Sign Up

Have an account?

Sign In

Don't have account,

Forgot Password

Lost your password? Please enter your email address. You will receive a link and will create a new password via email.


Have an account?

Sorry, you do not have permission to ask a question, You must login to ask a question.

Need An Account,

Sorry, you do not have permission to ask a question, You must login to ask a question.

Need An Account,

Please briefly explain why you feel this question should be reported.

Please briefly explain why you feel this answer should be reported.

Please briefly explain why you feel this user should be reported.

Search
Ask A Question

Gopal Sharma

Begginer
Ask Gopal Sharma
6 Visits
Followers
Home/ Gopal Sharma/Followed

Mains Answer Writing Latest Questions

Sakshi Rao
  • 1
Sakshi RaoBegginer
Asked: August 6, 2024In:
  • 1

Examine the initiatives to decentralize power and develop local self-government through Panchayati Raj and urban local bodies.

upsc: polity since independence
  1. Hirak Roy Chowdhury
    Hirak Roy Chowdhury Begginer

    The initiatives to decentralize power and strengthen local self-governance were ensured through the 73rd and 74th Amendment Acts in 1992. Part IX and Part IX-A deal with the two respectively. Structure of PRI: Gram Panchayat: The smallest unit, governing a village or a group of villages. Panchayat SRead more

    The initiatives to decentralize power and strengthen local self-governance were ensured through the 73rd and 74th Amendment Acts in 1992. Part IX and Part IX-A deal with the two respectively.

    Structure of PRI:

    1. Gram Panchayat: The smallest unit, governing a village or a group of villages.
    2. Panchayat Samiti: The middle tier, which covers a block or a group of neighboring villages.
    3. Zilla Parishad: The top tier at the district level, overseeing multiple blocks.

    Structure of ULB’s:

    1. Municipalities: For smaller urban areas, often classified into Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayats.
    2. Municipal Corporations: For larger urban areas or cities, which handle more complex administrative functions.

    Initiatives taken by the Government: 

    1. Increased Representation: Both Panchayati Raj institutions and ULBs have significantly increased local representation and involvement in governance. Promoting people participation in the democracy.
    2. Reservation of Seats: In Panchayati Raj system via the 73rd Amendment and in ULBs via the 74th Amendment acts, the reservation of seats for SCs, STs, and women (33%) have been assured.
    3. State Election Commission: Each state has a State Election Commission responsible for the regular free and fair  conduct of elections of Urban Local Bodies and PRI.
    4. Local Development: There has been progress in local infrastructure and development projects, such as roads, schools, and sanitation facilities.
    5. Empowerment of Women: The reservation for women in both systems has empowered many women to take on leadership roles, thus breaking free of the shackles of patriarchy, which is starkly prominent in rural areas.

    Conclusion: Overall, while significant strides have been made in decentralizing power and promoting local self-governance in India, ongoing efforts are needed to address the challenges and ensure these systems operate effectively for the benefit of all citizens.

    See less
Sandra
  • 1
SandraBegginer
Asked: July 17, 2024In: , , , , , , , , , ,
  • 1

According to you, is euthanasia a personal autonomy issue or does it create a slippery slope leading to the devaluation of human life?

question
  1. Hetal Bansal
    Hetal Bansal Begginer

    Euthanasia is a complex and deeply contested issue, often framed as either a matter of personal autonomy or a potential slippery slope leading to the devaluation of human life. Personal Autonomy Proponents of euthanasia argue that it is fundamentally about personal autonomy and the right to self-detRead more

    Euthanasia is a complex and deeply contested issue, often framed as either a matter of personal autonomy or a potential slippery slope leading to the devaluation of human life.

    Personal Autonomy

    Proponents of euthanasia argue that it is fundamentally about personal autonomy and the right to self-determination. They believe that individuals should have the freedom to choose how and when they die, especially in cases of terminal illness and unbearable suffering. From this perspective:

    • Dignity: Allowing euthanasia can provide a dignified end to life, aligning with the individual’s wishes.
    • Compassion: It can be an act of compassion, relieving someone from prolonged pain and suffering.
    • Control: It gives individuals control over their own lives and deaths, respecting their autonomy and personal choices.

