MTS 2022 – SOCIAL JUSTICE & INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

1. Overcoming the barriers in ensuring Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights

(SRHR) will help India in attaining various SDG goals. Discuss. (10 Marks)

Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) refers to human rights related to sexuality and
reproduction. It includes civil and political rights as well as economic, social and cultural rights.

Why SRHR is important? (not a necessary part of question but for a good understanding of
SRHR):

• They are essential to ensure that both women and men have equal right to enjoy the
maximum attainable standard of sexual and reproductive health.
o have their bodily integrity, privacy and personal autonomy respected.
o freely define their own sexuality, including sexual orientation and gender identity
and expression.
• It will empower them to take decisions concerning their sexuality and reproduction,
including the number, timing of birth and spacing of their children, free from
discrimination, coercion and violence.
Barriers to SRHR

• Poor socio-economic conditions like poverty, illiteracy and various societal biases on
the basis of religion, caste etc.
• Poor sexual education-The lack of proper sex education is already a cause of myriad
social problems like sexual abuses, sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted
pregnancies, and abortions.
• Less politically cautious discussions and disregards of sexual violence on national
platforms in the country
• 78% of abortions in India take place outside medical facilities
• Married women in their reproductive years are unable to use contraception
• Our approach to reproductive rights has historically prioritised population control over
promoting individual autonomy and removing structural hurdles to reproductive health
services
• Gender based violence has remained a marginalised issue inside India’s public health
system, where it is primarily viewed as a law-and-order issue.
• Pressure from the society leads to early timing of birth and spacing of their children.
• Issues in the legal and regulatory framework eg Victim protection schemes are largely
absent and steps towards rehabilitation are low.
It will help in achieving the following SDG’s

• Goal 5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
o Ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive
rights
o End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls
o Eliminating all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public as
well as private spheres, which includes trafficking and sexual exploitation.
 o Elimination of all harmful practices like as child, early and forced marriage and
also female genital mutilation.
• Goal 3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
o Family planning, education, and integration of reproductive health into national
policies and programmes.
o Reducing the maternal death ratio.
o Ending epidemics like AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and neglected tropical
illnesses, as well as combating hepatitis, waterborne diseases, and other
communicable diseases.
o Ensuring universal health coverage for all people, including financial risk
protection, access to high-quality essential health-care services, and safe,
effective, high-quality, and cheap essential medicines and vaccines.
Way forward

• Provide high-quality, inclusive, accessible, and non-judgmental contraceptive

counselling services to adolescents to help them make informed decisions.
• Diversification of information dissemination and sexual and reproductive health
care efforts.
• Strengthen national laws and policies to ensure that adolescents’ rights to sexual
and reproductive health care are protected.
• During the Covid-19 like situations, adolescent sexual and reproductive health must
be addressed to minimise disruptions in awareness and service delivery, which
could worsen existing inequalities in health outcomes and access to care.

2. Schools offer a unique opportunity to implement effective health services at scale

for children and adolescents. In this light explain the importance of school health
services. Also suggest some measures for its proper implementation. (10 Marks)

Schools are where the children spend most of their time during childhood. Schools can be
used as a platform for implementing effective health services at scale.

School based health services in India

• Mid-day Meal Scheme provide nutrient rich food to school going children and address
malnutrition problem.
• School Health Program under Ayushman Bharat to strengthen health promotion and
disease prevention.
• Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) is an initiative aiming at early
identification of diseases and deficiencies among children and early intervention.
• Public health checkups organised in school premises. Immunisation programmes
conducted at schools.
Importance of school health services

• Ensure the healthy development of children. Address malnutrition and micronutrients

deficiency. Eg: Fortification of food given through Mid Day Meals Programme.
• Address age-specific health needs that are linked to unhealthy dietary habits, lack of
physical activity, mental health, sexual behaviour, and the use of tobacco and other
substances, addiction, etc.
 • Platform for preventive healthcare. Eg: Immunisation programmes can be conducted
through schools, periodic health checkups for children, vision and hearing screening.
• Curative health to detect and treat diseases early in children and adolescents including
identification of malnourished and anemic children with appropriate referrals to PHCs
and hospitals. Eg: School health clinics in Delhi
• Generate awareness about health and nutrition among the children and parents.
Promotion of healthy habits. For example, scientific evidence shows that tobacco
cessation efforts are far more successful if started in school.
Measures for proper implementation

• Convergence of the National Health Policy, 2017 and National Education Policy,
2020 for comprehensive school health services in every Indian State.
• States needs to draw up a road map to revamp and strengthen school health services
covering both government and private schools with dedicated budgetary allocation.
• School health clinics with full time doctor and staff nurse, Counselling services for
emotional and behavioral problems, Digital health record for children can be created
and maintained.
• Anti drug campaigns, classes on adolescent sexual health, menstrual hygiene, mental
health awareness should be integrated into regular classroom teaching.
• Health club activities can be promoted. Health talks and lifestyle sessions can be
conducted with the help of health experts. Participation of parents, especially through
parent-teacher meetings.
• Healthy school environment : Safe drinking water and hygienic sanitation can be
maintained. Yoga and meditation can be promoted.
• FRESH framework (Focusing Resources on Effective School Health), an inter-agency
framework by UNESCO, UNICEF, World Health Organization and World Bank can
be adopted.
Children are important assets of the nation and the well being of the nation, and it's future
depend on how it's children grow and develop.
3. Discuss the need for a new Free Trade Policy (FTP) for India and the challenges
in realizing the benefits of FTP. Also suggest the measures to be adopted to boost
exports from the country (10 marks)

