16 SEPTEMBER 2022 – MAINS QUESTIONS- MAINS QUESTIONS DAILY QUESTIONS & MODEL ANSWERS: Q1. Nehru advocated for the integration of tribal people into Indian society by making them an integral part of the Indian nation while preserving their own identity and culture. Elucidate. (250 words)   Paper & Topic: GS I  Post Independence India Model Answer: Introduction:  The government’s tribal integration policy prioritised the preservation of the tribal people’s unique social and cultural legacy. ‘The first problem we have to face there [in the tribal areas] is to inspire them [the tribal people] with confidence and to make them feel at one with India, and to realise that they are part of India and have an honoured place in it,’ said Jawaharlal Nehru, the main influence in shaping the government’s attitude toward the tribals. At the same time, ‘India should represent not just a defending but also a liberating force to them.’ Nehru believed that Indian nationalism could accommodate the indigenous people’s diversity. Body: The integration of indigenous people into Indian society was a Nehruvian aim: There were two major perspectives to how tribals should be treated in Indian society. One strategy was to leave the tribal people alone, free of modern influences from outside their society, and allow them to remain as they were. The second strategy was to fully integrate them into Indian society as rapidly as possible. The demise of the tribal way of life was not to be lamented; rather, it was to be embraced as a sign of their ‘upliftment.’ Both of these techniques were rejected by Jawaharlal Nehru. The first method, which he saw as insulting, was to treat the indigenous people “like museum specimens to be examined and written about.” He argued that the tribal people “could not be left closed off from the world as they were.” Isolation was in any case impossible at this point, because the outside world’s penetration had progressed too far, and ‘it was neither possible nor desired to isolate them.’ According to Nehru, the second option of enabling them to “be absorbed by the bulk of Indian humanity” or absorption by the use of regular outside forces was similarly incorrect. This would result in the tribals’ social and cultural identity, as well as its numerous virtues, being lost. Rather than these two approaches, Nehru advocated for integrating tribal people into Indian society, making them a vital part of the Indian nation while also preserving their own identity and culture. The tribal Panchsheel policy of Nehru: The Nehruvian method had two main tenets: ‘the tribal areas must progress,’ and ‘they must progress in their own way.’ Progress did not imply “a rote replication of what we have in other regions of India.” Whatever was excellent in the rest of India will “gradually be absorbed by them.” Jawaharlal Nehru created the following five principles for pursuing tribal policies, popularly known as Tribal Panchsheel: People should develop in accordance with their own talent, and alien values should not be imposed. Land and forest rights of tribes should be honoured. The work of administration and development should be taught to tribal groups. Tribal communities should not be over-administered or overburdened by a plethora of programmes. The human character that has evolved should be judged, not by statistics or the amount of money spent. Conclusion: Nehru’s approach was founded on a nationalist policy toward tribals that had been in place since the 1920s, when Gandhiji established ashrams in tribal areas and encouraged constructive activity. Rajendra Prasad, India’s first President, and other significant political leaders endorsed this approach after independence. Q2. How did India deal with the post-independence food crisis? What were the government’s major long-term reforms at the time? Discuss. (250 words)   Paper & Topic: GS I  Post Independence India Model Answer: Introduction:  Hunger was at the basis of much of India’s early public policy, and we are still a hungry nation almost 70 years later. Although the nature of the problem has switched to malnutrition rather than outright starvation, this is still a country that struggles to feed its people enough on a fundamental level. Body: After independence, food security became a priority: Concerns about food security can be traced back to the Bengal Famine, which occurred during British colonial control in 1943 and killed between 2 million and 3 million people. Since independence, India has been vulnerable to various food security shocks, including an initial haste to industrialise while ignoring agriculture, two consecutive droughts in the mid-1960s, and reliance on US food aid. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the country had a Green Revolution, which enabled it to overcome productivity stagnation and greatly increase food grain production. Despite its success, the Green Revolution has been criticised for focusing on only two cereals: wheat and rice; being limited to a few resource-rich regions in the northwestern and southern parts of the country that benefited mostly wealthy farmers; and putting undue stress on the ecology of these regions, particularly soil and water. The White Revolution, which began in the 1970s and 1980s with Operation Flood, followed the Green Revolution. India has become the world’s largest producer of milk because to this national project, which has transformed liquid milk production and marketing. Hybrid maize for poultry and industrial use, as well as Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton, have made significant progress in recent years, resulting in significant cotton exports, making India the second largest exporter of cotton in 2007–2008. The government has taken some significant initiatives: Green revolutions with high-yielding crops and efficient irrigation systems in northern India, particularly Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh, have shown to be effective in meeting the needs of an expanding population in a short period of time. This significant event, together with land reforms, made India a success story in the fight against famine. The Indian government started three major food intervention programmes for food security in the mid-1970s. They include the Public Distribution System (PDS) for food grains, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) (which was launched on a trial

