Current Affairs

Model Answer

Introduction:

Nutritional security is a critical aspect of national health that ensures all individuals have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to maintain a healthy life. In India, despite numerous government initiatives aimed at combating malnutrition, the country continues to grapple with significant nutritional insecurity, driven by systemic issues that go beyond mere food availability.

Key Issues Contributing to Nutritional Insecurity:

1. Persistent Child Malnutrition and Anaemia: According to the NFHS-5 report (2019-21), 36% of children under five are stunted and 57% of women aged 15-49 are anaemic. This highlights a significant gap in nutritional outcomes.
2. Double Burden of Malnutrition: While undernutrition persists, urbanization and changing dietary habits have led to rising obesity rates and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes and hypertension. Nearly 77 million adults suffer from type 2 diabetes in India.
3. Social Disparities: Gender discrimination and caste hierarchies significantly affect access to nutrition. Women often eat last and least, leading to micronutrient deficiencies, while government programs frequently overlook adolescent girls and elderly women.
4. Climate Change Impact: Extreme weather events, such as erratic monsoons and heatwaves, are adversely affecting crop yields and food prices, exacerbating malnutrition in vulnerable regions.
5. Weak Implementation of Nutrition Programs: Programs like the Mid-Day Meal Scheme and Saksham Anganwadi face challenges including leakage, poor execution, and exclusion errors, which undermine their effectiveness.
6. Economic Inequality: The economic slowdown and inflation have made nutritious food increasingly expensive, disproportionately impacting low-income households.

Multi-Pronged Strategy for Nutritional Well-Being:

1. Strengthening Health & Wellness Centres: Upgrading these centres into Nutrition Resource Centres can provide personalized diet counseling and regular screenings for malnutrition.
2. Revamping Mid-Day Meal Schemes: Emphasizing regionally available, nutrient-rich foods like millets and pulses will enhance the nutritional quality of meals provided to children.
3. Mandatory Fortification Programs: Scaling up the fortification of staple foods such as rice, wheat, and milk can help combat hidden hunger without altering eating habits.
4. Creating Healthier Urban Food Environments: Implementing zoning laws to restrict fast-food outlets near schools and introducing a graded taxation system on unhealthy foods can promote healthier dietary choices.
5. Expanding Social Protection Schemes: The Public Distribution System (PDS) should focus on nutritional adequacy by including pulses and fortified dairy products, ensuring access to essential nutrients.
6. Mass Nutrition Literacy Campaigns: A nationwide campaign can build awareness about balanced diets, food labeling, and the risks of unhealthy foods, especially among marginalized groups.

Way Forward

To achieve holistic nutritional well-being, India must adopt a multi-faceted approach that addresses the root causes of nutritional insecurity. Aligning these efforts with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will not only enhance public health but also contribute to the overall socio-economic development of the nation. A community-driven, inclusive strategy is vital for sustainable nutrition security for all.

Model Answer

Introduction

Policing in India is at a critical juncture, facing numerous challenges that undermine its effectiveness and public trust. With a vacancy rate exceeding 21% in state police forces, the importance of comprehensive police reforms cannot be overstated. These reforms are essential not only for enhancing public safety but also for ensuring a robust governance framework.

Key Issues in Policing

One of the most pressing issues is the severe shortage of police personnel, with states like West Bengal and Mizoram reporting vacancy rates as high as 39%. This shortage leads to excessive workloads, compelling officers to work 16-18 hours a day, which severely impacts their performance and mental health.

Additionally, political interference in police operations erodes professionalism, with 72% of officers reporting pressure to act against political opponents. This undermines the rule of law and public confidence in the police.

The excessive use of force during protests raises significant human rights concerns, while inadequate training in modern crime-solving techniques and gender-sensitive policing further exacerbates the situation. Moreover, the lack of proactive community engagement makes the police appear distant and unapproachable to marginalized communities.

Suggested Reforms

To address these issues, several reforms are necessary:

1. Manpower Management: A fast-track recruitment process should be initiated to fill vacancies, alongside improved working conditions to reduce burnout among officers.
2. Depoliticization: Establishing State Security Commissions, as recommended by various committees, can help insulate police forces from political interference, allowing for independent functioning.
3. Modernization: Investment in technology, such as AI and data analytics, alongside upgrading infrastructure, is crucial for effective policing in the modern era.
4. Community Policing Initiatives: Expanding programs aimed at building trust with communities will enhance intelligence gathering and crime prevention efforts.
5. Gender Sensitization: Increasing the representation of women in police forces to at least 33%, as recommended, will improve the handling of gender-based violence and encourage more women to report crimes.
6. Training and Capacity Building: Revamping training programs to include modern techniques, legal procedures, and human rights education will equip officers to handle contemporary challenges effectively.