India brought out its latest Free Trade Policy in 2015 for the next five years. Through this
policy, India aims to increase India’s export of merchandise and services from US $ 465
billion.
Need for a new FTP
• India needs a comprehensive policy to exploit the potential of being a part of Global
Value Chains (GVCs). India hasn’t been able to truly leverage the potential of GVCs
in comparison to China and other East Asian neighbours.
o Pandemic followed by the Russia-Ukraine Crisis has created opportunities for
India to boost its exports in fellow countries.
o Pandemic made countries adopt a China plus one policy that provides an
opportunity to boost Indian exports.
• It brings in clarity to the country’s position and alignment with flagship programmes
like ‘Local for Global’ and PLI (Production linked incentive) schemes, which have been
contested by several countries.
 o The 2020 WTO Trade Policy Review of India noted that India makes extensive
use of trade policy instruments that create uncertainties and induce distortions
in the international trading system
• A FTP that accommodates the FTAs that India has signed as well as the ones that are
currently negotiating.
o India has concluded FTAs with Australia and UAE recently and is in the process
of concluding with the U.K, Canada etc
• There is a need for FTP that protects the interests of MSMEs while enabling them to
compete with MNCs
• The various export incentive schemes had to be phased out after India faced challenges
at the WTO over the same. These need to be reintroduced in compliance with the WTO
norms
Challenges in realizing its benefits
• Inadequate export infrastructure such as ports, warehouses and supply chains have
resulted in the average turnaround time for ships in India is about 3 days while the
world average is 24 hours.
• The tariffs imposed on multiple products are much higher than China and other East
Asian neighbours.
• India’s tariffs are considered to be uncertain by investors due to bound tariffs are
much higher than tariffs that are actually applied.
• The biggest challenge will be ensuring effective coordination between the three
regulating bodies—the DGFT, the Customs and the GST Council.
• India has been apprehensive on joining trade blocs and have not yet joined any
blocs.
o India’s decision to opt out of the RCEP was a missed opportunity. This
would have given better integration with the East and South-East Asia
region.
o China has applied to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement
for Trans-Pacific Partnership, which is the new incarnation of the old Trans-
Pacific Partnership
Measures to boost exports
• Attract more investments to upgrade export infrastructure such as ports, warehouses,
quality testing and certification centres to stay ahead of technology-advanced countries.
For instance, China had planned to spend US$ 1.4 trillion on infrastructure between
2019 and 2023.
• Adopt modern trade practices that can be implemented through the digitisation of
export processes. This will save both time and cost.
• Help MSMEs in planning to tap the export potential in existing tariff lines and provide
policy support to raise the number of exporting MSMEs and increase MSME exports
by 50% in 2025.
• The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) agreement offers a new opportunity.
But, its trade pillar does not, as of now, deal with market access. India should work to
push the IPEF towards a trade agreement.
• Digital trade, e-commerce and digital payments will play a major role in global
integration in the years ahead. India has substantial strengths in this area and should
shed its hesitancy and be actively involved in the development of global rules
acceptable to all.
 India’s future external engagements should be focused on either signing FTAs with the
consumption economies (the US, EU, Britain) or having access to low-cost raw material,
inputs and intermediate, to enable the production of goods for export.

4. Examine the significance of Bangladesh for India. Enumerate the roadblocks that
needs to be resolved so that both nations together can drive South Asian economy
in the post pandemic recovery phase (10 Marks)

India was the first country to recognize Bangladesh as a separate and independent state and
established diplomatic relations with the country immediately after its independence in
December 1971.

Significance of Bangladesh for India

• Economic significance - Bangladesh is India’s biggest trade partner in South Asia and India
is the second biggest trade partner of Bangladesh.
• Internal Security – The porous land borders have resulted in high smuggling of weapons,
fake currencies and terrorist infiltration.
• Geographical importance –
o Connect North East India with Mainland India
o Give port access to North East India
• Waterways
o Provides alternate path for reducing its dependence on the narrow Silluguri corridor
o Critical for water sharing to support agriculture
• Acts as a connecting bridge between South Asia and ASEAN
• Major Islamic country which supports India
o Critical for countering Pakistan in International forums
• To counter the growing influence of China in the Indian Subcontinent and IOR.
Conflict areas

• River water sharing

o Teesta river water sharing
o Farakka Barrage
o Bangladesh is also opposing India’s proposed the Tapaimukh Dam on the Barak
River in Manipur
o Interlinking of the rivers project by India has been opposed by Bangladesh
• Chinese investments –
o Bangladesh is a part of Chinese BRI, and this is a security concern for India
o Bangladesh has also bought Chinese weapons and submarines
• Border management issues
o Illegal migration, smuggling etc have resulted in crossfire across the border
straining relations
• The issue of Illegal migrants:
o Bangladesh has already raised concerns over roll out of the National Register of
Citizens (NRC) in Assam
If India and Bangladesh are able to work out through their differences, it can help in the South
Asia emerging as the anchor in the wider Indo-Pacific Region bringing peace and prosperity in
the region.
 5. Having the largest Diaspora as well as the largest remittances, it is high time that
India needs to think about having an Indian diaspora policy. Discuss. (10 marks)

As per International Organisation for Migration’s (IOM) latest report, ‘Global Migration
Report 2020’, India continues to be the largest country of origin of international migrants with
a 17.5 million-strong diaspora across the world.

Advantages
• Huge flow of remittances(approximately $89 billion)
• Brain gain
• Increasing trade and investments - Eg: USA-India business council, FDI inflows from
ASEAN countries with significant Indian diaspora.
• Lobbying for Indian interests - Eg: Indo-US civil nuclear cooperation, Justifying 1998
nuclear tests.
• Mobilizing funds at time of disasters.
• Acts as a torchbearer of Indian values and culture hence a source of soft power.
Issues

• Affects relations due to issues like racial slurs in USA, Australia etc.
• Furthering sub-nationalist or ethno-nationalist movements like Khalistan movement,
LTTE.
• May spoil India’s relations with other nations. For e.g – Sri Lanka, UK etc
• Remittance may be used for anti-national activities such as Khalistan movement etc.
A tangible diaspora policy can only help in maximum utilisation of advantages offered by
diaspora, at the same time help in meeting the challenges posed too. Along with it, leveraging
programmes like Know India Programme, OCI, Pravasi Bharatiya Divas can enable India to
positively engage the diaspora.

6. The necessity to pursue a multifaceted foreign policy and engage all major power
centres requires India to maintain strategic autonomy. Examine the need for
strategic autonomy for India as well as the challenges India faces in pursuing it
(10 marks)

Strategic autonomy denotes the ability of a state to pursue its national interests and adopt its
preferred foreign policy without being constrained in any manner by other states.

Need for strategic autonomy

• Need for Multi alignment: Today’s world is characterized by complex interdependence and
hence Indian foreign policy requires strategic hedging.
o For eg, maintaining strategic defence relation with US as well as purchasing S-400
deal with Russia.
• Geostrategic balancing: India has always sought to maintain close diplomatic ties with
different groups, including those who consider the other as an enemy or a competitor.
 o For example, India’s concurrent diplomatic ties with Iran; while pursuing strong
relationships with US, Saudi Arabia and Israel
• Need for greater realism in policy: Realization that soft power diplomacy alone is not
sufficient for protecting the country’s interests and there is a need for realism as well as
pragmatism in Indian foreign policy.
o For example, India’s early misreading of Pakistan’s and China’s intentions led to
Gilgit-Baltistan & part of Kashmir and Aksai Chin region now being under the
effective control of Pakistan and China respectively.
Challenges

• Hostile Neighbours: Pursuing policy of Strategic Autonomy may result in flaring up of

border tensions
• India’s dependence on western countries: India needs technology, capital, markets,
skills, defence equipment, international networking, and global cooperation to resolve
global issues. But critical or sensitive technology can come only at the behest of
compromising strategic autonomy.
• Unreliability of US: US sanctions on countries where India has a stake often
compromise its policy of Strategic Autonomy.
o For example, sanctions on Iran had affected INSTC as well as India’s
Afghanistan policy too
• Rise of Russia-China-Pakistan axis: A de facto Russia-China-Pakistan (RCP) strategic
axis has emerged in recent years which has made balancing act a difficult one for India.
o For example, Russia has now promised a $14 billion investment in Pakistan’s
energy sector including $2.5 billion for the North-South (TAPI) pipeline
project.
• China’s dominance in South-Asia: China has developed significant economic relations
with India’s neighbours.