15 SEPTEMBER 2022 – MAINS DAILY QUESTIONS & MODEL ANSWERS: Q1. India’s internal reorganisation posed the country’s next major issue after independence. Discuss how the reorganisation was accomplished while maintaining the country’s unity. (250 words)   Paper & Topic: GS I  Post Independence India Model Answer: Introduction:  Province boundaries in pre-1947 India were created in a random way due to the British invasion of India, which lasted over a century. The lack of attention paid to linguistic or cultural cohesiveness resulted in the majority of provinces becoming bilingual and multicultural. The intermittent princely states had added a layer of variability to the mix. Body: Background: One of the most difficult tasks after independence was reorganising more than 500 princely entities into functional provincial units. The K. Dhar Commission (1948) and the JVP Committee (1948) proposed for state reconstruction based on geographical proximity, administrative convenience, financial self-sufficiency, and development potential. However, the death of Potti Srirammalu following a hunger strike in support of Andhra state produced a volatile scenario, prompting the establishment of the Fazl Ali Commission (in 1953), whose recommendation for state reorganisation based on linguistic criteria was adopted. India’s reorganisation while maintaining its unity: Official Language: As leaders of a multilingual country, the constitution-makers understood that they could not neglect, or even give the idea of ignoring, the concerns of any one language area. India’s official language is Hindi, written in Devanagari script with international numerals, according to the constitution. English was to be used in all official capacities until 1965. State linguistic reorganisation: The linguistic reorganisation of 14 States and six Centrally-administered territories was largely completed in 1956, based on the recommendations of the State Reorganisation Commission (SRC), with several other States to be reorganised subsequently. This was a huge reorganisation of state power, not just to build different kinds of power and authority, but also to rearrange social, cultural, geographical, and linguistic diversity into more manageable enclaves of state control. The empowerment of the masses: The establishment of these states altered the character of democratic politics and leadership. People speaking regional languages, rather than the limited English-speaking elite, now had a road to politics and power. Language, in combination with regional and tribal identity, proved to be the most important tool for the creation of ethnonational identity in India. Tribal identity was preserved thanks to special rights granted to tribal territories. Because of the ability to communicate in a common language, the reorganisation resulted in a greater number of local people participating in the administration. Conclusion: The political leadership of newly independent India had the vision to see the ramifications of refusing to give in to public demands. Of fact, the rearrangement of states did not address all of the language issues. Disputes over state borders, linguistic minorities, and economic difficulties such as water sharing, power, and surplus food continue to exist. However, their choice to restructure the states linguistically has removed one significant issue that may have compromised India’s integrity, bolstering the cause of Indian unity. Q2. Nehru advocated for the integration of tribal people into Indian society by making them an integral part of the Indian nation while preserving their own identity and culture. Elucidate. (250 words)   Paper & Topic: GS I  Post Independence India Model Answer: Introduction:  The government’s tribal integration policy prioritised the preservation of the tribal people’s unique social and cultural legacy. ‘The first problem we have to face there [in the tribal areas] is to inspire them [the tribal people] with confidence and to make them feel at one with India, and to realise that they are part of India and have an honoured place in it,’ said Jawaharlal Nehru, the main influence in shaping the government’s attitude toward the tribals. At the same time, ‘India should represent not just a defending but also a liberating force to them.’ Nehru believed that Indian nationalism could accommodate the indigenous people’s diversity. Body: The integration of indigenous people into Indian society was a Nehruvian aim: There were two major perspectives to how tribals should be treated in Indian society. One strategy was to leave the tribal people alone, free of modern influences from outside their society, and allow them to remain as they were. The second strategy was to fully integrate them into Indian society as rapidly as possible. The demise of the tribal way of life was not to be lamented; rather, it was to be embraced as a sign of their ‘upliftment.’ Both of these techniques were rejected by Jawaharlal Nehru. The first method, which he saw as insulting, was to treat the indigenous people “like museum specimens to be examined and written about.” He argued that the tribal people “could not be left closed off from the world as they were.” Isolation was in any case impossible at this point, because the outside world’s penetration had progressed too far, and ‘it was neither possible nor desired to isolate them.’ According to Nehru, the second option of enabling them to “be absorbed by the bulk of Indian humanity” or absorption by the use of regular outside forces was similarly incorrect. This would result in the tribals’ social and cultural identity, as well as its numerous virtues, being lost. Rather than these two approaches, Nehru advocated for integrating tribal people into Indian society, making them a vital part of the Indian nation while also preserving their own identity and culture. The tribal Panchsheel policy of Nehru: The Nehruvian method had two main tenets: ‘the tribal areas must progress,’ and ‘they must progress in their own way.’ Progress did not imply “a rote replication of what we have in other regions of India.” Whatever was excellent in the rest of India will “gradually be absorbed by them.” Jawaharlal Nehru created the following five principles for pursuing tribal policies, popularly known as Tribal Panchsheel: People should develop in accordance with their own talent, and alien values should not be imposed. Land and forest rights of tribes should be honoured. The work of administration and development should be taught to

14 SEPTEMBER 2022 – MAINS DAILY QUESTIONS & MODEL ANSWERS: Q1. Write a short note on South West Monsoon Formation. (250 Words) Paper & Topic: GS I  Geography Model Answer: June to the middle of September is the South West Monsoon Season. The hot-wet season is another name for the South West Monsoon Season. The South West Monsoon’s primary characteristic is its abrupt onset. The temperature swiftly decreases and the humidity rises as soon as monsoon season arrives. Weather during the South West Monsoon Season: A dramatic drop in temperature [3° to 6°C] is brought on by the South West Monsoons. The wet season is when the weather varies the most. September marks the conclusion of the south-west monsoon season, and temperatures climb. When the monsoons are disturbed, the temperature rises. Due to clouds and rain, the diurnal temperature range is fairly minimal. The locations with the highest temperatures (38 to 40 °C) are west of the Aravali. Lack of clouds and warm continental air masses are to blame for this Northwest India has temperatures that are close to 30 °C in a few places. The Western Ghats have comparatively low temperatures because they get a lot of rain. Since they receive little rain at this time of year, the coastal parts of Tamil Nadu and the neighbouring state of Andhra Pradesh see temperatures above 30°C. The South-West Monsoon’s Formation Factors: Differential Water and Land Heating and Cooling: The landmass of India has low pressure, whereas the waterways around it have comparatively high pressure due to the differential heating and cooling of land and water. This has a big impact on how the South-West Monsoon develops. As a result, the monsoon winds are moving in the opposite direction. Zone of Intertropical Convergence (ITCZ): The ITCZ shifts to the north over the summer, delivering monsoon rains to Kozhikode, India. The ITCZ swings south during the summer in the Southern Hemisphere, delivering monsoon rains to Darwin, Australia. Where the monsoon rains occur is affected by the fact that land cannot store heat as effectively as the ocean can. High-Pressure Areas Existence: a high-pressure area at or near 20°S over the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar. The dimensions, location, and strength of this high-pressure area have an impact on the Indian Monsoon. Strong vertical air currents and the development of low pressure over the Tibetan plateau at a height of roughly 9 km above sea level are caused by the Tibetan plateau’s summertime heat. Easterly tropical jet stream: The easterly jet stream directs tropical depressions toward India. These depressions have an impact on how the monsoon rains are distributed throughout the Indian subcontinent. The paths of these depressions bring the most rain to India. SO, or Southern Oscillation: When the tropical eastern Indian ocean experiences low pressure and the tropical eastern south Pacific ocean experiences high pressure, the Southern Oscillation (SO) takes place. There are pressure reversals, where the eastern Pacific has lower pressure than the eastern Indian Ocean, every few years. A recurring change in pressure situations is referred to as the SO. Despite the variations in those conditions, the Indian Ocean continues to be much colder, and midsummer temperatures in some places of India can reach above 45 degrees Celsius. In some instances, the aforementioned elements also have a role in reduced monsoons and even droughts. Changing Climate: Our monsoon’s behaviour is impacted by the atmosphere’s increased capacity to hold water vapour as a result of global warming. A recent study suggests that global warming will likely make India’s monsoon season wetter and riskier. Scientists claim that the monsoon season has been permanently disrupted by climate change. Previous studies have shown that there will be more rain during the summer monsoon season as well as unpredictable, high rainfall events as a result of greenhouse gas-induced global warming. The Southwest Monsoon Season’s Importance: The southwest monsoon irrigates around half of India’s agricultural area. The monsoon season accounts for over 