Way Forward

In conclusion, addressing the multifaceted challenges within India’s police system requires urgent and comprehensive reforms. By focusing on manpower, autonomy, modernization, community engagement, and gender sensitivity, we can build a more effective and accountable police force that earns the trust of the public and upholds the rule of law. Implementing these reforms will not only enhance public safety but will also contribute to a more just and equitable society.

Model Answer

Introduction

The Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS), set to launch in mid-2026, marks a transformative shift in India’s climate policy framework. By facilitating the trading of greenhouse gas emissions credits, India aims to bolster its efforts towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 while promoting sustainable industrial growth.

Potential Advantages of CCTS

1. Industrial Competitiveness: The CCTS incentivizes industries to adopt cleaner technologies, ultimately reducing operational costs and enhancing competitiveness in global markets. For instance, companies investing in low-carbon processes can gain a competitive edge, particularly in sectors like steel and cement.
2. Compliance with Global Standards: With the EU’s implementation of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), Indian exporters will face higher tariffs unless they control emissions. A robust CCTS prepares industries for these regulations, reducing potential financial losses.
3. Climate Diplomacy: An effective carbon market enhances India’s credibility in global climate negotiations, attracting climate finance. This aligns with India’s commitments under its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
4. Revenue Generation: The CCTS creates new revenue streams for both industries and the government. Companies can sell surplus carbon credits, promoting circular revenue generation, while the government can auction credits to fund green infrastructure.
5. Encouragement of Renewable Energy: By making carbon-intensive energy sources less financially viable, the CCTS encourages a shift towards renewables, supporting India’s goal of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030.

Challenges in Implementation

Despite its potential, the CCTS faces significant challenges:

1. Weak Emission Reduction Targets: The current focus on emissions intensity rather than absolute reductions may lead to an excess supply of credits, dampening market prices.
2. Inadequate Compliance Mechanisms: High non-compliance rates due to weak penalties undermine the scheme’s credibility.
3. Limited Sectoral Coverage: Key polluting sectors, such as thermal power and agriculture, are currently excluded, limiting the scheme’s impact.
4. Measurement and Verification Issues: The lack of reliable systems for measuring and verifying emissions raises concerns about the integrity of carbon credits.
5. Lack of Secondary Market: The absence of a structured market for trading carbon credits hampers price discovery and overall market activity.

Measures to Enhance Effectiveness

To address these challenges, several measures can be adopted:

1. Strengthening Emission Targets: Setting ambitious and realistic emission reduction targets is essential to ensure a robust carbon market.
2. Expanding Sectoral Coverage: Gradually including more sectors, especially major emitters, will maximize the market’s depth.
3. Integrating with Renewable Energy Markets: Creating a unified trading platform for carbon credits and renewable energy certificates can enhance market efficiency.
4. Enhancing Monitoring Framework: Implementing robust monitoring and verification systems is crucial for maintaining investor confidence.
5. Promoting Private Sector Participation: Offering tax incentives and support for clean technology investments will encourage private sector involvement.

Conclusion

India’s Carbon Credit Trading Scheme holds immense potential for driving emissions reductions and fostering sustainable industrial growth. To realize this potential, it is crucial to address the existing challenges through a well-structured approach that strengthens regulatory mechanisms and expands market participation. A successful CCTS can position India as a leader in climate action while contributing to sustainable economic development.

Model Answer

Introduction:

Disaster management is a critical aspect of governance, particularly in a country like India, which is prone to various natural disasters. The devastating Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004, which claimed over 230,000 lives, catalyzed significant reforms in India’s disaster management framework, marking a shift from a reactive to a proactive approach.

Evolution of Disaster Management Framework:

Initially, India’s disaster management was predominantly relief-centric, focusing on immediate response rather than prevention. The establishment of the Department of Environment in the 1980s marked the beginning of a shift towards planning. Major disasters, such as the Bhopal Gas Tragedy and the Bhuj Earthquake, highlighted vulnerabilities and led to the formation of national organizations and improved coordination. The enactment of the Disaster Management Act in 2005 institutionalized this framework, creating the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to enhance preparedness and response.