    Slippery Slope

    Opponents, however, caution that legalizing euthanasia could lead to a slippery slope where the value of human life is undermined. They worry about:

    • Abuse and Coercion: Vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, disabled, or economically disadvantaged, might be pressured into choosing euthanasia.
    • Moral and Ethical Implications: It could lead to a broader acceptance of ending lives in cases beyond terminal illness, such as severe depression or non-terminal conditions.
    • Erosion of Medical Ethics: It could conflict with the medical profession’s duty to preserve life and do no harm, potentially eroding trust in healthcare providers.

    Balancing the Two Perspectives

    The debate involves balancing individual rights with broader societal implications. Legal frameworks in various jurisdictions attempt to address these concerns through stringent regulations and safeguards. These include requiring multiple medical opinions, psychological evaluations, and strict eligibility criteria to ensure that euthanasia is a well-considered, voluntary decision made without external pressure.

    In conclusion, whether euthanasia is viewed primarily as a matter of personal autonomy or a slippery slope leading to the devaluation of human life depends on one’s ethical framework and societal values. Both perspectives have valid concerns that need to be carefully weighed in the discussion and legislation of euthanasia.

    See less
KritiS
  • 1
KritiSBegginer
Asked: July 17, 2024In:
  • 1

How do plate tectonics explain the distribution of earthquakes and volcanic activities around the world?

earthquakesgeographyplate tectonics
  1. Gopal Sharma
    Gopal Sharma Begginer

    Plate tectonics provide a comprehensive explanation for the global distribution of earthquakes and volcanic activities. Here's how plate tectonics theory explains these phenomena: Plate Boundaries: Most earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur at the boundaries between Earth's tectonic plates. At coRead more

    Plate tectonics provide a comprehensive explanation for the global distribution of earthquakes and volcanic activities. Here’s how plate tectonics theory explains these phenomena:

    1. Plate Boundaries:
      • Most earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur at the boundaries between Earth’s tectonic plates.
      • At convergent plate boundaries, where two plates collide, one plate typically subducts (or is pushed) under the other, leading to intense seismic and volcanic activity along the subduction zone.
      • At divergent plate boundaries, where plates are moving apart, molten magma rises to fill the gap, creating mid-ocean ridges and volcanic activity.
      • Transform plate boundaries, where plates slide past each other, also experience significant earthquake activity.
    2. Subduction Zones:
      • At subduction zones, the downgoing plate is subjected to intense stress and friction, generating deep earthquakes as the plate bends and descends into the Earth’s mantle.
      • The melting and dehydration of the subducting plate also leads to the formation of volcanoes in the overlying plate, creating volcanic arcs like the Pacific Ring of Fire.
    3. Mid-Ocean Ridges:
      • At mid-ocean ridges, where plates are moving apart, new oceanic crust is continuously being formed, generating a high level of seismic activity along the ridge axis.
      • Volcanic activity is also common at mid-ocean ridges, as magma wells up to fill the gap between the diverging plates.
    4. Transform Faults:
      • Transform faults, where plates slide past each other, experience significant earthquake activity due to the stresses and friction along the fault line.
      • While transform faults are not typically associated with volcanic activity, they can sometimes be the site of limited volcanic eruptions.
    5. Intraplate Regions:
      • Although most earthquakes and volcanoes are concentrated at plate boundaries, some seismic and volcanic activity can also occur within the interior of tectonic plates, known as intraplate regions.
      • These intraplate events are often associated with hotspots, mantle plumes, or other geological phenomena that can cause localized volcanic and seismic activity.
    See less
KritiS
  • 1
KritiSBegginer
Asked: July 17, 2024In:
  • 1

Explain the concept of plate tectonics and its role in the formation of major physical features on the Earth.

physical features
  1. Gopal Sharma
    Gopal Sharma Begginer

    Plate tectonics is the scientific theory that explains the large-scale motion of the Earth's surface. According to this theory, the Earth's outermost solid layer, known as the lithosphere, is broken into several large pieces called tectonic plates. These plates are in constant motion, driven by convRead more

    Plate tectonics is the scientific theory that explains the large-scale motion of the Earth’s surface. According to this theory, the Earth’s outermost solid layer, known as the lithosphere, is broken into several large pieces called tectonic plates. These plates are in constant motion, driven by convection currents in the underlying molten mantle layer.