Way forward
• Pursuing Independent Foreign policy: The policy of Strategic Autonomy should be used to
enhance India’s strategic space and capacity and to increase the options for India’s choices
to promote and protect its interest.
• Issue based alignments: India should focus on “alignment based on issues” rather than
ideology, thereby maintaining “decisional autonomy”.
• Defence Indigenization: India should take measures to reduce its overdependence on
critical defence imports and increase defence R&D.

7. “The chequered history of nuclear weapons gives the impression that the NPT has
not been entirely successful—but it hasn’t been an abject failure either.”
Comment (10
marks)

NPT aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, to promote
cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and to further the goal of achieving nuclear
disarmament and general and complete disarmament.
Success of NPT

• Dramatic reduction in the number of nuclear weapons of two cold war era super powers:
From a peak of 70,300 warheads in 1986 to around 14,000 at present, with the US and
Russia accounting for over 12,500.
• Successfully prevented proliferation around the world: Very few states have remained
outside the treaty and have gone on to develop nuclear weapons.
• Additional Protocol for detection: This has created the right for inspectors to go to places
where they suspect business. The treaty facilitates cooperation on peaceful applications of
nuclear technology under the watch of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
• It has also helped in creating nuclear weapon free zones: Additionally, the states of many
regions of the world have chosen to be part of nuclear-weapon-free zones showing their
commitment to the objective of a world without nuclear weapons.
Failure

• Power with P5 members: The discrimination of only P5 nations allowed to own nuclear
weapons has been a failure of NPT regime
• Increasing investment for nuclear arsenal and emergence of new technologies: New
technologies and types of weapons — including offensive cyber, counter-space, and
hypersonic weapons — could further destabilize the security environment.
• Unsettled international security environment: U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA; Iran
rebuilding its enrichment program and tensions escalating between Saudi Arabia-Iran;
Turkey’s aspirations of being nuclear power; The Russia-Ukraine war; U.S.-North Korea
negotiations at a halt, may polarise nations to adopt the path of nuclear proliferation.
• Non-compliance: The failure of some non-nuclear-weapon state parties to the treaty to
comply with the NPT’s provisions and their safeguards obligations erodes confidence and
undermines the goals of the treaty.
• NPT has been unable to prevent non-signatories India, Israel, and Pakistan from crossing
the nuclear threshold and to prevent former NPT signatory North Korea from becoming a
nuclear-armed state.
• Possession of weapon: NPT does not forbid a non-weapon state from possessing nuclear
weapons (It forbids the acquisition, but in theory country with weapons could sign the NPT
as a non-weapon state and not give up weapons already made).
o The treaty has no sanctions for violators or for withdrawal from the treaty.
The NPT is not only still relevant, it will continue to be the essential cornerstone of the non-
proliferation regime. Confidence in non-proliferation is essential for nuclear disarmament to
proceed.

8. Poor sanitation and hygiene acts as an impediment in the path of effective social
development. Critically analyse the efforts to promote better sanitation in India.

(10 Marks)

Basic sanitation include facilities for the safe disposal of human waste and the ability to
maintain hygienic conditions, through services such as garbage collection, wastewater
treatment and disposal. Good sanitation and hygiene are crucial to human health and well-
being.
How sanitation and hygiene affect social development

• Open defecation contaminates groundwater and surface waters. It contaminate food,

drinking water and the environment.
• Spread of infectious disease such cholera, typhoid, etc and other health problems. Out
of pocket expenditure on health.
• Affect the health and economic productivity of adults. Illness may affect the work of
adult wage earners.
• Open defecation can also undermine individual dignity and safety, especially for girls
and women.
• Lack of access to private and decent sanitation facilities in schools affects the
education of girl children.
• Puts children at risk of malnutrition that can impact their overall development and
learning capacity.
• Problem of manual scavenging happens due to poor sanitation infrastructure.
Good sanitation and hygiene secure a family’s social status and help individuals maintain
self-confidence.
Efforts to promote better sanitation in India

• Swachh bharat mission, a country wide campaign to ensure open dedication free
India.
o 100 million toilets were built in 5 years since the launch of the mission in
2014.
o Open Defecation Free status was achieved.
• Swachh bharat mission 2.0 to sustain behavioral changes and ensure solid waste
management. ODF+ and ODF++.
• Swachh Survekshan as an annual survey of cleanliness, hygiene and sanitation in
villages, cities and towns across India.
• Ten year rural sanitation policy (2019-2029) to sustain the behavioral change that has
been achieved under SBM.
• Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) has provisions
for sewerage treatment in cities and promotion of circular economy.
• Smart Cities Mission and Namami Ganga Programme include provisions for solid
waste management.
• Use of bio-toilets in Indian Railway compartments.
• Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013
banned manual scavenging.
Criticisms

• NSO Survey on sanitation showed that only about 71% of rural households had access
to toilets. India is still not open defecation free.
• Lack of behavioral change among the people. Public toilets that are built are not being
used by the people in many places.
• Solid waste management, faecal sludge management and sewerage infrastructure is
still poor in Indian cities.
Way forward

• Comprehensive national policy, plan and guidelines for urban planning, sewerage
treatment, solid waste management and rural sanitation.
• Provide decent urban and rural housing, education and water supply to make
sanitation universal and sustainable.
• Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers, better use of technologies to handle wastes like
Bandicoot robot.
• Adopt WHO WASH strategy (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) in all States and U.Ts
With good sanitation and hygiene, we can achieve the Sustainable development goal 6 (Clean
water and sanitation).

9. Climate change can have a devastating toll on India's vulnerable communities

which can only be mitigated through pro-active and resilient strategies. Discuss.

(10 Marks)

As per Global Climate Risk Index 2020, India is the fifth most vulnerable of 181 countries
to the effects of climate change, with its poorest being the most at risk.
Effect of Climate Change on Vulnerable communities

• Coastal Communities-Increasing Sea level (1,7 mm/year) changes the shape of

coastlines, contributes to coastal erosion and leads to flooding and more underground
salt-water intrusion. Eg; 36 million Indians are likely to be living in areas experiencing
chronic flooding by 2100.
• SC/Tribal Communities - Increased their cost of living and threat for survival, erratic
rainfall led to decline in crop production, increase in the incidence of crop diseases etc
and conflict on sharing of resources. Mostly residing in disaster prone regions facing
flash floods, landslides forest fires etc.
• Women – Severe water shortage in rural India compels long journey for water resulting
in threat to life, rape etc. eg: Water wives. Health issues resulting from pollution.
• Children – Highly vulnerable to air pollution etc. leading to increasing asthma attacks
and allergies. Food insecurity causing poverty, hunger and deficiencies. Impacts of
climate change also facilitates child labour.
• Old age and Disabled –High exposure to phenomenon like heat waves. Health issues
and need for palliative care.
• Migrants- Climate change created a new class of climate refugees as seen worldwide.
• Transgender- Differential treatment in relief camps, rescue homes etc.
Strategies for mitigating climate change

• Inclusive approach and strategy- Inclusive climate action through the United
Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals ensuring high-vulnerability populations
have the financial, technical, and institutional resources they need to adapt.
• Initiatives like One nation one ration ensuring food security through PDS.
 • Faster, sustainable transition to clean energy. Panchamrit five-point agenda is a
right step in this direction.
• Stringent implementation of CRZ norms, and to ensure livelihood security to the
fishermen and other local communities. Also, use of geotubes, tetra pods for coastal
erosion.
• Concepts like Room for the river for effective flood management
• Promotion of traditional water harvesting along with initiatives like Jal Jeevan
mission for ensuring water conservation.
• Climate Smart Agricultural practices for ensuring food security.
• India’s INDC’s on mitigation, adaptation, finance, technology and capacity
building can contribute in addressing issues of food security and nutrition, universal
access to education and health of children, gender equality and women
empowerment etc.
• Data generation and planning for Climate Change management. Eg; Pollution
Control Board, Indian Network for Climate Change Assessment.
• Policy and frameworks evolutions. Eg; National Action Plan on Climate Change
(NAPCC), outlines existing and future policies and programs addressing climate
mitigation and adaptation.
India has the potential to emerge as a thought leader among emerging economies in climate
resilience, through inclusive and sustainable development strategies.

