[Mission 2024] Insights SECURE SYNOPSIS: 11 April 2024
Kartavya Desk Staff
NOTE: Please remember that following ‘answers’ are NOT ‘model answers’. They are NOT synopsis too if we go by definition of the term. What we are providing is content that both meets demand of the question and at the same
General Studies – 1
Topic: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
Topic: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
1. Gandhara School encapsulates foreign techniques and Hellenistic spirit of realism which is evident in its art. Elucidate. (250 words)
Difficulty level: Easy
Reference: Insights on India
Key Demand of the question: To write about the various influences on Gandhara school of art. Directive word: Elucidate – Give a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the context. You must be defining key terms wherever appropriate and substantiate with relevant associated facts. Structure of the answer: Introduction: Begin by mentioning about the development of sculpture and the emergence of Gandhara school of art. Body: Write in detail about the features of Gandhara school of art – The regions they covered, the patronage, the important characteristics of their sculpture, the material they used and type of images produced. Next, in detail write about the various Greek and Roman influences on them. Substantiate with examples the various nature of influences. Conclusion: Conclude by Summarising.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the various influences on Gandhara school of art.
Directive word:
Elucidate – Give a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the context. You must be defining key terms wherever appropriate and substantiate with relevant associated facts.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by mentioning about the development of sculpture and the emergence of Gandhara school of art.
Write in detail about the features of Gandhara school of art – The regions they covered, the patronage, the important characteristics of their sculpture, the material they used and type of images produced.
Next, in detail write about the various Greek and Roman influences on them. Substantiate with examples the various nature of influences.
Conclusion:
Conclude by Summarising.
Introduction
Gandhara art, style of Buddhist visual art that developed in what is now northwestern Pakistan and eastern Afghanistan between the 1st century BCE and the 7th century CE. The style, of Greco-Roman origin, seems to have flourished largely during the Kushana dynasty and was contemporaneous with an important but dissimilar school of Kushana art at Mathura.
The Gandharan craftsmen made a lasting contribution to Buddhist art in their composition of the events of the Buddha’s life into set scenes.
Gandhara art encapsulates foreign techniques and Hellenistic spirit of realism
• In its interpretation of Buddhist legends, the Gandhara school incorporated many motifs and techniques from Classical Roman art, including vine scrolls, cherubs bearing garlands, tritons, and centaurs. The basic iconography, however, remained Indian.
• The materials used for Gandhara sculpture were green phyllite and gray-blue mica schist which in general, belong to an earlier phase, and stucco, which was used increasingly after the 3rd century CE. The sculptures were originally painted and gilded.
• The Hellenistic influence was nowhere more dramatic than in Gandhara, a term now used to describe the school of semi-classical sculptures of Pakistan and Afghanistan in the early centuries of our era.
• In contrast with Mathura School, the Gandhara School images are known for their anatomical accuracy, spatial depth, and foreshortening.
• The Gandhara school drew upon the anthropomorphic traditions of Roman religion and represented the Buddha with a youthful Apollo-like face, dressed in garments resembling those seen on Roman imperial statues.
• This style of art was closely associated with Mahayana Buddhism and hence the main theme of this art was Lord Buddha and Bodhisattvas.
• The Buddha and Bodhisattva figures resemble the Greek God Apollo with broad shoulders, a halo around the head. The physical features such as muscles, nails, hair have been done with great detail.
• All early Bodhisattvas are shown in wearing turbans, jewelry, and muslin skirts, a costume that was an adaptation of the actual dress of Kushan and Indian nobles.
• Thus, it can be conjectured that in idea and conception this style was Indian and in execution it was foreign. One example of the Gandhara style of art is the Bamiyan Buddha statues.
• The Gandhara depiction of the seated Buddha was less successful.
Conclusion
The schools of Gandhara and Mathura influenced each other, and the general trend was away from a naturalistic conception and toward a more idealized, abstract image. Gandhara School of Art can be said as an influence and culmination of both the Indian as well as foreign traditions due to its strategic location.
Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
3. What do you understand by the ‘one health approach’? National One Health Mission aims to enhance the capacity of the healthcare system to prevent, detect, and respond to both routine and pandemic diseases more effectively. Examine. (250 words)
Difficulty level: Tough
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question: The recent decision on the ‘National One Health Mission’ by the cabinet marks a milestone. Key Demand of the question: To write about the one health approach and significance of National One Health Mission. Directive word: Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must investigate the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications. Structure of the answer: Introduction: Start by defining “One health Approach”. Body: One Health is a collaborative, multispectral, and trans disciplinary approach — working at the local, regional, national, and global levels — with the goal of achieving optimal health outcomes recognizing the interconnection between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment. Next, write about National One Health Mission and its features. Write about the significance of the above and potential bottlenecks. Conclusion: Conclude with way forward.
Why the question:
The recent decision on the ‘National One Health Mission’ by the cabinet marks a milestone.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the one health approach and significance of National One Health Mission.
Directive word:
Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must investigate the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by defining “One health Approach”.
One Health is a collaborative, multispectral, and trans disciplinary approach — working at the local, regional, national, and global levels — with the goal of achieving optimal health outcomes recognizing the interconnection between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment.
Next, write about National One Health Mission and its features. Write about the significance of the above and potential bottlenecks.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
Introduction
The term ‘One Health’ was first used in 2003– 2004, in association with the emergence of severe acute respiratory disease (SARS) in early 2003 and subsequently by the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1, and by the series of strategic goals known as the ‘Manhattan Principles’.
India’s ‘National One Health Mission’
• The ‘National One Health Mission’ is India’s integrated approach to managing diseasesaffecting humans, animals, and the environment.
• Participating Bodies:Coordination among 13 Ministries and Departments, including those for Science and Technology, Biotechnology, Health, and Animal Husbandry.
• Objectives and Goals: Developing strategies for disease surveillance, research, and response to human and animal diseases.
• Focus on Diseases: Tackling diseases that affect humans such as COVID-19, foot and mouth disease, and lumpy skin disease.
• A key step was the establishment of the National Institute for One Health in Nagpur,serving as a central hub for coordinating both national and international activities related to health management.
One Health Approach
• It is a collaborative, multisectoral, and transdisciplinary approach — working at the local, regional, national, and global levels — with the goal of achieving optimal health outcomes recognizing the interconnection between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment.
• Successful public health interventions require the cooperation of Professionals in human health (doctors, nurses, public health practitioners, epidemiologists), animal health (veterinarians, paraprofessionals, agricultural workers), environment (ecologists, wildlife experts) along with other relevant players including law enforcement agencies, policymakers, agriculture, communities, and even pet owners.
• One Health issues include zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, food safety and food security, vector-borne diseases, environmental contamination, and other health threats shared by people, animals, and the environment.
Relevance of One Health Approach
In recent times, many factors have changed interactions between people, animals, plants, and our environment and have led to the spread of existing or known (endemic) and new or emerging zoonotic diseases:
• Climate and land use change: The earth has experienced changes in climate and land use, such as deforestation and intensive farming practices.
• Disruptions in environmental conditions and habitats can provide new opportunities for diseases to pass to animals.
• Animals also share our susceptibility to some diseases and environmental hazards. Because of this, they can sometimes serve as early warning signs of potential human illness.
• For example,birds often die of West Nile virus before people in the same area get sick with West Nile virus infection.
• Geographic expansion of human habitats:Human populations are growing and expanding into new geographic areas. As a result, more people live in close contact with wild and domestic animals, both livestock and pets.
• Role of animals: Animals play an important role in our lives, whether for food, fiber, livelihoods, travel, sport, education, or companionship. Close contact with animals and their environments provides more opportunities for diseases to pass between animals and people. As per the studies, 60% of known human infectious diseases have their source in animals (whether domestic or wild).
• Close contact with animals and their environments provides more opportunities for diseases to pass between animals and people.
• As per the studies, 60% of known human infectious diseases have their source in animals (whether domestic or wild).
• Increased global interactions: International travel and trade has led to the unprecedented flow of commodities, people and animals. This gives pathogens of all kinds of opportunities to spread and multiply around the world.
Way Forward
• Enhancement of disease management across human, animal, and environmental sectors by efficiently using the national network of high-risk pathogen laboratories, including BSL 3 and BSL 4 labs.
