Q1. Our old historical traditions range from the most accurate and factual, such as public epigraphs, to literary depictions of human history. Assess the value of Rajatarangini as a source of early Kashmir information. (250 words) Paper & Topic: GS I à Indian Culture Model Answer: Introduction: “Availability and decipherment” are the two fundamental limits of ancient Indian history sources. The accessible sources can be split into two categories: literary/written sources and material/archaeological sources. The literary source contains Vedic, Sanskrit, Pali, Prakrit, and other Vedic, Sanskrit, Pali, Prakrit, and other Vedic, Sanskrit, Pali, Prakrit, and other Vedic, Sanskrit, Pali, Pra Epigraphic, numismatic, and other architectural relics are among the archaeological finds. Body: The significance of Rajatarangini as a historical source in Kashmir: The Rajatarangini (RT) of the 12th century distinguishes out among regional histories. It provides a continuous chronology for early Kashmir, employing traditional Indic calendars such as kaliyuga and shaka samvat to record the reigns of every monarch of every ruling dynasty. It also examines a variety of historical causes and explanations for events that occurred throughout these regimes, as well as their policies, deeds, and fights. Intriguingly, the poet Kalhana claims to have written his history using local land grant inscriptions (shashana) and older literature, providing insight into the practice’s sources and procedures. One of the RT’s most notable qualities is that it begins with a prolegomenon that explicitly states the book’s goal (prayojana) and philosophy. According to Kalhana, “the poet’s voice should be unflinching when retelling issues of the past, eliminating both attachment and aversion.” This has been seen by modern scholars as a remark recognising objectivity as a virtue in historians. The Rajatarangini myths—which are based on local Kashmiri legends about wrongdoing kings and their cities being catastrophically destroyed by the anger of tutelary deities (nagas), or about the origins of the land of Kashmir in an act of the great Gods—display precisely this meaning and function in this ethicised commentary. Rather than being a flaw in critical judgement, the inclusion of myths was vital to the text’s overall structure. It supplied the synergistic framework for the revealing of ethical governance, which appears to have been the greater objective of compiling the Rajatarangini, by sanctifying the land and alerting unjust social actors about the consequences of their conduct. Conclusion: Thus, our old historical traditions range from the exceedingly exact and factual, such as public epigraphs, to the ethical and instructive, such as literary portrayals of human history as a dharma and karma laboratory. In this perspective, the sacred and profane, the transcendent and contingent, were all linked. Indic history-writing is best understood in this larger sense, sensitive to the culturally specific roles this civilisation gave to the genre, rather than inflicting ineffective imperialist restrictions. Q2. What are the different variables that influence the establishment of the Savanna climate? Investigate the different threats that the Savanna biome faces. (250 words) Paper & Topic: GS I à Salient Features of World’s Physical Geography Model Answer: Introduction: There are two separate seasons in savanna regions: a wet season and a dry season. During the dry season, there is extremely little rain. During the rainy season, plants such as lush green grasses and woodland areas flourish. The grassland becomes dryer and drier as you move further away from the equator and its abundant rainfall – especially during the dry season. Body: Biomes of the savanna: Tropical grasslands, also known as savannas, can be found to the north and south of tropical rainforest biomes. The world’s largest savannas may be found in Africa, where tropical grassland covers much of the continent’s central region, such as Kenya and Tanzania. In South America, savanna grasslands can also be found in Brazil. There are a number of elements that influence the establishment of the Savanna climate: Between 5° and 20° latitudes on each side of the equator, the savanna climate can be found. As a result, the savanna climate falls in between the equatorial climate (Af) and the semi-arid and subtropical humid climates. In other words, this climate is sandwiched between the equatorial low pressure zone, which produces rain, and the subtropical high pressure belt. Low and high pressure systems affect the Savanna climate throughout the year. The equatorial low pressure band and doldrum are displaced northward due to the sun’s northward movement at the summer solstice (21 June), and the Savanna climate is influenced by Inter Tropical Convergence (ITC), which is associated with atmospheric disturbances (cyclones) that produce rainfall. Because of the sun’s southward journey during the winter solstice (December 23), the Savanna climatic zone is influenced by a subtropical high pressure system, and anticyclonic conditions dominate the weather, bringing dry conditions. Dry conditions are caused by falling steady breezes in anticyclonic conditions. Furthermore, local winds and sea breezes affect coastal areas. Trade winds have an impact on the east coast. During the summer, strong and fast-moving tropical cyclones dominate the weather. The Savanna climate is clearly generated by the introduction of rainy summer and dry winter seasons as a result of the sun’s northward and southern migration, respectively. Because the Savanna climate is sandwiched between equatorial wet and tropical dry climates, weather conditions gradually change away from the equator as aridity rises poleward. Savanna biomes are under threat from a variety of factors: Activities that are anthropogenic: Unsustainable water use and irrigation methods may cause life-giving rivers and water holes to dry up. Ugulate populations have declined noticeably in areas where indigenous people consume bushmeat (wild meat) on a regular basis. Some savanna species is killed for trophies, including black rhinoceroses, which are sought for their valuable horns. Because of their commercial worth, several plant species are over-harvested. Tourist markets frequently sell carvings carved from African Blackwood, a savanna tree. Drought, agriculture, and intensive grazing Agriculture is another hazard to the savanna’s ecosystem. Large swaths of land are being cleared in order to cultivate crops and raise livestock. Livestock competes for grazing with indigenous animals, potentially destroying the natural ecology. A

Q1. “China’s hegemony in Sri Lanka poses a security threat to India.” In this light, consider the necessity to restructure India’s relationship with Sri Lanka. (250 words) Paper & Topic: GS II à India & its Neighbourhood – Relations Model Answer: Introduction: Traditionally, the relationship between India and Sri Lanka is one of equals as independent nations. It is rich in myth and folklore, and religious, cultural, and social connections have affected it. This is an ideal time for Sri Lanka and India to strengthen the foundations of their relationship by combining contemporary tools with age-old wisdom and experience. However, China’s proximity to Sri Lanka is cause for alarm. Body: Relationships between India and Sri Lanka: The India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (FTA) went into effect in March 2000. According to Sri Lankan Customs, bilateral trade totaled $4.38 billion in 2016. Development loans and lines of credit: Sri Lanka receives about a sixth of India’s development loans. India’s private sector invests heavily in Sri Lanka, as well as Sri Lanka’s private sector invests heavily in India. Petroleum, IT, Financial Services, Real Estate, Telecom, Hospitals, Tourism, Banking, Food Processing, and other fields of collaboration between the two countries. For Sri Lankan tourists visiting India, Indian railways are giving a unique package. For Sri Lanka, India has implemented an e-visa system. India is Sri Lanka’s fourth-largest investor. We have invested roughly $1 billion in Sri Lanka since 2003. China’s Predominance in Sri Lanka à A Security Concern for India: The Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill was passed by the Sri Lankan Parliament on May 19, 2021. With little oversight from the Sri Lankan government, China will obtain an additional 269 hectares of reclaimed seafront off the Colombo port in the country’s south-west after the Bill becomes an Act. Colombo assumes importance for India because it trans-ships nearly 70% of all container cargo for and from India, mostly at Chinese-operated terminals. Chinese initiatives in Sri Lanka have risen tremendously, owing to the country’s importance in the Major Sea Lines of Communication. This not only has security issues, but also results in transit delays and financial loss for India. China’s debt trap diplomacy was exposed with the 99-year takeover of Hambantota port. This is bad news for India’s maritime security and the Indian Ocean region’s Chinese encirclement. The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) will almost certainly have a presence in these waters as a result of the leasing of Hambantota and the Port City project, which could include bases for warships/submarines as well as a staging post for longer naval deployments in the Indian Ocean. The Chinese navy will be able to easily monitor Indian naval activity in the Indian Ocean. It will undoubtedly limit the Indian Navy’s deployment options and negate the country’s geographic advantage in these regions. The relationship between India and Sri Lanka is considerably different from that between China and Sri Lanka. Due to the presence of Tamils on both sides of the Palk Straits, India has an ethnically ambiguous maritime border with Sri Lanka and is thus involved in the island nation’s domestic affairs. India’s engagement has to be reimagined: To prevent China from making further advances into Sri Lanka, India will need to continue working on the Kankesanturai port in Jaffna and the oil tank farm project in Trincomalee. Sri Lanka’s socioeconomic progress has remained linked to India. However, there are numerous solutions for dealing with imbalances and asymmetries. For example, Sri Lanka might encourage Indian businesses to make Colombo another business hub for them, as the country’s logistical capabilities and rest and recreation facilities continue to improve. Fast-tracking the integration of the two economies, but with specific and unequal treatment for Sri Lanka due to economic inequalities. Strong collaborations across the economic and social spectrum can encourage people-to-people bonhomie. There is enormous opportunity to amplify or create complementarity, employing locational and human resource potential, for capturing benefits in modern value chains. Legislative engagement is also critical for developing multiparty support. With many countries retreating into cocoons as a result of the pandemic, this is a good time for both countries to focus on alliance renewal and revitalization. Conclusion: Now, India must adjust to the fact that its main foe is essentially in its backyard and adjust its preparedness and response accordingly. Furthermore, an unified Sino-Pakistan axis, with China being based in Gwadar, will pose a significant challenge for India. The governing Rajapaksa dynasty now has a fantastic personal relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The presence of China on the island nation is a source of concern for India, since Beijing is known to use subversion, espionage, and sabotage to advance its national goals and objectives. As a result, as part of its ‘Island Diplomacy,’ India’s foreign policy toward Sri Lanka will have to develop in response to new realities and dangers. Q2. What impact did the Covid-19 waves have on India’s diplomacy? What challenges does India face in dealing with the pandemic’s aftermath in the near future? Explain. (250 words) Paper & Topic: GS II à Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian Diaspora Model Answer: Introduction: The world will recall occurrences as either pre-Covid or post-Covid in the future. Even India’s diplomatic structure reflects this. While the focus in 2020, during the first wave of the pandemic, was on coordinating COVID-19 medicine exports, flights to repatriate Indians abroad (the ‘Vande Bharat Mission’) after the lockdown, and then exporting vaccines worldwide (‘Vaccine Maitri’), Covid Diplomacy 2.0 has a different order of tasks, both in the short and long term, following the second wave. Body: Covid-19 waves have had a variety of effects on India’s diplomacy. When it was supposed to be a prophylactic, India provided hydro chloroquine pills to the United States and many other countries. When the Vaccine Maitri programme provided 6 crore vaccines to smaller countries, it received a lot of positive press. India also sent Remdesivir, which it is running out of in the

Q1. Analyse the effects of the government’s laws constricting the e-commerce sector in order to protect local traders. (250 words) Paper & Topic: GS III à Effects of Liberalization on the Economy, Changes in Industrial Policy and their effects on Industrial Growth Model Answer: Introduction: The Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020 were notified by the government about 11 months ago. The Department of Consumer Affairs has proposed a package of broad modifications, ostensibly “to protect consumers’ interests and support free and fair market competition.” The proposed revisions, according to the government, aim to increase transparency in e-commerce platforms and enhance the regulatory environment to combat pervasive unfair trade practises. Body: The following are the suggested amendments: Appointment of a Chief Compliance Officer, a nodal contact person for 24×7 collaboration with law enforcement authorities, to guarantee compliance with the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 and Rules. Officers to guarantee that their directives are followed and a Resident Grievance Officer to address consumer issues on the e-commerce platform have been recommended. This will ensure effective compliance with the Act’s and Rules’ provisions, as well as strengthen the e-commerce entity’s grievance redressal procedure. Establishing a framework for every e-commerce entity to register with the Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) for the purpose of receiving a registration number that will be prominently displayed on the website as well as on the invoice of every order placed by the e-commerce entity. E-commerce entity registration would aid in the creation of a database of genuine e-commerce entities and ensure that customers can verify the authenticity of an e-commerce company before transacting through their platform. In order to protect consumers’ interests, mis-selling of products and services by companies selling goods or services by intentionally misrepresenting facts about such goods or services has been forbidden. To ensure that customers are informed of the expiration dates of the products they are purchasing on the e-commerce platform, all marketplace e-commerce companies must provide this information. All inventory e-commerce companies must provide a best before or use-by date so that customers may make an informed purchasing decision. To ensure that domestic manufacturers and suppliers on the e-commerce platform are treated fairly and equally. It has been stipulated that if an e-commerce company sells imported products or services, it must include a filter system to identify goods based on nation of origin and recommend alternatives to give domestic goods a fair chance. Fall-back liability provisions have been provided for each marketplace e-commerce entity to ensure that consumers are not harmed if a seller fails to deliver goods or services due to negligent conduct by such seller in fulfilling the duties and liabilities in the manner prescribed by the marketplace e-commerce entity. It was discovered that there was an obvious lack of regulatory monitoring in e-commerce, necessitating immediate action. With the rapid rise of e-commerce platforms, unfair trade practises by marketplace e-commerce firms engaged in manipulating search results to benefit particular vendors have come to light:   This includes giving some sellers special treatment, indirectly operating sellers on their platform, interfering with consumers’ freedom of choice, selling goods