[Mission 2024] Insights SECURE SYNOPSIS: 29 May 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. India’s vibrant tapestry of cultures is woven with a multitude of folk dances, each unique and brimming with significance. These dances are more than just entertainment; they are a window into the soul of a region, its traditions, and its people. Elaborate. (250 words)
Difficulty level: Easy
Reference: Insights on India
Why the question: The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1 Key Demand of the question: To write about the features and importance of folk dances of India. Directive word: Elaborate – 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: Give the context of numerous folk dances across the country. Body: First, write about as to how folk dances that reflect the life of the common people of a certain country or region – how cultural aspects of that regions and are distinct from one another. Cite examples to substantiate. Next, write about the importance of folk dances of the country. Conclusion: Conclude by summarising.
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the features and importance of folk dances of India.
Directive word:
Elaborate – 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:
Give the context of numerous folk dances across the country.
First, write about as to how folk dances that reflect the life of the common people of a certain country or region – how cultural aspects of that regions and are distinct from one another. Cite examples to substantiate.
Next, write about the importance of folk dances of the country.
Conclusion:
Conclude by summarising.
Introduction
Folk dances are regional variations, the dances of rural and tribal areas, which range from simple, joyous celebrations of the seasons, harvest or birth of a child to dances for the propitiation of demons or for invoking spirits.
Characteristics of Folk-dances:
• Every state and its regions have different dance styles and folk music; with which they express the nature of their community.
• Every part of India has its unique folk dance, which isn’t as complex as the classical form of dance but, in its simplicity, it reflects the deep-sited beliefs of their people.
• They are extremely simple with minimum of steps or movement.
• Some dances are performed separately by men and women while in some performances men and women dance together.
• On most occasions, the dancers sing themselves, accompanied by artists with instruments.
• Each form of folk dance has a specific costume and rhythm.
• Most of the costumes, worn for folk dances, are colourful with extensive jewels and designs.
• Bhangraof Punjab; Rasa Lila; Jhumar; Kaksarof Bastar; Chhau in Odisha, Jharkhand and West Bengal; Bihu of Assam; Theyyam in the Malabar region of kerala; Dollu of Karnataka are few of the many folk dance forms.
• Mudiyettu, ritual theatre and dance drama of Kerala; Kalbeliafolk songs and dances of Rajasthan and Chhaudance are included in UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Linkages of folkdances with culture:
• Seeking divine intervention: The dance is performed in groups to celebrate the nine days Hindu festival of Navratri. It is performed in rings and concentric circles representing the cycle of birth and death in Hinduism, leaving only one constant which is the divinity of God symbolized by the idol of the Goddess or the Garba Deep.
• The dance is performed in groups to celebrate the nine days Hindu festival of Navratri.
• It is performed in rings and concentric circles representing the cycle of birth and death in Hinduism, leaving only one constant which is the divinity of God symbolized by the idol of the Goddess or the Garba Deep.
• Depiction of good over evil: Ex: Bardo Chham is performed by the Sherdukpen tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. The dancers wear masks of 12 different animals and perform to the beats of many percussion instruments. Sherdukpen tribe believes that there are 12 different evil forces and they all appear in different months to mar the happiness of the community. The masks represent evil forces and the main objective of this art form is to ward off these evil forces.
• Ex: Bardo Chham is performed by the Sherdukpen tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. The dancers wear masks of 12 different animals and perform to the beats of many percussion instruments. Sherdukpen tribe believes that there are 12 different evil forces and they all appear in different months to mar the happiness of the community. The masks represent evil forces and the main objective of this art form is to ward off these evil forces.
• Performed before harvesting crops: Bhangra and Giddhaare folk dances of from the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent, mostly performed during the harvest festival of Baisakhi. Pulikaliis a colorful recreational folk art from, performed on the occasion of annual harvest festival of Onam. Ponungis one of the most important folk dances of Arunachal Pradesh. Performed before the harvest of staple crops, it has women dancers.
• Bhangra and Giddhaare folk dances of from the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent, mostly performed during the harvest festival of Baisakhi.
• Pulikaliis a colorful recreational folk art from, performed on the occasion of annual harvest festival of Onam.
• Ponungis one of the most important folk dances of Arunachal Pradesh. Performed before the harvest of staple crops, it has women dancers.
• Performed during various festivals: Raslilais the most popular form of folk dance of India, especially during the festivals of Krishna Janmashtami and Holi in the regions of Mathura and Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh. Bihuforms the most important part of the Bihu festival celebration. The dance is performed by young men and women, accompanied by the playing of pipes & drums. Buiyadance performed by the Digaru Mishmis of Arunachal Pradesh, is the main attraction of many tribal festivals.
• Raslilais the most popular form of folk dance of India, especially during the festivals of Krishna Janmashtami and Holi in the regions of Mathura and Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh.
• Bihuforms the most important part of the Bihu festival celebration. The dance is performed by young men and women, accompanied by the playing of pipes & drums.
• Buiyadance performed by the Digaru Mishmis of Arunachal Pradesh, is the main attraction of many tribal festivals.
• Celebration of nature: Bagurumbais believed to have been inspired from nature, it can be further classified into different dance forms – each inspired from elements of nature like animals, plants, birds, insects, water, air and so on.
• Bagurumbais believed to have been inspired from nature, it can be further classified into different dance forms – each inspired from elements of nature like animals, plants, birds, insects, water, air and so on.
• To relax and rejuvenate: Jhumuris the dance is performed by the tribal people who work in tea estates of Assam. It is often their only recreational activity and this certainly rejuvenates them after a long and tiring day.
• Jhumuris the dance is performed by the tribal people who work in tea estates of Assam. It is often their only recreational activity and this certainly rejuvenates them after a long and tiring day.
• Showcase of rich tradition and culture: Ojapali dance of Assam. Cheraw Dance of Mizoram.
• Ojapali dance of Assam.
• Cheraw Dance of Mizoram.
• Paying respects to the deity worshipped by the tribe: ongkram Dance of Meghalya.
• ongkram Dance of Meghalya.
• Celebration of victory over an enemy: Chang Lo dance of Nagaland.
• Chang Lo dance of Nagaland.
• To celebrate weddings: Matki Folk Dance of Madhya Pradeshis considered as an important dance art from the state, performed usually on wedding occasions. Maruniis the main attraction of Sikkim weddings.