Key Policy Reforms:

The Disaster Management Act (2005) is central to India’s strategy, emphasizing a comprehensive approach to disaster risk reduction. Aligning with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction has further strengthened this commitment, focusing on resilience and community involvement.

Persistent Challenges:

Despite significant progress, India faces persistent challenges. Climate-induced disasters are increasing in frequency and intensity, leading to urban flooding and significant economic losses. Inadequate infrastructure, lax enforcement of safety norms, and fragmented early warning systems exacerbate vulnerabilities. For instance, the devastating floods in Bengaluru and Chennai illustrate the consequences of unplanned urbanization and poor governance.

Potential Measures for Enhanced Resilience:

To enhance disaster resilience, India must invest in climate-resilient infrastructure capable of withstanding extreme weather events. Implementing community-based disaster risk reduction can empower local populations to respond effectively. Modernizing early warning systems through advanced technologies and integrating disaster management into urban planning are essential steps. Furthermore, fostering international collaborations can provide invaluable insights and resources for addressing shared vulnerabilities.

Way Forward

In conclusion, while India has made significant strides in evolving its disaster management framework since the 2004 Tsunami, continuous adaptation and proactive measures are crucial in addressing the increasing challenges posed by climate change and urbanization. A resilient disaster management strategy will not only save lives but also safeguard livelihoods and ensure sustainable development.

मॉडल उत्तर

प्रस्तावना

प्राकृतिक खेती, जो रासायनिक उर्वरकों और कीटनाशकों के बिना कृषि करने की एक विधि है, आज की पर्यावरणीय चुनौतियों का सामना करने का एक स्थायी विकल्प है। रासायनिक कृषि ने जहां खाद्य सुरक्षा सुनिश्चित की है, वहीं इसने मृदा स्वास्थ्य को नुकसान पहुँचाया है। इस संदर्भ में, प्राकृतिक खेती एक नई दिशा प्रदान करती है।

प्राकृतिक खेती के लाभ

प्राकृतिक खेती के अनेक लाभ हैं। यह मृदा स्वास्थ्य में सुधार करती है और भूमि क्षरण को कम करती है। इसके अलावा, पानी की खपत में कमी लाती है और सूखे के प्रति सहिष्णुता बढ़ाती है। लागत में भी कमी आती है, जिससे किसानों की लाभप्रदता में वृद्धि होती है। यह प्रक्रिया जलवायु अनुकूलन में भी मदद करती है और ग्रीनहाउस गैसों के उत्सर्जन को कम करती है।

चुनौतियाँ

हालांकि, प्राकृतिक खेती के सामने कई चुनौतियाँ हैं। सबसे पहले, प्रमाणीकरण का अभाव है, जिससे किसानों को अपने उत्पादों की गुणवत्ता साबित करने में कठिनाई होती है। इसके अलावा, आर्थिक व्यवहार्यता का संकट भी एक बड़ी समस्या है, क्योंकि प्रारंभिक उपज में गिरावट आने की संभावना होती है। बाजार पहुंच की कमी और उच्च श्रम आवश्यकताएँ भी किसानों को इस क्षेत्र में आगे बढ़ने से रोकती हैं।

चुनौतियों का समाधान

इन चुनौतियों से निपटने के लिए कई उपाय किए जा सकते हैं। सबसे पहले, वैज्ञानिक शोध और दीर्घकालिक अध्ययनों में निवेश आवश्यक है ताकि प्राकृतिक खेती की आर्थिक और पर्यावरणीय लाभों को स्थापित किया जा सके। इसके साथ ही, एक राष्ट्रीय स्तर पर प्राकृतिक कृषि प्रमाणन प्रणाली की स्थापना की जानी चाहिए, जिससे किसानों को अपने उत्पादों का विपणन करने में सहायता मिले। बाजार संपर्क और मूल्य श्रृंखला विकास के लिए सार्वजनिक-निजी भागीदारी को बढ़ावा दिया जाना चाहिए। अंत में, किसानों को प्रशिक्षण और क्षमता निर्माण के माध्यम से प्राकृतिक खेती के लाभों के प्रति जागरूक किया जाना चाहिए।

आगे की राह

इस प्रकार, प्राकृतिक खेती भारत के कृषि क्षेत्र के लिए एक महत्वपूर्ण विकल्प है, जो रासायनिक खेती के विकल्प के रूप में उभरा है। इसे सफल बनाने के लिए नीति समर्थन और वैज्ञानिक शोध की आवश्यकता है, जिससे भारत में कृषि का भविष्य सशक्त और स्थायी हो सके।