1)

Critically analyse social, political and economic causes of

recent agitations by people belonging to powerful castes in
Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra. (200 Words)
Ans)
Recent agitations by powerful castes in Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat and
Maharashtra are a result of socioeconomic difficulties faced by the lower
sub economic groups in those castes.
Socioeconomic reasons
1. Lack of job opportunities in the face of failing agriculture, droughts,
decreased land holdings through generations. Jobs in agriculture
are unsustainable, as population increase, land holdings decrease.
Proper agricultural strategies like contractual farming and land
leasing can be used to relieve the problem in short term until long
term sustainable solution is sought.
2. Lack of skills and education to pursue mainstream jobs like Media,
IT. Skill India campaign can help them fulfil some of their goals.
The govt. needs to ensure minimum education at primary levels, if
one aspires to enter mainstream jobs.
3. Inability to pursue higher education. lack of reservation and poor
land holdings imply a not so good economic condition, that results
in their not being able to pursue higher education.
4. Reservations for SC/ST decreasing their job opportunities. This
creates resentment towards the SC/ST community, evident from
their demand to scrap off SC/ST (prevention of atrocities) Act. They
allege that this act is being misused by Dalits. Which is untrue, as
every act can be misused. This act is necessary to prosecute people
who still have archaic mentality of looking down on SC/ST
Political Reasons
1. In Maharashtra, it is seen by some as indirect excise of power by
Maratha political leaders in the face of alleged corruption charges
and being out of power. Even so, these agitations are necessary to
being in to action, by the govt., necessary reforms for this wide spread
problem across the nation.
2) Nathuram Godse was a product of the political climate
created by the Hindu right in the run-up to Partition. Critically
examine. (200 Words)
Ans)
Nathuram Godse was a product of hate speeches against Gandhi for his
multicultural support of the nation. In an AICC meeting Gandhi ji seclared
that India is a home for Muslims no less than it is for the Hindus. Gandhi

jis support for Muslim demand of separate state. Nehrus perceived lack
of support for Hindus in Pakistan and several such prevalent ideologies of
leaders in India didnt go well with originations that supported Hindutva
Ideology.
Some such organisations were Hindu Mahasabha, RSS, Savarkaries
(Supporters of D.V. Savarkar, father of Hindutva Idealogy). These
organisations believed that continuous support for Muslims, and a policy of
Ahimsa will reduce Hindus to a stage that they cannot resists any future
aggression from Muslims.
Hate speeches against Gandhi were prevalent during Godses time. A
speech in ramlila maidan attended by GC Narang (A hindi mahasabha
leader), Jugal Kishore Birla (another mahasabha leader), MS Golwalkar
(RSS Sanghrakshak), denounced governments satanic attitude. A large
part of attendees were west Pakistani refugees, who were also beneficiaries
of the aforementioned organisations.
Godse, in his court trials mentions that by killing Gandhi, he removed a
curse to india, who followed 30 yrs of hare-brained policy, and prevented
extinction of Hinduism.
Godses ideas were not his own, but developed in him as a result of his
exposure to the hate speeches prevalent in his times. Hes a product of
Hindutva Ideology, that went against Ghandi.
In recent times we have sedition laws that prevent extremist ideologies and
speeches spreading. These laws are doing really well, given the high
nationalistic ideologies our citizens possess. All he have to fear now is the
Islamic extremist ideologies spread over internet by Jihadists. A proper
watch by govt. over the spread of hatred by groups is necessary to prevent
undesirable incidents.
3) Data from the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)
for Maharashtra reveals that just in the month of August, 1,588
children below the age of five died, the majority of them from
tribal pockets and dies due to malnutrition. Examine why
Maharashtra has failed to prevent these deaths and measures it
should take to address this issue. (200 Words)
Ans)
The deaths of children in Maharashtras tribal pockets are a result of
conglomeration of administrative neglect, political egoism, lack of funding,
and govt.s adoption of short term relief solution instead of long term
sustainable solutions.