that are about to expire, and so on. By engaging in “back to back” or “flash” promotions, certain e-commerce organisations are limiting consumer choice. This hinders an equal playing field, limiting customer options and raising prices. The restrictions prevent e-commerce corporations from “manipulating search results or search indexes,” among other things. The guidelines also require the logistics service provider to not provide discriminatory treatment amongst sellers of the same category, which has been a long-standing demand from sellers and dealers. Benefits of the proposed amendments: The suggested revisions will increase the accountability of ecommerce enterprises’ stakeholders. The e-commerce companies must explain how they rate things in a way that consumers can comprehend, as well as provide transparency. The fraudulent e-commerce operators can be countered with required registration with DPIIT for e-tailers. E-commerce firms will be required to offer domestic alternatives to imported items. Made-in-India products will benefit as a result of this. The guidelines also safeguard consumers from deceptive advertising and unfair trade practises. The draught guidelines demonstrate the government’s growing desire to wield greater authority over all online sites. The new e-commerce standards result in overregulation and the potential for rule interpretation ambiguity. E-commerce has provided MSMEs with a wider audience to market their products, which has slowed growth and job creation in the previously booming ecommerce sector. The tightening of marketplace restrictions will deter these MSMEs from going online. Enforcing many of these standards will almost certainly result in protracted court battles that will overload the judiciary. Unless it is presumed that buyers are motivated by patriotism rather than value, the guidelines are unclear as to how identifying items based on “country of origin” will benefit domestic manufacturers Stating that the revisions were not intended at traditional flash sales, the government stated that it was only targeting some organisations that were limiting consumer choice by engaging in ‘back-to-back’ sales where a seller did not have the capacity to fulfil an order. The Government appears to be harkening back to an era of stringent controls in order to rectify flaws in its guidelines from last year. Overregulation that leaves room for interpretative uncertainty has the potential to stifle growth and job creation in the e-commerce sector, which has been growing rapidly. Steps to take/Conclusion: Many of these rules will inevitably result in protracted legal battles, necessitating the strengthening of Arbitration, Mediation, and Conciliation (AMC) and other alternative legal remedies. The government must resolve uncertainties that arise as a result of various ministries overseeing the e-commerce sector. Q2. Examine India’s policy of aggressive privatisation of state-owned firms. (250 words) Paper & Topic: GS III à Effects of Liberalization on the Economy, Changes in Industrial Policy and their effects on Industrial Growth Model Answer: Introduction: The subject of privatisation has risen to the fore as a result of the poor performance of some PSEs and the resulting large budgetary deficits. Privatization should increase

Q1. The official secrecy statute directly contradicts the 2005 Right to Information Act. Examine the statement in light of the policies introduced during the Covid 19 pandemic. (250 words) Paper & Topic: GS II à Government policies and interventions for  development in various sectors Model Answer: Introduction: The details of pandemic response, vaccination cost, and expert committee meeting schedules are not available to the public. The workings of PM-CARES have been shrouded in secrecy, making it difficult to hold the government accountable. The ethos of Right to Information is undermined by bureaucratic concealment. Body: According to the Official Secrets Act of 1923, any government official can mark a document as confidential in order to prevent it from being published. In the event of a dispute between the two laws, the RTI Act’s provisions take precedence over the OSA’s Section 22 of the RTI Act provides that its requirements would take effect despite anything in the OSA that contradicts them. However, this has not been the case in the case of pandemic data. Official secrecy is at odds with RTI. Government criticism: The government’s responses to RTI queries filed over the past year have been characterised by blatant denials. Opacity serves as a cover for large-scale over-centralisation and misgovernance in COVID-19-related topics, from vaccine manufacture and pricing decisions to last year’s lockdown planning and the establishment and running of the ten-thousand-crore-plus PM CARES fund. Vaccine-related details: Bharat Biotech hasn’t released any peer-reviewed interim efficacy assessments from Phase 3 clinical studies until now. The DCGI has denied RTI requests regarding its decision to give Covaxin and Covishield emergency approval, saying that information about efficacy and safety is considered privileged commercial information. The ICMR will receive a 5% royalty on the vaccination. Only because the Supreme Court heard a suo motu PIL on the pandemic has these and other bits of information become public. The government’s summary dismissals not only violate citizens’ fundamental right to information, but also force RTI petitions into a two-year appeals procedure. Citizens must seek Information Commissions and High Courts to obtain basic information, wasting time and money. Effects on governance and the general welfare: Effective planning and administration cannot take place in the dark, and experts blame incompetence and a lack of preparation as much as the virus for the high death toll and misery. Official secrecy is jeopardising scientists’, public health experts’, and policy experts’ ability to provide timely input and recommendations to the government. The information blackhole is so bad that over 900 scientists have petitioned the Prime Minister for access to data and information. However, not much has changed. Because the government receives a large number of charity gifts, it must be accountable to the public for how these funds are spent. A lack of medicines, hospital beds, vaccines, and oxygen raises questions about the government’s preparedness to confront the pandemic. Conclusion: In accordance with Sections 4 and 7 of the RTI Act, which deal with proactive and urgent disclosures with life and liberty implications, the Supreme Court should require the government to suo motu reveal material connected to COVID-19 policies. Amartya Sen stated in a paper about famines in colonial India that mass hunger and death do not occur if information flows freely. The same may be said for pandemic preparedness. Q2. What is the Gram Panchayat Model Citizen Charter? Throw light on its main characteristics and significance. (250 words) Paper & Topic: GS II à Important aspects of Governance & Citizens’ Charter Model Answer: Introduction: A citizen’s charter is a voluntary, written document that outlines a service provider’s efforts to focus on their commitment to meeting the requirements of residents/customers. A Model Panchayat Citizens Charter/framework for delivering services across 29 sectors, aligning actions with localised Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), prepared by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) in collaboration with the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR), was recently released through a virtual programme for Panchayats to adopt and customise. Body: Features to look for: The Panchayats will use this model and, with Gram Sabha’s agreement, will draught a Citizens Charter that will include a list of the many categories of services offered by the Panchayat, as well as their condition and time limit. “A Citizens’ Charter is a tool to create good governance,” the model framework declares. The successful implementation of the Citizens’ Charter improves service delivery, increases Panchayat functionaries’ responsiveness, and increases citizen satisfaction.” It is expected to empower residents and improve the operation of Panchayats. The following information must be disclosed