GS 1

INSIGHTSONINDIA
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SECURE SYNOPSIS
MAINS 2017
GENERAL STUDIES
PAPER I
FEBRUARY
SECURE SYNOPSIS | FEBRUARY 2017
Table of Contents
Topic: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from
ancient to modern times ___________________________________________________________ 4
1. Discuss critically the role played by Archeological Survey of India (ASI) in preserving India’s art and
architecture since colonial times. (200 Words)_______________________________________________ 4
2. How can governance patterns of the past inscribed and depicted in various art forms across Tamil
Nadu, help present administration deal with various burning issues? Examine. (200 Words) __________ 5
3. In order to bridge the gap between urban and rural consciousness, between the past and the
present, another trend which is very much visible in the post-modernist poetry scene is the use of
mythology to present the modern predicament. Discuss features of this trend. (200 Words) __________ 6
4. Examine the contribution of women poets to Bhakti movement. (200 Words)__________________ 7
Topic: The Freedom Struggle – its various stages and important contributors /contributions from
different parts of the country. _______________________________________________________ 9
5. How different would have been the nature and direction of Indian independence movement without
Lord Curzon? Discuss. (200 Words) ________________________________________________________ 9
6. Discuss critically the role played by moderates in India’s national movement, especially by Dadabhai
Naoroji and Phirojshah Mehta. (200 Words) _______________________________________________ 10
7. In what ways ideology and methods of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad differed from Mahatma Gandhi’s
vis a vis in playing their role in India’s national movement. (200 Words) _________________________ 11
8. Discuss the significance of contributions made by women freedom fighters during the second half of
the 20th century. (200 Words) __________________________________________________________ 12
9. What role did foreign women play in struggle for India’s independence? Also examine what
prompted them to contribute to India’s freedom struggle. (200 Words) _________________________ 13
10. How did British policies impact Indian agriculture and farmers during the period 1700 – 1857?
Critically examine. (200 Words) _________________________________________________________ 15
11. Critically analyse how did the 1857 Revolt affect various aspects of India’s struggle for
Independence. (200 Words) ____________________________________________________________ 16
Topic: Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present-
significant events, personalities, issues_______________________________________________ 17
12. Robert Clive, Warren Hastings and Dalhousie contributed immensely in helping the British expand
and hold on to power in India. Compare and contrast their role in making India a victim of colonial
atrocities. (200 Words) ________________________________________________________________ 17
13. Why was Mahatma Gandhiji killed? In your opinion, how should Indians remember and celebrate
January 30? Comment. (200 Words) ______________________________________________________ 18
14. Critically discuss contributions made by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar to anticolonial struggle and
nationalism. (200 Words) ______________________________________________________________ 19
© INSIGHTS ACTIVE LEARNING 1 GS I

Topic: Modern World History; Redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, ______________ 20

15. What do you understand by ‘two state solution’ in the Israel – Palestine conflict situation? What
are the other alternative solutions available and which one should international players endorse and push
for? Critically examine. (200 Words) ______________________________________________________ 20
Topic: Political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc.- their forms and effect on
the society. _____________________________________________________________________ 21
16. What do you understand by liberal capitalism? Do we need liberal capitalism today? Justify. (200
Words)21
Topic: Salient features of Indian society______________________________________________ 24
17. “The problem of pit emptying must become central to India’s efforts to eliminate open
defecation.” Critically discuss importance of pit emptying and measures needed to enforce it to eliminate
open defecation. (200 Words) __________________________________________________________ 24
Topic: Role of women; Social empowerment __________________________________________ 25
18. Recently protests erupted in Nagaland after its government refused to revoke the decision to
reserve 33 per cent seats for women in upcoming civic body polls. Examine why there is opposition to
women’s reservation and also critically comment on this issue. (200 Words) ______________________ 25
19. Discuss critically various problems faced by women with mental illness and measures needed to
address these problems. (200 Words) ____________________________________________________ 25
20. Illustrate with facts the disproportionate burden that falls on women and girls due to deficiencies
in sanitation facilities in India. (200 Words) ________________________________________________ 27
21. Critically comment on the role of women in electoral politics in India. (200 Words) __________ 28
22. Should triple talaq be outlawed? What arguments can be made in favour of outlawing triple talaq?
Critically comment. (200 Words)_________________________________________________________ 29
23. The 2011 Census revealed the welcome fact that both the child sex ratio and the overall sex ratio
in Punjab had improved considerably over the previous census data. However, subsequent rounds of
National Family Health Survey data show that gender bias against the girl child in terms of health coverage
and nutrition is not only higher than in the developed states but also the poorer ones. In this light, what
should state and union government do to address this issue? Critically examine. (200 Words) ________ 31
24. What are the benefits of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act to women? Also
examine issues involved in using the MTP Act. (200 Words) ___________________________________ 32
Topic: Poverty and developmental issues; population and associated issues _________________ 33
25. More than 240 million children are living in conflict zones and even more children are suffering
from various abuses. What should be done to protect the rights, lives and futures of the world’s most
vulnerable children? Critically examine. (200 Words) ________________________________________ 33
26. Last month, Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi once again reiterated the
need to set up a national sex offender registry. Do sex offender registration laws and public access to
these records reduce sex crimes? Critically examine. (200 Words) ______________________________ 34
27. What challenges does rapid ageing of population pose to policymakers in India? Social attitudes
toward ageing in India and around the world is unfavourable towards aged people. How can this attitude
be changed? Examine. (200 Words) ______________________________________________________ 36

Topic: Effects of globalization on Indian society ________________________________________ 37

28. It is said that the opposition to women’s participation in decision-making bodies and processes is
centuries-old in Naga society. Critically examine how economics and globalization have exacerbated this
attitude against women. (200 Words) ____________________________________________________ 37
Topic: Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, ___ 38
29. Identify earthquake prone regions of India. Explain why they are prone to frequent earthquakes.
(200 Words) _________________________________________________________________________ 38
30. What do you understand by plate tectonics? Examine latest findings made in understanding plate
tectonics. (200 Words) ________________________________________________________________ 40
Topic: Changes in critical geographical features (including waterbodies and ice-caps) and in flora
and fauna and the effects of such changes ____________________________________________ 41
31. Recently researchers from the University of Cambridge in the UK and Banaras Hindu University in
Uttar Pradesh have examined how Indus populations in north-west India interacted with their
environment. Discuss their findings. (200 Words) ___________________________________________ 41
32. How eras, epochs and eons are decided in geological timescale? Recently it was decided to name
present epoch as anthropocene. Critically discuss salient features of anthropocene. (200 Words) _____ 42
Topic: Urbanization – problems and remedies _________________________________________ 44
33. With Indian cities and towns already struggling, the management of rapid urban expansion will
remain one of the most important challenges over the next decade. What’s the solution to meet these
challenges? Discuss. (200 Words) ________________________________________________________ 44
34. What is a proprietary city? Examine role of these cities in urbanization and national development.
(200 Words) _________________________________________________________________________ 45
35. A new study has found that India’s rapidly worsening air pollution is causing about 1.1 million
people to die prematurely each year and is now surpassing China’s as the deadliest in the world. In this
light, critically examine why India’s air pollution problem is worsening while China, USA and some of the
European countries have shown progress in containing pollution. (200 Words) ____________________ 47
36. Is there a correlation between high levels of pollution in India and coal-fired power plants?
Critically discuss. (200 Words) ___________________________________________________________ 48
37. Critically examine the role of urban planning in addressing urban violence in Indian cities. (200
Words)50
38. Why wetlands are considered as the kidneys of the cities? Critically examine how and why
wetlands in Indian cities are adversely affected. (200 Words) __________________________________ 51
39. Why do you think that technologies such as Uber that are so successful managing movement
within the city are not being deployed for the journeys between them? How can it be made possible?
Examine. (200 Words) _________________________________________________________________ 53
NOTE: Please remember that following ‘answers’ are NOT ‘model answers’. They are NOT synopsis
too if we go by definition of the term. What we are providing is content that both meets demand of
the question and at the same time gives you extra points in the form of background information.

GS I
Topic: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from
ancient to modern times
1. Discuss critically the role played by Archeological Survey of India (ASI) in

preserving India’s art and architecture since colonial times. (200 Words)
The Hindu
Introduction-
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), under the Ministry of Culture, is the premier organization for the
archaeological researches and protection of the cultural heritage of the nation. Maintenance of ancient
monuments and archaeological sites and remains of national importance is the prime concern of the ASI.
Besides it regulate all archaeological activities in the country as per the provisions of the Ancient Monuments
and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958. It also regulates Antiquities and Art Treasure Act, 1972.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) was formed in 1861 by a statute passed into law by Canning, with
Alexander Cunningham as its first Archaeological Surveyor, to excavate and conserve India’s ancient built
heritage.
Role played by ASI-
Monuments protection- The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) under the provisions of the AMASR Act,
1958 protects monuments, sites and remains of national importance. There are at present more than
3650 ancient monuments and archaeological sites and remains of national importance belonging to different
periods, ranging from the prehistoric period to the colonial period. These monuments and sites are maintained
and preserved through various Circles of the ASI spread all over the country.
Excavation- Various Branches and Circles of the ASI carry out archaeological excavations in different parts of
the country. Since independence various agencies like the Archaeological Survey of India, State Departments
of Archaeology, Universities and other research organisations have conducted archaeological excavations in
different parts of the country.
Conservation and preservation- ASI carries out these activities namely under structural conservation and
chemical preservation. Structural conservation mainly deals with repairing and restoring ancient monuments eg
Sanchi stupa while chemical preservation deals with restoring colors and shades of ancient paintings, sculptures
etc.
Epigraphic studies– ASI has active contribution in documenting and deciphering inscriptions and coins all over
the country and also abroad.
Museums- ASI deeply involved in preserving ancient antiquities through museums across India and thereby
spreading awareness among citizens about the rich culture of India;.
Publications- ASI regularly publishes magazines and journals about its work and recent discoveries.
Archaeological endeavors of the Survey extended beyond the frontiers of the sub-continent and have
excelled in all its expeditions abroad.
 Cambodia-
The conservation of Ankorwat in Cambodia is perhaps one of the most outstanding projects of the Survey
in the foreign countries.
 Afghanistan-
The conservation and restoration of Buddha at Bamyain, Khwaj Parsa’s Mosque at Balkh and extensive
repairs to the shrine of Sufi saint Khwaja Abu Naser under R. Sen Gupta and B. B. Lal and their colleagues
was one of the important endeavours of the Survey.

 Nepal-
Rare images like Shiva as Ekpada-Trimurti, Chandra riding on a chariot of geese, Mahesha-samhara and
Vishnu in ardhanari were the most outstanding discoveries.
 Indonesia-
A delegation visited the famous monument at Borbodur and it was extensively documented.
Shortcomings of ASI-
 There have no strong police actions on FIR’s filed by ASI in the past. How is it that FIRs against ordinary
people are followed up but not when defenceless monuments are taken over by those who enjoy political
backing?
 The demoralisation of its cadre is the most obvious. Trained professionals within it are known to have given
up serious archaeological pursuit because non-technical people now run the show.
 In the ASI, corruption is becoming almost as common as a criminal is in our political system. It is rumoured
that postings to “remunerative” segments are open to bidding among hopeful claimants.
 Projects are regularly awarded to external agencies as if outsourcing India’s past will solve the problems
that face its institutional guardian.
 There is no archaeological leadership. For over a decade, the head of the ASI has inevitably been some
IAS officer with little knowledge of either monuments or archaeology.
2. How can governance patterns of the past inscribed and depicted in various
art forms across Tamil Nadu, help present administration deal with various
burning issues? Examine. (200 Words)
The Hindu
Background:-
The recent protest on issue of Jallikattu, the disputes regarding sharing Cauvery water in Tamil Nadu shows
that many issues can be addressed with help of ancient art forms.
1. Gender equality:-Sangam literature attached due importance to women in domestic environment, codified
self-discipline and post-marital way of life – strive for improved participation of women in economy, politics
and social environment
2. Good governance:-Thiruvalluvar in his work Tirukkural, demonstrated importance of decentralization,
advocated fairness and justice (Manu Needi Cholan), avoidance of Nepotism etc (Eg Nepotism alleged in
appointments to state PSU’s)
3. Water management :-Ancient Tamil society believed that water holds the key to the land’s development,
health, food security and economic progress, the same can be replicated in managing the current river
basins, drought management and also resolution of disputes (Eg Kauvery dispute)
4. Resource management :-Equitable distribution of resources was evident in traditional society, while
currently regional disparity in development is evident with East TN (industrial clusters) as expense of West
and central parts (rich in resources) so a proper formulation of skill, environmental and regional
development policies are needed
5. International footprint:-Tamil rulers had improved connections with Sri Lanka (Ceylon), SE Asia, so
similar efforts must be made to reinvigorate the diplomacy, and also peaceful resolution of disputes (EG
India-SL fishermen dispute)
6. Social cohesion:-Increasing caste/class conflicts in TN can be resolved through increased tolerance via
spiritual connection (Bhakti movement), cultural festivals rooted in traditions like ‘Urur Olcott Kuppam
Vizha’, ‘Carnatic music’ etc

Conclusion:-
Ancient society though lacking the resources we have in present, but they offer us a treasure of ‘love and
wisdom’ with universal and practical rules for effective governance. Customized assimilation of traditional rules,
though are needed to fit the needs of the modern society.
3. In order to bridge the gap between urban and rural consciousness, between
the past and the present, another trend which is very much visible in the
post-modernist poetry scene is the use of mythology to present the modern
predicament. Discuss features of this trend. (200 Words)
CCRT
Introduction-
Mythic thoughts, in fact, are attempts to mediate the gaps between continuity and change, thereby
authenticating the idea of ‘total poetry’. By using similar mythological situations, a broader dimension is given
to the present-day chaotic condition in which humanity is living today. The mythical past affirms man’s
relationship to the transcendent. It has a value-structure. It is a rediscovery of the past for the present, and an
adaptation for the future.
Features of this modern trend are-
 Religious tolerance and importance of following path of Dharma (truth) has been advocated in the treatises
of Mahabharata, Ramayana and medieval movements like Bhakti which explicitly finds place in current
poetry to prevent social conflicts.
 Ancient India is endowed with rich philosophy of religion like Hinduism, Buddhism, jainiaism which laid
greater emphasis on ahimsa, honesty, morality etc, modern writers disenchanted with contemporary
violent order, extremism, and fundamentalism and thus become necessary to regain what world is loosing.
 Post-independence writers were disturbed by poverty and Urban- Rural inequality and compared the
instances from the past-affluence to portray the current degradation and also highlight importance for
inclusive development and equitable distribution of resources, coupled with increased respect for
environment.
 Early vedic society was classless, casteless and largely egalitarian, women had dignified life and were
allowed to recite the mantras etc. This impressed Daya Anand Sareswati to greater extent and stated
people should learn the past which is actual place of peace and harmony, he explicitly rejected priesthood,
westernized social milieu.
 Religion was used extensively by many poets to extol universal principles like Honesty, Integrity etc. Many
of the Indian poems thus written were mythic. For example, Lord Rama was idolized for being an obedient
son, and many works were written preaching people to be like him in the modern age.
 After independence, writers were agonized over disintegration of society and break in relationship with
heritage, and shift towards Western Literature and use of English, however soon it was realized that Indian
reality cannot be represented by Western models and subsequently many writes/poets turned to ancient
roots.
Conclusion-
The present-day crisis in India is the conflict between expediency and universality, and as a result, a large
number of writers are in the process of identifying a pattern of problem-solving within the traditional system,
vigorous enough to generate and sustain an indigenous process of modernization, which does not need
readymade external solutions, and is in accord with indigenous needs and attitudes.

4. Examine the contribution of women poets to Bhakti movement. (200 Words)

CCRT
Introduction:-
The Bhakti movement refers to the theistic devotional trend that emerged in medieval Hinduism and later
revolutionised in Sikhism. It originated in the seventh-century Tamil south India (now parts of Tamil Nadu
and Kerala), and spread northwards. It swept over east and north India from the 15th century onwards, reaching
its zenith between the 15th and 17th century CE.
Background Information:-
 The Bhakti movement regionally developed around different gods and goddesses, such as
Vaishnavism (Vishnu), Shaivism (Shiva), Shaktism (Shakti goddesses), and Smartism.
 The movement was inspired by many poet-saints, who championed a wide range of philosophical positions
ranging from theistic dualism of Dvaita to absolute monism of Advaita Vedanta.
 The movement has traditionally been considered as an influential social reformation in Hinduism, and
provided an individual-focussed alternative path to spirituality regardless of one’s caste of birth or gender.
 Postmodern scholars question this traditional view and whether the Bhakti movement ever was a reform
or rebellion of any kind. They suggest Bhakti movement was a revival, reworking and recontextualisation
of ancient Vedic traditions
WOMEN IN BHAKTI:-
 The contribution of women writers in different languages during that period deserves special attention.
Women writers like Ghosha, Lopamudra, Gargi, Maitreyi, Apala, Romasha Brahmavadini, etc., right from
the days of the Vedas (6000 B.C. – 4000 B.C.), focused on the image of women in mainstream Sanskrit
literature.
 The songs of Buddhist nuns (6th century B.C.) like Mutta and Ubbiri and Mettika in Pali express the torment
of feelings for the life left behind.
 The Alwar women poets (6th century A.D.), like Andal and others, gave expression to their love for the
divine.
 Lal Ded (1320-1384), the Muslim poetess from Kashmir Lalded & Habba Khatun, represented the sant
tradition of bhakti and wrote Vakhs (maxims), which are peerless gems of spiritual experience.
 Meera Bai, in Gujarati, Rajasthani and Hindi (she wrote in three languages), Avvayyar, in Tamil, and
Akkamahadevi in Kannada, are well known for their sheer lyrical intensity and concentrated emotional
appeal.
Contribution:-
 Their writings speak to us about the social conditions prevailing at that time, and the position of woman at
home and in society. They all wrote small lyrics or poems of devotional fervour, metaphysical depth, and
with a spirit of dedication and utmost sincerity. Behind their mysticism and metaphysics is a divine sadness.
They turned every wound inflicted by life into a poem.
 If we examine the role of the women in the bhakti movement we can see that women exploited the religious
emotion to deal with patriarchy and created an alternate space for themselves.
 They challenged patriarchy and the mortal man to whom they were tied in a relationship of marriage by
extending the definition of love to God and understanding his relation with them in terms of a lover, a wife,
a mistress, a friend and a servant.
 It is the large scale participation of women that gave the movement the character of a mass
movement. Religion was the only space which was open to women in medieval times.