    The key principles of plate tectonics are:

    1. Plate Movement: The tectonic plates are constantly moving, colliding, pulling apart, or sliding past one another at their boundaries. This motion is powered by convection currents in the Earth’s mantle.
    2. Plate Boundaries: Where plates meet, they form three main types of boundaries: convergent (where plates collide), divergent (where plates move apart), and transform (where plates slide past one another).
    3. Geological Activity: The interactions at plate boundaries drive many of the major geological processes that shape the Earth’s surface, including earthquakes, volcanic activity, mountain building, and oceanic trench formation.

    The formation of major physical features on Earth is closely tied to plate tectonics:

    • Mid-Ocean Ridges: At divergent boundaries, new oceanic crust is continuously formed as plates move apart, creating underwater mountain ranges like the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
    • Volcanic Arcs and Subduction Zones: At convergent boundaries, one plate is pushed beneath another, causing melting of the subducting plate and volcanic activity on the overriding plate, forming features like the volcanic islands of the Ring of Fire.
    • Mountain Ranges: Collisions between plates can lead to the uplift and folding of the Earth’s crust, forming major mountain ranges like the Himalayas and the Rocky Mountains.
    • Oceanic Trenches: Deep, narrow depressions in the ocean floor, like the Mariana Trench, are formed where one plate is subducted beneath another at a convergent boundary.
    • Continental Drift: The gradual movement of the continents over geological time scales, as the plates they are embedded in move, has led to the breakup and reassembly of supercontinents like Pangaea.
    See less
Samruddhi Patil
  • 1
Samruddhi PatilLearner
Asked: July 17, 2024In:
  • 1

  1. Gopal Sharma
    Gopal Sharma Begginer

    This is a complex and long-debated question in moral philosophy. There are arguments on both sides, and reasonable people can disagree. On one hand, moral dilemmas often involve competing ethical principles or values that cannot be easily reconciled. For example, a situation where telling the truthRead more

    This is a complex and long-debated question in moral philosophy. There are arguments on both sides, and reasonable people can disagree.

    • On one hand, moral dilemmas often involve competing ethical principles or values that cannot be easily reconciled. For example, a situation where telling the truth would cause harm, while lying would prevent harm. In such cases, there may not be a clear “right” answer, as different moral frameworks would prioritize the competing ethical considerations differently.
    • Proponents of moral relativism would argue that there are no universal moral truths, and that the “right” course of action depends on the specific context and one’s underlying ethical framework. They would say that moral dilemmas are inherently ambiguous and that there is no definitive solution that holds true in all situations.
    • On the other hand, moral realists believe that there are objective moral facts and truths that exist independent of what any individual or culture believes. They would argue that in principle, there are right answers to moral dilemmas, but they may be difficult to discern due to the complexity of the situation or our own cognitive biases.
    • Ultimately, I don’t think there is a clear consensus among moral philosophers on this question. Some argue that while many moral dilemmas may not have a single, unambiguous solution, careful moral reasoning and philosophical analysis can at least help us narrow down the range of permissible or justifiable actions, even if it doesn’t deliver a definitive answer.
    • In practice, I believe that many moral dilemmas do require careful, context-dependent analysis to navigate. But I also believe that developing robust moral principles, cultivating moral wisdom, and striving for impartiality can help us make more ethically sound decisions, even in the face of challenging moral quandaries. The quest for moral knowledge and clarity is an ongoing one.
    See less
Shreyas Rao
  • 1
Shreyas RaoBegginer
Asked: July 13, 2024In:
  • 1

Explain if the modernism of the law is sufficient to address the issue of domestic violence and abuse.

upsc: women
  1. Gopal Sharma
    Gopal Sharma Begginer

    Domestic violence is abuse by one partner against another in an intimate relationship such as dating, marriage, cohabitation, or a familial relationship. It is also categorized as domestic abuse, spousal abuse, battering, family violence, dating abuse, and intimate partner violence (IPV). It can beRead more

    Domestic violence is abuse by one partner against another in an intimate relationship such as dating, marriage, cohabitation, or a familial relationship. It is also categorized as domestic abuse, spousal abuse, battering, family violence, dating abuse, and intimate partner violence (IPV). It can be physical, emotional, verbal, economic, and sexual abuse as well as subtle, coercive, or violent.