under service standards, according to the paper released: Service name Service details, such as beneficiaries and eligible individuals, fees, and so on The length of time it will take to deliver the service Name and contact information for the Panchayat official in charge of providing the service Redress of grievances: The Sarpanch and the Panchayat Secretary shall be available to citizens to listen to their problems and provide contact information for the authorities to whom citizens should direct any such complaint. The framework further stipulates that the Panchayat should solicit the views of the Panchayat Secretary and other officers from the appropriate line departments when drafting the charter. PRIs are responsible for delivering basic services as enshrined in Article 243G of the Indian Constitution, specifically in the areas of Health & Sanitation, Education, Nutrition, and Drinking Water. PRIs are responsible for delivering basic services as enshrined in Article 243G of the Indian Constitution, specifically in the areas of Health & Sanitation, Education, Nutrition, and Drinking Water. The goal of establishing a Citizen Charter is to provide services to the people in a timely manner, resolving their grievances and improving their lives. This will help in making citizens aware of their rights on the one hand, and making Panchayats and their elected representatives directly accountable to the people on the other. Conclusion: A Citizens’ Charter is a tool to ensure that the citizen is always at the centre of any service delivery mechanism, rather than an

Q1. Is de-globalisation taking place in the world’s countries? Analyze and   illustrate the associated ramifications (250 words)   Paper & Topic: GS I à Effects of Globalization on Indian Society Model Answer: Introduction: The current debate over a “trade war” and “de-globalisation” arose when the United States placed 25% and 10% tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from specific nations in March 2018, citing national security and job creation as justifications. Body: Economic and market observers use the word “de-globalization” to describe a trend in which various countries desire to return to economic and trade policies that prioritise their own national interests. Tariffs or quantitative barriers that obstruct the free movement of people, goods, and services between countries are common examples of these policies. The goal of all this protectionism is to defend domestic production by making imports more expensive. Deglobalization’s Consequences: We still live in a very globalised world, and these protectionist actions upend the fundamental premise on which global growth is estimated and worldwide commerce is regulated by organisations like the WTO. When major, industrialised, and successful nations band together to create new entry barriers for goods and services, the fortunes of their many trading partners can be severely harmed. Then all global economic growth, inflation, and interest rate estimates go crazy. For example, the US economy imports a lot of low-cost manufactured items from China. If tariffs raise the cost of imports into the United States, domestic inflation might skyrocket, and US interest rates could rise even faster. Given that India accounts for just over 1% of the US’s steel and aluminium imports, the current spate of tariffs may have little impact on India. However, de-globalisation in terms of service and people mobility may have an impact on both service export and the tendency of Indians travelling overseas for higher education and jobs. The recent global bull market is based on a worldwide recovery, and de-globalisation can soon deflate that optimism. What begins with things has the potential to spread to people. Outsiders are already subjected to extremely strict immigration rules in the United States and the United Kingdom. Deglobalization has the potential to stymie efforts to achieve gender equality. Women’s ability to move in quest of better chances will be limited by restrictions on their movement. Reduced financial flows, which make investment capital more difficult to come by, may resurrect ancient cultural misconceptions about investing in women. Biases are weakened through internationalisation, but with economic fragmentation, old biases resurface. Steps to take: We must create peace and security in order to discourage nationalist and protectionist sentiments. It is necessary to bring emerging countries closer to global governance, indicating that they will share the responsibilities and expense of supporting capitalism and an open society in return. Promotion of new forms of international and regional integration that protect and allow for the flourishing of life’s varied dimensions. Cooperation is essential for making the global economy more predictable, reducing vulnerabilities, and bolstering the free trade system. It is necessary to foster a culture of tolerance and understanding that allows for constructive conversation. Conclusion: Protectionism is looming over the global economy, as politicians in various parts of the world cast doubt on globalization’s and free trade’s benefits. Deglobalization does not reject trade or the exchange of products or services; rather, it suggests that trade not be conducted at the expense of communities, local and national economies, and the diversity of its agricultural and industrial products. Q2. The economic complement to political federalism is fiscal federalism. Provide appropriate examples to illustrate your point. ( 250 words) Paper & Topic: GS I à Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the          States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of      powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein. Model Answer: Introduction: The financial interactions between units of government in a federal government system are known as fiscal federalism. It’s part of a larger public-finance framework. Richard Musgrave, a German-born American economist, coined the term in 1959. The separation of governmental activities and financial links among tiers of government is referred to as fiscal federalism. Body: India has a federal government, which means it has a federal fiscal system. The backbone of a federal government’s successful operation is financial independence and adequacy. The necessity for fiscal federalism was stressed in the Economic Survey 2017-18. Fiscal federalism and political federalism are linked: Fiscal federalism is concerned with the delegation of functions to various levels of government on the one hand, and the use of suitable fiscal tools to carry out these functions on the other. The central government is widely regarded to be required to deliver national public goods that benefit the entire people. Defense is a common example given. Sub-national governments are required to offer commodities and services that are only consumed within their borders. The identification of the exact fiscal tools that would enable the various levels of government to carry out their tasks is an equally essential subject in fiscal federalism. This is known as the ‘tax-assignment issue.’ It is generally agreed that non-benefit taxes and taxes on movable units should be avoided at the decentralised levels of government. Income tax is only levied by the central government in India, albeit it is shared with the states. Many countries have an inter-governmental transfer system in place to address the possibility of resource and responsibility imbalances. The Indian Constitution establishes the functions of the Centre and States, as well as their taxing powers. Every Finance Commission has handled issues linked to the rectification of vertical and horizontal imbalances against this backdrop, taking into consideration the current set of circumstances. Transfers from the federal government to the states, on the other hand, are not limited to the recommendations of the Finance Commissions. Other options include the Planning Commission, which existed until recently, and the Central Government’s discretionary grants. Concerns and obstacles that go along with it: Trends in Tax Revenue: A comparison of the proportion of central and