• Matki Folk Dance of Madhya Pradeshis considered as an important dance art from the state, performed usually on wedding occasions.
• Maruniis the main attraction of Sikkim weddings.
Conclusion
Nurtured for centuries, dance in India has evolved in different parts of the country its own distinct style taking on the culture of that particular region, each acquiring its own flavour. The tribal and folk dances of India draw the most fascinating canvas shaded with vivacity and the deep-rooted culture. These dances are not merely a form of dance rather a way of life for Indian people. Each of them has enfolded an entrenched history and culture within itself.
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.
2. Menstrual hygiene is vital for women’s health, but many lack access to proper products or facilities due to cost, sanitation limitations, and stigma. Explain. (250 words)
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Down to Earth
Why the question: The increased menstrual hygiene management (MHM) awareness in our culturally rich nation signifies a remarkable journey. Key Demand of the question: To write about the importance of menstrual hygiene, challenges faced by women and steps needed to improve it. Directive: Explain – Clarify the topic by giving 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: Briefly give data about menstrual hygiene issues in Indian Society. Body: First, write about the Importance of Menstrual Health as a Public Health Issue, impact of menstrual health on women’s overall well-being, connection between menstrual health and reproductive health and role of menstrual health in achieving gender equality etc Next, write about the challenges faced by women and girls in menstrual health – Lack of access to affordable and hygienic sanitary products, Inadequate knowledge about menstrual hygiene management, Stigma and taboos associated with menstruation and Limited access to clean water and sanitation facilities etc. Next, write about the measures to improve menstrual health -Promote menstrual health education and awareness programs, enhance access to affordable and sustainable sanitary products, Improve water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities and Address cultural and social taboos through community engagement Conclusion: Conclude writing a way forward.
Why the question:
The increased menstrual hygiene management (MHM) awareness in our culturally rich nation signifies a remarkable journey.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the importance of menstrual hygiene, challenges faced by women and steps needed to improve it.
Directive:
Explain – Clarify the topic by giving 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:
Briefly give data about menstrual hygiene issues in Indian Society.
First, write about the Importance of Menstrual Health as a Public Health Issue, impact of menstrual health on women’s overall well-being, connection between menstrual health and reproductive health and role of menstrual health in achieving gender equality etc
Next, write about the challenges faced by women and girls in menstrual health – Lack of access to affordable and hygienic sanitary products, Inadequate knowledge about menstrual hygiene management, Stigma and taboos associated with menstruation and Limited access to clean water and sanitation facilities etc.
Next, write about the measures to improve menstrual health -Promote menstrual health education and awareness programs, enhance access to affordable and sustainable sanitary products, Improve water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities and Address cultural and social taboos through community engagement
Conclusion:
Conclude writing a way forward.
Introduction
Menstrual hygiene refers to the practices and conditions that help maintain menstrual health and well-being. It includes using clean and safe menstrual products, washing and changing them regularly, having access to clean water and sanitation facilities, and managing menstrual pain and discomfort.
There is a need to create a “period-friendly world,” which is the theme of this year’s Menstrual Hygiene Day, observed on May 28.
importance of menstrual health
• India is home to more than 350 million women and girls who menstruate every month.
• However, menstruation is still a taboo and a source of shame and discrimination for many of them.
• In a recent incident, a man from a city in Maharashtra allegedly killed his 12-year-old sister because he mistook period stains on her clothes as a sign of a sexual relationship.
• According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), even though there has been significant progress in the past years, approximately 27% of young rural women still resort to unsanitary means of protection during their menstrual cycle.
• Among the urban population, 10% of young women reported using unhygienic methods.
• As per the report, 16 states and union territories (UTs) have a usage rate of over 90% for hygienic menstrual products.
• Nevertheless, some of the most impoverished states in India have a poor record in this regard.
• Bihar has the lowest usage rate (59%) of safe menstrual protection, followed by Madhya Pradesh (61%) and Meghalaya (65%).
Challenges faced by women and girls
• Period Poverty: A survey conducted by the NGO Child Rights and You (CRY) revealed that access to sanitary pads was limited to many girls, with 44.5% of girls admitting to using homemade absorbents or cloth. The report also found that around 11.3% of the girls did not know the correct cause of menstruation and said that it was a curse from God or caused by disease.
• Access to toilet: An estimated 355 million Indian women and girlsmust find ways to cope with monthly menstrual hygiene. Most of these women either have no access to toilets or are faced with unclean lavatory
• Access and safety:Moreover, they usually wait until night-time before using public toilets or fields, which exposes them to various forms of physical attacks.
• Lack of awareness: The main reasons for this taboo still being relevant in the Indian society are high rate of illiteracy especially in girls, poverty and lack of awareness about menstrual health and hygiene. Only less than 18 per cent of Indian women use sanitary pads.
• Taboo: In some families, menstruation is being perceived as an unclean or embarrassing thing, extending even to the mention of menstruation both in public and in private. Most girls even hide themselves out of fear or embarrassment on their way to a medical store, rather majority of them cannot afford to buy hygienic sanitary pads.
• School dropout:In some families, menstruation is being perceived as an unclean or embarrassing thing, extending even to the mention of menstruation both in public and in private. Most girls even hide themselves out of fear or embarrassment on their way to a medical store, rather majority of them cannot afford to buy hygienic sanitary pads.
• Most girls even hide themselves out of fear or embarrassment on their way to a medical store, rather majority of them cannot afford to buy hygienic sanitary pads.
• Unclean ways of handling menstruation:A majority of rural women in India employ clothes and rags for feminine hygiene. These materials might predispose women to reproductive tract infections since it may be difficult for them to keep their used napkins clean and free of harmful bacteria.
• Affordability: While commercially available sanitary napkins provide a possible alternative, only 12 percent of Indian women can afford this option
• Lack of Policy Measures:The 2022 ‘Right of Women to Menstrual Leave and Free Access to Menstrual Health Products Bill’ specified three days of paid leave for women and transwomen during their periods, and additional benefits for students is yet to become act. Only two states, Kerala and Bihar, currently have menstrual leave policies for women.
Measures that can be undertaken to improve menstrual health
• Awareness about periods along with efforts to address harmful social and gender norms.
• Menstrual products, both reusable and disposable, must be more available through various access channels.
