Polity

1
Is nt passing the JAC Bill along with the CAB without waiting to see what happens to CABratification by 15 State legislatures etc-, Minister's assurances notwithstanding, an act of political
assertion at the cost Constitutional propriety?
http://barandbench.com/content/212/pil-galore-supreme-court-against-jac-sc-aor-association

2
Writer as a public intellectual:Shivaram Karanth in Karnataka, P K Atre in Maharashtra, Nirmal Verma
in the Hindi-speaking world..

http://epaperbeta.timesofindia.com/Article.aspx?eid=31808&articlexml=A-moral-voice-has-fallensilent-23082014010005
3
http://epaperbeta.timesofindia.com/Article.aspx?eid=31816&articlexml=That-was-the-Easy-Part24082014005017

4
NJAC members( Judges and the Law Minister) cant have it as a part time job- ex-officio. Having to
appoint more than 900 judges requires full timers. The suggestion for a permanent secretariat only
addresses the back office requirements. The argument that judicial veto is enough and judicial
members need not outnumber the rest in NJAC is a government argument. Nariman's point
otherwise merits equal consideration. But how does one break the ice? Follow the advice of some:
remove the Law Minister and replace with another judge. Let the eminent people- 2 of them- be of
the caliber of Abdul Kalam, VR Krishna Ayer, Late Justice Verma and so on.Wrangling on the
architecture is quite silly. Conscience is what matters. Mutual respect in letter and spirit.
5
You wont get such a perspective building story all too often- though for Raja Mohan, this is almost
normal:http://epaper.indianexpress.com/326433/Indian-Express/25-August-2014#page/11/2

6
A Primer. You will love it. Going to come in the upcoming Mains or/and next Prelims, says the
astrologer in me!!!!
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/slate-mining-royalties/article6350668.ece

7
http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/dont-close-the-door-on-national-judicial-appointmentscommission-as-yet/article6350842.ece?homepage=true
121st CAB already becomes 99th ACT even before it is sent to the State Legislatures for ratification.
So does the NJAC Bill.

8
So lovable
Mahatma's wit and wisdom
While Mohandas Gandhi was studying law at the University College London, he had a professor
named
Peters, who had an unexplained animosity for Gandhi, and because never backed down, their
"arguments" were very common.
One day, Mr. Peters was having lunch at the dining room at the University and Gandhi came along
with his tray and sat next to the professor. The professor, in his arrogance, said, "Mr Gandhi: you do
not understand... a pig and a bird do not sit together to eat," to which Gandhi replied, "Don't worry
professor, I'll fly away," and he went and sat at another table.
Prof. Peters, now red with rage, planned his revenge on the next test. When the test was taken
Gandhi responded brilliantly to all questions.
Finally Prof. Peters asked him, "Mr Gandhi, if you are walking down the street and find a package,
and within it there is a bag of wisdom and another bag with a lot of money; which one would you
take?"
Without hesitating, Gandhi responded, "The one with the money, of course."
Mr. Peters, smiling, said, "I, in your place, would have taken the wisdom, don't you think?"
"Well each one must take what one doesn't have," responded Gandhi indifferently. Prof. Peters, by
now almost hysterical, scribbled the word "idiot" on the sheet and shoved it at Gandhi. Gandhi takes
the exam sheet and sits down. A few minutes later, Gandhi goes up to the professor and says,
Prof. Peters, you've signed the sheet, but you haven't given me my grade!"
9
How Andamans are central to India's strategy of building oceanic influence
http://paper.hindustantimes.com/epaper/services/OnlinePrintHandler.ashx?issue=108720140902000
00051001001&page=16&paper=A3&top=100&left=247&width=507&height=435&scale=false&scale
ToLandscape=false

10.
Who audits the Reserve Bank of India?
a.RBI is audited by two auditors appointed by the Government of India
b. Government of India may at any time appoint the CAG to examine the accounts of the RBI
c. External auditor
d. Finance Ministry
a. c only
b.a only
c. a and b only
d. d only

11
Who can contest from two constituencies in a general election to the Lok Sabha?
a. contestants who belong to national political parties
b. all contestants except independent candidates
c. all contestants
d. those who choose to contest from two constituencies within the same State
12
" ...meritocratic system has lost its mind." How beautifully stated. Read the piece for insights on
moral values in education- good subject for General Essay.
Becoming a real person
13
Is nt this one of the most important questions in S&T for the upcoming season?? Watch out for a
concise and relevant summary sometime soon- cut for the examination.Will be discussed in the Life
Sciences section in the class.
http://www.natureasia.com/en/nindia/article/10.1038/nindia.2014.74

14
If the interest rate is decreased in an economy,it will
a.decrease the consumption expenditure in the economy
b.increase the tax collection of the govt.
c.increase the investment expenditure in the economy
d. increase the total savings in the economy.
Answers:
a. b only
b. c only
c. b and c only
d. b,c and d only
15
Q&A
Evolution of Uniform Civil Code in India: Trace it with the help of two legislations.
Uniform civil code is the goal of the country as given in the Art.44 (DPSP). Government is committed
to striving for having similar personal laws for all religions in the country. The personal laws in
matters of property, marriage, adoption etc have been in vogue historically for traditional reasons as
population is not very literate and are attached to personal customs and habits. However, it is not
advisable both for reasons of national integration and gender parity. Parliament made Special
Marriage Act in 1954 for persons of two different religions to marry without having to follow either

religion. Similarly, Juvenile Justice Act 2000 allows adoption under it even if personal laws do not
permit adoption with full rights to the adoptee. For example, Shabnam Hashmi case verdict 2014
where apex court gave Shabnam Hashmi the right to adopt under JJ Act even as sharia law does not
allow it and only recognizes guardianship rights over the adopted child.
16
Q&A
Directive Principles of State Policy and nation building.
DPSP are ethical guidelines in part IV of the Constitution guiding government policy. They contain
Instruments of Instruction in a variety of policy matters for building a strong and equitable nation.
For example, Art.38 and 39 speak of social and economic justice and reduction of inequality. Equity
is the sine quo non of a united and strong nation. UCC in Art.44 is necessary for social integration
and feeling of oneness. Art.47 promises higher health standards: a precondition to build a powerful
nation. A nation without internal divisions requires social justice: Art.46. Participative democracy
gives a strong foundation for nation building: Art.40(PRIs).
17
This question(TB) had come in 2012. May be time again!
http://www.epw.in/perspectives/ever-mutating-enemy.html

18
India's Constitutional Historian: Granville Austin 1927-2014. In this biographical essay, I describe
Austin's life and work in India. I had great fun researching this piece over my August break. Austin's
diaries and papers are fascinating to read.
I am grateful to Hilary Mac Austin, Michael Gee, Venkatasubramanian Venkatesan and Arun K.
Thiruvengadam for their help. Thank you Srinivasan Ramani for encouraging me to write for
the Economic and Political Weekly. I'm truly privileged to share Austin's story in India's finest socialscience publication.
http://www.epw.in/commentary/indias-constitutional-historian.html
19
Q&A
The Sinjar massacre is the turning point in the international efforts to wipe out the terror. Critically
analyse.
The Sinjar massacre was conducted by Islamic State (ISIS) as part of the August 2014 offensive.
Sinjar was one of many towns captured during the Islamic State's offensive in early August 2014.
Kurds appealed to the Government of Iraq and the United States for air support to assist their
cause. Kurdish army officials Peshmerga appealed that air strikes are needed badly to stop a
possible ISIS invasion into Iraqi Kurdistan.