10. Treading a fine balance between privacy rights of the individual and addressing
illegitimate practices in surrogacy is a daunting task for law makers. Discuss in
the context of provisions of (Assisted Reproductive Technology) ART and
Surrogacy Acts. (10 Marks)

Surrogacy is defined as a practice where a woman gives birth to a child for an intending couple
with the intention to hand it over to them after the birth.
Important provisions of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Act

• Proposes the establishment of a national registry and registration authority.

• Regulate ART Services - to advise the government on policy, review and monitor
implementation of the law, and formulate a code of conduct for ART clinics and banks.
• Offences & punishment - eg; abandoning or exploiting children born through ART;
sale, purchase, or trade of embryos; exploiting the couple or donor in any form and
seeks stringent punishment for illegitimate practices in surrogacy.
Important provisions of Surrogacy Act

• Defined who can avail surrogacy services - a legally married woman and man, if
they have a medical condition necessitating this option.
 • Bans commercial surrogacy, allows only altruistic surrogacy where no money
exchanges hands and where a surrogate mother is genetically related to those
seeking a child.
• Defined the regulator - The Centre and State governments are expected to constitute
a National Surrogacy Board (NSB) and State Surrogacy Boards (SSB) respectively,
within 90 days of the passing of the Act.
Threading a fine Balance

Arguments for privacy rights

• Right of reproductive autonomy is a facet of the right to privacy guaranteed under

Article 21 of the Constitution - and so a person’s decision to surrogacy.
• Acts only allows for surrogacy for married couples and excludes sections of people
belonging to the LGBTQ community, live-in couples, and single, divorced or widowed
parents. Single divorcee/widow women can have children only between 35 to 45 yrs.
Hence age, gender, marital status dictates surrogacy rights rather than their desire to
have a child – violates article
• Limits the autonomy of married couples and potential surrogates by means of stringent
conditions and requirements of eligibility and essentiality certificates. Married couple
can initiate surrogacy only on medical grounds and only once. This denies the right to
have a second child.
• Ignores the fact that the women who opt for being surrogate mothers are from
economically vulnerable backgrounds and a complete ban on commercial surrogacy
deprives them of their livelihood.
• Commercial surrogacies argue that a woman has a right to procreate and can claim
compensation for the gestation period. These arguments must be reviewed through the
eyes of law because commercial surrogacy contracts ignore the rights of the surrogate
mothers and undermine them.
Need for stringent regulations

• India has emerged as a hub for infertility treatment and an unregulated environment
may breed a parallel economy threatening govt.
• Due to prevailing socio-economic inequities, underprivileged women willing to ‘rent
their wombs’ will be exploited by unscrupulous middlemen eg: Several instances where
women, in often desperate straits, started lodging police complaints after they did not
receive the promised sum.
• Threat of human/organ trafficking under the cover of surrogacy.
• Issue of abandoned babies eg: Couples refusing to take custody of children born out of
surrogacy due to divorce etc.
Surrogacy comes under the reproductive choices of women and it is included as a fundamental
right under the purview of Article 21 of the Indian Constitution and hence Government should
provide space for the stakeholders to decide with a strong institutional support and protecting
their rights.
 11. India and Japan have built a strong strategic partnership in the last decade and is
expected to deepen in the coming decades. Analyse the significance of this
relationship along with the challenges faced. Briefly outline the decisions adopted
by both nations in the recently concluded summit
(15 marks)

Japan and India signed a peace treaty and established diplomatic relations on 28th April,
1952.
Significance of India – Japan relation
• Strategic cooperation – India has been cooperating with Japan on multiple initiatives to
counter the Chinese threats. (Supply Chain Resilience Initiative, Asia-Africa Growth
Corridor, 2+2 Dialogue)
• Economic Cooperation –
o Japan being developed nation, can help India through trade and investments
o signed CEPA 2011, and renewed Currency Swap agreement.
• Defence cooperation –
o joint Defence exercises – “Dharma Guardian” and "Malabar”
o Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement (ACSA) to exchange supplies and
services
• Technological cooperation –
o India Japan Emerging Technology and Innovation Fund 2019
o India Japan Digital Partnership
o JAXA – ISRO Cooperation
• Multilateral cooperation – Cooperation in UN, G20 and G4.
Challenges

• Trade disputes
o Limited success of India – Japan CEPA
o Entry barrier for Indian companies and products
• Cross border data flow –
o ‘Osaka track’ – standardisation of cross border data flow, India stressing on
‘data localisation’
• AAGC still is far from being implemented due to scepticism of both nations
• Indifference over joining RCEP
• Issues over technological Cooperation – High speed rail project not yet started as land
acquisition still incomplete
Decisions taken in the last summit

Recently, Prime Ministers of India and Japan held 14th India Japan Annual Summit in New
Delhi.

• Clean Energy Partnership (CEP) – for cooperation towards achieving sustainable

economic growth, addressing climate change and ensuring energy security
• The two countries resolved to further advance the India-Japan Special Strategic and
Global Partnership.
• Japan to invest Rs. 3.2 lakh crores in India over next five years.
 • Signing of the MoC for cooperation in decentralized domestic wastewater management;
on Sustainable Urban Development.
• Japan would be joining the Indian-Swedish climate initiative to promote heavy industry
green transition.
• Both sides agreed to launch ‘Sustainable Development Initiative for the North-eastern
Region of India’ which includes cooperation in connectivity, healthcare, new and
renewable energy, as well as initiative for strengthening bamboo value chain.
With the global balance of power gradually shifting towards Asia, a strengthened India-Japan
partnership is poised to have a major impact on the twenty-first century.

12. “Fixing WHO is crucial, because there is a dire need for a well-functioning global
health institutions”. In the light of the statement, examine the challenges faced by
WHO, especially during the pandemic times. Suggest measures to reform the body
so as to be more responsive to the reality (15 marks)

The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations
responsible for international public health.