70% of India’s annual rainfall, which affects the productivity of various important kharif or summer crops like rice, pulses, and oilseeds like soybeans. A few of the significant crops that are dependent on monsoon rainfall include cotton, maize, paddy, soybean, peanut, bajra, and sesame. Indian dairy farms depend on the Southwest Monsoon to provide for and care for their cows. Conclusion: Beginning in early September, the Southwest Monsoon steadily pushes southward from the far northwest. However, the intense rains brought on by the monsoon winds can result in major floods across India’s northern plains, causing both property damage and fatalities. They are known for being unpredictable. In one region of the country, droughts are likely to occur, whilst catastrophic floods and droughts are brought on by dry and wet spells in another. Q2. Write a short note on Inter Tropical Convergence Zones. (250 Words) Paper & Topic: GS I  Geography Model Answer: Inter Tropical Convergence Zone definition: Near the equator, the southeast trade winds from the southern hemisphere and the northeast trade winds from the northern hemisphere converge. The Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone is where these winds converge (ITCZ). Here, there is rising air, the greatest quantity of clouds, and significant rainfall. With the onset of each new season, the ITCZ’s location moves both north and south of the equator. The ITCZ moves north during the summer, where it is exposed to vertical sunlight at the Tropic of Cancer. Coriolis force causes the southeast trade winds of the southern hemisphere to cross the equator and begin to blow in a southwest to northeast direction. When these displaced trade winds approach the Indian subcontinent, they are known to as south-west monsoons. The Monsoon Front is the area where the North-East Trade Winds and the South-West Monsoons meet (ITCZ). Along this front, it is raining. The Indo-Gangetic Plain is where the ITCZ moves to in July, and it receives rainfall from the south-west monsoon, which has its origins in the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. When it is in this position, the ITCZ is frequently referred to

13 SEPTEMBER 2022 – MAINS QUESTIONSDAILY QUESTIONS & MODEL ANSWERS: Q1. Write a short note on India’s Neighbourhood First Policy. (250 words) Paper & Topic: GS II  India and its neighborhood- relations. Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora. Model Answer: Introduction:  The BIMSTEC — a grouping that comprises practically all countries in South Asia and some in South-East Asia—is included in India’s Neighbourhood First Policy, which gives priority to nations in India’s periphery.  It works hard to strengthen connections with India’s immediate neighbors.  It focuses on collaboration based on neighboring countries’ needs and requirements. The idea of non-seeking reciprocity is also at the heart of the policy. Body: The neighboring countries’ constitutional crisis is as follows: In his inaugural address to Parliament, newly elected Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa stated his intention to abolish the landmark 19th Amendment to the Constitution and work toward a new constitution. Sri Lanka will write a new Constitution, repealing the 19th Amendment, which limited the President’s powers and increased the role of Parliament. During the last general elections, the Rajapaksas won a two-thirds majority in parliament, clearing the path for constitutional revisions. The President’s comments on the draft Constitution can be interpreted as indicating a shift away from the concept of devolution. If the idea of sharing more power with the provinces is completely abandoned, it will be backward. It would be a distortion of democratic principles if the independence of institutions like the Election Commission (EC) is now curtailed in the pretext of repealing the 19th Amendment. Furthermore, there was no mention of ethnic minorities in the President’s speech. The following are the reasons for the proposed constitutional amendments: The President’s executive powers were restricted and handed to parliament and independent commissions in the 19th Constitutional Amendment, which was enacted in 2015. Many of the Executive Presidency’s powers, which have been in place since 1978, will be weakened by the legislation. It entails: The President’s and Parliament’s terms have been reduced from six to five years. Reintroduce a presidential term limit of two terms. Only after four and a half years does the President have the ability to dissolve Parliament. The Constitutional Council should be resurrected, and independent commissions should be established. The President retains control of the Cabinet and can select Ministers on the Prime Minister’s advice. The Rajapaksa family claimed that the amendment was introduced with the intent of deliberately targeting them. Due to the term limit, Mahinda Rajapaksa was unable to run for president in November, and his younger brother Gotabaya was elected instead. India’s Effects: The issue of the Tamils, who are an ethnic minority group, would resurface as a result of the proposed constitutional changes. In the past, this has been a source of friction in bilateral relations between India and Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka could play the China card once more, emboldening China’s ‘String of Pearls’ effort and putting India’s security in the Indian Ocean region in jeopardy. Steps to take/Conclusion: A new inclusive constitution is urgently needed to set the country on the road to equality and peace. The attempt to amend the Constitution under the guise of implementing the “one country, one law” principle should not conflict with this requirement. While remaining attentive to Sri Lanka’s security concerns, India should advocate for reconciliation initiatives for the Tamils in Sri Lanka. Q2. Write a short note on Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill of 2021. (250 words) Paper & Topic: GS II  Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources Model Answer: Introduction: The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, 2021, was recently passed by the Rajya Sabha in March, 2021.  