According to the United Nations, thousands of refugees were expelled from the city and lacked basic
amenities. About 500 Yazidis were massacred in the ISIS attack.Yazidis were besieged by IS on
Mount Sinjar, facing starvation and dehydration.U.S. President, Barack Obama, stated that the U.S.
would use air power to assist trapped civilians threatened with acts of genocide and attack ISIS
forces.
The western decision to intervene is influenced by many factors. Among them was the western
desire to protect religious minorities in Iraq while also combatting the terrorist threat of the Islamic
State. American involvement also sought to protect US interests in the region : protecting oil
supplies and investment by oil companies (such as Exxon Mobil and Chevron) across the Middle
East. Thousands of Americans currently live in Erbil, the capital of Kurdish Regional Government.
Prevention of regional instability from going out of control was another motive. Israeli security and
status quo are the others.
20
Daily Test Questions
1. Saarc and RISAHRM
2. Changing strategic order in Asia
3. Renegotiating India-US Defence Framework Agreement in favour of India
21
http://www.epw.in/commentary/10-rule-and-lop.html
Useful. But skips a fact and is inaccurate about another. Caption shocks. Where is convention here
when Rules and Acts dominate the debate. Mavlankar rule( 10%) is law and is skipped altogether.
And " 1998 law distinguishes a recognized party from a distinguished group for the purpose of
providing different levels of facilities to the two categories. Section 2 of "the leaders and chief whips
of recognized parties and groups in Parliament (facilities) Act, 1998" specifies that the cutoff for Lok
Sabha is 55 members and Rajya Sabha is 25, each of which is about 10% of the total strength of
the respective House.
22
Q&A
SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) objectives can be better met with expanded participation
in the organization. Justify.
Shanghai Cooperation Organization is a Eurasian political, economic and military organisation which
was founded in 2001 in Shanghai by the leaders six countries : China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. India, Pakistan, Mongolia and Iran are observers. They are likely
to be made members later in the year.
It seeks to combat extremism, separatism and terrorism. Its leaders want to see regional players,
led by the SCO, handling regional security, thus eliminating the need for extra-regional actors
(especially the U.S.)

Afghanistans stability remains a major concern for SCO members as post-US withdrawal, unless
Afghanistan is stable, SCO members would be badly affected.
Its ambitious goals ensuring regional stability, especially preventing terrorist activities; promoting
Afghan security; furthering economic integration make it imperative that SCO be expanded. India,
Pakistan and Iran are neighbours of Afghanistan and stability there is not possible unless they are
made members and taken into confidence. Economic integration and energy security can bring the
countries together and ensure that they work for common goals as outlined above.
The SCO has not expanded since it was officially founded in 2001.
23
http://freepressjournal.in/nda-making-upsc-ssc-irrelevant/
R.I.D.I.C.U.L.O.U.S
24
Most of you must be knowing this timeline. Kids going for the prelims in future should use it as wall
poster. Refer picture 9
25
Q&A
Why is single directive a violation of equality before law, according to a recent Supreme Court
ruling?
Central Government had made it mandatory for the CBI to take the prior approval of the
government to even conduct a preliminary inquiry into allegations of corruption against officers in all
civil services of the rank/grade of Joint Secretary and above. This was called the 'Single Directive'. A
three-judge Bench of the Supreme Court struck down this Single Directive as being arbitrary and
violative of the guarantee of equal treatment and equal protection of the law for all officers under
Article 14 of the Constitution. That was in the Vineet Narain judgment. Central Government gave
statutory status to the Central Vigilance Commission through the Central Vigilance Commission Act
(CVC Act) and brought back the Single Directive in that law as well as by amending the Delhi Special
Police Establishment Act (DSPE Act). What the Apex Court had struck down earlier was only an
executive direction/resolution. Now the protective shield for senior officials was given legal sanction
with the stamp of Parliamentary approval to the 'Single Directive'. The Government argued that such
protection was essential for senior level officers to function in an independent manner without fear
of prosecution for every decision they made. This was like immunising the senior bureaucracy from
any inquiry into allegations of corruption against it. On being challenged under a PIL, the Supreme
Court referred the matter to a Constitution Bench How did the Court rule? The Constitution Bench of
the Court held that the 'Single Directive' contained in the CVC Act and the DSPE Act violated the
guarantee of Article 14 of the Constitution. Same is not granted to junior level officers. Further,
equal grade officers at the state level do not enjoy such immunity. Therefore, it is violative of Art.14.
26

The graphic does not say it. Islamic State functions from the capital city of Raqqa in Syria.refer pic
10
27
Q&A
Culture
Mother Goddess cult in primitive religion
Mother goddess is a goddess who represents, or is a personification of nature, motherhood, fertility,
creation, destruction or who embodies the bounty of the Earth. When equated with the Earth or the
natural world, such goddesses are sometimes referred to as Mother Earth or as the Earth Mother.
Mother Goddess worship is a recurrent theme in most early religions as well as many contemporary
ones
In India, Mother Goddess worship of Indus Valley Civilization has been carried forward into
contemporary Hinduism as Adiparasakthi the primeval energy that controls both time and space
and all creation.
Hindu worship of the divine Mother can be traced back to pre-vedic, prehistoric India.In Hinduism,
Durga represents the empowering and protective nature of motherhood.
In Christianity, Mother Mary is sometimes also revered as mother to all believers, allowing parallels
with mother worship.
It has been speculated that Mother Goddess worship was prominent in the life of early civilizations
where the relationship of man to nature was one of dependence and helplessness. As mans
relationship to nature became one of control and exploitation with growth in organizational and
technological capabilities, Mother worship gradually gave way to patriarchy and Monotheism
centered around a male God.
28
Make no mistake: this article is such a good presentation of the relevant issues in matters of
separation of powers and public policy that in the Civil Services examination- general Studies,
Political Science and Public Admn, paper setter is most likely to be inspired to quote from here. All
civil servants are expected to be conversant with these issues. Refer pic 11
29
Our PM's tough talk means the spine is back in our policy. Augurs very well.refer pic12
30
This post on the Hindu Centre for Politics and Public Policy gets law wrong.
https://www.facebook.com/TheHinduCentreForPoliticsAndPublicPolicy

31

Decline of Legislature.Courts also can not tell them to sit for a certain minimum number of days
because of this : Article 122 :Courts can not inquire into proceedings of Parliament. Ironically, if one
were to maliciously build a case for how well the legislature is functioning, what comes to one's
rescue is the number of Bills passed in this what can be called "bikini period" of 56 days: 129 Bills!!!
Refer link e
32
One can think of an MCQ from this graphic.
33
CSR Examples
34
MCQ&A
Central transfers to states to finance their capital expenditure are classified under the Indian Public
Finance as
a. Revenue Plan expenditure
b. Revenue Non-Plan expenditure
c. Capital Plan expenditure
d. Capital Non-Plan expenditure
1.
2.
3.
4.

a and c only
b and c only
a and d only
b and d only

35
India should be wary of China's thirst for water(TOI)*
Ron van Maurik

China is assessing necessary policies to cope with their water shortage. These policies do, however,
entail detrimental international implications; something which should not go unnoticed.
The northern regions of China and China's major cities are having dire levels of water scarcity, and,
needless to say, China is deploying the necessary measures to cope with these shortages. Besides
its South-to-North Water Diversion Project (SNWDP), China is also conducting projects in transboundary rivers, leading to direct consequences for lower-riparian regions and countries.
The Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (also known as the roof of the world) is home to the largest freshwater
reserves outside the north and south poles. This region is also home to the headwaters of many of
Asia's main rivers. It further provides residence for an increasing number of dams, which entails
ecological and economic effects for countries in South- and Southeast Asia.