General challenges faced by WHO

• Lack of defined functions – There is no single document which comprehensively describes
its responsibilities, obligations and powers with respect to infectious diseases.
• Recommendatory powers – The WHO’s authority is recommendatory in nature unlike
bodies like WTO which can bind or sanction its members.
• Capacity to work in an outbreak – Its coordinating authority and capacity are weak and it
merely works as a technical organisation
• Limited funding – WHO’s annual operating budget, about $2bn in 2019, is smaller than
that of many university hospitals, and diversified among an array of public health and
research projects.
Challenges faced during pandemic

• Lack of preparedness – In 2015, the coronavirus family of diseases was selected to be

included in a list of priorities requiring urgent research and development.
• Delay in declaration – COVID 19 was declared as a ‘public health emergency of
international concern’ (PHEIC) when the confirmed cases had increased tenfold across 18
countries. WHO also delayed its declaration as a ‘pandemic’
• Indecision in visiting China – The WHO did not show any urgency in sending an
investigation team to China.
• Delay in acknowledging human-to-human transmission of the virus- especially, after the
first case was announced outside China.
• Not endorsing the use of trade and travel restrictions – Rather, the WHO urged the
international community to not spread fear and stigma by imposing travel restrictions.
Measures to reform WHO

India has proposed a nine-point plan for reforms of the WHO

• Strengthening the PHEIC declaration process: devise objective criteria with clear
parameters for declaring PHEIC. It should also be possible for DG WHO to declare a
PHEIC if in his/her assessment there is a broad agreement, though not a consensus, within
the IHR Emergency Committee and not to wait for a consensus to emerge.
• Funding - Need to ensure that extra budgetary or voluntary contributions are unearmarked
to ensure that the WHO has necessary flexibility for its usage in areas where they are
required the most.
• Ensuring transparency of funding mechanism and accountability framework – Establishing
strong and robust financial accountability frameworks will enable maintaining integrity in
financial flows.
• Enhancement of the response capacities of the WHO and Member States – Should focus
on building and strengthening capacities in member states as required under IHR 2005
• Improvement of the WHO's governance structure
o Need to devise specific mechanisms like a Standing Committee to ensure effective
supervision by member States.
o Need of effective representation of the developing nations and the high disease
burden countries on different decision-making processes
• Improvement in IHR Implementation – IHR should have a robust mechanism to assess risks
early and initiate subsequent steps
• Access to therapeutics, vaccines and diagnostics – develop a global framework or
specialised protocols for benefit sharing for non-influenza pandemics on the lines of PIP
Framework consistent with the objectives of the CBD and its Nagoya Protocol
• Creation of Global Framework for Management of Infectious Diseases & Pandemics –
Enhancement of capacities of countries in preparation for and response to infectious
diseases of pandemic potential
• Role of Hosted Partnerships in pandemic management – Improve capacity for global
pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response, and strengthening our ability to fight
back any such pandemic in future.

13. “If India wants a special relationship with the Indian Ocean, it needs to remain
engaged more than ever with island nations like the Maldives.” Discuss.
(15 marks)

India and Maldives share ethnic, linguistic, cultural, religious and commercial links steeped
in antiquity and enjoy close, cordial and multi-dimensional relations.

Strategic importance of Maldives

• Maldives lies in close proximity to the west coast of India and can allow a third nation’s
naval presence in the area hampering Indian capability
• Maldives is situated at the hub of commercial sea-lanes running through the Indian Ocean.
More than 97% of India’s international trade by volume and 75% by value passes through
the region
• India has the ambition to be ‘Net-security provider’ in Indian Ocean region and this calls
for close military and naval ties with Maldives so that India protects its own interests as
well of its neighbours in the Indian Ocean region.
• China is rapidly expanding its footprint in the Maldives though it opened an embassy in the
island nation only in 2011. Thus, it becomes geo-politically and strategically important for
India to maintain its presence in Maldives.
India Maldives relations

• Economic relations
o India and Maldives signed a trade agreement in 1981, now bilateral trade stands at
US$ 288.99 Million heavily in favour of India.
o India has emerged as the second largest trade partner for Maldives in 2020
• Defence Cooperation
o Comprehensive Action Plan for Defence to consolidate the defence partnership,
Coastal Radar System, Composite Training Centre etc
o India provides active training support for Maldivian National Defence Force
(MNDF)
• Development Assistance
o Major completed development assistance by India include Indira Gandhi Memorial
Hospital, Maldives Institute of Technical Education, Construction of National
Police Academy etc.
o Grants for projects under High Impact Community Development Projects
(HICDPs)
• Humanitarian assistance
o India has provided large-scale assistance to Maldives in the aftermath of the 2004
Indian Ocean tsunami and during the 2014 Male water crisis under Operation Neer.
• People to people relations
o Indians are the second largest expatriate community in the Maldives. About 25% of
Doctors and Teachers in Maldives are Indian nationals.
o The India Cultural Center (ICC) in Male was inaugurated in 2011, which conducts
courses in yoga, classical music and dance.
Challenges

• The Maldives’ reliance on China – to develop more than US$ 2.5 billion in infrastructure
projects and the resulting accumulation of foreign debt— 40 per cent of the country’s GDP,
is a concern for India. (Chinese debt-trap diplomacy)
• Political instability in Maldives – Democracy is yet to take a firm footing is a cause of
concern as it will have impact on India’s relations
• Political instability has challenged overall security of the Indian Ocean by increasing
radicalisation and by the granting of non- transparent permissions for foreign investment.
Way Forward

• Adhering to Gujaral Doctrine to guide India Maldives relations

• While the recent ‘India-First Policy’ of the Maldives and India’s ‘Neighbourhood First
Policy’ are intuitively complementary, implementing these policies with strategic
sensitivity is of the utmost importance.
• Deepening Security Cooperation through mechanism like Colombo Security Conclave.

14. The failure of SAARC is argued to be the driving force behind the creation of
BIMSTEC. Do you think BIMSTEC can replace the failing SAARC? Explain
(15 marks)

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is an intergovernmental

organisation that promotes development of economic and regional integration.
Reasons for the failure of SAARC

• India-Pakistan rivalry has become a major roadblock towards achieving its goal of
South Asia integration.
• Due to its sheer size, India is required to take initiatives, which often are construed as
a big brother attitude and resented by the member countries.
• The asymmetry between India and other member countries in terms of geography,
economy, military strength and influence in the global arena make the smaller countries
apprehensive. They perceive India might use the SAARC to pursue hegemony in the
region
• Most nations in the grouping have long pending issues with their common neighbour
India which also has contributed towards the increasing animosity within the grouping.
• Increasing relations of the member countries with China as well as participating in
Chinese led BRI, has been opposed by India. This opposition has also reflected in
SAARC’s failure
• Increasing presence of China in the region and reservations of India with China is also
creating roadblocks.
• SAARC does not have any arrangement for resolving disputes or mediating conflicts.
Disputes among the member countries often hamper consensus building, thus slowing
down the decision-making process
• SAARC faces a shortage of resources, and countries have been reluctant to increase
their contributions.
• Given SAARC’s failures, member countries have turned to bilateralism, which in turn
has adversely affected the organisation.
BIMSTEC includes the countries of the Bay of Bengal region: five countries from South Asia
and two from ASEAN. The organisation is a bridge between South Asia and South East Asia.
It includes all the major countries of South Asia, except Maldives, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