• Application of advanced technologies such as AI and machine learning to enhance epidemiology and data analysis. This approach can be modeled on the success of genomic surveillance from wastewater, as demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Promotion of active collaboration between government agencies, NGOs, academia, the private sector, and citizens to advance the ‘One Earth, One Health’ initiative, aiming for inclusive health management.
• Scientists have observed that there are more than 1.7 million viruses circulating in wildlife, and many of them are likely to be zoonotic, which implies that unless there is timely detection, India risks facing many more pandemics in times to come.
• To achieve targets under the ‘One Health’ vision, efforts are ongoing to address challenges pertaining to veterinary manpower shortages, the lack of information sharing between human and animal health institutions, and inadequate coordination on food safety at slaughter, distribution, and retail facilities.
• These issues can be remedied by consolidating existing animal health and disease surveillance systems — e.g., the Information Network for Animal Productivity and Health, and the National Animal Disease Reporting System — developing best-practice guidelines for informal market and slaughterhouse operation (e.g., inspections, disease prevalence assessments), and creating mechanisms to operationalise ‘One Health’ at every stage down to the village level.
• Now, as we battle yet another wave of a deadly zoonotic disease (COVID-19), awareness generation, and increased investments toward meeting ‘One Health’ targets is the need of the hour.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, Nano-technology, biotechnology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
Topic: Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, Nano-technology, biotechnology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
4. Effective management of space debris is a critical challenge to humankind. Analyse the causes and impact of space debris. (250 words).
Difficulty level: Tough
Reference : insightsonindia.com
Why the question: The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 3 and mentioned as part of Mission-2022 Secure timetable. Key Demand of the question: To understand how space debris is created and ways to avoid them. Directive word: Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must investigate the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications. Structure of the answer: Introduction: Begin by stating the what is a space debris. Body: Explain the various factors leading to production of space debris such as routine space activities and testing or use of destructive anti-satellite weapons. Also, mention the threat posed by space debris to satellites especially to those in the lower earth orbits. Next, write about international policy on space debris management needs to be put in place mainly to reduce the debris due to routine activity and also destructive testing should go through a rigorous regulation and taking responsibilities by countries who create the debris. Conclusion: Conclude by writing measures for effective management of Space Debris.
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 3 and mentioned as part of Mission-2022 Secure timetable.
Key Demand of the question:
To understand how space debris is created and ways to avoid them.
Directive word:
Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must investigate the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by stating the what is a space debris.
Explain the various factors leading to production of space debris such as routine space activities and testing or use of destructive anti-satellite weapons. Also, mention the threat posed by space debris to satellites especially to those in the lower earth orbits.
Next, write about international policy on space debris management needs to be put in place mainly to reduce the debris due to routine activity and also destructive testing should go through a rigorous regulation and taking responsibilities by countries who create the debris.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing measures for effective management of Space Debris.
Introduction
Space debris is a term for the mass of defunct, artificially created objects in space, most notably in Earth orbit. It includes the fragments from their disintegration, erosion and collisions. The European Space Agency estimates there are currently 128 million pieces of debris smaller than 1cm, about 900,000 pieces of debris 1–10cm in length, and around 34,000 pieces larger than 10cm in Earth orbit.
Causes
• Sources of space debris are dead spacecrafts, spent rocket stages, lost equipment, boosters, weapons etc.
• Space debris has become a pressing issue, with objects in orbit flying out of control, posing a risk to satellites and to astronauts.
Impact of Space debris
• Space debris poses a global threat to the continued use of space-based technologies that support critical functions like communication, transport, weather and climate monitoring, remote sensing.
• Space is a commons, where any nation’s decision to test an anti-satellite weapon, in the process creating gobs of junk, is unpunishable.
• The increasing incidents of testing of anti-satellite weapons has lead to increase in space debris.
• Space junk is a threat to active satellites, unmanned spacecrafts and spaceships.
• The ‘Magna Carta’ of space law is the Outer Space Treaty of 1967. However, its provisions are too generic to deal with the complex problems of space debris with any certainty.
• International space station: Although the ISS uses Whipple shielding to protect itself from minor debris, portions (notably its solar panels) cannot be protected easily.
• There is also the risk, known as the Kessler Syndrome or Kessler Effect, where one piece of debris breaks off and hits another so that it becomes a cascade, which could end up polluting an entire orbit for satellites.