Q1. What reasons have contributed to India’s global leadership role as the world’s vaccine capital? Discuss. (250 words) Paper & Topic: GS III à Science and Technology related topics Model Answer: Introduction: By 2025, the Indian vaccine business, which has carved out a niche for itself on the global stage, is estimated to be worth Rs 252 billion. In 2019, the Indian market was worth Rs 94 billion. India has two coronavirus vaccine candidates out of a total of eleven worldwide. Body: What are the reasons for this: India is becoming one of the world’s largest makers and suppliers of vaccinations. Only over 60% of the total vaccinations distributed to UNICEF are from this country. India has risen to become one of the world’s main vaccine manufacturers, supplying vast volumes of both basic and complex vaccinations all around the world. Currently, more than two-thirds of the entire amount of vaccines produced is exported, with the remainder being used in the United States. The substantial government backing for vaccine manufacturers is one of the primary drivers of the Indian vaccine market. Over the years, consistent government investment and successful efforts have resulted in significant market development. Increased investments in research and development (R&D) by government funding organisations such as the Department of Biotechnology, the Indian Council of Medical Research, and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare are one of the key factors driving market expansion. Increased population, rising affluence, improved cold chain logistics, and active NGO participation are some of the additional favourable elements supporting market expansion. The introduction of the Universal Immunization Program (UIP), which aims to boost immunisation coverage against vaccine-preventable diseases in the country, has also boosted market growth. With technological advancements, vaccine production capacity and cold chain storage facilities have both improved. Aside from that, the emergence of a number of privately owned companies in India has had a good impact on the business. These companies have been working hard to bring low-cost solutions to market, and they are increasingly focusing on innovation to boost their profits. India has become a global vaccine manufacturing powerhouse as a result of these causes. Manufacturing and clinical trials are less expensive in India than in Western countries. Vaccines from India have less adverse effects, are less expensive, and are easier to store and transport. Looking ahead, the value of the Indian vaccine market is expected to reach INR 252 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 17.8% over the forecast period (2020-2025). BCG, Hib, Influenza, Varicella, Typhoid, Japanese Encephalitis, Measles, Tetanus Toxoid, Hepatitis A, Rubella, Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DPT), Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV), Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR), Rotavirus, Hepatitis B, Pneumococcal, Mening Conclusion: India is a global leader in the creation of vaccines. India has exported more vaccines than it has received in its own country. India has become the world’s vaccine capital, thanks to its well-developed infrastructure and government assistance. India is competing with China, but soft diplomacy can help India play a big role in simplifying vaccine delivery to the rest of the world. Q2. What were the Chandrayaan mission’s primary goals? What were the project’s main takeaways? (250 words) Paper & Topic: GS III à Science and Technology related topics Model Answer: Introduction: The premature end of India’s Chandrayaan-1 lunar orbiter mission appears to have been caused by a miscalculation of the thermal stresses the spacecraft would face in its working environment by scientists at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Body: The Chandrayaan mission’s main goals are: The Chandrayaan-1 mission took high-resolution images of the moon in visible, near-infrared (NIR), low-energy X-rays, and high-energy X-rays. One of the goals was to create a three-dimensional map of both the near and far sides of the moon (with high spatial and altitude resolution). Its goal was to conduct chemical and mineralogical mapping of the entire lunar surface with high spatial resolution to determine the distribution of mineral and chemical elements such as Magnesium, Aluminum, Silicon, Calcium, Iron, and Titanium, as well as high atomic number elements like Radon, Uranium, and Thorium. Various planning and management objectives for the expedition were also met. The mission goal of harnessing the science payloads, lunar probe, and launch vehicle with appropriate ground support systems, including the Deep Space Network (DSN) station, was accomplished, which will be useful for future investigations such as the MOM. Mission objectives such as spacecraft integration and testing, launching and reaching a 100-kilometer lunar polar orbit, in-orbit experiment operation, communication/ telecommand, telemetry data reception, fast look data, and archival for scientific use by scientists were all met. The following are some of the project’s key takeaways: Given everything that has been learned about the lunar-orbit environment via NASA and other space agencies’ data dating back to the 1960s, the technical blunder that ultimately wrecked Chandrayaan-1 could have been prevented. ISRO’s future planetary missions will benefit from the experience, much as NASA has learned from prior missteps like the measurement-conversion error that contributed to the Mars Climate Orbiter disaster a decade ago this month. Even if the news is poor, ISRO has perhaps learned something about controlling the release of information regarding civilian space missions, particularly those involving international partners. Chandrayaan-1, however, stands out as an example of how not to do it. ISRO said the probe’s primary mission had largely been done when it announced that Chandrayaan-1’s orbit had been increased to 200 kilometres, for example, and couched the move as a way of carrying out extra studies. The overheating issue, which appears to be the real reason for the manoeuvre, was not mentioned. Conclusion: With Chandrayaan-1, ISRO established its ability to lead an international project, and the two countries are working together on a follow-up mission that will include a lander and rover. When things go wrong, part of the duty that comes with such a leadership role is being truthful and up up with details. ISRO can and should improve its performance. It can begin by involving representatives from its partner

Q1. Examine the contributions of contemporary Indian scientists to space technology. (250 words) Paper & Topic: GS III à Science and Technology related topics Model Answer: Introduction: India owes much of its space success to the current generation of excellent space scientists who are relentlessly pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the field of space technology, bringing laurels to the Indian space technology arena and establishing India as one of the world’s space powerhouses. Body: In this regard, the following points demonstrate the contributions of contemporary Indian scientists in the realm of space technology: Jayant Vishnu Narlikar is an astrophysicist from India. Narlikar believes in steady-state cosmology. He co-developed the conformal gravity theory, sometimes known as the Hoyle–Narlikar theory, alongside Sir Fred Hoyle. It combines Albert Einstein’s Relativity Theory and Mach’s Principle. It is proposed that a particle’s inertial mass is a function of all other particles’ masses multiplied by a coupling constant that is a function of cosmic epoch. The gravitational constant G drops dramatically with time in cosmologies based on this idea. The Mars Orbiter Spacecraft, India’s first interplanetary mission, was successfully launched on board PSLV-C25 on November 5, 2013. With its achievement, India became one of only four countries in the world to dispatch a space mission to Mars. The Mars Orbiter Mission’s primary goal is to demonstrate India’s technological capability to enter Martian orbit and to use domestic scientific instruments to investigate Mars’ surface features, morphology, minerals, and atmosphere. Thanu Padmanabhan is an Indian theoretical physicist and cosmologist whose research