    Legislative Framework

    1. Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005: It provides victims of domestic violence with a means for practical remedy through prosecution. Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 ensures the reporting of cases of domestic violence against women to a Protection Officer. The Act was to make justice available to women who may not always want criminal proceedings and would want to keep the option of reconciliation alive.
    2. The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961: It prohibits the request, payment, or acceptance of a dowry.
    3. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO), 2012: It was enacted to protect minors from offenses of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and pornography while safeguarding the interest of the child at every stage of the judicial process.
    4. The Dowry Prohibition (DP) Act 1961: This legislation prohibits the request, payment, or acceptance of a dowry, “as consideration for the marriage”. Here “dowry” is defined as a gift demanded or given as a precondition for a marriage. Gifts given without a precondition are not considered dowry and are legal. Asking or giving of dowry can be punished by imprisonment of up to six months, a fine of up to Rs. 15000 or the amount of dowry (whichever is higher), or imprisonment up to 5 years.
    5. Section 304B (dowry death) and Section 498A (cruelty by husband or his relatives) have been integrated into the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
    6. Section 113 B (presumption as to dowry death) has been made part of the Indian Evidence Act (I.E.A.) so as to eradicate or at least lower down this heinous act of dowry system and related deaths.

    Failure Of Legislative Framework

    1. In recent times, violence against women has increased in India. Further, various data suggest that the domestic violence cases in India have also increased after the mandatory stay-at-home rules, social distancing, economic uncertainties, and anxieties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
    2. According to the National Crime Record Bureau’s “Crime in India” 2019 report, the majority of cases under crime against women under IPC were registered under cruelty by husband or his relatives (30.9%).
    3. Cruelty was defined as including both physical and mental cruelty, or any harassment associated with demand for dowry. The definition of cruelty under 498A is worded in such vague terms that it was difficult to bring issues of sexual violence, economic violence under its ambit.
    4. While section 304B is specifically for dowry-related deaths, 498A can be invoked for other forms of violence. The major concern here is only married women or their families can seek redressal under 498A, thus women not in natal relationships fall outside their safety net.
    5. The existing civil laws fail to provide effective and timely relief to women facing violence. Often the women are thrown out of the houses, the houses later sold or rented dispossess the women completely. The courts can give injunction orders but civil suits, in general, are slow and time-consuming in our country.
    6. There is a lack of support system for women facing violence from the state, the judiciary too has its own jurisprudence challenges in these matters, the meaning of shared household, domestic relationship under PWDVA have often troubled courts.(S R Batra vs Taruna Batra).
    7. One of the challenges has been a woman had to prove that she was driven to contemplate suicide, or that her life was in danger before she could access the law. This led to the discretion of the police as to whether the conduct of the husband was of such a nature as mentioned above.

    Steps Other Than Legislative Framework

    1. Gender sensitization: A gender sensitization of all stakeholders is an important component of effective responses to domestic violence. It should form part of the curriculum of training of the police, judiciary, bureaucracy, policymakers, social workers, counselors, and other service providers.
    2. Raise Public Awareness: It is important to generate public awareness on domestic violence as a violation of human rights. Educational strategies aimed at changing attitudes, beliefs, and biases of law enforcers, the judiciary, and citizens need to be developed and implemented.
    3. Economic empowerment: So many women stay in destructive relationships because they will be homeless, with their children, if they leave. Divorce financial distributions need to be much fairer. Policy changes that tend to help women financially like raising the minimum wage, universal basic income can make a difference.
    4. Police and justice services should ensure that incidents of violence against women and girls are given high priority with no impunity for perpetrators.
    5. Social action to prevent violence requires neighborhood vigilance and the creation of new socioeconomic options (through employment opportunities and skill training) for women who are likely to face violence.
    6. Democratize our institutions for combating domestic violence. The three steps in this regard could be:
    1. Democratization of family to allow women to be an equal partner in decision-making.
    2. No discrimination between sexes in society.
    3. Equal representation of women in the state.