• Although most debris burns up in the atmosphere, larger objects can reach the ground intact. According to NASA, an average of one catalogued piece of debris has fallen back to Earth each day for the past 50 years
Way forward
• An old-fashioned bridge-building between spacefaring nations would help.
• The 1967 Outer Space Treaty, negotiated during an earlier space race with little input from China, is badly in need of an update.
• In particular, provisions that grant countries permanent property rights to their objects in space may complicate efforts to clean up debris.
• Nations across world must actively contribute to the efforts of the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC) and United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS).
• As more nations join, debris-mitigation protocols like IADC, such as a requirement to specify which country has responsibility for end-of-mission planning, should become routine.
• Orbital-use fees could also help satellite operators get ahead of the space junk problem
Topic: Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, Nano-technology, biotechnology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
Topic: Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, Nano-technology, biotechnology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
5. What is nuclear fission? While nuclear energy can play a significant role in India’s clean energy ambitions, relying too heavily on it may not be advisable due to the significant risks involved. Comment. (250 words)
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Insights on India.
Why the question: The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 3 and mentioned as part of Mission-2022 Secure timetable. Key Demand of the question: To write about potential and limitations of nuclear energy in India. Directive word: Comment– here we must express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an overall opinion thereupon. Structure of the answer: Introduction: Start by defining nuclear fission. Body: First, write about the potential of nuclear energy in India and India’s progress so far with respect to it as well its role in energy security of India. Next, write about risks associated with nuclear energy and highlight with examples why we shouldn’t depend completely on nuclear. Cite examples to substantiate. Conclusion: Conclude by writing a balanced opinion about nuclear energy.
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 3 and mentioned as part of Mission-2022 Secure timetable.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about potential and limitations of nuclear energy in India.
Directive word:
Comment– here we must express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an overall opinion thereupon.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by defining nuclear fission.
First, write about the potential of nuclear energy in India and India’s progress so far with respect to it as well its role in energy security of India.
Next, write about risks associated with nuclear energy and highlight with examples why we shouldn’t depend completely on nuclear. Cite examples to substantiate.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a balanced opinion about nuclear energy.
Introduction
Nuclear fission is the process of breaking large atomic nuclei into smaller atomic nuclei to release a large amount of energy. This process is usually done by forcing the nuclei to absorb neutrons — the particle usually found in the atomic nucleus with protons. The phenomenon has been harnessed by humanity to both provide energy via nuclear power plants, but also to power nuclear weapons.
Nuclear Energy plays a critical role in achieving sustainable economic and social development. Modern civilization heavily depends on energy for daily activities. Energy is like a lifeline for the sustenance and progress of the entire world. Nuclear energy plays a vital role in the world economy by generating jobs, income and facilitating trade on a massive scale.
Potential of nuclear energy as a source of clean energy:
• Thorium and Uranium reserves: India has vast reserves of Thorium that can fuel India’s nuclear energy provided appropriate technology. India’s thorium deposits, estimated at 360,000 tonnes, and natural uranium deposits at 70,000 tonnes. The country’s thorium reserves make up 25% of the global reserves.
• Energy poverty: Although India is the 3rdlargest producer of electricity, about 20 % of the population of the country does not have access to electricity today. The per capita consumption of electricity is very low at about 1,181 kWh per annum, about half of the world average and way below that of advanced countries. There exist shortages in energy and peak power in the range 10-15%.
• Energy demand:Nuclear energy is a critical part for India’s future energy security. As we know India’s annual energy demand is expected to rise to 800 GW by 2032, it is very important to consider every source of energy in the optimum energy mix.
• Energy efficiency: Quantities of nuclear fuel needed are considerably less than thermal power plants. For instance, 10000 MW generation by coal will need 30-35 million tons of coal, but nuclear fuel needed will be only 300-350 tons.
• Economic growth:Rapid economic growth is also critical to achieve developmental objectives and poverty alleviation. A sustained economic growth of about 8 to 10% is needed over the next few decades. As electricity is a key driver for economic growth, it is necessary that there is a massive augmentation in electricity capacity, apart from transmissions and distribution systems.
• Decrease in Energy Supply:Energy supply has been negatively affected by changing weather patterns. As water reservoirs decreases due to lower precipitation and increased evaporation, capacity for electricity production from hydropower and other water-intensive generation technologies may decline.
