UNIT TEST - 1: ​Current Affairs (July + August)

1. “The increasing incidents of fires ravaging the Amazon rainforest is a matter of global concern”.
Elucidate. (10 Marks, 150 words)

Approach:
● Introduce the answer with the facts supporting increase in fire incidents in the Amazon rainforest.
● Discuss why the increase in fire incidents in the Amazon forest is a matter of global concern. In
short, discuss its global implications.
● Conclude the answer with a way forward to control fire incidents in the Amazon Forest.

Answer​: The data from the Brazilian space agency suggests that there is a 76% increase in incidents of forest
fire in Brazil in 2019 as compared to 2018. Similarly, other areas like Roraima saw a 141% increase, Acre
138%, Rondônia 115%, Amazonas 81% and so on during the same period.
Forest fires are commonly caused by natural factors like lightning strikes in the Amazon during the dry
season of July to October. However, the increase in incidents of forest fire this year is being attributed to
man-made factors like clearing land for crops or grazing by farmers and loggers. This is becoming a cause of
global concerns for many reasons.

Reasons for global concern

● Survivability of flora and fauna: ​Amazon forest ​is home to rich and diverse flora and fauna along
with being home to many indigenous communities. Thus, the fires their survival.
● Spread to other countries: ​A number of other countries in the Amazon basin are also seeing a
high number of fires like Venezuela, Peru and Bolivia.
● Carbon emission: ​The fires are releasing a large amount of pollutants like carbon dioxide and
carbon monoxide, which are being carried to far-reaching areas like the Atlantic Coast.
● Global warming: The Amazon forest is called ‘Lungs of the World’, as it absorbs millions of tonnes
of carbon every year, which is crucial to regulating global warming. However, when trees are cut or
burned, it reduces its capacity to absorb carbon, leading to an increase in global warming.
● Economic interest: ​Amazon is a rich mineral-deposit region, and many foreign corporations and
governments are having their economic interests of exploiting natural resources at stake.
● Ecological changes: The destruction of the forest can lead to a complete change in the ecology,
as the rainforest helps in maintaining the water cycle not only on a regional scale but on a global
scale.

Therefore, the world should come together to protect the Amazon forest in the following ways-
● The concerned South American countries should take ​efficient legal measures to curb illegal
human activities like slash farming, etc.
● They should also accept the offers by developed countries to ​use their technology in extinguishing
fires.
● The developed countries should come forward to ​offer aid to concerned countries without any
strings attached, and these countries should accept and efficiently utilise the aid to fight forest
fires.

2. Explain the two sides of the debate on Data Localisation. (10 Marks, 150 words)

Introduction
 What is Data Localisation
It is the requirement to store and process the data of the residents of a country within the country itself. This
is enforced by the governments of countries.

Body
RBI made it compulsory that financial data of all Indians be stored in India.
Data protection draft law by a committee headed by retired Justice B N Srikrishna recommended that all
personal data of Indians have at least one copy in India.

For side of the debate

Government agencies can monitor the data.Surveillance for security. Can stop fake news from spreading
(Whatsapp issue)
Security from foreign attacks and interference (Cambridge Analytica case)
Data is the new oil.Can promote domestic innovation for in-house data storage.
larger presence of international companies in India - they would have to set up local offices and this would
increase tax liability.

Against side of the debate

It goes against the values behind the internet which was envisaged as a globalised,independent platform
It would lead to the fracturing of the internet.
It may affect India’s startups aspiring to grow the global market
State misuse and surveillance of personal data.Also, security and government access may not be achieved
by localisation. Even if the data is stored in the country, the encryption keys may still remain out of the
reach of national agencies.

Conclusion
Data science technology is a futuristic field. Regulation has limits.Regulation be done in such a way that
every stakeholder has a meaningful say in it.

3. Ocean is the next frontier for mankind. Discuss Deep Sea Mining in this context. (10 Marks, 150
words)

Introduction
Depth of the oceans have not been explored much due to the challenges (high pressure)
But modern technology is making it possible - advancement in robotics, computer technology, use of new
materials to withstand pressure etc.Ocean is a treasure of resources unexplored.
This is where deep sea mining come to the picture