Maharashtra was a pioneer in solving the problem of child malnutrition. In

2005 the state realised this problem and decided to adopt long term
solution, by adopting an inter-ministerial approach with political backing.
It trained anganwadis and encouraged change in agricultural processes.
Advocated the need to use locally grown food to build a nutritious diet than
resort to packaged food that it is doing now.
A multi-dimensional approach was used back then, which also involved
tackling problem like early marriages and health of mother.
This has now been dumped, with changing political scenarios. Where WCD
which was under the aegis of a common nutritious program demanded to
bring the whole program under its control and shut down the interministerial nutrition program that was taking all the credit back then.
As a result the tribal now suffer from lack of proper implementation of
components of the erstwhile nutrition program that was successful.
Besides, failure of present program, tribal areas also suffer from lack of
proper infrastructure like roads, and health care. National program under
NRHM that has VCDC (village child development centres) was also
scrapped from the lack of funds.
Govt. is resorting to side line the issue by terming the deaths as due to
disease. Judicial pressure on the govt. machinery is necessary to correct
the situation. The polity in power must empathise with the tribals and take
necessary actions.
Measures
#1 Bring back the old nutrition program
#2 Centres temporary intervention to support the tribals is necessary until
the state polity stabilises.
#3 State govt. should adhere to corrective measures suggested by court.
#4 govt. should resort to long term solution with multi-dimensional
approach rather than temporary relief.
#5 Develop last mile infrastructure, and use innovative methods to provide
health care to the last mile society.
#6 Give executive freedom to state officials and let politicians not interfere
with crucial programs by consolidating the cabinet.
4) There is a widening civil-military gap in India today which
stems from developments on both sides of the divide. What are
these developments? Analyse. (200 Words)
Ans)

The economy driven growth of civilian side and the deprivation of same on
the military side on several account combined with Civil Service control
of military than civil control of military is creating a divide between
military and civilian. The growing contempt of military personnel being a
cause for concern among civilians is legitimate, given the large size and
strengths of Indian military.
Developments on civilian side
1. The rapid growth in Indian economy has given a massive boost to
direct beneficiaries, the civilians in their standard of living. Increase
of jobs in service sector and the transition of economy from
agriculture directly to service oriented bypassing a step in the middle
has given an enormous boost to the economy. This is in line with 1991
reforms of LPG (liberalisation privatisation globalisation).
2. As a result, a job in military over normal job has become less
glamorous and lost its status.
3. Civilian bureaucrats play a vital role in policy making, compared to
those in military brass.
4. An increase in wages of certain status of living in civilian side would
create a demand for the same in civilian files and ranks.
Development on military side
1. Militarys resentment goes back to 1951 when military leaders
expressed a deep displeasure against the role of civil bureaucrats.
2. The military has rankings pyramid with a large base. That means
several Jawans retire at lower ranks and savings. There were also
demands for increase in salaries of JCOs and 2/3 star generals. Even
the lower levels of the hierarchy feel that their bosses are paid less.
This was once seen in police too. Generally, this leads to lack of
enthusiasm in the higher hierarchies. This would result in improper
functioning.
3. Jawans retire at a younger age, without any proper training to sustain
a life in civil society. Military should also work in imparting necessary
training before they retire young Jawans.
4. The divide between civil and military bureaucracy has deepened and
penetrated to the lower levels of hierarchy in the military.