Currently, there are five mega dams in use in the Lancang river (which eventually flows into the
Mekong), already leading to sedimentation, erosion of riverbanks, and reduction of fish, in countries
like Thailand and Laos. The flow of the river has also become more unpredictable, leading to
unexpected droughts or floods in downstream regions. China is currently constructing another eight
dams in this river, and has plans present for even more.
Earlier this year, China announced its latest five-year energy plan, containing proposals for more
hydroelectric plants, including three more dams on the Brahmaputra river, which is one of the larger
rivers that runs through India and Bangladesh. These proposals had rung alarm bells in India, who
for good and obvious reasons showed concern for their own future water resources.
Considering that there are no clear international agreements revolving China's water management,
further and larger scaled projects could be in sight, as is the perhaps entailed geopolitical tension in
that region. The countries that are affected by China's water management will probably not have a
significant impact on China's policy, as they are unlikely to unite themselves against China, for they
are too caught up in fighting each other over their own water issues. Increased water shortages in
these countries will only fuel their own conflicts; potentially including Indian-Pakistan conflicts and
Sino-Indian border disputes.
Diverting water from countries or regions could result in humanitarian crises caused by water
scarcity and drought. If China deprives India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and other countries from water
from trans-boundary rivers, agricultural production will take a dire hit in those countries. In order to
meet their demand their agricultural import will probably increase, possible resulting in food price
hikes, which will further aggravate the region's instability. The world has witnessed food price
upsurges for a couple of times this last decade, and showed to have grim implications for developing
countries, especially for their less fortunate inhabitants.
It is evident that national water policy entails direct effects on lower riparian states or regions, and
might even result in effects on a global scale. This makes it important that national water policy
should not simply be conducted with national consideration. Considering ecological, economical, and
humanitarian reasons, it is of the utmost importance that water policies with international
implications should be analyzed, checked, and agreed upon on an international level.
*Important because very soon this centrepiece of one of China's most spectacular engineering
projects will be completed, with the opening of sluicegates into a canal stretching over 1,200km
(750 miles).
This tis he Economist story on the same this week. Has a cute
map.http://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21620202-vast-new-waterways-will-not-solve-chinasdesperate-water-shortages-grand-new-canals
36
In our class room discussion on the Brics Bank last week, we had a small occasion to go into the
causes for the "sub-prime crisis". Some of what we touched on very briefly, is the burden of this
article. Will get to elaborate later.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-opinion/the-triumph-ofmuddlenomics/article6476780.ece

37
Daily Test Questions
1. Expand the following:
a. Compassion is the basis of morality.
b. Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobodys going to know whether you did it or
not. -2. With the help of recent Government of India initiatives, sow how clinical trials in India are better
regulated today.
38
Q&A
Q. Judicial independence goes much beyond appointment and removal process. Comment.
A. In the context of the 121st CAB and the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) Bill,
passed by Parliament in the monsoon session, a debate is raging about how to ensure judicial
independence. It is held that in order to insulate the judiciary from the political pressures, judges
should appoint judges as said by the apex court in the 1993 ruling. Critics hold that the collegium
system ushered in in that verdict lacks accountability and a system of checks and balances is
necessary. The current Bills are partly related to it.
However, to enable the judges to function independently , it is necessary lay down clearly the
qualifications for appointment in an elaborate way as to who is eligible and who is not. Conditions of
service have to be made more attractive. Post-retirement engagement in Government needs to be
restricted with a cooling off period. The presence of two civil society members as eminent persons in
the NJAC will also enable selection of right persons. Removal process is difficult as it stands today
and can continue to be so. However, judicial accountability for lesser misdemeanours needs to be
introduced. Also, a judicial standards framework needs to be formulated.
39
Q.Write on recent Pro Kabaddi League games in India. Recount some successes at the international
level for the Indian teams.
A.The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) is a professional kabaddi league in India, based on the format of
the Indian Premier League. The first edition of the tournament started on 26 July 2014 with eight
franchises consisting of players from around the world. Pro Kabaddi takes the sport of Kabaddi to
levels of new professionalism, which will benefit all stakeholders involved in the ecosystem of the
game, Kabaddi, most of all, the players themselves, who will become the new role models for the
youth of India. It highlights the new, modern, international and competitive face of Kabaddi
throughout the length and breadth of the country, and beyond. Pro Kabaddi is an eight-city league
with games played on a caravan format with each team playing each other twice in July and August,
2014. Maninder Singh got the title Jaipur ka Panther. He helped Jaipur Pink Panthers win the
inaugural Pro Kabaddi League.

India won gold in Mens and Womens Kabaddi beating Iran in Asian Games in Incheon in South
Korea in October 2014.
39
Just what you are waiting for.
Q&A
S&T
Q.What are Concentrated Solar Power(CSP) Technologies? Explain briefly how they operate. Which
one is the most popular?
A.Concentrated solar power (also called concentrating solar power, concentrated solar thermal, and
CSP) systems generate solar power by using mirrors or lenses to concentrate a large area of
sunlight, or solar thermal energy, onto a small area. Electricity is generated when the concentrated
light is converted to heat, which drives a heat engine (usually a steam turbine) connected to an
electrical power generator.
CSP is being widely commercialized and t growth is expected to continue at a fast pace in India.CSP
is not to be confused with concentrated photovoltaics (CPV). In CPV, the concentrated sunlight is
converted directly to electricity via the photovoltaic effect.
Most current CSP plants( 90%) are based on trough technology, but tower technology is increasing
and linear Fresnel installations emerging.
Parabolic trough technology
A parabolic trough consists of a linear parabolic reflector that concentrates light onto a receiver
positioned along the reflector's focal line. The receiver is a tube positioned directly above the middle
of the parabolic mirror and filled with a working fluid. The reflector follows the sun during the
daylight hours by tracking along a single axis. A working fluid is heated to 150350 C as it flows
through the receiver and is then used as a heat source for a power generation system.
Fresnel reflectors
They are made of many thin, flat mirror strips to concentrate sunlight onto tubes through which
working fluid is pumped. Flat mirrors allow more reflective surface in the same amount of space as a
parabolic reflector, thus capturing more of the available sunlight, and they are much cheaper than
parabolic reflectors. Fresnel reflectors can be used in various size CSPs
Solar power tower
A solar power tower consists of an array of dual-axis tracking reflectors (heliostats) that concentrate
sunlight on a central receiver atop a tower; the receiver contains a fluid deposit, which can consist
of sea water. The working fluid in the receiver is heated to 5001000 C and then used as a heat
source for a power generation or energy storage system.

Trough systems are the most developed CSP technology.

See them here.To be discussed by Dr.Banerjee in the Class. Refer pic 17
40
Anything new about the "new" Anti-Naxal Plan? The moral hazard involved in promoting surrender
policy needs to be grappled.
Amused that the graphic says that the Planning Commission has been wound up!!! Refer pic 19
41
Q&A
Environment
Q. What is adaptation in the fight against climate change?How does the National Adaptation Fund
help?
A. "Adaptation to global warming is a response to climate change that seeks to reduce the
vulnerability of social and biological systems to climate change effects.Even if emissions are
stabilized relatively soon, climate change and its effects will last many years, and adaptation will be
necessary. Climate change adaptation is especially important in developing countries since those
countries are predicted to bear the brunt of the effects of climate change. It is seen in the way cities
are planned( one dimension of "smart cities"); not allowing constructions close to coast etc. Union
Budget 2014-15 proposed to set up a 'National Adaptation Fund' for climate change, with an initial
amount of Rs 100 crore. The fund will focus on innovative methods of water conservation, use of
hybrid seeds, modernise irrigation systems etc, to help agriculture face climate change. The
relevance of the Fund comes through because of the following:
A recent report of the IPCC see monsoons becoming unpredictable and incidence of extreme
weather events rising with the impact on agriculture, predicting losses of over $7 billion in 2030.
Somewhat similar are the findings of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), which warns
that a 1C increase in temperature may reduce yields of wheat, soybean, mustard, groundnut and
potato by 3-7 percent. It says productivity of most crops will decrease . The rising temperature and
heat will directly impact livestock, leading to animal stress and reduced milk yield .
42
Egg freezing is being pushed as a great equaliser. May be it is.Women have reproductive right as to
when to go for pregnancy. Women are valued by the firm. Women do not lose out to men on the
career path. Women have babies when they can care. But the risk to health in producing more eggs
artificially. Frozen eggs can be activated later for which there is only 50% certainty. Becoming
mothers after 40 or so , may not be right. But then, life expectancy is increasing.
Now, could the firm be more friendly? Sure.
43

