Model Answer

Introduction

Industrial emissions are a significant contributor to air pollution and climate change in India. As the nation strives for economic growth, it faces the dual challenge of increasing industrial output while reducing environmental degradation. This balance is crucial for sustainable development.

Primary Sources of Industrial Emissions

India’s industrial landscape is characterized by several emission-intensive sectors:

1. Thermal Power Sector: The largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, primarily due to coal-based thermal plants, which account for around 50% of fuel-related CO₂ emissions.
2. Steel Industry: Highly energy-intensive, relying predominantly on coal-based processes, resulting in significant CO₂ emissions.
3. Cement Industry: Known as a ‘hard-to-abate’ sector, cement manufacturing directly emits CO₂ through limestone calcination.
4. Oil and Gas Industry: Major sources of methane leaks and CO₂ emissions, exacerbated by increasing oil demand.
5. Fertilizer Industry: A significant emitter of nitrous oxide, contributing to overall greenhouse gas emissions.
6. Aluminum Industry: Energy-intensive processes lead to high CO₂ emissions, with most production relying on coal-based power.
7. Transport Sector: Rapidly increasing emissions due to rising vehicle ownership and freight movement.

Challenges in Mitigation

The path to reducing emissions is fraught with challenges:

• Dependence on Coal: Many industries rely heavily on coal for energy, making it economically difficult to transition to cleaner alternatives.
• High Costs of Clean Technologies: The upfront investment required for carbon capture and renewable energy technologies is often prohibitive.
• Weak Regulatory Enforcement: Inconsistent implementation of emission norms allows industries to evade compliance.
• Lack of Financial Incentives: Limited access to green financing and low carbon credit prices diminish motivation for emission reductions.
• Inefficiencies in Industrial Processes: Outdated machinery and practices lead to higher emissions and energy consumption.
• Slow Progress in Circular Economy: Limited recycling and waste management practices increase resource extraction and emissions.
• Socioeconomic Trade-offs: Balancing job creation in emission-intensive industries with environmental regulations poses political challenges.

Measures for Balancing Growth and Sustainability

To address these challenges, several measures can be implemented:

1. Strengthening Carbon Pricing: Introducing mandatory carbon pricing and expanding the carbon credit trading scheme can incentivize industries to reduce emissions.
2. Expanding Green Hydrogen and Biofuels: Encouraging the production and use of green hydrogen can decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors.
3. Adopting Circular Economy Principles: Enforcing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) can promote recycling and reduce waste.
4. Decarbonizing Thermal Power Plants: Rapid deployment of Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) and Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technologies is essential.
5. Strengthening Energy Efficiency Standards: Expanding the Perform, Achieve, and Trade (PAT) scheme to more sectors can drive energy efficiency improvements.
6. Promoting Renewable Energy Adoption: Providing incentives for industries to shift to renewable energy sources will reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
7. Ensuring Just Transition: Implementing a Just Transition framework will protect workers in coal-dependent industries while facilitating the move to cleaner energy.

Way Forward

Balancing industrial growth with emission reduction is imperative for India’s sustainable development. By addressing the primary sources of emissions and tackling the associated challenges through effective policies, India can achieve its climate goals while fostering economic growth. Implementing these measures will contribute significantly to achieving environmental sustainability and combating climate change.

Model Answer

1. Definition and Significance

Backward and forward linkages are critical in the food processing industry as they enhance the industry’s ability to generate demand for products from other sectors.

• Backward Linkages: These connect food processors with raw material suppliers, ensuring timely access to quality inputs. For instance, a ketchup manufacturer relies on a steady supply of tomatoes.
• Forward Linkages: These link processors to markets through distribution networks, which include storage facilities and transportation infrastructure.

Benefits:

• Direct connections between farmers and processors encourage the cultivation of high-quality produce, benefiting both parties.
• Reducing intermediaries allows farmers, particularly marginal and medium ones, to receive better returns on their crops.
• Cold storage facilities minimize food wastage, especially for perishables like fruits and dairy products.
• Efficient distribution networks ensure timely delivery of food products to consumers, maintaining product quality and reducing costs.