    Article 21 of our constitution ensures the right to live with dignity for women. Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 has not helped much in preventing domestic violence. A comprehensive effort is required and the societal and government levels.

    See less
Dhruv Kapoor
  • 1
Dhruv KapoorLearner
Asked: July 12, 2024In:
  • 1

Despite producing enough food grains to feed all 1.38 billion people, India continues to rank low on the Global Hunger Index. Analyze critically.

upsc: poverty & hunger
  1. Gopal Sharma
    Gopal Sharma Begginer

    In India, food-grain production increased from 217 million tonnes in 2006-07 to 275.11 million tonnes in 2016-17. The government proudly concluded that the country was not only self-sufficient but had enough to export. Despite tonnes of food grains being stored in the government godowns across the cRead more

    In India, food-grain production increased from 217 million tonnes in 2006-07 to 275.11 million tonnes in 2016-17. The government proudly concluded that the country was not only self-sufficient but had enough to export. Despite tonnes of food grains being stored in the government godowns across the country, India ranks 102 out of 117 countries in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2019. It is much below to its South Asian neighbours such as Nepal, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.

    Hunger In India

    1. India’s stunting rate of children under the age of five, owing to a combination of low calories and low micronutrient intake, was 37.9 percent according to GHI 2019.
    2. The wasting level in India is extremely high, at 20.8 per cent.
    3. The GHI report stated that some 9.6 percent of children between 6 and 23 months received a minimum acceptable diet.
    4. As per the Global Nutrition Report, India ranks 170th out of 185 countries on the prevalence of anaemia. Anaemia continues to affect 50 per cent of women, including pregnant women, and 60 percent of children in the country.

    Causes Of Hunger Despite Surplus Food Grains Production

    1. A complex system of procurement and distribution: The distribution of food grain is based on a complex system of classification of and distribution to different sections of the people: Above Poverty Line (APL), Below Poverty Line (BPL), Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Open Market Sales.
    2. Internal Migration: Due to migration and absence of permanent residence, it is difficult for people to access their food grains. Current PDS system provides food grains only at registered addresses and specific fair price shops.
    3. Black marketing, corruption and leakages: PDS is yet to be fully digitised. Therefore there is a huge scope of corruption. Lack of storage infrastructure leads to wastage of huge amounts of food grains every year.
    4. Prevailing social practices: Because of certain social and cultural practices, nutritious food does not reach the needy especially women and children. For example, women of the family eat after men, limited dietary options leading to insufficient nutrient consumption.
    5. Lack of localised infrastructure and decentralisation: It leads to bureaucratic and transportation delays and affects the timely availability of food grains.
    6. Food security is not nutritional security: PDS system usually provide wheat and rice. Pulses and other protein sources are not as cheaply available as wheat and rice. Limited options lead to hidden hunger in the form of nutritional deficiencies.

    Achievements Of India

    Though prima facie data and statistics present a stark picture, there are hundreds of government initiatives and schemes which significantly improved the situation of India since independence.

    1. The prevalence of malnutrition in children 6-59 months in India has declined between 2005-06 to 2015-16 with chronic malnutrition decreasing from 48.0 percent to 38.4 percent and underweight decreasing from 42.5 percent to 35.7 percent.
    2. Stunting has declined by one fifth during the last decade with an annual decline of around one percent. The POSHAN Abhiyan targets to decline stunting from 30 percent to 25 percent by 2022.
    3. The introduction of mid-day meals at schools and Anganwadi systems to provide rations to pregnant and lactating mothers are also giving positive results.
    4. Implementation of the National Food Security Act 2013 is the largest step taken to provide food security to more than 60% of the population.
    5. Direct benefit transfer of up to 6000 rupees to new mothers under various schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Matritave Vandana Yojana, etc is also helping in the improvement of women by giving them the choice of diet selection.

    Measures For Further Improvements

    1. Digitisation of ration cards and PDS system will help in improving the efficiency of service delivery. Also, duplication of beneficiaries will be reduced giving space to the inclusion of hitherto left out needy populations.
    2. “One nation One Ration” should be implemented on mission mode to enable accessibility throughout India.
    3. Food security should be addressed along with nutritional security.
    4. Awareness about healthy food habits and diverse varieties of nutritious meals will also help in the reduction of hidden hunger.