• Female-friendly community and public toilets to be built more to provide safe, private, clean facilities to manage periods.
• The provision of dustbins and incinerators in female toilets for waste disposal and management.
• Addressing the needs of menstruating people in urban slums and refugee camps.
• Catering the menstrual needs of formal and informal women workforce and workspaces.
• An Inclusive approach catering to the menstrual needs of the differently abled, trans-male/female, and people with other gender identities who menstruate. Gender-nonconforming persons face safety problems and a lack of menstrual supplies. We need to urgently understand their unique needs as well.
• Engaging local communities through innovative peer education programs can help break the silence and stigma surrounding menstruation. These programs can train and empower women and girls to become menstrual hygiene ambassadors.
• Both girls and boys should receive accurate, timely information on the biological and psycho-social aspects of puberty, menstruation, and MHM from all three channels—mass media, influencers, and targeted education.
• There are significant challenges across these three areas with supporting evidence. However, girl-targeted education and community influencers are particularly important enablers for improving menstrual health for women and girls in India
Conclusion
Menstrual health & hygiene is not just a personal hygiene matter but a public health concern demanding immediate action from governments, civil society, and individuals. To overcome these challenges, we need a comprehensive strategy involving education, awareness campaigns, policy reforms, infrastructure enhancements, and better healthcare services. By destigmatizing menstruation, ensuring affordable sanitary products, and providing comprehensive menstrual health education, we can enhance menstrual hygiene in India.
Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
3. India’s digitalization journey, spearheaded by the “Digital India” initiative, has been a remarkable success story. However, the benefits of digitalization haven’t reached everyone equally. Here’s how to ensure inclusivity and equitable access. Examine. (250 words)
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Live Mint
Why the question: The article discusses India’s digital potential. Key Demand of the question: To write about the successes of the digitalisation in India and suggest measures to ensure more reachability, inclusivity and make it equitable. 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 giving context. Body: In first part, write about India’s success at building digital India – This includes a Unified Payments Interface, Aarogya Setu app, CoWin, Bharat QR, the RuPay card. Write its impact and substantiate with facts and figures. Next, mention the challenges with respect to rapid digitisation equitable spread, ensuring that the benefits of digital revolution are accessible to all citizens, irrespective of their gender, caste, or geographical location etc. Conclusion: Conclude with a way forward to make the digital revolution more fruitful for everyone.
Why the question:
The article discusses India’s digital potential.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the successes of the digitalisation in India and suggest measures to ensure more reachability, inclusivity and make it equitable.
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 giving context.
In first part, write about India’s success at building digital India – This includes a Unified Payments Interface, Aarogya Setu app, CoWin, Bharat QR, the RuPay card. Write its impact and substantiate with facts and figures.
Next, mention the challenges with respect to rapid digitisation equitable spread, ensuring that the benefits of digital revolution are accessible to all citizens, irrespective of their gender, caste, or geographical location etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward to make the digital revolution more fruitful for everyone.
Introduction
As India’s democracy nears the end of the world’s largest electoral exercise, it is evident that digital technologies have changed the whole landscape of Indian policymaking, reshaping governance, citizen engagement, political campaigning and elections. This transformation has not only streamlined bureaucratic processes, but also brought services closer to the people, fostering financial inclusion and digital empowerment.
India’s Success in Building Digital India
• Unified Payments Interface (UPI): Impact: UPI has transformed digital payments in India. It enables instant fund transfers between bank accounts using a single mobile app. As of 2021, India leads globally in real-time payment transactions, with 48.6 billion processed. Estimated economic impact: UPI has saved the Indian economy approximately $67 billion since its inception in April 2016. Facts and Figures: India had 560 million internet subscribers in September 2018, second only to China. UPI transactions reached 2.8 billion in August 2021, with a total value of ₹5.47 trillion (approximately $73 billion). Aarogya Setu App: Impact: Aarogya Setu is a COVID-19 contact tracing and self-assessment app. It facilitated tracking and containment of the virus, as well as vaccination drives. Facts and Figures: Over 100 million installs within 40 days of launch. A crucial tool during the pandemic, helping track and contain the spread of COVID-19. CoWin Platform: Impact: CoWin enabled the administration of over 1.53 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses in under a year. Over 90% of eligible adults received protection through CoWin. Facts and Figures: CoWin administered more doses than the combined total achieved by the US, Brazil, Indonesia, and Japan. CoWin demonstrates India’s progressive digitalization of health systems. Bharat QR: Impact: Encouraged cashless transactions across India. Increased adoption of digital payments. Facts and Figures: Bharat QR is the world’s first interoperable payment acceptance solution using QR codes for payments to merchants. Cost-effective, scalable, and secure.
• Impact: UPI has transformed digital payments in India. It enables instant fund transfers between bank accounts using a single mobile app. As of 2021, India leads globally in real-time payment transactions, with 48.6 billion processed. Estimated economic impact: UPI has saved the Indian economy approximately $67 billion since its inception in April 2016.
• UPI has transformed digital payments in India. It enables instant fund transfers between bank accounts using a single mobile app.
• As of 2021, India leads globally in real-time payment transactions, with 48.6 billion processed.
• Estimated economic impact: UPI has saved the Indian economy approximately $67 billion since its inception in April 2016.
• Facts and Figures: India had 560 million internet subscribers in September 2018, second only to China. UPI transactions reached 2.8 billion in August 2021, with a total value of ₹5.47 trillion (approximately $73 billion).
• India had 560 million internet subscribers in September 2018, second only to China.
• UPI transactions reached 2.8 billion in August 2021, with a total value of ₹5.47 trillion (approximately $73 billion).
• Aarogya Setu App: Impact: Aarogya Setu is a COVID-19 contact tracing and self-assessment app. It facilitated tracking and containment of the virus, as well as vaccination drives. Facts and Figures: Over 100 million installs within 40 days of launch. A crucial tool during the pandemic, helping track and contain the spread of COVID-19. CoWin Platform: Impact: CoWin enabled the administration of over 1.53 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses in under a year. Over 90% of eligible adults received protection through CoWin. Facts and Figures: CoWin administered more doses than the combined total achieved by the US, Brazil, Indonesia, and Japan. CoWin demonstrates India’s progressive digitalization of health systems. Bharat QR: Impact: Encouraged cashless transactions across India. Increased adoption of digital payments. Facts and Figures: Bharat QR is the world’s first interoperable payment acceptance solution using QR codes for payments to merchants. Cost-effective, scalable, and secure.