Challenges in Developing Strong Linkages in India

1. Fragmented Land Holdings

Due to small and dispersed land holdings, the marketable surplus is limited, complicating the procurement of quality raw materials for processors.

2. Seasonality of Production

The high seasonality of raw material production restricts the effective utilization of established linkages, affecting consistency in supply.

3. Poor Infrastructure

Insufficient infrastructure, such as inadequate cold storage and transportation facilities, hinders both backward and forward integration.

4. Fragmented Industry Structure

The unorganized nature of the food processing industry limits efficient supply chain management and coordination among stakeholders.

5. Information Gaps

Farmers and small processors often lack access to vital market information, leading to substandard processing and compromised product quality.

6. Regulatory Challenges

Conflicting legislation and lack of coordination among various regulatory bodies create administrative delays and confusion, impacting the efficiency of the sector.

Conclusion

To address these issues, the Indian government has initiated the “Scheme for Creation of Backward and Forward Linkages,” which provides financial assistance for setting up processing and collection centers. Additionally, events like the Mega International Food Summit aim to leverage technology to find solutions for challenges in the food processing sector. Strengthening these linkages is essential for enhancing competitiveness and ensuring food safety standards, ultimately benefiting farmers, processors, and consumers alike.

Model Answer

Introduction

The Indo-French partnership has evolved into a significant alliance amidst shifting global geopolitics, marked by cooperation in defense, nuclear energy, AI, and space exploration. This relationship traces its roots back to historical ties that date back to the colonial era, establishing a foundation for mutual respect and collaboration.

Key Areas of Cooperation

In recent years, defense cooperation has deepened through joint military projects and technology transfers, with France emerging as a key arms supplier to India. Notably, agreements on Rafale jets and Scorpene submarines underscore the strategic alignment between the two nations. Additionally, the civil nuclear collaboration is gaining momentum, with a focus on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) that promise cost-effectiveness and rapid deployment. France’s expertise in nuclear technology positions it as a vital partner for India’s ambitious goal of generating 100 GW of nuclear power by 2047.

Space cooperation has also flourished, with collaborative projects like the TRISHNA satellite mission, enhancing India’s capabilities in climate monitoring and resource assessment. Furthermore, the recent roadmap for artificial intelligence highlights both nations’ commitment to ethical AI development, fostering innovation while ensuring data integrity.

Challenges and Areas of Friction

Despite the robust cooperation, several challenges persist. Delays in defense procurement and technology transfer have been a significant hurdle, with projects often facing bureaucratic bottlenecks. Moreover, trade imbalances and regulatory barriers create friction, complicating economic relations. Differences in strategic outlooks, particularly regarding NATO membership and relations with Russia, further add to the complexities of the partnership.

Way Forward

Strengthening Indo-French ties is crucial for both nations as they navigate an increasingly multipolar world. By addressing existing challenges and enhancing cooperation in key sectors, India and France can solidify their partnership and contribute to global stability and security.

The future of this alliance holds promise, particularly in areas like renewable energy and technological innovation, paving the way for a sustainable and cooperative international landscape.

Model Answer

Key Challenges Faced by India’s Livestock Sector

1. Low Productivity: Indigenous breeds have significantly lower productivity compared to foreign varieties, making them less beneficial for farmers .
2. High Incidence of Diseases: Cross-breeding programs have improved livestock quality but have also increased susceptibility to diseases like haemorrhagic septicaemia and swine fever, leading to economic losses for farmers .
3. Inadequate Infrastructure: There is a shortage of veterinary institutions, vaccines, cold storage facilities, and extension services, which hampers livestock health and productivity .
4. Lack of Institutional Credit: Farmers often struggle to access credit, which limits their ability to invest in better livestock management practices .
5. Informal Livestock Markets: The livestock market remains largely informal, making it difficult for farmers to get fair prices for their animals .
6. Shortage of Feed and Fodder: Only 5% of cropped area is used for fodder production, and the area under permanent pastures is decreasing, leading to feed shortages .
7. Lack of Inclusivity: Unconventional milk sources like camel and yak are not adequately included in policies and programs .
8. Globalization Challenges: Unfavorable food safety and quality norms hinder the potential for export growth in the livestock sector .

