Current Affairs

Model Answer

Introduction

The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments, enacted in 1992, marked a watershed moment in India’s journey towards democratic decentralization. By granting constitutional status to local self-governance through Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), these amendments aimed to empower grassroots democracy and enhance citizen participation in governance.

Historical Context

Democratic decentralization in India has evolved from colonial administration to constitutionally mandated self-governance. The establishment of PRIs through the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee in 1957 and the subsequent recognition of local governance as a Directive Principle of State Policy in 1948 laid the groundwork for these amendments.

Effectiveness of the Amendments

The 73rd and 74th Amendments have significantly improved local governance by ensuring mandatory elections and reservations for women and marginalized communities. They have facilitated the establishment of a three-tier system of governance, thereby enhancing local accountability and representation.

Key Challenges Faced

Despite these advancements, several challenges hinder the effectiveness of local self-governance:

• Fiscal Dependence: PRIs and ULBs often depend on unpredictable state and central funds, which limits their financial autonomy. Reports indicate that own-source revenue contributes only 5-10% of Panchayat expenditures.
• Political Centralization: Real authority remains concentrated with state governments, reducing local bodies to mere implementing agencies for state and central schemes.
• Ineffective Implementation: There are issues of accountability and transparency, with many State Finance Commissions failing to function effectively or implement their recommendations.
• Marginalization of Vulnerable Groups: While there are reservations for SCs, STs, and women, their real decision-making power often remains limited, leading to proxy governance.

Suggestions for Enhancement

To overcome these challenges, several measures can be implemented:

• Strengthen Fiscal Autonomy: Local bodies should be empowered to generate their own revenue through better tax collection mechanisms and greater borrowing powers.
• Empower Local Bodies: Granting administrative autonomy to local governments will enhance efficiency and accountability.
• Capacity Building: Establishing training institutes for local representatives will equip them with the necessary skills to manage governance effectively.
• Promote Participatory Governance: Engaging citizens through public consultations and social audits will enhance transparency and accountability.

Way Forward

In conclusion, while the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments have laid a strong foundation for democratic decentralization, realizing their full potential requires addressing the existing challenges. A robust framework that emphasizes fiscal strength, functional autonomy, and fair representation is essential for empowering local self-governance and fostering a vibrant democracy in India.

Model Answer

Introduction

India’s space sector has witnessed significant advancements in recent years, underscoring its crucial role in national security, economic growth, and global collaboration. With milestones such as the successful launch of Chandrayaan-3 and the SpaDeX mission, India is positioning itself as a formidable player in the international space arena.

Recent Advancements

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has achieved notable successes, including the lunar landing of Chandrayaan-3, which has enhanced India’s capabilities in deep-space research. Additionally, the SpaDeX mission marked a breakthrough in space docking technology, crucial for future interplanetary missions. The Gaganyaan mission is set to further bolster India’s human spaceflight capabilities. International collaborations, such as with NASA on the NISAR mission, reflect India’s growing stature in global space exploration.

Strategic and Economic Enhancements

These advancements not only enhance India’s strategic defense capabilities, including anti-satellite (ASAT) technologies, but also contribute to economic growth through commercial satellite launches. ISRO’s commercial ventures can potentially increase revenue, making India a key player in the global satellite market.

Challenges Faced

Despite these successes, India faces significant challenges. The limited budget of approximately Rs 13,042.75 crore for 2024-25 constrains the scale of ambitious projects compared to NASA’s budget. Additionally, the rising issue of space debris poses risks to operational satellites, while delays in implementing regulatory frameworks hinder private sector participation. Cybersecurity threats further complicate the landscape, as India’s reliance on satellites for communication and defense increases.

Strategic Measures for Improvement

To address these challenges, India should increase public investment in space technology and promote public-private partnerships to enhance funding. Establishing a robust space traffic management system is crucial for mitigating debris-related risks. Additionally, prioritizing cybersecurity by creating a dedicated command will protect critical space assets. Strengthening international collaborations can also attract investments and foster innovation.

Way Forward

India’s space sector stands at a transformative juncture, with the potential to drive economic growth and enhance national security. By adopting strategic measures to overcome existing challenges, India can solidify its position as a leader in the global space economy, contributing significantly to technological advancements and international cooperation in space exploration.

Model Answer

Introduction

India is currently facing a significant skill gap, with rising youth unemployment juxtaposed against a backdrop of inadequate vocational training. The employability rate has dropped to 42.6%, highlighting a critical need for reform in the skilling ecosystem.

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Several factors contribute to this persistent skill gap. Firstly, there is a mismatch between skills and industry demand. Many skilling programs focus on traditional trades, neglecting the growing demand for automation and green jobs. Furthermore, female participation in skilling programs remains low due to socio-cultural barriers, limiting opportunities for women in high-paying sectors. The weak apprenticeship culture also hampers the development of practical skills, as industries are often reluctant to invest in training due to fears of attrition.

Additionally, the fragmentation of skilling programs across various ministries leads to inefficiencies and duplication of efforts. This is compounded by the challenges faced in rural and informal sectors, where access to formal training is limited. Lastly, the lack of recognition for informal skills further restricts job mobility and economic advancement for many workers.

To address these issues, India must adopt a multi-faceted approach. A demand-driven curriculum should be developed, aligning training programs with current market needs. Strengthening the apprenticeship model can provide practical experience and enhance employability. Furthermore, promoting digital and remote learning can help reach underserved populations, especially in rural areas. Implementing gender-inclusive policies will ensure that women have equal access to skilling opportunities. Finally, increasing private sector participation through public-private partnerships can enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of skilling initiatives.