interests include Gravitation, Universe Structure Formation, and Quantum Gravity. In these fields, he has written over 260 papers and reviews in international publications, as well as ten books. Many of his contributions have had a considerable impact in the field, particularly those relating to the study and modelling of dark energy in the cosmos and the interpretation of gravity as an emergent phenomena. National Natural Resource Management System and Remote Sensing: With 11 satellites currently in orbit, India’s Remote Sensing Satellites (IRS) System is one of the world’s largest constellations of remote sensing satellites. It uses space-based imagery to provide inputs for natural resource management and numerous development projects across the country. Thirteen remote sensing satellites have been launched and operationalized in the recent decade. Ritu Karidhal, called the “Rocket Woman of India,” was the Mission Director of the Chandrayaan-2 mission and was honoured for her leadership role in one of India’s most ambitious lunar endeavours. She was in charge of planning and executing the craft’s onward autonomy system, which managed the satellite’s functions in space independently and responded to faults accordingly. On January 5, 2014, the indigenous cryogenic stage was successfully tested in flight aboard the GSLV-D5 aircraft. The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) is capable of launching 2 tonne communication satellites into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO), and India is one of only six countries in the world to demonstrate this capacity using complicated cryogenic technology. It was a clear demonstration of Indian scientists’ abilities to work on difficult space technologies. Suresh Byrana Nagappa is an aerospace scientist from India. From 2003 until 2007, he was the Director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in Thiruvananthapuram. He is well-known for his work on Indian launch vehicles and the Space Capsule Recovery Experiments (SRE). Dr. Suresh was also the founding Director of the Thiruvananthapuram-based Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST). Kamakshi Sivaramakrishnan was part of a team that developed a technology that is now on NASA’s New Horizon mission, which is exploring Pluto. It is NASA’s most distant space mission to date. She is in charge of developing the algorithm and chip that will bring data from Pluto, whose existence as a planet has been called into question. The chip on board the spacecraft captures signals and delivers them back to the three-billion-mile-away space station. Conclusion: Many people have contributed to the expansion of scientific contemplation in modern India, particularly in the field of space technology, where modern Indians are constantly raising the bar in terms of rapid advancements in space technology as well as the development of a space-based technology ecosystem in India, which will aid the country’s overall scientific growth. Q2. Examine Indian scientists’ recent advances in developing indigenous weapon systems. (250 words) Paper & Topic: GS III à Science and Technology related topics Model Answer: Introduction: India’s strategy to defence industrialization shifted from license-based manufacture to production based on indigenous design as a result of its reliance on the Soviet Union. The government began pumping money into R&D in the mid-1980s to allow the DRDO to take on high-profile projects. Body: Defense and weapon system indigenization: Indigenisation is the ability to create and produce any type of defence equipment within a country for the dual purposes of achieving self-sufficiency and minimising import dependency. Over the years, India’s defence R&D and industry, mostly the government and public sector, has invented and manufactured a number of indigenous platforms and weapons systems. Indian scientists’ recent successes in the development of indigenous military systems include: The DRDO successfully tested its first indigenously produced heavy duty drone, the Rustom 2, an autonomous armed combat vehicle modelled after the US Predator drone, in 2016. Anti-tank missile of the third generation, with a range of 4-8 kilometres. HELINA (Helicopter Launched NAG) is the air-to-surface version of the NAG that Dhruv Helicopters have incorporated. Muntra, India’s first unmanned tank, was designed by the DRDO to detect mines and operate in locations where nuclear or biological/chemical weapons constitute a threat. The INS Arihant, India’s first nuclear ballistic missile submarine, was co-developed and operationalized by DRDO, completing India’s nuclear triad and allowing it to fire nuclear warheads from land, air, and sea. The DRDO has announced the construction of EMISAT, an electronic intelligence satellite to be launched by ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation). EMISAT, which weighs around 436 kg and is built on ISRO’s Indian Mini Satellite-2 (IMS-2) bus platform, is designed to measure the electromagnetic spectrum.

Q1. Examine how soft infrastructure catalyzes India’s development. Also         suggest some policy reforms for equitable access to digital        technologies. (250 words)   Paper & Topic: GS II à Human Resource Development (HRDs) role in Developmental Prospects of India Model Answer: Introduction: The term “soft infrastructure” refers to all of the institutions that contribute to a thriving economy. These usually necessitate a large amount of human capital and are geared at providing services to the general public. All educational, health, financial, law and order, governmental systems (such as social security), and other institutions that are regarded critical to an economy’s well-being are termed soft infrastructure. Soft infrastructure is critical for India’s development. Soft infrastructure, including software, serves as the foundation for hard infrastructure to function and grow. Without effective governance, the rule of law, and pro-business policies, building bridges, highways, airports, and power plants will not be enough to promote development. Soft infrastructure is critical to the success of these undertakings. As a result, India must invest in critical components of soft infrastructure such as rule of law and effective tax regimes, as well as promote private-sector competition and public-private partnerships, in order to establish a healthy, functioning, and constantly increasing economy. Body: The foundations of’soft’ infrastructure in India are strengthening: excellent governance, effective tax regimes, private sector competition, Public-Private Partnership, and foreign investment inflows. India has a strategic location in relation to important markets (East Asia, Central Asia, WANA, Russia, and Europe), a young and growing population, significant human capital, a wealth of natural resources, and enjoys relative peace and stability. India’s long-term success will be determined by their willingness and ability to provide leadership and embrace and implement necessary reforms. India’s soft infrastructure changes so far: Over the last three decades, governments have implemented reforms in direct taxation, telecommunications, labour, banking, and capital markets; expanded infrastructure (roads, airports, and ports); increased foreign ownership limits in controlled sectors; attempted privatisation of state-owned enterprises; and conceptualised and implemented Aadhaar. The Goods and Services Tax, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, agricultural reforms, and sanitation and hygiene are some of the current notable measures. The JAM trinity, which has weeded out inefficiencies and corruption to allow the genuine beneficiaries receive the benefits of public service delivery. Policy changes to ensure that all people have equal access to digital technologies: Address the issue of digital segregation: The government must provide all Indians with a “smart device for life,” complete with sufficient bandwidth and data. A passport to equal opportunity with connection, akin to a little iPad, offering access to education, health, training, upskilling, and financial inclusion. The initial condition for aatmanirbharta is this. Ensure that all students have equitable access to education. In the midst of the