 Through this legitimate space women could define their actions and aspirations and participate in public
gatherings, visit pilgrimage places, compose their own songs and through bhakti directly reach God.
 In this way they sowed the seed of an idea that women could be agents of their own religious emancipation.
Some important female contributors:-
1) MEERA:- Meera, also known as Meera Bai, was a 16th-century Hindu mystic poet and devotee of Krishna.
She is a celebrated Bhakti saint, particularly in the North Indian Hindu tradition.
Meera Bai was born into a Rajput royal family of Kudki district of Pali, Rajasthan, India. She is
mentioned in Bhaktamal, confirming that she was widely known and a cherished figure in the Indian bhakti
movement culture by about 1600 CE. Most legends about Meera mention her fearless disregard for social and
family conventions, her devotion to god Krishna, her treating Krishna as her husband, and she being persecuted
by her in-laws for her religious devotion. She has been the subject of numerous folk tales
and hagiographic legends, which are inconsistent or widely different in details.
Thousands of devotional poems in passionate praise of Lord Krishna are attributed to Meera in the
Indian tradition, but just a few hundred are believed to be authentic by scholars, and the earliest written records
suggest that except for two poems, most were written down only in the 18th century. Many poems attributed to
Meera were likely composed later by others who admired Meera. These poems are commonly known
as bhajans, and are popular across India. Hindu temples, such as in Chittorgarh fort, are dedicated to Mira Bai’s
memory. Legends about Meera’s life, of contested authenticity, have been the subject of movies, comic strips
and other popular literature in modern times.
2) Akka Mahadevi (c.1130-1160) was one of the early female poets of the Kannada language and a prominent
personality in the Veerashaiva Bhakti movement of the 12th century. Her 430 extant Vachana poems (a form
of spontaneous mystical poems), and the two short writings called Mantrogopya and the Yogangatrividhi are
considered her most notable contribution to Kannada literature. She composed relatively fewer poems than
other saints of the movement. Yet the term Akka (“elder Sister”), which is an honorific given to her by great
Veerashaiva saints such as Basavanna, Siddharama and Allamaprabhu is an indication of her contribution to
the spiritual discussions held at the “Anubhava Mantapa”. She is in hindsight seen as an inspirational woman
for Kannada literature and the history of Karnataka. She is known to have considered the god Shiva (‘Chenna
Mallikarjuna’) as her husband, (traditionally understood as the ‘madhura bhava’ or ‘madhurya’ form of devotion).
Akka Mahadevi was born in 1130 in Udutadi (or Udugani) near the ancient city of Banavasi in the
modern Shimoga district of Karnataka state, India.
3) Lal Ded Lalleshwari born;1320, died;1392, was a mystic of the Kashmiri Shaivite sect. She was a creator
of the mystic poetry called vatsun or Vakhs, literally “speech” (Voice). Known as Lal Vakhs, her verses are the
earliest compositions in the Kashmiri language and are an important part in history of modern Kashmiri
literature. She inspired and interacted with many Sufis of Kashmir.
She is also known by various other names, including Lal Ded, Lalla Aarifa, Lal Diddi, Laleshwari, Lalla
Yogishwari and Lalishri.
4) Sahajo Bai:- It is generally agreed that she was born in 1683 and died in 1765.In many of her verses she
describes the hard work that she does grinding corn, carrying water, sweeping, digging. She says that one can
walk on the guru’s path only if one is a brave warrior and frees one self of the fear of death. Sahjo’s verses are
collected in Sahaj Prakash, the major text of the Chandradasi sect.
5) GangaSati:- Gangasati, another bhakti poetess of Gujarat, have handed down all her compositions through
the oral tradition. All this was written down much later after her life and we only have some rough accounts of
her life. Gangasati was a devoted Rajput woman married to Kahlubha, in the village of Samdhiala in Surashtra
Kahlubha according to legend was asked by his fellow Rajputs to prove his faith by bringing a dead cow
back to life. He started chanting and singing invoking God to perform a miracle. The cow did come back to life
but after this he decided to take mahasamadhi and renounce his life for he felt that he would not be allowed to
practice Bhakti for its own sake but would become a miracle man.

Ganga sati also wanted to join him but he prevented her saying that she had not passed on her
knowledge and wisdom to their daughter in law Panbai. Gangasati composed a set of forty bhajans or hymns
for this purpose and this is the only recorded case of a woman who is respected for her knowledge passing it
on in a formal way to another.
Topic: The Freedom Struggle – its various stages and important contributors /contributions from
different parts of the country.
5. How different would have been the nature and direction of Indian
independence movement without Lord Curzon? Discuss. (200 Words)
Bipan Chandra, Struggle for India’s Independence
Introduction-
Lord Curzon was a true successor of Lord Dalhousie. He was great imperialist, authoritarian in temperament,
ruthless in his ways and wanted to achieve too much at too great pace.
The time of his governorship (1899-1905), was the formative phase of Indian national movement. Thus he tried
to strangulate Indian nationalism and freedom movement by all fair and foul means.
Reactionary policies of Lord Curzon-
 Through Calcutta Corporation act 1899 he reduced the number of elected legislatures to deprive Indians
from self-governance.
 He brought Indian universities act 1904 mainly to increase official control over universities and to stop the
spread of nationalism among youths.
 He looked at Indians with contempt and insulted and injured their feelings. He described Bengalis as
cowards, windbags, impracticable talkers and mere frothy patriots. He even refused to meet to president
of Indian national congress.
 The biggest blunder he committed was the partition of Bengal. Although it was a political masterstroke to
break growing Indian nationalism among Bengalis, it proved disastrous for British in longer term.
Impact of Curzon’s reactionary policies-
Curzon by his impolitic utterances and imperialist designs brought political unrest in India to a bursting point.
Curzon’s imperialistic policies provoked reaction which in turn stung political life in India. Out of his tyranny was
born a stronger sense of nationhood. Taken in this light Curzon proved to be a benefactor of India without
intending to do so.
Nature and direction of Indian freedom movement without Curzon-
It was only after the decision of partition of Bengal that India’s first mass movement emerged in the form
Swadeshi movement in 1905. It intensified the nationalism in whole of India and marked the beginning of modern
politics. The social base of movement got widened to include students and women. Had the Curzon not taken
such a step Indian freedom movement might have to wait for another few years for witnessing first mass
movement and beginning of modern politics. Also without such mass movement nationalism would have got
limited to educated sections of society as earlier was the case.
The debate over the swadeshi movement led to split between moderates and extremists. This weakened the
vigour and strength of freedom movement for next few year. However Indian leaders learnt an important lesson
from it and future divides were successfully avoided.
Curzon’s reactionary policies stirred the Indian consciousness and provided impetus to the Indian nationalism.
Therefore when leaders like Lokmanya Tilak and Mahatma Gandhi emerged on the scene people readily
followed them.

Conclusion-
Although Curzon’s policies played important role in stirring nationalism among Indians it should be taken into
account that British rule as a whole was exploitative, insensitive, unethical and racist and Lord Curzon was just
small part of it. Even without lord Curzon Indian movement would have got flourished. As the sense of
nationalism and people’s sovereignty was spreading, British rule was bound to end. Curzon just intensified this
sense and unintentionally helped in this cause.
6. Discuss critically the role played by moderates in India’s national

movement, especially by Dadabhai Naoroji and Phirojshah Mehta. (200
Words)
Struggle for India’s Independence, Bipan Chandra
Introduction:-
During the first twenty years of its inception the Congress was completely controlled by the liberal leaders known
as the Moderates. Every community of the country was represented in the organization and it was truly a national
body. Most of the leaders came from the upper strata of the society and were the product of western education.
Some of the notable leaders of the early congress were Dada Bhai Naoroji, Pheroz Shah Mehta, M.G. Ranade,
Baddrudin Tyabji, G.K. Gokhale, S.N. Banerjee, W.C. Banerjee, and Subramanyam Iyer.
Role played by Moderates in Indian National Movement:-
 This was the first generation nationalists who faced heavy odds to convince British for reforms. They
brought a maturity among public by their speeches and writings due to which the struggle kept on gaining
the strength.
 The economic critique done by Dada Bhai Naoroji, M G Ranade, and R C Dutta exposed the true character
of colonial rule. The drain theory also exposed the so called white man’s burden and explained that it was
actually the burden of wealth carried away by colonial people. Economic critique proved that India being
systematically impoverished.
 Moderates exposed the hollowness of British Claim of paternal regime. The realization of true character of
British rule resulted in emergence of extremist nationalism. Indians lost the faith in British sense of justice.
 The pressure built by moderates resulted in–
1) Appointment of commission to review Civil Services in 1886
2) Enactment of Indian Council Act 1892
3) Wellby Commission 1895 to suggest measure for better management of resources.
4) In introduction of resolution in British house of Commons to hold Civil Services Examination
simultaneously.
Critical Aspect:-
Moderates failed to comprehend hat British Rule was essentially colonial. They failed to see role of masses is
vital in the success of India’s struggle against British Rule. Moderates were too pacifist to be effective. They
relied heavily on constitutional methods of demands and agitations.
Role of Dada Bhai Naoroji:-
Dadabhai Naoroji (4 September 1825 – 30 June 1917), known as the Grand Old Man of India, was
a Paris intellectual, educator, cotton trader, and an early Indian political and social leader. He was a Liberal
Party member of parliament (MP) in the United Kingdom House of Commons between 1892 and 1895, and the
first Asian to be a British MP, nonwithstanding the Anglo-Indian MP David Ochterlony Dyce Sombre who was
disfranchised for corruption.

Naoroji is also credited with the founding of the Indian National Congress, along with A.O. Hume and Dinshaw
Edulji Wacha. His book Poverty and Un-British Rule in India brought attention to the draining of India’s wealth
into Britain. He was also a member of the Second International along with Kautsky and Plekhanov.
Dadabhai Naoroji’s work focused on the drain of wealth from India into England through colonial rule. One of
the reasons that the Drain theory is attributed to Naoroji is his decision to estimate the net national profit of
India, and by extension, the effect that colonization has on the country. Through his work with economics,
Naoroji sought to prove that Britain was draining money out of India.
Sir Pherozeshah Mehta:-
Sir Pherozeshah Mehta, KCIE (4 August 1845 – 5 November 1915) was a Paris Indian political leader, activist,
and a leading lawyer of Mumbai (formerly known as Bombay), India, who was knighted by the British
Government in India for his service to the law. His political ideology was, as was the case with most of the Indian
leaders of his time, moderate. Hence, he was not directly opposed to the British Crown’s sovereignty, but only
demanded more autonomy for Indians to self-rule.
He became the Municipal commissioner of Bombay Municipality in 1873 and its President four times – 1884,
1885, 1905 and 1911.
7. In what ways ideology and methods of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad differed
from Mahatma Gandhi’s vis a vis in playing their role in India’s national
movement. (200 Words)
Introduction:-
Mahatma Gandhi and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad were one of the tallest figures of Indian National Movements.
They differed in many ways in their ideologies and methods.
 Political: – Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was a leader with revolutionary tilt. Whereas Mahatma Gandhi was
always a staunch supporter of nonviolence. No extreme methods were used by Gandhiji. Satyagraha and
mass mobilization were at the helm of Gandhijis style of struggle.
 Philosophical: – Mahatma Gandhi always adopted a perfectionist attitude while Maulana Abul Kalam
Azad was realistic in his attitude. There was clear emphasis on Hindu Muslim unity in case of Gandhi’s
approach but Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was not very focused for this.
 Educational: – Mahatma Gandhi believed in broad based education. A special emphasis was also on the
vocational education. He emphasized the use of mother tongue for the educational preaching. Whereas
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad emphasized on western education. He forced the English language to be used
as medium of education.
 Economic:-Where Gandhi stood for welfare for all by his Trusteeship Theory which could be relevant only
in a static and stagnant society hence was more of a utopian thought, Azad held socialist views and was
agreed to abolish the private property for the nation and to drive the economy of the country by democracy
rather by laissez caute way.
 Political Following:-Gandhiji was a disciple of Tilak but his political Guru was always Gokahle. Maulana
Abul Kalam Azad was a disciple of Sir Sayyed Ahmed Khan but he was also a staunch supporter of
Gandhiji.
Conclusion:-
Though they differed in many ways their common goal was to expel the British Rule from India and they both
were guided by it. Their contribution was so immense that both of them became immortal for their deeds and
thoughts.

8. Discuss the significance of contributions made by women freedom fighters

during the second half of the 20th century. (200 Words)
Introduction-
The entire history of the freedom movement is replete with the saga of bravery, sacrifice and political sagacity
and Indian women were integral part of it. Many of these women continued their noble contribution even after
independence.
1) Sarojini Naidu:
Role as a freedom fighter- At a very young age Sarojini Naidu wrote many patriotic poems which inspired
people in India to throw off the foreign yoke. She joined the Home Rule movement launched by Annie Besant.
This was her first step in politics. In 1921 she participated in the Non-Cooperation movement launched by
Mahatma Gandhi. She became President of the Congress in 1925. When Mahatma Gandhi started his Civil
disobedience movement in 1930, Sarojini Naidu became his principal assistant.
Contribution after independence- She acted as first governor of the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh, with
this she also became first woman to become governor of any Indian state.
2) Aruna Asaf Ali-
Role as a freedom fighter- She was an active member of Congress Party and participated in public
processions during the Salt Satyagraha. In 1932, she was held prisoner at the Tihar Jail where she protested
the indifferent treatment of political prisoners by launching a hunger strike. Her efforts resulted in an
improvement of conditions in the Tihar Jail. Aruna Asaf Ali became a face of Quit India movement by hoisting
the Congress flag at the Gowalia Tank maidan when all the major leaders were arrested by British.
Contribution after independence- After the independence, she remained active in politics. She joined
the Communist Party of India in the early 1950s and in 1954; she helped to form the National Federation of
Indian Women, the women’s wing of CPI. She became Delhi‘s first mayor in 1958. In the 1960s, she
successfully started a media publishing house.
3) Sucheta Kripalani-
Role as a freedom fighter- Sucheta Kripalani actively took part in Quit India movement along with Aruna Asaf
Ali and Usha Mehta. She courted imprisonment for taking part in freedom struggle. During communal violence
Sucheta Kriplani went to Noakhali with Gandhi and worked hard to pacify communities.
Contribution after independence- She was general secretary of Indian National Congress from 1958 to 1960,
and Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh from 1963 to 1967. Sucheta Kripalani was in the words of Indira Gandhi, a
person of rare courage and character who brought credit to Indian womanhood.
4) Usha Mehta-
Role as a freedom fighter– She organized the Congress Radio, an underground radio station, which
functioned for around 3 months during the Quit India Movement of 1942. It greatly assisted the movement by
disseminating uncensored news and other information banned by the British-controlled government of India.
Secret Congress Radio also kept the leaders of the freedom movement in touch with the public.
Contribution after independence- Usha Mehta continued to be socially active, particularly in spreading the
Gandhian thought and philosophy after independence. In 1998, the Government of India conferred on
her Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian award of Republic of India.
5) Vijay Laxmi Pandit-
Role as a freedom fighter- Vijayalakshmi Pandit inspired by Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi and impressed by
Sarojini Naidu entered the Non Cooperation Movement. She was imprisoned thrice for taking part in the Civil
Disobedience Movement in 1932, 1941 and 1942.

Contribution after independence-

Following India’s independence, she entered the diplomatic service and became India’s ambassador to several
countries like the Soviet Union, the United States, Mexico, Ireland, and Spain. Between 1946 and 1968 she
also headed the Indian delegation to the United Nations. In 1953, she became the first woman President of the
United Nations General Assembly. She also served as governor of Maharashtra from 1962 to 1964.
6) Padmaja Naidu
Role as a freedom fighter- Miss Padmaja Naidu like her mother Sarojini Naidu, devoted herself to the cause
of Nation like her mother. At the age of 21, she entered the National scene and became the joint founder of the
Indian National Congress of Hyderabad. She spread the message of Khadi and inspired people to boycott
foreign goods. She was jailed for taking part in the Quit India movement in 1942.
Contribution after independence- After Independence, she became the Governor of West Bengal. During her
public life spanning over half a century, she was associated with the Red Cross. Her services to the Nation and
especially her humanitarian approach have been well appreciated.
7) Indira Gandhi
Role as a freedom fighter- In her early years was active in the national liberation struggle. During the 1930
movement, she formed the ‘Vanar Sena’, a children’s brigade to help freedom fighters. She became a member
of the Indian National Congress in 1938.
Contribution after independence- In the eventful years of her leadership as Prime Minister, Indian society
underwent profound changes. She was unremitting in her endeavour for the unity and solidarity of the nation. A
staunch defender of the secular ideals of the Constitution, she worked tirelessly for the social and economic
advancement of the minorities. She had a vision of a modern self-reliant and dynamic economy. She fought
boldly and vigorously against communalism, obscurantism, revivalism and religious fundamentalism of all types.
8) Durga Bai Deshmukh
Role as a freedom fighter- She was a follower of Mahatma Gandhi and thus; played active role in Gandhi
Satyagraha movement and played role of Indian struggler, a lawyer, a social activist and a politician.
Contribution after independence- She was a lok sabha member as well as member of Planning Commission
of India. While being member of Planning Commission she launched a Central Social Welfare Board through
which she improved condition of education, women, children, handicap and rehabilitation of needy persons.
9. What role did foreign women play in struggle for India’s independence? Also
examine what prompted them to contribute to India’s freedom struggle.
(200 Words)
Introduction-
Along with the hundreds and thousands of Indian women who dedicated their lives for the cause of their
motherland, there were a number of noble and courageous foreign women who stood shoulder to shoulder with
their Indian counterparts in this struggle.
Reasons behind participation of foreign women-
 Many of them saw in India – its religion, its philosophy and its culture, a hope for the redemption of the
world. They thought that in India’s spiritual death shall world find its grave.
 Some of them were sick of the material west and found in India and in its civilization, solace for their
cramped souls.