• Climate change:Due to its emission-free nature, nuclear energy can contribute to global efforts under the Paris Agreement. India’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has outlined goals to reduce the carbon emissions intensity of its economy by 33-35% by 2030 as well as increase the clean energy electricity capacity to 40% of the total installed capacity in the same period.
Vulnerabilities of nuclear energy and nuclear reactors:
• In the case of Nuclear Reactors, there is a concern over their safety. The 2011 Fukushima Daiichi accident in Japan is a testimony to the havoc that can be created by a nuclear leak.
• A nuclear disaster might leave large swathes of land uninhabitable — as in Chernobyl — or require a prohibitively expensive clean-up — as in Fukushima, where the final costs may eventually exceed $600 billion.
• Nuclear power generation is not as clean as it is often considered. This is demonstrated in the case of Kudankulam. People have been protesting for decades as they worry that the hot water dispatched from the plant will affect the marine life of the surrounding water sources and subsequently their livelihood.
• Nuclear power plants are capital intensive and recent nuclear builds have suffered major cost overruns. An illustrative example is the V.C. Summer nuclear project in South Carolina (U.S.) where costs rose so sharply that the project was abandoned — after an expenditure of over $9 billion.
• Also, to build nuclear reactors, it requires huge amounts of land. This would displace local communities who may not want to leave. Further, it is not easy to rehabilitate them and provide them with appropriate compensation.
• Pursuant to this, the nuclear industry came to a standstill except in Russia, China and India. However, a revival was seen with global warming becoming ever more apparent.
• In 2020, a windstorm caused the Duane Arnold nuclear plantin the U.S. to cease operations. The frequency of such extreme weather events is likely to increase in the future.
• The commercial nuclear supply can lead to proliferation of Nuclear weapons. The fast breeder reactors have a risk of the turning of inert uranium to plutonium, and then using the plutonium as fuel. However, plutonium is a nuclear explosive which can be used for developing a bomb.
• The recent reports that China is building two more fast reactors have immediately provoked international concerns about China’s possible weapons plutonium production.
Conclusion
Nuclear power can help to improve energy security. For a rapidly developing economy such as India, it can make a vitally important contribution to growth. Besides, nuclear power can also reduce the impact of volatile fossil fuel prices and mitigate the effects of climate change. India needs to come up with a durable energy strategy to meet present and future energy demands of its population and industries.
General Studies – 4
Topic: Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and probity;
Topic: Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and probity;
6.What is probity? Discuss the importance of probity in the public sphere. (150 words)
Difficulty level: Easy
Why the question: The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4. Key Demand of the question: Directive word: Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you must debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You must give reasons for both for and against arguments. Structure of the answer: Introduction: Begin by defining what is Probity. Body: Argue on the lines that for a moral society, it is necessary for all the stakeholders- the government, the corporate and the civil society must express the highest levels of probity in public life. Congruence and alignment of morality among the stakeholders is a major prerequisite to ensure a harmonious and ethic al existence of all the players promoting a just society. Illustrate the same with suitable examples. Conclusion: Conclude by saying that Probity is one of the main pillars for a just society.
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4.
Key Demand of the question:
Directive word:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you must debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You must give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by defining what is Probity.
Argue on the lines that for a moral society, it is necessary for all the stakeholders- the government, the corporate and the civil society must express the highest levels of probity in public life. Congruence and alignment of morality among the stakeholders is a major prerequisite to ensure a harmonious and ethic al existence of all the players promoting a just society. Illustrate the same with suitable examples.
Conclusion:
Conclude by saying that Probity is one of the main pillars for a just society.
Introduction
Probity is “the quality or condition of having strong moral principles, integrity, good character, honesty, decency”. It is the act of adhering to the highest principles and ideals rather than avoiding corrupt or dishonest conduct. It balances service to the community against the self-interest of individuals.
Importance of Probity in Public sphere
In a democracy, probity espouses the principles of equality before law and a respect for the rights and duties of leaders towards their citizens. Conversely, probity is a societal expectation which citizens demand from decision makers and all those who function as a part of the state’s apparatus
• Legitimacy of the system:Foremost, it helps build up the legitimacy of the system, i.e. the state. It builds trusts in the institutions of the state and a belief that the actions of the state will be for welfare of the beneficiaries.