Way Forward

In conclusion, bridging the skill gap is crucial for harnessing India’s demographic dividend and ensuring sustainable economic growth. A unified, demand-driven skilling ecosystem, characterized by strong collaboration between government, industry, and educational institutions, is essential for transforming the potential of India’s youth into tangible economic benefits.

Model Answer

Introduction

Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) refers to the interactions between wild animals and humans that result in negative impacts on both parties. In India, this conflict is becoming increasingly severe due to factors such as habitat fragmentation, population growth, and climate change, posing significant challenges to both wildlife conservation and human safety.

Key Factors Driving Human-Wildlife Conflict

One of the primary contributors to HWC is habitat fragmentation caused by rapid urbanization and infrastructure development. As cities expand and agricultural lands proliferate, wildlife habitats are encroached upon, leading to increased encounters between wildlife and human populations. For example, over 300 lions in Gujarat have moved outside their protected areas, heightening conflicts.

Additionally, India’s growing population intensifies resource competition. As humans seek land for housing and agriculture, wildlife is forced into smaller habitats, leading to increased interactions. Climate change further exacerbates this issue by altering animal migration patterns and degrading their habitats, making it difficult for wildlife to find food and shelter.

Poor management practices, including inadequate scientific approaches to wildlife relocation, also play a role. For instance, political interests often override scientific recommendations, resulting in failed relocation efforts. Cultural and economic factors, such as local communities’ reliance on natural resources and wildlife tourism, complicate the situation further.

Impact of Human-Wildlife Conflict

The consequences of HWC are profound. Farmers experience significant economic losses due to crop damage and livestock predation, while human casualties from animal attacks continue to rise. Retaliatory killings of wildlife in response to these conflicts lead to a decline in biodiversity, threatening the ecological balance.

Strategies for Sustainable Coexistence

To mitigate HWC, India must adopt proactive measures. Establishing early warning systems can help communities anticipate wildlife movements and reduce encounters. Furthermore, improving compensation for affected individuals can alleviate some economic burdens.

Community engagement is crucial; involving local populations in conservation initiatives fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility. Promoting eco-tourism can provide alternative livelihoods, reducing reliance on poaching or harmful practices.

Strengthening protected areas is essential, as expanding and connecting habitats will facilitate wildlife movement and reduce human-wildlife encounters. The integration of technology, such as AI and advanced surveillance systems, can enhance monitoring efforts, enabling timely interventions.

Lastly, reforming policies, particularly by enhancing the Environmental Impact Assessment process, will ensure that conservation concerns are adequately addressed in development projects.

Way Forward

In conclusion, addressing human-wildlife conflict in India requires a balanced approach that harmonizes development with conservation. By implementing effective strategies and fostering collaboration among stakeholders, India can pave the way for sustainable coexistence between humans and wildlife, securing both ecological integrity and human safety.

Model Answer

Introduction

The clean energy transition refers to the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydrogen. In India, this transition is not just an environmental imperative, but also an economic necessity that can enhance energy security, foster economic growth, and build climate resilience.

Significance of Clean Energy Transition

Energy Security: India’s heavy reliance on imports—85% of crude oil and 50% of natural gas—renders it vulnerable to global price shocks. Expanding domestic renewable energy can significantly enhance energy independence and reduce the import burden.

Economic Growth: The transition to clean energy is expected to create around one million jobs by 2030, particularly in solar, wind, and green hydrogen sectors. This shift can drive industrial expansion, innovation, and reduce economic disparities.

Climate Resilience: As one of the most climate-vulnerable nations, India faces severe environmental challenges. A clean energy transition can mitigate these risks by significantly reducing carbon emissions and air pollution, which is responsible for millions of deaths annually.

Key Challenges

Inadequate Infrastructure: The current electricity grid struggles to handle renewable energy’s variability, leading to frequent curtailments. Additionally, the lack of large-scale energy storage solutions is a significant barrier.

Fossil Fuel Lobby: With coal accounting for approximately 70% of India’s power generation, the fossil fuel lobby poses a substantial challenge. Significant subsidies and policy backing for coal slow the transition to cleaner alternatives.

Financial Stress on DISCOMs: Deeply indebted distribution companies limit investments in clean energy infrastructure. As of 2022-23, accumulated losses reached ₹6.5 lakh crore, affecting their operational viability.

Slow Adoption of Technologies: Dependence on imports for solar modules and wind turbines makes the transition vulnerable to global supply chain disruptions.

Policy Measures to Accelerate Transition

Infrastructure Development: Modernizing the power grid and investing in large-scale energy storage solutions is crucial. Promoting decentralized renewable energy solutions can reduce transmission losses.

Financial Reforms: Strengthening the financial viability of DISCOMs through improved revenue collection and innovative financing mechanisms like green bonds can attract private investments.

Boosting Domestic Manufacturing: Expanding the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for solar PV and battery storage will encourage local manufacturing and reduce import dependence.

Streamlining Approvals: Implementing a single-window clearance system for land acquisition and environmental approvals can expedite project implementation.

Public Awareness and Education: Increasing public awareness about the benefits of clean energy can foster greater acceptance and support for renewable projects.

Way Forward

India’s clean energy transition is essential for enhancing energy security, driving economic growth, and ensuring environmental sustainability. By addressing challenges like inadequate infrastructure, financial constraints, and policy inconsistencies, India can accelerate its transition towards a sustainable energy future, aligning with global climate commitments and promoting sustainable development.