 Also they were moved by the profound poverty intensified by unjust and exploitative British rule. Further
they found Indian society full of superstitious and evil practices. Enlightened foreign women worked to
remove these evils.
Role played by foreign women in India’s struggle for independence-
1) Sister Nivedita-
Born in Ireland on 28 October 1867, she arrived in India in January, 1898, in search of truth. After freeing herself
from the obligations of the monastic order she actively took interest into Indian politics and wrote and spoke
against British rule.
She attacked Lord Curzon for the Universities Act of 1904 and partition of Bengal in 1905. She held the British
responsible for disastrous state of Indian economy; she attended the Benares Congress in 1905 and supported
the Swadeshi Movement. She helped Nationalist groups like the Dawn Society and the Anusilan Samiti.
She propagated for the cause of India throughout America and Europe. Swami Vivekananda described her as
a real Lioness.
2) Dr Annie Besant-
A strong votary of truth, she came to India in 1893 at the age of 46, impressed as she was by its great religion
and philosophy. On arrival, she found that the state of things in India were bad.
Through her lectures, she tried to awaken them to their lost heritage by dedicating herself to the cause of
religion, society and education of India. In doing so, she was watchful that Indian revival must be through Indian
traditions and customs and not through any of the European concepts. As early as 1898 and later in 1902 she
urged Indians to were native dress, use and develop Indian manufacturers and also develop a national
language.
Dr. Annie Besant entered active politics in 1914. She demanded Home Rule for India and suffered internment
for it from June to September 1917. By then she had tried and achieved unification of the Congress and Hindus
and Muslims in 1916.
She fittingly became the president of Indian National Congress in 1917. Tilak declared that if we were nearer
our goals, it was due to Dr. Annie Besant’s sincere efforts. Gokhale considered her a true daughter of Mother
India.
3) Nellie Sengupta-
Nellie joined Indian freedom struggle along with her husband by participating in non-cooperation movement in
1920. After her husband’s imprisonment during the Assam-Bengal Railwaymen’s strike, she forcefully protested
against the District authorities’ imposition of a ban on assembly, addressed mass meetings and courted arrest.
She defied the law by selling Khadi door to door. In 1931 she suffered four months’ imprisonment at Delhi for
addressing an unlawful assembly. She was elected as the president of Indian national congress at its
47th annual session at Calcutta in 1933. She was also elected on a Congress ticket to the Bengal Legislative
Assembly in 1940 and 1946.
4) Mira behn-
Madeleine Slade known as Mira behn, who brought up in affluent environment of a proud aristocracy came to
serve the cause of India’s freedom by identifying herself completely with the life and work of Gandhi. She tried
to become a bridge between the East and the West.
Daughter of a British Admiral Madeleine Slade renounced the life of luxury and worked in the service of India.
She accompanied Gandhi to England in 1931 and undertook a tour of America and Britain in 1934 to enlist
sympathy for the Indian cause. She suffered imprisonment in 1932-33 and 1942-44 for the cause of India’s
Independence.
5) Mira Alphonse-
She came to India in 1914 and met Shri Aurobindo. She was associated with the work of Shri Aurobindo when
he started a philosophical monthly named Arya to express his vision of man and his divine destiny. She played

an important role in motivating women like Mrs. Annie Besant and Mrs. Nellie Sen Gupta. She has also
contributed to enrich India’s age-old heritage and culture.
10. How did British policies impact Indian agriculture and farmers during
the period 1700 – 1857? Critically examine. (200 Words)
Introduction-
The main burden of providing money for the trade and profits of the East India Company (EIC), the cost of
administration and the wars of British expansion in India had to be borne by the Indian farmers and peasants.
Policies of EIC therefore were directed to extract as much as revenue possible from Indian peasantry.
Land revenue policy-
 Permanent settlement (PS) was introduced in Bengal and Bihar in 1793 by Lord Cornwallis. Under PS
peasants were left to the mercies of zamindars that raised the rents to the unbearable limits, compelled
them to pay illegal dues and perform forced labor and oppressed them at will.
 By 1815 nearly half of the landed property of Bengal had been transferred from old zamindars, who had
resided in the villages and who had tradition of showing some considerations to their tenants. But the new
landowners who were mostly urban moneyed elements were quiet ruthless in collecting revenue
irrespective of difficult circumstances.
 Further, introduction of urban elements as landlords led to new phenomenon of Absentee landlordism and
Sub infuedation. Increase in subinfeudation and overcrowding of land led to subdivision and fragmentation
of land into small holding most of which could not maintain their cultivators.
 Ryotwari and Mahalwari Settlement- In these areas Government took the place of the zamindars and levied
excessive land revenue which was in the beginning fixed as high as one-third to one-half of the produce.
Gradually the cultivators sank deeper and deeper into debt and more and more land passed into the hands
of money-lenders, merchants, rich peasants etc.
 The harmful effects of an excessive land revenue demand were further heightened by the rigid manner of
its collection. Land revenue had to be paid promptly on the fixed dates even if the harvest had been below
normal or had been failed. Whenever the peasant failed to pay the land revenue, the government put up
his land on sale to collect the arrears of revenue.
 The evils of high revenue demand were made worse because the peasants got little economic returns for
it. The government spent very little on improving agriculture.
Heavy assessment of the land was one of the main causes of the growth of poverty and the deterioration of
agriculture in the 19th century.
Pro-rich legal-judicial system-
 Inability to pay the high revenue often drove the peasant to borrow money at high rates of interests from
the money-lender. Money-lenders were greatly helped by the new legal system which put into their hands
enormous power of the law.
 Money-lenders used the power of the purse to turn the expensive process of litigation in his favour and to
make the police serve his purposes.
 Moreover the literate and shrews money-lenders could easily take advantage of the ignorance and illiteracy
of the peasant to twist the complicated processes of law to get favourable judicial decisions.
Commoditization of land-
 By introducing transferability of land the British revenue system enabled money lender or the rich peasants
to take the possession of the land of poor peasants.

 By making the land commodity which could be freely brought and sold introduced a fundamental change
in the existing land systems of the country. The stability and the continuity of the Indian villages got shaken.
Commercialization of Agriculture-
 The growing commercialization of agriculture also helped the money- lender cum merchant to exploit the
cultivator. The poor peasants were forced to sell his produce just after the harvest and at whatever price
he could het as he had to meet in time the demands of the government or landlord.
De-industrialization-
 The de-industrialization and lack of modern industry caused loss of the land and the over-crowding of land.
This compelled the landless peasants and ruined artisans to become either tenants of the zamindars by
paying rack-rent or agricultural labourer at starvation wages.
Conclusion-
Thus peasantry was crushed under the triple burden of the Government, Zamindars and the money-lenders.
The overall condition of the peasantry deteriorated and gradual impoverishment worsen their woes.
11. Critically analyse how did the 1857 Revolt affect various aspects of
India’s struggle for Independence. (200 Words)
Introduction-
The revolt of 1857 was not just a mere sepoy discontent but it was popular expression of the overall discontent
of Indians due to the exploitative, insensitive and unethical British rule. It began with a mutiny of the sepoys of
the company’s army and soon engulfed the wide regions and involved large sections of Indian society.
The revolt of 1857 affected India’s struggle for independence in two ways. One due to the policies
adopted by British after the revolt and other due to the legacy of revolt itself.
Effect of policies adopted by British after the revolt of 1857 on various aspects of India’s struggle for
independence-
 India was the most priceless colony for Britain and British were determined to keep India under its rule at
any cost. Thus after revolt of 1857 army was reorganized to increase the proportion of British soldiers in
the army. For British army was the most important pillar to maintain their hold. This reorganized army was
used to suppress any kind of nationalistic activity in India hereafter. Army proved to be the strong challenge
for patriotic aspirations of Indians.
 Revolt of 1857 witnessed strong unity between Hindus and Muslims. British saw it as a threat to their
existence. Therefore after the revolt British followed the policy of divide and rule and alienated Muslims
from entering into mainstream politics. This proved be the single greatest challenge to the Indian national
movement. The emergence of Muslim league, separatist movements and eventual partition of India had
their seeds in the policies followed by British after 1857.
 After the revolt British felt the need of associating Indians in the task of administration. Thus council acts
of 1861, 1892 and 1909 were effected. This gave new turn to the India’s struggle for independence. A
strong group of moderates emerged on the Indian politics that had great faith in the constitutional politics.
Their adherence to constitutional politics even resulted into the split in INC hampering the progress of
national movement. However the contribution of moderates and other constitutionalists proved to be
important as they continued the struggle inside the legislature when mass movements were not possible.
Also they rooted the seeds of strong democracy in India.

Effect due to the legacy of revolt itself on various aspects of India’s struggle for independence-
 The uprising underlines the importance of fighting imperialism at all costs. The 1857 rebels fought and died
for a cause – the cause of national liberation from an alien rule. This led Indians to carry out incessant
struggle against British even after 1857.
 Rebels raised the standard of rebellion when the English power in India was at its ascendant height, and
fought relentlessly shoulder to shoulder for a national cause till the last hour, ignoring religious, ethnic and
local divides. It inspired Indians to think beyond local identity. The process of nation-in-making had finally
begun after the revolt of 1857.
 The unorganized efforts of rebels were responsible for their defeat. It led Indians to make organized efforts
involving common masses. The establishment of Indian national congress was result of this lesson.
 Further, rebels of 1857 lacked clear ideology and positive vision for the future. This drawback was removed
as leaders of the national movement visualized India as democratic, republic and secular nation. This
greatly embolden the efforts to achieve independence at all costs.
 The heroic and patriotic struggle of 1857 left an unforgettable impression on the minds of the Indian people,
established the valuable local traditions of resistance to British rule and served a perennial source of
inspiration in their later struggle for freedom.
Conclusion-Although revolt of 1857 was brutally suppressed, it stands as the glorious landmark in Indian
history. Its direct and indirect results culminated into strong, organized, non-violent mass movement which finally
brought independence to India.
Topic: Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present-
significant events, personalities, issues
12. Robert Clive, Warren Hastings and Dalhousie contributed immensely in

helping the British expand and hold on to power in India. Compare and
contrast their role in making India a victim of colonial atrocities. (200
Words)
NCERT Class VIII Our Pasts III – Part I
NCERT Class XII Themes in Indian History III
Introduction-
All the three Governor Generals worked towards increasing British hold over India and their policies were
directed at using Indian resources for the benefit of Britain. However their policies differed from each other in
achieving this objective.
Comparing and contrasting the three on different parameters-
Annexations-
All the three governor generals were great imperialists and tried to bring maximum territory under direct rule of
British. The tendencies of imperialism went on increasing from Robert Clive to Dalhousie.
 Robert Clive, though by treachery won the battle of Plassey (1757) against Siraj-ud-daula and set the
foundation of British rule in India. He transformed a mere trading body that the East India Company was
into a territorial power with the role of king-maker in India.
 Warren Hastings walked on the path set by his predecessor and fought different wars like Rohilla war
1774, First Anglo-Maratha war 1776-82, Second Anglo-Mysore war 1780-84. Although there were no
largescale immediate gains, these battles set the aggressive tone for his successors.
 Dalhousie is considered one of the greatest imperialists in the history of British conquest of India. He added
almost 40-45% territory to British India over the size of 1848 within short span of 8 years.

His annexations were 2nd Sikh war and annexation of Punjab 1849; the annexation of Lower Burma 1852;
Annexation of states like Satara (1848), Jaitpur and Sambalpur (1849); Bhagat (1850), Udaipur (1852), Jhansi
(1853), Nagpur (1854) under the doctrine of lapse; the annexation of Outh (1856) under the pretext of
misgovernance.
Administration-
All of them tried to make Indian administration efficient and effective but from the British point of view. Strong
centralised tendencies were clearly visible in their administration. Interests of Indians were completely neglected
and they were left to the whims and wishes of the servants of company who oppressed them at their will.
 Robert Clive effected a dual system of govt in Bengal in 1765 with the paramount considerations of British
power and not for the welfare of people. System of dual govt led to evil consequences like administrative
breakdown, decline in agriculture, disruption of trade and commerce, ruination of industry and skill and
moral degradation of the Bengal society.
 In 1772 Warren Hastings made a 5 yrs. settlement of land revenue by the crude method of farming out
estates to highest bidder. The quinquennial settlement was a miserable failure and peasants suffered
greatly. His only steadfast principle was that might is right. He left behind a dark trail of misery, desolation
and famines in Bengal, Banaras and Outh.
 Lord Dalhousie laid down the foundations of modern India by developing Railway, postal and telegraph
network. However all these steps were taken primarily to exploit India effectively. This communication and
transport network helped British greatly to curb revolt of 1857.
Personal weaknesses-
Even all of them are considered as great conquerors and ruthless administrators, they also shared some
personal weaknesses. While Clive and Hasting were blinded by wealth of India, Dalhousie lacked ethical
perspective.
 Robert Clive exacted illegal presents and set a bad precedent for his successors who in order to enrich
themselves engineered revolutions in Bengal (1760 & 1764). Clive joined in the general plunder of Bengal
by organising the society of trade. The whole Bengal was reduced to the position of an estate of the East
India Company.
 Warren Hastings weakness for money was perhaps as great as Clive’s. He accepted bribes from various
Nawabs and Rajas which is said to be about Rs 30 lacs.
 Dalhousie cared little for moral values and plighted word. While dealing with Punjab he cared more for the
ends than the means. He also paid no attention to the feelings and prejudices of Indians while dealing with
Indian states.
Conclusion-
When one imperialist nation rules over other, there are little hopes of expecting welfare approach and good
governance for the latter. These three governor generals were part of such imperialist nation and India had
misfortune of being ruled by them.
13. Why was Mahatma Gandhiji killed? In your opinion, how should Indians
remember and celebrate January 30? Comment. (200 Words)
The Hindu
Mahatma Gandhi stands as torch-bearer of Indian freedom movement and one of the greatest exponent of non-
violence in the struggle against foreign domination. Despite his admirable contribution, he had to undergo ordeal
of assassination by fellow Indian and the irony is that the one who killed Mahatma Gandhi called himself true
nationalist.

Circumstances and reasons for assassination of Mahatma Gandhi-

At the time of partition both Muslim league and staunch Hindu nationalists created a communal havoc
leading to large-scale violence. Thousands perished and many more suffered the trauma of assault, rapes and
indignity. In such conditions Mahatma Gandhi tried his best to pacify both the communities. Moreover he also
compelled Indian government to give to Pakistan due share decided under the terms of division of assets and
liabilities during partition plan. For Gandhiji India’s act was violation of the mutually agrees treaty between India
and proposed Pakistan and unethical on the part of India. But these acts of Gandhiji did not go well with the
Hindu communalists who saw Pakistan as perpetrator of violence and backstabber as Pakistan was quietly
supporting tribal invaders in north Kashmir. They saw this act as appeasement of Muslims which would hamper
India’s efforts to won Kashmir. Thus some of the Hindu communalists felt the need of the undoing the work of
Mahatma Gandhi and securing India’s interests by assassinating him. The greatest preacher of non-violence
had to suffer the violence by his own country-man on January 30 1948.
How should Indians remember and celebrate January 30?
It is time now for India not to remember this day only as Martyrs’ Day but as a day to reflect on the spirit
of the freedom movement. There should be much more discussion, public meetings, a kind of eventful day that
enables the new generation to recall what was the politics, and who were those who rebelled against it at that
time, and what have we landed in by forgetting those histories. Just as we have endless panels on the bickering
by political parties or the fallibility of gigantic corporates, we should have discussions on January 30 invoking
the history of the freedom struggle.
It’s our responsibility that we don’t turn 30 January into mechanical celebration or celebrate it for the
sake of completing formality. To give real tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, we should ensure that the values like
truth, nonviolence for which he stood his whole life and even sacrificed it, should be passed on to new
generations. At present we can still sense tendencies of communal violence, intolerance and hatred. We need
to follow his teaching for bringing peace and harmony in society.
14. Critically discuss contributions made by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar to

anticolonial struggle and nationalism. (200 Words)
Livemint
Veer Savarkar occupies a unique place in the history of Indian freedom struggle. His name evokes controversy.
While some consider him as one of the greatest revolutionaries in the Indian freedom struggle, others consider
him a communalist and right-wing leader.
Critique of contribution made by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar-
 In Pune, Savarkar founded the “Abhinav Bharat Society”. He was also involved in the Swadeshi movement
and later joined Tilak’s Swaraj Party. His instigating patriotic speeches and activities incensed the British
Government. As a result the British Government withdrew his B.A. degree.
 In June 1906, Veer Savarkar, left for London to become Barrister. However, once in London, he united
and inflamed the Indian students in England against British rule in India. He founded the Free India Society.
The Society celebrated important dates on the Indian calendar including festivals, freedom movement
landmarks, and was dedicated to furthering discussion about Indian freedom. He believed and advocated
the use of arms to free India from the British and created a network of Indians in England, equipped with
weapons.
 In 1908, brought out an authentic informative researched work on The Great Indian Revolt, which the
British termed as “Sepoy Mutiny” of 1857. The book was called “The Indian War of Independence 1857”.
The British government immediately enforced a ban on the publication in both Britain and India. Later, it
was published by Madame Bhikaiji Cama in Holland, and was smuggled into India to reach revolutionaries
working across the country against British rule.