Q&A
Q. What do you understand by the term " analyse" in a question?
A.Analyse means study the issue carefully to discover the meaning and to form an opinion. Take a
question: The impact of taper of Quantitative Easing can be better withstood by India today. All
you need to do is understand QE; how it can impact us when it is being phased out; and how our
BOP is stronger today to survive the impact.
Similarly, analyse this statement: Pakistans pursuit of strategic depth with domination of its
western neighbor is undermining its own security.
44
Q&A
Q. How do you aproach the question when asked to "critically evaluate"?
A.Critically evaluate means: Give your opinion as to what extent a given statement is true and to
what extent you agree with it . Provide evidence taken from a wide range of sources which both
agree with and contradict an argument. Come to a final conclusion and justify it.
Take this statement: Critically evaluate Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act
2005 in the light of the last nearly one decade of experience.
Write your answer based on the evidence related to
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Wages
impact on profitability in agriculture
fiscal burden
corruption
lack of maintenance of assets
manual labour without machines defeats construction of sound assets

And
1.
2.
3.
4.

checking migration
creation of green assets
empowerment through social audits
Indias improved position on the GH Index

Then, you take up a balanced position like change the wage-material ratio to spend more on
materials; link it with skilling programmes; make it more transparent and accountable etc.
45
While the point is well taken that globalisation at times obliterates federalism in favour of
Centre(Art.253), it needs noting that the same globalisation empowers the states as they compete
to attract investments. Similarly, the sensitivities of the states are well factored into the federal

equation in the case of the government's policy on FDI-MBR- where the national doors are opened
by the Centre and state doors are open or shut as the individual states decide. This is cooperative
federalism.refer pic 23
46
Q&A
Ethics and Integrity
Q. Ethics may be only instrumental, it may be only a means to an end, but it is a necessary means
to an end (Dennis Thompson).Critically expand in the context of public service.
A. Ethics is the right way of doing things. It is a part of all or most of our actions. For a public
agency, ethics is the other side of all its actions. Take the example of Government: Government is
essentially in a country like ours a welfare institution. It is expected to provide and produce valued
public goods and services such as justice, safety, security, transportation, clean air and water, parks
and recreation, safe food and drugs, emergency services, and more. In every action mentioned
above, ethics is a necessary part. For example: transportation. It involves transport for all sectionsrich and poor. Similarly, water and security.
Ethics is thus the cornerstone of effective and democratic governance. The quotation says that
ethics is in the nature of means. It is so. The means part is that performance of duty has to be
honest. Delivery of services should be transparent and accuntable. Citizen participation, where
necessary ,should be encouraged.
But it also is an end. In the Indian Constitution an entire Chapter on Directive Principles of State
Policy is meant for ethical goals. Taking care of the vulnerable sections is an ethical end. Thus,
ethics is both an end and a means to an end.
The challenge is to ensure that public officials, elected and appointed, understand the importance of
ethics in carrying out the work of government and then act on that understanding.
47
Q&A
Ethics and Integrity
Q. Corruption is not a cause, but a symptom of breakdown. Critically examine the statement.
A. Corruption is spreading into vital parts of our society and the scale is mounting. The evil effects
are there for all to see- government programmes are not working well; poor are suffering
disproportionately; environmental degradation and so on. To remedy the situation, we need to
understand corruption as a symptom of the underlying crisis . There is a crisis in education,
governance and culture. Corruption mirrors it.
Education lacks value dimension. Good governance is still a goal and not a fact. Conscience is not
the source of individual action but materialism. Social capital- people bonding for common social
purpose- is rare. The antidote lies in addressing the factors influencing ethical behaviour in the
public service. While the educational system needs be sensitive to human values, an ethics

infrastructure needs to be in place.

At the same time, corruption can not be ruled out as the cause of breakdown. It creates inequality;
distorts public policy; deptrives government of its legitimate resources. This is also a shade of
breakdown. That is, corruption is as much the cause as it is the ffect.
48
Q&A
Ethics and Integrity
Q. To see what is right and not to do it is want of courage. Confucius.
Ethical dilemmas are faced by all people at various points of time in their relationships- personal and
social. In such situations it is more or less clear as to what should be the right course of action. For
example, not to join a company that has indulged in unethical practices. There are times when we
have to blow the whistle. There are other times that demand resignation due to the moral
pressures. Even as one sees the right course of action, if one does not do it, he is a coward. He
does not have the courage of conviction. Such courage comes about by the education one receives;
family is a source of conscience and courage; the ethics infrastructure like laws, institutions and how
well they work. Courage comes when one disregards the consequences if one is adequately
convinced of the rightness of action.
It means that if we are in a situation where we know what the right thing to do is, and we don't do
it anyway, then we are cowardly or weak of morale and lack courage.
49
Q&A
Aptitude and related
Q. What is aptitude? How is it related to intelligence quotient (IQ)?
A. Aptitude is a component of a competency to do a certain kind of work at a certain level, which
can also be considered "talent". Aptitudes may be physical or mental. Aptitude is not developed. It is
not knowledge, understanding, learned or acquired abilities (skills) or attitude. The innate nature of
aptitude is in contrast to achievement, which represents knowledge or ability that is gained through
learning.
Aptitude and intelligence quotient are related. But whereas intelligence quotient sees intelligence as
being a single measurable characteristic affecting all mental ability, aptitude refers to one of many
different characteristics, such as aptitude for military or civil service, entrepreneurship, pure science,
social science, computer programming etc.
Tests that assess learned skills or knowledge are frequently called achievement tests. However,
certain tests can assess both types of constructs.
(Textbook question and does not need any innovation. The answer presented here is from existing
sources)

50
Daily test Questions
1. Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana
2. Justify the ethics of confidentiality in public life
3. What is GAAR? Why is it controverisal? How does the government propose to bring about stability
in this matter?
51
Q&A
Current Affairs
Q.What is a Digital Wallet? Mention the advantages and limitations of it
A.A digital wallet is a virtual storage system that can contain money, coupons and a digital
certificate of our identity. Money can be added using a creditdebit card or net banking. It can then
be used at supported merchants for utility bill payments, prepaid mobileDTH recharges or
purchases. Wallet services can be accessed via a browser, through apps or even by SMS (in case of
limited internet access). The technology has evolved to use NFC (near field communication) in
supported hand held devices to make payments. With NFC, you have to just tap the device on an
NFC enabled payment kiosk and then authorise the payment with a passwordpin.
It saves time; it is safer; easier to track spending; almost all mobile wallet providers offer discount
schemes.
Limitations are limited merchants; usage of this service depends largely on access to a laptop or a
mobile tablet. However, if device runs out of battery, then we cannot do anything with a mobile
wallet; cant be used internationally; limited fraud protection.
52
Q&A
Ethics and Integrity
Q.Justify the ethics of confidentiality in public life.
We are living in an age where privacy is under threat from a variety of sources-technology,
commerce, crime and so on. There is information that is given in a fiduciary way by many to so
many entities and professionals. For example, HIV patients give information. If it is revealed, there
will be social ostracisation. Similarly, names of rape survivors. The information that we give to social
media agencies should be kept confidential. The data under Aadhaar equally requires confidentiality.
The emails, bank details and so on should not be divulged by government and relevant agencies.
Confidentiality is necessary for social security as there could be profiling.
Confidentiality can be broken only for serious reasons involving cracking criminal cases and so on.
Constitution protects privacy and Justice (Retd) AP Shah Committee recommended further
safeguards.