pandemic, virtual schooling has proven the prospect of a much more equitable future for our children. The weapon should be the use of digital in education via the smart small device, and all public schools should be taught by the same teachers (by language), with present teachers serving as class monitors to ensure good attendance and behaviour. Transform health-care delivery. Access to health centres should be provided by the same device. In India, all health records must be digitised and stored centrally. We can solve privacy concerns and transform India’s health-care delivery system from “impersonal” to “personalised.” Conserve water: India is both a victim and a culprit when it comes to environmental management. However, mispricing (or giving away) power and water has resulted in agricultural perversions and a dangerously low water table. Improve justice: Exporting water-guzzling rice and sugar is akin to exporting food during a famine. At its most basic level, this means that our courts must work more quickly, and jails should imprison criminals rather than people awaiting trial. It is unjust that 60 percent of jail detainees are awaiting trial. Conclusion: India will be far better prepared to attract investment and achieve growth and integration into the global economy if it chooses to invest in soft infrastructure development, such as improving governance, strengthening the rule of law, increasing transparency, developing legislative and regulatory institutions, and levelling the playing field for market competition. India must fully adopt technology in the next phase to make it future-ready and provide equitable opportunity to its inhabitants. Soft infrastructure can thus assist India in shifting its economy toward consumption, services, and environmentally friendly growth while also coping with the challenges of an ever-changing globe. Q2. A below par poverty measurement instrument misrepresents the degree of        poverty. Elucidate in Indian context and suggest ways to fight the never-        ending battle against poverty in the country. (250 words)   Paper & Topic: GS I & II à Poverty related issues Model Answer: Introduction: Poverty is defined as a situation in which a person or a family lacks the financial means to maintain a basic level of living. Economists and politicians define “absolute” poverty as the difference between consumption expenditure and a “poverty line” level. Every single minute of every single day, 12 Indian residents are lifted out of extreme poverty, according to the report. Body: Poverty Measurement: The official poverty line is the cost of obtaining the items in a “poverty line basket” (PLB). Poverty can be assessed by the number of persons who live below the poverty line (with the incidence of poverty expressed as the head count ratio). Poverty “depth” refers to how far people are below the poverty level. Expenditure on health and education were not examined until the Tendulkar Committee — which was chastised for placing the poverty criterion in urban India at barely Rs 32 per capita per day (and at Rs 27 in rural India). The Rangarajan Commission was also chastised for picking the food component at random; the focus on food as a source of nutrition ignores the importance of sanitation, healthcare, clean water availability, and the prevalence of pollutants. Policies and programmes can be objectively assessed to see if they suit the requirements of the majority. The definition

Q1. Analyse India’s preparation in the realms of biosafety and biosecurity by        highlighting the biosecurity risks of synthetic biology. (250 words)   Paper & Topic: GS III à Science and Technology- developments and their   applications and effects in everyday life; Achievements of Indians in science &     technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology. Model Answer: Introduction: Biosecurity is described as “institutional and personal security measures meant to prevent the loss, theft, misuse, diversion, or purposeful release of viruses and toxins,” according to the World Health Organization. Biosecurity, according to the FAO (Food and Agricultural Organization), is a “strategic and integrated approach” that encompasses policies and regulations that address food safety, animal and plant life, and their health, as well as associated environmental concerns. “ The containment concepts, technologies, and procedures that are employed to prevent unintentional exposure to diseases and poisons, or their accidental discharge,” according to the WHO. Body: India’s State of Preparedness: In India, the ministries of health and family welfare, science and technology, and the environment ministry are the primary ministries dealing with biosecurity. ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research), CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research), and DRDO (Department of Research and Development) are in charge of various areas of biosecurity in India (Defence Research and Development Organization). In India, biosecurity is regarded as a health and agriculture issue, hence it is mostly handled by the states. The central government offers rules that the states adapt to their specific needs. A National Agricultural Biosecurity Program was recommended by the National Farmers Commission, led by M S Swaminathan, in 2004. The Agricultural Biosecurity Bill, introduced in 2013, seeks to establish a ‘Agricultural Biosecurity Authority,’ a high-powered authority that would oversee four areas: animal health, plant health, marine creatures, and agriculturally vital bacteria. This, however, is currently awaiting approval. The customs agency regulates the import of exotic pests and weeds. Plants were classified as restricted, forbidden, or prohibited in India under the Plant Quarantine Order of 2003. The CITES classification is also used to limit the entry of new species. In India, the ICMR oversees a number of bio-safety level (BSL) labs. There are 30 BSL-3 and BSL-2+ labs that are currently operational. There are two BSL-4 (highest safety level) labs, one in Pune (National Institute of Virology) and the other in Bhopal (National Institute of Virology) (National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases). India is a member to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC), which was the first international convention to prohibit the use of an entire class of weapons in 1972. The treaty has also been ratified. The convention employs ‘confidence-building mechanisms,’ such as inter-party meetings, UNSC complaints, victim aid, and so on. Associated Concerns: Biosecurity measures are not implemented uniformly in India because they are at the control of local states. Given India’s vulnerability to pest incursions, even detecting an act of agro-terrorism (bioterrorism directed at the agricultural sector) let alone establishing its source will be challenging. Customs officials, who have been chastised for a lack of training in this area, will halt the import of potentially invasive pests and biological agents. For example, identifying the seed of a potentially invasive species among incoming travellers’ luggage. Because the Destructive Insects and Pests Act of 1914 and the Livestock Importation Act of 1898 are just subsidiaries of the Customs Act of 1962, quarantine officers are effectively powerless. One of the things the 2013 Biosecurity Bill aimed to change was this. Since 2014, India’s biosecurity bill has been awaiting approval. Also, zoonoses (such as Coronaviruses) are not taken into account. Unlike many other types of national security concerns, emerging biological agents like SARS CoV 2 are impossible to predict. There is also a large time lapse between discovering a viable treatment/vaccine, making the situation much more perilous. Biological agents, such as viruses, have a higher rate of mutations, as well as a latency period, which makes disease identification and control more difficult. Such biological attacks (intentional, unintentional, or natural) put the country’s defence forces in jeopardy in two ways: The armed forces may be harmed and weakened by the biological agent, and their capacity to deal with conventional threats such as terrorist attacks and WMDs is diluted as resources are diverted for the domestic response, posing a