• Impact: Aarogya Setu is a COVID-19 contact tracing and self-assessment app. It facilitated tracking and containment of the virus, as well as vaccination drives.
• Aarogya Setu is a COVID-19 contact tracing and self-assessment app.
• It facilitated tracking and containment of the virus, as well as vaccination drives.
• Facts and Figures: Over 100 million installs within 40 days of launch. A crucial tool during the pandemic, helping track and contain the spread of COVID-19.
• Over 100 million installs within 40 days of launch.
• A crucial tool during the pandemic, helping track and contain the spread of COVID-19.
• CoWin Platform: Impact: CoWin enabled the administration of over 1.53 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses in under a year. Over 90% of eligible adults received protection through CoWin. Facts and Figures: CoWin administered more doses than the combined total achieved by the US, Brazil, Indonesia, and Japan. CoWin demonstrates India’s progressive digitalization of health systems. Bharat QR: Impact: Encouraged cashless transactions across India. Increased adoption of digital payments. Facts and Figures: Bharat QR is the world’s first interoperable payment acceptance solution using QR codes for payments to merchants. Cost-effective, scalable, and secure.
• Impact: CoWin enabled the administration of over 1.53 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses in under a year. Over 90% of eligible adults received protection through CoWin.
• CoWin enabled the administration of over 1.53 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses in under a year.
• Over 90% of eligible adults received protection through CoWin.
• Facts and Figures: CoWin administered more doses than the combined total achieved by the US, Brazil, Indonesia, and Japan. CoWin demonstrates India’s progressive digitalization of health systems.
• CoWin administered more doses than the combined total achieved by the US, Brazil, Indonesia, and Japan.
• CoWin demonstrates India’s progressive digitalization of health systems.
• Bharat QR: Impact: Encouraged cashless transactions across India. Increased adoption of digital payments. Facts and Figures: Bharat QR is the world’s first interoperable payment acceptance solution using QR codes for payments to merchants. Cost-effective, scalable, and secure.
• Impact: Encouraged cashless transactions across India. Increased adoption of digital payments.
• Encouraged cashless transactions across India.
• Increased adoption of digital payments.
• Facts and Figures: Bharat QR is the world’s first interoperable payment acceptance solution using QR codes for payments to merchants. Cost-effective, scalable, and secure.
• Bharat QR is the world’s first interoperable payment acceptance solution using QR codes for payments to merchants.
• Cost-effective, scalable, and secure.
Challenges in Rapid Digitization
• Equitable Spread: Challenge: Uneven digital literacy and access across regions. Solution: Invest in digital literacy programs and infrastructure in rural and underserved areas.
• Challenge: Uneven digital literacy and access across regions.
• Solution: Invest in digital literacy programs and infrastructure in rural and underserved areas.
• Inclusivity: Challenge: Ensuring digital benefits reach all citizens, regardless of gender, caste, or location. Solution: Targeted outreach, gender-sensitive policies, and accessible digital services.
• Challenge: Ensuring digital benefits reach all citizens, regardless of gender, caste, or location.
• Solution: Targeted outreach, gender-sensitive policies, and accessible digital services.
• Cybersecurity and Privacy: Challenge: Protecting user data and privacy. Solution: Strengthen cybersecurity frameworks and educate users about safe practices.
• Challenge: Protecting user data and privacy.
• Solution: Strengthen cybersecurity frameworks and educate users about safe practices.
Way Forward
• Digital Literacy Programs: Educate citizens about digital tools and their benefits. Bridge the digital divide.
• Educate citizens about digital tools and their benefits.
• Bridge the digital divide.
• Inclusive Policies: Ensure gender-neutral policies. Address caste-based disparities.
• Ensure gender-neutral policies.
• Address caste-based disparities.
• Secure Infrastructure: Strengthen cybersecurity. Safeguard user data.
• Strengthen cybersecurity.
• Safeguard user data.
• Collaboration: Public-private partnerships for sustainable digital growth.
• Public-private partnerships for sustainable digital growth.
Conclusion
India’s digital revolution has made significant strides, but challenges remain. By prioritizing inclusivity, security, and collaboration, we can create a more fruitful digital future for all.
Topic: economics of animal-rearing.
Topic: economics of animal-rearing.
4. By prioritizing livestock in rural development strategies, we can significantly improve the lives of farming communities. Discuss. (250 words)
Difficulty level: Easy
Reference: Insights on India
Why the question: The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper –3. Key Demand of the question: To examine the role of livestock in India farmers’ economy and ways to further augment it. 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 giving the statistic related to livestock as part of agriculture in India. Body: First, explain the contributions of livestock in ensuring better returns to Farmers, additional income, giving choice and security in the period of distress. In the next part, write about the various measures taken by promote livestock in the country and further measures that are required so that it yield maximum returns. Conclusion: Conclude by writing a way forward.
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper –3.
Key Demand of the question:
To examine the role of livestock in India farmers’ economy and ways to further augment it.
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 giving the statistic related to livestock as part of agriculture in India.
First, explain the contributions of livestock in ensuring better returns to Farmers, additional income, giving choice and security in the period of distress.
In the next part, write about the various measures taken by promote livestock in the country and further measures that are required so that it yield maximum returns.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.
Introduction
India’s livestock sector is one of the largest in the world. About 20.5 million people depend upon livestock for their livelihood. Livestock contributed 16% to the income of small farm households as against an average of 14% for all rural households. Livestock provides livelihood to two-third of rural community. It also provides employment to about 8.8 % of the population in India. India has vast livestock resources. Livestock sector contributes 4.11% GDP and 25.6% of total Agriculture GDP.
Trends in livestock population: (Source: 20th Livestock Census)
• Total Livestock population is 535.78 million- an increase of 4.6% over Livestock Census-2012.
• Total Bovine population (Cattle, Buffalo, Mithun and Yak)-79 Million in 2019- an increase of about 1% over the previous census.
• A decline of 6 % in the total Indigenous/ Non-descript cattle population over the previous census.
• The population of cows in the country has risen by 18 per cent in the last seven years, while that of oxen dipped by 30 per cent, according to the latest census of livestock.