    Goal 2 of the 2030 Sustainable Development agenda seeks to end hunger and all forms of malnutrition and double agricultural productivity in the next 15 years. Ensuring this sustainable access to nutritious food universally will require sustainable food production as well as efficient government policies.

    See less
Abhishek Gupta
  • 2
Abhishek GuptaLearner
Asked: July 12, 2024In:
  • 2

Movements within civil society promote a range of causes and alter existing structures. To what extent do you believe Indian civil society organizations have performed this function?

upsc: vulnerable sections
  1. Gopal Sharma
    Gopal Sharma Begginer

    Civil Society is seen as a conglomeration of associations formed voluntarily where citizens freely pursue collective identities and interests. According to the World Bank: “Civil society refers to a wide array of organizations: community groups, non-governmental organizations [NGOs], labour unions,Read more

    Civil Society is seen as a conglomeration of associations formed voluntarily where citizens freely pursue collective identities and interests. According to the World Bank: “Civil society refers to a wide array of organizations: community groups, non-governmental organizations [NGOs], labour unions, indigenous groups, charitable organizations, faith-based organizations, professional associations, and foundations. New actors in the civil society ecosystem include social movements, online activists, bloggers and others. All the new initiatives of the government require the participation and awareness of people and there is no better organisation than the civil society to achieve this objective.

    Success Of Civil Society Organization

    1. The civil society movements like the Chipko, Apiko movements of the past for the protection of trees to the present day Aravali Bachao and Narmada Bachao Abhiyan raised awareness about environment-related issues.
    2. CSIs are the biodiversity reserves for preserving a vast variety of ideas and beliefs. They are incubators for innovative approaches to resolving problems which neither the state nor the market has been able to crack—such as guarding civil liberties, or the lack of basic services to the majority.
    3. Filing of Public Interest Litigations on matters relevant to the common public by organizations like Common Cause Delhi and Consumer Education and Research Centre, the Association for Democratic Reforms.
    4. Anti-corruption movements and the changes in the outlook of people in India regarding this serious issue of corruption have impacts on the political structure of India. Although corruption has not died down completely the awareness due to the civil society movement has affected the corrupt structure greatly.
    5. From causes like protection of freedom of expression or be it for the fight of LGBT community against the decriminalisation under section -377 of IPC or be it the fight of women against instant triple talaq there is present the active contribution and wholehearted support of civil society.
    6. Civil society movements have played an immense role in bringing numerous governance reforms. Civil society movements can be credited for bringing a novel form of accountability measures like Jan Sunwai, RTI act, Citizen charter campaign by an organization like PRAJA.
    7. Role of Swacchagrahis has a visible impact in changing the behaviour of people to stop open defecation practices in rural areas. Similarly, Swachha iconic places and Swachhata Pakwada are instances of roles of civil society in bringing out transformation in society.

    Issues In Civil Societies Functioning

    1. The success of civil society organization in tackling instances like eradication of manual scavenging and other social and caste-based disabilities has been lacklustre.
    2. Civil society organizations are accused of lack of coordination among themselves. For example, civil societies working on Dalit issues will not work on Dalit women issues and there is no cooperation and utilization of expertise in other related areas of the same cause.
    3. Civil society groups are often seen as “self- appointed do-gooders‟, not accountable to any constituency other than their donors. Many are seen as corrupt, or at least venal, and as personal fiefdoms of charismatic founders who continue in leadership positions long after their passion for the cause has died.
    4. In recent years civil society organizations are seeing their working spaces being reduced due to repressive state actions. In 2016 Govt had to impose a ban on many NGOs including NAZ foundation for alleged violation of FCRA as per CBI report.
    5. The lack of transparency in civil society organizations has also hurt their image and created a negative perception regarding them among the public. This has created issues of trust between them and the public they wish to serve.

    To Improve Their Effectiveness, Following Steps May Be Adopted

    1. Civil society organizations have to improve their internal governing and accountability standards in terms of their source of funding, working etc. This will help negate their negative image and build trust.
    2. The accusations against civil societies are that they work in those areas where they can earn a name or those which are ‘fancy’. This needs to be changed.
    3. Rather than working in silos, CSOs has to cooperate among themselves while working towards a common goal.
    4. The regulatory framework for these organizations must be improved. State regulation more often than not will result in curbing the voices of those CSOs which are against the government. The ideal way of regulation is to create a self-regulatory body by CSOs themselves like the Advertising Standards Council of India.