• Objectivity: It provides for an objective and independent view on the fairness of the process.
• Checks and balances: It helps in checking the abuse and misuse of power by various organs of government such as magistracy, police and all other providers of public service e.g. PWD, health, education, etc.
• Equitable and sustainable development: It is an essential and vital requirement for an efficient and effective system of governance and for socio-economic development.
• To serve the constitutional cause:Probity in Governance is required to serve the motto of Constitution. i.e. to provide Social, Political and economic justice to all. It enhances faith in the governance.
• Reduced politicization of bureaucracy:It helps address nepotism, Favouritism, Political partisanship. Public reposes more trust in governance and therefore it facilitates participatory governance. It leads to avoidance of sub-optimal outcomes, corruption and poor perception
Conclusion
It is a shared belief that the adoption of standards like “accountability”, “transparency” and “responsiveness” will lead to clean and efficient governance. However, standards do not, by themselves, ensure ethical behaviour: which requires a robust culture of integrity and probity in public life. The crux of ethical behaviour does not lie only in standards, but in their adoption in action and in issuing sanctions against their violation.
*Value addition*
*Concept of Probity*
• Probity is confirmed integrity. It is usually regarded as being incorruptible.
• It is the quality of having strong moral principles and strictly following them, such as honesty, uprightness, transparency and incorruptibility.
• Probity in Governance is concerned with the propriety and character of various organs of the government as to whether these uphold the procedural uprightness, regardless of the individuals manning these institutions.
• It involves adopting an ethical and transparent approach, allowing the process to withstand scrutiny.
• Probity goes further than the avoidance of being dishonest because it is determined by intangibles like personal and societal values.
• Probity has been described as a risk management approach ensuring procedural integrity.
• It is concerned with procedures, processes and systems rather than outcomes. The principles of probity, ethics and good governance operate on many levels – from, the individual, to the organization and on to the ‘watch-dog’.
*Probity principles*
There are several generally accepted probity concepts that serve to preserve the integrity of a system. These are:
• *Transparency:*It is sizeable that the procedure is transparent to the most volume feasible so that each one stakeholder can have faith within the consequences. Transparent, open techniques additionally decline the possibility for, and the threat of, corruption, and fraud.
• *Accountability: It*is the responsibility with a view to give an explanation for or account for the manner duties were achieved. The government has to have appropriate mechanisms in the area to expose that they may be liable for their practices and decisions.
• *Confidentiality: *Being employed, all public servants or other employees under a general responsibility of confidentiality to their corporation. Accordingly, it is not vital for participants of the Government Project Team who are public servants to execute a confidentiality project in terms of the mission. Moreover, all Government advisors, servants, members and some other third party that is aware of commercially sensitive statistics ought to ensure a proper venture to Government that they’ll preserve this information confidential.
• *Conflict of interest:*This is wherein the general public responsibility and private interests of a Board or staff member can be in conflict which results in their personal interest unreliably influencing their duties and needs. Stakeholders have the authority to count on that Board and staff contributors will best make selections in the best interest of the organization.
• *Impartiality:*People and companies interacting with an employer are predicted to be independent at every level of the method. If they do no longer trust the process is accurate or fair or unbiased, it may harm the popularity of the enterprise.
Topic: ethics – in private and public relationships;
Topic: ethics – in private and public relationships;
7. In public service, what are the ways in which one can overcome conflict of interest? (150 words)
Difficulty level: Moderate
Why the question: The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4. Key Demand of the question: To write about the ways to overcome conflict of interest. Structure of the answer: Introduction: Write about how there is a conflict between private and public relationships during day-to-day administrative work. Body: Bring out the various facets of integrity, impartiality and nonpartisan ship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker sections that an administrator must consider before taking any actions in case of conflict. Mention certain principles, theories and benchmarks one can take the right decision especially when faced with a conflict or dilemma. Conclusion: Complete by summarizing the need for doing the right thing especially for those who are in power.
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the ways to overcome conflict of interest.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Write about how there is a conflict between private and public relationships during day-to-day administrative work.
Bring out the various facets of integrity, impartiality and nonpartisan ship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker sections that an administrator must consider before taking any actions in case of conflict.