BIMSTEC potential

• It acts as the bridge between South Asia and one of most integrated regions in the world
– South East Asia. This can lead to increased economic activity and thereby bringing
development in the subcontinent.
• Absence of Pakistan can ensure that the forum is not used for settling Indo-Pak rivalry.
• ASEAN’s shared conflict with China can also help in keeping China away from
BIMSTEC
• BIMSTEC’s major strength comes from the fact that it includes two influential regional
powers: Thailand and India. This adds to the comfort of smaller neighbours by reducing
the fear of dominance by one big power.
• As a trade bloc, BIMSTEC provides many opportunities.
o The region has countries with the fastest-growing economies in the world.
o The combined GDP in the region is around US$2 trillion and will likely grow
further.
o Trade among the BIMSTEC member countries reached six percent in just a
decade, while in SAARC, it has remained around five percent since its
inception.
 • BIMSTEC emerged out of the necessities of the member countries. India was motivated
to join BIMSTEC as it wanted to enhance its connectivity with ASEAN countries: a
major component of its Look East Policy, now rechristened ‘Act East’ policy.
o For Thailand, BIMSTEC helps achieve the country’s Look West Policy.
o BIMSTEC also helps smaller countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan
to develop connectivity with ASEAN countries, the hub of major economic
activities globally.
Challenges

• The infrequency of the BIMSTEC summits, is primary concern. In its 20 years of

existence, the BIMSTEC summit has taken place only five times.
• The delay in the adoption of the FTA, a framework that was agreed upon in 2004, fuels
doubts about BIMSTEC’s efficacy.
• The secretariat, based at Dhaka, faces a severe resource crunch, both in terms of money
and manpower, which has adversely affected its performance.
• The lack of leadership within the grouping is also cited as a major drawback by the
experts.
• BIMSTEC has its own share of issues like Rohingya crisis between Myanmar and
Bangladesh, Refugee crisis between Bhutan and Nepal, increasing presence of China
in the Indian Ocean region – issues that have put member countries on different stands,
unlike a common one.
The scope and objectives of BIMSTEC and SAARC are not the same. But, at the same time,
they can be seen as a complimentary to each other in regional integration rather than an
alternative solution

15. The elevation of the partnership between India and South Korea in strategic
domains will contribute to a secure, stable, and multi-polar Indo-Pacific region.
Analyse (15 marks)

India-Republic of Korea (RoK) relations has become truly multidimensional, spurred by a

significant convergence of interests, mutual goodwill and high-level exchanges.

India South Korea relations

• Political relations –
o Relations upgraded to Special Strategic Partnership in 2015
o India is part of South Korea’s ‘New Asia Community Plus’ framework
• Strategic Partnership
o South Korea’s New Southern Policy attached primacy to strengthening the
country’s economic and strategic relations with India.
o This is in order to reduce reliance in China and the US which are biggest trading
partners of South Korea
o Signed agreement to extend logistical support to each other’s navies
• Commercial relations
o India signed CEPA in 2010 - Current bilateral trade between India and South Korea
is at USD 21 billion and the target that has been set is USD 50 billion by the year
2030.
o Korea Plus initiative to boost Korean investments in India
• Cultural relations
o Annual festival of India ‘SARANG’
o India offers scholarships and fellowships to Korean nationals.
Elevation of relations in strategic domains

• South Korea, despite being an US ally, and China as its biggest trading partner, is
increasingly faces problems in managing its relations with these important associates.
o South Korea is displaying an increased desire for close interactions with regional
partners like India on key strategic issues
• Joining the Quad or even engaging with the grouping through other mechanisms — would
allow South Korea to expand its cooperation with India in new domains and arenas
• The military logistics agreement with South Korea will enhance India’s strategic reach and
naval presence in the Pacific
• The increase in Defence engagement can help in defence technological collaborations such
as for South Korean armoured system, P-75I project etc
• Building a roadmap for cooperation in naval, land, and aero systems, Research and
Development, and collaboration in testing, certification, and quality assurance, can help to
enhance the quality of Indian indigenous defence products
• South Korean has expressed interest in participating in the defence corridor under the
“Make in India” and Aatmanirbhar Bharat policies focusing on domestic defence
manufacturing and exporting.
• The relationship between the South Korea and India can be expanded to encompass
cooperation in cyber security, information technology, and threats to maritime security
from terrorism, extremism, and radicalization.
How it contributes to a secure, stable, and multi-polar Indo-Pacific region?

• It will help in the growing support for a rules-based and inclusive regional architecture in
IPR, thereby checking the growing Chinese aggressiveness in the region
• It will result in increased investments in joint explorations in IPR
• It can help in boosting joint collaborations in the region leading to prosperity in the region
• Reduced military confrontations in the region can boost trade in the region
• Increased defence cooperation can also in checking the piracy in the region which can
further boost the trade
• Joint HADR can help in combating natural disasters much effectively with better precise
information transmission.

16. Regulation of child welfare institutions by the Juvenile Justice Act is only a half-
hearted attempt in protecting rights of the children. In this light discuss the steps
that should be taken in ensuring the rights of children in Institutions.

(15 Marks)

The Report titled ‘Mapping and Review Exercise of Child Care Institutions’ by Ministry of
Women and Child Development pointed out the dismal state of child welfare institutes in
India.
Improvements brought about by Juvenile Justice (JJ)Acts and subsequent amendment

• One of the main provisions of the JJ Act 2015 is allowing the trial of juveniles in
conflict with law in the age group of 16-18 years as adults. The nature of the crime,
and whether the juvenile should be tried as a minor or a child, was to be determined
by a Juvenile Justice Board.
• Regarding adoption-The 2015 JJ Act streamlined adoption procedures for orphans,
abandoned and surrendered children and the existing Central Adoption Resource
Authority (CARA) has been given the status of a statutory body to enable it to
perform its function more effectively.
• JJ Act amendment 2021 took steps not only to ensure speedy trials and increased
protection of children, but also to also speed up the adoption processes in the country.
o Now District Magistrates can issue orders of adoption (To overcome the
backlog of adoption cases in courts)
o DMs and ADMs will monitor the functioning of various agencies under the JJ
Act in every district – i.e. Child Welfare Committees (CWC), the Juvenile
Justice Boards, the District Child Protection Units and the Special Juvenile
Protection Units.
o DM will carry out background checks of CWC members.
o DM will check whether the ought to be members of CWC has no possible
criminal backgrounds related with child abuses etc.
o Both heinous and serious crimes committed by Juveniles have also been
clarified for the first time.
Issues that persist