53
Daily Test Questions
1.
2.
3.
4.

" A strategic relation between India and Vietnam is in the offing." Discuss
Comment on Statement of Values for public servants
Internet of Things in India
Humane Society International's contribution to India's policy on cosmetics recently

54
Q&A
Indian Polity/Current Affairs
Q. What are PIO/OCI cards? What was announced by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for PIO/OCI
card holders in late September 2014 and how will it benefit them? Did Shri.Modi announce anything
for the Americans visiting India?
Both the cards are aimed at providing long-term residency rights to people of Indian origin and to
help them participate in economic and educational activities in India. Currently, the two cards
provide different facilities to their holders.
PIOs (Person of Indian Origin) are non-Indian citizens who have a 15-year single entry visa to live
and work in India with some restrictions.
OCIs (Overseas Citizen of India) are non-Indian citizens who have a lifetime multiple entry visa to
live and work in India with fewer restrictions.
Eligibility to become PIO/OCI is largely similar. Major difference between eligibility for PIO and OCI
cards is that OCI card is for those who are recent migrants- 1950 and after. However, some persons
cannot have OCI status:Anyone who was ever a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh or anyone who
served in a foreign military or worked in a foreign defense department etc.
Benefits of OCI card are : He/she does not have to report to the FRRO( Foreigner Regional
Registration Office) regardless of the length of stay.He/she can eventually become a citizen of India
if they remain an OCI for 5 years and live in India for at least 1 year before application.
If one is a PIO cardholder, he/she needs to reside in India for minimum seven years before making
an application for grant of Indian citizenship.
The merger of these two cards could make PIO card holders also eligible for the benefits that are
enjoyed by OCI card holders.
PM Narendra Modi announced that the two cards will be merged. PIO card holders will get life long
visas. PIO card holders who stay in India for a long time dont have to go to the police station. He
also announced that a new scheme will soon be announced for NRIs in a few months. "We will also
give long term visas for US nationals. We will also set up visa on arrival facilities for you," he said.
He announced that American tourists will be given visa on arrival.

52
Q&A
Ethics and Integrity
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. Edmund Burke.
Any given society in any age has challenges to face. Today, they are in the form of poverty,
terrorism, inequality, corruption, environmental degradation. These issues can destroy all the
progress we have made so far. These problems are called the evil in the quotation of Edmund
Burke. In the face of these problems, it is the responsibility of the good people to come together or
individually contribute to correction. The action that Burke exhorts the good me to take may be in
the form of joining the democratic politics, teaching, public service, scientific discovery etc. As a
result there will be less misery in the society. Words also have as much value as physical actions.
Through criticism of emergence of despotism, good men can bring about a truly tolerant society.
Ideas and free expression thus can hold the key to fighting the evil of regressive tendencies like
corruption, insensitivity etc.
53
Q&A
Rural Development /Flagships/Current Affairs
Q. Quality of assets created under MGNREGA has been a worrying aspect and needs constructive
solution. Comment and give suggestions.
A.An important objective of MGNREGA is the creation of durable assets to strengthen the natural
resource base of rural India and perpetuate livelihood security. However, MGNREGA has come under
strong criticism on the quality and sustainability of the assets created under it. What is required is
emphasis on creation of durable and quality assets through convergence of MGNREGA with other
Schemes
To strengthen quality and durability of assets, ensure optimal use of resources and livelihood
security, the State Governments should proactively take up convergence of MGNREGA with Schemes
of other departments with a greater focus on agriculture and allied activities.Convergence should be
viewed in the sense of a value add to MGNREGA either through technical/human resources or
financial resources through material component.
60:40 to be maintained at district level: To provide an impetus to convergence and creation of more
durable assets, the 60:40 ratio for wage and material costs could be maintained at district level for
all works taken together irrespective of the implementing agencies.
Capacity Building of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj functionaries through training modules is
necessary.
Inadequate technical staff for measurement and monitoring are major constraints to ensuring good
quality assets. The MGNREGA could move towards a more community based system of monitoring

and supervision which would include building the capacity of and motivating the community and
other stakeholders like NGOs, SHGs etc.
54
Daily Test Questions
1. Under what cirsumstances was National emergency imposed in 1975 in India? Why was it
criticised?
2. What was unique about the 1969 Presidential election in India?
3. Dhrupad
55
Zohra Sehgal
Zohra was an Indian actress and choreographer. Zohra started her career as a dancer in Uday
Shankar's troupe, performing in countries like the United States and Japan. She went on to appear
in numerous Bollywood films as a character actress with a career-span of over 60 years.
The famous films she was part of, include Neecha Nagar, Afsar (1946), Bhaji on the Beach (1992),
The Mystic Masseur (2001), Bend It Like Beckham(2002), Dil Se.. (1998), Saawariya and Cheeni
Kum (2007); and the TV series, The Jewel in the Crown (1984), Tandoori Nights (198587), Amma
and Family (1996). Considered the doyenne of Indian theatre, she acted with Indian People's
Theatre Association (IPTA) and Prithviraj Kapoor's Prithvi Theatre . She has also acted in Englishspeaking films such as Bend It Like Beckham.
She was awarded the Padma Shri in 1998, Kalidas Samman in 2001, and in 2004, the Sangeet Natak
Akademi. India's National Academy for Music, Dance and Drama presented her with its highest
award, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship for lifetime achievement. She received the Padma
Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian honor, in 2010. She died in July , 2014 due to cardiac
arrest.
56
Lovely line for an Essay on Dignity of Labour in India: "India became Sone ki Chidiya because of
hard labour put into farming, pottery, weaving and many such trades in a completely nonmechanised society."
57
Q&A
Indian Constitution/Polity
Q. What are retrospective laws and under what circumstances are retrospective laws valid in India?
A. Retrospective law is one that takes effect from a date before the date of making the law. It
applies to actions that took place when the law was different or was not in existence. It is also called
ex post facto law. It retroactively changes the legal consequences of actions that were committed
before the enactment of the law. In criminal law, it may criminalize actions that were legal when
committed; it may aggravate a crime by bringing it into a more severe category than it was in when

it was committed; it may change the punishment prescribed for a crime, as by adding new penalties
or extending sentences; or it may alter the rules of evidence in order to make conviction for a crime
likelier than it would have been when the deed was committed. Under Art.20, it is unconstitutional in
India.
However, a form of ex post facto law commonly called an amnesty law may decriminalize certain
acts or alleviate possible punishments. It is valid.
There is another dimension to it. For example, when a law repeals a previous law, the repealed
legislation is no longer applicable to situations to which it previously was, even if such situations
arose before the law was repealed.
Similarly, in civil matters that benefit retrospectively, it is valid. For example, raising salaries
retrospectively.
In 2006, Parliament passed the Office of Profit law and applied it with backdate- from 1959, it was
held valid.
In taxation matters, following is the correct position:
Parliament / State legislature can make a retrospective amendment of the law in cases where such
legislation does not contravene other provisions of the Indian Constitution.
A defect noticed by judicial decision can be cured by legislature retrospectively, thereby rendering
that judgment inoperative. However, legislature cannot directly over-rule judicial decision; it can
retrospectively cure the defect noticed by the Judicial decision thereby rendering the judgment
ineffective, by way of a validating legislation .
If a retrospective amendment of law is a direct interference with the principle ( ratio decidendi) laid
down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court, then it would be struck down as unconstitutional and invalid.
The amendment should not create any unreasonable restriction upon the fundamental or existing
statutory rights of the tax payer. If it creates untoward fiscal impacts on the tax payers so as to
deprive him of his rightful claim, then in such a case, the amendment cannot be upheld to have
been done in public interest and is arbitrary and discriminatory and violates Articles 14 and 19(1) (g)
of the Constitution of India.
The restrictions must not be arbitrary or of an excessive nature so as to go beyond the requirement
of the interest of the general public. At the same time, the lofty ideals of social and economic
justice, the advancement of the nation as a whole and the philosophy of distributive justice
economic, social and political cannot be given a go-by in the name of undue stress on
fundamental rights and individual liberty. It is thus the duty of the court to evaluate the
reasonableness of the retrospective amendment of law in light of the above mentioned principle to
ascertain whether it violates the provisions of Article 19(1) (g) of the Constitution so as to declare it
as unconstitutional.
58
Daily Test Questions