Proposed Measures to Overcome Challenges

1. Strengthening Market Linkages: Establish cooperatives and producers’ associations to improve connections between production and markets.
2. Promoting Automation: Implement livestock farm automation systems to enhance efficiency and product quality.
3. Increased Funding: Explore additional funding under schemes like Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) to improve veterinary health services.
4. Mobile Veterinary Clinics: Establish a network of Mobile Veterinary Clinics (MVC) to provide services in remote areas.
5. Increase Veterinary Colleges: Expand the number of veterinary colleges to address the shortage of trained professionals.
6. Private Sector Investments: Encourage investments from private companies and cooperatives to enhance veterinary infrastructure.
7. One-Stop Centre for Livestock Issues: Create a centralized hub for information and solutions to livestock-related problems, aiding in disease eradication.

By addressing these challenges through the proposed measures, the livestock sector can significantly contribute to rural livelihoods and help achieve the goal of doubling farmers’ income.

Model Answer

Introduction

The shipbuilding industry is a crucial component of India’s maritime economy, contributing to both economic growth and national security. Despite substantial investments, such as the ₹5.8 lakh crore under the Sagarmala Programme, the sector remains stagnant, reflecting significant structural challenges that hinder its growth.

Key Structural Challenges

One of the primary challenges is the lack of a competitive ecosystem. Indian shipbuilders face long construction timelines and inconsistent quality, making them less competitive internationally. Additionally, high capital costs pose a barrier, as shipbuilding is capital-intensive and Indian manufacturers struggle to secure affordable financing compared to global competitors who benefit from state-backed support.

The sector also suffers from a heavy dependence on imported raw materials. Critical components like marine-grade steel and navigation systems are often sourced from abroad, which increases costs and vulnerability in supply chains. Furthermore, infrastructure bottlenecks hinder growth; many shipyards operate outdated machinery, while port congestion exacerbates logistical inefficiencies.

Another significant issue is the weak domestic market for new vessels. Indian shipping companies frequently prefer to purchase second-hand foreign ships due to high costs and longer delivery times for new builds. Lastly, the repair and maintenance ecosystem remains underdeveloped, with India’s share in the global ship repair market being less than 1%, leading to lost opportunities for Indian shipyards.

Policy Measures for Revival

To revitalize the shipbuilding sector, several policy measures can be implemented. First, strengthening domestic manufacturing of shipbuilding components is crucial. This can be achieved through the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme to encourage local production.

Establishing a dedicated Shipbuilding and Maritime Financing Institution will provide low-interest loans and support exports, ensuring that shipbuilders have access to necessary capital. Moreover, revamping existing infrastructure through modernization of shipyards and the establishment of maritime Special Economic Zones (SEZs) will enhance operational efficiency.

Implementing a Buy Indian Policy can ensure that future government and defense orders are placed with Indian shipyards, promoting domestic demand. Additionally, integrating shipbuilding with renewable energy initiatives can align with India’s Net Zero 2070 goals by developing low-emission vessels.

Lastly, enhancing research and development through a National Maritime Innovation Hub will foster innovation and skill development, ensuring the industry remains competitive in advanced technologies.

Way Forward

The Indian shipbuilding sector holds immense potential for economic growth and security. However, overcoming existing structural challenges requires comprehensive policy interventions and coordinated efforts from the government and industry stakeholders. By addressing these challenges, India can strengthen its position in the global shipbuilding landscape and secure a sustainable maritime future.