• Children are regimented. There is lack of a rights-based approach and no

understanding on developing counselling, life skills, training, educational
interventions, and health support for children.
• Focus on concept of rehabilitation, reintegration, deinstitutionalization, and
independent living is inadequate.
• The location of homes is based on political considerations, rather than on needs of the
children.
• The children are deprived of opportunities to develop stable and continuous
attachment relationships due to the large staff turnover and poor quality of contact
with their caregivers.
• Recent incidents in certain homes across the country have established that sexual,
physical and emotional abuse of children is rampant.
• Issues in the grievance redressal system- The 2021 amendment to the JJ Act making
the crimes committed on children as non-cognisable could make reporting them to the
police even more difficult.
• Aftercare in the juvenile justice system has not been taken into due consideration.
• Entrusting more duties on DM may not prove fruitful since she/he is already burdened
with a bunch of duties.
• A vast majority of childcare institutions in India doesn’t comply with regulations of JJ
Act completely.
Steps needs to be taken
• To ensure proper implementation of the JJ Act, the DM will have to hold regular
fortnightly meetings with all five arms – CWC, JJ Board, CCI, district child
protection units and special juvenile police units.
• Specific training in child protection rules will also need to be imparted, as district
magistrates usually are not trained or equipped to deal with these specific laws
• Relook on the provision of making some serious crimes as non-cognisable offence.
• Issue of concern regarding child’s right to an identity should be addressed, So
children should be given proper names and identity documents. Not known or NK,
should not be mentioned on these documents, as it leads to their stigmatisation.
• Need to promote family-based alternatives to institutional care for children.
• A right climate is needed to create cost effective, sustainable alternatives, including
strengthening families and raising public awareness
• More evidence-based data will be a tool to systemic reform and transformation of
CCIs.
• Due care should be taken while implementing new JJ rules, so that CCIs which are
falling short in non-serious lapses should not be punished.

There must be a participatory and consultative approach with various stakeholders,

including children. When it comes to children in institutions, we must apply the same
standards of care that we would to our own children.

17. "It is not the disposal, acquittal or conviction which matters, but the process and
whether it is an enabling experience for the survivors and their families". In the
light of this critically analyse the provisions of POCSO Act. Also suggest some
reforms to expand its scope and make it more victim friendly. (15 Marks)

The POCSO Act, 2012 designed for the protection of children from sexual assault/
harassment/pornography often receives criticism for the procedural harassments faced by
the victims. It should also be noticed that recently, the Supreme Court had to injunct an
interpretation of ‘skin-to-skin contact’ given by the Bombay High Court.
Enabling provisions of Act

ü Defines child as anyone below 18 years. It is gender neutral- both minor boys and girls.
ü Sexual abuse includes penetrative and non-penetrative assault, as well as sexual
harassment and pornography.
ü Punishment for storage, transmission of pornographic material.
ü Defines aggravated sexual assault, like when child is mentally ill or committer is in a
position of trust or authority, like a family member, police officer, teacher, or doctor,
assault committed during natural calamity etc.
ü Recent amendment has introduced death penalty for aggravated sexual assault on
children.
ü It has raised the age of consensual sex from 16 years as per Indian Penal Code, 1860 to
18 years. Consent below 18 years is not recognised.
ü The burden of proof lies on the accused – punishment has been provided for false
complaints also.
ü There is legal duty upon a person who has knowledge that a child has been sexually
abused to report the offence; if he fails to do so, he may be punished.
ü Role of police-to act as child protectors, inform Child Welfare Committee (CWC) within
24 hours
ü Ensuring child friendly judicial process- for avoiding the re-victimisation. There, should
be special courts, the trial in-camera and without revealing the identity of the child.
ü Timeline -must be disposed of within one year from the date the offence is reported.
NB: (Need not mention all provisions, for information purpose only)

Drawbacks

ü Procedural issues:
o Victims aren’t informed of their right to refuse or consent to the examination,
treatment and collection of evidence which is traumatic for victims
o The act is silent on such situations where the victim is an adult but the medical
evidence produced pertaining to his or her mental stability states otherwise.
o Lack of support and empathy for victims and their families from the various
agencies (Investigating agency, Health department, judiciary) that deal with a
case.
o There are still cases in which the two-finger test is used which happens in the
labour wards, which is traumatic for victims.
o Victims who go to the Juvenile Justice Board often find it hard to apply for and
receive compensation.
ü Huge pendency of POCSO cases and poor conviction rates. As per a report of Praja
Foundation, 99% of cases registered under the POCSO Act in 2020 are pending trial.
Also. When cases are dragged long, children also forget facts leading to acquittal of
accused.
ü Act has provisions for establishment for Special Courts with the aim to dispose speedy
trial. The reality is different as the pending cases are ever increasing, the required
establishment of Special Courts in every district are nowhere near to be completed.
ü Under POCSO any sex with a minor is rape irrespective of consent. There are demands
to reconsider POCSO’s absolutist approach to adolescent sexuality needs.
ü Most crimes are committed by family members – not always complaint get registered.
ü Poor awareness: Most adults do not know that they are bound by law to report a case of
child sexual abuse. Fear of harassment at hand is police also prevent people from
complaining.
ü Caste based angle of violence is missed as majority of the affected children are from
marginalised sections.
ü Inability to deal with historical cases. Historic means - incidents that are reported late
(after a very long period of occurrence of the abuse) eg: Reporting of an offence, under
Section 354 of the IPC, more than three years after the date of incident would be barred
by the CrPC
ü Infrastructure gap: most courts do not have child friendly infrastructure. There is no
additional fund at judiciary for this.
ü Lack of adequate manpower: Scarcity of trained child psychologist, doctors, counsellor
make the whole process more traumatic for the child.
ü Cannot combat cybercrimes against children eg: With just 1 out of 1,000 cases reaching
verdicts, cybercriminals targeting kids go scot-free in India.
ü Unresponsive police: Police do not show efficiency in registering the case and are not
well trained to be sensitive towards the needs of a child.
 ü Centre and state governments have been asked to prepare age-appropriate educational
material and curriculum for children. But this has hasn’t been revised yet.

Suggested reforms

ü Procedural:
o Trained worker including doctors, counsellors, police, judges etc. who are
equipped to deal with a child and do not cause further trauma.
o Sensitization to take away the stigma attached to sexual abuse which prevents
people from reporting crimes especially involving family members.
o Encouraging children to speak: Children should be given a platform and proper
environment to speak against such abuse.
o Counselling at schools must include providing sex education to children,
making them more aware of various protective laws, good touch-bad touch etc
o Various agencies should provide necessary support and empathy to victims and
their families. All agencies involved in the investigation of POCSO Act cases
should adhere to the protocols
o There should be a community liaison officer of sorts to liaise between the child
and family, and the police, courts and other authorities.
ü All victims are supposed to be handed over Form A.
o It is like Bill of Rights and gives them an idea of what assistance they can seek,
including legal aid, counselling, and copies of the FIR that will help them file
for interim compensation
ü More funds for up gradation of child friendly police station courts.
ü India must revise its legal and procedural methods to deal with historical child sexual
abuse to address the plight of children who were victims of sexual abuse before 2012.

18. A robust mental healthcare mechanism is essential in preventing the

multidimensional malice of rising suicides in India. Analyse. (15 Marks)

According to National Crime Records Bureau data, more than 1.5 lakh people commited
suicide in India in 2020.