Mention certain principles, theories and benchmarks one can take the right decision especially when faced with a conflict or dilemma.
Conclusion:
Complete by summarizing the need for doing the right thing especially for those who are in power.
Introduction
A “conflict of interest” involves a conflict between the public duty and private interests of a public official, in which the public official has private-capacity interests which could improperly influence the performance of their official duties and responsibilities.
In such a situation, judgement of an individual could be impaired. A conflict of interest can exist in many different situations. Conflict of interest is seen as a moral issue and not strictly a legal one accompanied by criminal culpability in India so it is hardly surprising that blatant violations are virtually seen every day.
Example: a public official whose personal interests conflict with his/her professional position. Instances of the largest shareholder appointing himself as CEO, deciding his salary and then appointing his son to a key post and higher royalties to the parent company are some of the serious conflict of interest issues in India which don’t receive necessary attention.
A judge giving judgement in a case involving his own family member is a case of conflict of interest.
Public servants faces Conflict of Interest due to the nature of their work-
• Personal vs Professional This is the most common type of conflict of interest arising due to the conflict between personal and professional life. Say, if a public servant is incharge of giving out contracts for a certain project and one of the applicant is relative or friend.
• This is the most common type of conflict of interest arising due to the conflict between personal and professional life.
• Say, if a public servant is incharge of giving out contracts for a certain project and one of the applicant is relative or friend.
• Conflicting Responsibility Sometimes public servants are given additional charge, which might sometimes create a conflict of interest with the original line of duty.
• Sometimes public servants are given additional charge, which might sometimes create a conflict of interest with the original line of duty.
• Conflicting Organisations Sometimes public servants are part of two separate organisations with apparently conflicting objectives and this might put them in certain conflict of interest. Many public servants also volunteer for NGOs during their service. NGOs and governmental organisation sometimes come at odds with each other.
• Sometimes public servants are part of two separate organisations with apparently conflicting objectives and this might put them in certain conflict of interest.
• Many public servants also volunteer for NGOs during their service. NGOs and governmental organisation sometimes come at odds with each other.
Getting into a situation of conflict of interest is sometimes unavoidable and not a crime in itself if properly handled:
• Transparency Declaring one’s conflict of interest to the concerned authorities is the best way. It helps civil servant to come clean and concerned authorities can decide further.
• Declaring one’s conflict of interest to the concerned authorities is the best way.
• It helps civil servant to come clean and concerned authorities can decide further.
• Assure integrity The concerned authority should be assured of integrity and willingness to serve no matter what the decision is made on the declaration.
• The concerned authority should be assured of integrity and willingness to serve no matter what the decision is made on the declaration.
• Maintain objectivity If given the chance to continue working on that case, work with objectivity.
• If given the chance to continue working on that case, work with objectivity.
• Reduce discretion and codify procedure There is a need for legislation to make non-disclosure of a conflict of interest punishable. A private member’s bill (The Prevention and Management of Conflict of Interest Bill, introduced in 2012), the legislation ought to cover all arms of governance, including the judiciary, the legislature and the executive. The recommendation of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Department of Personnel and Training, calling for early retirement if interested in post-retirement private service is established, needs to be implemented, besides increasing the mandatory cooling period to five years so that no undue influence can be exerted by the retired bureaucrat. Also, the reasons for declining their requests for joining such firms need to be laid out clearly, to limit political concerns. An open, public data platform enlisting all post-retirement appointments of civil servants will increase transparency
• There is a need for legislation to make non-disclosure of a conflict of interest punishable.
• A private member’s bill (The Prevention and Management of Conflict of Interest Bill, introduced in 2012), the legislation ought to cover all arms of governance, including the judiciary, the legislature and the executive.
• The recommendation of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Department of Personnel and Training, calling for early retirement if interested in post-retirement private service is established, needs to be implemented, besides increasing the mandatory cooling period to five years so that no undue influence can be exerted by the retired bureaucrat.
• Also, the reasons for declining their requests for joining such firms need to be laid out clearly, to limit political concerns.
• An open, public data platform enlisting all post-retirement appointments of civil servants will increase transparency
Conclusion
The priority must be to frame a modern law relating to conflict of interest, along the lines of what exists in the statute of the other countries like the United States and also ensure them to their work ensures ethical governance.
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