security risk. In light of the debate and accusations surrounding Wuhan Institute of Virology’s role in the COVID-19 incident, the challenge of distinguishing between offensive (or aggressive) and defensive (or peaceful) goals of biological agents has emerged. Even mismanagement of a biosecurity issue on a local level has the potential to spread and have an international impact. This necessitates international cooperation marked by transparency, credibility, and prompt action. The BTWC lacks a verification regime. Any country with a sufficiently established pharmaceutical sector has the potential to build a biological WMD, making the formulation of a verification framework challenging. The capacity to detect and resolve such non-compliances is influenced by the speed with which an international investigation team is formed (since fresh forensic evidence is critical) and the investigative team’s access to the impacted area. For example, examinations into the United States’ accusation of the Soviet Union’s use of mycotoxins in 1981 proved inconclusive. Conclusion: The COVID-19 dilemma has impacted not just India and other countries across the world, but also the country of origin. It has been demonstrated that in the event of a biological war, every country would be a victim—there would be no winners. The situation should serve as a stark reminder of the value of the universal biodeterrence doctrine. For its part, India should improve its biosecurity system while also mobilising international collaboration to improve global biosecurity. Q2. Examine the potential for disruptive technology to improve India’s health-care        services.  (250 words)   Paper & Topic: GS III à Science and Technology- developments and their   applications and effects in everyday life; Achievements of Indians in science &     technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology. Model Answer: Introduction:

Q1. Do you agree that India falls short of social and distributive justice standards?        And, if the trend is to be reversed, should restoring fairness to public discourse        be the first priority? Discuss. (250 words) Paper & Topic: GS II à Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Model Answer: Introduction: The distribution and allocation of common goods and burdens is the subject of distributive justice. Income, economic riches, political influence, taxation, job requirements, education, shelter, health care, military service, community involvement, and religious activities are all examples of advantages and burdens that affect many aspects of social life. Body: India is falling short of social and distributive justice standards: Deep material, cultural, and knowledge-related inequities plague Indian society. In Indian history, there are numerous examples of portions of this hierarchical paradigm being momentarily rejected – in the Buddha’s early teachings, sections in Indian epics, Bhakti poetry, and protest groups like Veerashaivism, to name a few. However, in recent years, this difficulty has become more substantial, explicit, and long-term. This is due to the widespread belief that everyone, regardless of caste, class, color, faith, or gender, is morally equal. When it comes to resource or load sharing, hierarchical concepts of justice are given precedence over egalitarian justice. The justice that is due to a person is determined by his or her position within a hierarchical structure, according to hierarchical principles. The caste system in India, in which an individual’s rank or hierarchy is decided at birth, is an example of this. People must first strive for recognition as equals, for what can be considered basic social justice, in cultures where live hierarchies still exist. Then, as the core of egalitarian distributive justice demands, they must decide how to distribute all societal rewards and burdens among equal persons. The following are some of the steps that must be taken to restore justice to public discourse: The need-based concept states that what is due to a person is what he or she truly requires. To put it another way, whatever is required for overall human well-being. Because our basic needs are the same for everyone, fairness necessitates that they be met by everyone. Beyond this basic threshold, our wants are likely to vary, and hence justice necessitates the fulfillment of a variety of demands. The desert concept states that a person is entitled to what he or she deserves based on their own merits and hard work. This underscores the concept of equal opportunity for all, albeit with reasonable outcomes discrepancies. Most acceptable egalitarian justice ideas attempt to strike a balance between need and desert. They strive for a fair distribution of products and abilities (benefits) that meets everyone’s needs, as well as a fair allocation of the societal responsibilities or sacrifices required to meet those demands. Following that, individuals who deserve more as a result of innate ability, social learning, and personal work may be rewarded. As a result, it’s critical to consider where we stand on the various forms of egalitarian justice described in our Preamble. Conclusion: Articles 142 and 144, as well as the Fundamental Rights entrenched in Part III of the Constitution, create a just and fair society and secure distributive justice, as demonstrated even prior to the Constitution’s establishment. Many of the decisions resulting from the Public Interest Litigation bolstered the concept of distributive justice. The principles of equity, equality, and social need are most important in the context of distributive justice, but they can also be applied to a wide range of social justice issues. All of these concepts are based on the idea that treating people fairly means giving them what they deserve. It’s not as if there’s a single predetermined outcome that reflects them. Q2. Examine the centre’s recently suggested measures aimed at establishing a        strong power sector to aid post-pandemic economic recovery. (250 words) Paper & Topic: GS II à Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Model Answer: Introduction: Unlike cars or microwaves, electricity, like water and air, is a necessary commodity. India’s ongoing economic growth requires universal and round-the-clock access to affordable electricity. Peak electricity consumption has decreased as a result of the statewide lockdown, with commercial and industrial power demand suffering as a result of numerous factories shutting down. The Ministry of Power has suggested dramatic changes to the Electricity Act of 2003, which was groundbreaking when it was first passed in 2003. Body: Reforms that have been proposed: A Rs 90,000-crore cash injection into electricity distribution companies was part of the economic package unveiled by Finance Minister (or DISCOMS). The measure is intended to assist DISCOMs in settling their debts with GENCOS (electricity generation firms), which can then settle their outstanding debts with suppliers, such as coal miners, relieving some of Coal India Ltd’s and contract miners’ working capital problems. This is contingent on the Centre acting as a guarantee for loans made to DISCOMS by state-owned power financing businesses such as PFC and REC Ltd. Electricity Act (Amendment) Bill 2020 (Draft): After the new administrations in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra failed to honor power purchase agreements, investors became concerned. It aims to privatize discoms through sub-licensing and franchisees. According to the draft, state commissions would set tariffs for the retail sale of energy without any subsidies under Section 65 of the Act, and the tariffs will reflect the cost of electricity supply and cross-subsidies that will be decreased. It promotes more favorable terms for renewable energy developers. A central selection committee will now be in charge of appointing state regulators. The creation of a centralised Electricity Contract Enforcement Authority, whose members and chairperson will be chosen by the same selection committee that was mentioned previously. Reforms in distribution: Because electricity must travel through the supply chains of generation, transmission, and distribution to reach the customer, any inefficiency in any of these areas