 When the then British Collector of Nasik, A.M.T. Jackson was shot by a youth, Veer Savarkar finally fell
under the net of the British authorities. He was implicated in the murder citing his connections with India
House. Savarkar was arrested in London on March 13, 1910 and sent to India.
 In 1920, many prominent freedom fighters including Vithalbhai Patel, Mahatma Gandhi and Bal Gangadhar
Tilak demanded the release of Savarkar. On May 2, 1921, Savarkar was moved to Ratnagiri jail, and from
there to the Yeravada jail. In Ratnagiri jail Savarkar wrote the book ‘Hindutva: who is hindu?’
Savarkar began describing a “Hindu” as a patriotic inhabitant of Bharatavarsha, venturing beyond a religious
identity. While emphasising the need for patriotic and social unity of all Hindu communities, he
described Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism and Buddhism as one and the same. He outlined his vision of a “Hindu
Rashtra” (Hindu Nation) as “Akhand Bharat” (United India), purportedly stretching across the entire Indian
subcontinent. He defined Hindus as being neither Aryan nor Dravidian but as “People who live as children of a
common motherland, adoring a common holyland.”
 Although staunch anti-British in his early years, he supported British efforts in India seeking military efforts
to Hindus during World War 2 and opposed the Quit India Movement.
 Hindu Mahasabha activists protested Gandhi’s initiative to hold talks with Jinnah in 1944, which Savarkar
denounced as “appeasement.” He assailed the British proposals for transfer of power, attacking both the
Congress and the British for making concessions to Muslim separatists.
 Vinayak Savarkar was a president of Hindu Mahasabha from 1937 to 1943. When congress ministries
offered resignation on 22nd oct 1939, Hindu mahaasabha under his leadership cooperated with Muslim
league to form government in provinces like Sindh, Bengal and NWFP.
 His strong views on Hindutva though secular in broader outlook, led to rise in radicalism among his
followers. This also led to rise in tension between two communities.
Conclusion-
Many of Savarkar’s ideas on social and religious reforms, embrace of science, and building a stronger state
continue to be relevant for India. His controversial position on Hindutva also continues to inform current political
debates. It is time that a wider set of scholars began to engage with Savarkar’s ideas—including controversial
ones.
Topic: Modern World History; Redrawal of national boundaries, colonization,
15. What do you understand by ‘two state solution’ in the Israel – Palestine
conflict situation? What are the other alternative solutions available and
which one should international players endorse and push for? Critically
examine. (200 Words)
The Hindu
Two state solution:-
 The two-state solution refers to a solution of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict which calls for “two states for
two groups of people.” The two-state solution envisages an independent State of Palestine alongside
the State of Israel, west of the Jordan River.
 The boundary between the two states is still subject to dispute and negotiation, with Palestinian and Arab
leadership insisting on the “1967 borders”, which is not accepted by Israel. The territory of the former
Mandate Palestine which shall not form part of the Palestinian State, shall be part of Israeli territory.
 There have been many diplomatic efforts to realize a two state solution, starting from the 1991 Madrid
Conference. There followed the 1993 Oslo Accords and the failed 2000 Camp David Summit followed by
the Taba negotiations in early 2001. In 2002, the Arab League proposed the Arab Peace Initiative. The
latest initiative, which also failed, was the 2013–14 peace talks.

Why two state solution is dead:-

Land grabbing has been a fundamental element of Israel’s approach towards the Palestinians. Israel has the
monopoly to use force, both against Palestinian civilians and militants. But in reality the occupation by Palestine
only deepened. This is because Israel on paper remains committed to two states, but has always preferred a
no-state solution.
Alternatives Available:-
1) To retain the status quo: a militarised Jewish state permanently occupying the Palestinian territories and even
annexing parts of it, without giving full citizenship rights to the Palestinians.
2) To have a single democratic federal state with equal rights to Jews, Muslims, Christians and others.
3) Three state solution- Territorial redrawing of boundaries between Israel, Palestine and Jordan (mainly
regarding West Bank and Gaza Strip)
Conclusion:-
International community should proceed to resolve the crisis step by step and hence pursue the option of Self-
rule to Palestine. This alternative delineates functions of each government reducing scope of intervention. It
also provides a healthy and stable first foundation for establishment of two states. It can act as a ceasefire
solution while the tedious redrawing of boundaries is finalized upon. But it suffers from the intent of both parties
to ensure successful implementation of this solution with impeding downfall imminent though not manifested.
It is time for world community and the two parties to end the Impending lacuna of two state, look beyond
individual objective and move towards a holistic broad based solution at the earliest.
Topic: Political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc.- their forms and effect on
the society.
16. What do you understand by liberal capitalism? Do we need liberal

capitalism today? Justify. (200 Words)
The Hindu
CLASSICAL LIBERALISM /LIBERAL CAPITALISM –
Liberal capitalism is the economy and market with minimum government intervention. Based on the principle of
laissez-faire economic theory, it opens up competition between various market forces domestically and globally,
moving the economy towards a real market, rather than a government-decided one.
MODERN ECONOMIC LIBERALISM –
It calls for government regulation to control the excesses of free-market capitalism. Modern liberalism or the
“Keynesian school” of economics, named for its main proponent John Maynard Keynes and differing from
classical liberalism, developed in the aftermath of the 1930s failure of the free-market system known as the
Great Depression.
NEO-LIBERALISM –
Neoliberalism, sometimes referred to as the “Chicago school” of economics and named after the University of
Chicago, rose to prominence in response to the breakdown of the international money system and the fiscal
contradictions viewed as inherent in the welfare system.
This includes extensive economic liberalization policies such as privatization, fiscal austerity, deregulation, free
trade, and reductions in government spending in order to increase the role of the private sector in
the economy and society. These market-based ideas and the policies they inspired constitute a paradigm
shift away from the post-war Keynesian consensus which lasted from 1945 to 1980. The implementation of
neoliberal policies and the acceptance of neoliberal economic theories in the 1970s are seen by some
academics as the root of financialization, with the financial crisis of 2007–08 as one of the ultimate results.

Currently, neoliberalism is most commonly used to refer to market-oriented reform policies such as
“eliminating price controls, deregulating capital markets, lowering trade barriers”, and reducing state influence
on the economy, through privatization and austerity.
BENEFITS OF NEOLIBERALISM –
In 2016, researchers for the IMF released a paper entitled “Neoliberalism: Oversold?,” which stated:
There is much to cheer in the neoliberal agenda. The expansion of global trade has rescued millions from abject
poverty. Foreign direct investment has often been a way to transfer technology and know-how to developing
economies. Privatization of state-owned enterprises has in many instances led to more efficient provision of
services and lowered the fiscal burden on governments.
CRITICISM OF NEOLIBERALISM –
However, the report was also critical of some neoliberal policies, such as freedom of capital and fiscal
consolidation for “increasing inequality, in turn jeopardizing durable expansion.” The report contends the
implementation of neoliberal policies by economic and political elites has led to “three disquieting conclusions”:-
 The benefits in terms of increased growth seem fairly difficult to establish when looking at a broad group
of countries.
 The costs in terms of increased inequality are prominent. Such costs epitomize the trade-off between the
growth and equity effects of some aspects of the neoliberal agenda.
 Increased inequality in turn hurts the level and sustainability of growth. Even if growth is the sole or main
purpose of the neoliberal agenda, advocates of that agenda still need to pay attention to the distributional
effects.
More Counterpoints to neoliberalism –
1. Globalization can subvert nations’ ability for self-determination.
2. The replacement of a government-owned monopoly with private companies, each supposedly trying to
provide the consumer with better value service than all of its private competitors, removes the efficiency
that can be gained from the economy of scale.
3. Even if it could be shown that neoliberal capitalism increases productivity, it erodes the conditions in which
production occurs long term, i.e., resources/nature, requiring expansion into new areas. It is therefore not
sustainable within the world’s limited geographical space.
4. Exploitation: promote exploitation and social injustice.
5. Negative economic consequences:-neo-liberal policies produce economic inequality.
6. Mass incarceration of the poor:- neoliberal policies result in an expanding carceral state and the
criminalization of poverty.
7. Increase in corporate power:-some organizations and economists believe neoliberalism, unlike liberalism,
changes economic and government policies to increase the power of corporations, and a shift to benefit
the upper classes.
8. Anti-democratic:- some scholars contend that neoliberalism undermines the basic elements of democracy.
9. There are terrains of struggles for neoliberalism locally and socially. Urban citizens are increasingly
deprived of the power to shape the basic conditions of daily life.
10. Trade-led, unregulated economic activity and lax state regulation of pollution lead to environmental impacts
or degradation.
11. Deregulation of the labor market produces flexibilization and casualization of labor, greater informal
employment, and a considerable increase in industrial accidents and occupational diseases.
12. Mass extinction:- “the era of neo-liberalization also happens to be the era of the fastest mass extinction of
species in the Earth’s recent history.”

13. Instead of citizens, it produces consumers. Instead of communities, it produces shopping malls. The net
result is an atomized society of disengaged individuals who feel demoralized and socially powerless.
Neoliberalism holds that market forces should organize every facet of society, including economic and
social life, and promotes asocial darwinist ethic which elevates self-interest over social needs.
FINANCIALIZATION –
Financialization refers to a “pattern of accumulation in which profit making occurs increasingly through financial
channels rather than through trade and commodity production.”
Term is used to describe the development of financial capitalism during the period from 1980 until 2010, in
which debt-to-equity ratios increased and financial services accounted for an increasing share of national
income relative to other sectors.
Financialization describes an economic process by which exchange is facilitated through the intermediation
of financial instruments. Financialization may permit real goods, services, and risks to be readily exchangeable
for currency, and thus make it easier for people to rationalize their assets and income flows.
FINANCIAL SPECULATION –
When financial speculation takes over, as it started doing from the 1980s, an entirely different situation comes
into being. Today, financial speculation far outstrips global trade. Finance capital tyrannizes not just social
capital but even industrial capital. Most of the capital used for such financial speculation does not need to be
invested in production or services; it can just be moved around. Most of this capital is not even in the shape of
cash, which is cumbersome to move. It is sheer numbers, including digital money, and many types of debt and
credit.
DO WE NEED LIBERAL CAPITALISM –
 While the fact that liberal capitalism promotes competition and result in efficiency and cost effective output,
cannot be denied, its objective is completely profit oriented which cannot go with the sustainable
development goals and other social objectives that aim at reducing poverty.
 It also shares the drawbacks of neoliberalism though in somewhat lower measure.
 In present distorted form, Neo-liberalism believes that governments should intervene in markets — but
only on the side of banks, finance capitalists and lending agencies. Every time financial speculation creates
a crisis, governments are expected to tax their citizens and use that money to save banks and financial
institutions.
 So, what is needed today is positive intervention by Government for equitable and sustainable economic
development and not complete separation of state and market; for example -Requirement of financial
regulators such as SEBI in economies to safeguard interests of the common people. ie. control on
secondary market and chit fund schemes (artificial demand creation).
 NEED OF STATE REGULATION –
The market needs the state, more than the other way around. The market needs internal regulation, in order to
function: the state, in the form of the legal system, ensures contracts are enforced. In the form of the police, it
prevents theft and fraud. It establishes uniform systems of weights and measures, and a uniform currency.
Without these things there would be no free market, no market forces, and no resulting market society.
 Adopting a system that is flexible to change with the need of the time and enable the government to pitch
in whenever necessary will help.

Topic: Salient features of Indian society
17. “The problem of pit emptying must become central to India’s efforts to
eliminate open defecation.” Critically discuss importance of pit emptying
and measures needed to enforce it to eliminate open defecation. (200
Words)
The Hindu
Introduction-
Problem of pit emptying imbibed in caste discrimination is severely affecting the efforts to reduce open
defecation. Great leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, B R Ambedkar have emphasized need of cleanliness, hygiene
and sanitation as one of the way to fight social problems like untouchability and caste discrimination. In spite of
these efforts people are reluctant to empty latrine pit and preferring open places for defecation.
Importance of pit emptying-
 Pit emptying is the integral process for using latrines and toilets for long term thereby ensuring reduction
in open defecation.
 The storage of waste into impermeable pit does not allow contamination of waste with nearby area
including water table.
 It prevents the spreading of communicable diseases (diarrhea, cholera etc) which could be dangerous to
children in particular.
 It helps in maintaining cleanliness, hygiene and sanitation.
Problems associated with pit emptying-
Rural Indians do not want to use the latrines promoted by the Indian government because these latrines require
periodic manual pit emptying. They are afraid of the problems they will face when the pit fills up. Studies find
that many rural Indians associate emptying a latrine pit by hand with manual scavenging, work that Dalits have
traditionally been compelled to do. For this reason, people want to use latrines with very large pits or tanks that
take decades to fill. Yet, latrines with very large pits are expensive, and hiring someone else to do it is now
expensive and complicated, so most rural families cannot afford them.
Measures needed to enforce pit emptying to eliminate open defecation-
 Though Twin-pit latrine design introduced by government is technological and biological solution to the
problems of open defecation and manual scavenging, but it does not address the social consequences
associated with pit emptying.
 Politicians, government officials and respected people of the society must take initiative in emptying pit so
that social taboo associated with it is removed. The recent example of secretary of Ministry of Drinking
water and sanitation in Kerala who emptied pit publically is laudable.
 There is need to bring behavioral change among people through awareness campaigns and exerting social
pressure and civil society must take initiative in this to supplement government’s efforts.
 Educational period of students is their formative phase. Thus students in schools and colleges must be
educated of this discriminatory practice so that strong force of young minds is readied to defy it.
 Government should charge those under penal provisions who employ other people often coercively to
clean their pit.
Conclusion-
Creating awareness regarding emptying pit and bringing behavioral changes among people would be strong
step in making India open defecation free and at the same time would end the social evil of caste discrimination
and untouchability.

Topic: Role of women; Social empowerment
18. Recently protests erupted in Nagaland after its government refused to

revoke the decision to reserve 33 per cent seats for women in upcoming
civic body polls. Examine why there is opposition to women’s reservation
and also critically comment on this issue. (200 Words)
Down to Earth
The legal fight of Naga women for their democratic right of representation dates back to year 2011 when
Guwahati single judge bench order to hold elections in state and to provide reservation for women. In recent
civic body polls the issues got highlighted when government refused to revoke the decision to reserve 33 percent
seats for woman.
Basically there are two main constitutional provisions linked with it. Firstly as per 74th amendment, it has been
made mandatory to state to provide 33 percent reservation to women. As an exception to this provision article
371(A) exists which states that no act of parliament in respect of Naga customary law and procedure shall apply
to the state of Nagaland unless the Legislative Assembly of the state by a resolution decides to adopt it.
It is equally true that reservation is not an alien concept there has already 1/4th reservation provided for the
women in Village development boards(VDB) since 1989, so the grounds of opposition has their originating
roots in other factors like patriarchal mindset and unwillingness to share fund and power with the women.
In case of state like Nagaland, the existing conditions differ from other part of country and thus need a conscious
attempt by government agencies to implement sensitive issues such as representation.
Providing reservations for woman can guarantee:
 Gender Equality and Gender participation in decision making process. Hence, elevate their status.
 Woman will encourage their children of the tribe to get good education.
 With rising education and development groups like NSCK (M) will face hindrance in their functionality.
Addressing the issue will bring peace in the area generally disturbed by the insurgencies across borders and
with the current problems between different groups of the state increases the vulnerability. So, Tribal welfare
departments, NGOs and civil society should come forward and try to spread awareness among the people of
different tribes about women empowerment and tell them about the developments happening across the country
and world.
19. Discuss critically various problems faced by women with mental illness
and measures needed to address these problems. (200 Words)
Livemint
Introduction-
Mental illnesses are medical conditions that disrupt a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others
and daily functioning. Mental illnesses are medical conditions that often result in a diminished capacity for coping
with the ordinary demands of life. Women on account of their gender role and socio-economic conditions face
more challenges compared to men.
There are 60 million Indians who suffer from mental disorders. At the end of 2005, nearly 10-20 million (1-2%
of the overall population) people suffered from severe mental disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar
disorder, and nearly 50 million (about 5% of the population) suffered from common mental disorders like
depression and anxiety.

Why women face more challenges?

