban planning needs. Do you agree? Justify. 20 Marks

ANSWER: ONLY FOR COURSE MEMBERS

(c) The police-public interface is punctuated with distrust and fear. Suggest how the police can reform its image in the eyes of the public. 10 Marks

ANSWER: ONLY FOR COURSE MEMBERS

Online Course for Public Administration for IAS Mains

Study Notes for Public Administration Optional Mains - 100% Syllabus Covered

Test Series for Public Administration Optional

    (The Gist of PIB) Time Release Study

    (The Gist of PIB) Army Launches E Car to Combat Pollution

    (The Gist of PIB) World Breastfeeding Week