In 2020, the lower house passed the bill. This is a significant bill that aims to improve women’s reproductive rights in India.  The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act of 1971 is being amended by this bill.  In India, this Act regulates abortions. It was revised twice, in 1975 and 2002.  Abortion was illegal in India prior to the passage of this law, according to Section 312 of the Indian Penal Code. Body: The New Bill’s Proposed Features: The bill allows abortions to be performed up to 20 weeks after a single medical practitioner’s recommendation. Two doctors’ opinions are required to terminate pregnancies between 20 and 24 weeks. Special categories of women, such as rape/incest victims, differently-abled women, and children, are granted an extension of the gestation period up to 24 weeks. Abortions after 24 weeks will be decided on by a state-level Medical Board if there are significant foetal abnormalities. A gynaecologist, a paediatrician, a radiologist or sonographer, and any other number of members as determined by the state government will make up the Board. Abortions can only be performed by specialists who specialise in gynaecology/obstetrics. The “name and other particulars of a woman whose pregnancy has been terminated shall not be revealed,” according to the Bill, unless to a person authorised by law. When abortions are requested to end pregnancies resulting from rape and the gestation period is longer than 24 weeks, the only option is to file a writ petition. The rationale for the amendments is as follows: The expansion is significant, according to the administration, because some women realise they require an abortion after the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. The foetal anomaly scan is usually performed during the 20th and 21st weeks of pregnancy. If this scan is delayed and it finds a deadly anomaly in the foetus, the time limit is 20 weeks. The increase in the limit would make the procedure easier for distressed pregnant women, allowing the mainstream system to care for them and provide adequate medical treatment. Significance: The initiative to alter the MTP Act of 1971 is a step forward towards women’s liberation. Abortion is regarded a crucial component of women’s reproductive health, therefore it will give them more reproductive rights. Unsafe abortion-related deaths and injuries are usually avoidable if services are

12 SEPTEMBER 2022 – MAINS QUESTIONS- MAINS QUESTIONS DAILY QUESTIONS & MODEL ANSWERS: Q1. Write a short note on quantum supremacy. (250 words) Paper & Topic: GS III  Science and Technology related topics Model Answer: Introduction:  Quantum supremacy refers to a device’s ability to solve issues that traditional computers can’t. When compared to the fastest supercomputers available, it is the ability to complete complex computations in a relatively short amount of time. John Preskill, a theoretical physicist at Caltech, created this expression in 2012 to characterise the point at which quantum computers can perform things that classical computers can’t. Body: Google just stated that it has achieved quantum supremacy. Quantum computers are based on the quantum mechanics premise. Google stated that their sycamore quantum computer tackled extremely difficult issues in 200 seconds. Quantum computing’s potential applications include: Medical care: Research: The size and complexity of molecules that can be simulated and compared by traditional computers is limited (an essential process in early drug development). The number of possible interactions between these atoms is exponential if we have an input of size N, where N is the number of atoms in the investigated molecules (each atom can interact with all the others). Larger molecules will be simulated using quantum computers. Simultaneously, researchers will be able to study and simulate drug interactions with all 20,000+ proteins encoded in the human genome, resulting in higher pharmacological advances. Quantum technologies could be employed in a range of applications to give faster, more accurate diagnostics. Machine learning, which is currently being used to enhance pattern detection, will benefit from increased AI capabilities. High-resolution MRI equipment will provide more detail and will assist clinicians in illness screening. Treatment: Targeted treatments, such as radiotherapy, rely on the ability to quickly model and simulate complex scenarios in order to provide the best treatment possible. Using quantum computers, therapists would be able to conduct more simulations in less time, reducing radiation harm to healthy tissue. Funding: Algorithmic trading – the use of complex algorithms to automatically trigger share dealings depending on a wide variety of market variables – is one potential application for quantum technologies. The benefits are enormous, especially for high-volume transactions. Pattern recognition is used in fraud detection, just as it is in diagnostics in healthcare. Quantum computers have the potential to greatly increase machine learning capabilities, lowering the time it takes to train a neural network and increasing the detection