 Trauma is common among women, with half of all women experiencing some form of trauma during their
lives. One in four women has faced an attempted or completed sexual assault, and one in three reports
being abused by a domestic partner. Trauma is a risk factor for a host of mental illnesses, most notably
post-traumatic stress disorder.
 Some women report receiving inadequate or insensitive care in response to trauma, and research
suggests this can also play a role in the development of mental illness. For example, some women report
being blamed for their own rape or abuse. Others find that street harassment, violence on television, and
similar cultural issues compound their pain after a traumatic event.
 Hormonal differences between men and women may play a role in mental illness. Women, for example,
tend to produce lower quantities of serotonin than men, possibly due to differences in hormone levels.
Serotonin deficiency has been implicated in a host of mental health issues, most notably depression and
anxiety.
 The physiological changes women face during pregnancy and childbirth truly cannot be overstated. As
many as 41% of women suffer from some form of postpartum depression, suggesting that physiological
shifts likely play a significant role in mental illness.
 Cultural factors are also at play. Some women are overwhelmed by the demands of parenting, particularly
in the early days. Research has shown that women who have unsupportive partners, traumatic births, who
live in poverty, or who face high levels of stress are significantly more likely to develop postpartum
depression.
Various problems faced by women with mental illness-
 Social stigma- In a country like India where people have no understanding, and have negative attitude
towards mental illness, it creates fear of ostracization by the society. This prevents the women and their
families from seeking psychiatric help.
 Forceful admission to mental institutions- The low status of women in Indian society makes them vulnerable
to forceful and involuntary admission and arbitrary detention in mental institutions by that relatives and
police according to a report put out by non-profit outfit Human Rights Watch on the plight of mentally ill and
disabled women in India.
 The same report also reveals about the plight of women suffering in mental institutions because of
overcrowding and a lack of hygiene, inadequate access to healthcare, forced treatment—including
electroconvulsive therapy—as well as physical, verbal and sexual violence.
 Widespread inequities- Linked to the deep and widespread inequities marking the socio-economic status
of men and women in India, the exposure to and treatment of specific mental health risks are gendered as
well. Their illness is not taken seriously and help is sought late and infrequently. Psychiatric epidemiological
data cites a ratio of one woman for every three men attending public health psychiatric outpatients’ clinics
in urban India. When a man is mentally ill, since he is conventionally the main earner, his well-being is
considered important, something needing immediate treatment.
 Patriarchal mindset of society- In a patriarchal society, women are easily incarcerated for a variety of
reasons. A woman, whose contribution goes unrecognized, becomes a burden when she is mentally ill
because she is thought of as being incapable of the role society thrusts on her—of the primary caregiver.
As a result, the mentally ill woman is socially ostracized and abandoned. She is sent back to her parents’
house. If her mother is alive, things can work out. If not, she becomes a burden, an additional mouth to
feed. Social disadvantages worsen the biological vulnerability of women.
 Sometimes families seek solutions like visiting Tantrik or trying magical ways to deal with the depression
of women. This makes women more vulnerable to mental illness.
 Further abdominal heaviness, fatigue, lethargy, low energy, feeling irritated, sometimes loose, sometimes
constipated motions are all symptoms of depression associated with women. Since they are not aware,

patients go to physicians, who in turn aren’t well trained to deal with such cases. Up to 30% of those who
go to physicians in public healthcare units have underlying depression.
 For the mentally ill women, among other problems, housing too is a concern. Many of them have to pay
extra rent because according to the landlords, the presence of a mentally ill patient means a lot of (financial)
risk. This is more prevalent in semi-urban and urban places,”
Measures-
 Increase in budgetary allocations- India’s budgetary allocation for mental health is presently only 0.04%
which needs to be substantially increased in proportion to the number of mentally ill people.
 Legislative measures- Mental health law has always been penal, depriving people of their liberty and it is
still the same. The core of the laws is still involuntary commitment. Such laws have to be reformed to make
it patient friendly. Rajya Sabha has passed the Mental Health Care Bill 2013, which provides for protection
and promotion of rights of persons with mental illness during the delivery of healthcare in institutions and
in the community. India also came up with a National Mental Health Policy in 2014 which aims to reduce
the treatment gap by providing universal access to mental healthcare through increased funding and
human resources. However these provisions are largely on paper. Thus effective implementation policy is
urgently required.
 Training more doctors, mental health workers- shortage of psychiatrists needs to be addressed urgently.
There are only 3,800 psychiatrists, 898 clinical psychologists, 850 psychiatric social workers and 1,500
psychiatric nurses nationwide. This means there are three psychiatrists per million people, which according
to data from the World Health Organization, is 18 times fewer than the Commonwealth norm of 5.6
psychiatrists per 100,000 people.
 We need places especially in urbanized spaces where we don’t have the colonial lock-ups. We need
humanized social supporting systems.
 Spreading awareness- through media, medical personnel regarding mental illness and symptoms, busting
myths around mental illness. We need to create resources within the society, and unless we increase the
awareness, we wouldn’t make any progress in dealing with mental health.
 Rehabilitation of women- There is need to provide employment and housing to women suffering through
mental illness and has been left by families. Programs like Cluster group homes should be promoted as
they offers more independent living—a house for five-six patients, along with a healthcare assistant,
located within a community and with no locks. The idea is to facilitate social inclusion.
Conclusion-
Indian constitution has guaranteed Protection of life and Personal liberty under art 21. Thus is imperative on the
part of government as well as civil society to work towards achieving this goal.
20. Illustrate with facts the disproportionate burden that falls on women and
girls due to deficiencies in sanitation facilities in India. (200 Words)
Economic Survey 2016-2017, Chapter 1
Introduction-
While lack of sanitation and hygiene affects all people living in such surrounding, it affects women more severely
than men. A rapid study conducted in 2016 by WASH Institute and Sambodhi for this Economic Survey 2016-
17 provides some insight on how women are more disadvantageous than men.
How women are disproportionately affected than men?
 For the majority of households without toilets, the Rapid Survey suggests some worrisome trends. 76
percent of women had to travel a considerable distance to use toilet facilities. The percentage is 77 in rural
areas and 55 in urban areas.

 33 percent of the women have reported facing privacy concerns and assault while going out in the open.
The percentage varies from 34.1 in rural to 32.8 in urban areas.
 In the face of above considerable risks, the number of women who have reduced consumption of food and
water are 33 percent and 28 percent respectively of the sample. Apart from illnesses, disruptions and
deficiencies in the short -term, reduced food and water intake also causes severe long-term debilitating
impacts on health, and impedes in cognitive development of girls and infants.
 Further women and men going out into the open have to cope also with exposure to natural elements,
snakebites etc.
 Many girl students are reluctant to go to school or drop out of school due to absence of toilets in school.
 Work places which do not provide adequate sanitation and toilet facilities for women usually hamper their
work efficiency.
In 2011, the Census reported that more than half of the country’s population defecated in the open. However
there is gradual improvement in the situation. More recent data shows that about 60 percent of rural households
up from 45% and 89 per cent of urban households have access to toilets – a considerably greater coverage
than reported by the Census 2011.
In households with toilets women report far greater use of these in-home facilities than men, suggesting that
there may be a greater demand amongst women. This pattern of usage suggests that women and girl-children
could take a key leadership role to play in Swachh Bharat’s objective of creating defecation free communities,
by nudging men and boys of the household to change their own defecation behaviors.
The first step to tackling this issue is to acknowledge the problem. This means generating more information on
a topic that is socially considered taboo or ignored. Second, recognizing the positive behavioral patterns that
women demonstrate upon obtaining access to sanitation services is critical. Equally, when these services are
denied, they face considerable insecurity and nutritional risks. For this reason, ensuring safe and adequate
sanitation, water security and hygiene—the objectives of Swachh Bharat—as part of a broader fundamental
right to privacy must become a serious policy issue.
Conclusion-
Women’s personal hygiene is therefore important not just for better health outcomes but also for the intrinsic
value in conferring freedom that comes from having control over their bodies, a kind of basic right to physical
privacy. Put differently, impeded access may well be creating “gender-based sanitation insecurity.”
21. Critically comment on the role of women in electoral politics in India.

(200 Words)
Livemint
Women, who roughly comprise half of the population of the world’s largest democracy are seen as a rising
potential on the stage of democracy.
Various attempts have been made by the government to combat gender inequities in electoral politics such as
33% reservation for women in PRIs and ULBs under the 73rd and 74th Amendment. But, still we are at 130
rank in GII.
Causes of low participation of women in electoral politics –
 Lack of reservation at higher levels- such as Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and state legislative assemblies.
India ranks 20th from the bottom when it comes to women’s representation in the Parliament with merely
4% representation of women in LS.
 Proxy politics- women candidates who generally win elections are due to them being used as proxy by
male members in their family, for whom the people actually vote. Ex: pradhan pati (husband of woman
sarpanch) in UP local bodies

 Patriarchal mindset- tendency of confining women to the four walls of domestic life, prohibiting them from
positions of leadership and decision making. example- lapsed women reservation bill (2008) , opposition
to 33% reservation for women in ULBs in Nagaland citing cultural reasons of Naga tribes.
4) Illiteracy- lack of education and political awareness at times prevents women from active participation in the
elections.
Role of women in Electoral Politics –
Their participation is crucial in the policy formulation and regulation as they represent nearly half of total
population.
 Voice to women through gender sensitive policies- elected women decision makers can better understand
women related issues and act on them such as women-safety , reservation-policy, financing SHGs, women
health-care etc. Promotion of gender budgeting, gender sensitive policies and programmes. They promise
an alternative of development at a time of increasing criminalisation of politics. Radha Devi, sarpanch of
village in Rajasthan who tried to focus on education of childdren.
 Fighting social evils- They can easily relate with the ground realities and thus involve in effective decision
making in comparison to their male counterpart. Women as decision makers thus can be instrumental in
fighting social evils such as child marriage, female foeticide, domestic violence, purdah system,
superstitions, etc. Reason being they are the major and easy victims of many social evil practices. Sushma
Bhadu, sarpanch of a Haryana village who started campaign of lifting ghunghat (veil) in a largely
patriarchial state is an excellent example of this.
 Social transformation- exposure to electoral politics gives women a platform for bringing about social
transformation. Ex: Irom Sharmila who fought against AFSPA is now campaigning for election on a bicycle.
They could act as role models for women empowerment. Establishing trust and confidence in women of
all section towards the govt. policies could be easily achieved.
 Behavioral & attitude changes- change in people’s mindset will come with an increasing number of women
coming out of their homes to participate in decision making, respect for women in the society will increase.
 Role of women-voters – they can impact the election process equally as male counterparts through their
precious votes and can make positive impact on gender sensitive decision making and policy formulation.
Conclusion –
Despite various provisions of the government for enhancing women’s participation in electoral politics, there
seems to exist a ‘glass ceiling effect’ that prevents women from being a part of the decision making process.
Initiatives like Niti Aayog’s women transforming India are expected to empower and substantiate the role of
women legislators.
There is a need to bring about a behavioural change in the society and it’s attitude towards women. Just like
the recent instances of success of women’s movement to enter the sanctum sanctorum of dargahs and temples,
a similar movement needs to begin to increase women’s participation and entry in the temples of democracy
[electoral politics].
22. Should triple talaq be outlawed? What arguments can be made in favour
of outlawing triple talaq? Critically comment. (200 Words)
The Hindu
Triple Talaq is a way of getting divorce by pronouncing Talaq three times. It gives exclusive powers to a muslim
husband to end the marriage at his whims without resorting for any conciliatory mechanism.
ISSUE –
Supreme Court in Shamim Ara v/s State of UP – Invalidated instant and arbitrary Talaq, and pronounced to
follow procedure laid down in Quoran. Afterwards, there are four or five judgments like Dagdu Pathan v.

Rahimbi case where the triple talaq provision has been struck down as invalid by S.C..But it has not led
to this practice being rooted out from our society.
ARGUMENTS IN FAVOUR OF OUTLAWING TT –
1. AGAINST CONSTITUTIONAL PRINCIPLES –
 Preamble gives us enough evidence when it mentions about Social Justice, Equality of Status, Fraternity
assuring the dignity of people – we can definitely say that it is against the principles of our preamble.
 Fundamental Rights: It is against Right to Equality where all people should be treated equally irrespective
of gender, religion etc.
 Constitutional obligation upon government under article 14 to provide right to equality and under art-44
Uniform treatment to Muslim women.
2. LEGAL DISCRIMINATION –
 Muslim women are still subject to the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937 which is silent
on triple talaq, nikah halala and polygamy. They need to be brought on a par with Hindu sisters and
Christian sisters who have a legal recourse.
 Unjust practice – one sided utterance without need of any evidence or witness. To make he matter worse,
burden is over woman to contest it.
3. PATRIARCHAL MISINTERPRETATION OF KORAN –
 Against Koran: Koran contains provision for reconciliation and mediation over period of 90 days involving
both sides in order to prevent destitution among women. Hence the practice is against the religion itself.
 Abolished in Islamic nations: The practice of triple talaq is extensively followed in the Indian subcontinent
BUT is a rare phenomenon in other majorly Islamic countries, which poses a question of the legitimacy of
the argument that the religion prescribes this method for divorce. In addition to this, the fact that this method
of divorce is widely prevalent in poorer and uneducated sections of the people only makes it worrisome.
4. CONTRARY TO MODERN LAW –
 The religion should no doubt be respected but as members of a civilized society, we must strive towards
ending social evils. The practice of triple talaq is a social evil which endangers the prospects of a dignified
life for all the female members of Islam.
 The religion should be encouraged to evolve in accordance with the modern society and the practices like
triple talaq should be prevented by enforcing the law and outlawing them. An age old practice which is evil
in today’s world cannot be continued with the pretext that it existed in the past.
5. GENDER DISCRIMINATION –
 Muslim women have no legal recourse for triple talaq, but to comply. They get no compensation, no time
for conciliation and even custody of children (if husband wants so).
 Further, if a muslim woman wants divorce from her husband, its considered taboo and she has to go
through all the legalities of Shariyat courts.
 Immediate effect of triple talaq makes women vulnerable to social vagaries as most of them are not
economically empowered.
 Nikah halala as compromise to dignity – comes into action when divorced husband wants his divorced wife
again and that can be done only after that woman’s second marriage.
But some sections of Muslim Community are advocating Triple Talaq because –
1. Right of personal beliefs and religion: Triple Talaq is inherent to religious practice and people reserve
rights to preserve it. The pronouncement of triple talaq is acceptable to all four schools of thought in Islam
and though not desirable, it is very much a Koranic injunction.

2. Koran does not condone talaq, though it has been described as one of the worst options to be exercised
only under extenuating circumstances.
 Speedy Procedure: Triple talaq gives a speedy divorce option for those who don’t want to wait for three
months as per other option under Islamic law.
1. More responsibility of Husband towards his wife and family and hence power of pronouncing Talaq
to him only.
2. Nikahnama :- A agreement during marriage – in which if it not explicitly mentioned about abandoning of
Triple Talaq then husband can avail this option.
WAY FORWARD –
Muslim personal law needs drastic reforms in accordance with the changing times. These should be in line with
recent S.C. rulings upholding the constitutional ideals.
Uniform civil code can be the ultimate solution for eliminating unjust practices of some of the personal laws.
Efforts should be made towards making atmosphere ripe for the changes.
23. The 2011 Census revealed the welcome fact that both the child sex ratio
and the overall sex ratio in Punjab had improved considerably over the
previous census data. However, subsequent rounds of National Family
Health Survey data show that gender bias against the girl child in terms of
health coverage and nutrition is not only higher than in the developed
states but also the poorer ones. In this light, what should state and union
government do to address this issue? Critically examine. (200 Words)
EPW
Introduction:-
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the ambitious “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” (B3P) campaign against
female foeticide in Panipat in January 2015. Two years later, Haryana, notorious for its skewed sex ratio and
patriarchal mindset, saw a historic turnaround.
Strategy to be adopted by state and central
government:
1. The welfare schemes aimed at not only bringing the
structural reforms rather attitudinal changes. For
example: the BBBP program launched as a
movement.
2. Promoting the women participation at the higher
levels so that the empowerment can penetrate
through their efforts. For example the 108 CAA be
affected to provide 33% reservation to the women in
the parliament. This empowers the few and inspires the millions.
3. Involving multiple stakeholders like the civil society and the NGO’s in the policy cycle so that the
effectiveness of the implementation can be ensured with due participation go the people. For example: the
ASHA, ANM through the civil society awakening the people through them these institutions need to be
empowered through the ICDS and adequate resources and training methodologies be made more robust.
4. Capacity building program for empowering the women through an inward out process. For example: SHG’s
for micro lending linkage.
5. Convergence of all departments at the district-level, coupled with strong political will and co-ordinated
efforts by all districts in the State

6. video-conference with the Deputy Commissioners every month to monitor the progress by respective chief
minister as done in case of Haryana.
7. Creation of a social media group, moderated by the Additional Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister.
This forum enabled healthy competition between different districts and helped them learn from each other’s
experiences.
8. Universal health Care System which focuses especially on Girl Child and women at large.
9. Special focus on pregnant and lactating women to Ensure better health of both Girl Child and Mother
– ICDS, JSY, JSSY, Maternity Leave and allowance.
10. Educating the Adolescent Girl Children about Reproductive Rights and Reproductive Health.
11. Improvement in the food quality of Mid-Day Meal Scheme.
12. Bio-fortification of food grains distributed through PDS which address Hidden Hunger.
13. Proper implementation of National Food Security Act.
24. What are the benefits of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act
to women? Also examine issues involved in using the MTP Act. (200 Words)
The Indian Express
The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act (MTP) 1971 was enacted with the intention of reducing incidents of
illegal abortions and maternal mortality rate (MMR). It clearly lays down the provision of women who are qualified
to undergo abortion and under what circumstances. In it’s present form, it permits women to undergo an abortion
only up to 20 weeks with the opinion of 2 doctors and up to 12 weeks with the opinion of only one doctor. The
recent proposal for amendment of the act brings along with it several benefits for women.
BENEFITS TO WOMEN –
1) Ensures right to live with dignity- under Art. 21 of the Constitution allows a woman take the call for
abortion by allowing her to exercise the right to reproductive freedom in case she is not in a position to raise
her child with dignity.
2) Reduction in MMR due to illegal abortions- maternal deaths due to abortion account for 8% of the
maternal deaths.
3) Increased availability of legal means of abortion- availability of trained mid level providers, doctors;
crackdown on illegal abortion clinics, allows women to undergo the process legally.
4) Personal circumstances(humanitarian conditions) taken into account- such as rape survivor,
unplanned pregnancy, divorce, death of the partner, inability of the woman to raise the child single-handedly
on her own.
PERSISTING ISSUES –
1) Female foeticide – misuse of the provisions of the act for sex-selective abortions due to son-preference;
skewing of sex ratio.
2) Pro-life argument- even a foetus has the right to life, abortion being a violation of the same.
3) Relevance of the 20 week period- many foetal diseases and birth defects are detected after the 20
week period, which puts into question the rationality behind the 20 week limit.
4) Power of decision making- lies with the medical practitioners and still doesn’t take into account the
viewpoint of the woman.
Way forward –
1) Education- about risk to women using abortion as a means of contraception, planned parenthood.