Body
Deep Sea mining is the process of retrieving mineral deposits from an area of the ocean below 200 m.
Manganese nodules, metal- rich crusts on sea mounts, sulfide deposits near hydro- thermal vents are
resources identified for exploitation. Minerals are extracted by the use of pipes lowered to the sea from
production support vessels.
The metals can be extracted can be used in electronic devices, smartphones, batteries and solar panels
It would be commercially viable only if the extraction can be scaled up manyfold w.r.t. current estimates
 India’s Deep Ocean Mission (DOM)
It will focus on technologies for deep-sea mining, underwater vehicles, underwater robotics and ocean
climate change advisory services. India is exploring a significant area of the Central Indian Ocean Basin
(CIOB) with the authorization of the UN International SeaBed Authority for extraction of manganese
nodules
These are rocks scattered on the seabed containing Iron, Manganese, Nickel and Cobalt.Being able to lay
hands a small part of that reserve can potentially help meet the energy requirement for the next 100 years.
China, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Russia and also some small islands such as the Cook
Islands, Kiribati have joined the race for deep sea mining. Most of the countries have tested their
technologies in shallow waters and are yet to start deep-sea extraction.

Caution
The deep ocean is home to unique species that have adapted themselves to conditions such as poor
oxygen and sunlight, high pressure and extremely low temperatures.The deep sea’s biodiversity and
ecology remain poorly understood, making it difficult to assess the environmental impact and frame
adequate guidelines. Concerns have been raised about the noise and light pollution from the mining
vehicles and oil spills from the operating vessels. Rising of suspended particles to the surface can harm
filter feeders in the upper ocean layers.

Ocean is the next frontier waiting to be explored and to derive benefit from but cautious, sustainable
resource use is the only way to go about it if we are to avoid the mess we have created on the land above

4. The Fourth estate(Press and news media ) is being muffled in India. Discuss. (10 Marks, 150
words)

On what grounds is it contended that freedom of press and media is being corroded in India
World Press Freedom Index - Published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF)It is a snapshot of the media
freedom situation based on an evaluation of pluralism, independence of the media, quality of legislative
framework and safety of journalists in each country and region. India ‘s ranking is abysmal. It also fell to
140 in 2019 from 133 in 2016.Should a report by a foreign organisation be taken seriously. It is better to
take notice.

Body
Violence against journalists including police violence, attacks by Maoist fighters and reprisals by criminal
groups or corrupt politicians is on the rise in India

Sedition Law
Authorities use anachronistic sedition laws against journalists( Section 124-A was added to the IPC in
1870 by the British). The act reeks of the colonial attitude of suspicion towards natives.
IPC has not yet been amended in spite of public outcry in many cases

The Official Secrets Act(OSA)

The Act is used to withhold information.The OSA does not define “secret” or “official secrets”. Public
servants could deny any information terming it a “secret” when asked under the RTI Act.
The ​Second Administrative Reforms Commission (SARC) Report(2006) suggested that the Act should be
substituted by a chapter in the National Security Act that incorporates the necessary provisions. No action
was taken by any governments that came into power after 2006.
The SARC report stated that as the OSA created a culture of secrecy. Is withholding information the only
issue with the Act?
Also, potential breaches of national security, is often misinterpreted. The Section makes it a punishable
offence to share information that may help an enemy state. The Section comes in handy for booking
journalists when they publicise information that may cause embarrassment to the government or the armed
forces.

Right to Information - Recent amendment

The designation of the Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) and Information Commissioners (ICs) which
was equivalent to the CEC and the ECs respectively. The security of tenure provided to the posts have
been removed by the amendment.Through the amendment,the salaries, allowances, and other terms and
conditions of service of the central and state CIC and ICs comes under the purview of the central
government.It has been acknowledged that one of the most important structural constituents of any
independent oversight institution like the CVC, the Chief Election Commission (CEC), the Lokpal, and the
CIC is a basic guarantee of tenure.When the amendments come into effect, the Centre could simply
transfer any authority — be it the CIC or any of the SICs — in the event a case was thought to be directed
against the interests of the government.

The Whistleblowers Protection Act - proposed amendment

The amendment bill seeks to remove the clause which safeguards whistleblowers from prosecution under
the Official Secrets Act (OSA) if they make a disclosure under Whistleblowers Protection Act.

Other than these direct means, governments can stop advertising in newspapers which goes against the
official line about what is happening.

The silence of the media about the curtailment of freedoms in J&K, the coverage given to national security
issues much more than what is given to the economic situation in the country - all arouses doubts about
media freedom

Conclusion
Press freedom is of utmost importance as it informs citizenry about the commissions and omissions of the
government of the day. Citizens and the press are to fight to keep that freedom alive. A government that
heeds to constructive criticism would function better and enjoy the confidence of the people.Thus, when a
government curtails the freedom of the press,it does itself harm.