Multidimensional malice of suicides in India

• Covid-19 pandemic and the lockdown impacted the mental health of people and lead
to an increase in suicide rates. There was a 10 percent increase in rate in suicides in
2020 compared to 2019 (NCRB data)
• Academic competition and stress cause the students to commit suicide. Eg: Kota
suicides, Suicides in IITs.
• Mental health issues like depression and anxiety disorders lead to suicides. India is the
most depressed country in the world according to WHO.
 • Economic factors like job loss, unemployment and crop loss lead to suicides. Eg:
Farmers suicides due to indebtedness.
• Social factors like patriarchy and gender based violence lead to suicides among
women. More than 14 percent of the recorded suicides in India in 2020 were
commited by housewives.
• Drug abuse and alcoholism also affect the mental health of people.
Challenges

• Lack of appropriate number of mental health professionals and clinics.

• Social stigma associated with availing mental healthcare.
• Poor awareness among the people about mental health problems and solutions.
Existing Mental health care mechanism in India

• National Mental Health Programme to address mental illness and the inadequacy of
mental health care infrastructure in the country.
• Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 to provide mental healthcare and services to people.
• MANODARPAN is an initiative of the Ministry of Education to provide psychosocial
support to students for their Mental Health and Well-being.
• Kiran helpline, India's first national mental health helpline number.
• National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro sciences (NIMHANS) as the apex
centre for mental health and neuroscience education in the country.
Way forward

• Need a national policy on mental healthcare and National policy for Suicide
prevention. Integration of it with National Health Policy and National Education
Policy.
• Accessible and affordable mental healthcare infrastructure with trained professionals.
Primary Health Centres should have such professionals. ASHA workers can be
trained to provide assistance and awareness.
• Avenue for conversation for people having suicide tendencies. Counselling
mechanism for emotional support, persuade them to get help and refer them to mental
health professional. Eg: iCall helpline.
• Awareness generation among the people about various mental health issues. TV
programmes, seminars and media campaigns can be conducted. NGOs can be
prompted for the same. Eg: Suicide Prevention India Foundation.
• School education should promote the overall development of children rather than
focussing on academics alone. Reduce exam stress, promote extra curricular
activities.
• Economic measures to address low income and unemployment, Social changes like
gender equality and women empowerment.
• Yoga and meditation can be promoted to develop a healthy lifestyle among the
people.
Suicide is the most preventable form of death and a robust mental healthcare mechanism is
essential to address the problem.

19. The World Population Prospects,2022 has projected that India may surpass
China as the world’s most populous country by next year with a growing elderly
population. In this light discuss the issues faced by the elderly population. Also
bring out various mechanisms to be rolled out for their sustainable well-being.

(15 Marks)

According to Census 2011, 8.6% of the population is in the old age group. It is expected to
increase to 20% by 2050.

Problems faced by old age people

• Prevalence of ageism : India is among the nations with highest prevalence of ageism
according to WHO Report.
• Economic dependency : India's age dependency ratio is 48% according to World bank
data. Loss of prestige associated with this.
• Health problems. : Mental, locomotor, visual and hearing impairment ; non-
communicable diseases ; cardiovascular disease.
• Physical, mental and financial abuse faced by old age people. Different media reports
show mistreatment of elder parents by their sons or daughters.
• Isolation and neglect faced by old age people in India. Lack of old age associations
and groups.
• Poor public infrastructure and government social security programmes for old age
people.
• Old age people find it difficult to find jobs to sustain themselves. Social prejudice that
they are fit only for a few job requirements.
• Feminisation od ageing as women tend to live longer than men.
Mechanisms rolled out for their sustainable well-being

• Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior citizens Act, 2007

• Government schemes like Indira Gandhi National Old age Pension Scheme to support
old age people, Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana, Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana.
• National Policy for Senior citizen, 2011
• National Programme for Healthcare of the Elderly
• Separate seats in buses and trains, lower fare on railway tickets.
 Measures needed for sustainable well being of old age people
• Promote the care of senior citizen within the family and institutional care should be
the last resort. Work towards age friendly societies and recognize elderly as a
productive resource.
• Promote the attitude of active ageing and reap longetivity dividend. Longevity
dividend refers to the potential offered due to increase in life expectancy.
• Encourage employment among the old age people. Eg : Multi generational homes as
in context of Germany, in counselling services. Promote self- employment
opportunities by providing credit facilities.
• Promotion of geriatric care. Tele-medicine or home consultation along with elderly
friendly healthcare infrastructure.
• Create old people’s association to represent the need of elderly to government
agencies. Promote NGOs working for the welfare of old age people.
• Create a web portal to crowd source the information with respect to old age for better
delivery of services.
Consider old age people as an asset, a massive resource of experienced and knowledgeable
people and not as dependents and liabilities. So we need to protect their health and develop
their capabilities.

20. Discuss about the causes and implications of urban poverty in India. Examine
the strategies adopted by India to tackle this issue. (15 Marks)

Urban poverty is a form of poverty that is visible in cities, characterised by poor living
circumstances and income, as well as a lack of essential utilities for a decent standard of life.

Causes of urban poverty in India

• Over urbanisation caused by distress migration from rural areas leading to

overpopulation. This leads to shortage of affordable housing and basic amenities.
• Poor education and basic healthcare infrastructure in public sector. Lack of
opportunities and skills for livelihood.
• Unemployment, low wages and poor standards of work in the informal sector
industries.
• Low female labour force participation leading to low household income.
Implications of urban poverty in India

• Proliferation of slums in urban areas without essential utilities and decent standard of
living.
• Low skilled and unhealthy workforce. The poor will not be able to participate in the
emerging employment opportunities in different sectors of the urban economy.
• Vicious cycle of poverty and poor human capital formation. Not reaping the
demographic dividend.
 • Increasing number of crime rates in urban areas.
Strategies adopted by India to tackle urban poverty

• Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) to rejuvenate

and transform cities.
• Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and Affordable Rental Housing Complexes to address
housing problem.
• One Nation One Ration Card Scheme for the migrant poor to avail the benefits of
Public distribution system.
• National Urban Livelihood Mission to generate livelihood opportunities and
encourage Self Help Groups.
• National Urban Health Mission to upgrade urban health infrastructure. Ayushman
Bharat to provide health insurance coverage. Public health infrastructure like Mohalla
clinics.
• Initiatives to support the urban poor during the Covid-19 pandemic. Eg: Pradhan
Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana, PM SVANidhi Scheme for street vendors.
Measures needed to be undertaken to address urban poverty

• Proper urban planning, slum rehabilitation and effective urban governance. Devolve
more funds and functions to the urban local bodies.
• Providing Basic amenities such as Clean Water, Sanitation and Electricity to the slum
areas should be at priority.
• Investment in public education and healthcare infrastructure in urban areas. Skill
development, promoting Self help groups for livelihood opportunities.
• Enforcing minimum wages and proper social security measures for the informal
sector work force.
• A new Urban employment guarantee scheme to provide assured work for unskilled
and semi-skilled workers.
The urban population of Indian cities is projected to reach near 60% by 2050 from 31% in
2011 according to UN World Cities Report. We need to address the problem of urban poverty
to achieve SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 11 (Sustainable cities and communities).