2) Counselling services- rendered by doctors to the mother before ultrasound scan and abortion.
3) Increase time limit for abortion- proposed limit under the amendment is 24 weeks.
4) Regulation & prevent misuse- strict laws to prevent misuse of MTP act; engagement of NGOs, medical
practitioners for monitoring at grass root levels.
The benefits of the MTP act are many but need to be used with utmost care and respect for the rights of an
unborn human being.
Further to reap the fruits of the law, proper awareness and education regarding its provisions needs to be
provides especially to the women.
Topic: Poverty and developmental issues; population and associated issues
25. More than 240 million children are living in conflict zones and even more
children are suffering from various abuses. What should be done to protect
the rights, lives and futures of the world’s most vulnerable children?
Critically examine. (200 Words)
Livemint
Context- Year 2016 has witnessed largescale violence against children and it is said to be one of the worst year
for children since 2nd world war.
Introduction-
“A sense of justice says no child should ever be exploited.” Yet around the world millions of children are being
victimised and traumatised due to circumstances like war, natural disasters or any other ill human action.
Cause for the violence against children-
 Millions of children have been trapped in conflict ridden zones from Syria, Yemen, Iraq and northern
Nigeria, to that of Somalia, South Sudan and Afghanistan. Also more than 50 million children are living
outside their own countries or have been internally displaced. Among them more than half have been
forcibly uprooted, and are facing new threats to their lives and well-being.
 Armed groups are increasingly targeting schools, hospitals and homes, and compounding children’s
suffering.
 Further children from Africa and South Asia are facing adversaries like mal-nourishment and extreme
poverty making them more vulnerable to physical, mental and sexual abuse from outsiders.
Consequences of such conditions-
 Children experiencing violence are often left with long-lasting negative social, emotional, mental, physical
and spiritual consequences.
 Violence against girls and boys is a problem that not only harms each child but jeopardises their future
survival, health and education.
 It simultaneously costs trillions of dollars, slows economic development and erodes a country’s human and
social capital.
Steps to be taken to protect children’s rights-
 Political solution are the best way to ensure peace, stability and harmony in conflict zones. This would
provide necessary environment for the healthy upbringing of child.
 The role of international institutions like UNICEF is very critical in alleviating the sufferings of victims.
Increasing their Core funding and human resource would enables the UN and non-governmental
organizations both to react more quickly in emergencies and to plan more strategically.

 We need to invoke spirit of solidarity and creativity among all nations to strengthen such institutions and
their efforts. It is only because of conflict of interests prevailing among world powers that it is restricting the
peaceful solution to Syrian civil war. Such solidarity would bring this solution.
 Deploying latest technology in war areas such as using drones to airdrop food and medical supplies,
developing mobile apps to monitor needs and track supplies on the ground, to keep aid workers safer
would help in mitigating evil effects of war and conflicts.
 There is urgent need for better coordination among governments, international organizations and local
institutions to provide short-term and long-term relief more efficiently. Also there is need to maximize
synergies between humanitarian and development initiatives as both go hand in hand.
 As these children are mentally disturbed as many have lost their parent and other family members.
Providing them psychological support becomes very important for their well-being.
 Most of the children in war torn areas are out of the school and so in order to safeguard their right to
education providing them with proper education facility, books and learning material may help in securing
their future.
 All the countries should stand together against modern slavery which exploits children and rob them off
their childhood. Strict laws and their meticulous implementation would stop this evil practice.
Conclusion-
A safe and caring environment is the most important part of the life of every children in the world. All
governments and civil society need to commit themselves to protect girls and boys from all forms of violence as
a critical contribution to child well-being.
26. Last month, Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi
once again reiterated the need to set up a national sex offender registry.
Do sex offender registration laws and public access to these records reduce
sex crimes? Critically examine. (200 Words)
The Hindu
Introduction:-
A sex offender registry is a database that contains information about convicted sex offenders in the United
States. Each state maintains a separate registry system, all of which are used by law enforcement to monitor
sex offenders living in the community. The information that each offender must provide when registering varies
by state, and only certain information is made available for the public to view. What the public may view when
searching a sex offender registry generally includes:
 Name and Aliases
 Date of Birth
 Offense
 Current Address
 Photograph
 Physical Description, including height, weight, hair and eye color, etc.
These registries are not a novel suggestion. They have been operational in the United States, the United
Kingdom, Australia, Canada and a few other English-speaking countries for more than a decade.
Sex offender registration laws typically require offenders convicted of a sexual offence to periodically check in
with law enforcement agencies, such as the police, informing them about where they are residing, their place
of employment, and provide details of their physical description. In addition, these laws often place severe
restrictions on where a previously convicted sex offender can reside and work.

Arguments in favor of sex offender registry:-

1) It acts as an awareness measure and helps in creating an alertness required towards the sex offenders and
possible crime occurrence.
2) It acts as a deterrence tool: – Instill a fear of law, fear of ostracization by the society amongst criminals to
prevent repeat offences in the future.
3) Helps in betterment of investigating and law enforcement agencies: – Sex registry will act as a catalyst in the
criminal tracking and even in crime preventions.
Arguments against the sex offender registry:-
 While sex offender registration laws and public access to these records create a sense of security to
parents and residents, they have failed in making any significant difference in sex crimes.
 Registries don’t address the behavior of sex offenders which is the root cause for the repeated occurrence
of the sex crimes.
 Defaming a person as a sex offender goes against the natural law of justice. It never allows a person to
start over and become a normal member of the society.
 With no positive outcomes from these registries, these laws disproportionately result in severe hardships
to former offenders.
 Because of open and free public access to these registries, former convicts often face threat, harassment
and violence from other members of the community. Their status as former sex offenders has the effect of
stigmatizing them for life, rendering reformation and a dignified life after prison impossible.
OTHER ISSUES:-
 The hasty proposal to include even under trial persons on the register ignores a basic consideration for
civil rights of an accused person and the disproportionate impact it would have on their lives while only
being accused of an offence.
 Similarly, the proposal to put children on a sex offender register displays a complete lack of understanding
of their rights under the Constitution and our international obligations under the UN Convention for the
Rights of the Child (UNCRC).
PRESENT LAWS ON SEXUAL OFFENCES:-
Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 criminalizes consensual sexual intercourse with minors
and between minors.
WAY FORWARD:-
1) Fast track courts:- setting up the fast track courts will help in faster disposal of cases and rather than setting
up new courts fast tracking existing courts as suggested by the law commission is also a good step.
2) Strengthening surveillance and law enforcement agencies:- Use of professionals in investigations, CCTv
cameras, location trackers are required to aid the age old systems in India.
3)Reformation rather than retribution :-The policy framework must be formulated for psychiatric evaluation
of sexual offenders, provision for their treatment and care that repetition of crime is not allowed must be
underlined.
4) Awareness campaigns :- Awareness is required about the sexual offences, education to adolescents,
community policing and also about self defence in girls etc.
Conclusion:-In the background of weak investigative and institutional machinery and overwhelming evidence
showing that these sex offenders registries simply don’t work. What is required is a multipronged approach As
discussed above.

27. What challenges does rapid ageing of population pose to policymakers in

India? Social attitudes toward ageing in India and around the world is
unfavourable towards aged people. How can this attitude be changed?
Examine. (200 Words)
The Hindu
Introduction-
India already has the world’s second largest population of the elderly, defined as those above 60 years of age.
It is projected that approximately 20% of Indians will be elderly by 2050, marking a dramatic jump from the
current 8%. It will generate enormous socio-economic pressures as the demand for healthcare services and
tailored accommodation spikes to historically unprecedented levels.
Problem faced by elderlies in India-
 Abandonment by their families.
 Destitution and homelessness.
 Inability to access quality health care.
 Low levels of institutional support.
 Loneliness and depression associated with separation from their families.
According to the National Sample Survey Organisation’s 2004 survey, nearly 3% of persons aged above 60
lived alone. The number of elderly living with their spouses was only 9.3%, and those living with their children
accounted for 35.6%.
Challenges posed by rapid ageing population to policymakers in India-
 As the proportional size of the elderly population expands, there is likely to be a shift in the disease patterns
from communicable to non-communicable, which itself calls for re-gearing the health-care system toward
“preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitative aspects of health”. Policymakers will have to take this
factor into account while designing health-care policies for elderly in future.
 Policymakers will have to delve a healthcare model which would provide affordable, accessible and quality
healthcare services to elders. They will also have to focus separately on problems of elderly people in
tribal, third gender and differently abled persons.
 Policymakers have to introduce Universal Health Care (UHC) and health insurance services as early as
possible to elderly people. This could also strain state treasury and thus policymakers will also have to
increase tax resources of the state. While more mature economies have created multiple models for elder
care, such as universal or widely accessible health insurance, networks of nursing homes, and palliative
care specializations, it is hard to find such systemic developments in India.
 Elderly people are increasingly facing violence and discrimination from family members as well as from
outsiders. Policymakers will have to provide security against this violence. In this case initiative of Delhi
police is unique which launched an app ‘Delhi Police Senior Citizen’ for aid to the elderly in times of distress
or in case of medical emergencies. They will be able to send an SOS through the application that will
immediately be transferred to the SHO and beat constable concerned.
 Health is a state subject. Central government spends only around 1% of GDP on health sector. The medical
problems of elderly receive fraction of this amount. Moreover there is uneven distribution of this amount
among states. Hence policymakers will have to create a right balance which would reduce the friction
between union government and state governments and increase the cooperation between them.
 Further large numbers of elderly population have desire, potential and capacity to work and to earn money.
Unfortunately most of them cannot find employment suitable to their qualification rendering them either
unemployed or under-employed.

The traditional arrangements for the elderly in an Indian family revolve around care provided by their children.
But in the age of increasing globalization and nuclear families, elderly people find it difficult to sustain without
family support. Further in families also elderly people are looked as burden and liability on account of their
medical expenses and no earning. Thus social attitude towards elderlies in India and around the world is
becoming negative and unfavorable.
How this attitude be changed?
 The major problem about elderly arises due to their medical expenses. Thus by introducing Universal
Health Care and Insurance services by government can reduce the financial burden over families thereby
helping in changing their attitude towards elderly.
 Advocacy and information campaigns may be necessary to redirect social attitudes toward ageing. Also
cultural values like respecting and caring elders could be imbibed through awareness campaigns.
 The media particularly electronic and Cinema can prove strong tools to bring out positive change towards
elderly by creating sensitivity towards plight of elderly people.
 Government and civil society together have to create social places and institutions which would provide
counseling, emotional support and care to single and deserted elderly people.
 Recently the concept ‘Universal Basic Income’ introduced by Economic Survey 2016-17 can be applied to
poor elderly people so that they live the life of independence and dignity.
 The vast professional experience of elderly people should be tapped and be used to spread in younger
generation through schemes like Anubhav. It would be most productive way for contribution of elderly
towards society and to become asset rather than liability for society.
Topic: Effects of globalization on Indian society
28. It is said that the opposition to women’s participation in decision-

making bodies and processes is centuries-old in Naga society. Critically
examine how economics and globalization have exacerbated this attitude
against women. (200 Words)
The Indian Express
Nagas customary laws are deeply rooted in patriarchy. Naga culture and customs debar women from land
ownership; hence their customary laws preclude women from inheriting land. Only males can participate in the
village parliament.
Reference:-There is vehement opposition to 33 per cent women’s reservation in urban local bodies (ULBs) in
Nagaland by male-dominated/all-male Naga tribal bodies.
Naga Customary laws and women:-The general perception that in Naga Customary laws women enjoy equal
status stands misleading. Naga women have no right to inheritance, land and property. Over 40 years of
statehood and there has been no woman in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly. Article 317 (A) has been the
biggest stumbling block in empowering women. Due to the unwritten customary laws we have had varied
interpretations and with village judiciary comprising only of men, it is very difficult for women to get sincere
judgment.
Impact of economics and globalization:-
The most important factor in opposition to women”s reservation is linked to economic connotations. Its because
economics spawns, dictates culture and customs and also political and marital expediencies. With political
powers come economic powers, and with economic powers, political power is reinforced and consolidated, all
of which has the potential to disrupt the status quo in Naga society that has marginalized women politically and
economically.

Today, Naga women excel in the public and private spheres academically, intellectually and to a certain extent
economically — this is frightening to the Naga male, who continues to expect the woman to be dependent on
him. Naga women are generally more open, willing and able to adapt to new ideas and change and generally
to global culture, politically, economically and socially.
Naga male also fears about the Indian governments attempt to introduce alien political and economic system
which further leads to dilution of Naga Nationalism.
Conclusion:-
With the changing societal, political and economic scenario in Nagaland the time is ripe that Naga men must
accept the reality and become a force in women empowerment rather than an obstacle to it.
Topic: Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity,
29. Identify earthquake prone regions of India. Explain why they are prone
to frequent earthquakes. (200 Words)
Goh Cheng Leong, Chapter 3
Zone 5
Zone 5 covers the areas with the highest risks zone that
suffers earthquakes of intensity MSK IX or greater. The IS
code assigns zone factor of 0.36 for Zone 5. Structural
designers use this factor for earthquake resistant design
of structures in Zone 5. The zone factor of 0.36 is
indicative of effective (zero period) level earthquake in this
zone. It is referred to as the Very High Damage Risk Zone.
The region of Kashmir, the western and
central Himalayas, North and Middle Bihar, the North-East
Indian region and the Rann of Kutch fall in this zone.
Generally, the areas having trap rock or basaltic rock are
prone to earthquakes.
Zone 4
This zone is called the High Damage Risk Zone and covers areas liable to MSK VIII. The IS code assigns zone
factor of 0.24 for Zone 4. The Indo-Gangetic basin and the capital of the country (Delhi), Jammu and Kashmir fall
in Zone 4. In Maharashtra, the Patan area (Koyananager) is also in zone no-4. In Bihar the northern part of the
state like- Raksaul, Near the border of India and Nepal, is also in zone no-4.
Zone 3
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, parts of Kashmir, Western Himalayas fall under this zone. This zone is
classified as Moderate Damage Risk Zone which is liable to MSK VII. and also 7.8 The IS code assigns zone
factor of 0.16 for Zone 3.
Zone 2
This region is liable to MSK VI or less and is classified as the Low Damage Risk Zone. The IS code assigns
zone factor of 0.10 (maximum horizontal acceleration that can be experienced by a structure in this zone is 10%
of gravitational acceleration) for Zone 2.
Zone 1
Since the current division of India into earthquake hazard zones does not use Zone 1, no area of India is classed
as Zone 1.Future changes in the classification system may or may not return this zone to use.

REASONS BEHIND FREQUENT OCCURANCE:-

1. Volcanic activity
Exploding volcanoes release tremendous energy which offsets the Earth’s crust. This is the reason many
earthquakes happen in and around volcanic regions. Earthquakes happening due to volcanic eruptions are
called volcanic earthquakes.
2. Folding and faulting
When a fracture occurs in the plane on which the Earth’s crust resides, an earthquake can happen. This type
of earthquake is caused either by vertical or horizontal displacements. The movement of rocks along these
fractures causes the movement of earth’s crust.
3. Plate tectonics
The Earth’s surface is comprised of plates. These plates are always moving. When these plates move, their
margins become sites of earthquakes. That is why earthquakes are found to be frequent in plate boundaries.
4. Nuclear bombs
Human beings test nuclear bombs underground. The explosion releases shock waves. This situation can cause
a minor earthquake. The overlying rocks become unstable. They shift their position. It induces a mass chain
reaction of shifting rocks.
5. Construction activities
Blasting of rocks for construction work is common. Rocks are needed for construction. Blasts release energy
and render the Earth’s crust unstable. In mountainous regions, rocks that were lying for millions of years could
shift. A small shift releases outward energy that renders the whole region unstable. In this event, an earthquake
happens.
6. Underground mining
Deep underground mining creates big gaps beneath the Earth’s surface. This does not do much for the stability
of the Earth’s upper layer. Also, mining involves the use of explosives and bombs to blast open rocks. Similar
to nuclear bombs, and construction related bombs, explosions for mining release shock waves.
7. Dams and reservoirs
Water held in dams and reservoirs exerts tremendous pressure on the ground surface. The ground surface
spreads this pressure across to sustain itself. This is a natural phenomenon. But over a period of time, water
disturbs the equilibrium of the Earth’s surface. The pressure could build up in a way so as to produce mild
tremors. Over a period of time, a full-fledged earthquake can happen.
8. Landslides
Avalanches and landslides disturb the equilibrium of the Earth’s crust. They cause the Earth’s crust to send
shock waves as a means to release and distribute energy. Landslides exert tremendous force on the Earth’s
crust, which can even cause a full-blown plate movement several kilometers below the Earth’s crust.
9. Injecting liquid waste into the ground
In many parts of India, certain industries inject waste into the ground’s surface as a means of disposal. This
process causes instability of the Earth’s crust and could lead to earthquakes.
10. Creating high rise buildings on inappropriate land
The creation of high rise buildings on land that is not capable of withstanding such pressure can cause
Earthquakes.

30. What do you understand by plate tectonics? Examine latest findings

made in understanding plate tectonics. (200 Words)
Goh Cheng Leong, Chapter 2
 Plate tectonics(from the Late Latin tectonicus, from

the Greek: τεκτονικός “pertaining to building”) is
a scientific theory describing the large-scale motion
of 7 large plates and the movements of a larger
number of smaller plates of the Earth‘s lithosphere,
over the last hundreds of millions of years.
 The theoretical model builds on the concept of
continental drift developed during the first few
decades of the 20th century.
The geoscientific community accepted plate-tectonic
theory after seafloor spreading was validated in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
 The lithosphere, which is the rigid outermost shell of a planet (the crust and upper mantle), is broken up
into tectonic plates. The Earth’s lithosphere is composed of seven or eight major plates (depending on how
they are defined) and many minor plates.
 Where the plates meet, their relative motion determines the type of boundary: convergent, divergent,
or transform. Earthquakes, volcanic activity, mountain-building, and oceanic trench formation occur along
these plate boundaries. The relative movement of the plates typically ranges from zero to 100 mm
annually.
 Tectonic plates are composed of oceanic lithosphere and thicker continental lithosphere, each topped by
its own kind of crust. Along convergent boundaries, subduction carries plates into the mantle; the material
lost is roughly balanced by the formation of new (oceanic) crust along divergent margins by seafloor
spreading.
 In this way, the total surface of the lithosphere remains the same. This prediction of plate tectonics is also
referred to as the conveyor belt principle. Earlier theories, since disproven, proposed gradual shrinking
(contraction) or gradual expansion of the globe.
 Tectonic plates are able to move because the Earth’s lithosphere has greater strength than the underlying
asthenosphere. Lateral density variations in the mantle result in convection. Plate movement is thought to
be driven by a combination of the motion of the seafloor away from the spreading ridge (due to variations
in topography and density of the crust, which result in differences in gravitational forces) and drag, with
downward suction, at the subduction zones. Another explanation lies in the different forces generated by
tidal forces of the Sun and Moon. The relative importance of each of these factors and their relationship to
each other is unclear, and still the subject of much debate.
TYPES OF PLATE BOUNDARIES:-
A divergent boundary :-
A divergent boundary occurs when two tectonic plates
move away from each other. Along these boundaries, lava
spews from long fissures and geysers spurt superheated
water. Frequent earthquakes strike along the rift. Beneath
the rift, magma—molten rock—rises from the mantle. It
oozes up into the gap and hardens into solid rock, forming
new crust on the torn edges of the plates. Magma from the
mantle solidifies into basalt, a dark, dense rock that
underlies the ocean floor. Thus at divergent boundaries,
oceanic crust, made of basalt, is created.