rate. Promotion: Quantum computers will be able to collect and analyse massive amounts of consumer data from many sources. Big data analytics will enable businesses and governments to accurately target individual consumers and voters with messaging tailored to their interests, influencing consumer spending and election outcomes. The science of weather: Accurate weather forecasts are difficult to generate because there are so many variables to consider. The use of quantum computers for machine learning will increase pattern recognition, making it easier to predict extreme weather events and potentially save thousands of lives each year. Climate scientists will also be able to create and analyse more complex climate models, giving them a better understanding of climate change and how to reduce its harmful effects. Transportation and logistics: A wide range of sectors will be able to optimise workflows linked with transportation, logistics, and supply-chain management thanks to improved data analysis and modelling. Traffic management, fleet operations, air traffic control, freight and distribution could all benefit from the computation and recalculation of optimal routes. Disaster Preparedness: With quantum applications, tsunamis, droughts, earthquakes, and floods may become more foreseeable. Quantum technology can help to simplify the collection of data on climate change. This, in turn, will have a significant impact on agriculture, food technology chains, and farmland waste reduction. Communication that is secure: Secure quantum communication lines between terrestrial stations and satellites were recently demonstrated by China. Satellites, the military, and cyber security are all interested in this sector because it promises users impossibly rapid computers and secure, unhackable satellite communication. The Indian scenario with quantum computing: Globally, study in this field has been going on for roughly two decades, but real experimental work in India has only been going on for around five years. In 2018, the government began serious discussions on quantum technology and launched 51 research projects under the QUEST (Quantum Enabled Science and Technology) initiative. However, until the NMQTA, no meaningful progress is done in this field. The newly formed National Mission on Quantum Technologies and Applications has been allocated 8,000 crore ($ 1.2 billion) in the Union Budget 2020-21. (NMQTA). The mission aims to create quantum computing-related technologies in the midst of the second quantum revolution, with the goal of making India the world’s third largest quantum computing nation after the United States and China. Conclusion: Quantum computing has the ability to overcome the current restrictions imposed by regular computer power, resulting in advancements in agriculture, biotechnology, finance, healthcare, and cyber security, among other fields. This will aid the globe in overcoming current difficulties like as food insecurity, climate change cybercrime, a lack of new antibiotics to combat superbugs, as well as money laundering and terror financing. Although still in its early stages, quantum supremacy has huge future promise for humanity. Q2. Write a short note on digital payments. (250 words) Paper & Topic: GS III  Science and Technology related topics Model Answer: Introduction:  A digital payment is an online or digital transaction that does not include a physical exchange of money. This means that both the payer and the payee exchange money via electronic means. Since demonetisation in 2016, the Indian government has been aggressively supporting and advertising internet payments. Many economic and financial decisions prompted Indians to move to online payments were guided by the concept of ‘Digital India.’ By 2023, 66.6 billion transactions totaling $270.7 billion in India are likely to transition from cash to cards and digital payments, according to an ET article. Body: In India, the Evolution of Digital Payments: India’s payments framework – particularly the digital payments system – has been rapidly evolving

Q1. Explain about Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), its significance and challenges. (250 Words)   Paper & Topic: GS III  Indian Agriculture Model Answer: What Is the Primary Agricultural Credit Society? The Primary Agricultural Credit Society is the final connection between the primary borrowers, or rural inhabitants, and the higher institutions, such as the Central Cooperative Bank, State Cooperative Bank, and Reserve Bank of India. As recognised cooperative societies, Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) have been providing credit and other services to their members. PACS frequently offer the following services to their clients: A contribution in cash or kind for input facilities Agriculture machinery rented A place to store things A simple agricultural credit association can be established by ten or more villager participants. An elected body oversees the society’s administration. The low cost of membership makes it possible for even the poorest farmer to participate. In the event of the society’s failure, each member would be entirely liable for the entire loss because each had limitless culpability. The largest credit societies’ working capital is derived from their own funds, deposits, borrowings, and other sources. Included in the company’s own funds are share capital, membership dues, and reserve money. Deposits can be made by both members and non-members. The central cooperative banks are the primary sources of borrowing. The Value of Agricultural Primary Credit Societies: The financial institutions known as primary agriculture cooperative credit