• there was a spectacular 16.8 per cent increase in the poultry population in the country to 851.81 million, mainly on account of a 46 per cent rise in backyard poultry birds, whose numbers have gone up to 317 million.
• The number of female cattle is 145.12 million, which is 18 per cent over the 122.98 million in 2012. The number of male cattle, on the other hand, dropped to 47.4 million as against 67.92 million in 2012.
• While cattle accounted for 35.94 per cent of total livestock in the country, goats accounted for 27.80 per cent, buffaloes: 20.45 per cent, sheep: 13.87 per cent and pigs: 1.69 per cent.
Role of livestock in socio-economic life of India:
The livestock plays an important role in the economy of farmers. The farmers in India maintain mixed farming system i.e. a combination of crop and livestock where the output of one enterprise becomes the input of another enterprise thereby realize the resource efficiency. The livestock serve the farmers in different ways.
• Income: Livestock is a source of subsidiary income for many families in India especially the resource poor who maintain few heads of animals. Cows and buffaloes if in milk will provide regular income to the livestock farmers through sale of milk. Animals like sheep and goat serve as sources of income during emergencies to meet exigencies like marriages, treatment of sick persons, children education, repair of houses etc. The animals also serve as moving banks and assets which provide economic security to the owners.
• Livestock is a source of subsidiary income for many families in India especially the resource poor who maintain few heads of animals.
• Cows and buffaloes if in milk will provide regular income to the livestock farmers through sale of milk.
• Animals like sheep and goat serve as sources of income during emergencies to meet exigencies like marriages, treatment of sick persons, children education, repair of houses etc.
• The animals also serve as moving banks and assets which provide economic security to the owners.
• Employment: A large number of people in India being less literate and unskilled depend upon agriculture for their livelihoods. But agriculture being seasonal in nature could provide employment for a maximum of 180 days in a year. The land less and less land people depend upon livestock for utilizing their labour during lean agricultural season.
• A large number of people in India being less literate and unskilled depend upon agriculture for their livelihoods.
• But agriculture being seasonal in nature could provide employment for a maximum of 180 days in a year.
• The land less and less land people depend upon livestock for utilizing their labour during lean agricultural season.
• Food: The livestock products such as milk, meat and eggs are an important source of animal protein to the members of the livestock owners. The per capita availability of milk is around 355 g / day; eggs is 69 / annum;
• The livestock products such as milk, meat and eggs are an important source of animal protein to the members of the livestock owners.
• The per capita availability of milk is around 355 g / day; eggs is 69 / annum;
• Social security: The animals offer social security to the owners in terms of their status in the society. The families especially the landless which own animals are better placed than those who do not. Gifting of animals during marriages is a very common phenomenon in different parts of the country. Rearing of animals is a part of the Indian culture. Animals are used for various socio religious functions. Cows for house warming ceremonies; rams, bucks and chicken for sacrifice during festive seasons; Bulls and Cows are worshipped during various religious functions. Many owners develop attachment to their animals.
• The animals offer social security to the owners in terms of their status in the society.
• The families especially the landless which own animals are better placed than those who do not.
• Gifting of animals during marriages is a very common phenomenon in different parts of the country.
• Rearing of animals is a part of the Indian culture. Animals are used for various socio religious functions.
• Cows for house warming ceremonies; rams, bucks and chicken for sacrifice during festive seasons;
• Bulls and Cows are worshipped during various religious functions. Many owners develop attachment to their animals.
• Gender equity: Animal husbandry promotes gender equity. More than three-fourth of the labour demand in livestock production is met by women. The share of women employment in livestock sector is around 90% in Punjab and Haryana where dairying is a prominent activity and animals are stall-fed.
• Animal husbandry promotes gender equity.
• More than three-fourth of the labour demand in livestock production is met by women.
• The share of women employment in livestock sector is around 90% in Punjab and Haryana where dairying is a prominent activity and animals are stall-fed.
• Draft: The bullocks are the back bone of Indian agriculture. The farmers especially the marginal and small depend upon bullocks for ploughing, carting and transport of both inputs and outputs.
• The bullocks are the back bone of Indian agriculture.
• The farmers especially the marginal and small depend upon bullocks for ploughing, carting and transport of both inputs and outputs.
• Dung: In rural areas dung is used for several purposes which include fuel (dung cakes), fertilizer (farm yard manure), and plastering material (poor man’s cement).
• In rural areas dung is used for several purposes which include fuel (dung cakes), fertilizer (farm yard manure), and plastering material (poor man’s cement).
Measures to strengthen Livestock sector
• Increase in the market share depends on how dairy firms’ capabilities and their resources are utilised given the opportunities and threats emanating from emerging markets economies.
• Contract/corporate dairying and emerging global dairy trade are required to rope in dairy supply chains stakeholders in order to expand their outreach and “on-the-go” product positioning into the target segment.
• Digital technology-enabled dairy firms need to identify their compatible partners and competitors for co-creation through product-process innovation via relationship/value-based marketing.
• Freshness in milk, and convenience to store milk or milk products can be a technology innovation brought in by large dairy firms in association start-ups.
• Education and Training at Panchayat level for small and medium size farmers
• Subsidizing cattle production and encouraging cattle markets
• Facility of logistics for produced milk
• Improved Veterinary facility specially in artificial insemination of cattle
• Encouraging private sector firm to procure dairy produced at rural level
• Low interest loans for small and medium scale farmers for cattle purchase
• Encouraging rural women to take up animal husbandry
• Insurance of cattle against diseases like Anthrax, Foot and Mouth, Peste des Ruminantes, etc.
• Nurture dairy entrepreneurs through effective training of youth at the village level coupled with dedicated leadership and professional management of farmers’ institutions.
• Agricultural practices, sanitation, quality of drinking water & fodder, type and quality of pipelines – all of these need to be aligned to the goal of healthy milk
Conclusion
With increasing population, persistent rise in food inflation, unfortunate rise in farmer’s suicide and majority of the Indian population having agriculture as the primary occupation, the practice of animal husbandry is no more a choice, but a need in contemporary scenario. Its successful, sustainable and skilful implementation will go a long way in ameliorating the socio-economic condition of lower strata of our society. Linking the animal husbandry with food processing industry, agriculture, researches & patents has all the possible potential to make India a nutritional power house of the world. Animal husbandry is the imperative hope, definite desire and urgent panacea for India as well as the world.
Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.
Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.
5. Farm loan waivers are like painkillers for a broken leg – quick relief but no real fix. They burden governments, don’t change bad borrowing habits, and miss many farmers. Critically analyze. (250 words)
Difficulty level: Tough
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question: The article discusses the growing threat of cybercrime in the modern world. Key Demand of the question: To write about how the loan waivers are just only a short term fix but vicious cycle of debt remains unbroken. Directive word: Directive Word: Critically analyze – When asked to analyse, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them in a summary. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a balanced judgment on the topic. Structure of the answer: Introduction: Write about the populist practices of announcement of loan waivers in poll bound states. Body: First, highlight why such unconditional loan waivers are problematic as they cause a moral hazard – lead to debt overhang, Lead to vicious cycle of debt that sometimes characterizes farm households in India. Next, write the other measures needed instead of loan waivers – infrastructure improvements, better market access, and income-boosting practices. Debt restructuring and crop insurance can also provide safety nets for farmers. Conclusion: Conclude by writing a way forward.
Why the question:
The article discusses the growing threat of cybercrime in the modern world.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about how the loan waivers are just only a short term fix but vicious cycle of debt remains unbroken.
Directive word:
Directive Word:
Critically analyze – When asked to analyse, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them in a summary. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a balanced judgment on the topic.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Write about the populist practices of announcement of loan waivers in poll bound states.
First, highlight why such unconditional loan waivers are problematic as they cause a moral hazard – lead to debt overhang, Lead to vicious cycle of debt that sometimes characterizes farm households in India.
Next, write the other measures needed instead of loan waivers – infrastructure improvements, better market access, and income-boosting practices. Debt restructuring and crop insurance can also provide safety nets for farmers.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.
Introduction
Farm loan waiver is the practice of writing off the loans given to farmers owing to their inability to pay them back due to reasons like calamity, disaster, political policies etc. Since 2014, there have been similar moves in Telangana, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh which are States run by various parties. The loan waivers have become a big political tool in hands of political parties that has ruined capital status of Indian agriculture economics.
As the Lok Sabha seats in India’s largest farming belt — Haryana and Uttar Pradesh — go to the polls, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has once again promised to waive off farmer debts if the Congress-led coalition is voted to power. The last pan-India farm loan waiver was done by the UPA government in 2008 in the form of a ₹60,000 crore economic package. Incidentally, the waiver came a year ahead of the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, in which the UPA was re-elected with a bigger majority.
Need for Farm loan waivers:
• Agriculture in India has been facing many issues — fragmented land holding, depleting water table levels, deteriorating soil quality, rising input costs, low productivity. Add to this vagaries of the monsoon.
• Output prices may not be remunerative. Farmers are often forced to borrow to manage expenses. Also, many small farmers not eligible for bank credit borrow at exorbitant interest rates from private sources.
• When nature rides roughshod over debt-ridden farmers in the form of erratic monsoon and crop failures, they face grim options. Indebtedness is a key reason for the many farmer suicides in the country.
Loan waivers are not sufficient for farmers’ welfare rather it’s a short term fix:
• Loan waiver is generally declared by political parties for electoral gains. The very purpose of waiving is unjustified and the needs a review of overall waiving process.
• Farm loan waivers have become electoral weapons for parties, but it’s the small businesspersons and traders who are bearing the burden of loans that banks give them at high-interest rates.
• Farm loan waiver does not cater to the vast small and marginal farmers who don’t have access to formal credit and are indebted to local money lenders. A study by RythuSwarajyaVedika in June 2018 showed that 75% of farmer suicides in Telangana are by tenant farmers, who have no or least access to formal credit.
• Farm loan waivers are at best a temporary solution and entail a moral hazard even those who can afford to pay may not, in the expectation of a waiver.
• Such measures can erode credit discipline and may make banks wary of lending to farmers in the future. It also makes a sharp dent in the finances of the government that finances the write-off. Ex- RBI chiefs like Urjit Patel and Raghuram Rajan have also expressed similar views of ‘Moral Hazard’
• Also a recent study by the International Food Policy Research Institute reveals that at the national level, 48% of agricultural households do not avail a loan from any source. Among the borrowing households, 36% take credit from informal sources.
• A negative relationship between the size of farm and per capita consumption expenditure (a proxy for income) further underscores the importance of formal credit in assisting marginal and poor farm households in reducing poverty hence farm loan waivers fail to result into farmers’ welfare.
Sustainable long-term measures needed:
• Credit, finance and Insurance: A functional institutional credit system which is accessible and accountable to all cultivators. This covers not only land-owning farmers but also sharecroppers, tenants, adivasi and women farmers, and animal-rearers. Credit products for agriculture need to be tailor-made based on cropping and rain cycle, specific to a particular region. The regional offices of commercial banks should contribute in this exercise. Registration of all cultivators and providing Kisan credit cards. The period of crop loan should be extendable to four years, given that, on average, every second or third year the spatial distribution of rain pattern is erratic in India.
• A functional institutional credit system which is accessible and accountable to all cultivators.
• This covers not only land-owning farmers but also sharecroppers, tenants, adivasi and women farmers, and animal-rearers.
• Credit products for agriculture need to be tailor-made based on cropping and rain cycle, specific to a particular region. The regional offices of commercial banks should contribute in this exercise. Registration of all cultivators and providing Kisan credit cards.
• The period of crop loan should be extendable to four years, given that, on average, every second or third year the spatial distribution of rain pattern is erratic in India.
• Input Costs: It is more important to make agriculture sustainable by reducing input costs of seeds, fertilizers and other inputs.
• It is more important to make agriculture sustainable by reducing input costs of seeds, fertilizers and other inputs.
• Remunerative Prices: Extending reach of minimum support price which has been dedicated to few crops and in a narrow geographical area is important. Set up of Futures and Trade markets, tie up of farmer and private companies for procurement should be looked into as alternative methods against distress sale.
• Extending reach of minimum support price which has been dedicated to few crops and in a narrow geographical area is important.
• Set up of Futures and Trade markets, tie up of farmer and private companies for procurement should be looked into as alternative methods against distress sale.