Convergent boundary :-
When two plates come together, it is known as a convergent boundary. The impact of the two colliding plates
buckles the edge of one or both plates up into a rugged mountain range, and sometimes bends the other down
into a deep seafloor trench. A chain of volcanoes often forms parallel to the boundary, to the mountain range,
and to the trench. Powerful earthquakes shake a wide area on both sides of the boundary.
If one of the colliding plates is topped with oceanic crust, it is forced down into the mantle where it begins to
melt. Magma rises into and through the other plate, solidifying into new crust. Magma formed from melting plates
solidifies into granite, a light colored, low-density rock that makes up the continents. Thus at convergent
boundaries, continental crust, made of granite, is created, and oceanic crust is destroyed.
Transform plate boundary :-
Two plates sliding past each other forms a transform plate boundary. Natural or human-made structures that
cross a transform boundary are offset—split into pieces and carried in opposite directions. Rocks that line the
boundary are pulverized as the plates grind along, creating a linear fault valley or undersea canyon. As the
plates alternately jam and jump against each other, earthquakes rattle through a wide boundary zone. In
contrast to convergent and divergent boundaries, no magma is formed. Thus, crust is cracked and broken at
transform margins, but is not created or destroyed.
Latest findings made in understanding Plate Tectonics:-
1) Axial seamount = It refers to a live recording of volcano mountain. The volcano rising from Juan de fuca ridge
demonstrates it. It supports the divergent movement.
2) After 2012 Sumatra Indonesia earthquake in Indian ocean the Indo Australian plate broken into many plate.
It was mainly due to slipping of plate in interpolated and hence the activation of Barren volcano happened.
3) Zealandia:-It’s a new continent. It broke from Antarctica 100 million years and from Australia 80 million yrs
ago. Its formation supports movement of plates.
4) Heat from the base of the mantle contributes significantly to the strength of the flow of heat in the mantle and
to the resultant plate tectonics. Buoyancy is created by heat rising up from deep within the Earth’s core.
Topic: Changes in critical geographical features (including waterbodies and ice-caps) and in flora
and fauna and the effects of such changes
31. Recently researchers from the University of Cambridge in the UK and

Banaras Hindu University in Uttar Pradesh have examined how Indus
populations in north-west India interacted with their environment. Discuss
their findings. (200 Words)
Livemint
Introduction:-
 The Indus Valley civilization was an ancient civilization in the Indian subcontinent. It was discovered
by archaeologists in the 1920s. It developed along the Indus River and the Ghaggar-Hakra River, in the
area of modern Pakistan and north-west India and Afghanistan. It started during the Bronze Age.
 The height of its development was between 2600 and 1900BC. Including the civilizations directly before
and directly afterward, it may have lasted from the 33rd to the 14th century BC. The Indus Valley civilization
covered a large area – from Balochistan (Pakistan) to Gujarat (Republic of India).
 The first city to be discovered by excavation (digging up) was Harappa and therefore this civilization is also
known as ‘Harappan Civilization’.
The ancient population in India used a variety of subsistence practices to cope with diverse environments.
Researchers from the University of Cambridge in the UK and Banaras Hindu University in Uttar Pradesh worked

in north-west India between 2007 and 2014. They studied the dynamics of adaptation and resilience in the face
of a diverse and varied environmental context :-
 The climate change factor:- During early Holocene, the Indus Valley Civilization, was located closer to the
lake Kotla Dahar (monsoon-filled closed basin).But then the monsoon cycle – which was pivotal to the
livelihood – suddenly halted for nearly two centuries which led to decrease in water level of Kotla Dahar
lake and thus, leading to de-urbanisation.
 The improved water management practice:- As society progressed, there was improvement in
conservation practices (like covering of drains below streets), and rather than being forced to diversify
subsistence practices, in response the Climate Change, a broad uniformity was observed as opposed to
earlier thesis of ‘Different subsistence practices for different areas’.
 Settlement Pattern:- IVC evolved in a particular environment where there was an overlap in the summer
and winter rainfall system, and adequate water were available and also played role in evolution of the city’s
drainage systems.
 The cropping pattern:- Use of millet, rice, and tropical pulses in both pre-urban and urban phases,
suggested that local people had adapted themselves to vagaries of climate.
The various theories leading to decline of Indus Valley Civilization revolved around the climatic factors mainly.
This suggest that people of Indus Valley had to face the enormous climatic conditions:-
1. Floods:
The massive floods in the Indus must have been a potent cause for the extinction of the Harappan culture. The
point is proved by the silt-clay that covers the collapsed houses at Mohenjo-Daro. Repeated floods must have
forced the people to flee the inundated places and set up permanent habitat elsewhere. As a consequence
came the decline of Harappa.
2. Earthquakes:
Geographically, the Harappan culture occupied an area that was prone to earthquakes as it came under a
seismographic zone. Repeated seismographic vibrations must have led to erosion that brought down the
buildings. Earthquakes constitute an important reason for the decline of Harappan culture.
3. Change of the Course of the Indus:
Some Historians attribute the decline of the Harappan culture to the river Indus changing its course frequently.
As such the Indus delta shifted away from Mohenjo-Daro and water became scarce. Water scarcity must have
led to the exodus of the Harappan people to other places. Yet, the change of course of the Indus is not reason
enough for the decline in Lothal, Kalibangan, Rupar etc. because the Mohenjo-Daro situation did not occur in
these regions.
32. How eras, epochs and eons are decided in geological timescale? Recently
it was decided to name present epoch as anthropocene. Critically discuss
salient features of anthropocene. (200 Words)
The Hindu
The period is the basic unit of geological time in which a single type of rock system is formed. Two or more
periods comprise a geological Era. Two or more Eras form an Eon, the largest division of geologic time. Some
periods are divided into epochs.
The International Commission on Stratigraphy is considered to be the nodal agency that decides on the eras,
aeons, and epochs. In the geological timescale, they are considered to be decided on the basis of evidence
obtained from the imprints found in the fossil records.

The recent discourse on naming an

epoch on the name of Human being
clearly indicates the importance of
Homo sapiens species on globe. The
various aspects that can establish a link
between human and the epoch of the
earth geological history can be stated
as:
 There are huge alternations in the
land use pattern of the earth as
area under the forest is dwindling
continuously. Rising urbanization
is generating altogether a new
ecology within the urban area. Eg
Island heat effect, Urban
agglomerations.
 In the climatology discipline of
Geography, pollution has led to
the rising temperature,
greenhouse gas effect and rise in
suspended particulate matter. the
variations occurring in weather
conditions away from standard
geographical observations
rerecorded over a period of time
are nothing but the ill effects of
disturbed climatic conditions due
to anthropogenic activities.
 Unsustainable fishing activity,
water pollution, oil spills etc. are
disturbing the balance of marine
life which has taken thousands of
years to reach this stage of
development.
 As far the impact of human on
biodiversity is considered it has led
to the dwindling of wild flora and
fauna, spread of diseases
epidemic in wild, habitat loss and forceful migration of wild animals.
All this do not indicate to the healthy trend for earth’s ecology. The sheer economic greed of human being has
led to unsustainable exploitation of wildlife and overall biodiversity. There is no genuine cooperation at
international platform to correct these mistakes. Conservation efforts are poor to control the loss of earth’s
treasure.
This discourse of naming epoch after the human being itself denotes anthropocentric approach. Till date no era
or an epoch has been names after the name of species. e.g. Jurassic period has nothing to do with Dinosaurs
and it derives its name from Jura Mountains of European continent. The question persist that why should human
being is privileged to have its name on era if thousands of species are in existence on earth far longer time than
the human being.
The very loss of earth biodiversity by anthropogenic activities does not make humans an eligible candidate to
have its name on an era.

Topic: Urbanization – problems and remedies
33. With Indian cities and towns already struggling, the management of
rapid urban expansion will remain one of the most important challenges
over the next decade. What’s the solution to meet these challenges?
Discuss. (200 Words)
Livemint
In the light of recent urban renewal and retrofitting program by GOI such as smart city mission it becomes very
important to understand the inherent problems linked with urbanization process in India. According to a survey
by UN State of the World Population report in 2007, by 2030, 40.76% of country’s population is expected to
reside in urban areas. This highlights the upcoming challenges in urban development for management
purpose.
 Planning- The new challenge today is management of rural urban fringe as the expansion of urban fringes
is taking place at rapid place. There is need of immediate long term planning for sustainable development
of areas in fringes.
 Transport and communication- The future challenge will be linked with the urban transport facilities.
Roads are congested, rail and metro network is inadequate resulting into movement within the city being
slow and tiring.
 Housing- It has been already observed now the cost of living is too high in metropolitan areas. Crumbling
infrastructure in public services has to be managed on far footings.
 Migration- Migration will continue as urban areas act as a center of economic growth. Problem of slums
is about to increase and thus leading to health challenges for public health system.
 Solid waste management- In case of waste management issue, nuclear, cyber and plastic waste will
create a big challenge for clean and pollution free urban environment.
 Poverty- Urban poverty has a very peculiar character. Street vendors and people in other informal sector,
women, children and old age population will suffer most from the deteriorating urban ecology.
 Environmental challenges: growth in man-made and natural disasters is another challenge because of
unplanned cities. Urban island effects have already been observed in urban setup.
Ex: Chennai flood in 2015
 Service delivery- Urban local government will have to do a gigantic task of timely service delivery as there
is paradigm shift in public administration towards new public management.
Solutions:
 The first and foremost importance has to be given to the providing human face to urban development.
Playgrounds, green belts, open spaces, footpaths, public gardens have to be deliberately created in order
to create an environment of sustainability.
 Digital India program and Information technology solutions must be made available at affordable cost to
all segments of society. Bridging the existing digital divide is priority for true democratic setup of urban
areas. Harnessing the power of ICT, NeGP, NOFN etc
 The recent policy proposal by government to focus on fringe areas is a welcoming step.
 Waste management has to be addressed at point of generation only. The case of Pune can provide some
guideline in this case as it has a unique model of contractual system for efficient and segregation of urban
waste.
 Infrastructure has to follow the green norms. Revival of tradition water structure can provide best solutions
for water need of urban areas.

Eg; DHAN foundation at Madurai has done an immense work for revival of traditional tank irrigation system in
Tamil Nadu.
Cities are living ecosystems. They need to be managed accordingly. Rather than going by populist measures
or sticking to the original master plans, local solutions to local problems, innovative, in situ and tailor made
solutions should be evolved, adapted and adhered to. Authorities need to be willing to learn, evolve and discard
if necessary.
34. What is a proprietary city? Examine role of these cities in urbanization

and national development. (200 Words)
Livemint
REFERENCE –
“A city is more than a place in space, it is a drama in time.” – Patrick Geddes.
The Economic Survey of 2016-17 lays stress on urbanization stating that it will “decide the trajectory of Indian
Development”. The Survey has in this regard suggested the idea of “proprietary cities”.
INTRODUCTION –
Proprietary community-
A proprietary community is a territorial governance structure under a single owner. This structure approximates
private property, giving it an advantage over other governance structures. In a proprietary community, there is
a single decision-maker with an interest in property values, which are highly correlated with economic
development.
The typical example of a proprietary community is a shopping mall. The mall has a single owner who then rents
out store space.
A proprietary city would follow the same model as a proprietary community, but on a much larger scale.
Proprietary cities give decision-makers a monetary incentive to think long-term.
Proprietary city-
“A community created and provisioned by a private developer under an arrangement in exchange for some kind
of land tax.”
It’s essentially a mega land acquisition justified by the idea that the private developer has an incentive to
innovate in infrastructure, services and the regulatory environment to make the place clean, safe, attractive and
economically vibrant enough to generate taxable value. No more fragmentation of responsibility across
unaccountable and inept public sector agencies; no more election-focused short-termism; no more neglect of
the commons within the city.
Categories –
There are three categories of such arrangements.
 some are being built as joint ventures with the host state. Viz. A public private venture, like King Abdullah
Economic City in Saudi Arabia.
 other proprietary cities have contractual arrangements with the host state.
 some host states create a legal framework for the creation of competing proprietary cities. Viz. Honduras
has created a legal framework for the creation of proprietary cities with ZEDEs. ZEDEs will be run by a
technical secretary appointed by a government established committee.
EXAMPLES IN INDIA –
 Gurgaon, shows both the successes and failures of private development. On the surface, Gurgaon is a
gleaming, modern city built nearly overnight on wasteland. Gurgaon was built, however, without benefit of

planning and its failures–most notably poor and inefficient provision of water, sewage, and electricity–are
a warning. The failures all stem from high transaction costs, Gurgaon’s private developers have not
managed to bargain and internalize externalities.
 Jamshedpur, suggests another approach. Jamshedpur is a private township, planned from the beginning
by visionary businessman Jamshedji Tata. Jamshedpur has been run by a single, integrated entity for over
100 years and as it is integrated it has internalized externalities. As a result, Jamshedpur, has some of the
best urban infrastructure in all of India.
DEFINITION –
Proprietary cities are those cities which are owned by private individuals and other users have to rent spaces in
that city from that owner. The owner has the responsibility of providing basic amenities to the residents of the
city like maintenance, sanitation, safety and operation of the city.
Positive role –
1. Economic viability: Since the cities are owned and managed by business minded individuals, there are
greater chances that economic output of the cities would be increased as most of the decisions taken would
serve the economic interests of individuals e.g. development of SEZs and Software Parks
2. Better administration and planning: Governance practices like professionalism, meritocracy, , effective
monitoring and risk review would become more fine-tuned which would lead to adoption of better governance
practices. Better chances that the maintenance and management of the cities would be up-to-date in line with
govt.’s vision of Smart Cities.
Planning: Proprietary cities are better planned compared to haphazardly grown cities in India, thereby
ensuring better planning and provision of services and welfare schemes for all residents. For example,
traffic congestion and pollution can be reduced by adjacently constructing residential and office buildings.
Such an urbanization can be more sustainable.
More efficiency, accountability and less fragmentation as compared to public sector agencies.
Less election and vote bank focused promises for development but only development for development’s
sake.
3. Modern technologies: There are higher chances that the cities would incorporate modern technologies in
their infrastructural framework e.g. employment of Big Data services and realization of Digital India
4. Attracting FDI: Such cities would’ve better chances of attracting FDIs and domestic investments as the
economic output would take precedence over other issue. Countering trade deficits by promoting manufacturing
in line with Make in India.
Negative aspects –
1. Promote crony capitalism: Extreme commercialization of cities might develop politico-businessmen
nexus that would severely violate principles of DPSP.
2. Ignorance of Social parameters: Social parameters like unemployment, poverty, malnutrition, illiteracy
and women empowerment might be totally ignored in the race to maximize economic profits.
3. Environmental exploitation: Overuse of natural resources and Environmental issues like air, water and
soil pollution would witness flagrant violations as economic growth would take precedence.
4. Commercialization of public services: Education would become highly commercialized which will harm
creative and out of the box thinking in children. Similarly, commercialization of health sector might promote
exploitative practices.
5. Inequitable growth: Due to predominance of economic interests, inequitable growth may take place which
would be a gross violation of DPSP principles
6. Hegemony of few corporate houses
7. Minimization of participatory governance and lack of democratic decision making.

CONCLUSION –
Proprietary cities are likely to continue to compete with traditional city governments. The success of proprietary
cities will depend on the degree of institutional autonomy they obtain from host countries. While doing this, it
should be ensured that our democratic and constitutional ideals are not forgotten in our bid to maximize
economic viability. Equitable and sustainable growth is in the greater interest of all the citizens and the country
as a whole. Hence, Proper mechanisms and laws need to be in place to regulate them.
35. A new study has found that India’s rapidly worsening air pollution is
causing about 1.1 million people to die prematurely each year and is now
surpassing China’s as the deadliest in the world. In this light, critically
examine why India’s air pollution problem is worsening while China, USA
and some of the European countries have shown progress in containing
pollution. (200 Words)
The Hindu
A report issued jointly by the Health Effects Institute, a Boston research institute focused on the health effects
of air pollution, and the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation, a population health research center in Seattle
has revealed some important statistics-
 About 1.1 million people die prematurely each year due to air pollution.
 India has registered an alarming increase of nearly 50% in premature deaths from particulate matter
between 1990 and 2015.
 Air pollution has worsened in parts of the world, including South Asia, but it improved in the U.S. and
Europe.
 Although deaths caused by air pollution grew to 4.2 million in 2015 from 3.5 million in 1990, the rate of
increase of about 20% was slower than the rate of the population rise during that time. That is because of
improved healthcare in many parts of the world, as well as public policy initiatives undertaken in the U.S.,
Europe and other regions that reduced emissions from industrialization.
 China also offers an encouraging sign. Premature deaths from particulate matter each year have stabilized
at around 1.1 million since 2005, the report said.
Causes of such high air pollution in India-
 Suspended particles of size PM 2.5 are released particularly from diesel engines, and by industry, thermal
power plants as well as from natural sources like dust.
 Fireworks during the festival of Diwali contribute to hazardous levels of air pollution in urban areas and its
major reason of air pollution in the city of Delhi.
 Smoke from the farm fires of Punjab and Haryana contributes about one quarter of the levels of the most
dangerous air pollution in the Indian capital.
 Fuel wood and biomass burning is the primary reason for near-permanent haze and smoke observed
above rural and urban India, This form of fuel is inefficient source of energy, its burning releases high levels
of smoke, PM10 particulate matter, NOx, SOx, PAHs, polyaromatics, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and
other air pollutants.
 Adulteration of gasoline and diesel with lower-priced fuels is common in India. Some adulterants increase
emissions of harmful pollutants from vehicles, worsening urban air pollution
 Most of the cities generate thousands of tonnes of municipal solid waste, much of which is eventually
burned; adding particulate pollution to the air and galloping urbanization brings massive construction
projects to the area adding huge dust particles to the surrounding.