1. What are F-Gases?

2. Differentiate between secrecy and privacy.
3. Why is " living will" in news recently?
59
Q&A
S&T
Q. How does 3D printing technology help in cases of injuries and illnesses?
A. Researchers are in the process of bioprinting tissues and organs to solve a many injuries and
illnesses. Scientists are taking steps toward printing a working human heart. As part of this work,
they are pioneering breakthroughs in printing human stem cells. The combination of these stem
cells and 3D bioprinting is going to help repair or replace damaged human organs and tissues,
improve surgeries, and ultimately give patients far better outcomes in dealing with a wide range of
illnesses and injuries.
3D-Printed heart helped recently in a New York Hospital to save two-week-old baby without
performing multiple operations. They made use of a 3D printed replica of the heart of the two-weekold baby born with congenital heart disease to study it and plan the surgery. This helped the team
of surgeons to complete the surgery in just one operation, by practising surgery on the 3D-printed
replica of the affected heart. Normally such problems required several operations. The 3D printed
replica heart allowed the doctors to rehearse extremely complicated surgeries on the tiny heart,
which is less than a third of the size of an adult hand. The 3D printed replica heart was not a living
heart but just a dummy used as a reference.
Presently, a few objects like heart valves and some small veins have been created by 3D printing
using cells and it is too early to talk of a beating heart being created using 3D printing technology.
These developments could remove the ethical dilemmas associated with stem cells and potentially
take regenerative medicine to new heights.
60
Q&A
Ethics and Integrity
Q. More than ever, we need excellence in public service today-analyse.
A. Excellence is a talent or quality which is unusually good and so surpasses ordinary standards. It is
also used as a standard of performance. The need for excellence in government leadership at the
political and administrative levels has never been more than it is today. The complexity of the
world and the challenges are growing. Technology and its applications need creativity and
innovation on the part of public servants and corporate leadership as well. The opportunities are so
many to strengthen the nation that to tap on them, there is need for excellence. Socio-economic
challenges like poverty eradication; reduction of inequalities; introducing and sustaining global
standards d education in the country; dealing with climate change; upholding human rights and
promoting good governance and so on requires leadership of excellence. Ethics are an important
part of excellence as otherwise excellence will lose the social content.

While excellence is partly inborn, it is deliberately instilled through institutional mechanisms like
competitive examinations of the right type; education; training; rewards; global exposure etc..
Excellence is a continuously moving target that can be pursued through actions of integrity and
continuously learning and improving in all spheres.
61
Q&A
Current Affairs
Q. What steps did government and courts take recently for animal welfare?
A.India officially became the first cruelty-free cosmetics zone in South Asia with its passing of a ban
on imported animal-tested cosmetics.
The announcement comes after India had passed a national ban on cosmetic testing in 2013, as well
as ending testing on animals for household products earlier this year.
The dual ban will go into effect come Nov. 13th, meaning any product entering India after that date
cannot have been tested on animals.
The ban also marks just one of many other triumphs for animal rights in India. Last August, the
country banned shark finning, and this year alone the Indian Supreme Court banned dog fighting,
jalli kattu, the import and consumption of foie gras ( food product made of the liver of a duck or
goose) as well as religious animal sacrifices.
Humane Society International, an NGO which had been campaigning for it, said government inserted
a new rule 135-B in Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, banning import of such products.
No cosmetic that has been tested on animals after the commencement of Drugs and Cosmetics
(Fifth Amendment) Rules, 2014 shall be imported into the country, is the notification.
62
Q&A
Polity/History
800 years of Magna Carta
Magna Carta (Latin for Great Charter) was originally issued in Latin. It was sealed under oath by
King John in June 1215.
Magna Carta was the first document imposed upon a King of England by a group of his subjects, the
feudal barons, in an attempt to limit his powers by law and protect their rights.
The charter is widely known throughout the English speaking world as an important part of the
protracted historical process that led to the rule of constitutional law in England and beyond.
The 1215 charter required King John to proclaim certain liberties and accept that his will was not
arbitraryfor example by explicitly accepting that no "freeman" (in the sense of non-serf) could be

punished except through the law of the land.

It is hailed as the worlds most important document that established a new relationship between the
king and his subjects.
It is worshipped by democrats and constitutionalists for laying the foundations for modern
democracy, the defence of personal liberty and the protection of freedoms around the world.
63
Q&A
S&T/Current Affairs
Q.What is anthrax? Why was it in news recently in India?
A.Anthrax is an acute disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Most forms of the disease
are lethal, and it affects both humans and other animals. Effective vaccines against anthrax are now
available, and some forms of the disease respond well to antibiotic treatment.
Like many other members of the genus Bacillus, B. anthracis can form dormant endospores that are
able to survive in harsh conditions for. When spores are inhaled, ingested, or come into contact with
a skin lesion on a host, they may become reactivated and multiply rapidly.
Anthrax commonly infects wild and domesticated herbivorous mammals that ingest or inhale the
spores while grazing. Ingestion is thought to be the most common route by which herbivores
contract anthrax. Carnivores living in the same environment may become infected by consuming
infected animals. Diseased animals can spread anthrax to humans, either by direct contact (infected
blood to broken skin) or by consumption of a diseased animal's flesh.
At least seven persons died of suspected anthrax in the mid 2014 in Simdega district, Jharkhand mostly tribals as , when a couple of bullocks died they ate their meat
64
Q&A
International Relations/South Asia
Q. Significance of India-Bangladesh border for India and the steps taken by India to resolve issues
A. Among Indias priorities are improving access to underdeveloped and volatile northeastern states,
reaching advantageous water sharing agreements, and increasing connectivity with Southeast Asia
as part of New Delhis Look East Policy. All of these objectives will be difficult to achieve without
Bangladeshs support. Resolving the border crisis would grease the wheels for future cooperation,
development, and trade in the region.
India accepted the July 2014 United Nations tribunal ruling on the long-disputed sea border between
India and Bangladesh bodes well. Instead of protesting, Indias Ministry of External Affairs
spokesman announced that the ruling, which awarded around 80 percent of the 25,000 km of
disputed waters to Bangladesh, would further enhance mutual understanding and goodwill. This

demonstrated that the new government is willing and able to accept compromises on border issues
for the sake of regional cooperation.
In 2011, the prime ministers of India and Bangladesh signed a Land Boundary Agreement to resolve
their border disputes, and now a constitutional amendment that would ratify the agreement is being
considered by the bicameral Parliamentary Standing Committee for the External Affairs Ministry.
65
Q&A
Ethics and Integrity
Case Study
Q. You are head of the office. The Disciplinary Officer communicates to you that when he was about
to discipline an employee , the employee filed a frivolous claim of sexual harassment to try to avoid
the discipline. What would you do? What are the procedural and substantive issues in this case?
Answer
1. I will refer the complaint to the sexual harassment committee that was set up as a result of the
Supreme Court Vishakha verdict. I will make sure that there are women and social workers on the
panel. I will go by the findings and advice of the panel.
2. Make sure to create a harassment-free workplace. An employer's obligations with regard to sexual
harassment arise before any act of sexual harassment occurs. Therefore, take reasonable steps to
prevent harassment before it occurs. Post a sexual harassment prevention notice advising
employees of their right to a harassment-free workplace
3. Lay down a non-retaliation policy
4. Establish a reporting procedure
5. Time-bound action on complaints
6. Establish a false-claims policy
The question of whether a particular course of conduct constitutes sexual harassment requires a
factual determination. False accusations of sexual harassment can have serious effects on innocent
persons. There are three broad ways of proceeding against false accusation.
If an investigation results in a finding that a person who has accused another of sexual harassment
has maliciously or recklessly made false accusations, the accuser will be subject to appropriate
sanctions, including discharge.
Another approach is: No adverse action should be taken against the false complainant. If any action
is taken , it can have detrimental effect against the raising of complaints. More important, it can be
argued that an employee fails to report harassment for fear of disciplinary action.
Third aproach: refer the case of the employee who gave the false complaint to the Vishakha
committee so that proportionate and unbiased penalty can be handed.