societies are vital to the grassroots development of local communities. They are multifunctional enterprises that provide a variety of services, including banking, on-site supplies, marketing crops, and consumer products selling. Primary agriculture co-operative credit societies must therefore operate efficiently. The Primary Agricultural Credit Society must play a significant role in the socioeconomic development of rural communities across the country. They function as counters for consumer products and agricultural supplies as well as little banks for financing. These cooperatives also provide storage facilities to farmers so they can preserve and store their food grains. Within the federal structure of the cooperative finance system, higher level institutions like Central Cooperative Bank and State Cooperative Bank are mandated to offer PACs appropriate assistance in the form of subscriptions and grants. In 1904, the first Primary Agricultural Credit Society (PACS) was established. Since then, these organisations have played a critical role in providing farmers with short- and medium-term funding. Up until the early 1970s, this was the only institution-based credit agency that served rural communities. A project to transform PACS into Multi Service Centers has been initiated in order to allow PACS to provide more services to its members while also earning revenue for itself. PACS will be able to broaden its activities as a result and provide support services to its members. Primary Agricultural Credit Societies Restrictions: Laxity in the internal control system. The management information system is subpar. employees that lack motivation or engagement an unfavourable setting for labour relations. false borrower identification Insufficient or excessive funding Post-disbursement monitoring is not present. wishing to have a positive relationship with governmental organisations belief that the bank is a nonprofit institution. the wait for loan approval. inadequate payback or gestational times. Borrower isolation and a lack of understanding of rural clientele. There isn’t a drive towards rehabilitation. fraud with the loan. intentional default Money being misappropriated. Deficits in management and technology Poor maintenance of the assets. insufficient linkages to the market. The economic climate has shifted. Changes in technology. political interference. Target approach for government-sponsored programmes. Geographical factors. loan forgiveness, write-offs, etc. Q2. What to do you understand by Carbon Footprint. (250 Words)   Paper & Topic: GS III  Environmental Conservation Model Answer: Concept of a carbon footprint: The amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere as a result of burning fossil fuels can be calculated based on the daily operations of a company, business, household, or individual. It can also be calculated based on the daily activities of a person or family, or the transportation of a good or commodity to market. The total amount of GHG emissions that an entity has produced, whether directly or indirectly through other individuals, organisations, activities, or products, is known as its “Carbon Footprint.” To express a carbon footprint, tonnes of carbon dioxide (C02) or carbon are typically emitted on an annual basis. A tonne of carbon dioxide is released, for example, when we travel 5000 miles, drive 2,500 miles in a medium-sized car, or cut down and burn a 40-foot-tall, one-foot-diameter tree. The direct or primary footprint and the indirect or secondary footprint are the two halves of a carbon footprint. The primary footprint measures CO2 emissions from sources like domestic energy use and transportation that result directly from burning fossil fuels (e.g. car and Plane). The secondary footprint calculates the indirect CO2 emissions from the complete lifecycle of the used products. These are linked to both their genesis and demise. The carbon footprint of a country’s people and corporate entities is related to the total amount of CO2 released for that country. Using carbon offsets and credits as “flexible mechanisms” to cut carbon emissions: Under the Kyoto Protocol, members of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) are divided into two groups: Non-Annex-l countries, which are developing countries, and Annex 1 countries, which mostly include OECD and eastern European industrialised countries. Three “flexibility mechanisms” based on emission trading have been implemented in order to lower the overall economic cost of achieving the agreed-upon emission reductions. These are what they are: the exchange of Assigned Amounts Units (AAU) between the countries included on Annex 1 in global emission trading. As part of cooperative implementation, project-based activities are carried out between Annex 1 countries (JI). The United Nations organisation on climate change issues a certificate called Certified Emission Reduction (CER) to the affected industry for each tonne of CO2 that it saves by deploying cleaner technology, improving energy efficiency, or moving to unconventional sources of energy supply. After that, the surplus might be sold by the entity receiving the CER. Projects to reduce emissions are included

