SECURE SYNOPSIS: 13 JULY 2019

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.

1) What do you understand by Integrated urban infrastructure? Do you think Integrated cities can provide for an answer to India’s urban planning woes? Analyse.(250 words)

The question intends to examine the Integrated urban infrastructure concept applied to the Indian urban scenario. The answer must discuss the concept of Integrated urban infrastructure and in what way the concept is a solution to the urban planning woes of India. Analyze – When asked to analyse, you have to examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them as a whole in a summary. In brief write about Indian infrastructure sector scenario. One can quote relevant facts here. Explain what you understand by integrated approach. Provide example of city which has adopted such an approach. Then move on to discuss how and why india needs to adopt such an approach in planning. Explain the high potential India bears in the development of new cities and in what way such approach in city planning will make Indian cities more sustainable. In conclusion provide for a way forward suggesting other such approaches to make Indian cities sustainable and resilient.

In India urban areas are considered as “engines of inclusive economic growth”. The pressure of population growth on urbanisation is increasing day by day. About 17.4% of India’s urban population lives in slums where housing conditions are inhuman, 5.49 million urban households in India do not have access to safe drinking water,13% of the households have no bathing facilities within the home, and 2.9% of urban houses are in a dilapidated condition according to Census 2011.

Urban  infrastructure  consists  of drinking  water,  sanitation,  sewage  systems, electricity and gas distribution, urban transport, primary  health  services,  and  environmental regulation. Many of these services are in the nature of ‘local’ public goods with the benefits from improved urban infrastructure in a given city limited to the citizens living in that city.

An integrated urban infrastructure replaces technocratic planning approaches, focuses on “learning systems”, including numerous feedback loops between “top-down” requirements and “bottom-up” responses. A sectoral and inter-departmental approach within administrations involves a broad spectrum of actors from government, civil society and the private sector in the development and implementation of strategies. This urban development concept is designed along the goals, strategies and measures of actual local problems.

Targeting low-hanging fruits, such as Metro projects, inland waterways, natural gas grids and airport privatisation, to give a fillip to private sector investment should be prioritized. A significant requirement of integrated urban development is to shape a city, socially and inclusively. This means to counteract segregation of neighbourhoods and enable people – regardless of social background, age, gender, religion, skin colour – to participation in civic life.

2) In 2050, India’s population is projected to be 1.69 billion, which will be higher than that of China. Do you think with Population Control Bill, India be able to handle its overpopulation crisis? Critically analyse. (250 words)

Recently the Population Regulation Bill, 2019, was introduced by Rakesh Sinha in the Upper House, suggests that people with more than two living children should be “disqualified” from being chosen as an MP, MLA or a member of any body of the local self-government after the commencement of the Act. The answer has to analyse the desirability and feasibility of Two-child policy propounded through the Population Control Bill. Critically analyze – When asked to analyse, you have to examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them as a whole in a summary. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a fair judgement. In short discuss the reason behind the Population Control Bill. One is expected to deal with the following aspects in the answer body: What are the merits and demerits associated? Compare and contrast Indian population scenario with that of China and suggest if there are any learnings from China for India.

In 2050, India’s population is projected to be 1.69 billion, which will be higher than that of China. The population of China is estimated to be 1.31 billion in the same year. A nominated MP has introduced a private member’s Bill- Population Regulation Bill, 2019- in the Rajya Sabha, seeking to enforce a two-child norm by giving incentives for those adopting the small family practice and penalties for those contravening it.

Need for the bill:

The shortcomings or limitations of the bill:

As per National Family Health Survey data, the country-level TFR in India is 2.23, which is not hugely above the desired level of 2.1. Twenty states/UTs have achieved the replacement-level TFR, another five have got it below 2.2, with the remaining 11 states (including Bihar, UP, MP, Rajasthan, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh) having a higher rate. Thus, the need of the hour is better education and awareness rather than an iron hand policy to control the population. Government should improve the implementation of poverty alleviation measures which can also help control population.

3) “The confrontation between the U.S. and Iran in West Asia could snowball with damaging economic consequences”. Comment. (250 words)

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, commonly known as the Iran deal, was signed on July 14, 2015 between Iran, the U.S., China, France, Russia, the U.K., Germany and the European Union. It was considered a landmark deal which would eventually bring peace and harmony to the turmoil-stricken Middle East. However, President Donald Trump recently decided to unilaterally pull the U.S. out of the Iran nuclear deal and to re-imposing nuclear sanctions against that country.

4) The issue of paused infrastructure projects in India, is an indicator of market and regulatory failure. Discuss.(250 words) 

The question is pertaining to the hurdles infrastructure in India are facing due to market failures and regulatory failures. The answer must discuss what are the issues with respect to infrastructure projects in India, what are the causes of such issues and what needs to be done. Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for and against arguments. Begin with brief intro on infrastructure projects and their significant contribution in the growth and development of the country. Discussion should include the following:  Explain that India has an enormous infrastructure gap, but it can be bridged by cooperation between the public and private sectors. Discuss the challenges infrastructure projects are facing due to market and regulatory failures like corruption, political and regulatory risk, access to financing and macroeconomic instability. Suggest what needs to be done to overcome these bottlenecks.

Infrastructure is a key driver of the overall development of Indian economy. It is seen that investments in infrastructure equal to 1% of GDP will result in GDP growth of at least 2% as infrastructure has a “multiplier effect” on economic growth across sectors. The recent headway made in developing transport infrastructure will prove to be the biggest enabler for growth.