Air pollution is worsening in India particularly because-

 Weak environmental regulation in India leaves India’s citizens with few alternatives other than to petition
the courts to take action to protect the public’s health. But the courts often lack the power or mechanisms
to enforce their actions.
 Rapidly increasing urbanization activities like construction and increase in vehicle density are hampering
the efforts of pollution control by government.
 India is still dependent on thermal power sector for most of its energy requirement causing release of large
number of NO2 and SO2 pollutants.
 Micro, Small and medium enterprises or industries engaged in manufacturing follow little rules and
regulation about pollution control.
 India is yet to move towards Bharat stage norms 5 and 6 which are equivalent to the Euro norms 5 and 6
respectively from BS 4. This is limiting the pollution control efforts in India.
On the other hand countries like USA, Europe and China are showing improvements because adoption of
stringent norms like Euro 6 for controlling fine particulate matter, increasing use of electric vehicles, using
advanced technologies for solid waste management, moving towards clean energy and following best practices
for manufacturing.
Way forward for India-
Government needs to encourage use of clean fuels and renewable energies by incentivizing citizens. Eg.
Subsidizing higher technology required for BS VI and electric vehicles, promoting LPG gas in rural areas etc.
Adopting stringent norms for sugar, brick making and other manufacturing industries to check their pollution at
the initial stage itself.
Use of advanced technologies for solid waste management and dust problems of construction sector would
enhance the quality of air in urban areas.
National green tribunal and Central pollution control board should be invested with greater regulating powers
for effective implementation of its order as courts cannot intervene every time.
Steps like adopting Odd-Even policy, new Air Quality Index are steps in right direction. They increase the citizen
awareness of the citizens which are greatest stakeholder in fight against pollution.
36. Is there a correlation between high levels of pollution in India and coal-
fired power plants? Critically discuss. (200 Words)
The Indian Express
The Hindu
Introduction:- High level of pollution has grappled many Indian cities. Delhi emergency in November 2016 is
an eye opening lesson in this regard. Among many reasons coal fired power plants have catched attention of
many.
AIR POLLUTION IN INDIA:-Air Pollution in Indian
Air pollution is one of the most serious and dangerous issues of the World, which directly challenge to the global
environment as well as the thread to the living beings. Normally, pure air consists, 78.084% of Nitrogen (N2),
21.946% of Oxygen (O2), 0.934% of Argon (Ar), 0.0397% of Carbon dioxide (CO2), 0.00182% of Neon (Ne),
0.0005% of Helium (He) and 0.0002% of Methane (CH4). When this normal situation of air changed due to the
existence of harmful gasses like, carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides, any hydrocarbon gases, sulphur-di-
oxide (SO2), hydrogen sulphide and some greenhouse gases including extra carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide,
methane or other dust particles (mainly un-burnt carbon, lead, cement and asbestos), smokes, and many more,
then the air become polluted, which are seriously disturbances on the global eco-system and environment.

As per the inclusion characteristics into the fresh air, all air pollutants are divided into two categories – primary
pollutants and secondary pollutants.
Primary Pollutants: Primary Pollutants are those harmful gasses or particles, which are directly included into the
air by nature or human beings. Sea salts, volcanic ashes and dust are some natural resources; on the other
hands, exhausting gasses of vehicles, smokes and others gasses from firewood or biomass are some human
resources of the primary pollutants.
Secondary pollutants: Secondary pollutants does not included into the air but create itself with chemical
reactions of existing different primary pollutants, as well as reacts with the normal gasses or natural particle like
water vapors. Sometimes it also generates after reacts with sunlight. Ozone, smog, sulphur-trioxide, nitrogen-
dioxide, different hydrocarbons, etc. are some example of secondary pollutants.
Air pollution from coal-fired power plants:-
Air pollution from coal-fired power plants is large and varied and contributes to a significant number of
negative environmental and health effects. When coal is burned to generate electricity, the combustion releases
a combination of toxic chemicals into the environment, and thus the human body. A November 2009 report on
the effects of coal by the Physicians for Social Responsibility found that coal combustion affects not only the
human respiratory system, but also the cardiovascular and nervous system.
A 2011 report by the the American Lung Association found that coal-fired power plants produce more
hazardous air pollution in the United States than any other industrial pollution sources.[2] A 2004 report by the
Clean Air Task Force estimated that soot pollution from power plants contributes to 24,000 premature deaths,
38,200 non-fatal heart attacks, and tens of thousands of hospital visits and asthma attacks each year.
POLLUTANTS FROM COAL FIRED POWER PLANT:-
Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
Sulfur dioxide (SO2)
Mercury (HG)
Particulate matter (PM)
Smog
Black carbon
Correlation between air pollution and coal fired power plant:-
 There is substantial growth in number of power plants and emissions from them. Also the lax emission
standards will worsen the situation in near future.
 In 2016, an IIT-Kanpur study attributed “nearly 80% of sulfates and 50% nitrates to the receptor
concentration” in India to coal-fired plants.
 In 2015, the Paris-based International Energy Agency (IEA) put the numbers at 53% and 40% respectively.
 coal consumption in India has doubled since 2005 without significant investment in cleaner technologies.
 India notified its first comprehensive emission standards for thermal power plants only in December 2015
and set a 2-year compliance window. With not one among 400-plus thermal units complying yet, the
government is set to relax the norms, and also extend the compliance deadline which will again increase
contribution of coal fired power plant in air pollution.
But there are other many other sources for air pollution and coal fired power plant is not the sole reason:-
Natural sources:
Volcanoes: ashes, smokes, carbon dioxide, dust and other gases immerged into the air from the volcanic
eruptions.
Land surface: salts spray from seas and ocean, dust and soil particles from the ground surface.

Extra-terrestrial bodies: cosmic particles and rays, chest produced due to the bombardment of asteroid
materials, comets etc. with the earth.
Green plants: pollen grains of flowers.
Animals: Carbon dioxide from animals during respiration, Methane from cattle during digestion.
Fungi: Fungal spores, viruses
Man-made sources:
Industries: smokes, fumes, dust, particulate matters.
Domestic sources: Bituminous coal used as cooking fuel, charcoal and firewood also causes air pollution
by producing carbon dioxide, carbon monoxides, and sulphur dioxides. These gases create a layer over the
earth which allows penetration of the sunlight on the earth but hinders radiation from the earth surface and
increases hot on the earth surface or simply we can say Green House effects.
Automobiles: The major source of air pollution in big cities and industrially advanced countries is the
automobiles (smoke, fumes, emissions from different cars and motor vehicles).
Agriculture: Agricultural activities as crop spraying and dusting for pest and weed control are responsible
for emitting organic phosphates, arsenic, and lead into the air.
Power plants: heat from the power plants, smokes, fly ash.
Nowadays air pollution is a common scenario to all developed and industrially developing countries. Indian air
pollution is a quite serious issue for human life. Traffic jams and vehicle emission, industrial exhausting, smokes
from biomass and fuel wood burning are major sources for Indian air pollutants. However, Indian per capita
emissions of greenhouse gases is low, but it is the third largest greenhouse gases producer in the world, only
after China and the United States of America. Which change the climate of India as well as direct effects to the
human health.
Conclusion:- As India’s energy demand increases cutting down on coal fired power plant immediately, who
shares the largest amount of energy in India is not the solution. So in immediate sense setting up precipitator,
air filter in plants and using techniques like washing coal, using low sulphur coal etc are required. In long term
India needs to shift its dependence from non-renewable to renewable energy sources.
37. Critically examine the role of urban planning in addressing urban

violence in Indian cities. (200 Words)
EPW
Introduction-
Urban planning is the need of hour for Indian cities as the heavy population is crumbling the urban infrastructure.
The Indian cities have attracted economic activity being a growth pole and thus home to the 31.6% of the
country’s population.
According to a survey by UN State of the World Population report in 2007, by 2030, 40.76% of country’s
population is expected to reside in urban areas. The huge divide that exists between varied strata in cities leads
to the social tension that ultimately leads to the violence. Issues ranges from unemployment, inhumane living
conditions, hunger and psychological distress due to getting separated from main stream due to abject poverty.
Following are the potential areas where urban planning can improve the conditions
 Slums and ghettos are the most sensitive areas in urban ecology. The abject nature of poverty broods the
criminal activities and forces young mind to involve into violence. Planning should be done for slum
improvement.

 In order to manage the migrated population long term planning should be done to improve the conditions
in surrounding areas. The development of rural urban fringe is equally important as the development of
city.
 Proper implementation of Street vendor’s bill can solve the issue to large extent. Planning is essential to
chalk out proper vendor’s zone in order to ensure employment and social security for urban poor.
 It is not just that poor are involved in violence. There are always the chances of disturbances created by
issues such as caste and communal issues, migration, sexual offence etc. In order to tackle such problems
urban body has to plan for resilient police system and rapid response team to control mob.
 Cybercrime and Cyber security challenges are peculiarly related to the urban areas. Efficient cyber cell
and cyber police is the immediate need of time.
 Under the smart city plan the urban transport system can be improved to the large extent so that the usage
of private vehicles can be reduces over a period of time.
 Planning for sustainable urban waste management plays key role in maintaining Health profile of urban
residents.
 Sexual violence is one aspect of urban violence and this can be tackled by security measures such as
CCTV, panic button in buses, digital apps like Himmat of Delhi police.
 Urban local governance should be empowered to handle issues in autonomous way. Local grievance
redressal mechanisms such as lok adalat , family courts can play very vital role in effective justice delivery
Limitations for urban planning:
 There are some areas in urban establishments which have gone beyond the scope of planning as such
and thus needs corrective and improvement measures. Core areas of metropolitan cities mainly fall into
this category.
 There is dire need of Decongestion process in mega polis such as Delhi and Mumbai. The policy for
decongestion is not yet clear.
 High land prices and poor conditions of land records make it tough to utilize land in efficient manner.
 Lack of financial strengths and revenue generation powers to urban local bodies.
Conclusion-
The true spirit of 74rd amendment lies in the creating and maintaining a sustainable and smart urban space that
caters the needs of all sections of society without any form of discrimination. This can be done by synergetic
policy that involves planning, rehabilitation, modernization, decongestion and technological up gradation of
Indian cities.
38. Why wetlands are considered as the kidneys of the cities? Critically
examine how and why wetlands in Indian cities are adversely affected. (200
Words)
The Hindu
Ramsar Convention on Wetlands define wetlands as: “areas of marsh, fen, peat-land or water, whether
natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including
areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six meters”. It is one of the most
ecologically productive zones on our planet.
Wetlands as kidneys of cities –
 Trapping of sediments and excess nutrients- Nitrogen, Phosphorous and pollutants from nutrient rich
runoff, sometimes even converting a few chemicals into lesser harmful forms, carbon sequestration/sink.

 Water-volume regulation- absorption of excess flood water. Chennai floods could be prevented with proper
conservation of surrounding wetlands and water bodies.
3) Filtration and Purification of water – especially important when the wetland is connected to a ground water or
surface water resource that are used by humans for drinking, swimming, fishing etc.
Degradation of wetlands –
Loss of natural wetlands is an ongoing catastrophe in India. A decade ago, the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology
and Natural History released a conservation atlas for all States using space applications, it reported the tragic
fact that 38% of wetlands had already been lost nationally; and shockingly, in some districts only 12% survived.
The Centre has since issued rules for their conservation and management, and chosen 115 water bodies in 24
States for protection support, but this is obviously too little. Despite rules for conservation and management of
wetlands, these sites are heavily polluted. Research studies show that the concentration of heavy metals in
such sites is leading to bio-accumulation, thus entering the plants and animals that ultimately form part of
people’s food.
Bengaluru, the city of lakes, has lost an estimated 79% of water bodies and 80% of its tree cover from the
baseline year of 1973.
How Wetlands in India are being adversely affected –
 Rampant encroachment- of lake beds and catchment areas for commercial exploitation due to large scale
rapid urbanization.
 Pollution- release of sewage, industrial effluents and garbage into wetlands. Eutrophied runoff from farms
and urban areas leads to algal bloom thus causing depletion of oxygen leading to death of aquatic flora
and fauna.
 Bio accumulation- concentration of heavy metals in wetland sites which enters the food web.
 Soil health- high levels of heavy metals like cadmium are found in nearby areas using water from wetlands
for cultivation.
Why wetlands are adversely affected –
1. Lack of coordination between agencies- despite multiple agencies setup for environmental protection,
there is no coordination amongst them. Disjointed efforts achieving little collectively are causing collapse
of environmental management.
2. Official indifference – No attention is given to recommendation provided by various research groups
regarding conservation of wetlands.
3. Unimplementation of legal protection – weak arms of NGT, vested commercial interests.
4. Lack of public participation – people are not aware about extraordinary role played by wetlands for
ecological balance.
Solutions –
 Strict implementation of waste management rules for both households as well as industries. Increase no.
of sewage treatment plants in the city to reduce pollution of wetlands.
 Strict implementation of legal protection measures – removal of land grabbers, ending pollution outfalls
into water-bodies.
 Monitor encroachments – Declare certain restricted areas nearby wetlands just like those declared for
forests. This will reduce human activity in such sites. Digital, physical mapping for identifying and
demarcating surviving wetlands.
 Creation of a single body to oversee wetland conservation, better coordination with other agencies.
 Awareness and sensitization of people, educate them about the benefits of wetlands. Mobilization of local
population for wetland conservation, emulating success of environmental movements such as ‘Chipko
movement’.

An effective coordination between the local, state and central government with the local population’s active
involvement can save our wetlands from further degradation in the name of ‘development’.
39. Why do you think that technologies such as Uber that are so successful
managing movement within the city are not being deployed for the journeys
between them? How can it be made possible? Examine. (200 Words)
Livemint
Introduction-
The e-commerce companies have revolutionized the scene of logistic transport within the cities in recent years.
The use of technologies like hand-held GPS devices, cloud computing and machine-learning algorithms in
logistic transport have ensured efficient route deliveries to their final destination. But such transformation is
largely absent in the logistic movement between cities and in national transport. The reasons are-
 Regulatory framework- Indian law requires that any trailer that is attached to a truck must bear the same
registration number as the truck. This makes it impossible to deploy a hub and spoke model as this model
relies on trailers being capable of being detached from one truck and attached to another at each hub
throughout the journey.
 Interstate transport needs permits from each state thereby complicating the procedure of using e-
technology.
 The required cyber infrastructure to carry out interstate transport on the lines of ‘hub and spoke’ model is
absent with the national transport companies.
 Lack of infrastructural facilities like quality roads required for smooth flow of traffic makes investors
reluctant to invest in such projects.
How it can be made possible?
 Creating quality infrastructure and connecting remote states through roads is the fundamental requirement
for e-technologies to enter in national transport.
 Incentivizing e-technologies like tax exemptions by government would encourage investors to invest in
such projects.
 Indian regulatory framework needs changes like doing away with the requirement of having trailer and
truck of same registration number. This would help in developing ‘hub and spoke’ model where truck drivers
will not have to travel length and breadth of India.
 They leverage the power of mobile technology, always-on connectivity and the ubiquity of the cloud to
solve complex route optimization problems in ways that were simply not possible before can be employed
now.
Conclusion-
We urgently need to evolve transport model based on e-technologies so that lives of thousands of drivers who
spend half of their life on roads can be improved significantly.
***************

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INSIGHTSONINDIA

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Topic: Modern World History; Redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, ______________ 20

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Topic: Effects of globalization on Indian society ________________________________________ 37

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1. Discuss critically the role played by Archeological Survey of India (ASI) in

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4. Examine the contribution of women poets to Bhakti movement. (200 Words)

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6. Discuss critically the role played by moderates in India’s national

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8. Discuss the significance of contributions made by women freedom fighters

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Contribution after independence-

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12. Robert Clive, Warren Hastings and Dalhousie contributed immensely in

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Circumstances and reasons for assassination of Mahatma Gandhi-

14. Critically discuss contributions made by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar to

© INSIGHTS ACTIVE LEARNING 19 GS I

Topic: Modern World History; Redrawal of national boundaries, colonization,

© INSIGHTS ACTIVE LEARNING 20 GS I

Why two state solution is dead:-

16. What do you understand by liberal capitalism? Do we need liberal

© INSIGHTS ACTIVE LEARNING 21 GS I

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Topic: Salient features of Indian society

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Topic: Role of women; Social empowerment

18. Recently protests erupted in Nagaland after its government refused to

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Why women face more challenges?

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21. Critically comment on the role of women in electoral politics in India.

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Topic: Poverty and developmental issues; population and associated issues

© INSIGHTS ACTIVE LEARNING 33 GS I

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Arguments in favor of sex offender registry:-

© INSIGHTS ACTIVE LEARNING 35 GS I

27. What challenges does rapid ageing of population pose to policymakers in

© INSIGHTS ACTIVE LEARNING 36 GS I

Topic: Effects of globalization on Indian society

28. It is said that the opposition to women’s participation in decision-

© INSIGHTS ACTIVE LEARNING 37 GS I

Topic: Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity,

© INSIGHTS ACTIVE LEARNING 38 GS I