• Agro- Produce Marketing and Processing: The agro-processing industry and warehousing needs to expand so that agricultural produce can be stored when prices plunge. Promoting viable farmer collectives to act as a “collective voice of marginal and small farmers”. Legislations on the basis of NITI Aayog’snew model law — Agricultural Produce and Livestock Marketing (Promotion and Facilitating) Act (APLM) should be enacted in all states.
• The agro-processing industry and warehousing needs to expand so that agricultural produce can be stored when prices plunge.
• Promoting viable farmer collectives to act as a “collective voice of marginal and small farmers”.
• Legislations on the basis of NITI Aayog’snew model law — Agricultural Produce and Livestock Marketing (Promotion and Facilitating) Act (APLM) should be enacted in all states.
• Technology: Use of technology to aid farmers like drip and sprinkler irrigation. Precision agriculture, GM Crops should be encouraged drought prone areas. Space technology and Mobiles should act as “Eyes and Ears” of the farmers to assist in farming.
• Use of technology to aid farmers like drip and sprinkler irrigation.
• Precision agriculture, GM Crops should be encouraged drought prone areas.
• Space technology and Mobiles should act as “Eyes and Ears” of the farmers to assist in farming.
• Distress Management: Establish farmers’ distress and disaster relief commissions at the national and State levels, based on the model of Kerala Farmers’ Debt Relief Commission.
• Establish farmers’ distress and disaster relief commissions at the national and State levels, based on the model of Kerala Farmers’ Debt Relief Commission.
Conclusion:
Waiving of loans should be done only in the most exceptional circumstances. The challenge before political parties and governments is to deliver on the institutional solutions demanded by farmers as against temporary solutions of loan waivers.
Topic: Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators;
Topic: Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators;
6. Utilitarianism offers a framework for making moral decisions based on maximizing overall well-being. While it faces challenges, it remains a powerful and influential theory in ethical decision-making. Critically analyse. (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: To write about the philosophy of Utilitarianism and the way it resolves moral issues. Directive Word: Critically analyze – When asked to analyse, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them in a summary. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a balanced judgment on the topic. Structure of the answer: Introduction: Begin by defining the philosophy of Utilitarianism in brief. Body: In your own words, explain that Utilitarianism is a theory of morality that advocates actions that foster happiness or pleasure and oppose actions that cause unhappiness or harm. When directed toward making social, economic, or political decisions, a utilitarian philosophy would aim for the betterment of society as a whole. Next, write a critique of utilitarianism. Conclusion: Conclude by summarising.
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 philosophy of Utilitarianism and the way it resolves moral issues.
Directive Word:
Critically analyze – When asked to analyse, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them in a summary. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a balanced judgment on the topic.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by defining the philosophy of Utilitarianism in brief.
In your own words, explain that Utilitarianism is a theory of morality that advocates actions that foster happiness or pleasure and oppose actions that cause unhappiness or harm. When directed toward making social, economic, or political decisions, a utilitarian philosophy would aim for the betterment of society as a whole.
Next, write a critique of utilitarianism.
Conclusion:
Conclude by summarising.
Introduction
Utilitarianism would say that an action is right if it results in the happiness of the greatest number of people in a society or a group. Utilitarianism is a theory of morality, which advocates actions that foster happiness or pleasure and opposes actions that cause unhappiness or harm. When directed toward making social, economic, or political decisions, a utilitarian philosophy would aim for the betterment of society as a whole.
Concept of Utilitarianism
Greatest good of the greatest number, was famously given by Jeremy Bentham, the father of utilitarianism. Bentham’s fundamental axiom, which underlies utilitarianism, was that all social morals and government legislation should aim for producing the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people. Utilitarianism, therefore, emphasizes the consequences or ultimate purpose of an act rather than the character of the actor, the actor’s motivation, or the particular circumstances surrounding the act. It has these characteristics:
• Universality, because it applies to all acts of human behaviour, even those that appear to be done from altruistic motives;
• Objectivity, meaning it operates beyond individual thought, desire, and perspective;
• Rationality, because it is not based in metaphysics or theology; and
• Quantifiability in its reliance on utility.
Welfarism is the view that only the welfare (also called well-being) of individuals determines the value of an outcome.
Specifically, from a welfarist perspective, good consequences are those which increase well-being in the world, while bad consequences are those which decrease it. Philosophers use the term well-being to describe everything that is good for a person in itself, as opposed to things only instrumentally good for a person. For example, money can buy many useful things and is thus good for a person instrumentally, but it is not a component of their well-being.
Utilitarianism and decision making in Government
• In its political philosophy, utilitarianism bases the authority of government and the sanctity of individual rights upon their utility, thus providing an alternative to theories of natural law, natural rights, or social contract.
• What kind of government is best thus becomes a question of what kind of government has the best consequences—an assessment that requires factual premises regarding human nature and behaviour.
• In economic policy, the early utilitarians had tended to oppose governmental interference in trade and industry on the assumption that the economy would regulate itself for the greatest welfare if left alone;
• Later utilitarians, however, lost confidence in the social efficiency of private enterprise and were willing to see governmental power and administration used to correct its abuses.
Limitations
• A limitation of utilitarianism is that it tends to create a black-and-white construct of morality. In utilitarian ethics, there are no shades of gray—either something is wrong or it is right.
• Utilitarianism also cannot predict with certainty whether the consequences of our actions will be good or bad—the results of our actions happen in the future.
• Utilitarianism also has trouble accounting for values like justice and individual rights. For example, say a hospital has four people whose lives depend upon receiving organ transplants: a heart, lungs, a kidney, and a liver. If a healthy person wanders into the hospital, his organs could be harvested to save four lives at the expense of his one life. This would arguably produce the greatest good for the greatest number. But few would consider it an acceptable course of action, let alone an ethical one.
Conclusion
Utilitarianism is a form of consequentialism because it rests on the idea that it is the consequences or results of actions, laws, policies, etc. that determine whether they are good or bad, right or wrong. In general, whatever is being evaluated, we ought to choose the one that will produce the best overall results. In the language of utilitarians, we should choose the option that “maximizes utility,” i.e. that action or policy that produces the largest amount of good.
Topic: Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in-human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics – in private and public relationships.
Topic: Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in-human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics – in private and public relationships.