    Civil society groups have put pressure on erring governments to reform corrupt practices. They have also provided monitoring mechanisms to track corruption by educating members of the public and associating them in anti-corruption efforts. They have helped generate demand for reducing corruption and introducing systemic reforms. On the whole, these civil society engagements are path-breaking initiatives that have emerged out of an urge to serve the needs of the common man and have involved a great deal of educating people and mobilizing them.

    See less
Aadhav Murthy
  • 2
Aadhav MurthyLearner
Asked: July 12, 2024In:
  • 2

The reserve program has not succeeded in accomplishing its goals even after decades of independence. Examine if subcategorization of caste-based reservations is necessary in this situation.

upsc: vulnerable sections
  1. Gopal Sharma
    Gopal Sharma Begginer

    The two main aims to provide reservation as per the Constitution of India are Advancement of Scheduled Castes (SC) and the Scheduled Tribes (ST) or any socially and educationally backward classes of citizens (Eg: OBC) or economically weaker sections (EWS). To an extent, reservation as a policy is puRead more

    The two main aims to provide reservation as per the Constitution of India are Advancement of Scheduled Castes (SC) and the Scheduled Tribes (ST) or any socially and educationally backward classes of citizens (Eg: OBC) or economically weaker sections (EWS). To an extent, reservation as a policy is pursued by the State to correct the historical injustice done to certain castes by the so-called “upper castes”.

    Reservations Have Failed Their Intended Objectives

    1. Eradication, not perpetuation of caste was the objective of the reservation policy but caste Based Reservation only perpetuated the notion of caste in society.
    2. Reservation was introduced to ensure that the historically underprivileged communities were given equal access to resources but irrespective of the economic progress they continue to remain socially disadvantaged.
    3. It has become a tool to meet narrow political ends through invoking class loyalties and primordial identities.
    4. The dominant and elite class within the backward castes has appropriated the benefits of reservation and the most marginalised within the backward castes have remained marginalised.
    5. Reservation has become the mechanism of exclusion rather than inclusion as many upper caste poors are also facing discrimination and injustice which breeds frustration in the society.
    6. The benefits of the reservation were successively enjoyed only by a few communities (or families), excluding the truly deserving ones. Even 70 years after independence, the demand for reservation has only increased.

    Need For Sub Categorisation

    Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes are made up of several castes which are not homogenous. It is argued that some of the castes among the category remain grossly under-represented despite reservation in comparison to other Scheduled Castes. This inequality within the Scheduled Castes is underlined in several reports, and special quotas have been framed to address it.

    1. As India is a welfare state, its obligation is to undertake the emancipation of the deprived section of the community and eradicate inequalities.
    2. When the reservation creates inequalities within the reserved castes itself, it is required to be taken care of by the State making sub-classification and adopting a distributive justice method so that State resources do not concentrate in few hands and equal justice to all is provided.
    3. Justice involves redistribution and reallocation of resources and opportunities and equitable access to all public and social goods to fulfil the very purpose of the constitutional mandate of equal justice to all.
    4. If sub-classification is denied, it would defeat the right to equality by treating unequal as equal. There are unequals within the list of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and socially and educationally backward classes.
    5. Various reports indicate that Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes do not constitute a homogenous group. The Supreme Court has also stated that States can sub-classify SC and ST in the Central List to provide preferential treatment to the “weakest out of the weak”.

    Arguments Against Sub-classification

    1. The argument is that the test or requirement of social and educational backwardness cannot be applied to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
    2. The special treatment is given to the SCs due to untouchability with which they have suffered since ages.
    3. In the N M Thomas V/S State Of Kerala case in 1976, the Supreme Court itself has admitted that Scheduled Castes are not castes but they are a class and hence should be treated as a class.
    4. Sub categorisation will be used to appease one vote-bank or the other among the SC/ST and thus a cause of social justice would end being politicised.

    The Supreme Court of India in the landmark Mandal case had held that there was no constitutional bar on a state classifying SEBCs as backward and more backward. The constitutional goal of social transformation cannot be achieved without taking into account changing social realities.