Note: If you take a different stance. Validate the answer accordingly

5. Discuss the significance and limitations of the Motor Vehicle Act 2019. (10 Marks, 150 words)

Approach:
● Introduce the answer with the context of enactment of the Motor Vehicle Act of 2019.
● Discuss the significance of the Motor Vehicle Act of 2019.
● Discuss the limitations of the Motor Vehicle Act of 2019.
● Conclude with a way forward to overcome the limitations of the Motor Vehicle Act of 2019.

Answer: According to the data released by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, in 2017, 4.64 lakh
road accidents claimed lives of 1.47 lakh people. Out of which, two-wheelers accounted for over a third of all
road accidents.
In this context, with the aim to enhance road safety, the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2019 has been
passed. The act wants to deter individuals from violating traffic rules, for which it has introduced heavy fines
for drunken driving, driving without licence, dangerous driving, over-speeding, etc.

Significance of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Acts, 2019

● Reduce road accidents: Due to the fear of hefty fines, people may start following the traffic rules,
and thus, road accidents can be actually reduced.
● Assured compensation: It will ensure renewal of valid motor insurance so that the aggrieved
parties in a road accident can get compensation.
● Easy aid to the injured: The act provides for the protection of those who render emergency
medical or non-medical assistance to a victim of an accident, from any civil or criminal liability. Thus,
it ensures easy aid.
● Compulsory insurance: The act provisions for a Motor Vehicle Accident Fund to provide
compulsory insurance cover to all road users.
● Accountability: It fixes accountability of parents to control their children, of vehicle manufactures
for complying with standards, and of contractors for road design standards, etc.

Limitations of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Acts, 2019

● Unaffordable fines: ​The hefty fines provided in the law is being criticised by the public, as they are
considering it a way to increase the revenue of the government. Various cases of very high amounts
of fines are coming out in the media and social media, criticising the government.
● Model Act: It is only a model Act and its implementation depends upon the state governments,
which are free to make their own laws and rules. This could lead to dilution of the effective
provisions.

Way forward
● There is a need to generate awareness about the purpose behind high fines and the importance of
human life through IEC strategy.
● State governments should enact their state laws in sync with this model act to make it effective.

6. Critically examine the government policies in higher education till date. (15 Marks, 250 words)

Introduction
Access to secondary school education (class 1X to class XII, ages 14-18) enrolment is low in India. Only
40% of adolescents enrol for secondary education. In spite of the many committees set up, all the schemes
and programmes, independent India has not been successful in drawing young adults to education. This is
a major loss for the country.
Body

Reports and Schemes

The Radhakrishnan Commission of 1949,
the National Education Policies of 1968 and 1986,
the Yashpal Committee of 2009,
the National Knowledge Commission in 2007, and
the draft NEP of 2019 and EQUIP (Education Quality Upgradation and Inclusion Programme) have all
basically said the same thing.
While it is always valuable for various government committees to point to the importance of higher
education for economy and society, it is time that the focus shifts to implementation

Schemes
Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan
Inclusive Education for Disabled at Secondary Stage
Scheme of Vocational Education
Scholarship schemes for Minority students
National Scheme of Incentives to Girls for Secondary Education
Many schemes inclusive of most social categories have not been fruitful to a large extent

What is wrong?
Inadequate allocation of funds
Higher education in India has been chronically underfunded — it spends less than most other BRICS
countries on higher education. Other related ministries and departments such as Space, Scientific and
Industrial Research, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Science and Technology, Health Research
and Agricultural Research have also not been allocated much. State governments have to spend the bulk
of higher education money.
Improper institutional set up leads to the wastage of the fund.
Funding for basic research on pedagogy and the like is minimal.
industry provides little support.
India’s gross post - secondary enrolment ratio is 25.8%, significantly behind China’s 51% or much of
Europe and North America, where 80% or more young people enrol in higher education.To reap the
benefits of demographic dividend, this area needs urgent attention.
Half of the population is under 25 years of age.
Non-completion is a serious problem.
Improvement of the quality of education is also a challenge.

What is to be done?
Increase in funding
Improvement in pedagogical techniques through research and data analysis
Better Teacher Training
 Improvement in student:teacher ratio
Better classroom infrastructure

Promotion of child-centric education system

Robust quality assurance
accountability for performance of teachers
Affordability also have to be kept in mind

Conclusion
India cannot afford to lose out on this front. The future of the country is at stake

7. “Asymmetric constitutional provisions are a common feature of federalism in diverse societies like
India”. In this context, analyse the pros and cons of asymmetric constitutional provisions. (15
Marks, 250 words)

Approach:
● Introduce the answer with the meaning of asymmetric constitutional provisions and a few examples
of it in India.
● Discuss the pros or advantages of asymmetric provisions with examples.
● Discuss the concerns associated with asymmetric provisions with examples.
● Conclude with a way forward to remove the concerns of asymmetric provisions.