5. Military was also allowed beyond its limits like in the case of Armed
Forces Special Powers Act. This may create atmosphere of rebellion
by military.
On the bright side, Indian military is very large and diverse. They are
provided with more benefits in service stage than most civil jobs are
provided. The cost of living is also relatively less. Military should make
reforms to train young Jawans in non-combat traits, and stop fanning the
dis-contempt. The polity should develop amicable relationship with
military brass. This is necessary to create harmony between military
service, and civil society. In long term military should become an integral
part of Indian population.
5) October 2, 2016 marks the second anniversary of the Swachh Bharat
Mission (SBM). Critically evaluate performance of the scheme in meeting
its objectives. (200 Words)
Ans)
Swachh Bharat mission started by Narendra Modi govt. has an important
goal of eliminating open defecation by 2019. This however is producing
mixed results. Prima facie, it may appear that the mission is working, from
all the activity that goes on in social media. But, the mission lacks
accountability, and awareness among several parts of the nation.
Accountability
1. The mission lacks proper accountability and feedback mechanism to
assess its success. Swachh Survekshan report released by the
ministry of Drinking water and sanitation is the only report available.
2. Even that report is deemed not credible by many due to its
inappropriate survey mechanisms which used uncomfortable
questioning methodologies.
3. The survey also lacks assessment of each individual household.
4. Accountability Initiative released a budget brief tracking SBM
allocations, which mentions a rise in SBM allocations tripled since its
inception. Most of it is going towards construction of toilets.
Other factors
1. Spending on awareness campaigns reduced from 3% of total
expenditure to 1% in an year of its inception.

2. This resulted in lack of awareness amongst people regarding the

campaign, with several individual surveys reporting that many dont
even know what Swachh Bharat is. This is more prevalent in nonmetro areas where open defecation is more common.
3. Very few people know the main goal eliminate open defecation by
2019 as it is perceived by many as a cleanliness drive.
4. Untouchability plays a major role in open defecation. Many rural
Indians dont like the kind of toilets provided by govt.
Measures
1. Spend more on awareness campaigns and behavioural techniques.
2. Create awareness amongst rural Indian regarding the toilets, gain
their feedback for improvements in toilets.
3. Create a credible sampling system to increase the campaigns
accountability.
4. Build a public feedback mechanism, so that public can play a
proactive role in the campaign.
6) Ruralisation, an alternative development paradigm, which
entails creation of self-sufficient villages and urban republics
with attached common pool resources, can be adopted to
promote equitable and sustainable local economic development
and decentralised governance. Discuss. (200 Words)
Ans)
Ruralisation is a revolutionary concept in development paradigms. In
India, being rural is associated with lack of resources, finances, and
cleanliness. Urbanisation is seen as pro-development. This is an image
created by governing authorities in the pretext of Urbanised and
Industrious development.
The conventional form of development which is based on urbanisation,
results in migration, overcrowding of towns and cities, increased
population densities consequently result in pollution and diseases, and
most importantly strain and stretch the natural resources of the region
which results in overburdening the place beyond its ecological carrying
capacity.

By creating self-sufficient villages, and self-governing republics, all of the

aforementioned problems and also causes reverse migration, i.e.,
ruralisation.
Important aspects of ruralisation
1. Equal distribution of natural resources among people, without
concentrating much in the elites and less in the general population.
2. Local self-governance. (decentralised government) As Gandhiji
envisioned, Panchayats should be empowered to make development
plans on their own. State planning commission should give more
autonomy to the panchayats.
3. Local development planning and execution (decentralised
development) the central govt. should disburse more taxes
(increased tax devolution) and revenue to local bodies and give them
autonomy in planning. This is partly happening since 14th financial
commission.
4. Dependence on renewable sources of energy. Sources like solar,
and wind can be installed easily with increased availability of space.
This will ultimately reduce carbon foot print and make the villages
more self-sufficient.
5. Using local material for construction, than procuring cement etc.
Using techniques like rainwater harvesting, and building required
infrastructure at the construction stage itself.
Benefits & Drawbacks
1. This requires massive investments. But in long term would result in
sustainable development and green benefits, low carbon foot prints.
2. More autonomy in planning helps proper inclusion of ground
reality in decision making. But, if the governance fails at the local
level people will suffer miserably. Casteism which is prevalent at
village level will cause havocs if control is given to one group.
3. Limit engagement with other republics and higher levels in hierarchy.
This will help the village become self-sufficient in not only needs but
also contingencies. This will reduce the impacts on national
emergencies in our country.

7) Analyse the causes of the increasing incidence of PPP project

cancellations in India. (200 Words)
Ans)