    Social Security Of Senior Citizens In Nascent Stage

    A recent survey by Agewell Research and Advocacy Centre for the United Nations showed that around 51% of respondents were not satisfied with the overall status of social security schemes for the elderly in India. Around 53% of the elderly find it difficult in utilizing the social security schemes and 79% found these are not sufficient to meet their basic needs, which shows the amateur approach of addressing the old age population.

    1. Insufficient Support: The allocation of IGNOAPS of Rs.200/500/month is highly underrated considering the inflation across period and living conditions.
    2. The Ministry of Social Justice which is the nodal ministry for senior citizen welfare is one among the ministries whose funds are most underutilised. Despite very less budgetary allocations compared to other ministries, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment recently found the ministry spending only 66.58 per cent of the funds allocated.
    3. Urban Bias in schemes: Most old age schemes are oriented to urban areas, as the old age homes are spread across urban areas. This is despite more than 65% population living in rural areas.
    4. Poor palliative set up in hospitals: The ideals mentioned in schemes like National Programme for the Health Care of Elderly (NPHCE) are poorly implemented in the grassroots level. Poor infrastructure facilities in rural hospitals offer no respite to old age.
    5. Not addressing the “ Feminisation” of old age: Most of the schemes are gender-neutral and this marginalises the increasing female old age population.
    6. Bureaucratisation of schemes: Despite initiating reforms like Aadhaar enabled Bank accounts, DBT through JAM trinity, there are many cases of exclusion of old age due to complex procedures. For example, an instance of a woman in Odisha pulling her paralyzed mother in a cot to the bank to verify her account.
    7. Generic medical facilities: Not addressing the rising Non Communicable diseases among old age population.
    8. Rising Mental issues and social isolation are addressed in policy spheres. Most of the policy documents are silent on the aspect of utilising the rich experience of the old age population.
    9. Randomisation of selections of scheme beneficiary: Most of the schemes like RVY are appropriated by the well to do category .
    10. Lack of awareness of schemes: Most of the rural citizens are only aware of the IGNOAPS and not of any other rights like MWPSC Act and other benefits.
    11. Schemes not tailored for suiting the illiterate and non-technocratic masses.
    12. By the end of the 2050s, India’s beneficial demographic dividend will be closing and the rising old age population will be a reality. This category of citizens needs a holistic policy with visionary guidelines and sufficient funding to make our governance structure ready for it. States like Kerala, Tamilnadu which have good rural and primary health facilities are initiating coordinated Geriatric care which is a welcome initiative

    There needs to be a re-modelling of existing schemes and laws. Old age welfare by social security should not be accorded a peripheral position in the governance sphere and a Centre-state continuous discussion forum is needed. Recent amendments to Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens (Amendment) Bill, 2019 is a welcome initiative.

    See less

Resources & Suggestions

Mains Answer Writing Latest Articles

On: February 22, 2025 Comments: 0

Indo-US Relation: Areas of Cooperation & Conflicts

Key Areas: Defense, technology, trade, energy, and regional cooperation. Key Areas of Cooperation 1. Defense and Security Transition from buyer-seller to co-production and technology sharing. India as a Major Defense Partner (MDP) and inclusion in STA-1. Access to advanced technologies, ...

On: February 22, 2025 Comments: 0

भारत-अमेरिका संबंध: सहयोग और संघर्ष के क्षेत्र

मुख्य विषय: भारत-अमेरिका संबंधों की मजबूती, विशेषकर रक्षा, प्रौद्योगिकी और क्षेत्रीय सहयोग में प्रगति। सहयोग के प्रमुख क्षेत्र 1. रक्षा एवं सुरक्षा सहयोग भारत और अमेरिका के बीच रक्षा संबंधों का विस्तार। प्रमुख रक्षा साझेदार (MDP) का दर्जा और STA-1 ...

On: February 22, 2025 Comments: 0

India’s Disaster Management

The article discusses the growing tensions between the Centre and states regarding disaster relief funding in India. It emphasizes the need for a transparent and equitable disaster management framework. Key Disaster Threats India Faces Increasing Frequency of Extreme Weather Events ...

Explore Our Blog