Answer: Asymmetric federalism means that certain federal subunits are granted differential rights, usually
w.r.t their distinctive ethnic identity. For example- Quebec in Canada and some regions in Indonesia were
provided with a special status of autonomy​. ​Similarly, in India article 370 made special provisions for Jammu &
Kashmir and article, 371 for the states like Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland and Sikkim, etc. It has been
observed that asymmetric federalism has both advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages of Asymmetric federalism

● Conflict resolution: It has helped in settlement of a number of regional conflicts in India. For
example- Article 370 to end the conflict between the Indian constitution and the state of Jammu &
Kashmir.
● Satisfaction of subunits: It works as a solution to the dissatisfaction of subunits that feel
significantly different needs from the others, as the result of an ethnic, linguistic or cultural
difference. For example- Demand of special status by Andhra Pradesh.
● Promote interstate and intrastate equity: ​Differential rights help in uplifting poor and backward
states to bring interstate and intrastate equity. For example- Article 371 contained measures to
promote intra-State equity in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Karnataka.
● Damp secessionist tendency: By recognising multiple modes of belonging within the Union, the
asymmetric federalism helps in damping secessionist tendencies of states. For example- Autonomy
to Nagaland has prevented secession.

Disadvantages of Asymmetric federalism

 ● Discriminatory: By prescribing certain rights like property or job rights, Asymmetric federalism
discriminates between the citizen. For example- Article 35A discriminated between married men and
women in Jammu & Kashmir w.r.t property rights.
● Against unity: It is also argued that asymmetric federalism furthers secessionism and hinders the
promotion of unity. For example- Jammu & Kashmir having an increasing secessionist tendency.
● Anti-egalitarian: Autonomy arrangements are also considered as anti-egalitarian as they prevent
the extension of rights in force elsewhere in a country. For example- reservations to SC/ST were not
applicable in Jammu & Kashmir.

The constitution of India avoided extreme rigidity and complete flexibility w.r.t. to federalism and enabled it
to be both ‘unitary as well as federal’ with the help of asymmetric federalism according to the requirements of
time and circumstances. Therefore, this constitutional permissiveness should be used by the centre and the
states to deepen federalism rather than weakening it.

8. “A mere increase in the court’s strength may not be enough to reduce the burden of judiciary”. In
this context, suggest some more measures to reduce the pendency with the judiciary. (15 Marks,
250 words)

Approach:
● Introduce the answer with some facts on pending cases with the judiciary.
● Discuss the recent context of increase in the number of Supreme Court judges.
● Discuss the significance of increasing the number of judges in the Supreme Court.
● Discuss the reasons why only an increase in the number of judges would not be sufficient to reduce
the burden of the judiciary.
● Suggest measures other than increasing the number of judges to reduce the pendency with the
judiciary.

Answer​: As of August 2019, there are over 3.5 crore cases pending across the Supreme Court, the High
Courts, and the subordinate courts. Of these, subordinate courts account for over 87.3% pendency of cases,
followed by 12.5% pendency before the 24 High Courts. The remaining 0.2% of cases are pending with the
Supreme Court.
In this context, recently, the Parliament passed a bill to increase the number of judges in the Supreme
Court from 30 to 33. This will have many benefits.

Significance of increasing the number of judges in the Supreme Court

● It will​ increase the availability of judges​ in proportion to the institution of cases.
● It will help in ​dealing with the large pendency of around 59,331 cases with the Supreme Court
through speedy disposal of cases.
● The CJI of India will be able to constitute ​enough Constitution Benches to decide important
questions of law.
● It will ​reduce the number of undertrials in prison, solving the problem of under-capacity of Indian
prisons.

However, a mere increase in the Supreme Court’s strength will not be enough to liquidate the
burgeoning docket of judiciary. It is because there are many other factors that also contribute to the
pendency with the courts, such as-
 ● The Supreme Court has to provide corrections of decisions of every high court in many cases,
which leaves them with a ​higher number of appeal cases​.
● Nonoptimal use of judicial resources ​available has been observed.
● The valuable time of the Supreme Court is being taken up by ​mundane matters that are not related
to larger questions of laws and constitutional provisions. For example- routine bail matters or
non-urgent PILs, etc.