The elimination of sexual harassment in the workforce is extremely important for every employer.
There is a financial imperative to eliminate improper conduct ;as well as a moral one.
66
Q&A
S&T
Q. What is nanomotor lithography?
A.Nanoengineers have recently invented a new unconventional nanoscale manufacturing technology
for mass production electronic components. It is a lithographic method in which a spherical
nanorobot made of silica that focuses light like a near-field lens is used to write complex patterns on
the surface of light-sensitive material to form the sensors and electronics components on nanoscale
devices. The researchers have dubbed the new technique as 'nanomotor lithography'. At present,
state-of-art lithography methods such as electron beam writing are used to define extremely precise
surface patterns on substrates used in the manufacture of microelectronics and medical devices.
These patterns form the functioning sensors and electronic components such as transistors and
switches packed on today's integrated circuits. The researchers, however, point out that this
nanomotor lithography method cannot completely replace the state-of-the-art resolution offered by
an e-beam writer, for example. But the technology provides a framework for autonomous writing of
nanopatterns at a fraction of the cost and difficulty of these more complex systems, which is useful
for mass production
67
Daily Test Questions
1. Delhi Declaration of SAARC Education Ministers' Meet 2014 October."
2. State the role of Indian parliament in the treaty making field.
68
Q&A
Ethics and Integrity
Case Study
Q. Prasad is a senior public servant who has worked in two Government departments over a twentyyear period as Director of Audit. In the course of performing his duties, involving primarily monetary
and budgeting issues, Prasad becomes aware that public revenue is being used inappropriately.
While he is not directly responsible for this aspect of the budget, he raised his concerns about the
illegally diverting funds from one part of the budget to another to Avinash, the head of Division.
Prasad learns that not only is Avinash aware of this practice, but also that he condones it. Not long
after, Prasad is summoned to talk to Avinash and to the Director-General about the issue. Prasad
prepares a short paper that identifies his understanding of the key issues and presents this to
Avinash and the Director- General. Due to the politically sensitive nature of the issue, Prasad is told
that the matter is not within his jurisdiction and therefore he should keep his nose out of it. This
advice is based on the fact that the incumbent government will not tolerate questions about how it
puts its budget together but that it also may face electoral shocks if the matter were to be made

public. Prasad and his two supervisors are acutely aware of the tensions between the department,
the minister and the government. After much soul searching, Prasad decides to obey his supervisors
by leaving the matter alone.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

What ethical dilemma did Prasad face?

Why did he suffer a crisis of conscience?
What are the operational factors in this case?
What type of conflicts did Prasad face?
What considerations guided Prasads course of action?
What other courses of action were opento Prasad ?
What would you have done in Prasads place?

Answers
1. There was the misuse of public money with senior officials trying to hide the fact. Whether to go
public with the facts or not was the ethical dilemma.
2. When Prasad could not muster courage to take the right stand , he faced a crisis of conscience.
That he did not take the best course of action troubled his conscience.
3. The forces operating here are : Prasads conscience; the ethical training he received; His own
professional ethics; interests of stakeholders such as taxpayers, public servants, government
members and groups served by a particular department who stand to lose in some way by the
misuse of public funds;
Legal, institutional and organizational factors may have influenced Prasads thinking. The legal
factors are whistleblower protection, Right to Information Act etc; perception factors was whether
his actions would be seen as right or wrong; institutional factor concerns codes of conduct that
outline correct procedures for reporting incidents like the unethical behavior of
colleagues;organizational culture in which Prasad works :whether it encourages people reporting
unethical behavior. The political factor seems to be the most potent in directing Prasad towards a
resolution to the dilemma since he chooses to accept the advice of his supervisors and not to pursue
the matter further.
4. The conflicts that Prasad faced are:
Obeying supervisors directives versus following his own personal values
Choosing to serve the best interests of the community versus the need to be responsive to the
government of the day; and
Following his professional ethics versus his desire to maintain his career.
5. Prasad seemed to be guided by the principle of what would create the least cost to the majority
of the people. In choosing not to act, he considered very carefully the implications and future
repercussions of the decision on himself personally; the government and his immediate
supervisors.It confirms the recurrent condition: Strong pressures to choose the easier wrong rather
than the tougher right in a difficult situation.
6. Prasad could have blown the whistle but it carries risks to his career and personal life, probably
future of his family also. He could have secretly leaked it but that would be faceless though it would

have served the public purpose of enforcing legal behavior.

7. I would have behaved as Prasad did: bring it to the notice of the authorities informally but not to
press it to the logical conclusion as it was not in m official domain of powers.
69
Q&A
Current Affairs
New Delhi Declaration on Education
At the second meeting of Education Ministers of the South Asian Association for Regional
Cooperation (SAARC) held in New Delhi in late October, representatives of Afghanistan, Bangladesh,
Bhutan, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka issued a joint statement titled The New Delhi
Declaration on Education. Education Ministers of eight South Asian countries resolved to collaborate
on increased use of information technology and improving the quality of education.
The priority areas of action decided upon include enhancing the learning and development readiness
of pre-school children, ensuring education for all, expanding skill development, facilitating mutual
recognition of qualifications and mobility of students and teachers and expanding alternative ways of
learning such as open and distance education.
The Ministers discussed Indias use of information and communication technology in education,
development and sharing of e-resources, connectivity, e-learning and Massive Open Online
Courses(MOOC).
70
Q&A
Current Affairs/India-US Relations
India-USA FATCA
The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) is a United States federal law that requires United
States persons, including individuals who live outside the United States, to report their financial
accounts held outside of the United States, and requires foreign financial institutions to report to the
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of US about their U.S. clients. Congress enacted FATCA to make it
more difficult for U.S. taxpayers to conceal assets held in offshore accounts and thus to recoup
federal tax revenues.
The law aims to check and impose withholding tax on illicit activities of some wealthy individuals
who use offshore accounts to evade millions of dollars in taxes.
A noncompliance with FATCA entails 30 per cent withholding tax on certain US source payments.
The Government of India has concluded an 'In Substance' agreement with the Government of USA
for entering into an Inter Governmental Agreement (IGA) for implementation of FATCA. In view of
this all banks and other financial institutions in India will be required
to identify, establish and report information on financial accounts held directly or indirectly by US

persons
The FATCA is in news in India as the government says that if the foreign black money account
holders names are revealed and confidentiality breached, Fatca is taken as violated. It has the effect
that every US investor- FII and FDI and others will have to pay a withholding tax of 30% to the US
government.
FATCA mandates the deduction and withholding of tax equal to 30% on a US source payment to
recalcitrant FIIs or FFIs in non compliant countries which do not meet with the requirements of
FATCA. Such 30% withholding will also be imposed by other FATCA compliant countries against non
compliant countries.The consequences of not signing the the agreement with US under FATCA
would be disastrous.It will negate the efforts being undertaken by our government to revive the
Indian economy.
71
Q&A
Health/S&T
Q. How can nanotechnology help in dealing with anaemia?
A. Anaemia is the most common nutritional disorder in the world, caused by deficiency of iron in the
diet that reduces red blood cells' ability to carry oxygen. The condition can be effectively by using
oral iron supplements containing soluble iron salts. But iron supplements often react adversely with
chemicals and bacteria in the gut, causing constipation and diarrhoea. Researchers in Cambridge,
UK, have come up with a new method of administering iron supplement using iron nanoparticles
that would avoid the problems encountered with conventional iron supplements, because they are
absorbed by cells in a different way that leaves none of the reactive form in the gut. The
researchers first tested and confirmed that nano-iron is non-toxic in cell and mouse experiments and
then tested five different formulations on 26 pre-menopausal women. The one that worked best was
80 per cent as effective as standard supplements in replenishing haemoglobin, but with no side
effects.
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Q&A
Current Affairs/Indian Economy
Q. Differentiate between production sharing agreements and revenue sharing agreements in oil
exploration. Why is the government shifting to the latter model? Do you agree with the decision of
the government?
A. Production sharing agreements (PSA) are a common type of contract signed between a
government and a resource extraction company (or group of companies) concerning how much of
the resource (usually oil) extracted from the country each will receive. In production sharing
agreements the country's government awards the execution of exploration and production activities
to an oil company. The oil company bears the mineral and financial risk of the initiative and
explores, develops and ultimately produces oil/gas from the field . When successful, the company is
permitted to use the money from produced oil to recover capital and operational expenditures.The

remaining money is split between the government and the company.