The critical role of finance in economic growth is widely acknowledged and developing well-functioning financial markets has become a central focus of economic policies across the world. A new World Bank study suggests that investing in infrastructure in regions with basic financial development can help these regions overcome barriers to economic growth. According to Economic Survey 2018, India will need about USD 4.5 trillion in the next 25 years for infrastructure development.

If  proper  effort  is  made  in  expanding  education,  health  facilities,  and  physical infrastructure and improving their quality by increasing budgetary allocation and improving governance, it will go a long way in reducing poverty, improving human development, and reviving and sustaining high rates of economic growth in India.

5) Do you agree instituting a framework which would enable full utilization of new ideas and innovation towards achieving self-reliance in defence sector is the need of the hour? Discuss the key features of Mission Raksha Gyan Shakti (MRGS) aimed in this direction.(250 words)

The Department of Defence Production had instituted a framework titled ‘Mission Raksha Gyan Shakti’ which aims to provide a boost to the Intellectual Property Rights culture in indigenous defence industry. In a major boost to Mission Raksha Gyan Shakti, a MOU was signed between the Intellectual Property Facilitation Cell (IPFC), Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence and National Research Development Corporation (NRDC), Ministry of Science and Technology.

Need for framework to achieve self-reliance:

With recent trends such as globalization, emergence of new technologies, and emerging economies have elevated the importance of IPR protection, both politically and commercially, and has become a global commerce issue. IPRs are critical to incentivizing innovation, which, in turn, is key to sustaining economic growth and increasing living standards. IPRs in defence sector will give a natural advantage to a nation. MRGS is a step in the right direction.

6) Public investment, especially in the railways, can play an important role to revive growth and promote Make in India. Discuss.(250 words)

The question intends to examine the role of Railways as a transport system in reviving the growth scenario. The question is about discussing the role of public investments in Railways to revive growth and promote the flagship program of Make in India. Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for and against arguments. In brief explain the role played by railways in the economic growth and development. The answer should explain the significance of public investments in Railways, in what way such investments will boost modernization of Indian railways. The crux of the answer should focus on significance of Railways as a transport system in aiding the economic growth of the country.

Indian Railways (IR) has been the prime movers of the nation. IR is the second largest railway system in the world under single management. IR has historically played an important integrating role in the socio-economic development of the country. Despite reforms, the efficiency of service delivery is stumbling block in overall progress.  Railway Minister recently rejected opposition’s allegation that the government is working to privatise the national transporter, but said the ministry will invite investments for new technology, lines and projects in national interest.

Potential areas where private participation can be done:

High costs and lower returns, policy uncertainty, absence of a regulator to create a level playing field, the lack of incentives for investors and procedural or operational issues have significantly restricted private sector participation.

7) Discuss the following terms in detail:

Explain the terms in detail and suggest their relevance in one’s personal and public life. Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for and against arguments. Start your intro by your understanding of the word. For eg. Grit means to have the passion and perseverance to achieve long term goals. You may also start your intro by giving example of great personality and their quality. For eg. Nelson Mandela, leader from South Africa changed the world for the better through his passion and perseverance. His lifelong goal, similar to Martin Luther King, Jr., was to achieve equal rights for non-white people in his country. First explain the importance of the word in real life and more importantly public administration. Support your explanation with help of examples. You can give some real-life example where you have shown such quality or give examples related to administration. Conclude by suggesting how one can strengthen these qualities.

Grit: is a positive, non-cognitive trait based on an individual’s perseverance of effort combined with the passion for a particular long-term goal or end state. It is the firmness of character; indomitable spirit which cannot be crushed so easily. It is a powerful motivation to achieve an objective. This perseverance of effort promotes the overcoming of obstacles or challenges that lie on the path to accomplishment and serves as a driving force in achievement realization.

E.g.: In 2015, a humble security guard’s sweat and grit paid off, when after his third attempt, his son cleared the country’s most coveted UPSC exam. With an All India Rank of 242, Kuldeep Dwivedi is an officer with the Indian Revenue Services.

Fortitude: It refers to the strength of mind that gives one the capacity to endure adversity with courage. Any individual engaged in public service will face multiple challenges in the fulfilment of their goals. A person with fortitude will not give up easily, and despite disappointing results or setbacks, will continually fight to improve the system.  adversities could be in form of “dilemmas”, “conflicts of interests”, “ sound decision making”, “ to face fake cases against an honest officer”, “ time management”, “striking a balance between personal and professional life”, “ to fight corruption”

E.g.: A situation where a disaster like an earthquake has taken place requires immense fortitude. This attitude ensures peace and attracts positivity. It leads to courageous people coming out to face the truth.

Work Culture: Work Culture or Organization Culture is set of collective beliefs, values, rules and behaviour which organisation as whole conforms to. In a layman approach it is culture that a group as an organisation follows. Culture varies with family, region, social class and hence in work environment. Its constituents include Management style, business values, physical environment, dress code etc. It is imperative important for every organization irrespective of country and it differs from country to country and sometimes within a country. It helps in employee satisfaction and increase the productivity of the companies.

The reputation and profits of any organisation rests on the ethics and values of its employees. Promoting ethics in the workplace creates a positive culture for managers and employees, as well as a successful business. So developing an ethical culture is imperative.

Source: Insightsonindia.com

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