Therefore, the need of the hour is to supplement the increase of number of judges with the following
measure-
● Save the court’s time: ​Reasonable restraints on the duration of oral arguments and t a disciplined
adherence to a schedule of hearings should be there.
● Role fixation: The apex court’s primary role as the ultimate arbiter of constitutional questions and
statutory interpretation should be preserved, and for all other mundane matters, a separate
mechanism should be established.
● Separate constitutional Courts: A clear division at the level of the apex judiciary should be
provided with the help of separate constitutional courts.
● Cassation Benches: As suggested by the Law Commission in its 229th report, four ‘Cassation
Benches’ for different regions of the country can be made final appellate courts for routine litigation.

Thus, an increase in the number of judges along with the above suggested arrangement could also
increase access to justice to those living in remote areas of the country and will reduce their time and
money spent in pursuing appeals.

9. “Resource Efficiency can help in achieving sustainable development”. In this context, discuss the
significance of India’s recent draft National Resource Efficiency policy. (15 Marks, 250 words)

Approach:
● Introduce the answer with the meaning of Resource Efficiency (RE) and its role in achieving
sustainable development.
● Discuss the context of recent draft National Resource Efficiency Policy.
● Discuss the significance of the draft National Resource Efficiency Policy.
● Conclude the answer by linking it with achievement of sustainable development goals.

Answer: Resource efficiency means using the limited resources of the Earth in a sustainable way by
minimising impacts on the environment. In short, it means to create more with less and to deliver greater value
with less input. It ​can help in achieving sustainable development in the following ways-
● Restoring and maintaining the health of natural resources like metals and minerals, water, air,
biomass and land, etc.
● Improving competitiveness and job creation​.
● It will contribute to ​higher social welfare by improving ​social sectors like health through improved
access to clean water and food, and improved waste management.
● It can contribute to ​achieving climate change targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions
without adverse effects on the economy.
● It could also be ​advantageous from the technical, monetary, aesthetic, and cultural
perspectives.
 In this context, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has come up with a Draft National
Resource Efficiency Policy (NREP) 2019, which aims to implement resource efficiency across all resources. It
has the following ​significances​:

Thus, implementation of Resource Efficiency policy will not only help us with the above benefits, but it will
also help us in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 12 on ensuring sustainable consumption and
production patterns along with eight other indirect goals (Goals 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 14 and 15)​.

10. Protectionism can have disastrous consequences to the world economy but the modern economic
system based on ruthless competition is not sustainable either. Comment. (15 Marks, 250 words)

Introduction
It is time we reassess the economic system on which the world works

Body
The modern economic system prevalent in most parts of the world is the liberal free market system. The fall
of the U.S.S.R sounded the death knell to the socialist system.
The WTO, IMF and other international trade and monetary organisations reinforces the liberal system. Free
trade allows free flow of goods, services and people across borders.
Protectionism creates artificial barriers like tariffs ( charged on goods imported to the country).
Thus it goes against the basic rationale of the liberal system. In the liberal system, such artificial barriers
adversely affect the world economy.

Why are countries resorting to protectionism?

This is most apparent in the case of U.S and China
The U.S’ case is that its markets are being flooded by Chinese goods and this is adversely affecting U.S
industries. The counter argument is that Chinese imports frees up industrial labour in the U.S that gets
utilised in the service sector for higher wages.But with Chinese foray into the IT industry (5 G etc.), this is
no more the case.
The U.S is accusing China of theft of intellectual property related to the IT industry

This kind of protectionism is harmful to the world economy as trade wars or just the fear of an impending
trade war can lead to a slump in global production.

Examining at a more fundamental level, the modern economic system, though has been successful in
raising millions of people from poverty, has had many adverse effects.

The most obvious adverse effect has been on the environment. Competition even in a well-regulated
condition does not fully take into account the loss due to environmental degradation.
Rising inequality is a major cause of concern. State-corporate nexus (election funding, lobbying) has tilted
the economic balance in favour of the rich. Basic social services are not being provided to every citizen in
the country in the name of free market economics when such services cannot be provided by private
parties. When citizens are being deprived of basic services like education and health, there cannot be a
level playing field which is a basic requisite for a free market economy.

Conclusion
Solutions
New methods of accounting like green accounting, push for renewables (sustainable resource use)
Nurturing the value of trusteeship ( Gandhian ideals)
Democracy in the economic sense with everyone receiving basic services
Changes in election financing
Feminising economic systems by promoting conscientious impartial competition
Giving more voice to developing countries in international platforms