Production sharing agreements can be beneficial to governments of countries that lack the expertise
and/or capital to develop their resources and wish to attract big domestic and foreign companies to
do so. They can be very profitable agreements for the oil companies involved as well.
A section of experts favour the production sharing model for deep sea exploration because
guarantees for the recovery of all sunk costs are important to attract oil majors with proprietary
technology.
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) had criticised PSA which prevails in India on
grounds that it encourages companies to increase capital expenditure and delay the governments
share.
A panel headed by Prime Ministers Economic Advisory Council Chairman C Rangarajan had in 2013
suggested moving to a revenue-sharing regime that requires companies to state upfront the
quantum of oil or gas they will share with the government from the first day of production.In the
new regime, the companies will have to indicate the quantity of oil and gas they will share with the
government at different stages of production as well as at different rates.
Based on the suggestion, the Oil Ministry proposed to auction at least 56 blocks for exploration in
the next licensing round.
( You may please ask questions in the classroom, if you want)
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Daily test Questions
1. What are the implications of the suicide bomber attack on the Wagah border for India?
2. Do you think MGNREGA should focus on the most backward blocs? If so, Why?
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Minimum government.....refer pic28
75
Q&A
Environment/Current Affairs
Q. What are HFCs? Do you think these chemicals are environment-friendly? State Indias stand on
phasing out HFCs.
A. HFCs were introduced as ozone-friendly gases but they are greenhouse gases with high global
warming potential. They are factory-made gases used in air conditioning and refrigeration. While
HFCs are less abundant in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide, they have 10,000 times the planetwarming potency. But carbon dioxide lingers in the atmosphere for centuries, while HFCs
disintegrate after about 15 years.
Some countries like the US and several other developed countries have long been seeking to replace
HFCs with alternative technologies, such as HFOs( hydrofluoroolefins ) and want the matter to be

discussed under the Montreal Protocol.

The international debate about Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)the climate-damaging refrigerant
gases is: should they be treated as short lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) under Kyoto Protocol or
be phased out Montreal Protocol.
Since HFCs are not ozone-depleting, they have been kept out of the Montreal Protocol that currently
deals with phasing out ozone depleting substances like hydro-chlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) and
chlorofluorocarbons (CFC). HFCs, on the other hand, contribute to global warming and come under
Kyoto Protocol.
India initially wanted them under climate talks as in these talks India enjoyed common but
differentiated treatment and did not have to take emission targets. But there is international
pressure on India to take targets though on a lesser scale than the developed countries. Thus,
climate talks do not offer any special advantage for HFCs. PM Narendra Modi in an op-ed in the
Washington Post, co-authored with US President Barack Obama back in September, had recognised
the Montreal Protocol (MP) as the right forum for HFCsbut with reporting and accounting under
the UNFCCC. This was depicted as an encouraging step towards changing stance of India on the
issue.Previously, this had been a point of disagreement between India and the US since India
opposed any action on HFCs under Montreal Protocol.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) expressed its view that the HFCs are a part of
SLCPs but have higher global warming potential when compared to carbon dioxide. Even though
HFCs only contribute to less than one per cent of global warming to date, their production,
consumption and emissions are growing at a rate of 8 per cent every year.
While these debates go on, the global climate agreement in Paris in December 2015 might lead to
more clarity on the issue.
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Q&A
Energy/Environment
Q. "Microgrids are the answer for the plan goal of round-the-clock power for all by 2022. Explain.
A. Microgrid is a small standalone system connected to solar panels which can supply power to
about 100 households. In this model, a customer registers with the microgrid owner with a monthly
subscription, and the service provider provides him solar power for two lights, a fan and cell phone
charging socket.
A customer would spend Rs 100. It is cheaper than kerosene and has been growing rapidly.
A microgrid costs under Rs 60,000 to set up and the project costs get recovered in three years -including maintenance, upgrades and other overheads. Households save money each month which
helps ensure payments. These micro-economics are sound, low-risk and sustainable and are
attractive for investors.It has to prospects that every village in India will soon be electrified, thanks
to the solar microgrid revolution.

With such clear economics, more companies are looking at the sector. "People in the industry clearly
see the business opportunity here now as there are hundreds of villages with no electricity and it
doesn't make economic sense for the government to put up a grid" Shaad said.
Firms say that while for the immediate term, lending from NABARD would help, to take this on a
longer term, government support would be required in terms of giving service providers protection
and status to function like a state electricity utility.
Micro grid holds the key to lighting and digitally connecting millions of lives. The Centres plan to
supply electricity 24/7 to all parts of India in five years needs microgrids as a practical solution to
provide electricity to off-grid and inaccessible areas.
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Q&A
Ethics and Integrity
Case study
You are audit officer asked by the government to audit the operation of the charitys internal
controls as the charity enjoys tax breaks. A board manages the charity on behalf of the trustees.
You are concerned that unauthorised payments have been made by former trustees using the
charity credit card for their personal use. Therefore, in your report, you have suggested various
policies and procedures that should be put in place to prevent this practice in the future, and have
recommended that the individuals in question should be investigated by the appropriate
authority.You have presented your report to the Government and a cpy was given to the board, but
you suspect that it will not act on your recommendations, as it would prefer to avoid negative
publicity. You are unsure whether to take this matter forward yourself or leave it to the charity to
address. It turned out that having read your report, the charity retrospectively amended the law and
removed the illegality to protect its reputation.
Answer the following questions based on the above facts:
1. Having presented your report, can you overlook these unauthorised payments by the former
trustees and still demonstrate integrity?
2. You must comply with relevant law and regulations. What are your responsibilities?
3. How should you proceed so as not to discredit yourself or your profession?
4. Would the retrospective law be valid?
Answer
1. I presented an objective report to the government and a copy to the Board and now it is the
responsibility of the government and the Board to proceed with the right course of action.
2. My responsibility is to quantify the extent of the fraud after evaluating the evidence I have.
3. I should not blow the whistle as I am a government auditor and not a private auditor who under
the new Companies Act 2013 has the obligation to blow the whistle. Various law enforcing agencies
will take it up as it is in their jurisdiction.
4. Retrospective law may be valid but it will erode the respectability of the charity body, contrary to
their motive.

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Q&A
Ethics and Integrity
Case study
Children need a Identification Card issued by the government without which it is difficult for social
programs and public services to ensure right targeting of children beneficiaries. The lack of a card
also led to child trafficking. The government needs to address this and provide its citizens with
better protection and benefits. What challenges would you face in making the programme work and
how will you overcome them?
Few of the prominent challenges would be reaching the poorest population especially rural and
indigenous communities, people living in border areas, and in distant remote places. It may also be
difficult to reach people who spoke different languages that may not be in the Eighth Schedule.
Monetary constraints may prevent people to even travel to the nearest government office. It is also
difficult for children without any birth certificate to register themselves.
These obstacles can be overcome in the following way:
Enhance the outreach by expanding the number of offices of government
Issuing standards for flexible processing
Coordination with local authorities, community leaders, mayors, or other public services such as
health and education, as well as with the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces to reach remote
villages and communities
The use of direct media
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