09 SEPTEMBER 2022 - DAILY QUESTIONS & MODEL ANSWERS: Q1. Explain about landslides, its causes and types.   Paper & Topic: GS I  Geography Model Answer: A landslide is an unexpected, gravity-driven collapse of dirt, plants, and rock down a hill. It could be caused by extreme human interference with slope stability or by natural forces like torrential rain or earthquakes. To construct homes, tunnels, railroads, and other structures, man smashes rock. Landslides occur under these circumstances as a result of loose rocks. Earth flow, mass movement, mudflow, rotating slip, and avalanches are just a few examples of the many diverse types of slides that can occur. Landslides are not frequently as large as seismic or volcanic disasters. However, the extent and intensity of the landslide are influenced by the geological structure, slope angle, kind of sedimentary materials, and human contact with the slope. Kinds of landslides: Falls: These happen when enormous geologic masses, including rocks and boulders, suddenly slide away from cliff walls or steep slopes. Topples: This happens when a unit or units, influenced by gravity, forces from neighbouring units, or fluids through fractures, rotate forward about a pivot point that is low or below the unit. Slides: In this type, the elements that make slopes flow through the soil, rocks, or other debris. Spread: It often occurs on flat terrain or at relatively low gradients. Causes of landslides include: 1.Snow and rain falling: The presence of intense or prolonged rainfall may result in massive landslides in areas with steep slopes where National Highways and roads have been developed. In the Jammu and Kashmir region of Nashri, between Batote-Ramban-Ramsu and Banihal, landslides frequently happen. The wet and winter seasons, when the vehicular traffic is disrupted for several days, are when the landslides in this area are most severe. 2.Seismic activity and volcanic eruptions: Landslides in folded mountainous regions are primarily generated by earthquakes. Landslides are more frequent in Tertiary-era folded mountains in India, such as the Himalayas. Many thousands of people perished as a result of the landslides that the 1905 earthquake in the Kashmir valley triggered in the lesser and greater Himalayas. Volcanic eruptions in mountainous places can potentially cause landslides. Building roads, mining, and quarrying: The continual mining and quarrying of coal, minerals, and stones as well as the building of roads by cutting through the steep slopes of folded mountains can result in landslides. The Eastern and Western Ghats, as well as the Himalayas, have experienced these landslides. 4.Construction-related loads for homes: Landslides are largely caused by unplanned urban development in steep terrain without rock and soil testing. The eastern slope of Nanital (Uttarakhand) is sinking as a result of the weight of the lodging and residential structures. 5.Cutting down of forests: Deforestation and other human activities, such as landslides, are two examples. Most of the landslides contain tiny blocks that are only a few metres across. Some, though, are huge enough to trigger a catastrophe. Various infrastructure, including roads and buildings, could be buried. Limiting deforestation on mountain slopes, following local building codes, and avoiding building on steep slopes can all help to reduce the detrimental effects of landslides. Strategy for Mitigation: In addition to installing monitoring and early warning systems in specific locations, it is necessary to identify hazardous zones and control and stabilise particular slides. To find regions that are frequently prone to landslides, hazard mapping should be done. In order to effectively combat landslides, localised strategies should be adopted. It is important to implement restrictions on substantial community growth in susceptible locations, as well as limitations on building and other developmental activities like roads and dams. Valleys and locations with a moderate slope should be the only places where agriculture is allowed. Q2. What is Miyawaki Method.   Paper & Topic: GS I  Environmental Conservation Model Answer: Akira Miyawaki, a Japanese botanist, developed the Miyawaki technique, which speeds up the process of creating dense, natural forests. The concept of urban afforestation has been revolutionised by its transformation of backyards into miniature forests. This method recommends placing trees (only native species) as close to one another as you can in the same location in order to conserve space. The saplings that were planted aid one another in growth and prevent weed growth by obstructing sunlight from accessing the soil. After their first three years, saplings are no longer in need of upkeep (self-sustaining). The proposal calls for 10 times faster plant growth and a finished plantation that is 30 times denser than usual. The Miyawaki method can produce a forest in 20 to 30 years as opposed to 200 to 300 years when utilising conventional methods. Miyawaki Technique: The natural trees in the area are divided into the four categories of shrub, sub-tree, tree, and canopy. In order to increase the soil’s permeability, water retention, and nitrogen retention, its quality is assessed before biomass is added. Once a mound of soil has been created, three to five saplings are planted per square metre in the seeds. The ground is covered with a heavy layer of mulch. Concerns: Such trees lack some attributes of natural forests, such as their capacity to create rain and their medicinal value. They are wood lots, which are portions of woodlands or forests that can be used for recreational pursuits like bird watching, bushwalking, and appreciating wildflowers as well as small-scale production of forest goods like wood fuel, sap for maple syrup, sawlogs, and pulpwood. These quickly growing plantations aren’t actually forests; rather, they are rapidly expanding plantations. Environmentalists have questioned the efficacy of a method that seeks to match a forest’s complex ecosystem while accelerating tree growth (as it is not a good idea to force plants to photosynthesize fast).