7. By emphasizing the importance of liberty and its relationship with justice, Rawls’ theory has influenced political philosophy, public policy, and debates on social justice. Elaborate. (150 words)
Difficulty level: Tough
Reference: plato.stanford.edu
Why the question: The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4. Directive word: Elaborate – 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: Start by describing the Rawl’s theory of justice. Body: Elaborate on Rawls developed a theory of justice based on social contract theory, holding that the natural state of human beings is freedom, not subjugation to a monarch, no matter how benign or well intentioned. Rawls’s theory views human beings as inherently good and, echoing Kant, inclined toward moral rectitude and action. Next, write a critique that Rawls’s theory focuses primarily on the issue of distribution, because decisions made in ignorance can neither reward innovation and enterprise nor encourage risk. Conclusion: Complete by summarising.
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4.
Directive word:
Elaborate – 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:
Start by describing the Rawl’s theory of justice.
Elaborate on Rawls developed a theory of justice based on social contract theory, holding that the natural state of human beings is freedom, not subjugation to a monarch, no matter how benign or well intentioned. Rawls’s theory views human beings as inherently good and, echoing Kant, inclined toward moral rectitude and action.
Next, write a critique that Rawls’s theory focuses primarily on the issue of distribution, because decisions made in ignorance can neither reward innovation and enterprise nor encourage risk.
Conclusion:
Complete by summarising.
Introduction
John Rawls was an American moral and political philosopher in the liberal tradition. Rawls’s theory of justice revolves around the adaptation of two fundamental principles of justice which would, in turn, guarantee a just and morally acceptable society. The first principle guarantees the right of each person to have the most extensive basic liberty compatible with the liberty of others. The second principle states that social and economic positions are to be to everyone’s advantage and open to all.
John Rawls theory of Social Justice guarantees a just and morally acceptable society:
• Rawls’ theory of justice as fairness encompasses a central contention that principles of justice is essential to the structure of a constitutional democracy. It must be viewed as political in contrast to more comprehensive moral, philosophical or religious doctrines.
• His concept of social justice gives emphasis to fairness, it must be fair to all, to the most talented as well as the most disadvantaged section.
• Rawls uses the idea of a veil of ignorance to argue that fair and just distribution can be defended on rational grounds. He says that if a person keeps herself/himself under the ‘veil of ignorance’ then s/he would come up with the just distribution, fair laws and policies that would affect the whole society.
• Rawls further says that the institutions must be fair or just. They must keep themselves above parochial interests. In many societies there are such institutions which have been created to serve group’s interests and such institutions cannot serve the interests of justice.
• The contents of the “social primary goods” specified by Rawls are of particular importance, for the fair distribution of them, namely, liberty and opportunity, income and wealth and basis of self-respect in a society will undoubtedly help to achieve the much-needed social justice.
• For example: The recent 10% reservation for the Economically Weaker Sections in education and jobs; reservations for SC/ST etc.
• Another important aspect of his theory is that while laying emphasis on the equal distribution of the “social primary goods”, he envisages “an unequal distribution” of the “social primary goods” if such unequal distribution is “to the advantage of the least favoured”.
• Example: progressive tax system in India, multi-tiered GST system, Philanthropy.
• In envisaging such “unequal distribution” of the social primary goods to benefit the “least favoured” in the society.
Critical assessment
• Advocates of strict equality argue that inequalities permitted by the Difference Principle are unacceptable even if they do benefit the least advantaged.
• The Utilitarian objection to the Difference Principle is that it does not maximize utility. In A Theory of Justice, Rawls uses Utilitarianism as the main theory for comparison with his own, and hence he responds at length to this Utilitarian objection and argues for his own theory in preference to Utilitarianism
• Libertarians object that the Difference Principle involves unacceptable infringements on liberty. For instance, the Difference Principle may require redistributive taxation to the poor, and Libertarians commonly object that such taxation involves the immoral taking of just holdings.
• The Difference Principle is also criticized as a primary distributive principle on the grounds that it mostly ignores claims that people deservecertain economic benefits in light of their actions.
• Advocates of Desert-Based Principles argue that some may deserve a higher level of material goods because of their hard work or contributions even if their unequal rewards do not also function to improve the position of the least advantaged.
• They also argue that the Difference Principle ignores the explanations of how people come to be in the more or less advantaged groups, when such explanations are relevant to the fairness of these positions.
• The Original Position and the Veil of Ignorance may exclude some morally relevant information. the theory excludes in order to promote rationality and is biased in favor of rationality.
• Some criticize it for being similar to Utilitarianism in as much as these two principles could permit or demand inequalities and suffering in order to benefit the least well off.
• There is also the difficulty in applying the theory to practice. It is difficult if not impossible for people to place themselves under the Veil of Ignorance in the Original Position in order to formulate what conduct would be required of them by the MAXI MIN Principle.
• Some question whether or not people are rational enough to assume the veil of ignorance and operate under the two principles.
• The theory was developed more to handle problems within society and there are difficulties in applying the principles to individual decision-making involving specific others.
Conclusion:
His works have influenced famous thinkers like Amartya Sen, Thomas Nagel, Thomas Pogge etc. The concept of Social and Economic Justice is adopted in our Constitution in the form of Directive Principles of State Policy.
*Value addition:*
*Basic principles of his theory:*
• Rawls suggests two basic principles of justice.
• *Principle of Equal Liberty: It means each person is to have an equal right to the most extensive basic liberty compatible with a similar liberty for others. Examples: freedom of thought, speech and expression, universal suffrage, freedom from arbitrary arrest and seizure, the right to hold public office etc.*
• It means each person is to have an equal right to the most extensive basic liberty compatible with a similar liberty for others.
• Examples: freedom of thought, speech and expression, universal suffrage, freedom from arbitrary arrest and seizure, the right to hold public office etc.
• *Difference Principle: There are 2 parts under this* Fair equality of opportunity: *It postulates that public policies are reasonably expected to be to everyone’s advantage and public position and offices are open to all.* Difference principle: *It justifies only those social and economic inequalities that maximize benefits to the least advantaged citizens.*
• *Fair equality of opportunity: *It postulates that public policies are reasonably expected to be to everyone’s advantage and public position and offices are open to all.
• *Difference principle: *It justifies only those social and economic inequalities that maximize benefits to the least advantaged citizens.
• These principles provide an operating logic for the determination of public interest by the decision- makers.
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